FCB Chronicle

Sue's News - July

2010-07-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

HI EVERYONE,
We are well into the summer classes and things are going very well at Flower City Ballet. We had a terrific year and we are continuing to be very busy. Our Nutcracker last year was a big success and we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone of our students and their spouses and parents who contributed so much to its success. Of course, a special thank you to all the people who came to see our performances. We hope you enjoyed them.
As long as I am in the “Nutcracker” chapter of this news, I would like to announce that our 2010 rendition of the Nutcracker will be three performances this year (Dec. 17th (Evening), Dec. 18th (Evening) and Dec. 20th (Sunday Afternoon). We have a change of venue this year also, we will be at the School of the Arts for all three of our Performances. In case you don’t know where the school is, it is across the street from the Memorial Art Gallery in the city. Hope all of you will mark your calendar and join us, we are very excited to do our performances there.
We are once again having tryouts for the show. We would love to see all of you who are interested, put on the old ballet shoes and show up. Tryouts will be on the 7th and 8th of August. They will be at the studio on Cumberland Street in the Old Post Office. Our telephone number is (325-2114). We will be having children from 10:00 to 11:30 each day (age 6-13) For the more intermediate and professional students (1:00 to 3:00) on each day. If you want more information or reserve a place, please call (325-2114) and ask to speak to Mr. Wayne Blatt, the Artistic Director. You can also email me at (saharris@Rochester.RR.com). For further information.
We are very proud to announce, that our Director, Mr. Wayne Blatt received two Proclamations this year from the City of Rochester and The County of Rochester. He received the city Proclamation at a Gala on May 2nd that was performed in his honor by members of Flower City Ballet. May 2nd has now been proclaimed Flower City Ballet Day. Congratulations Mr. “B”!!
Our younger classes continue to grow and we are so happy about how the parents, children and community have accepted all our efforts in this area. Another area for us that has been growing by leaps and bounds is our adult division. They are doing such a fabulous job and performed solo work at the Gala which was beautiful. We invite all of you to join these classes as we feel they are a great addition to our ballet school, as well as to the community.

Tuition and Class Rates - 2010

2009-12-06T11:04:00.001-08:00

Class Rates Monthly Rate
1 Class per week $ 40
2 Classes per week $ 80
3 Classes per week $ 120
Unllimited classes per week $ 150

Childrens’ Summer Camp
Ages 3 to 5 years (Jul 5 – Jul 9) $ 50
Ages 6 to 10 years (Jul 12 – Jul 16) $ 50

Summer Intensive Program (Jul 26 – Aug 13)
1 week $ 150
2 weeks $ 275
3 weeks $ 375

Performance costume fee (eg, Nutcracker) $ 100

NOTES:

* Daily class rates have been eliminated – monthly rates only
effective January 1, 2010

* Payment is due at the first class of each month

* Drop-ins or trial classes for all programs are only by permission
of the Artistic of Assistant Artistic Director

* No lessons will be given without prior enrollment or reservation.

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

2009-11-02T08:26:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone

Here it is the 1st of November, and Flower City Ballet is deep into rehearsals for our Nutcracker production at the Performing Arts Center in East Bloomfield on December 19th and 20th. This year we are doing matinees only both days, so if any of you are interested in tickets, they may be obtained at the studio or via our web page (www.flowercityballet.com)

Our studio has welcomed a lot of new students this year, and all of them seem to have entered into classes, and our “Nutcracker” production, as if they had been with us for years.

We also welcomed Bruce and Carol Ricigliano as new board members this year. They have been strong supporters of Flower City Ballet and we are thrilled they are now serving or our board. Thanks to both of you.

We had a somewhat limited turnout for our Nutcracker fundraising event (spaghetti dinner at Fellows Road Park in Fairport. However, as usual, the food was delicious and the auction, sponsored entirely by the Ricigliano family, was a huge success. Lots of great gifts, and Maura Quinn was our grand prize winner – a 19” flatscreen TV, a DVD player and 3 DVD movies.

Our classes are all going well as Katie Polaski, our Assistant Artistic Director, becomes familiar with all of our students. She is doing a marvelous job, and we all feel so fortunate that she is now making her home with Flower City Ballet.

Do stop in and pay us a visit if you’re interested in classical ballet, and if you wish to celebrate the holidays with a wonderful production of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker”, join us on December 19th or 20th. Get your tickets soon, as our matinee presentations seem to sell out very quickly.

