The Homecoming
1992: The Yukon Arts Centre held its official opening. At the time I was still highland dancing, and a group of us was asked to perform at the opening. We did a piece called 'Shetland Oil' - a bit of a crowd pleaser with a cowboy feel. We had Iris, about three at the time, ride across the stage at the end of our performance on one of those broomstick horsies.
I remember having so much fun. It was such a thrill being able to dance in this beautiful space. There were no nerves at all really; just excitement.
Shortly after that, I stopped dancing, focussing on my piano. Over the next ten years or so, my experiences on that stage were much different. With piano, I suffered terrible stage fright. Not so much for ensemble playing - that I quite enjoyed. But whenever I was to play solo, I'd feel sick for days before the performance. It took quite a while to get it through my thick head that I didn't have to do this....that it was quite OK not to perform publicly.
Then I started dancing again, this time a variety of other forms. Last night, after 14 years, I danced once again on that stage. It was dress rehearsal, and great dramas were unfolding all around me. But I think I was pretty oblivious to it all. I was too enthralled by the fact that last night almost felt like a homecoming. "Ah," I thought. "I remember this. I remember how much fun this was. This is how it's supposed to feel!"
There are three performances of the show, tonight through Saturday. I'm looking forward to every one of them!
7:23:20 AM 
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