Following in the keystrokes of my fellow K-girl, I would like to take this final 2008 blogging opportunity to relive some of my most memorable events from this past year. I can’t say that I will do them in any sort of chronological order… if I can even recall when they exactly happened at all, unless I can find some post-it note with that information on it somewhere on my desk. Needless to say I should probably bump up that ginkgo biloba dosage, if I could remember to take them. There have been many an opportunity to break out old dance costumes this year, notably my get-up at this years ADDY Awards. It won me the “Best Expression” award that now sits next to my “Amazing Author” award I won my senior year in yearbook—two very prestigious acknowledgments of my many talents. Speaking of the ADDY Awards, some of the AAFJAX crew and I supported our district and national ADDY awards in Tampa and Atlanta, respectively. There is really never a dull moment at functions that involve all the wacky creative people that...

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One of our new year’s resolutions last December was to revive our blog and keep it updated once a week. I am happy to report we have been successful! Now we want to hear more from you- so take to time to comment and give us some feedback, we’d love to hear from you. So this being my last blog of 2008 I thought I’d do a year in review, some of it is personal to me and some personal to the theatre. January Florida Theatre staff takes over the Big Apple! The year was off to a great start, 4 of us from the office traveled to NYC to participate and have a ton of fun at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters conference.  Our days were packed with seminars, samplings and wandering 3 floors of talent in a trade show form. Our nights were just as full with shows, concerts, good food and good drinks! A trip none of us will ever forget!   February I am NEVER a huge fan of Valentine’s Day, but this year had a great twist. Country star Trisha Yearwood was here to sing all of her great hits on the 14th...

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There are a few times in your life that really put you to the test—a test of strength, of will-power, of character. They always stand out as a crux, the hardest point of any experience. I have many of these particular moments speckled throughout my life. Some stick out more than others, and some I consider the best and most cherished moments of my life.

I seem to have inherited a fear of heights, and ever since I was little, I have been very fond of the ground…and being on it. It was a strange twist of fate when I started dating a climber a few years ago, whose vacations consisted of nothing but climbing trips. Rock Town, Horse Pens, Albuquerque…he went all over and I, like the trooper that I am, went along. I always managed to stay close enough to my beloved ground, never straying farther than fifteen, twenty feet up.

But it was only inevitable when my climber boyfriend would suggest something a bit higher, and by a bit higher, I mean a good 100 feet higher. That’s right, I was to brave a 100-foot...

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I’ve had some pretty memorable backstage encounters with artists over the last year.  I don’t always get the opportunity to meet the talent that comes through the theatre, but once in a while when the stars align- opportunity knocks. There was the time Katie and I by chance ran into Ben Harper after a sound check. I think we both froze for a second in our tracks as he reached out his hand to introduce himself to two of his biggest fans. I’ll never forget meeting the eclectic bunch who make up the B52’s, especially because they were one of the most played tapes in my household growing up. Another favorite was talking with Trisha Yearwood, even more so just watching her interact with her fans so graciously and attentively. Last week may have topped them all, chatting with Jason Mraz. I do appreciate the time I get to spend behind the scenes and still am learning new things about how to have a great show, so when I was lucky enough to go “backstage” at two different establishments last week I took advantage....

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‘Tis the season for the giving of thanks. Some people at their family gatherings go around the table and tell exactly what they are thankful for. We’ve done it many times with my own family but yesterday, on Thanksgiving, as we congregated around in my grandmother’s dining room, we began the meal with a poignant and relevant proclamation by Abraham Lincoln from October 3, 1863.

On this day with this speech, President Lincoln set the precedent for the national holiday of Thanksgiving.�

In the words of our sixteenth president, he invites all the citizens of the United States, on this land, out to sea or in foreign lands, to reserve the last Thursday in November as a day to give thanks for all that we have in this country and to give thanks to a higher power, without whom none of this would be possible. President Lincoln asked us to offer ascriptions that are rightfully due for the blessings we receive and to ask the help of that higher power to preserve the peace, harmony, tranquility and union of...