Bye for now

Sue Harris, secretary

2009-10-19T03:58:00.000-07:00

Greetings to all of you who supported us at our Nutcracker fundraiser. Our participation was much less than last years' event, but those who attended enjoyed a terrific dinner and an excellent raffle (raffle courtesy of the Ricigliano family).

The winner of the 19" TV, the DVD player, and the 3 DVD movies was - Maura Quinn. Congratulation Maura, and this year, you'll see her in the roles of a Doll and the Waltz of the Flowers

2009-07-29T08:39:00.000-07:00

AUGUST NEWSLETTER

Hi Everyone,

We are well into summer or maybe or haven’t you noticed. This is a very cool and wet one, so it does not seem like at all yet. However, the studio is swimming with activity. {excuse the pun)
We have gained several new students this summer and our classes continue as usual except for our very young students. Which reminds me if anyone is interested in taking some refresher classes or just want to tone up, please call the studio at (585) 325-2114. We are very fortunate this year in having Katie Polaski, from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in Canada, teaching for us this year. She was a previous student of our Artistic Director, Wayne Blatt, and we are so lucky to have her. Stop by and try a class or just say “HI” sometime, as I know she would love to see you and talk over any questions you might have.
We graduated about eight of our young students this year and we are so proud of them. Our two children’s summer camps went very well and everyone seemed to have fun, as well as learned a lot of ballet technique. This year our classes for 3-6 yrs will start on Saturday, September the 12th at 10:00 am to 10:45 am and for 6-12 yrs. 10:45 am to 11:45 am. The price is $10.00 a class.
As we approach the month of August, we have started to form our new schedule for the fall, as well as, beginning to format our production of the “Nutcracker” which we are doing, once again, in East Bloomfield High School for two matinees on Saturday and Sunday, December 19th and 20th.
Our auditions for the “Nutcracker” will be held on Sunday, August 23rd from 1:00 to 4:00. It will be held at the studio, 250 Cumberland Street, Suite 250, Rochester, N.Y. 14605. You may call the studio and register your name, just come in prepared to dance, or go to our application on our web page and fill it out and sent it to us. Advance registration will help us facilitate the auditions and the logistics for the day.
We are having our Annual Fundraising Spaghetti Dinner at Fellows Road Park in Perinton on Sunday, October 18th with two seatings. Hope to see a lot of you there. Our same chef, Mr. John Chupay, will be doing the honors once again and if you weren’t there last year, you will want to be this year and if you came last year, you won’t be able to wait for this year. It is delicious. More to come later on this.

Our New Fall Schedule for this year (2009—2010) is printed on our Web Page and this year our Classical Ballet Studio has added piano accompaniment for some of our classes. We are so excited about this as it is a dream come true for our Artistic Director.
Please keep in touch with us by checking our Web Page. This year we have added some new classes as well as a couple of new features including , FACE BOOK, and some good ideas on the Health and Nutrition of a Ballet Dancer. This feature is written by two board members of FCB , which happen to be doctors: Gladys Valarde, MD and Bridgett Weifling, MD.
Have a great summer and keep in touch.
Sue Harris, secretary

Spring Newsletter

2009-04-04T10:32:00.000-07:00

We are only a few days into Spring and Flower City Ballet is very busy.
We are preparing our younger students for their performances on Saturday, April 11th at 11:30 and 2:30 for “The Great American Family and Home Expo”. They are having their annual show and we have been, once again, asked to perform. We are so excited!!! Also, this year, our older student division, as well, as our adult division will be acting as mannequins throughout the 9 to 5 show at the Dome Arena.
Any of you that are interested, we’d like to see you in Minett Hall at our Flower City Ballet Booth. We are also appearing on Channel 13 (WHAM). We will be there to greet you at 5:30 am to 7:15 am. Of course this will be for all the Early Birds. Mark your calendars for Friday, April 10th and tune us in, we will be there with our little ones telling all the viewers about “Flower City Ballet”.
We will be looking forward to seeing some of you at our “Children’s Summer Camp”. After such a great year last year, we are looking forward to seeing you again and maybe bring a friend. It is for both boys and girls.
July 6th--10th (Ages 3-5) 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM
July 13th--17th (Ages 6-12) 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM
We will be continuing our “Intensive Summer Program” for Advanced and Intermediate Dancers. Our instructor this year will be from The Winniipeg Ballet in Canada. She will be assisting Mr. “B”. The program will run for three, 5 day weeks (July 27th-August 14th) from 9:30 until 2:30.
For those of you who are interested in any of these programs, please check our web page (flowercityballet.com) or phone us at 325-2114 for further information.
On Sunday, March 29th at 2:00, we will be performing with the Brighton Symphony at the Jewish Home and on Wednesday, April 1st at 7:30 at St. John’s Home. Three of our dancers will be performing the Habanero from Carmen. I know they’d like to see you come and support them if you can.
Flower City Ballet will be holding regular dance classes throughout the summer. Call the studio (325-2114) for times, as they may be a little different.
We are currently preparing a “Fall Performance” this year. When and Where to be announced. But more news on that later.
Have a great Spring and be certain to check out our web site for further updates.
Sue Harris, Secretary

