Nutcracker

Every year, I go to the Nutcracker Ballet with my Mom, Sisters in law, and Nieces. This year, Peanut wanted to come, and he seemed to really enjoy it! Kids over three are allowed to come to the matinee showing, but I didn't think that Beanie would have been able to sit very well and enjoy it, so maybe he can come next year.... MAYBE. What an awesome opportunity to help kids learn to appreciate the arts! What better way for kids to get to know music and dance than through the ballet. I remember the first time that I saw the Nutcracker. I was probably 8 or 9, Mom and I and the girls in my brownie group went on a bus and it was very exciting! I love love love the music of the Nutcracker, I could close my eyes and enjoy it just as much without the ballet, but to see the story unfold on stage is truly awesome! I hope it is a family tradition that continues forever. It is something that I look forward to every year.

As Peanut and I were driving to meet the family, we discussed ballet etiquet. Why we were dressed in "nice" clothes, why we needed to eat and potty BEFORE the show, being polite and curteous to those around us... etc. etc. This is something that I feel we have lost in todays society. Manners! Where have they gone, and how can we get them back? I found some information on about.com on proper ballet etiquette :

"Professional ballet dancers spend countless hours preparing for a performance. They are expected to follow several rules of etiquette for their audience, both backstage and onstage, to ensure a successful, entertaining show. It is the responsibility of the audience, in return, to respect the dancers by also following a few rules of etiquette. Remember the following rules of etiquette the next time you attend a ballet performance." "Dress: It is appropriate to wear 'business or business casual' atire, although some may choose more 'dressy' atire for opening night performances. Jeans are not appropriate." "Arrive early: It is considered curteous to arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes prior to curtain, many theatres do not allow late seating and it is very disturbing to other patrons, as it simply ruins the moment for other attendees to have someone walking in front of them, or climbing over them." "Be silent: Do not talk, unwrap candy, tap your feet, or make other noise." "Do not eat: Although some theatres sell consessions, it is not appropriate to eat durring the performance, please wait until intermission to eat. If snacking in necessary, unwrap wrappers prior to curtain, so as not to make unnecessary noise durring the performance."

The Nutcracker is a "child friendly" ballet, and the children that were there really seemed to enjoy it. The last 15 minutes or so, I noticed many, MANY people getting restless. I tried to gently remind Peanut that he needed to be on his best behaviour, and that helped him stay (relatively) still for the last little bit. As for ettiquette, EVERY SINGLE RULE (suggestion) was broken, and I was a bit saddened by some of the things that I noticed. I saw lots of jeans, and with the jeans look.. lots of undies showing! Where did that "look" come from? Seriously? The waist of your pants should go just there... on your WAIST, or at least over the top of your bum! I don't want to see your undies, and I bet a lot of others don't want to either! Is that considered modest? That is a whole other post right there... There were lots of distracting wrapper russlings throughout the performance. Really, do we "need" treats available to us at all times? Can we as a society not exercize a small amount of restraint with our eating habbits? Is ONE hour too long to go without a snack? I had a snack in my purse, that I ate IN THE LOBBY, DURING INTERMISSION! I being pregnant, and Peanut being 7, snacks are a part of our life, but there is a time and place to eat, during the ballet performance is not one of those times! Lots and lots of people arriving late! I know that mormon standard time is very prevalant here in Utah (GUILTY AS CHARGED! most of the time.) but I do attempt to be on time for things like the ballet. I can't in good conscience really "soap box" that issue as I struggle with that on a daily basis..... Anyway, I think that exposing children to the fine arts like the ballet is a great way to teach basic manners and respect for the performers. We as a society have a responsibility to teach the youth appropriateness in action, dress, and speach. I am grateful for those opportunities to teach my little ones the lessons that are so important in society! If we as parents don't teach them, who will? I hope that I can raise polite, well behaved childred. I need to remember to be an example at all times, because my little ones ARE watching me, and often times I know I am not setting the best example for them. Something to work on.

Anyway, I am grateful for the family that I have, and the fun things that we get to do together! I don't think I will ever get tired of hearing/seeing the Nutcracker! As an aside, tonight we had a Relief Society activity about keeping Christ in Christmas, and one of the presenters talked about music, specifically the Nutcracker, and how Tchicofsky used the family as a central figure in the first act. They had a party, and had so much fun together, and enjoyed the time that they got to spend with each other and their friends. Family truly is what is most important, and that is what this earthly experience is all about. FAMILY!