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  It’s that time. We have yet to sit down for a turkey dinner and Christmas decorations have taken over. It’s that time where you spend a lot, eat a lot and tell yourself- a lot- that this New Year’s Eve WILL be the best.   It’s hard to hold on to traditions as you get older and shift around in your young adult life. With this line of work it is even hard to find the time to get home and spend it with family. So, you have to get creative!   Aside from the biological family- I have my friends family and work family. For the third year in a row, my roommate and I will host an “Everything but the Turkey” dinner the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. This is a dinner of only your favorite side dishes, because let’s face it- who has the time to cook a turkey? The event is always something to look forward to and never ceases to amaze me the amount of diversity our group of friends represents.   As for the real t-day, this year looks like I will be meeting my parents half way. 2 ½ drives are tough for a less than 24 hour visit, so meeting in the middle is will be the creative approach. Of course it’s not what you would call traditional- but that’s what keeps life interesting. Plus, it doesn’t matter where you are or what you eat- as long has you are in the company of those you love and who love you....

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When I was younger, my mom said I would always walk around on my tip-toes.

I suppose that was some serious foreshadowing to the way I would spend the next twenty some odd years of my life—dancing around on those same little toes. Dance has given me almost everything that is wonderful in my life. The art has required much from my mind and my body, but in return it has given me more than I could have ever asked for. It has been my Giving Tree.

So it is no wonder that even though I do not dance quite like I used to before I entered this so-called real world we working folk live in, it still sucks me in, mesmerizing like a Siren. It makes me very upset when So You Think You Can Dance ends each season. Nutcracker week is one of my favorites, though I might not have a lot of back-up on that one here. I still hear certain songs and say “I’m must choreograph a dance to this song!” and begin to form the movements and combinations with imaginary dancers in my head. But I’m sure most other dancers would say...

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It’s that time of year again. When you walk outside and you smell funnel cake and cows! That’s right, Fair time!

The K-girl adventure this week was attending the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair- which we wouldn’t miss for the world.  This year we decided to steer clear of any of the rides which turn you upside down and/ or spin.  In the past we tried to be dare devils and really take on the “thrill rides” if you will, but we were more focused on the food this time and kept it calm.

We started off the evening with a refreshing beverage and walked the entirety of the grounds.  It was a beautiful night to just take the time to be outside! Everything you can think of is there to ride- the famous Gravitron, the swings, Ring of Fire, so many more, but we were going to keep our first ride simple- the carousel.  Yes, we looked a bit silly- but who cares!

Next up took a little convincing on Katie’s part. The Big Ben! She at first did not want to attempt this one and pretty much screamed at me the whole time with her eyes closed during the ride, but I think she loved it. The Big Ben is where you sit in a chair and it shoots you straight up, sort of Tower of Terrorish…if you will. I laughed the whole time, but was nervous because I did have my camera in my hand.  I wanted a good photo op of the city from way up there!

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10. My light-up flashing Bacardi devil horns

I tend to keep holiday things around past the time that they should be out. Note the flashing light-up Bacardi devil horns that were for 364 days prior to now hidden behind my monitor along with my dozen less one dead good luck roses. Those horns are now on my head spreading the spooky goodness throughout the office. It is nice to finally put them to use again.

9. My very sweet looking silver sparkly ghost decoration on my office door.

So referencing the prior entry, I am not the only one who tends to not clean house after a holiday. On my door is last year’s ghost ornament keeping my doorknob cozy, but before you judge, take a look at my coworker’s door. Matching sparkly pumpkins and witch heads hang just as they did one year ago today. I guess you could say we are conservative with our decorative efforts.

8. Reusing old dance costumes that would otherwise collect dust in my closet.

Thank goodness for the nearly twenty years of dance...

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2008- Quite a year.

I just got back into town from a celebration unlike any other.

To reflect back for a moment though, this year has been packed with similar festivities. So far in the year 2008 I have helped loved ones celebrate around 7 25th birthdays, including my own, a 25th anniversary, 2 60th birthdays, a 75th and finally 2 80th birthdays.

I have just returned for upstate New York, where I traveled with my mother and brother for the first time in over 10 years to stay w/ my Aunt, her 5 kids and significant others- all to surprise our Pop with and 80 years of living party! The last 5 days have been a whirlwind of family, catchphrase, pumpkins, pasta, bowling and beer.

My Pop is one of 11 kids, whew!  This made for a unique party- over 60 family members, many of whom I had never even met before. The party was a smashing success and I can’t believe we pulled it off as a complete surprise!

Of course, being away made me also miss my other family- my Florida Theatre family....

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