Send In The Clowns

photo from The San Francisco Chronicle

photo caption:
Even the youngest dancers invest their "Nutcracker" performance with vigor. The ballet plays through Dec. 27. in San Francisco.


And The San Francisco Examiner writes:
an amazing cast of disciplined little dancers that own the show at times, and the scene-stealing performance of the high-flying "Russian Trepak Bear", who comes out of Madame Du Cirque's dress....

Full article available here

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 12/11/2009 11:00:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: ,

SF Ballet Nutcracker Opening Night...Magical!

I cannot even begin to describe my excitement over the Opening Night of the much anticipated Nutcracker production of SF Ballet. Our excitement have been building since last September when Isabella auditioned for a role in this magical production. Isabella's enthusiasm and dedication is so evident in her attendance. She never missed a single rehearsal and was on time and ready for each call. And last night was her most anticipated call...the curtain call for opening night. Isabella had the time of her life performing for a packed audience at the War Memorial Opera House.

Our day was just as magical as the Nutcracker. We will cherish and remember it for years to come. My mom and dad Dennis were with us to share in this magical day for Isabella (Russ was in San Luis Obispo; we're scheduled to watch as a family on the 19th).

Isabella's magical day started with a dress rehearsal from 12:30-3:30. As soon as we entered the intersection of Grove and Van Ness and saw the War Memorial Opera House adorned with giant Nutcrackers, we couldn't contain our excitement. Isabella and I started screaming and giggling.

After dropping Isabella off, we decided to calm our excitement and headed to Macy's in Union Square. We somehow found ourselves in the cosmetics department where we ended up having our make-up done (my mom and I). After our own magical moment of skin care and make-up application, we were off to pick up Isabella. She was so excited to tell us that they rehearsed with a full orchestra. We then headed for early dinner at Max's Opera Cafe together with two of her fellow clowns and their families.

After dinner we rushed to their normal ballet class. Their regular class time is from 5:45 to 7:00. The three of them were allowed to leave class early to head to the War Memorial Opera House across the street. They were instructed to sign in like little professionals and head on to their assigned dressing room where they were to wait for hair, make up , and wardrobe calls.

As for us adults, we went to the War Memorial around 6:00. We met up with Owen and her family. Her two sons, Josh and Troy (my godson), are very sweet kids. Troy is so precious and couldn't wait to see Belle. It was also nice to have met Owen's boyfriend, Paul.

It was our first time at the beautiful War Memorial Opera House. I made a mental note of the moment...where we were seated, what we were wearing (including my special purse which I will talk about in a separate blog), the decor, and everything else I could remember. It was surely magical...not only was it my first time, my darling daughter was part of the performance!

As soon as the music from the live orchestra started, I had goosebumps all over. It was truly a wonderful production. Act I ended with beautiful dancing "Snowflakes" together with very talented Snow King and Queen.

When Act II started, I felt like screaming with excitement. By the time the Russian Dancers entered (which means the clowns were on the wings), the word excitement is an understatement. When the clowns entered jumping and cartwheeling, the audience, packed with moms, dads, and kids, were all clapping (I would have done a cartwheel myself at that point... if I could). Isabella was in character. She was proud to be a clown. Her pride and joy showed in each step and gesture. And I, in all my glorious excitement, was a shining mother.

It was truly an unforgettable night for us....magical, indeed.

(sorry I don't have photos...but will post some as soon as I am able)

click here for the review from The SF Examiner

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 12/09/2009 10:33:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: ,

Isabella's Nutcracker Performance Schedule

Finally! SF Ballet Nutcracker casting and schedule is posted!

Isabella is set to perform at the War Memorial Opera House for a total of 16 shows including opening night and Christmas Eve.

She will be in Act II as one of Madame Du Cirque's eight clowns to dance with a big bear.


Tickets are available at SFBallet.org



her schedule is underlined in black.

Hope you can catch her and hope you enjoy the show.

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 12/02/2009 10:23:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: ,

Happy Halloween '09

Another creative halloween year for us. Isabella is a boom box this year (her own idea). We worked on it the night before her halloween parade after her SF ballet class.


She said it was a hit at school. Schoolmates would push the play button and she would personally play their requested song, tapping on the sides to drum the beat. Creative eh?




Kuya Phil came to help her carve a pumpkin. This year's design: "puking" pumpkin:)











Presenting...Our Puking Pumpkin




check out last year's "mooning" pumpkin







Isabella and I went trick-or-treating with our respective BFF's, dear ate Cecile with her DD, Krystn. We had fun collecting the girls' candy stash to last them the entire year (or so we hope:) We also had a great time looking at decorated "haunted" homes. Then we went home and the girls had fun trading candies.

The precious halloween night was followed by another precious day...my birthday.

