Dance Festival 2010

The kids were in a dance festival over the weekend. Our four oldest and one of our other "children" Connor. He isn't really ours but is here enough that we feed him, yell at him and love him like one of our own. He happened to be a great support for David and decided to participate after being here for a full day of practice.

The kids were in so many different dances. All of them in the beginning do-re-me dance. These pictures aren't all in order. There were three performances and we attended all three. So some pictures our from each performance.

Since last September, over 350 youth ages 12-18 of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in northern Colorado Springs and Monument have been practicing almost every week to participate in this month's A Gathering of Nations: Youth Dance Festival. There are many different styles of dance from countries all over the world being performed. Reid was in the Capoeria (from Brazil), Reid and Laura were in the Tininkling (from the Philippines), Krystal was in the cha cha, irish dance and square dance. David was in square dance. All four of them were in the beginning dance that opened the dance festival.

David in his $20 suspenders. Who knew they were so expensive?

Krystal in the Irish dance. She has done this since she was tiny. Krystal has loved watching the riverdance and mimicking it. I was so happy that she chose to be in this dance.

Krystal in the cha cha. David bailed on her last minute so she danced with Brother H who was the instructor. She was so serious but did a wonderful job.

Reid was in this Brazilian dance. It was a form of dance that they were able to practice martial arts. During one of the kicks Reid kicked Steven in the face. But they all turned out fine.

This was the HAKA from New Zealand. I didn't have any kids in this dance but they boys that came out would yell at the audience. At one of the performances they yelled in Mikes face. He yelled back. Well at the end when all the kids were coming out in their different costumes the head dancer of these young men yelled in my face. He was so close that he actually touched my nose with his tongue! GROSS.....the thing I was proud of is that he could walk away and I didn't flinch. For me....that is huge.

Laura in the Chinese ribbon dance. Now Laura will not be 12 until the end of this month. But since she has her birthday she was allowed to participate. It was an amazing job and she looked so cute. We had to tell her to quit looking at us because she just smiled at us the whole way through.

Haley was a trooper and watched all three performances. During one of the intermissions she went out and did the chicken dance with a lot of the other kids watching. She is already looking forward to when she gets to be in the dance festival.

At the end of each performance the kids sang a song. I wasn't able to see all of them but was great to see what I could for each of the kids.

Reid and Laura were partners in the Tininkling from the Philippines. They danced first and then were the ones tapping the poles. It was an amazing dance and they were adorable.

There is so much I could say about the dance festival. It was a lot of hard work, challenging practice times and commitment, I am proud all the kids pulled it off.

When I was a teen we had dance festival, and still have fond memories of it. I'm so grateful that the kids were able to be involved in such wonderful amazing performances.

http://csfreshink.com/group/briargate/forum/topics/gathering-of-nations-youth