"I think of dancers as vessels for a purpose greater than ourselves." - Camille Brown

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers

In the 1930’s, America experienced the worst financial crisis in its history – the Great Depression. Children would wonder if daddy’s job would last throughout the week, and many mothers prepared nightly suppers while worrying if the food supply would hold out until money hit home again. Young adults who were on the brink of starting their careers clung to a dream that could easily slip away. The Great Depression’s dark cloud threatened the idea of the American Dream. There were days when I’m sure happiness would drain from the lives of those who experienced this crushing time, and I’m sure there were instances when individuals wondered when they would have a reason to smile again… Enter Fred Astaire. Enter Bing Crosby. Enter Irving Berlin, John Steinbeck, Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Ginger Rogers, and all the other entertainers (both on stage and in print) during the 1930’s. During a time of stress and struggle, these artists brought a gift to people – a smile…inspiration…emotion.

Fred Astaire in "Royal Wedding"

Fred Astaire tapped and sang his way into the hearts of Americans everywhere. His innocence on screen and style and grace on the dance floor pulled people into the world of the light-footed entertainer, and Irvin Berlin brought Astaire and Rogers to the masses with movies, such as Top Hat and Follow the Fleet. Bing Crosby’s strong, deep voice provided the nation with inspiration and reassurance when he sang songs like “Pennies from Heaven” and “I’ve Got A Pocketful of Dreams.” Zany and crazy screwball comedies from the Marx Brothers gave people a reason to laugh and an opportunity to take life a little less seriously.

Of course, I didn’t experience the Great Depression, but I wouldn’t doubt that if I did, those artists would have been my saving grace. (Actually I would’ve hoped to have been an entertainer like that.) These artists did so much more than perform, write, or produce music. They used their talents to help lift a nation and its people through hopelessness and despair.

Entertainers then and now have a responsibility to use their talents for a purpose greater than themselves – to inspire those around them to follow their dreams, to provide entertainment and happiness to audiences, and maybe teach a student something to propel them forward in their search for whatever will make their life shine, whether it be a happy marriage or a career making movies in Hollywood.

I count my lucky stars that I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food on the table every evening. And even though gas prices keep rising, there’s no blues that can’t be brightened when I slip on my dance shoes or settle into my seat before a movie or live stage show. The performing arts gives people a reason to smile, to laugh, to cry, to feel. It may be a big screen movie that touches your heart or a fast-paced stage production that gives you goose bumps or produces that excited, tingling feeling in your chest.

Of course, dancers and entertainers are not the only talented beings on the planet that possess the ability to put a smile on someone’s face, make a difference, or even change lives. We all have that ability in us with skills like good listening, kindness, volunteerism, and a plethora of other talents. A friend of mine told me once that she must be an easy person to talk to because people (both of whom she knows well and doesn’t know at all) open up to her telling her their problems, fears, and dilemmas. She says she doesn’t know why they decide to open up to her, but apparently my friend has a gift, a quality that makes her approachable, trustworthy and able to help her peers just by lending an ear. Fred Astaire had his ability to entertain. Bing Crosby had his voice, and my friend has her welcoming vibes. What's your gift?

"To unpathed waters, undreamed shores." - William Shakespeare

Choose to Chance the Rapids

When I was a kid, I never wanted to spend the night at my friend’s house. I would always come up with an excuse for my friends to stay at my house, so I didn’t have to go to theirs. I didn’t feel comfortable outside of my home. Nor did I feel comfortable being alone. In fact, I was slightly terrified to be left by myself.

I was also the kid who got picked on at school and the one who would more than likely be chosen last when picking teams for kickball. I was never the obvious leader and was probably the last person the teacher or my classmates would pick to be in charge of a group. While I wouldn’t really classify myself as shy, I definitely desired to keep a low profile.

My, how times have changed…

Isn’t it funny that now, twenty years later, I find myself traveling here and there and everywhere, sometimes with travel companions and sometimes cross-country totally by myself. My eight-year-old self, who was sometimes too scared to stay overnight at her cousin’s house across the street, wouldn’t know what to make of me today.

