u/Katressl

My local dance store has a terrible selection for adults, especially in larger sizes, so I'm turning to online shopping. I found a Mirella Nylon/Spandex leo there that fits me perfectly. It was on clearance, so I went for it even though I don't love the fabric. A Capezio XL was just a little too tight. For street clothes, I wear a medium in most dresses, tops, and leggings and skirts. The few items I have that are in American numbered sizes are 8s and 10s.

I was looking at Eurotard because of the wide size selection, the microfiber fabric, and affordability.

Anyone have any insight on Eurotard fit?

ETA: The Mirella is an XL. It's funny because my favorite leos when I was a young modern dancer in a conservatory program were Mirellas. I had five different colors of the same low-back, Lycra blend, camisole leos in XS, and they fit perfectly. I wore an XS in street clothes back then, but I'd go for XXS if it was available. 😄

North Star Dance Theatre is a new regional company based out of Madison, WI. Their inaugural show, Dawn, closed tonight, and they have performances of Dusk coming up in Oak Park, IL, August 7–8 and Madison, August 28–29. The opening piece blended contemporary and classical beautifully, and soloist Ben Rose blew me away with his petit allegro. There were several more abstract pieces, which are much more in my wheelhouse, and I was mesmerized. (They were doing their program by QR code, and I forgot to grab it! I'm hoping a friend can send me a link. Then I'll edit this post to be more specific.) And the works were pure artistry all the way through. So if you're within a couple hours of Chicago or Madison, it's well worth it to check out Dusk in August!

My Unitarian Universalist congregation recently had "all-music Sunday," and I danced a solo contemporary piece I choreographed. The compliments I received were effusive and abundant. While I am very confident in my ability with choreography, I *know* my technique has always been lacking. And as an EDS returner in my forties, my strength and balance need tremendous work.

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It is both lovely and slightly embarrassing to perform for an audience that is mostly unfamiliar with dance and have them rave about you. I *know* a fellow dancer or a regular dance audience member could see the problems with the execution of 90% of my steps. But I'll take the flowers, and I'm really glad a lay audience enjoyed it so much. 😊 Maybe I'll have piqued their interest and some will be interested in seeing some local companies with me.

This is just a vent.

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I'm an EDS dancer, and I've had problems with my knees and hips before. I'm pretty attuned to my body, so I know when not to push it.

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But that doesn't apply in severe thunderstorms. Storms will make my joints ache no matter what, so I have no way of knowing if I'm feeling just general aches from a storm or if I'm actively doing damage.

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A nasty storm hit toward the end of barre, and I kept going for a bit. Did the first few center exercises. But my joints were screaming by the time we got to the second set of the pirouette combination. I knew I couldn't trust my body because of the stupid low barometric pressure, so I sat down to watch.

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I hate missing grand allegro. I hate sitting down period, but watching a fun grand allegro and not knowing whether I ACTUALLY needed to sit out is super frustrating.

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Okay. Vent over.

I just started a class with a new teacher, and overall I think she's great. I love the way she paces it and how her combinations build on each other.

But she often calls out corrections/instructions while we're doing the combinations, AND she has a very soft voice. Because of my auditory processing disorder, I not only can't understand her, but I often lose track of the music and end up off-rhythm.

Has anyone dealt with this? What are some strategies you've used to cope? Have you approached your teacher about it?

I was thinking I could say, "I have this disorder. It makes it difficult for me to differentiate sounds from each other. If it's not too much trouble, if you ever have a correction that applies to me, could you make it between the music?" Is that too forward?

Honestly, she could just be calling out the steps and not making corrections. I can't understand her enough to know! But it's a sufficiently advanced class that I can't see calling out the steps being necessary. I'm also a little nervous to bring it up because she has a German accent (this is in the US), and I don't want her to think I'm calling her out for that. Ugh.

I tried a new studio recently that gives you the first class for free. I LOVED it. The owner asked where I'd been dancing recently, and I told her through the local rec program. I told her how great my favorite teacher is and mentioned it's super affordable for city residents. I didn't mean it as a hint, but she asked how much it costs, said that IS affordable, and then said they do sliding scale. They just want people to keep dancing. (They have a really strong adult program.)

I recently got a new job and thought I'd be able to afford more classes. But the income taxes are more than I thought, and with gas and food and EVERYTHING so high, I barely have enough for groceries when I went through my budget. But I feel awkward taking her up on the sliding scale. Has anyone done this? How have you talked to the studio owners about it?

I was also thinking I could offer services as barter: cleaning the studios, updating the website (part of my job so I have the skills), copy editing any materials they put out (my side hustle). Or even teaching contemporary on the cheap since they don't have it for adults and it's my wheelhouse.

Any thoughts? Right now I literally don't have five extra dollars a week to spare, but I'll likely be in cheaper housing in August, at least.

The teacher is amazing. It's super low-priced because it's through the community rec system.

AND we've formed a lovely little community! We're having a potluck at the end of this session, and some of us went to a local pre-pro showcase together. (Added bonus: their Lilac Fairy was curvier than the average pre-pro and OUTSTANDING. It was nice to see.) We range in age from early twenties through late sixties.

I just wanted to share how lucky I feel to have such a supportive ballet community. I wish the same for all of you!

I'm finally going to have the extra cash to get out of leggings and tanks, but as I've aged, my EDS skin has become much more fragile. The wrong underwear will cause abrasions that can even bleed. Jeans cause actual cuts, so I now live in yoga banded leggings/bike shorts, dresses, and skirts with wide waistbands. No ruching. No tight lace. It sucks because I LOVE clothes. I've even had my sheets become painful if they bunch up under me. Total Princess and the Pea energy.

So does anyone else with similar issues have brands you avoid at all costs? Or brands you love for not digging in?