My day started with a bang...precious greetings from wonderful friends and family...including birthday song from Tess and Steven from Pismo over the cell phone.

Then we were off to church. Being that it was the first Sunday, birthdays and anniversaries for the month are recognized. Isabella stood up and announced my special day. Then my dear tita Rose, my spiritual mentor, prepared a special fish dish for me (she knows I love to eat but not to cook:)

Arriving home from church I was surprised with gifts from my BFF, dear ate Cecile, including a delectable cake from Red Ribbon, my fave...choco mocha crunch...yummy!

After church we celebrated my birthday at World Gourmet Restaurant in Fremont.

My day was ended with a wonderful visit from no other than my BFF, ate Cecile.

It was a wonderful birthday for me. I am so blessed. Thank you dear Lord for the blessing of great family and friends.

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 11/05/2009 11:41:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: ,

Isabella's 10th Birthday Bash

Isabella's 10th Birdthday party this Saturday was a huge success.
Thanks to the help of wonderful family and friends.
Here are some few photos I managed to take.


delectable mocha/chocolate photo birthday cake from Goldilocks
yes, the photo is an edible marshmallow frosting
Photo by Cecile of Papelle Photographie

Our backyard
decorated with the help of my GFF from Pismo Beach, Tessie.





The yummy food prepared by my wonderful mom
with the help of dad Dennis,
auntie Virgie visiting all the way from New York,
and Flor all the way from the Philippines.


menu included
my mom's vegetable lumpia, pork and chicken adobo,
beef kaldereta, and fruit salad
ordered chinese chicken salad and shrimp cakes
salmon especially prepared by dear ate Cecile
pancit from our sweet neighbor, Aling Linda
shrimp balls from my dear cousin, ate Edna
Auntie Virgie's specialties...lumpia shanghai, cassava dessert,
and suman (sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves)


Karaoke fun lasting 'til midnight


and of course, jolly jumper fun complete with obstacle course and a slide.
It was a hit with the kids and kids-at-heart.

The festivities started with a precious prayer from Pastor Anne
Thanks to all our wonderful guests who made the event so much fun
We are so blessed to have the best family and friends


Happy Birthday Darling Isabella!

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/26/2009 11:45:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: ,

Birthday Photo Shoot

On a Friday before Isabella's 10th birthday, we were extremely fortunate to have the privilege of a precious photo session by an incredibly talented photographer...no other than my BFF, Cecile. I am very proud to present a few of her many beautiful snapshots capturing our family's passionate ballerina....


















thank you ate Cecile, from the bottom of our hearts.

more lovely shots in equally lovely layouts available for your viewing pleasure in Cecile's photography blog at http://papelle.wordpress.com/. You also wouldn't want to miss visiting her incredible site at http://www.papelle.com/ beholding a great passion and the gift of capturing images and turning them into precious works of art.

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/25/2009 05:19:00 PM 1 comments  

Labels:

Saturdays: Nutcracker Rehearsals and Family Bonding Day

I started writing this while waiting at the San Francisco Ballet. Saturdays are fast becoming a great family bonding day for us (at least for the three of us - myself, DH Russ, and DD Isabella; as for the boys, let's just say that waiting at the ballet school is not exactly in their list of drag times:)

It's been 6 weeks since Isabella started attending San Francisco Ballet School after auditioning last September 12th. The audition marked the beginning of our Saturday family time. Then last September 26th, Isabella got an opportunity to experience another audition, this time for a part in San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker production. She tried out for a role for girls under 4'7 as one of the 8 adorable clowns to dance with a big bear in Madame Du Cirque scene in Act 2. You can read about The Nutcracker Story here. Isabella's brothers, Phil and Ian, joined us that day. We had lunch at Japan town in between her morning class and the audition. After lunch the boys took the bart home. Russ and I spent time together while waiting during the two-hour long audition.




Isabella was called to rehearse. Last October 3rd was their first rehearsal day. We had lunch with a couple of her classmates that day (in between her class and rehearsal) at Arlequin Cafe on Hayes Street.

Last week, October 10th, though there were no classes due to memorial day holiday, rehearsals were on. So after rehearsals that day we spent the afternoon at Union Square. We went shopping at Macy's after a great lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Isabella had a wonderful time looking for "the perfect" dress. And she was able to find a couple of "perfect" dresses (def: size 7-8, girly yet grown up dress, and on sale:))

Today we had lunch at Sage Cafe right behind SF Ballet with one of her classmates. Then after rehearsals we headed to Pleasanton to attend a birthday party at Super Frank's Fun Adventure. Russ, though tired, enjoyed watching Isabella have a great fun time playing at the arcade and riding their zip line. It was yet another wonderful Saturday family bonding day.

Posted byImelda@Inspired Simplicity at 10/17/2009 12:26:00 PM 1 comments  

Labels: , ,

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)