DWC's Best Nutcracker Gifts
Everyone’s favorite time of the year is finally upon us: Nutcracker season! Around the Seattle area, hundreds of dancers are preparing for their annual performances of The Nutcracker, getting ready to entertain audiences of all sizes and make unforgettable memories. To get in the spirit, we’ve put together a list of our favorite Nutcracker-themed products being sold at Dancewear Center. From fun scrunchies and storybooks, to ornate leotards and ornaments, any of the items on this list would make superb holiday or performance gifts for your favorite Nutcracker performers.
By Madison Huizinga, DWC Blog Editor
Everyone’s favorite time of the year is finally upon us: Nutcracker season! Around the Seattle area, hundreds of dancers are preparing for their annual performances of The Nutcracker, getting ready to entertain audiences of all sizes and make unforgettable memories. To get in the spirit, we’ve put together a list of our favorite Nutcracker-themed products being sold at Dancewear Center. From fun scrunchies and storybooks, to ornate leotards and ornaments, any of the items on this list would make superb holiday or performance gifts for your favorite Nutcracker performers.
Motionwear Nutcracker Hoodies, Crewnecks, and Tank Tops
During the winter months, it’s even more crucial for dancers to bundle up and stay warm when they train and rehearse. Fortunately, Motionwear has dancers covered with their line of Nutcracker hoodies, crewnecks, and tank tops. Check out the preppy “Nutcracker Academy”crewneck, spirited “Was it a dream” tank, laid-back “Nutcracker on Duty” hoodie, and more at Dancewear Center.
Dance de Paris Nutcracker Sweet Leotard
The “Nutcracker Sweet” line by Dance de Paris features products adorned with a celebratory Nutcracker print, displaying characters from the production, like Clara, The Nutcracker Prince, and the Rat King. This woman-owned business has the “sweetest” leotards for the holiday season.
Ainsliewear Mesh Shoe Bag with Snow Nutcracker Print
Woman-owned dancewear company Ainsiliewear is known for producing high-quality products with elegant and fashion-foward designs. Their line of Nutcracker products certainly keeps with this theme. Ainsliewear’s “Snow Nutcracker” print depicts the iconic “Snow” scene in The Nutcracker, featuring dazzling “snowflake” ballerinas twirling throughout the sky with wrapped presents. Check out this print on the mesh shoe bags at Dancewear Center.
Covet Dance Nutcracker’s Back Tote
With an increased number of rehearsals and performances during Nutcracker season, dancers will need to carry many items with them to rehearsals and shows. This punny tote should give you and the entire cast a good chuckle. It's great for rehearsals and for dragging along your dance gear, laptop, tablet, etc. as you shuffle back and forth to rehearsals and the studio during Nutcracker season. From woman-owned dancewear brand, Covet, it’s a perfect holiday or pre-performance gift for your favorite dancer.
“Nutcracker Dancing Shapes” Book from Once Upon a Dance
Local small business Once Upon a Dance produces educational and entertaining dance and movement books for children of a range of ages. The brand is especially known for its “Dancing Shapes” books, which outline different dance poses for children to learn and follow. The “Nutcracker Dancing Shapes” book adds a festive spin on the series, providing readers with twenty-five different Nutcracker roles to follow.
“The Nutcracker Practice and Play Book” by Russian Pointe
One of the most endearing and exciting parts of The Nutcracker is the story itself. Who doesn’t want to follow Clara’s journey as she ventures through an enchanted, snowy forest and the Land of Sweets? “The Nutcracker Practice and Play Book” from Russian Pointe is the perfect gift for a youngster who enjoys ballet and allows for yet another fun and stimulating way to engage with the iconic plotline.
Cloud & Victory “Winter is Coming” T-Shirt
Cloud and Victory is a small, woman-owned business known for its charming and stylish graphic T-shirts, leotards, and other dancewear products and accessories. The brand’s “Winter is Coming” T-shirt is the perfect gift for a dancer who loves Game of Thrones, as it depicts characters from the fantasy series as characters in The Nutcracker.
The Nutcracker has become an important part of how many families celebrate the holiday season. Commemorate its significance with some of DWC’s favorite Nutcracker products - whether it’s gifting them to others or yourself, they're sure to add a pinch of magic to your dancing and holiday experience.
Local Nutcrackers Performances to Check Out This Holiday Season!
The almost comprehensive local Nutcracker performance list! Nutcracker season is a thrilling time of the year, a time when some of the best dance memories are made. Making sure you’re organized and effectively taking care of your body and mind makes it that much more magical and enjoyable. Happy Nutcracker season to all! If you would like to be featured on our list email us at info@dancewearcenter.net
By Emma Neilson, DWC Social Media Manager
If you have a Nutcracker performance you would like to have listed please email us at info@dancewearcenter.net
Photo by Kazuo Ota from Unsplash
“Nutcracker season is a thrilling time of the year, a time when some of the best dance memories are made. Making sure you’re organized and effectively taking care of your body and mind makes it that much more magical and enjoyable. Happy Nutcracker season to all!”
