Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Notes from Knox

Corps de Ballet Dancer Lawrence Knox shares with us the dancers' Thanksgiving weekend and preparing for The Nutcracker season!

*All images by Rosalie O'Connor

With Thanksgiving passing and the winter holidays swiftly approaching, we are reminded of all we have to be grateful for.  I took a few minutes to ask some of the dancers what they are thankful for and how they spent their four-day weekend. 

Joshua Stayton traveled to Cincinnati to visit his family with Jose Antonio Checa Romero.  They are both thankful for “family, friends, and the arts.”  
Joshua Stayton
Jose Antionio Checa Romero
Although distance prevented a big family celebration this year, Alexandra Bergman is thankful that her whole family is healthy.  She enjoyed this past weekend “doing mother daughter things with Sanya,” before the Nutcracker performances begin.    

Alexandra Bergman
There is no Thanksgiving in Japan, but since coming to the United States, it has become one of Hanae Seki’s favorite holidays.  For dinner, she cooked Japanese food with fellow dancer, Yoshihisa Arai.  She is thankful that dance has allowed her to have so many friends of different nationalities.  
Hanae Seki
Yoshihisa Arai
I drove home to Arkansas and spent a wonderful weekend with those who I am most thankful for, my family.  There was never a dull moment with five of us kids, my parents, grandparents, friends, five dogs, and two cats in the house. 

Now, back in the studio with tummies full of turkey, we return to Nutcracker rehearsals in full swing.  Although Tulsa Ballet’s version differs from the traditional story, it is just as magical, if not more, with the glamorous costumes, the extravagant scenery, and the different choreography.  The polonaise is more challenging and the second act demonstrates the strengths of the company members.   
Soo Youn Cho and Alfonso Martin dancing the roles of  Marie and Charles in The Nutcracker
I remember first seeing this Nutcracker with my mother when I was eleven and leaving the theater without a doubt in my mind that I wanted to be on that stage.  The next year my mom drove me to Tulsa each day in order to train with the school.  I will never forget when I received the letter saying that I would share the part of young Marie with two of my friends.  My mom had just picked my siblings and me up from school and we were pulling into the neighborhood when we stopped to get the mail.  That was only the beginning of the magic for me.   

This Nutcracker has always held a special place in my heart and I only wish the people of Tulsa will leave the theater as enchanted as I felt those nine years ago.     

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Cooking with Caroline - Happy Thanksgiving

Here at the Tulsa Ballet studios, our halls have been filled with the patter of little mice feet as we prepare for The Nutcracker season. But before the mice and soldiers go off to battle beginning December 10th at the PAC, they're enjoying a short break with their families for Thanksgiving.
Our own Office & Facility Manager Caroline Crain shared with us one of her favorite Thanksgiving recipes - her Grandmother Owen's Corn Pudding. It's a family favorite as her 93 year old father asks for it every year. 

Corn Pudding

1 No. 2 can cream-style corn
1-1   ½ cups whole corn (frozen or fresh – NOT canned)
1T sugar
1 tsp salt
3 T melted butter (not margarine)
5         eggs, well beaten
3 cups whole milk (or 2 cups milk & 1 cup ½ & ½ )
1 T chopped pimento
1 T corn starch
1 T cold water

  • Combine corn, sugar, salt, butter, pimento, eggs and milk.  Dissolve cornstarch in water and stir into corn mixture.
  • Pour into a greased, shallow 2 quart baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour or until custard is firm. It should be a light golden brown on top.
  • Yield 6-8 portions.  I usually double this and put it in a regular 9x13 pyrex dish.
This is a very lovely, light custard.  And it’s still good, rewarmed as a leftover. Have a happy Thanksgiving and see you at Nutcracker!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Barre Society - Rehearsal & Drinks with the Dancers

Local young professionals of The Barre Society gathered in Studio K for a private rehearsal viewing of Tulsa Ballet's principal dancer Ma Cong rehearsing his piece Calling on fellow company dancers. Set to Balkan-inspired music, Barre Society members commented on how unique and fun Cong's movements were, some of them even wishing to join the dancers on the stage and "groove" with them.

Following rehearsal, Urban Furnishings hosted a cocktail party for the Barre Society and dancers to mingle, enjoy champagne and converse over the beautiful furniture of Natuzzi Italia. Guests were greeted with a red carpet and photographers to capture the fun evening. By the end of the night, we welcomed some new members to The Barre Society!

Amber Buchanan and Barre Society Member Hannah Bledsoe

Tulsa Ballet Demi-Soloist Jonnathan Ramirez Mejia and Corps de Ballet Erin Pritchard.

Barre Society Members Jennifer Alden, Hilary Parkhurst, Dustin Thames and Christy Craig

Tulsa Ballet Principal Ma Cong and new Barre Society Members Sheila Zamanian and Thomas Landrum.

Barre Society Members Hillary Pane, Taheerah Salim with Carolyn Long.
 We are still inviting new members to join The Barre Society! For more information please contact Katie Selvidge at katie.selvidge@tulsaballet.org. Don't forget the half-season membership is only $150 - this gives you access to all of the spring events and tickets to all of the spring performances!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

The Cygnet Society - Hip Hop & Shop

The Cygnet Society enjoyed their second dance workshop at Tulsa Ballet. This time they danced Hip Hop while their mothers enjoyed some Christmas shopping at Ribbons. The Cygnets learned a routine to Beyonce's latest hit Run the World (Girls) - fitting for this exceptional group of young women.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Write Your Own Review - Nine Sinatra Songs

Many of our audience members raved over this past weekend’s performances on our Facebook and Twitter sites. Alicia Chesser of Urban Tulsa and James Watts of Tulsa World wrote wonderful reviews of the triple bill performances. We want to hear from you! What was your favorite piece, music or dancer? Use the comment box below to write your own review of the ballets performed this weekend.

In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated -
Sechs Tanze -
Nine Sinatra Songs -