A Day in the District

I had the wonderful opportunity to take part in Fort Worth's Day in the District which took place this past Saturday, September 24th. For people who may not be familiar with this annual event which coincides with National Museum Day, on this particular day all-day long, nine museums and cultural destinations offered free admission to the public. Along with this many of Fort Worth's cultural organizations offered free performances in and around each destination. So what a better way to enrich ourselves in art than a variety of dances performed by students from the Texas Ballet School from the Fort Worth and Dallas locations? In the usual peacefulness and slight eerie silence of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, the hallways were filled with the rustle and bustle of young girls with their hair gelled and pulled back into tight buns attired in glistening, shimmering costumes twirling about in the museum's auditorium while mothers and families watched in the audience. While music echoed through the museum visitors strolling through the main entrance could find a photo opportunity with the Sugar Plum Fairy, Clara and the Nutcracker played by myself and other students from the Texas Ballet Theater School. It was a honor in a way for me to get to put on the Sugar Plum costume and become this magical character that children have grown to admire so. For me, passing this love of dance to younger generations is so essential.  It is so wonderful to see their eyes light up a way that shines straight to the heart. How can I not but feel that I am doing something right here? Thinking that this day was just going to be an event in which I would be dressing up in costume, I ended the day receiving so much more from genuine conversations I had with visitors and ballet families alike. Everyone was so excited about to hear about Texas Ballet Theater and new classes in the TBT school and of the upcoming Giselle and of course our seasonal Nutcracker. Often times we the dancers do not get to physically see how the hard work we do day in and day out and up on the stage is received by the public. It was so humbling to know that the ballet is in fact appreciate in that way. I was so blessed to get to be that face for TBT that one fine Saturday.