Category: Virginia

Posted on in Ballet, Ballet in Washington, D.C., Ballet on Valentine's Day, Bogdan Pavlovsky, Capital One Hall, Contemporary Ballet, Culture, Elysabeth Muscat, Evil Queen, Hi-Ho Hi-Ho, Hylton Performing Arts Center, lifestyle, Manassass, Point Shoes, Rafik Hegab, Seven Dwarves, Snow White, Snow White’s Prince, Virginia, Virginia Ballet, Virginia National Ballet Company

A Valentine’s Day Fairytale:

Virginia National Ballet Presents ‘Snow White’

Love was in the air on Valentine’s Day when the curtain rose on the Virginia National Ballet’s “Snow White.” Their timing was perfect – what better way to celebrate the season of romance than with one of the most beloved fairytales of all time?

Snow White (Nicole Ramirez) and The Prince (Livan Gonzalez) surrounded by the Woodland Creatures performed by VNB Students

The audience came to engage and enjoy with much sparkle and finery. My party consisted of my friend and her young ballerina daughter. We arrived after battling Friday evening rush hour in full sparkle and pink regalia. I caught myself smiling throughout the performance.

Under the direction of award-winning choreographer, Rafik Hegab, the production transformed the classic Disney fairytale into an endearing ballet for audiences of all ages. The choreography presented seamless imagery while highlighting the talents of the dancers. The dancers brought to life themes of love’s victory over darkness, bonds between friends, and a pure heart’s ultimate success.

The sophisticated staging and beautiful costuming served as the perfect canvas for the company’s masterful artistry. They truly transported the viewer into an enchanted realm. The lush backdrops created a mysterious forest, a cold castle with a “live” mirror, and the dwarves‘  adorable cottage. The lyrical musical score of Bogdan Pavlovsky sounded familiar yet refined while featuring tunes from the movie. The multiple layers of nostalgic charm, eye-opening scenery, and excellent storytelling through professional ballet made this production sparkle.  The inclusion of ballet school students as the woodland creatures gave the audience and the dancers a taste of  preparation and performance. The stage of the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas, Virginia made a perfect setting for the ballet.

The joyful Dwarves, each with unique choreography brought peels of laughter from the audience

The company’s international ensemble of twenty dancers brought elegant depth to this performance. The diverse cast represents talent from eight countries including the USA, Brazil, Cuba, Japan, Colombia, Uzbekistan, Nicaragua, and Canada. Each dancer imbued the production with a rich tapestry of artistic excellence. Their technical accuracy and emotional expressiveness brought each character beautifully to life – from Snow White’s  impressive graceful innocence  to the exquisitely menacing Evil Queen and her “Shadows,”  to the mysterious Huntsman and the beguiling Prince, and of course, the Dwarves . . .  pure joy! My favorite? The Queen.

The Evil Queen (Sierra Stipetich) and the Huntsman (Leonardo de Almeida)

The company’s decision to present “Snow White” during the Valentine’s season reflects their culture of bold programming. They have been voted the Best of Prince William County in Inside Nova’s Best Of for three years 2022-2024. The Virginia National Ballet pushes artistic boundaries while honoring classical traditions. Under the leadership of Managing Director Elysabeth Muscat and Artistic Director Rafik Hegab, the Company has earned their place among Virginia’s premier ballet institutions. The company performs a broad variety of ballet from “Led Zepllelin” last April to the holiday favorite, Nutcracker, at Christmastime. This is a company with a “two edged” sword. It is not surprising that almost every seat was taken.

For those seeking an affordable quality ballet experience, this one will put a smile on everyone’s face. There is one more chance to enjoy this production on March 1 at Capital One Hall. Visit the website for tickets. Here is a brief video from an earlier season https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF2mSJ_irlc.

As a first-time viewer and a bit of a ballet sceptic, I was delighted by the authenticity, technical accuracy, and charming emotional storytelling by the company. This production has made me eagerly anticipating the company’s  April 27th  Bohemian Rhapsody , at the Hylton Performing Arts Center.

I wish Virginia National Ballet the best as they prepare for their exciting NYC debut of Bohemian Rhapsody in May at the Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York City.

*Photo Credit: Photos by Dave Pearson – courtesy of Virginia National Ballet Company

Posted on in Fox, Fox Chasing, Fox Hunting, horses, lifestyle, Loudoun County, Opening Meet, Tradition, Virginia

Tally-Ho!

A Glorious Morning for the 126th Opening Meet of The Loudoun Hunt

A Classic Hunt Scene (painting in the public domain)

Trucks pulling horse trailers kept arriving. Some fortunate riders who live close to the meet, hacked over. It is THAT Time of the Year – Opening Meet! There is a cheer and anticipation unlike other meets. What is special about today? Tradition, the hard work leading up to this day, and the anticipation of the combination of formality with fellowship.