2008-12-17T09:48:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

Just some last minute details......Friday Pizza Party directions from the stage to the Pizza Parlor is enclosed. Party is free for performers and 5.00 for adults, 3.00 for children, If you are not a performer and plan to attend please send me an RSVP so I can get a good count. If you have not paid we will be collecting at the Party. The party has been moved to Hometown Pizza on Main St in Bloomfield. Approx 6:30.

If you have not paid your Bailey's Bill I would really appreciate it if you could please pay me on Friday.

Save the date! Cast Party December 27th from 6:30-9:30, Hosted By The Ricigliano Family at their Bar and Grill in Victor! Details to follow. Huge Thank You in Advance to Hilary (Arabian, Dew Drop) and her wonderful family!

We need help loading and un-loading props! If you can help please email me! We need help on Friday Morning at the Studio and then at the stage. Also will need help un-loading after the show at the studio.

We need coolers! Please label it and I promise you will get it back.

Remember healthy foods for the shared food table. No chocolate or greasy foods that can land on clothing! GOOD IDEA TO BRING A SMOCK OR A BATHROBE!

Party Children! PLEASE BRING YOUR LIPSTICK IN A PLASTIC SANDWICH BAG WITH A LABEL. LIPSTICK WILL BE APPLIED AFTER COSTUMES ARE ON! THANKS!

http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&cid=0,0,18412221511858785709&fb=1&dq=hometown+pizza+bloomfield&daddr=10+Main+St,+Bloomfield,+NY+14469&geocode=7308096325254557452,42.901736,-77.420397&sa=X&oi=local_result&resnum=1&ct=directions-to

A special thank you to Alex Lovejoy who did a wonderful job with the radio interview! Alex showed great maturity and knowledge about ballet and our performance. They said that she was a natural! You can hear the interview on our website!

Ticket sales seem pretty good! Sunday Matinee will be a big show. The Messenger Post Flower City Ballet story will be out on Thursday. FreeTime Magazine (current edition pg 24) has a 1/4 page picture of Carla and Cameron! I will bring copies to show you.

Logo clothes will be distributed Friday!

Sunday after the matinee we will take a cast picture. If you want some individual costume shots amongst the props my dad(the cook) is a professional photographer and My Hubby is available to to take pictures.

Check the website for on-line ordering for the DVD of the performance. The DVD is only $20.00 this year (economize!)

Last but not least.....Mr. Blatt has donated all of his time to this show. His only compensation is his gratification watching all of you succeed. That is payment enough for him but If you would like to acknowledge his contribution I will be collecting anything amount that you wish and put it towards a gift certificate to his favorite establishment; Macks. A card and collection envelope will be circulated in the dressing rooms and we will present the gift before the last performance,

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND PROFESSIONALISM. YOU ARE TRULY A GREAT CAST!! YOU WILL MAKE YOURSELVES PROUD AND I WILL BE SNIFFLING IN THE WINGS WITH PRIDE!

Ann

NUTCRACKER LOGISTICS!

2008-11-20T09:54:00.000-08:00

Hi!

There will be a "Surviving The Nutcracker" Meeting on 11/29 and repeated on 12/6. You will receive information regarding performance week, spacing rehearsal etc....I will answer any questions.

We will need lots of volunteers~! A schedule will be circulated for you to "fill in the blanks". We really need help loading and unloading the props on both ends of the performance. We need some strong men to help move the clock, sleigh etc....We also have to move and install the marley floor.

