Ch-ch-changes: Meet Blossom, my new studio dog! And more...

Beautiful dancers and local students!

If any of you are on Facebook, you've seen Your Daily Blossom, a fun photo of my new dog, Blossom, that I post every day. She's about 4 years old, a miniature poodle mix, and she loves being in the studio! I've always wanted to have a dog in my class.

Blossom is still learning the ropes. She sometimes follows me when I demonstrate at the barre or in the center but much of the time she will stay in her bed. I have to teach her "stay" so she won't follow me - if anyone knows how to train dogs and would like to help me, I will gladly barter for classes. She knows how to sit and she knows her name.

She has a lot going for her: her size (tiny), her temperament (playful and happy), her lack of barking, and her hypoallergenic coat. She loves to be petted and will often roll onto her back in front of a student for a belly rub. She also likes to greet each student when they walk in the door.

So far, I haven't met a student who has not liked her! But I wanted to tell everyone about her so they know she will be there on Monday and Wednesday nights. Saturdays are too long for her and currently, my Tuesday and Thursday classes are at Dance Arts which doesn't allow dogs.

Which brings me to another change...Dance Arts Academy, a fabulous studio in LA, is closing its doors at the end of June. It's tremendously sad! Flamenco dancer Carla Luna opened it almost twenty years ago, transforming a former bowling alley on the second floor of a building on La Brea near Wilshire into 5 studios of varying sizes. The place was a treasure for all kinds of dancers, from classical ballet with Reid Olson and pre-professional studies with Marat Daukayev to modern dance and jazz and tap, it was a welcome rest stop for dancers who were touring Los Angeles, for new residents to the area, for dancers who wanted a variety of teachers in many disciplines.

Unfortunately, the area has been getting more and more populous with many developments on the horizon. The new owners of the building don't want a dance studio, which is such a shame. So many beautiful studios are being bought and demolished! Just before this was the famed Debbie Reynolds Studio in North Hollywood. These studios were institutions!

For dancers (and studio owners) affordability is absolutely imperative. Dancers don't truly need much: an open floor plan, raised floors, barres and mirrors for ballet, a dressing area and bathroom, and in LA especially, a place to park. Let's be honest: dance isn't exactly a money-making business. We get by and we do it because we love it, but it's not really a business that will get you rich. (If anyone knows how, please share!) But where a yoga class can pack a small room mat-to-mat, a dance studio needs space to move. Where do we go to find that? That's the problem in a city like LA: there aren't many undiscovered areas where rent is cheap. (And yes, if anyone knows the answer to that, please share!)

What does that mean for me and my classes? Well, we'll be moving. Tuesday and Thursday classes will be at 2 different studios on the east side. More details on this will follow soon but for now, let's just dance at Dance Arts Academy and enjoy the big beautiful space that Carla created!

Happy dancing~

(Pre)Valentine's Day! Bring your special someone to class!

Beautiful dancers!

Do you have a friend, partner, or significant other who has always wanted to try ballet?

Tree of Love, cc lic: Faye Mozingo

Maybe...

...they're envious of all the fun you have!

...they see how happy you are when you talk about ballet, or when you practice at home.

...they wish they could toss around words like plie and developpe and grand assemble!

If so, then why not bring them to a special class on Wednesday, February 13 at 8PM? That's the day before Valentine's Day so they can take you somewhere nice on the actual holiday. (See, I'm always thinking about you, my beautiful dancers!)

I'll be teaching a fun, slow, very basic class on Wednesday, February 13 at 8PM, at Inspire Dance Studio. It will be a class that anyone can attend!

Best of all, your friend, partner, or significant other can take it for just $10! That's hardly an investment at all (and leaves them with lots of $ to take you out the next night or just buy you a thank you gift for introducing them to ballet! - once again, I'm thinking of you!).

What: Valentine's Special Class
When: Wednesday, February 13, 2019
Time: 8-9:30PM
Where: Inspire Dance Studio, 457 Foothill Blvd, La Canada CA 91011
Cost: Regular price for you (or class card) and only $10 for your friend, partner, or significant other

And you can bring more than one person too!

Get your fit on!

There are so many great reasons to visit your local dancewear shop:

~ They are usually independently owned so you can be sure you're supporting people who live in your neighborhood and town.

~ They are often owned by people who are or were dancers themselves or who have a real passion for dance.

~They are frequently owned and managed by women - and I am a HUGE supporter of women-owned businesses (like my own!).

But the very best reason to patronize your local shop is...

...you can be fitted for dance shoes properly!

