1/28/17

The PERFORMER


Some people come by it naturally. Others try but give up. And then there are those who keep trying when they seriously need to find something else to do.

Being a performer is not in the grand scheme for must of us. However, the shiny lights often draw us in as children before we become embarrassed by everything. I took ballet and hula dancing as a child. I had dreams of Broadway, but I would have never made it. But that little spark burns ever so slightly inside and I instead do my performances with the clerk at the store. Give me a smile and a laugh and my day is made.

This is my contribution to Sepia Saturday this week...late.




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14 comments:

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    1. And Isn't it sad that as we grow up most of us lose that ability to have this sort of fun.

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    2. Indeed.The older we get ,the more we have to Work hard to Play.

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  2. Two gorgeous photos of your "stage" days. I dreamt if taking part in a London West End all singing all dancing musical such as Oklahoma, or 42 Street. I knew it would never happen to a girl who had plain straight hair and wore glasses - but at least I can still enjoy the singing part !

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    1. Oh, these are not me. They are just shots I love of the old dance class days. Somewhere there is a movie of me dancing in a ballet at around age 8. I'm off in my own little world. It's hysterical to watch.

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  3. I didn't get to take tap dancing lessons until I was 38 - and then, boy! Did I have fun with that!!! And what can one say about Ella except - what a fantastic voice and what's more, the way she used it!

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    1. I found this video of Ella years ago and then spent years trying to find the recording. Finally found it last year and it's my go-to piece when I need a little bit of perfection.

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  4. Barbara's a trooper for sure, but what age? Her legs say 18, her torso 12, and her face a hard 34 that says, "Gotta cigarette, sweetheart?"

    Early in my orchestra career I played a pops concert with Ella. She brought her own charts and conductor/pianist with maybe a drummer too I think. I remember her at the rehearsal marking an unimpressive even lackluster soundcheck. But at the show she turned the heat up on that little spark until her voice was like a torch. That's when I first understood what showbiz was really about! Great entertainers know when to rest and when to perform.

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  5. Too bad we get so inhibited and lose the joy of spontaneity when we "grow up." I sing in the car and the shower and dance only when forced into it— I'm ashamed to admit. Love both photos.

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  6. Lovely photos, whoever they are.

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  7. I wonder what those two ladies thought later in life of those two silly photos? I hope they didn't get embarrassed!

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  8. A couple of good finds there! And yes, Ella was perfection. I suppose you noticed that sitting in the audience in that picture are Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman.

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