Ensemble Ballet Theatre- https://www.ticketsource.us/ensemble-ballet-theatre/e-jgovkp
ARC Dance- https://arcdance.org/
Port Angeles City Ballet/ Sylvia Joyce Wanner School of Ballet- https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?actions=10&p=1
Ballet Arts Academy- https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/pbaa-nutcracker-suite-2023-2649309
Evergreen City Ballet- https://www.evergreencityballet.org/the-nutcracker
Body Language Studio- https://www.blsdance.com/
Emerald Ballet Academy- https://www.emeraldballet.org/#
The Dance School- The Dance School presents: The Nutcracker ✨https://www.thedanceschool.org/the-nutcracker/
Land of Sweets Matinee
Saturday, December 9, 2023
4:00pm-4:45pm
Free 45-minute Sensory Friendly & Child Friendly Matinee performance
The Nutcracker
Saturday, December 9, 2023
7:00pm-9:00pm
General admission: $14
Children 6 and under: free
Academy of Dance- December 16 @ 5pm & December 17 @ 1pm at Central Kitsap Performing Arts Center. http://www.ckschools.org/tickets
Northwest School of Dance- email nwschoolofdance@yahoo.com.
Auburn CDT- We are producing our 11th production of the nutcracker and our performance will be in Fife, WA on Dec 8th and 9th! Ticket Link: https://childrensdancetheater.com/tickets/
Children’s Dance Theater in Auburn and Federal Way, WA is producing its 11th annual production of The Nutcracker. Our show is true to the classic ballet, while also being modern and culturally relevant. We celebrate our students diversity and cast anyone and everyone who auditions. There are no professional dancers hired to be in our show. All of the parts cast, including the major lead roles, are all local students who train rigorously.
Our show will be on December 8th and 9th at 7pm and December 9th at 2pm at Columbia Jr High School in Tacoma, WA. Tickets to our show start at $20 a piece. Tickets can be purchased online at https://childrensdancetheater.com/tickets/
Studio West- Studio West Dance Theatre - The Washington Center for the Performing Arts washingtoncenter.org
Whidbey Island Dance Theatre- https://www.widtonline.org/
Ferndale Dance- https://ferndaledance.org/performances/
Bainbridge Dance Center- https://bainbridge-ballet.ticketleap.com/bb-nutcracker-2023/
Duvall Performing Arts-
What is it?: Duvall Performing Arts proudly presents The Nutcracker! Directed and staged by Dañela Lewis. Journey with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on an unforgettable adventure in the Land of Sweets. Watch as snowflakes dance, flowers waltz, and the sweetest delights come to life! In this family-oriented, 90 minute production, you’ll enjoy enchanting choreography, dazzling costume design, and the timeless music of Tchaikovsky.
Join us for this annual holiday tradition and make special memories to last a lifetime.
When is it?:
Dec 8th: 7pm
Dec 9th: 2pm + 7pm
Dec 10th: 2pm
Dec 17th: 2pm + 7pm
Where is it?: Cedarcrest High School Theater (29000 NE 150th St, Duvall, WA, 98019 US)
Tickets: Ticket link: https://duvallperformingarts.regfox.com/landing-page-rf?fbclid=PAAaaYHV2fDeSZtxEYuy40xN3j_JVNK87G7atYC0WEAcKjAjIz-GH_AaobJro
Dance Fremont-
Dance Fremont presents the 28th annual production of The Steadfast Tin Soldier, A Story Ballet. Join us for a holiday extravaganza that delights all ages with a tender retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.
The ballet includes the work of a number of local visual artists and features talented young dancers from Dance Fremont. Enjoyable for all ages, its length of 1 hour and 15 minutes makes it a perfect introduction to the theater for young audience members! Colorfully hand-tailored costumes, locally designed and hand-painted scenery, a cast of fifty young dancers, and an ensemble of musicians come together to present this charming holiday dance event.
Enjoy original choreography by Vivian Little, director emerita of Dance Fremont with music and lyrics by composer Kathleen Mills, who conducts the live The Steadfast Tin Soldier Ensemble. Signing in Exact English (S.E.E.) has been incorporated into the choreography to make this performance accessible for the hearing impaired. The show's content is delightful and appropriate for all ages.
Masks are encouraged but not required.
December 9 & 10, 2023
Saturday, December 9th at 2:00 & 7:30
Sunday, December 10th at 2:00
Shorecrest Performing Arts Center: 15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline (Free Parking!)
Suggested Donation: $25 Adults, $15 Students & Seniors
Tickets: purplepass.com/steadfast OR https://www.purplepass.com/#268648/Dance_Fremont-The_Steadfast_Tin_Soldier,_A_Story_Ballet-Shorecrest_Performing_Arts_Center-December-09-2023.html
Dance Conservatory Seattle- https://www.danceconservatoryseattle.com/?fbclid=PAAaYDTVPrCFlK6pPY52dmFjd9hWv4G85eiPQR8lLjs_I9bB1qXOjN2ClpcQA_aem_ATiYR7mD4TuHA_N0fYM5QoIfyB9-3-ydp_oEgjaQcQOYYGTb9SyR3im3REg_RSaZ4vI
Momentum Dance Academy-
Join our Contemporary, Hip Hop, Irish, Jazz, Tap, Theatre, and Creative Dance dancers for a festive seasonal celebration on Friday, December 22nd, 2023, and Saturday December 23rd, 2023 at 6:00 pm (seating opens at 5:30 pm). Highline Performing Arts Center
Pacific Northwest Ballet- https://www.pnb.org/nutcracker/
And digital- https://order.pnb.org/24-digital/nutcracker
Flight Feathers Ballet presents The Nutcracker:
Show #1: Friday, December 15th
Show Time: 6:00 - 8:15PM
Show #2: Saturday, December 16th
Show Time: 4:00 - 6:15PM
Venue: Glacier Peak High School Auditorium (7401 144th Pl SE, Snohomish, WA)
Ticket Link for the Nutcracker:
Short Info:
Step into a magical world where tradition meets modernity in Flight Feathers Ballet's full production of the Nutcracker. Our adaptation weaves the classical beauty of the Ballet Masterpiece with a modern twist, for an evening of pure elegance, excitement and renovation.