Let's be honest...from footwear to leotards and costumes to classes and performances and workshops, dance isn't cheap. You can find bargains on some items (buy a class card instead of individual classes, look for discount tickets to shows, reuse costumes, etc.) but the one area you really shouldn't skimp on is shoes.

A ballet slipper should not bag or be too tight. A pointe shoe should not be too hard or soft (or short or long and so on...). Character shoes should not squish your toes. A good shoe fitter will know how the shoe is supposed to fit - on YOU. An online store? Not so much.

The price of a pair of shoes at a local store might be a little higher than the price at an online discounter (although not always - many stores offer discounts or will price match after you've paid for a fitting) but you're missing out on a lot by not visiting someone in person. You don't get to feel the shoes or to try multiple styles or sizes. Remember that if you mess up your size with an online order and need to try again, the shipping costs add up. You also get to walk out of your local store with a brand new pair while an online store might be backed up for weeks or months!

Another reason for in-store fitting: pointe shoes are handmade so there are slight variations with every single pair. You could try on a Bloch Sonata 3B and it's not quite right but then a second pair of 3B's are perfect.

You will be wearing these shoes often - several times a week for some dancers - so you need to get the right fit. It's no fun to wear a pair of shoes that were cheap but too hard or you can't get over the box fully or you can't turn easily or your arch looks lousy. No matter how much money you've saved, you won't be happy.

I recently learned that some pointe shoe makers are not allowing some newer styles to be sold online because they want them to be properly fitted. Some of these shoes are way more high tech than the typical shoe (Capezio Kylee and Bloch Grace are examples) and need an expert opinion. P.S. I saw these 2 pairs in a store this week and was blown away!!

My rules:

~If you're a newbie, you must be fitted properly and in person.

~If you're on your second pair of pointe shoes, you need to be fitted again because your foot likely has changed, as has your strength and so on.

~If you're an experienced dancer, you should be fitted again because styles change or are discontinued or something new has come out that could benefit you.

Okay, local students...time to take a look at the stores on MY FIT LIST! We are lucky to have some wonderful shops in the Pasadena/La Canada area with skilled and caring fitters. Starting west and moving east:

Karabel Dancewear, Burbank CA

Karabel Dancewear, 3901 West Magnolia Blvd, Burbank CA

Lori Binkly owns this venerable (and spacious!) shop in the heart of the entertainment industry. She has a wide selection of Bloch pointe shoes, and some Capezio, as well as So Danca, Bloch, Capezio and other brands of slippers. Her store is filled with leotards, warm-ups, accessories, and undergarments (possibly the largest selection and diversity of colors I have ever seen in person!).

Inside Karabel

She has everything for performances, classes, competitions and auditions - kids and adults. Lori has been in the business for almost 30 years and she can probably fit you in one try but definitely see her, or her associates, to get the best shoe for you. Lori will not sell you a shoe that isn't right for you and she will not upsell you things you don't need.  The store is on Facebook and Instagram.




Priscilla's Dance & Theatre Shoppe, 3528 1/2 Ocean View Avenue, Montrose CA

Priscilla's in Montrose CA

Jennifer Ward owns this charming 3-year old shop in the cutest area of Montrose. As the mother of a dancer, Jennifer has always been around dance and is a big fan of zombie ballet, so naturally we are a fan of hers! She carries Russian Pointes and Bloch pointe shoes, plus Capezio, Bloch and Sansha slippers for men, women and kids, as well as tap and ballroom shoes. If you want something that she doesn't have, like Gaynor Mindens, she will find them for you.

Inside Priscilla's

Her leotards for girls and women are gorgeous! She also thinks outside the (pointe shoe)box with events like book signings, group outings and other fun things planned for kids, parents and adults. The store is on Facebook and Instagram.



The Red Shoes, 1018 Mission Street #1, South Pasadena CA

The Red Shoes, South Pasadena CA

Alice McIntosh opened her shop 40 years ago because the male owner of a dancewear store where she was shopping with her daughter was so incredibly patronizing that she decided she would open her own place (yay, Alice!). She has been a successful businesswoman, a "legend" in Pasadena as many people call her, ever since. Her shop on Mission Street is charming in an old-school way; it reminds me of the types of stores I would go to when I was a kid.

