Every now and then, the Joburg Ballet hosts open rehearsal days at its studio in Braamfontein. I went once before in 2013, soon after the Joburg Ballet was started, and although I knew nothing about ballet I was enthralled by both the dancing and the rehearsal space.
Two years later, I still know nothing about ballet. But I think it’s about time I started learning. I went to another open day last weekend and was overwhelmed by how beautiful and fun it was.
A group of dancers during their warm-up session on the top floor of the ballet studio.
The dancing in itself is amazing, but it’s the dancing in combination with the amazing view of downtown Joburg that really does it for me. This has to be one of the prettiest places in the entire city during ballet rehearsals.
Flying leap.
Can you tell that I love these silhouettes?
This is my favorite silhouette because the dancer seems to be mimicking the ballet mannequin hanging from the ceiling.
I’m fascinated by pointe ballet shoes and the loud “clack” sound they make when a dancer’s foot hits the floor.
The company is rehearsing for its next big performance, Don Quixote, which opens on 28 August.
Rehearsing one of the dances from Don Quixote*.*
It was fun watching the audience watch the dancers. PS: Look how this dancer is doing a full split IN THE AIR. How is this even physically possible?
I’ll be going to the opening of Don Quixote in a couple of weeks. I’m sure it will be stunning. But I can’t imagine that I’ll enjoy the actual show more than I enjoyed the rehearsal.
I’d like to tell you that I made this shot blurry on purpose, to illustrate the mood and the movement of the dancer. But no, it’s just an accidental blurry photo. For some reason I like it anyway.
If you’d like to attend a future open day at the Joburg Ballet, email info@joburgballet.com to get onto the mailing list. In the meantime, book your tickets for Don Quixote.
How have I never blogged about 44 Stanley Avenue, the coolest shopping and dining complex in Joburg, which is only five minutes from my house?
I guess it’s wrong to say I’ve never blogged about 44 Stanley; I’ve mentioned it countless times over the years (see here and here) when writing about specific restaurants or shops that are there. But I’ve never written a dedicated post about 44 Stanley as a destination and it’s about time I did – especially now, with the holidays upon us.
I’ve been dreadfully uninspired lately, struggling to think of anything I want to blog about despite having a long list of great ideas (many of which you, my readers, provided in September). I’m finding it hard to feel positive about life at the moment. But on Saturday Thorsten and I got the chance to visit Indwe Park, an indigenous garden and sculpture park in Braamfontein, and I knew I had my topic for today.
Given this week’s political nuclear bomb blast, it feels like a weird time to publish a light-hearted post about my recent (pre-election) jaunt through the United States. But I’m hoping you’ve have had enough of the U.S. election horror show – I know I have – and are ready (at least temporarily) for some wholesome American travel adventures. If so, please read on about my four-day visit to Maine, the northeastern-most state in the lower 48, with my sister, Susanna.
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It makes me smile, when I see it.