Opus Performing Arts: https://www.opusbellingham.com/?fbclid=PAAaaaWw2w8gO_IIq6hC8tqzmBAveuRC3Cgl25Ey8bK3L-qGfQDF9Rhua489s_aem_AQ3klwb9GAkvtF9-XQ3DlzF-o7WXBdx5x-olc-39BozcKn_HUakaGVQ4SNBy6DgYNms
DassDance-
December 2nd at 6:30pm
December 3rd at 2pm
Fidalgo Dance Works-Friday, December 8th at 7:00 and Saturday December 9th at 2:00 and 7:00
Brodnick Hall. Anacortes WA
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.fidalgodanceworks.org/news-events/nutcracker2023-tickets
Performance Dates:
December 2nd at 2pm and 7pm
December 3rd at 3pmPerformance Venue:
Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center
1500 13th Street, Bremerton
Olympic Ballet Theatre
Dec 8-10 in Everett (Dec 8 is an abridged matinee) Everett Performing Arts Center
Dec 14-20 in Edmonds (Dec 14 & 15 are abridged matinees. There is also a full performance in the evening of Dec 15) Edmonds Center for the Arts
Tacoma City Ballet Dec 9, 10, 16, 17, 23.
If you have a Nutcracker performance you would like to have listed please email us at info@dancewearcenter.net
What We're Thankful For
The DWC Team took a moment to share what they were thankful for this year. Read on to get to know us a bit better!
By: The DWC Team
Emma:
I have so much to be thankful for this year! This past year was my first year freelancing as a professional dancer in Seattle, and I had so many wonderful opportunities come my way, which also led to meeting some amazing people and artists in our local dance community. I was able to build a close-knit group of friends and I am very, very grateful to have a support system that I know will have my back no matter what. This next season of my life is very exciting, as I am gearing up for ballet company audition season. I can't wait to see what will come next for me, as well as for DWC!
Olivia:
I am thankful for my parents and DWC for being so quick and open to welcome me home after my busy year and a half in San Francisco. I am also thankful for my best friend and cat, Maxine. She has put up with a lot of traveling between SF and Seattle and she is the best little travel buddy I can ask for. I'm looking forward to continuing fitting pointe shoes at DWC and putting my new degree in fashion design to work!
Samantha:
Although the last few years brought many challenges, they came strolling (and sometimes barreling) into my life arm-in-arm with an abundance of riches. Day in and day out, I get to teach, dance, fit pointe shoes, and exercise my creative and critical thinking skills! I have amazing students who are smart, brave, and dedicated, incredible clients at DWC who support us so fiercely, and colleagues that I teach for and alongside who are truly brilliant educators and people. My family (especially my mom & husband) support me and love me through my ups and downs, which allows me to chase my dreams while simultaneously supporting others while they chase theirs. Of course, I can't forget my phenomenal team at DWC. These individuals are the absolute lifeblood of this small retail business. They are passionate, innovative, and caring - and it shows in every interaction.
As I reflect on the wealth of love and joy I have in my life, I am most thankful for the unfathomable gift of being able to wake up every single day and work exclusively in a field I love - something so many people dream about and so few actually get to do. Being able to do it all alongside people that I have such a tremendous amount of respect for? Absolutely incomparable. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Ethan:
I am grateful that I was able to do a bit of traveling this year and see family that I have not seen in many years. My family is very spread out and it was a privilege to see them. I am looking forward to taking some rest from this very busy year and watching all the movies!
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Celebrating Indigenous Dancers Past & Present
Many people in western culture generally feel comfortable with a binary kind of thinking because it's a way of processing information that we’ve grown up with. Things are either black or white, day or night, right or wrong. But when we make binary statements about people and art, we can create a rather limiting perspective for ourselves. I’ve found that such generalizations are often made about certain genres of dance or dance unique to specific cultural communities or regions.
A Look at the Contributions of Indigenous Performers Nationwide
By Madison Huizinga, DWC Blog Editor
Photo of Indigenous Enterprise performers Kenneth Shirley and Dominic Pablo at Jacob’s Pillow in August 2022. Photo by Danica Paulos.
Many people in western culture generally feel comfortable with a binary kind of thinking because it's a way of processing information that we’ve grown up with. Things are either black or white, day or night, right or wrong. But when we make binary statements about people and art, we can create a rather limiting perspective for ourselves. I’ve found that such generalizations are often made about certain genres of dance or dance unique to specific cultural communities or regions.
For example, many are quick to assume that indigenous dancers and dance within indigenous communities must look a certain way. However, within indigenous communities across the globe, dance has played a variety of roles, including making cross-cultural connections in the case of “The Five Moons,” as well as telling stories, healing from trauma, and exercising imagination. Let’s take a look at just a few of the many talented former and active indigenous dancers contributing to the rich dance landscape across the country.
“The Five Moons”
Myra Yvonne Chouteau, Rosella Hightower, Moscelyne Larkin, Maria Tallchief, and Marjorie Tallchief, otherwise known as “The Five Moons,” are five Native American ballerinas from the U.S. state of Oklahoma known for achieving international recognition in ballet during the twentieth century.
“Of course, my parents were not about to let ballet take me away from my Indian dancing,” says Chouteau in American Indian Ballerinas. After touring globally with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Chouteau, a Shawnee-Cherokee, returned to Oklahoma and helped found the dance program at the University of Oklahoma in the early 1960s and the Oklahoma City Civic Ballet. On the other hand, Hightower, of the Choctaw Nation, found great success abroad, particularly in France where she earned the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, a high marker of civil distinction in France, in 1975. Nonetheless, some jokingly argue that Hightower’s greatest accomplishment was famously learning the lead for Giselle in less than five hours!
