Get to the Pointe

Josephine, meet Jo Jo Siwa! Although their names are so similar, Josephine has only caught a glimpse of the fabulous Jo Jo Siwa in past Dance Moms reaction videos.  So this week, we decided to let them meet - digitally of course. Josephine watches Jo Jo take a dance class for the first time in several years. Similarly, Josephine has not taken a dance class in about 20 years either! She totally relates to the pre-class anxiety and drive towards perfectionism. How would you feel taking dance class for the first time in a while? 

You asked for it...so here it is!  Josephine watched a full episode of Dance Moms - the most ballet focused we could find, of course. (Due to copyright we couldn't show the ending dance in full). She got to see a baby Jo Jo Siwa and witness the true stars of the show...the Moms! In general, Josephine doesn't watch a lot of TV - no less, reality TV. But, she got hooked in. Wanna see why? Step into the chaotic world of Dance Moms with Josephine!

This week, Josephine reacted to a piece by Jerome Robbins called "The Mistake Waltz." This amazing choreography is just part of Robbins' comedy ballet, The Concert (Or The Perils of Everybody) which was created and shared with the public in 1956. It features a group of ballet dancers making, well, mistakes! Still beautiful, definitely hilarious.  Robbins is often recognized as the most influential American choreographer of the 20th century, being a vital part of New York City Ballet. You may have seen his other work in West Side Story as well as Fiddler on the Roof. Need a little giggle...

Here I am, once again - feeling lost, and now and then.... (comment below if you got that 2000's children's sitcom reference) Tik Tok 11, y'all. This is a rare episode of Josephine reacting to ballet tik toks that doesn't include cups. Why?  1 - Perhaps in our chaos, we've been able to put out some neutral good energy out in the universe - and dancers are listening to us and NOT injuring themselves for views. Yay! 2 - Dancers are back in studio and therefore actually dancing and not on Tik Tok (even though we are still amidst a pandemic)....

Calling all pointe shoe nerds! This video is for you. This week, Josephine's inner pointe shoe nerd blossomed! We got the chance to sit down with Professor Jennifer Fisher from the University of California, Irvine. Professor Fishers teaches Dance History in the Dance Department, part of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts. Josephine and Professor Fisher got to parse through her pointe shoe collection, which spans about 50 years. Professor Fisher also borrowed and brought some historical shoes from the late 19th century as well. She discussed how flimsy ballroom shoes were altered and handcrafted by women over time,...