On Saturday, I grabbed my brand new ballet slippers and headed to class at Northside Dance Theater. Super Beginner Ballet, to be exact.
Yes, I'm in the level below beginner.
While I have taken dance class before, it’s been about 15 years, and I wasn’t exactly the most coordinated young dancer.
But clearly I seriously rocked the costumes.
Still, I loved dancing, and spend plenty of time doing it in my own living room. So when my friend Charlotte mentioned that she was taking this class, I instantly invited myself along. I spent the week in anticipation — buying ballet shoes, thinking about all the sweet dance moves I’d learn, and secretly lusting after the high-heeled tap shoes I always wanted.
High-heeled tap shoes (do they have a fancier name?) make me think of old musicals, and I’m pretty sure if I get some and learn to dance in them, Gene Kelly will be knocking on my door. Of course, I’ll wear my tap shoes constantly and be prepared to bust out a spontaneous song and dance number. It’ll be perfect.
Anyway, back to the ballet class.
Kim, the instructor, was very nice and told me lots of encouraging things. I don’t think I’m a terribly good dancer, and when I thought too hard about things I’d get incredibly confused. But if I just listened and followed along and danced, I had a wonderful time. It was like being five years old again. I didn’t care what anybody else thought. I wasn’t trying to be the best, and I have no delusion that I’ll become a star in the Nutcracker, even if I work really hard. I just did it because it was fun.
My new happy place.
Somewhere along the line, most of my hobbies have become fun things that are more than just fun. I run because it’s fun, but also because I want to push myself to get a new PR, to be the very best version of my running self that I can be. Writing has become that, too. A place where I want to get better.
I love the idea that, for now, at least, ballet is a place I can go just for fun. Because you’re never too old to learn something new… and you’re absolutely never too old to let loose and have fun doing it.
What is the last thing you did just because it was fun?
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This sounds SO fun. I wish we lived near each other because I’d totally go with you. I don’t think I could go alone though, but quitting dance is one of my all time biggest regrets in life : (
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It is WAY too much fun! If you have a place near you that does something like this, you should go. It was so chill and silly. I loved it.
This is very cool! My sister, at the ripe old age of 40, enrolled in a beginning ballet class. It was NOT targeted toward adults and she was in with the little kids, but I think she had more fun than they did.
[...] thankful for ballet. Because you’re never too old to try something new, even if it is just for fun. I can’t wait for ballet class this weekend! My little feet are itching to get back in my [...]