The Five Moons. From left: Maria Tallchief, Marjorie Tallchief, Rosella Hightower, Moscelyne Larkin and Yvonne Chouteau. Photo courtesy the University of Oklahoma School of Dance.
Among Larkin’s accomplishments, one particularly notable is helping found the renowned Tulsa Ballet. Larkin, an Eastern Shawnee-Peoria, was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1979. A descendant of a Russian mother and a Native American father, Larkin famously said that ballet gave her the freedom to express all parts of her identity.
Marjorie Tallchief, of the Osage Nation, performed with the Paris Opéra Ballet from 1957 to 1962, as well as the Chicago Opera Ballet, Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas, and many other large-scale companies. Her older sister Maria Tallchief was the first American dancer to achieve the title of “prima ballerina.” When George Balanchine co-founded what would become New York City Ballet in 1946, she was the company’s first major star. Tallchief showcased her talents across the globe, becoming the first American to perform in Moscow, Russia’s Bolshoi Theater.
“These are American Indian people that have made this impact on ballet,” says Russ Tall Chief, a relative of Marjorie and Maria, and a co-planner of the 2021 Five Moons Dance Festival at the University of Oklahoma. “And that they consider themselves American Indian before they consider themselves ballerinas, I think that’s important. That is part of their vocabulary as dancers. They bring that history of American Indian culture to their dance, and to their interpretation of the way that they see ballet.”
“The Five Moons” overcame preconceived, limiting notions of what a ballerina should look like, particularly during a time when American ballet was viewed as inferior to European ballet. Writer Meryl Cates points out that these women not only grappled with finding their place in the culture of their companies as Oklahomans but as Native women in a white-dominated field. These women have come to represent much of what people think of when they envision successful indigenous dancers of the twentieth century. But the story has certainly not stopped with them. Today, and for thousands of years before today, indigenous dancers have been using movement as a way to tell stories, heal, connect with their own culture and the world around them, and much more.
Dancing Earth
Dancing Earth is a company striving to create contemporary dance and related arts through global-Indigenous and intercultural relationships. The company is based in Ogaa Po Ogeh and Ohlone occupied territory, otherwise known as Santa Fe, New Mexico, and San Francisco, California. It specifically centers its mission on ecological and cultural diversity for creativity, health, and wellness. Founding Artistic Director Rulan Tangen descends, in part, from the Kampampangan people of Luzon in the Philippines. A cancer survivor and recipient of Kennedy Center’s 2018-19 Citizen Artist fellowship, her work interprets dance as a functional ritual for transformation and healing, using movement to foster a connection with all life forms on Earth.
Elise Beers of Earth Works Dance
Earth Works Dance
Formerly based in occupied Duwamish territory, otherwise known as Seattle, WA, Earth Works Dance is a nomadic dance company focused on earth healing and land acknowledgment. Using dance as a means to help heal the “body, spirit, emotion, and mind” is a driver of the company’s mission. “[Art] is a spiritual and emotional provider that other people need to see the value in and then support…so their communities can grow and thrive, and in a sense, heal, mourn, and celebrate,” says Earth Works Dance founder and artist Elise Beers. Click here to read more about Elise’s work with the company.
Indigenous Enterprise
Indigenous Enterprise centers its art on what it refers to as “the three Ps”: Preservation, Performance, and Progression. Through its teaching efforts, the company strives to help preserve a strong Native American identity while welcoming many different kinds of performances and continuing to “progress” amid cultural and global changes. The dance group has been featured at Lincoln Center’s Summer For the City, Jacob’s Pillow, and lauded in Dance Magazine for their imaginative fusion of hip hop and Native American dance on season four of World of Dance.
The Jingle Dress Project
The idea of the Jingle Dress Project came to Navajo photographer Eugene Tapahe in a dream. Amid one of the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic, Eugene dreamt of jingle dress dancers appearing as he sat, watching bison graze. Seeing the dancers perform the traditional Ojibwe healing dance gave Tapahe a sense of peace, a feeling he knew the world was craving during such a grave global crisis. Jingle dresses are traditionally adorned with beadwork, ribbon work, as well as triangular metal cones around the skirt that shake and create a distinctive sound with each movement. The Jingle Dress Project has traveled across the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to help uplift communities. “The jingle dress is really important for Native people, and the purposes of healing,” says Eugene, illustrating yet another way that dance can be used to heal in and out of indigenous communities.
While this article is certainly not exhaustive of all the Native American dancers creating art across the United States, it provides a peak into some of the exciting, multifaceted artists contributing to a long-standing, vibrant dance landscape. To explore some of these artists in greater depth, click the links below!
Resources:
American Indian Ballerinas (1997) by Lili Cockerille Livingston - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/1654202.American_Indian_Ballerinas
“How Five American Indian Dancers Transformed Ballet in the 20th Century” by Allison Meier - https://hyperallergic.com/271205/how-five-american-indian-dancers-transformed-ballet-in-the-20th-century/
An entry on Rosella Hightower in The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture - https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=HI003
“Moscelyne Larkin, a Founder of Tulsa Ballet, Is Dead at 87” by Jack Anderson - https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/30/arts/dance/moscelyne-larkin-a-founder-of-tulsa-ballet-dies-at-87.html
An entry on Moscelyne Larkin in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame - https://oklahomahof.com/member-archives/j/jasinski-moscelyne-larkin-1979
“Marjorie Tallchief, Trailblazing Native American Ballerina, Dies at 95” by April Deocariza - https://www.dancemagazine.com/marjorie-tallchief/
An entry on Maria Tallchief in the National Women’s Hall of Fame - https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/maria-tallchief/#:~:text=At%20the%20ballet%2C%20Tallchief%20became,Swan%20Lake%20and%20The%20Nutcracker.
