Last night was as dream. A dream come true for me . I've been rading about the Kirov Ballet since I was 8 years old. TheBolshoi Balet School I read time and time again. I learned about the two top schools in Russia, the stylistic differences between them, and the rich history of the ballet in Russia. How Tchaikovsky and Petipa worked painstakingly measure by measure to create the scores for Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake. And last night, more than 40 years after I first started learing about this remarkable tradition, I witnessed firsthand its natural result. There were young ladies, most of them not far from 20 who as the swans not only moved their arms and legs and heads as eone but practically breathed as one in every moment of Act II.

These girls didn't miss a beat, a moment, an eyelash, all in unison not only physically but spiritually. And when they bowed down to the Queen, practically prostrate in fourth position, the act of the ensemble in such perfect unison was both breathtakng and emouvant.

These girls laid it down. It was better than the Olympics. It was like they were saying, "Now, that's how you dance Swan Lake."

I've seen this company on tape many times. But I never witnessed the kind of unison I saw last night.

Too, we were by the luck of the draw treated to the best Swan Queen of the tour, Miss Kondaurova. She has twice won awards for here acting/dancing interpretations of more modern owrk.s

There was nothing rote about this Swan Queen. It was the best interpretation I've seen. I literally forgot she was a ballet dancer and was drawn into the tragedy of her half-woman, half-swan plight. Amazing.

It was so reat, I did not care who I was sittin next to.

I'm still floating and probably will be for several more days.

And the Cygnets didn't miss an eyelash. They truly showed us how it is done.

I love SFB in this ballet. I love the Royal Ballet and lots of others.

But the Mariinsky....there's nothing like it.

They Don't Need Capes or Superpowers

The superheroic Ninth Circuit Court has once again struck a blow for equality. Wouldn't it be funny if, at the end of their lengthy legal argument, the prevailing justices penned, "And besides, it just ain't right." Because in plain language, Proposition 8 just...ain't...right...on any level.

Today, I recorded my first radio spot. It was to promote Alameda Beauty College and will air on KMEL-FM! KMEL is the top-rated Urban music station in the San Francisco Bay Area! This opens up a whole new medium for me. At this point, I am just super excited! I posted this news on every social media site and emailed a few people to boot! It's like having a new marketing channel.

It was such a great experience. The studio was not far and was super clean and pleasant. The producer was highly professional but totally laid back. No weird airs or drama. The client was teleconferenced in. He had a strong personality, but he liked what I was doing. It was all done in just over half an hour. And now, folks all over northern, and even into central, California will hear my work. It's just so inspiring! This year has been all about broadcast. I started the year with an ad on cable. Lots of people saw it and phoned to let me know. Then, I just found out a TV spot I shot a year ago is airing on cable around the country. I haven't seen it, but others have seen it more than once! After years of doing industrials and print jobs that nobody saw, I feel like I am finally out of the closet! It's just a fantastic feeling!

On top of that, I wrote earlier this week an overview of the arts in the state of Mississippi. It was so much fun! Who knew MISSISSIPPI could claim two double-Pulitzer winners, along with such entertainment luminaries as Oprah Winfrey, B.B. King, Elvis, James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Muddy Waters. The list goes on and on! Is it something in the water or in the air? In addition, I wrote about Thalia Mara, who, through her books, is one of my earliest ballet teachers; opera, symphony and ballet in the state. actresses such as Cynthia Geary, Viveca Fox, and Sela Ward, and singers Faith Hill and Brandy. I also mentioned films that had been shot in the state, along with commentary on visual and folk artists. It felt great to decide whom to include, knowing this material will be read by students and adults for years to come. It feels like important work to me, and I am thrilled to have done the piece. I knew nothing about Mississippi, and now I know a little.

ECO-CONSCIOUSNESS AND FASHION AT CCA-SF

Yesterday, I served as interview subject for a fabulous group of fashion design students at CCA-SF. Their course deals with how eco-consciousness and fashion design intersect. The goal is that they, as designers, take responsibility for how the material is sourced, the conditions under which it is constructed, how well it will last, as they create beautiful and useful fashions for the modern woman.

These young women were so incredibly impressive, i cannot tell you. Strong, smart, bold individuals with a well-developed sense of self and of course, personal style. They asked such perceptive, insightful questions, I was blown away!

We talked at length about how clothing, image, and one's shifting sense of self interact over time. The whole thing was filmed for the sake of their class. And eventually, they'll be compiling all such interviews and creating a collection based in part on what they've gleaned. The final product will be on view at a huge show at the end of the year. So inspiring!

ALEC BALDWIN - OPERA FAN!

I'm watching Live From Lincoln Center's broadcast of the New York Phil's opening night concert, and who should pop up, interviewing, of all people, Renee Fleming? Alec Baldwin. Alec Baldwin?? Just goes to show you can't judge anybody 'til you know the whole story. Apparently, he is both an opera and a symphony fan. He was clearly thrilled to be interviewing the new conductor as well. 'Mazing! You just never know.

Women Warriors

It's no wonder the two police folk whose actions led to the discovery of the kidnapped girl were women. Or that the only neighbor to alert the police to the outlandish activities on the property was a woman.

HELP AT THE HERBST

How often does anyone visit the Herbst Theatre these days? I usually stick to the Opera House, Symphony Hall, or even Zellerbach.

But I wanted to see Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and New Century Chamber Orchestra's opening concert. Of all the brochures I received -- LA Opera, SF Opera, SF Symphony, CalPerformances, SFPerformances, etc. --- it was the only concert I knew I had to see.

I got there early (yea!) only to find a line at the single-stall Ladies room. "Isn't there another one downstairs?" I asked. "There's supposed to be one, but how do you get downstairs?" replied a distressed queuer.

"I thought it was over there," I replied, pointing distractedly to the other side of the building.

Then along came an angel. Dressed in black, of course.

"There are restrooms upstairs, if I remember this place," she said.

"Isn't it funny how no one can remember?" I said, following eagerly in her wake.

Two sets of stairs later (these older buildings -- beautiful but wearying (Who's up for renovating the space, by the way? I actually saw holes in the stairwell walls. My goodness!)), I followed along as the angel led me straight down the hall to the facilities.

Owing to her excellent memory, I was neither late for, nor uncomfortable during, the NCCO appearance.

And what a concert! Better and better with each piece. it ended with Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky. I am waiting with baited breath for the next scheduled concert.

Note to the Herbst Theatre: Some signage or even discreet arrows directing folks to the ladies room might be in order. I will happily spring for the expense myself.