h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello
I've been doing classical ballet since I was four years old, and I am now thirteen. I have recently gone en pointe, and yes, it is worth it!

Anyway, what I came to say was, do you want to do a joint project for the university of life on Classical Ballet, we can use all our experiences, and I think it would be very interesting.

Get back to me

EP

Hi EP,
I would be happy to do a joint project with you - however (isn't there always a "however"?) I've not been dancing for as long as you have. I took ballet when I was 3, but I took a looooong break (8 years to be exact) before finally picking it up again a few years ago.

But if you're still interested, I'm definitely open to a joint project. Let me know, and we can talk.

p/s- how long have you been dancing en pointe?

Yes I am still interested.

I don't think it matters that you've had a break, I'msure you haven't lost your memory () and we can *shudder* research the topic. I've been on pointe since...about September last year.

I guess what we need to decide is what it will be about and what the format will be, then we can go and show it to the people at the university. sound good?

Sounds good to me.
As to what it's about - Classical Ballet is of course a wide topic. Do you think a general research piece on it would be good? It may be too much ground to cover.
And I read somewhere that the history of classical ballet in the USA is an entirely different story compared to Europe.

Any suggestions/thoughts/comments?

Do bear with me if my replies take a while. My modem (at home) has been fried by lightning and I have to do this on the sly at work.

hee hee, that's what my friend does at school!

Why don't we not concentrate too much on history (just a brief overview) and do more on ballet today and what dancers today do. Also, most people I have spoken to are really interested in Pointe, so we could do a fair bit on that?

BTW, I very much appreciate you enthusiam on this topic, I'm such a procrastinator I'd never get it done otherwise

EP

You know what's funny? The topic on my page was previously "How to not procrastinate" - simply because I'm one of the worst procrastinators ever! ("Don't do today what you can do tomorrow")

Your suggestion is a good - and I'm glad you're interested in covering pointe in depth since I've just started and I'm still really enthusiastic about it. I'll try and make good use of my excitement right now to get things started...and let's hope we can keep it up!

How do you want to go about this? Should we come up with a skeleton structure (rough outline of what we'd like to cover) before actually filling it up with information?

Ju

Yes, that sounds good. What about sections on pointe, class work and other exercises?

*massages feet still v. painful from yesterday*

How about how to find a pair of pointe shoes that actually fit you? (I guess that would come under the section on Pointe.) I know professional dancers have theirs custom made, but what about the rest of us? Have you found your perfect pair yet? Right now, I'm not sure how much pain is normal, so it's hard to tell who the culprit is: standing on my toes *or* ill-fitting shoes!

You know, I looked at the University Projects page and I notice there's no Department of Dance.

Hmm, interesting!

I haven't found my perfect pair of pointe shoes yet, but Sonata is pretty good, and not overly expensive. When I'm older (and my feet ahve stopped growing) I hope to get a pair of nice expensive Gaynor Mindens, the NICEST shoes ever...~grin~

MP

Oh... I've heard good thing about that brand. I'm dancing in Blochs right now - which pinch my toes! But I figured I shouldn't be in a hurry to spend tons of dosh on shoes just yet. Even if my feet aren't growing anymore!!!

you shop at your local blochs, I imagine? Only place really.

Back to this university project; We need to start (procrastinator kicks in) soon. What will be our sections?

Sorry it has taken me so long to reply. Things have been so crazy around here. But I have been doing some reading and other things, and I've found there's really quite a wealth of information out there on the net.

I've been thinking of buying some books as well, though I haven't come across any I *really* like. (that is, enough to spend money on!)

I have a vague idea about what the skeleton structure of our research might look like - i'll try to come up with one really really soon and you can add to it when you see it.

Soon!
(In the meantime, if you think of anything brilliant we can use, let me know.)

I have finally completely grown out of my first pair of pointe shoes it is a momentous and slightly sad occasion. It also means I have to wear my new, not completely broken in pointe shoes all the time, instead of my *comfy* old ones.

Nothing brilliant at the moment, but is there ever on a monday night?

Tell me about it. I dislike the way my not-broken-in shoes make my feet look. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that that skeleton structure is still on its way.... Really sorry. It's crazy at work - I'm trying to tie up all sorts of loose ends before I leave for my really well-deserved holiday! But the more I try to tie up those pesky loose ends, the more they pop up!! (Is this a conspiracy?!) So while I'm holiday I'll try to figure out some stuff. Promise to get back to you as soon as possible.

I've been pretty slack too. I'm not allowed to do pointe at the moment because my toe nail is black, and other pretty colours like that. I should be able to on thursday though, because I get inserts for shoes then.

EP again

And good holidays!

You've gone through another nickname change! What's happened? By the way, I'm very very very sorry for having disappeared on you. I can't tell you how crazy it has been for me in the past 2 months or so. It's a loooong story! Anyway, I haven't forgotten about our project. I'm still interested if you're still interested, but I have to be honest and say I don't really have time to work on it at this moment in time.... I understand if you'd much rather go ahead with it yourself or partner up with someone else. Again, sorry!!!

Yes,`I'd still love to do it with YOU, I can wait till your not so busy. I've been busy lately too, so don't worry.

How about this as a skeleton:
-Intro and history of classical ballet
-different teaching methods (RAD, Checcetti [how do you spell that])
-actually dancing the stiff.

Well. It can always change!

GP