“Oklahoma’s Gift to Ballet: The Five Moons Ballerinas” by Meryl Cates - https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/19/arts/dance/native-american-ballerinas-oklahoma.html
Dancing Earth - https://dancingearth.org/home/
Dancing Earth Founding Artistic Director and Choreographer Rulan Tangen - https://dancingearth.org/rulan
“Meet the Artists: Dancing Earth Indigenous Contemporary Dance Creations” from Kennedy Center Education Digital Learning - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv5cfgu49sQ
Earth Works Dance on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/earthworksdance/
“Elise Beers on Healing Community and Acknowledging Land Through Dance” by Madison Huizinga - https://www.dancewearcenter.net/blog/2021/12/1/elise-beers
Indigenous Enterprise at Lincoln Center - https://www.lincolncenter.org/series/summer-for-the-city/indigenous-enterprise-564
Indigenous Enterprise at Jacobs Pillow - https://www.jacobspillow.org/events/indigenous-enterprise-2022/
“Evolving Tradition With the Fusion of Hip Hop and Native American Dance” by Bridgit Lujan - https://www.dancemagazine.com/hip-hop-and-native-american-dance/
Indigenous Enterprise on World of Dance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYa0tSXGIRs
The Jingle Dress Project on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jingledressproject/?hl=en
“How Jingle Dresses Are Being Used to Heal Communities” by Christian Allaire - https://www.vogue.com/article/jingle-dress-project-indigenous-design
Dance and Motherhood
Becoming a mother is a major life goal for many women in the world. But what does it look like when you’re a dancer? So much of the aesthetic of ballet relies on your body looking a certain way, so what happens when you no longer fit that mold? These were questions I started to ask myself when I saw those two VERY dark lines on my pregnancy test.
By Andrea Hines, DWC Ambassador
pronunciation: And-rea High-ns | pronouns: she/they
Becoming a mother is a major life goal for many women in the world. But what does it look like when you’re a dancer? So much of the aesthetic of ballet relies on your body looking a certain way, so what happens when you no longer fit that mold? These were questions I started to ask myself when I saw those two VERY dark lines on my pregnancy test.
I found out in August 2021 that I was pregnant after almost a year of trying. While I was obviously very excited, I couldn’t help but also have a wave of panic come over me once I realized that it meant my body was going to change drastically. As a ballet dancer, there is a certain aesthetic that comes with the art form, and unfortunately, with a former eating disorder and a massive case of body dysmorphia, I was anxious as to what was to come regarding my body changing. The uterus is a safe, warm and cozy place for baby, but for a lot of women, it is often a source of pain and anxiety.
I was determined to stay active throughout my pregnancy. Whether that was getting into the gym, going on walks, or taking ballet class, I promised myself I would keep myself as healthy as possible. I was able to keep with this, until I reached my third trimester. I was diagnosed with Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, which meant anytime I walked or moved, I had extreme pain in my pelvis. This resulted in being put on bed rest for the last three months of my pregnancy. I would later learn that the reason for this diagnosis was because of my tenacity to stay active. I pushed myself too far, didn’t slow down, and as a result, my body was FORCING me to rest. While I knew logically this was the safest option for me and my baby, the little voice in my head said “Well, what now?”
From my first OB/GYN appointment to my 39-week appointment, I had gained a total of 50 pounds. While this is a totally normal amount of weight to gain while pregnant, my body dysmorphia told me otherwise. I was ready and determined to get back into shape after I gave birth. Cut to April 20th, 2022, my water broke at 11:30pm, and it was go time! 19 hours later, my son was here! I would later learn that the reason for my pelvic pain was also due to an 8 pound 3 ounce baby living inside me. But here we are, a new family of three! The next six weeks of recovery, healing and figuring out how to keep a tiny human alive swept by faster than I could have ever imagined. Once I got the go ahead to incorporate exercise back into my life, I thought to myself “How the F&!# am I supposed to find time to exercise when I have a tiny demon attached to me 90% of the day???” It started with small walks, while my son was napping, following a YouTube workout, and eventually, I got back into a ballet class…. But not right away.
I volunteer as one of the Rehearsal Assistants at Evergreen City Ballet, which means that I assist run rehearsals and teach choreography for whatever production we are getting ready for. In this instance, we were gearing up for Nutcracker. Running these rehearsals became another form of exercise, and one that I enjoyed. Rehearsals continued on, and we got to our final weekend of shows. I made a vow to myself that night, and promised myself that I would work my butt off, so I could get in shape enough to perform in Nutcracker 2023. And not just a character role; this meant I would strap on my pointe shoes and perform in a corps role.
January 2023
I looked into as many Open Adult classes as I could. I started the week on Mondays taking a beginner’s class at Northwest Ballet Center, so I could get back to basics and work on the fundamentals of ballet technique. Since this class went from 8pm-9pm, I was able to hand off any baby-duties to my amazing Husband. I won’t lie, this was a STRUGGLE, as I also work a regular 9am-5pm corporate job. I also recognize that I have the luxury of the support of a partner, so I am able to pursue the activities I want to pursue. Even if it meant bringing my son to the studio, my heart NEEDED to be in the studio.