I spoke to Hilary, one of the fitters at the store, about their shoes and the time and commitment they take with each customer. Alice stocks Bloch primarily but a few Capezio and Mirella too. Slippers from So Danca, Bloch, Sansha, and lots of pretty warmups. Styles of everything for men, women and children. The store is on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Gigi's Dance Closet , 468 S. Sierra Madre Boulevard, Pasadena CA

Ruth Veerman opened this unassuming yet well-stocked shop on the San Marino/Pasadena border when her children were dancing. She loves to talk about pointe shoes! I learned so much from her and got to see some of the latest styles from Capezio and Bloch (the aforementioned Kylee and Grace) as well as Grishko. She's got a LOT of slippers, including loads of sizes and styles from Bloch, Capezio, and So Danca, among others. Leotards and warm-ups, she's got those too. Plus she mentioned she would give discounts for pointe shoes (whatever the manufacturer allows, she will match online prices) after fitting or if you're picking up.

Enchanted Dancewear, 403 South Myrtle Avenue, Monrovia CA

Enchanted Dancewear in Monrovia CA

Sarah Gallegos recently took over this lovely shop in Old Town Monrovia. She's got a large selection of leotards and tights for both adults and kids. A former ballet dancer herself, Sarah now teaches a Mexico folklorico group that was inspired by her daughter. Her shop often hosts monthly "Mom Nights" in the small studio she and her husband built in the back half of the store: a night for "moms" to come in and learn things like line dancing.

Inside Enchanted Dancewear

Sarah fits Russian, Grishkos, and Bloch and has a selection of slippers for kids and adult as well as bags and gift items. See me for a 10% discount card! The store is Facebook and Instagram.

Hope this helps you all when you're looking for shoes and clothes for your classes. If there are questions you have about any of these shops that I haven't addressed, just shoot me an email or catch me in class. Happy dancing~

Catching up!

Happy Autumn!

My favorite time of year: Halloween and dried leaves on the sidewalk and 90 degree weather.

Oh that's just us in Southern California!

I wanted to catch you all up on some fun things that have been going on.

First of all, my ballet company's debut performance was on October 8 at the Lanterman Auditorium. It was the world premiere of my original full-length ballet, Sweet Sorrow, A Zombie Ballet and it was amazing! I am so incredibly proud of all of my dancers and I am thrilled with how the show turned out, from costumes to lighting to set design to program design. Everything was so professional!

For those of you who wanted to make it but couldn't, here is a promo reel to tide you over until next year:

Doesn't that make you want to see the whole thing?

Next I have a couple of fun article links, both about my company and interviews with me:

The Advocate article about Sweet Sorrow A Zombie Ballet

And

Footloose Mission Health and Wellness Blog

I am so honored to be profiled and to have my company featured on both of these sites.

So now that all of that is over for another year, we can take a break, yes? No!

Bring on Nutcracker! 

That's right, I'm preparing my brain for a Waltz of the Flowers invasion (I use a short version but it just sticks in my brain no matter how long it is!). We perform with Classical Ballet Theater at the Norris Theater in Palos Verdes, CA. It's a gorgeous stage and there is balcony seating, so classic and classy. We have a great time with Kotomi's students and we enjoy the camaraderie with her young students. We will be performing two matinees on Sunday, November 19, at 1PM and 4PM. Tickets will go on sale soon and I'll post the link.

Whew! Happy dancing, everyone~

6 weeks til showtime!!

Hello beautiful dancers and friends of dancers and zombie lovers and friends of zombie lovers!

Did you know...

--"Zombie Ballet" won the second episode of the Gong Show this summer?

--We were invited to perform for the second year in a row at the ScareLA horror convention in Los Angeles?

--An hour long production is coming in 6 weeks?

On October 8, at the Lanterman Auditorium in La Canada Flintridge, the Leigh Purtill Ballet Company - the nonprofit company I formed in January - will present the premiere of "Sweet Sorrow, A Zombie Ballet." Shows are at 4PM and 7PM. Tickets are on sale now through Eventbrite; $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

Don't wait! Get your tickets now!

Thank you very kindly for your support!

Massage therapy: luxury or necessity?

The smart dancer knows the answer to that question. No doubt, massage is a necessity.

Soothe sore muscles? Check.

Break up scar tissue from recurring injuries? Check.

Increase blood flow? Check.

Regular bodywork is like maintenance on your house. Keep up with the weeds before they ruin the foundation.

As dancers, we learn to live with pain and discomfort. We often adjust our gait or compromise our alignment in order to accommodate both. It's not until a real injury sidelines us that we realize, "oh hey, I've been hitching my hip to the side for months!"

As teachers, we frequently demonstrate exercises only on one side or repeatedly or exaggeratedly or - I'm guilty of this - to be silly. Consequently, we are off-kilter much of the time but don't know it!

