The Prom Post

 

If your social media timeline is anything like mine, you have been flooded with pics of family members and the children of friends going to the prom. These pics have made me nostalgic and a little sad, as everything does these days. I tell you, I think I have cried more this month than I have my whole life. I'm either in perimenopause or depressed, a conversation for another time. 

Anyway, my senior prom was shrouded in drama. My friends didn't want to go so I had to go with some other classmates, my date pulled out of the deal, my dress had to be tailored, I had drama with Lisha (which would later kickstart our friendship), and my big grown up night out ended in me and my friends falling asleep before midnight in a fancy hotel. What a night! 

I hated high school. I didn't have a lot of friends. However, for some reason, I was super stoked to go to my prom. I think I really wanted to get in a limo and wear a cute dress. But when I got to the prom at the Fox Theater, I just kind of swayed awkwardly and talked to folks. I was too shy to dance. 

Of late, I have thought a lot about what a me today would tell a younger me. Old Me would show up to my prom in the ratty old summer dress I am wearing as a night gown and scream at Young Me to dance. I'd tell her in a little over ten years our mom and grandma would be dead. DANCE! College would leave us in boatloads of debt. DANCE! Depression, loss, anxiety. DANCE! Knowing Young Me, I would have still wallflowered it, but Old Me would take the opportunity to shine. I see myself breakdancing, back flipping, and moonwalking while Young Me sulks in the corner. I always ease out of this fantasy with a smile on my face. It feels good to dance again. 

Go to Church Part 2- The Christian Dork

I was invited to a White Party to celebrate the 30th birthday of my friend Kyndra and her twin sister. I was excited to go! Although I don't look great in white, I love a good party, especially when I know for sure that there is going to be cake.
When I got to the venue with our mutual friend Sarina, I was surprised at the number of people out on the dance floor dancing clumsily while laughing and goofing around. I wasn't there long before it became obvious that I was in the company of dorks. And no, this is not a bad thing as one may think. I have always enjoyed the company of dorks. They like to have a good time and love to live like no one is watching...although everyone obviously is.
While dancing in my seat, a woman came over to me and introduced herself. She told me that her name was Marie, and asked me how I knew the twins.
"I only know one. I volunteer with Kyndra," I informed her.
"Oh cool! I go to church with them."
My heart skipped a beat. I looked past her at the dorks behind her, dancing in circles. I wasn't just in the company of dorks...I was in the company of Christian Dorks. YASSS!
If you are not sure what a Christian Dork is, you either have never been to church or you are one. They are just cool, dope, Christian people who like to act silly and are always happy and friendly. You see, I have experience with Christian Dorks. For a weird period in high school, I was one as a co-president of The Y Club.
Man, those were good times! I loved the retreats with Y-Club members from other schools where we went to Bible workshops and sang Christian songs while a cute dude with long hair jammed along on a guitar. Everyone was so nice and warm and welcoming and just apologetically dorky! At those retreats, I felt like I had found my people. I'm not sure what happened...
I had a good time, dancing and meeting Kyndra's church friends. While munching on cookies with the twins' names on them, I wondered if the fun, light-hearted, I'm not being judged feeling would be what I felt if I started going to church again. The very thought took me back to a period of time when I was 17 and actually happy; a pocket of time where my naysayer attitude had stepped to the side so I could enjoy life.
Marie invited me to their church and I just may go. She said they are Bible-focused and have a really good singles ministry. If I don't like it, I can just leave and pick up a husband on the way out.

Me and Kyndra at her birthday White Party. 

Anna Kaiser Happy Hour Event

Celebrity Trainer Anna Kaiser is now collaborating with Target for an active wear collection called C9 Champion Limited Edition by Anna Kaiser. To celebrate, Anna's team traveled around the US doing their Happy Hour, an hour of dance-based aerobics in a pop-up location in Target parking lots. As fun as the music and dance was, I assure you, it was a workout, lol. 

The class exercising at the Happy Hour 

Me and the other ladies after class

Here are some of my favorite pieces from the C9 Champion Limited Edition by Anna Kaiser:

About Last Friday: Me and Tasia Attend The 4th Annual Flavors & Colorsof Haiti

So Friday was the 4th Annual Flavors & Colors of Haiti Show at the Rialto Theater featuring the world premiere performance of AYIKODANS, a Haitian dance troop.

Tasia and I made a night out if the whole show. I met her downtown to do dinner at Hooters.

Then we went to The Westin across the street for drinks and selfies. 

Afterwards, it was off to the show which highlighted Haitian culture through original dance. The troop was amazing! The music, the colors, the movements- all if it was awesome! My only regret is that I was not more seasoned on Haitian culture to have been able to better understand all the cultural references in the show.

Even with my lack of understanding, I found the abilities of the dancers to be breath taking, and even found myself dancing along during some of the numbers. Tasia told me to stop. She said she can't take me anywhere. True dat. 

After the show I got to speak briefly with Jeanguy Saintus, the founder of AYIKODANS. I was so honored! I hope he and AYIKODANS Asteroid able to return to Atlanta soon:)

AYIKODANS Is Coming To Atlanta!

Jeanguy Saintus, Haitian-born choreographer, educator and his AYIKODANS Dance Company, will be premiering two new dances, Rasanble and Ranmase, at the 4^th Annual Flavors and Colors of Haiti on December 11 at the Rialto Center for the Arts in Atlanta.

Rasanble will consist of eight dancers from the AYIKODANS dance troupe who will use some very interesting and unusual props including brooms, plates and chairs. In their second act, they will dance Ranmase, a new work by Johnnoiry Saint Philippe. During the evening, the audience will enjoy Haitian music and drumming, as well as the talents of internationally acclaimed singer James Germain.

AYIKODANS is part of a movement towards a contemporary Haitian aesthetic. AYIKODANS has danced on stages throughout the world including Latin America, France, Spain, The Netherlands, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Canada and the US to rave reviews.

Tickets to the 4^th Annual Flavors and Colors of Haiti range from $47 to $57 and can be purchased at the Rialto Center for the Arts web site:http://bit.ly/1zfoc4L.

The 4^th Annual Flavors and Colors of Haiti is presented by the Consulate General of Haiti in Atlanta. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Haitian & Haitian-American Student Internship Program at The Coca-Cola Company in Haiti. This new initiative is a partnership between the Consulate in Atlanta and The Coca-Cola Company, and provides hands-on learning opportunities for students interested in giving back to their communities and building a brighter future for Haiti. 

2 Live Crew - Get It Girl

I don't know if I have ever expressed my LOVE of ignorant
music. Of all of my favs, Miami Bass Music is the best from
none other than the 2 Live Crew. It's gross, and you can't
help but dance to it, even though it's insulting! Check out the
backup dancer's outfits and dance moves. It's crazy! The girls
look so young and they would be my Mama's age now!