6 minute read
Holiday Performing Arts
WRITTEN BY NAOMI SHAFER
What are your brightest holiday memories from childhood? I bet they’re not the toy you didn’t receive (or even the toy you did receive) but rather memories of family rituals. I know mine are.
My favorite holiday memories revolve around wearing patent-leather shoes and a velvet dress to attend The Nutcracker with my grandmother. I remember the smell of her perfume, the swell of the music and the magic of watching ballerinas leap across the stage. Whenever I hear the familiar music, I think of my grandmother. That’s why I’m a firm believer in taking kids to see the performing arts.
*Full Disclosure: I love holiday performances so much that I’ve even created one of my own! My husband and I dreamed up A Circus Carol as our own take on the Dickens classic. This is our second year of filling a stage with unicycleriding Cratchit Children, a juggling Ghost of Christmas Present and a Scrooge who needs to be convinced to get on the trapeze!
Live performance is the perfect holiday gift for anyone who wants a little more quality time, and a lot less clutter. A performance is a great opportunity to see the value of “presence over presents.” Not only do performers share their craft – the thousands of hours they have spent learning to dance, sing or fly on a trapeze –they also share a part of themselves. From the audience you can feel a connection to the performers, unlike anything you get from TV. In the circus we have a saying, “A show is a conversation between the performers and the audience.” The incredible stage presence of the performers is an invitation for the audience to sit forward and be transported.
If you’re looking for a few more reasons why you should ditch the presents and go to a performance, here they are.
Be Present: Be honest, when was the last time you and your kids spent two hours all together without screens (or screams?). There’s no pause or replay at a live event – it’s a chance to truly be together, phones off, with no distractions.
Improve Attention: Live performance is an amazing way for kids to improve their attention. There’s plenty to look at, listen to and engage with.
Open the Imagination: Live performance naturally sparks the imagination. As the audience, we need to do a little work too, like trying to imagine it’s snowing. Plus, as anyone who’s ever watched The Nutcracker knows, imagining your toys coming to life is tantalizing.
Inspiration: Many of us leave a performance thinking, “I want to do that.” A performance is the perfect example of why we should stick with piano practice. It’s a pleasure to see someone else excel at a craft they have studied. Don’t be surprised if after attending a holiday concert, your kids ask to take a ballet lesson or learn to ride the unicycle.
Empathy (no really): When we watch a live performance, we emotionally invest in the performers on stage. We want them to succeed. When we see a character struggle, we cheer them on. When they rejoice, so do we. We may even see a performer make a mistake, like drop a juggling ball. In these moments of watching a performer try (and try again) we learn to empathize with ourselves for our mistakes.
See Your Community in a New Way: Most performances also feature community members. You may be surprised to see that your dentist is the first chair of the orchestra, or that your math teacher rides a unicycle!
Long after the momentary thrill of unwrapping a present has subsided, the memories created by the ritual of seeing a performance lingers.
If you’re intimidated by attending a performance with kids, here are some of my top tips:
Tips for making it extra special:
Present tickets in a card
Get dressed up
Go out for dessert afterwards – this is a perfect time to talk about the show
Take a photo together – bonus if you’re even organized enough to print it out and frame it
Tips for attending live performances with little kids:
Listen to the music ahead of time, or find a library book with the story. This creates a touchpoint so the child can know what to expect.
If anyone in your family is prone to sensory overload, bring noise-canceling headphones. You’ll still be able to enjoy the show, without the overwhelm.
Try to sit in an aisle seat, so that you can take a break if you need to.
Relax! It’s OK if your 5-year-old needs to take a nap during Act Two.
Some Top Recommendations in Bozeman This Year
The Bozeman Symphony’s Holiday Spectacular takes the holiday sing-along to a whole new level. The concert, conducted by Norman Huynh, spans traditional to contemporary music. No need to feel self-conscious about your singing, the Bozeman Symphonic Choir and Paige Rasmussen (from Paige and The People’s Band) will make sure the vocals soar. Fun for the whole family, even tone-deaf aunt Sheila.
406Cirque is launching its second annual A Circus Carol. This adaptation of the Dickens classic takes us to Circus Town, where every citizen rides a unicycle…except for Scrooge. Come ready to be inspired by the eight Cratchit children on unicycles, the Ghost of Christmas Future on stilts and a whole chorus of jugglers and trapeze artists. The show includes 406Cirque’s youth troupe and professional performers. Warning: You may get inspired to run away with the circus.
Of course, it wouldn’t be December without a few productions of The Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky’s classic is set on Christmas Eve, where young Clara falls asleep at the foot of the tree. She wakes (or dreams) her way through an enchanted world of toys that have come to life. Though not a hit when it debuted in 1892, The Nutcracker is now a staple of holiday celebrations. In Bozeman, we have two opportunities to see it. Montana Ballet Company and The Yellowstone Ballet Company each put on an annual production. One of the joys of The Nutcracker is seeing children and community members perform. The Nutcracker is the perfect opportunity build a holiday tradition (velvet dress recommended).
Naomi Shafer is a clown and 406Cirque organizer.