As humans, we carry stress in our shoulders and lower back. We strain our necks at computer screens and our wrists and forearms on our phones and tablets. We sit in traffic for hours every week. We walk in heels on concrete. We don't bend our knees when we lift our cat or our kids. Oh my gosh, we're a mess!

The answer: regular massage.

Aside from the very practical benefits of massage therapy, there are innumerable intangibles like mental relaxation and a healing touch. In addition, you'll often find skilled therapists who practice other types of body work such as cranialsacral therapy and Reiki, among other services. You may find them in medical offices with doctors who understand the benefits of noninvasive therapy, especially chiropractors and physical therapists.

So now you are kind of nodding your head in agreement that maybe massage could be incorporated into your life but you're wondering how you find someone. The number one way is by referral. A good friend or a doctor can recommend someone to you that you can trust. Just because there's a storefront down the street next to your local Pinkberry that's running a never-ending $40 special doesn't mean it's going to give you what you need. Experiment with the different types of massage (e.g. Swedish, sports, etc.) until you find the style and the person who can give you the most benefit.

As for frequency, well, you are your own best guide. Some people keep standing monthly appointments, some go a couple of times a year. Whatever works for you and your schedule (and yes, your budget), just try to be consistent. You wouldn't put off getting that oil change for five years, would you? Of course not! But you don't always have to follow the manufacturer's guidelines, if you know what I mean.

I recently had a very wonderful massage with a woman in La Canada named Julia Suh. Not only is she a tremendously intuitive therapist, she is also a yoga teacher so her approach to massage, as I felt it, was movement-based. It felt like she was moving with my muscles as I would dance. Additionally, she offers healing cranialsacral therapy which, for me, resulted in one of the most relaxed states I have ever felt. I link her on my sidebar for students who are interested in contacting her.

Julia Suh, massage & cranialsacral therapist

Happy dancing! Happy healing~

Trailers!

Hello beautiful dancers and friends!

Many of you following me on Facebook know the Leigh Purtill Ballet Company's first production of SWEET SORROW, A ZOMBIE BALLET is October 8, at 4PM and 7PM at the Lanterman Auditorium in La Canada. If you're in town, I hope you'll come see us! And if you're not in town, then why not get a cool t-shirt instead?

But you don't have to live around here to enjoy the trailers that Rachel Swetnam (our Juliet!) put together. Check them out! The first one is a bit of a teaser:

While the second one is a behind-the-scenes peek! (Hey, that's me!)

Enjoy! And please share! We want everyone to know about our new company and our first big show.

Happy dancing~

Introducing LPBC and Sweet Sorrow!

Hello everyone!

Some of you may know that I recently formed a nonprofit ballet company called Leigh Purtill Ballet Company. I did this because I wanted to create an opportunity for adult ballet dancers of all skill levels, backgrounds, and ages to perform; to present ballet to a diverse audience which might not normally seek out ballet performances; and to do what I can to foster ballet as an inclusive art form.

It is my belief that ballet is for everyone.

For eight years I have been developing an original ballet called SWEET SORROW which is loosely based on my novel of the same name. It's a sequel of sorts to Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare - which is why A ZOMBIE BALLET is its subtitle. Because Romeo and Juliet are dead.

Structurally, the ballet follows a similar trajectory to the classic Nutcracker, a winter holiday favorite and one that audiences are familiar with. But the story itself is a unique one: at the funeral for Romeo and Juliet, a strange woman raises the lovers from the dead with a potion. While others cringe and run away, only Juliet's cousin Rosaline is intrigued. In the cemetery, Rosaline meets the woman again who reveals herself to be Queen of the Zombies. She uses her horde of beautiful dead ballerinas to entice Rosaline to consume a potion and follow her to the Underworld, where she meets Vampires, Witches - and Romeo and Juliet.

We've performed small sections of this with various dancers, both modern and classical, and in various venues. Invariably the question from the audience is always the same: when is there going to be MORE?

The answer is: October 8, 2017 at 4PM and 7PM at the Lanterman Auditorium, a theater in La Canada not far from where I teach and rehearse. We are over-the-moon excited! Every single dancer involved has been magnanimous with his or her time, energy and resources. I am so proud to be presenting this passion project of mine with these wonderful people.

While SWEET SORROW is the first original production for LPBC, it will not be the only one. We have much more in store for our future!

Two weeks ago we launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for theater rental, costumes, rehearsal space, and so on. We are a 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax-deductible. On our campaign page, you will see a trailer (created by Rachel Swetnam, our Juliet) and some stunning artwork (designed by Bill Reiss, our Romeo). We need to get the company up and running!