After a few weeks, I started taking other open classes at Evergreen City Ballet & Dance Conservatory Seattle. Both these places have a special place on my heart for a few reasons:
ECB is where I got all my training. It is my comfort- my second home.
DCS is so incredibly inclusive, so I didn’t have to worry about my body looking a certain way to fit in. This place helped me rebuild my relationship with this new body of mine.
March 2023
I got fitted for pointe shoes from the ever so lovely Samantha from Dancewear Center!
June 2023
I performed a contemporary piece with DCS, and got back on stage for the first time in 12 years.
I continued to take classes, continued to get my strength and flexibility back, and then, we get to September 2023. Nutcracker casting is posted, and I see my name on the list: Andrea Hines, Snowflake & Flower. This was a momentous time for me. I have achieved my goal. I have the opportunity to perform the same choreography I performed as a student, 13 years later. As I’m writing this, I am in between Nutcracker rehearsals, and I am just happy.
As I mentioned, I am so incredibly lucky to have the support of my Husband, Maveryke, and a part-time nanny who allows me to get out of the house so I can take class and make it to rehearsal.
I just want to share that dance after giving birth is possible. It’s cliché, but it truly takes a village. My son is lucky to have so many people who are willing to watch him so I can achieve this goal of being able to dance again. I cannot thank them enough, from the bottom of my heart. And thank you Dancewear Center for taking a chance on me as your new Ambassador, and being able to share a new perspective.
Happy Dancing, and Happy Parenting!
Disclaimer
All content found on the Dancewear Center Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and all other relevant social media platforms including: text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. Offerings for continuing education credits are clearly identified and the appropriate target audience is identified. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Dancewear Center does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on dancewearcenter.net. Reliance on any information provided by dancewearcenter.net, Dancewear Center employees, contracted writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication to Dancewear Center is solely at your own risk.
Links to educational content not created by Dancewear Center are taken at your own risk. Dancewear Center is not responsible for the claims of external websites and education companies.
Get To Know DWC Ambassador Andrea Hines
Andrea Hines trained in dance at a high level from a young age in classical ballet. She started in Tacoma City Ballet and transitioned to Evergreen City Ballet and continued to train throughout high school. Since then she took some time off from dance, moved to California and back again, got married and had a baby! In 2019 she decided to come back into the dance world. Starting in the administrative side and then gradually back into ballet classes. Read on to learn more!
pronunciation: And-rea High-ns | pronouns: she/they
By Samantha Weissbach, DWC Owner & General Manager
Andrea Hines trained in dance at a high level from a young age in classical ballet. She started in Tacoma City Ballet and transitioned to Evergreen City Ballet and continued to train throughout high school. Since then she took some time off from dance, moved to California and back again, got married and had a baby! In 2019 she decided to come back into the dance world. Starting in the administrative side and then gradually back into ballet classes.
Andrea speaks to the difficulties and realities of getting back into dance after having a baby. She says it is fully possible, but it takes time. Social media skews many mothers’ expectations and can make them feel inadequate if they are unable to bounce back immediately. She wants to share her journey, and show other mothers a realistic approach to returning to activity after the baby.
This has become an overarching passion for Andrea. They want to teach others that what you see on social media is often improbable to achieve and at times, simply impossible. She feels the culture has shifted into nonstop comparisons. She says, “love that body that you have now, and work with what you have.”
Andrea teaches at BLS and ECB which holds open classes on Saturdays for adults. They will be performing in Auburn December 8-10th and Ikea Performing Arts center December 15-17th.
Disclaimer
All content found on the Dancewear Center Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and all other relevant social media platforms including: text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. Offerings for continuing education credits are clearly identified and the appropriate target audience is identified. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Dancewear Center does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on dancewearcenter.net. Reliance on any information provided by dancewearcenter.net, Dancewear Center employees, contracted writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication to Dancewear Center is solely at your own risk.
Links to educational content not created by Dancewear Center are taken at your own risk. Dancewear Center is not responsible for the claims of external websites and education companies.
Our Top 5 Ballet Villains
The clouds are getting darker, the leaves are turning orange, and there’s a chill that’s been lingering in the air. You know what that means: it’s spooky season. For most of us dancers, dressing up in dazzling costumes is just another day in the office. Nevertheless, when Halloween time comes around, I can hardly contain my excitement. So what better way to celebrate the Halloween spirit than to count down some of our favorite ballet villains! From sorcerers and fairies to rats and royalty, this list is chock full of ballet’s best scoundrels. Read on to find out my evil top picks from some ballet classics.
By Madison Huizinga, DWC Blog Editor
The clouds are getting darker, the leaves are turning orange, and there’s a chill that’s been lingering in the air. You know what that means: it’s spooky season. For most of us dancers, dressing up in dazzling costumes is just another day in the office. Nevertheless, when Halloween time comes around, I can hardly contain my excitement. So what better way to celebrate the Halloween spirit than to count down some of our favorite ballet villains! From sorcerers and fairies to rats and royalty, this list is chock full of ballet’s best scoundrels. Read on to find out my evil top picks from some ballet classics.
5. Rat King
Photo of the Rat King in The Nutcracker by Liza Voll, from the Boston Ballet
This list would be incomplete without one of the most iconic ballet villains of all time: the Rat King. The Rat King is a part of the beloved holiday classic The Nutcracker and stirs up havoc by battling The Nutcracker with his evil troupe of rats and mice. With so many variations of The Nutcracker, have come many different interpretations of the villain. In some productions, there’s a Rat Queen, or in the Balanchine version, a multi-headed Rat King. Considering that the Rat King isn’t present throughout the entire production, he’s relegated to the bottom of the list. Nonetheless, The Nutcracker wouldn’t be the same without him!
