Late 10 Things Tuesday ~

Then Things Tuesday Ummm Thursday ~

Sorry I missed 10 Things Tuesday this week so better late than never!

Ten Things We Can Learn From Vintage Ballerinas:

1. Sometimes the simplest positions look the best in pictures.
       - See Anna Pavlova on releve with her arms crossed as Odette.

2. It's better to dance a role with purpose/character/feeling rather than for the sake of pure dancing.
       - See Gelsey Kirkland's book Dancing On My Grave ( I will review this book in a post later)

3. The number of pirouettes one can do sometimes depends on how much money they can make. :)
      - See White Nights

4. Sometimes it's just as beautiful to have a 90 degree arabesque as above.
    - See Margot Fonteyn

5. Speaking of Margot Fonteyn: what are considered bad feet are arguable.
     - Is being right on your box really that "bad"? (I think not).

6. Vintage motivational ballet posters are awesome. I'll post some I have here this evening.

7. Tapered Pointe shoes make your feet look sleek and your legs look longer, if your foot shape can tolerate them.
   - See Olga Spessivtseva

8. Costumes should usually be magnificent. There were some interesting and spectacular costumes for ballets, especially in the 1920's.
   - See early Ballet Russe photos

9. When we find the perfect (red) pointe shoes, we never want to take them off and wish to continue to dance and dance and dance in them; but it can be taken too far.
   - See the Red Shoes (esp. featuring Moira Shearer).

10. Ballet is hard, but fun.
    - See Lucille Ball in her ballet episode.

~ Ok this ten things was a little lackluster, but don't forget about the ballerinas that came before us, they have a lot to show and a lot to be learned from! A personal note, I fancy the tighter attitude of fifties and earlier ballet dancers, as personal preference. Find little things to inspire you while you're dancing/researching. I also really find emotive and actress ballerinas exceptional, I think the ballerinas of yesteryear are the best examples of this. It's not always about how high you can get your legs or how many turns you can do on pointe, sometimes it's how well you can express your character. The audience should feel something! Be it amazement of your spectacular extension or your character portrayal's perfection. What have you learned from previous ballerinas?