Like no business I know...

This weekend was the recital for the dance studio where I teach part time. Every year we have it at The Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston. There is a Friday afternoon/evening/night rehearsal, then three performances - one Saturday afternoon, one Saturday night, and one Sunday afternoon. Dancing Daughter had three numbers in the Saturday afternoon performance, then went home with the rest of the family. Being a teacher, however, I had to be there for the whole rehearsal and all three shows (I also danced three dances in all three shows). Needless to say, tonight I am EXHAUSTED! The tendinitis in my ankles is killing me and I am SO looking forward to the summer break!

Some things I learned this weekend:

1. No matter how many times you tell the parents, remind the dancers, and tell them all again, some will show up late to rehearsal and miss their turn.

2. No matter how many times you tell the parents, remind the dancers, and tell them all again, someone will come to the recital without all of their costume. This absolutely crushes little girls.

3. Despite spending nearly 6 months learning these dances, not all the students have them memorized. I had to memorize 11 different dances and I did fine. Some of them still had to watch me in the wings prompting them as to what step came next.

4. Waiting your turn to dance on stage is very hard when you are a child. So is being quiet while you are waiting. Tap shoes are not quiet. This is especially true of a class of six little boys.

5. Two- and three-year-olds in pink tutus with flowers in their hair on stage are cute no matter what they do (which usually is NOT the dance).

6. It's good to see old friends that come back for the recital; I had a great time talking with ladies I haven't seen in YEARS.

7. All of the frustration thru the year is worth it when the girls dance well and we all get compliments and flowers and gifts.
There's no business like show business!