Photo of Amy Harris as the Stepmother in Cinderella, photo by Lynette Wills. From The Australian Ballet
4. Stepmother
From the pages of storybooks to the stages of theatres, the stepmother from Cinderella is a ruthless villain through and through. Much like in the literary and film versions of the story, in the ballet Cinderella, the stepmother forces her stepdaughter Cinderella to be her family’s servant. Something a bit different about the ballet version of the fairy tale is that the stepmother tries to fit into Cinderella’s slipper at the end of the ballet herself. The stepmother may not have any flashy powers or flamboyance to her personality, but her demeanor towards Cinderella is utterly heartless, making her a true villain.
Photo of Gillian Revie as Carabosse in The Sleeping Beauty, photo by Jeff Busby. From The Australian Ballet
3. Carabosse
Coming in at number three is Carabosse, the evil fairy from The Sleeping Beauty. Carabosse ranks high on this list as her source of villainy comes from out of sheer pettiness, which makes her character quite amusing. When Carabosse isn’t invited to Princess Aurora’s christening by King Florestan XXIV and the Queen, she is fiercely upset and puts a curse on Aurora to prick her finger on a spindle and die on her sixteenth birthday. How bitter! Fortunately, the Lilac Fairy changes the curse from death to a 100-year slumber, but regardless, Carabosse certainly puts a damper on things with her wickedness.
Photo of Thomas Whitehead as Rothbart in Swan Lake, photo by Bill Cooper. From The Royal Ballet
2. Rothbart
Second place goes to Rothbart from Swan Lake, a cunning owl-like sorcerer who curses the maiden Odette to be a swan by day until she can find a man who’s never loved before to love her forever. A complicated and wicked curse indeed. The villain is portrayed in different forms in different productions, including a human form and a reptilian form, but in most, he remains an owl-like creature. Rothbart’s eccentric costume and flair make him one of the more exciting villains to watch on stage.
Ako Kondo as Myrtha in Giselle, photo by Jeff Busby. From The Australian Ballet
1. Myrtha
And finally, first place goes to the one and only Myrtha from Giselle. Maybe it’s because Giselle is my favorite ballet (or because it’s one of the spookiest ballets) but regardless Myrtha is one of the most fierce ballet villains of all time. She is the leader of The Wilis, the ghostly spirits of maidens who have been betrayed by their lovers. Considering Myrtha is literally a ghost, she reigns supreme in terms of ballet villains.
Antagonizing as they may be, ballets would be nothing without their villains. They stir up trouble, serve some menacing looks, and allow the heroes to prevail at the end (most of the time). Whether you’re watching some YouTube videos of these favorite villains, or channeling them in your Halloween costumes, we hope you have a hauntingly good spooky season!
Get To Know DWC Ambassador MiYoung Margolis
MiYoung Margolis is one of our newest ambassadors here at DWC! She has had a wonderful career in the arts both in South Korea and here in Seattle. An accomplished mixed media artist, fashion designer and choreographer, she brings a unique perspective to the arts and our ambassador program. Read on for more about this unique and interesting artist!
pronunciation: Me-young Mar-go-lis | pronouns: she/her
By Samantha Weissbach, DWC Owner & General Manager
MiYoung Margolis is one of our newest ambassadors here at DWC! She has had a wonderful career in the arts both in South Korea and here in Seattle. An accomplished mixed media artist, fashion designer and choreographer, she brings a unique perspective to the arts and our ambassador program. Read on for more about this unique and interesting artist!
MiYoung trained from a young age in classical western dance as well as traditional Korean dance and eventually received her degree in dance in South Korea. After moving to Seattle she worked in various artforms including visual art and fashion. Her gallery in Seattle displays her impressive range of art and creations and doubles as her company’s rehearsal space.
She is very passionate about getting every body into dance (something we can definitely agree on). She focuses her teachings and art on including all humans regardless of their background or training.
Her dance company, MMDC, is co-hosting the O-Jak Bridge Dance Festival with Adage Ballet on Dec 9th at the Erickson Theater in Seattle. They will be performing a non-traditional Swan Lake performance, as well as performances by multicultural artists and choreographers. You can click here to book tickets now!
We are thrilled to have MiYoung join the DWC family and you can look forward to seeing more from her on our Instagram and YouTube!
Disclaimer
All content found on the Dancewear Center Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and all other relevant social media platforms including: text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. Offerings for continuing education credits are clearly identified and the appropriate target audience is identified. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Dancewear Center does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on dancewearcenter.net. Reliance on any information provided by dancewearcenter.net, Dancewear Center employees, contracted writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication to Dancewear Center is solely at your own risk.
Links to educational content not created by Dancewear Center are taken at your own risk. Dancewear Center is not responsible for the claims of external websites and education companies.
Empowering Dancers in the Studio and On Stage - Local Choreographer Alicia Mullikin On Creating An Inclusive Space for all Marginalized Communities
Empowering dancers is something that is very important to local dance teacher and choreographer Alicia Mullikin. Being able to be your true self in the studio and on stage is one of the main goals she tries to pursue with her dance company El Sueño. We got the chance to speak with Alicia about her mission statement, her dance company, and her personal dance journey. Read on to learn more!
Pronunciation: Ah-lee-see-ah Mull-ih-kin | Pronouns: she/her
By Nicole Barrett, DWC Blog Editor
photo courtesy of https://www.aliciamullikin.com/works
Empowering dancers is something that is very important to local dance teacher and choreographer Alicia Mullikin. Being able to be your true self in the studio and on stage is one of the main goals she tries to pursue with her dance company El Sueño. We got the chance to speak with Alicia about her mission statement, her dance company, and her personal dance journey. Read on to learn more!