On Friday 12/19 we will have a spacing rehearsal starting at 3:00. Afterwards there will be a pizza party at Connie's Grapevine Cafe located about 1 mile from the school on Main Street in Bloomfield. You are very welcome to join us Adults $5.00 and Children $3.00. There will be a sign up sheet and I will need to collect the money in advance. It would be fun to get us all together for a little "Kick Off"!

Nutcracker T-Shirts, logo Shorts and waterbottle orders will taken hopefully starting next rehearsal. I am working really hard on this. Once orders are placed it will take two weeks for delivery. So.....our timeframe for placing orders will be short. I think you will be pleased with the t-shirt design.

Advertising is starting Next week. Look in the Democrat and Chronicle Thanksgiving Weekend. I will point you to other publications as they occur. We will have The Daily Messenger do a story on us and also a radio interview. Again I will keep you posted.

Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters, Program Advertising! etc....

2008-11-11T17:35:00.000-08:00

Hi!

Our Finger Lakes Coffee Roaster sales campaign is under way! We are selling $2.00 single pot sized vaaccum packed bags. Great stocking Stuffers, Teacher and man gifts! THE MORE WE SELL THE MORE WE CAN ADVERTISE THE SHOW!!! If you haven't tasted the "Jamaican Me Crazy" you are totally missing out. I have been providing free cups of coffee at rehearsals. Be sure to try it!
You can download the order form TO PASS ON at work etc.... or order online! We accept visa, mastercard etc. if you order on line!

If you wish to advertise in our program please pick up a form (check your email too) at rehearsal. This will help off-set the cost of program printing and would be greatly appreciated. You may also purchase one to send well wishes to your performer.

Just a heads up! IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING ATTENDING THE SUNDAY MATINEE PERFORMANCE you may want to purchase your tickets soon. We have sold this performance out the past two years. You may purchase tickets at any of our locations including rehearsal or purchase on our website. We will start advertising in the Democrat and Chronicle and also the Messenger Post and expect ACTION! We are currently selling tickets slowly but steady!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! We will be looking for volunteers for backstage, dressing room and prop moving! Sign up sheets will be at rehearsal! ANN

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

2008-11-03T05:36:00.001-08:00

You can purchase Nutcracker tickets each Sunday at rehearsal, On-line at www.flowercityballet.com (Credit Cards accepted) and at the following locations:

Canandaigua National Bank- Victor, Bloomfield, Canandaigua Locations
Bailey's Slipper Shop- Monroe Avenue Pittsford
Connie's Grapevine Cafe, Bloomfield NY
Big M Supermarket, Bloomfield NY

Also! Plese support out Fingerlakes Coffee Roasters Fundraiser......there will be "high seller" prizes such as Flower City Ballet Water Bottles, Ballet Classes and even Nutcracker tickets! DETAILS TO FOLLOW!!!

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT! ANN HARRIS

THANK YOU! and more......

2008-10-29T13:05:00.000-07:00

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Flower City Ballet I would like to take the opportunity to thank you all for you support with our Spaghetti Dinner. We were able to raise just over $1,000.00 which will pay for the developement of the growing christmas tree and rental of the backdrop for the livingroom scene! I personally had a great time seeing us all together enjoying a meal and sharing our friendship.

I am working currently on advertising the show along with making contacts with our ticket sale locations since tickets will go on sale 11/1. I will have tickets available for purchase at rehearsals for your convenince. Ticket prices are 12.00 for adults, 8.00 for seniors and students and 6.00 for children under 12.

If you are interested in further supporting us.....all of our money that we fundraise goes into costumes and production expenses we welcome your help. For the month of Novemember we are selling $2.00 single pot (10-12 cups) vaccum sealed packages of Fingerlakes Coffee Roaster Coffee. Check out our website under "support flower city ballet" and download an order form. These will make great stocking stuffers and christmas gifts for the post man etc..... We will be offering a month of free ballet lessons and some Nutcracker tickets to our high sellers! You may also pick up an order form from me at rehearsal.

Thanks again and see you Sunday. I may have Megan from Baileys Slipper Shop to assist with discounted shoes, tights etc....for the production. Keep you posted!

Ann

November Newsletter

2008-10-27T14:15:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

We are off to a fine start here at Flower City Ballet. We have gone through all our auditions for the Nutcracker, and we’d like to take this opportunity to thank all you ballet dancers in the Rochester and surrounding areas for all your support.

We had a splendid turnout and we are very excited to welcome aboard all the new dancers this year. We should have lots of fun and a spectacular performance on the 20th and 21st of December.

