What do your feet and legs and ankles do while you're sitting at the Alex Theatre, or Royce Hall, or one of Southern California's grand venues, watching the Los Angeles Ballet?
We like to think we keep perfectly still in our seats, so our neighbors stay happy, but many of us curl our toes when a ballerina goes en pointe. And our knees wiggle, just a bit, when a pirouette is deftly completed. Maybe we see ourselves on stage, in a daydream, even as we understand we'd never get the chance to dance with such talented artists.
Except when we can. Dancers from the Los Angeles Ballet will lead a free day of classes at the Los Angeles Ballet Dance Center on Sunday, Jan. 25. That's right, you and your curling, en pointe-dreaming toes can stand with other ballet buffs and learn some polished moves from the greats.
David Block, a dancer with the company, will teach Adult Beginning/Intermediate Ballet at 11 a.m. on the 25th, and dancer Chris McDaniel will lead an Introduction to Ballet.
There are kid-focused classes, too, like Creative Movement for wee performers ages 3 to 6 (dancer Ashley Millar will be the instructor). But not everything is about leaps and poses; a seminar on stage make-up, with guest instructor Abigail Brand discussing technique, is on the roster.
The name of the day is A Chance to Dance, which is exactly what it is (how lovely a beautifully clear and en pointe name can be). All ages are welcome -- "babies to a Master Class!" are covered -- and you'll get to meet artists from our city's acclaimed troupe.
There are more dates to come during 2015, which the company has proclaimed "is the year to dance!" We're behind that, especially for those fans who've sat at the Alex or Royce Hall bending their feet, quietly, or shifting their ankles, daydreaming while they watch magnificent dancers on stage.
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You'll need to complete the registration form first, so get that, and your en pointe info, here.