Dance Concert 2007
Four days after coming home from our Easter holiday, we packed up again and went south to Lynchburg. The last Annual Dance Concert of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College opened Thursday, April 12 at 8:00pm. Next year first-year dancers will be Randolph College students, the other three years have the choice of being graduates of the College with either name.
Soon after arriving at our abode for the weekend, Brooke Mueller’s home, Sara and Nathan Draughn arrived and we visited before getting dinner at Applebee’s. Afterwards, Sara and I got beautified and headed out on a girl’s night for the concert. I had hoped to see Thursday and Friday but realized Sara Ellen might not take to being alone with Sara and Nathan without Mom and Dad if we went on a date Friday night.
Being on campus felt like coming home. I had read the College sign has been changed already (what happened to JULY 2007?!) and happily I did not see it, so everything looked the same. We saw Erin Prokopchak, Tracy Profitt, Meaghan Vincie, and Becky Jung. Sara and I sat with Erin. It was a lot of fun filling Sara in on what was happening, and reminicing with Erin. The first piece was Rhythm of the Night, a funny dance for which I served as rehearsal director for it’s 2002 performance. Third was Moonblind ABC, a pilobolus piece I had learned in class. It was first performed at Macon in 2005, the only concert I’ve missed. Delia’s ballet was a moderny Asian piece in pants. I wasn’t hugely fond of it. The Jump Rhythm piece was an excerpt from Released in their own Custody. I still don’t know how jazz has been integrated into the schedule now that Kelly Malone Dudley lives in town. It was a very enjoyable piece. It brought back memories of doing a couple pieces myself. For a while I was truly JAZZED by jrjp, I felt such joy while dancing and watching it. I auditioned in 2004 but my life has taken wonderful turns. Diane Gray’s piece was, as usual, the show stopper. It had such a familiar core, but a different feel as she seems to accomplish each year. This one however, seemed simpler than previous years. Last year was to music from the Triplets of Belleville and so funny. This one was lighthearted, and I enjoyed watching it but it didn’t have as much of a story as years past. There were other professional pieces, two by choreographers I don’t know. Though I can recall them still, neither was striking. One was religious, called Amen, excerpted from an unnamed dance. It was a little confusing but when it changed music it started to hold my interest. Numerous dancers took part, all in simple red dresses. Doug Hamby and Walter Kennedy contributed again. Previously, their dances have been quirky and inventive. These I did not get much from.
There were seven dance majors this year! I think I met one of the ladies senior year when she was a prospective student. Her piece was called Playful. The program said that inside every man has playfulness waiting to come out. One had Jane Austen quoted in the program, saying that all people take their own time to find their unique path of devotion. Two girls portrayed what I guess was a religious struggle - I didn’t get much. One played well with light and shadows. Another, called Entropy, used two pieces of music, the second of which was much more interesting than the first. Those dancers were very talented and stood out in other pieces. I was really happy to remember opening night features a reception following the performance. I found Pam there.
On the way home, I planned out the next day - have lunch on campus, walk around, go to the Macon Bookstore, take Becky’s class. Before I fell asleep I decided against lunch on campus. Friday after shopping and lunch, I decided against taking class. I was tired and didn’t feel like doing improv. We just went to the bookstore. They are already selling RC apparel but I learned R-MWC apparel will remain available! I got a new hoodie, white terry with blue print on sale and a new key chain. We were rung up by Shirley, one of the dining hall ladies. She recognized us and we had a nice visit.
Back at Sara’s we relaxed and watched a movie while Sara Ellen napped (having fallen asleep in the car 3 minutes into our drive). Then we took some games with us and went home. I made dinner and we all played Cranium and had a really nice night. After Sara and Nathan won we used the “cameo” cards for impromtu charades, that was the best part. It was almost 10 pm by then so I tried to put Sara Ellen in bed but she was too wound up. We joined the others for dessert and she entertained us all with peek-a-boo and dancing.
We headed home around 11:30 Saturday morning, picking up Sonic for lunch. I managed to stay in the front seat while Sara Ellen fell asleep. I got some photos of the horendous LU sign on the side of what might be Candler’s Mountain (you see it in that direction).
It wasn’t quite the weekend I expected but it was nice, especially having a home to ourselves for a few days. I don’t think I’m denying the changes taking places at school but it felt great to be there. I hope I can feel as good visiting in the future.
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