Our young ballet dancers have a great class on Saturdays mornings, and are learning a lot of the basic concepts of ballet. They too, are excited about their first stage performance with the Nutcracker.

Our participation in the ArtWalk this past September was very well received; we’d like to thank Carla and Cameron for another job well done, and let them know how proud we all were of their performance.

The studio is hustling and bustling, building new props, including our own 20 foot “growing” Christmas tree, and designing and sewing our beautiful costumes. The costume and prop rooms are really filling up with all the new “goodies”.

We just concluded our spaghetti dinner fundraiser, with excellent success compared to last year. As everyone who attended exclaimed, the local was great, but the food was superb, compliments of chef John Chupay (Ann Harris’s father). A special thanks to all those who helped us create and serve over 140 dinners. We raised over $1,000, which helps keep our tuitions low, plus funding some of the costs of the annual Nutcracker performance.

Hope you all had a beautiful fall season, and a Happy Halloween to all.
Sue Harris, secretary
~
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DINNER HEAD COUNT NEEDED! (PLEASE)

2008-10-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

Hi!

Please email approximately how many adults and children that you plan on bringing to the dinner (even if it is 0). I will be shopping for supplies this week and was hoping that I would have a better idea at this point of how many to plan for.

Please don't forget to bring your favorite dessert for our silent auction!

I can be emailed at dance@flowercityballet.com! ANN

Italian Dinner! Monies and Headcount due 10/19

2008-10-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

Hi! Please email me at dance@flowercityballet.com with your head count for the dinner. This will help alot with planning! If you have money or tickets to turn in Cindy Lovejoy will be available at Sunday's rehearsal. I will be on Vacation. IF you need tickets please let me know so that I can make them available to you~! Tickets can be purchased on line using your credit card!

Thank You! Ann

Rehearsal 10/26-11-2 and Italian Dinner!

2008-10-08T12:22:00.000-07:00

Hi all!

Rehearsal for 10/26 is 12:30-3:30! First Act (minus Snow) will rehearse from 12:30-3:30 . This includes Party Parents from 2:30-3:30

Pasta Dinner Seating will begin at 4:30 but we are expecting a big turnout so two seatings will be available. The second seating will begin at 5:45. Don't worry! There will be plenty of food! amd Fun for all. Please bring your best dessert for our dessert silent auction. Your support is appreciated!!!!

11/2 Nutcracker 1st Act 1-3:30 and 3:30-5 for Snow. Party Parents do not have to attend this rehearsal.

Thank YOu and I will be away next week so if you need Dinner Tickets please email me at dance@flowercityballet.com. You can also buy them on our website! Ann

The Pasta Dinner

ITALIAN DINNER TICKET PURCHASE NOW AVAILABLE ON-LINE!

2008-10-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

HI! If you are interested in paying for your tickets for the Italian dinner by credit or debit card or even PAYPAL you may do so on our website! Just click on the link on the homepage of our website! There is a .75 cent convenience fee per ticket. If you have any questions please email me at dance@flowercityballet.com! Thank You! ANN

10/1 Nutcracker update! (Udated 10/2)

2008-10-01T04:30:00.000-07:00

Hi!

This Sunday's rehearsal is for Gingerbread, Rose Parfum and Clowns! 1:00-2:30 and from 2:30-5:OO will be Mice, Mouse King, Soldiers, Clara, Clara's friends, Dolls

October 12th rehearsal is for act 2 and the act 2 finale 1:00-4:00

October 19th rehearsal is for act 1 - parents, children, Drosselmeyer, Clara, Clara's friends, Fritz, Fritz's friends 1:00 - 4:00

I am contacting Brighton Symphony regarding rehearsal for their performances and I will get back to you this week with the details so check back here for updates!

Soon you may be able to purchase Italian Dinner Tickets and Nutcracker Tickets on-line and with a credit or debit card! This is currently being tested and finalized . Again, check back for updates. This feature should be available real soon! Tickets will be available first for the performers to purchase the last two week in October.

We will begin our Fingerlakes Coffee Roaster fundraising campaign the first week of November. These single pot packages will be a great teacher gift and stocking stuffer. We are relying on fundraisers for the production! It helps to keep your performance fees low and enhances the over-all performance.

Some of you have not returned your performance agreement or fee! Please bring it to your next rehearsal.

