Moving the Compass

A few months ago the Englishman and I were able to go to the SF Symphony's opening night gala and concert. It was beautiful and we walked away with some adorable photos of us (duh, see above) and an incredibly funny story about the "couple" who sat behind us. I am so lucky to live in a wonderful place that grants me more opportunities than I could ever take advantage of to see live performances  and experience beautiful, art, music and dance.

So, of course when it came time for the SF Ballet's opening gala and and performance we were thrilled to be invited to attend!

After my last disaster getting my hair done (read about it here) I decided I would make an appointment early so I could get in with the awesomeballs guy who does my hair. Please do not die over how awful my hair looks above. I mean I had just come back from Cabo and my hair was fried, my color was faded and my ends, oh lord the trashy not on purpose ombre action that is going on there. Mark (of Sanctuary Hair Salon - GO, he is amazing and will change your life by changing your hair) likes to take photos more than I do, and took shots of the whole process for his own blog. Oh, and yes, in all of the pictures from the hair salon I am not wearing any makeup. Insert barfing here.

I told Mark I wanted a gorgeous big full bun and who knew... the secret to getting thick hair (and not the teeny tiny ponytail or buns I usually have) is to first curl the hair!

Perfection! Thanks Mark! (and nope, I didn't cry this time!)

I had special ordered this vintage gown thinking I had recently bought some Oscar de la Renta jewelry I wanted to wear (and I would be tan coming from Mexico) and was so relived it fit perfectly once it arrived! Considering it came the day before the event, and I arrived home the night before the event, I would have had no other option! Phew!

I honestly died when I saw these photos after the event! I look like the tanning mom! I don't think I realized just how ridiculously tan I had gotten in Mexico until the Englishman and I stood next to each other!

The performance part of the evening was breathtaking. Each and every segment more entrancing and beautifully executed than the last. Deborah Taylor said of the selections for the evening, "In early June I was asked to create a theme for the upcoming gala. My fellow auxiliary members and I decide to focus on the artistic vision of the Company, the progressive nature of the Company's work, and the global impact the Company has on the world's most prestigious dance stages/ Moving the Compass represents the innovation and virtuosity of the oldest ballet company in the world. The word compass has multiple meanings, conjuring up a variety of images: Travel, movement, direction, finding a way back to something familiar, or guiding you to discover a new road. We all have an internal compass: keeping us on track or pushing us in new directions. My instincts as a theater producer sent me to the artistic leadership for inspiration. Reading Helgi Tomasson's artistic statement in the 2013 ballet brochure, I found the link: "Bridging the globe through the universal language of dance." The theme for this year was inspired by the San Francisco Ballet, its global reach, the cultural diversity of the dancers and the word the Company brings back to the San Francisco community  SF Ballet's compass is a heart that is always moving, setting new standards and directions in the world of dance."

The Englishman had never been to the ballet, and I was so excited to take him, and share with him something that I love and adore so much. I also think he enjoyed that he got to see and enjoy eleven classical and contemporary works and excerpts rather than one full length ballet, it was a great introduction!

And of course, of course, I took photos at the after party with a friend I was lucky enough to run into in the huge crush of people, and my very handsome Englishman.

And of course, as it has taken me SO incredibly long to blog about, we are now only a month away from the Cinderella Ball and premiere of the SF Ballet's Cinderella performance! I am already SO excited, and yes, have my dress all picked out!


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