What are the dancers up to?

On International Dance Day 2022, the ballerinas ran off into the wild. We're trying to keep track of them, and we'll try to bring you updates on the last Wednesday of each month until International Dance Day 2023.

Today is laundry day!

 

It's three days until International Dance Day 2023... what will happen?!

The ballerinas are gathering...

... for International Dance Day at the end of the month! Soon, they'll be back with us at Shades of Gray.

Some are getting here on their feet.

 
Others are arriving in cabs, but still on their feet!

 
 

Observing Good Friday with Jesus and Mo!

THIS WEEK WITH JESUS & MO

And to make this observation of the longest three-day weekend in history picture perfect, we present a pair of appropriate photos.

 

The gathering has begun....

International Dance Day is coming at the end of the month. The runaway dancers are making their way home for the celebration!

 

Fanny Friday

In 1927--the year this week's Flapper Fanny cartoon was originally published--the U.S. was fully engulfed by the Black Bottom dance craze. For more information, and to see demonstrations, check out this previous Shades of Gray post.

What are the dancers doing now that it's Spring?

On International Dance Day 2022, the ballerinas ran off into the wild. We're trying to keep track of them, and we'll try to bring you updates on the last Wednesday of each month until International Dance Day 2023.

And now that winter is ending, and Spring has arrived, we're checking in to see what's up with the ballerinas.

We have discovered that some are dancing around their favorite trees, encouraging leaves to grow. (While also demonstrating the Unifying Theme here at Shades of Gray.)

Some of the ballerinas have also come back inside, so they can properly prepare for International Dance Day 2023, which is one month away!

It's officially Spring!

Everybody say "thank you" to MacKenzie Richter for, once again, pushing back the cold winds of winter! Jack Frost knows not to mess with her!

It's National Cat Day (in Japan)!

Feb. 22 (2/22) is National Cat Day in Japan. This day was chosen by the nation to celebrate the greatest animals on planet Earth, because the date (2/22) sounds to Japanese ears like a cat meowing--nyan-nyan-nyan, which "two-two-two" in Japanese.

Here are some pictures of ladies and their pussies in observation of this very special day!

 
 

Where are the dancers?

On International Dance Day 2022, the ballerinas ran off into the wild. We're trying to keep track of them, and we'll try to bring you updates on the last Wednesday of each month until International Dance Day 2023. Here's what some of them have been doing recently:

Sarah found herself (which is fitting, since we are posting on 2/22).

Miko found what may be the Stairway to Heaven...

... while Sydney may have found the Highway to Hell (at the Bridge Over Troubled Waters).

But there's no doubt that MacKenzie and Zarina found themselves further from home than anyone else: They ran into a group of short guys and tagged along for a trip to Mordor.

A 120+ year-old movie that's still fresh

The Brahmin and the Butterfly (aka "The Butterfly's Chrysalis") (1901)
Starring: Georges Melies and an anonymous dancer
Director: Georges Melies
Rating: Eight of Ten Stars

A sorerer (Melies) uses magic to create a beautiful winged woman by enchanting a giant caterpillar... but things don't go quite as he planned.

 "The Brahmin and the Butterfly" is one of my favorite shorts from early special effects wizard Georges Melies. It's a little goofy, a little creepy, the effects are pretty good even by modern standards, and it's got a story with a twist. All in about two minutes!

What's more, I think the story will resonate with modern audiences. Take a look and let me know if you agree! (The version I'm providing below features a modern score done specifically for this film, which makes watching it even more enjoyable.)

Movie Magic ala Georges Melies!

The Tiny Dancer (aka 'The Dancing Midget') (1902)
Starring: George Melies, an Anonymous Actor, and an Anonymous Ballerina
Director: Georges Melies
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars

A magician (Melies) conjures an assistant, eggs, and ultimately a miniature ballerina. But he's saved his greatest trick for last!

 "The Tiny Dancer" is one of the many films by stage-magician-turned-pioneering-special-effects-artist Georges Melies performs cinema-enhanced magic tricks that culminate either in a magical mishap or a visual joke of some sort. I'll not say how this one turns out, because I don't want to spoil anything.

I've said before that this type of film are among my least favorite of Melies output. That said, this one is lively and amusing enough that it kept my attention throughout. The ending also make me snicker, and I always appreciate the short films that leave me smiling (for the comedies) or squirming (for the horror films).

But why don't you check it out? It's only a couple minutes long. Let me know in the comments whether you liked it or not!

Also, if you see Elton John, recommend that he check it out, too. I think he'll love it, for obvious reasons.

How are the dancers doing?

On International Dance Day 2022, the ballerinas ran off into the wild. We're trying to keep track of them, and we'll try to bring you updates on the last Wednesday of each month until International Dance Day 2023.

As you may recall, we were worried for the ballerinas as winter arrived. But, as it turns out, they're still doing fine! 

Some are just ignoring the cold and snow...

... and others have come back indoors...

... where most are staying close to the windows, so they know as soon as the weather's fit for them to run outside again!

Although maybe they share more in common with cats than grace and the ability to land on their feet?

It's National Hat Day!

Alice White is celebrating National Hat Day by wearing a raspberry beret--something a little more subdued than her typical headgear.

 As for the rest of them here at Shades of Gray... well, they're wearing hats!