And if someone would have told her that today she would be leading three dance teams and own her own dance studio, productions company, and small web design firm, I don’t think she would have believed them.

The View from the Mountain Top in Montenegro

And then of course, there was my recent trip to Europe. I know there are many people in the world that may have hiked to the top of a fjord in Montenegro many times in their lives, but for a little country bumpkin from the mountains of Virginia, that’s something I never really thought I’d ever have the chance to do.

Now, I’m by no means bragging on myself. As Denzel Washington said “Luck is where opportunity meets preparation,” and I definitely had some luck and opportunity come my way.

But my point is (as Tim McGraw’s newest song says) “I’m learning who you’ve been ain’t who you’ve gotta be.” Although I may have been the dorky, unpopular, awkward, eight-year-old at one point in my life, that doesn’t mean I have to be awkward and scared today (though I may still happily retain a little of the dorkiness from time to time.) And even though I once had a fear of the unknown, it doesn’t mean I’m going to retain that fear today and sit idly by as possibilities and opportunities pass me by. Maybe I’ve learned from my fears. I guess that scared eight-year-old taught me a thing or two about living – to not let natural fears and born-into limitations restrict the rest of your life. No matter where we are from, who we are surrounded by, or how much money we have or don’t have, there is always a way to accomplish our goals and see our dreams come to life. I have seen too many possibilities in my life to believe in impossibility.

Clutching the Railing While Pulling Out of Barcelona

Another fear I have is a fear of water and ships. Did I mention the trip to Europe was a two-week cruise in the Mediterranean? I was terrified driving up to the ship, terrified when I boarded, and terrified to the point of tears as I stood clutching the railing of my balcony as the ship traveled farther and farther away from land. I knew I would be, but I wanted that experience, and I was ready to fight for it. And guess what? I won.

"I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it." - Edith Sitwell

Every now and again a blogger has to have a rant post, right? Well, here I go:

Yes, I do tend to have a temper sometimes, and yes, sometimes I do get worked up over little things, but as I tried to enjoy the mediocre Super Bowl half-time show last night, I really got riled up when “MIA” (or whatever her name is) felt the need to thoroughly “express herself” in front of the audience. “What the…???” I said to myself. “Really?”

This leads me to another story: When I went on a Mediterranean cruise last fall, I got off the ship in Civitvecchia, Italy. My friend and I were waiting for our guide when another guide asked if he could help us with anything. I turned to him and said “No, thank you. We’re waiting for our guide.” I saw the man look a bit surprised when he heard my voice.

After narrowing his eyebrows in confusion, the man asked me “Where are you from?”

“From America,” I replied.

“Interesting,” the man said. “You don’t look like an American.”

A bit confused, I asked the man what he meant, and he proceeded to tell me in so many words (and more politely, of course) that I didn’t look fat, ugly, or stupid. He said most Americans he encounters are overweight, rude, and lazy.

Fast forward a few months to the Super Bowl... I couldn’t help but think of that Italian guide when Miss. MIA decided to represent America and herself on national television the only way she knew how – with her middle finger and her crotch. Wow… Is this what our country is coming to?

Now don’t get me wrong. I AM proud to be an American, and I told that little Italian guy that I’m sorry for the rude Americans he had encountered, but reassured him we are not all like that, that there are some Americans out there who know how to act properly and who work hard everyday. And I’m not saying the opinionated entertainer at the Super Bowl didn’t work hard to get her opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl. I know I would be psyched if I got to clog as part of the half-time show. But if I ever made it there, you could bet your last copper penny I would find a more suitable way to represent myself, my family, my friends, my colleagues, and my country in a better way. It’s no wonder Europeans have bad opinions of us when we have people like her representing our country.

I’m sure there were lots of people, including myself, who had never heard of that singer before in their lives. And maybe she was just trying to make a statement. Well, she made one alright, and now I (and probably many other people) will now remember her as that dumb girl from the Super Bowl half-time show who flipped off the audience. Way to go, girl, for making your obscene mark on history and giving our nation and our nation’s youth one more reason to believe that flipping the birdie is a cool and appropriate thing to do. God Bless America… (No God… Really… Please?)