Mmpleaase, I do dare sayyy

That is the "fancy voice" as used by my coworker when I said I went to the ballet last night. He also asked if I wore a top hat and a monocle. The answer to that question was 'no.'

I went to the New York City Ballet with my New-York-quasi-mother-figure, Jane. We sat in the Orchestra section in the 5th row. I don't think I have ever been five rows from the stage at any kind of show unless it was a mosh pit at an Arcade Fire concert.

Valse-Fantaisie

I've seen the ballet once—The Nutcracker in Nashville during high school when I convinced my mom we should act very high-class. The rest of my ballet knowledge comes from the movie Center Stage (a classic).  You know what happens at the ballet? People don't clap and cheer; they clap and say "Bravo!" No joke, they literally shout "Bravo!" and clap for about 10 minutes straight after each finale as the dancers bow at least four different times. What a riot! I sure would like a life that allows me to do high class things like go to the ballet and shout "Brava!"

The ballet is pretty beautiful and astounds me with its grace. The show last night was comprised of four short ballets: Walpurgisnacht Ballet, Duo Concertant, Valse-Fantaisie, and The Four Temperaments. The last was my least favorite, though I think it was probably everyone else's favorite. Both the music and dance were more modern in style, but I thought it looked more jolted and animalistic, if that makes sense. It wasn't very smooth and had odd movements, which I did not find to be as appealing.