Sunday, October 08, 2006

Mother's Day Offers A Chance To Celebrate Personal Arts Connections

I should have written this part of this column last week. That would be the part saluting the person Abraham Lincoln and George Washington mutually believed was responsible for their accomplishments, the part recognizing what one Chinese philosopher claimed is the “greatest right” for the fairer sex, or the part praising those whose hearts create what Henry Ward Beecher called “the child’s classroom.” That’s right, I should have saluted my favorite mothers. There is Helen, the iron-willed mom, whose singular work ethic and devotion to children’s learning fostered achievement by example. Or consider Mary, whose creativity and laughter made growing up so much fun and full of love for two boys, their dad, and, now, for her grandchildren. And certainly we must mention Mitsie, the incredible artist who is a patient and amazing mom to the most beautiful and remarkable grandchildren in the world. Though my timing may be out of alignment, my sentiment is always pertinent. This humble scribe salutes moms that have made his life beautiful.

I hesitate to write this next sentence for fear that a certain mom mentioned above might misunderstand it. See, I spent the weekend in the arms of Terpsichore, otherwise known as “the whirler.” Before you judge too severely, let me say that, while I was enjoying her charms, I also was watching grandchildren and daughters-in-law show off their talent. I don’t think I will ever tire of seeing a certain precocious blonde as the White Rabbit. I guess I should have known that day would come. After all, her first word was “ballet.” And how does one resist the charm of a five-year-old boy, as his own smile challenges that of his character, The Cheshire Cat. His mischievous joy is palpable as he “paints” the dainty girl dancing roses pink and then red at the direction of the Queen of Hearts. (To be sure, the first thing he wanted to talk to me about afterward was the two hits he acquired in his season-ending baseball gamer earlier in the day!)

On Sunday, during a visit to the Kingdom of Mouse, we shared a special chance to see our youngest daughter-in-law dance with her troupe. The combination of beautiful, lithe athletes, adorned with distinctive butterfly wings, soaring across the stage propelled by the spring of trampolines, was inspiring and moving. After our celebration and goodbyes, we slowly made our way out of the park, to the strains of “Cinderellabration,” with the flowing gowns of dancers and princesses shining in the fading embers of the day, in the shadows of that magical castle. To be sure, the charms of Terpsichore are alluring.

Lisa Allen’s Dance Works will celebrate its 10th Annual Showcase, “Time Warp,” a delightful combination of dance, music and lights, in the CCHS Auditorium on Saturday (May 27) at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Call Lisa Allen's Dance Works at 912-673-9161 for tickets and information.

Students aged 8-14 can now register for “Schoolhouse Rock, Live! Jr.,” which will be performed at the end of the Camden Summer Theatre summer camp. All rehearsals and performances for CST will be at the CCHS Auditorium, May 23 – June 16, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. weekdays. Call 912-729-7463 for registration information.

Opportunities for this week and the future: Broadway’s longest running show, “Phantom of the Opera,” opens at TUC on 5.17 and runs through 6.3; listen to new music composers as they compete to have works commissioned and performed by JSO, TUC, 5.18, 6:30 p.m.; deluge your senses with a variety of performance art at the Chaos Fair, behind the Florida Theatre, 5.19, 6 – midnight.

If you have ideas or events you want me to share with readers, send me a note at pkraack1@tds.net.

5.17.06

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