The campaign continues for another week. If you can donate, wonderful! If you can share the link and info, terrific! And if you're in town on October 8, I hope you'll make plans to see the show.

Thank you for your support. Happy dancing~

New floors at Inspire

For all my beautiful local dancers, here are some photos from the studio last night. The floors in Studios 1 and 2 (2 is where I teach) have been quadruple sprung and covered with medium gray marley.

If you're thinking about coming to take class with me, I hope these photos will encourage you!

If you're not familiar with sprung floors, construction begins with a basket weave of plywood that is layered so there is space between them and a lot of "give." The number of layers at Inspire is 4 which means it's got a nice give without too much bounce. It is this space and give that helps you jump properly and gives you enough height to roll through your feet. It also is more gentle on your joints: knees, ankles and back.

On top of the plywood is a layer of vinyl flooring called marley. It comes in different thicknesses and slicknesses. Some versions of marley are very light gray and shiny while others are close to black and more matte. The texture is slightly different for each and will result in a different amount of friction under your feet. Super slick is not very good for ballet or bare feet, for instance, but quite good for ballroom. The dark matte gray is good for bare feet, not bad for slippers. The medium gray is good for all, especially pointe.

Last night was the first night the new floors were down at Inspire. The marley will level out as it settles. Here are a few pictures from my classes:

 

I wish I could have gotten them in motion so you could see the difference during jumping and turning! Happy dancing~

Saturday Pointe Class REBOOT!

A number of my students have requested pointe class again and I'm very excited to bring it back on Saturdays 11:30AM-12:30PM at Inspire Dance Studio in La Canada. Because I have a number of students who are new to pointe, I'm going to structure it like this:

First half-hour at barre - technique:
 - exercises for articulation of feet and toes
 - exercises to strengthen ankles and calves

 - balancing en pointe

 - glissades and sousous, pique sousous (eventually echappe and soutenu)

 

Second half-hour in center - technique:

 - walking, running, glissades

 - tendus and degages (eventually echappes)

 - port de bras with developpe

 - traveling steps: waltz, balance, etc.

 - bourree and soutenu, easy turns

Occasional center combinations - phrases from variations

 

Some of my pointe students' feet!

The majority of the barre exercises will be the same from week to week to maximize time and measure progress. Center will vary and will not always include the same elements.

For beginners, the class is structured so that shoes can be taken off after barre (or after walking/tendu practice) and the rest of the class can be completed flat while still working on technique applicable to pointe. As beginners progress, they can eventually perform exercises like bourree and waltz first at the barre and then in the center as they build strength.

More experienced dancers can perform the entire class en pointe.

The class will begin on Saturday August 6. As with my other technique classes, pointe will be drop-in; you won't need to sign up in advance nor are you required to take it every week. For those dancers completely new to pointe, I ask that you not purchase shoes yet but take a class (or 3!) flat until we are confident you have the strength in your core and ankles to hold you properly. When you are, this article about fitting pointe shoes from physiotherapist Lisa Howell is an excellent resource. 

 

If you have any questions, please ask! Happy dancing~

Holiday weekend classes as usual!

Hello local friends and dancers!

Have no fear! My classes will be held as usual all weekend long at Inspire Dance Studio (formerly Vonder Haar Center for the Performing Arts):

Saturday 7/2:
Beginner ballet 9AM
Intermediate ballet 10AM
Workshop - Contemporary Ballet 11:30AM

Monday 7/4:
Intermediate ballet 6:30PM
Beginner ballet 8PM

Come take class with me and celebrate your own independence!

(Image by Delores Knowles - Visit her fine art page here)

Sleeping Beauty this Sunday, June 19th!

Local friends and dancers! This Sunday, my adult dancers (beginner through advanced) will be performing a truncated version of the beautiful ballet, Sleeping Beauty, alongside the children and teen dancers of The Vault Dance Studio.

Our version of the ballet is simple, fun, and only about 45 minutes long!

Yes, it IS Father's Day and we know you want to be with Dad but the weather is predicted to be over 100 degrees. Trust me, Dad doesn't want to do a cookout that afternoon. He would MUCH rather be in a cool theater. And wouldn't you too?

The show begins at 4PM and is expected to last about 2 hours, including the ballet, a short intermission, and the second half recital dances from The Vault. All in all, a lovely afternoon. You can come to the show and be out in time to take Dad to dinner.

For the TLDR crowd:
Show Date: Sunday, June 19th
Time: 4PM
Tickets: $18 available at the door
Location: Lanterman Auditorium, 4491 Cornishon Avenue, La Canada Flintridge 91011