Arriving by trailer or Hannah Rogers Tucker Hacking over

Perfection! The term, “perfection,”  used in the same sentence with the word, horse, can get tricky, but everyone aims for perfection or as close as possible, even if for just a moment, especially for t his day.

The well turned out riders in their formal attire, the horses with their braided manes and fancy clips, are finally clean and sparkly. For the moment. The pageantry of Opening Meet starts days before the appointed date. Horses are bathed, their hair clipped, their manes pulled, their hooves polished, their tack cleaned, trucks have been washed and trailers have been rearranged, jackets have been picked up from the cleaners, boots gleam, and breeches are spotless.

(L to R: In their Canary Vests (worn under the hunt coats) – Rita Kaseman, Lawrence T. Dale III, MFH, and Kate Dendinger; Milton, the amazing 33-year-old gelding; Joint-Master, Ms. Mary Sell; Join Master, Larry Dale with his horse, Clancy.

On the morning of the meet, most riders begin before dawn preparing their horses and organizing their tack and clothes. Time flies. Arriving on time is a must. All want to present an elegant classic image.

Loudoun Hunt Board President, Paul Ritzema, prepares the stirrup cup table, complete with his design and creation of the “Fox Hunting Communion Trays” from which to securely serve the “cup.” Paul said, “This will be used for Hunt High Holy Days.”

The horses, on the other hand, have spent the night rolling in the grass or in their stall, scratching their necks to release any pre-braided portions of their manes, and if they can find a nice fresh pile of manure, especially if they are a grey horse, roll extra hard to leave contrasting  spots and stains. They eat their breakfasts knowing that this is a special day. They can smell and feel the upcoming event.

With stains defeated, horses tacked up and loaded, riders dressed, trailers packed, and lists checked; the truck engines start and the trailers slowly pull out. On to the Meet!

The “Fixture” for the 2020 Opening Meet was Harris’ Diggs Valley; Roads are shared with bicycle enthusiasts,; Milton and Jasper stand at the ready

Arriving early assures the plumb parking spots. The larger rigs covet those spots for ease of unloading, loading, and leaving. At the meet, tables are set with festive tablecloths, shot glasses, bottles of port, and cookies for the stirrup cup. In the meantime, each trailer is a small hub of energy – horses eagerly stamping their feet and giving an occasional whinny;  riders tying stock tires, putting on their vests and coat, pulling on their gloves, and reaching for their whip; they finally lead their horses from their trailers,  adjusting tack before mounting. This is an important process and no steps can be omitted without a consequence. Finally, girths are cinched and riders mount.

There is congeniality, greetings, and a toast to the day’s hunt. The masters and huntsman confer on strategy and direction.  Finally, the hounds are released from their  trailer. With tails (“masts” in fox hunting terms”) wagging, sniffing, and  hound camaraderie, they settle down and await their orders from the huntsman. Announcements,  compliments and gratitude to landowners for the privilege to hunt their land, the masters lead off in search for the elusive fox.

From L to R: Dr. Kathy Stern helps hold horses; Stirrup Cup cheers; Dr. Kathy Stern ready for the chase; Nadine Galvin toasts to the day; Paul Ritsema on Steinway; Huntsman, Ron Johnsey; Lizzie Hummel on Milton; Kristen Cook; The hunds; Joint Master, Carroll Galvin, Ron Johnsey, and Joint Master, Mary Sell

The art of the hunt is steeped in tradition that is hundreds of years old. Upholding tradition is paramount. However, today, on a nearly 80 degree day, the traditional Melton hunt coats were waived. Visitors re always welcome to see the hunt off. Loudoun Fairfax Hunt Joint Master, Donna Rogers and Middletown Valley Beagles Huntsman, Alasldair (Ally) Storer, were among the day’s guests.

Fox hunting today is not hunting with intent to kill, It is “hunting” in the hope of viewing the fox,  watching the hounds work, riding across beautiful open country, while riding one’s favorite horse, and enjoying good fellowship.

Hounds start work

The Loudoun Hunt was established in 1894 making 2020 its 126th season. Joint Masters, Lawrence T. Dale III, Mary Sell, and Carroll Galvin took the field with huntsman, Ron Johnsey, and their pack of American fox hounds. Tally-Ho! (That is the call when the fox is viewed).

They are off!

Those spotlessly clean horses with their polished hooves and the riders with their clean shiny boots will return with leaves in their pockets, mud splatters, and sometimes a few cuts and scrapes on noses and cheeks from low-lying branches and brambles. The conversation will revolve around which way the fox went, and how the hounds worked, while sipping appropriate refreshments and enjoying bites of tasty delights that had been lovingly prepared the day before. And the fox(es)? They snicker on a log that all those humans on their horses and their dogs were no match for their cunning and agility.

Happy Hunting!