Stay tuned for futher updates! Ann

Nutcracker Rehearsal/SPAGHETTI DINNER TICKETS

2008-09-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

Hi!

SUNDAY 9/28 1:00-5:00 DOLLS, HARLEQUIN, SPANISH, RUSSIAN, TEA,CANDY CANE, FLOWERS

SUNDAY 10/05 1:00-2:30 IS FOR ROSE PARFUM, CLOWNS, GINGERBREAD. 2:30 - 5:00 IS FOR MICE, MOUSE KING, SOLDIERS, DROESSELMEYER, CLARA, DOLLS

IF YOU DID NOT PICK UP YOUR TICKETS THEY WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU AT REHEARSALS! MONEY WILL BE DUE ON 10/19. I WILL NEED A FINAL COUNT FROM ALL OF YOU BY 10/19 SO THAT WE ARE PREPARED!

Have a great week! Ann

2008 Nutcracker Meeting!

2008-09-21T16:03:00.000-07:00

Hi! Here is a review of what was covered at the meeting today!~

Rehersals each Sunday from 1-5. Rehearsal schedule to be posted but check back here often for updates.

The performance agreement was passed out for signature and a $25.00 performance fee was collected. A $50.00 retainer will be collected and as long as you perform The Nutcracker it will be returned to you at the Cast Party,

Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser- Fellows Road Park, 499 Fellows Road Rochester, Sunday 10/26. All performers were given 10 tickets. Money will be due by 10/19. Please bring your friends and entire family since we really need to funds for this years performance to be a success. If you need more tickets they will be available on Sunday Rehearsals. There will be a 50/50 raffle and we need your dessert donations for our auction!

Other fundraisers are in the works and I will let you know ASAP

Tickets will be available for purchase for performers in October. Tickets for the general public will be available 11/1. Some of the ticket sale locations will be Baileys Slipper Shop, Bloomfield Big M, and perhaps Wegmans.

Baileys Slipper Shop has agreed to assist us again this year with tights, shoes, Pointe Shoes, Cami's etc.... that may be needed for your part. They will come to the rehearsals for fittings. They extend a nice discount to all of the performers so if you are in the shop be sure to let them know that the item is for The Nutcracker so that you may get the discount.

We will need volunteers to help with sewing, Back stage, Supervision, Costumes, movers, etc.....There will be a sign up at the studio.

Mr. Blatt reviewed the cast and the roles assigned. I will post next weeks rehearsal tomorrow. There will be a rehearsal The Saturday after Thanksgiving. Studio will be closed that Sunday.

That is about all that was covered. Ann Harris will be available each rehearsal for your assistance. PLEASE EMAIL ANY QUESTIONS TO DANCE@FLOWERCITYBALLET.COM! THANKS ANN

September Newsletter

2008-08-25T11:51:00.000-07:00

Fall classes will be starting the week of September 8th. We are looking forward to seeing all of our students again and also there is great excitement in welcoming some new students this year. We had a very successful summer and enjoyed some of our new endeavors we put in place for the summer. All in all, we had a nice summer.

We are getting ready for our “Nutcracker Tryouts” on September 6th at 1:00 at the Studio. We hope to see a lot of you ballet dancers who are interested in doing the production with us. Some questions have come up over the summer as to whether this involves becoming a member of Flower City Ballet. This has never been the intent our “Nutcracker” Performance. We are interested in students that would like to learn the choreography and be in the show as a learning experience or a desire to perform. Other than that, there is no mandate that you should be a member of the Flower City Ballet or that following the performances on Dec. 20th and 21st that you have to become a member. We want all participants to have this experience with our intentions: “ Have fun, learn some new ballet choreography, receive stage experience and meet new friends”. By the way, there are several roles left for intermediate and advanced dancers who are also on pointe. Call the studio if you are interested (325-2114) or just show up.

We are participating in the Artwalk this year; Sunday, September 14th. Carla and Cameron are doing the “pas de deux” and the “Coda” from the “Nutcracker”. Come and join us if you can, as I know they would love to have your support. It really is a fun day.

We will be starting Sunday rehearsals for our performances of the Nutcracker. Also our performances with the Brighton Symphony. There are also some performances in the works for several other venues, but they have not yet been finalized.
We’d like to welcome aboard two new board members: Deb Buckley and Cyndi Lovejoy. Thanks to both of you for your commitment.

We have once again committed to doing the “Mommie and Me Expo” in the Spring of 2009. We will be doing some performances there also. Should be lots of fun.