Alicia started dancing in the middle school show choir. While she was in the show choir, the choreographer quit which left the group without choreography. Alicia decided she wanted to help choreograph without taking any dance classes and fell in love with the creative process. She asked her parents to put her into dance classes at the local YMCA, where her love of dance and choreography bloomed.
After high school, Alicia went to Riverside City College where she continued to train in dance before transferring to Cornish College of the Arts. It was here that she encountered some struggle and came up against some rigid viewpoints about body shape and traditional expectations around size. However, it is also where she met some incredible teachers and lifelong friends. Alicia later went on to get her Masters in Dance from Cal State University of Long Beach and she was recently selected as an Arts Advocacy Leadership fellow by the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures.
When asked about Alicia’s favorite thing about dance, she says, “Dance allowed a space for me to express myself in ways that I am unable to verbally. It allows me to be the person I want to be.” Folks often describe Alicia’s movement as expressive and powerful. She strives to bring this out of her students as well as guide them to stand in their full power and own their own story.
photo courtesy of https://www.aliciamullikin.com/works
El Sueño is an organization founded by Alicia. They use dance as a platform for community engagement, empowerment, and healing of marginalized communities. The phrase el sueño means “the dream” which is important to her as a first-generation American. Seeing her parents sacrifice and strive for the American dream has inspired her to continue pressing forward. Alicia’s family is descendant from the Indigenous people’s of North America and the genocide and struggle that they went through inspires her to be resilient. She shares, “I am the recipient of the American Dream, that is generations in the making.”
Alicia is currently working on a new work MESTIZO. It is an evening of collected stories of the Mexican-American experience. The description states As Mexican people, our histories are painfully entwined with both our Indigenous ancestors and our Spanish colonizers. So much of our Indigenous history was stripped from us through centuries of cultural erasure and genocide. What we have been able to hold onto has been strategically hidden within Catholic images and appropriated spiritual practices. Assimilation was the way we survived extinction, but defiance and resilience was threaded in the ways we stealthily passed our cultural practices through the colonial lens. MESTIZO bravely claims the pain and power of this history with each artist documenting their experiences. The event will include visual arts, film, music, dance, and ceremony that powerfully weave together our collective experiences.
You can find out more about Alicia and her new work at https://www.aliciamullikin.com/mestizo
And follow the El Sueño Instagram here!
If you’d like to support Alicia’s upcoming production of MESTIZO you can donate to their project fundraiser at https://www.gofundme.com/f/mestizo
Disclaimer
All content found on the Dancewear Center Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and all other relevant social media platforms including: text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. Offerings for continuing education credits are clearly identified and the appropriate target audience is identified. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Dancewear Center does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on dancewearcenter.net. Reliance on any information provided by dancewearcenter.net, Dancewear Center employees, contracted writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication to Dancewear Center is solely at your own risk.
Links to educational content not created by Dancewear Center are taken at your own risk. Dancewear Center is not responsible for the claims of external websites and education companies.
Get To Know DWC Ambassador Vania Bynum
Vania Bynum is one of our newest ambassadors with a unique dance story and very interesting perspective, read on to learn more about her and her organization, VCBynum Arts & Education!
Vania Bynum | van-ee-uh bye-num | pronouns: she/her
By Samantha Weissbach, DWC Owner & General Manager
Dance can be life-changing in many different ways. It can unleash a new identity inside and help express oneself for the whole world to see. We got the chance to speak with our very own DWC Ambassador Vania Bynum about what dance means to her! Read on to learn more about Vania’s dancing journey and what inspired her to become a DWC Ambassador!
Vania started dancing when she was in a club in school that allowed opportunities for underserved communities to be immersed in various forms of art. She was introduced to dance through this program and she shares she was in and out of this program for a couple of years. After going to college to become a software engineer, she came across Alvin Ailey for the first time in her late 20s and she realized that she needed to get back into dance.
While she was working at Microsoft, she would take classes in order to get back into dance and practice. Vania danced for Eastside Dance and Elizabeth’s Dance Dimensions in adult groups which made her want to further her artistry and take her dancing to the next level. Vania took a year off and studied dance which was her love and passion and auditioned for Cornish College of the Arts where she got in.
When asked about what inspired her to become a DWC Ambassador, Vania shares that her friend, former DWC Ambassador Robbi Moore, introduced her to the program. She was asking them about the things they were posting and they talked about it which led to Vania doing her own research. She believes that this will allow her to move forward in her dancing journey and be able to share her story with others. This can allow her to grow as not only a person and push herself but as an artist as well.
Vania is in a 50+ group that is called The Throwbacks that do performances so be sure to watch out for those performances! Vania also has VC Bynum Arts and Education which hosts classes in Bellevue, so look out for those flyers and sign up for classes!
We are so excited to have Vania as one of our DWC Ambassadors! Be sure to check out the full interview on YouTube!
Disclaimer
All content found on the Dancewear Center Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and all other relevant social media platforms including: text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. Offerings for continuing education credits are clearly identified and the appropriate target audience is identified. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Dancewear Center does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on dancewearcenter.net. Reliance on any information provided by dancewearcenter.net, Dancewear Center employees, contracted writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication to Dancewear Center is solely at your own risk.
Links to educational content not created by Dancewear Center are taken at your own risk. Dancewear Center is not responsible for the claims of external websites and education companies.
Interested in writing for the DWC Blog? Click below to fill out the DWC Contributor application!