Our Spring performance will include “Strauss Waltzes” next year and soon we will be learning the new choreography for that.
Our new youth and adult classes are growing by leaps and bounds and we are having so much fun with all of our new students.
Well, this is all for now. Our Artistic Director will be starting some informative articles from time to time in our newsletter. Look for them soon.

June Newsletter

2008-06-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

We have been very busy the last month or so finishing up our school year.
Our Open House and Nutcracker Auditions were a huge success. We enjoyed meeting so many new people who share our interest in ballet. Be on the lookout for our last auditions for the Nutcracker in early September. We will be posting the date soon.
Our new children’s classes are going well and we hope to have a nice turn-out for our summer camps in July (look further on the web sight if you are interested in coming- the dates are posted). Please don’t hesitate to call (325-2114) if you’d like to attend our Children’s Summer Camp or our Summer Intensive Camp for Intermediate and advanced students. (Information is listed on the Web Site). We have some openings left. Call and make your reservations.
One of our students has just returned from ABT Summer Camp (Carla Verlarde). She had a wonderful time and she is busily teaching and filling us in on her incredible experiences and all the new ballet information.
We have sent in our application for participation in the Art Walk Program this year in September. So we are hoping to become involved with that wonderful endeavor.
Our regular school classes will end on Saturday, June 21st. We will be starting up again in the Fall on Monday, September 8th with our regular classes.
We will be in rehearsal for some Fall Programs with the Seniors, a Performance with the Brighton Symphony in October and of course our Nutcracker in December.
Hope all of you have a wonderful Summer and we will see you in the Fall. Please call our studio (325-2114) with any questions for need of further information.

Newsletter #1 - May, 2008

2008-05-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

Welcome to all our new students - we're glad to have you on board.

Thought we'd try something new for a few months and see how everyone likes the idea of a monthly newsletter.

We have been very busy moving our props and costumes to a new home. It is much larger and can effectively house all our things, provide sewing space as well as providing a new office location for Mr. Blatt. We even have a skylight and live plans; so we are very excited.

For those of you who may not have noticed, we have added new mirrors to our walls, which enlarged it considerably. We are negotiating for 3 more to use on our side wall.

May should be an exciting and bust month. We will still be in rehearsal for the Fall show in October, but we are also getting ready for our open house on May 10th, from 1:00 to 3:00 at the studio. There will be demos, a tour of the studio and our new office and costume room, conversation, a question/answer period, plus cookies and punch. So, if you are free that day, come pay us a visit.

On May 18th, we will have tryouts for our December 20th and 21st production of the Nutcracker. This will be our 3rd year for the production, and we are once again excited to present it. All who wish to tryout (6 years and over) are more than welcome - all parts are open.

So, the studio will be a busy place during the month of May, as well as the very busy schedule for the costume room, preparing for the upcoming show.

Look for the next newsletter in June.

Congratulations Carla

2008-04-10T10:55:00.000-07:00

Carla Velarde has been accepted to American Ballet Theatre for their summer intensive program. Carla has studied classical ballet with Mr. Wayne Blatt at the Flower City Ballet since the age of 10. She also attended the summer program at Brianksy and the highly competitive NYSSSA summer program with the New York City Ballet for two consecutive summers. She has performed in many productions of The Nutcracker, including Flower City Ballet and the Moscow Ballet. She also danced in the productions of "Le Sylphides", "Faust", and "Alice in Wonderland". Carla is currently attending the School of Biomedical Science at the University of Rochester, majoring in science with a minor in dance.

Everyone wishes her a lost of luck in this new venture.

Nutcracker DVD has Shipped!

2008-01-30T07:08:00.000-08:00

For those of you that have ordered a DVD of the 2007 Nutcracker performance, I am happy to report that they are complete and have been mailed out via USPS as of today. I have orders standing by to be mail for: Wyane Blatt, Mike Thireos, Gladys Velarde, once payment is received.

I hope you enjoy the DVD!

Skeeter Harris

Spring Performance Rehearsal for 1/20!

2008-01-16T17:48:00.000-08:00

Hi! Sunday we will begin rehearsing Faust at 12:30 until 2:15. At 2:15 we will rehearse the Red Poppy and Habanero (younger group). I will post details of the Spring Performance ASAP but I think we are looking at Saturday 4/12 for the performance date.
Check the Blog often for updates! ANN