A Grand Finale

 After all the wonderful Holiday dancing, Linda 1 and Carolyn 

hosted a lovely luncheon for Hats & Taps.  

What cute aprons!  And cute hostesses!

Everyone contributed a dish and what a feast it was! 

Linda 1, Carolyn, Marie and Carol dig in.

 Mary and Marie trade places for another photo.

 Carolyn, Linda 1 and Connie pose for a picture 

dressed for the Season.

Liz, Rhoda, Linda 2 and Carolyn likewise looking very Holiday-ish.

Liz and Lois chow down in a comfortable spot.

 We were glad to see Margaret make it too. 

 Another pose with Christmas smiles aglow.

Mary looks on as, .....Aw, Linda 1 gets a cute Santa Doll.

Oh no she didn't.  Connie claimed it.

 Margaret admiring Carol's Christmas catch.

Rhoda glowing by the cozy fire.

Liz and Lois presenting their picks of presents for a picture.

 Linda 2 laughing and enjoying her card.

 Linda 1's sister, joined in the fun

My name is Marie and I belong to costumes anonymous.  

Rhoda is my sponsor and can't wait til I'm cured.

Meanwhile....  Carol sports her new tie accessory.

 Carol with her special gift of appreciation from the group. 

It has wheels and came with it's own logo and live set of instructions.

Thank you Rhoda, for making these individualized Logos!

Mary, Liz and Linda 2 with their Christmas scarves.  

Now everyone has one for next Christmas.

Many thanks, Linda 1, for opening your beautiful home and hosting this party with the help of side-kick Carolyn!  

We all appreciated it very much! 

It was a wonderful way to celebrate the 2011 

Grand Finale for Hats & Taps!

2011 Wrapped With A Bow

And we had miles to go........   

 Yountville Veterans Home, on December 14th, was the furthest Hats & Taps has traveled for a show!  A few cars caravanned the distance with much appreciated chauffeurs at the wheels.  A large possum crossed our path on the way out, setting the mood for a different kind of adventure.  The Elks Club had requested us for their Christmas dinner entertainment and, after our performance, provided a very welcome and warm dinner for us as well.

 We waited in this cozy room until our time to dance.

Ruth did the introductions as we readied for Raindrops.

It was a long and narrow packed room.  

Some of us danced with the podium, pillar, or poinsettia 

as we all did our best to angle our ranks and spread Christmas cheer.

 Dancing girls they wanted, and dancing girls they got!

We love to dance, and we Let It Snow

A change of hats,

And away we go.....

We may blink our eyes but the smiles are there...

That's one of the best things we have to share.

Find the biggest flirt.  Hmmmm....

Thanks to Carol's choreography and constant smile theory, 

that Sleigh was a wonderful Ride!

 You better watch out!

 Hats & Taps are coming to town.

To Tap and Smile and bring the House down!

 I Love this picture because Rhoda is laughing so hard, 

she's out of focus!

It is an awesome feeling, in these situations, wondering who is the giftor and who, the giftee, when all leave happy and overwhelmed with good feeling.  Special thank yous to Ruth and Carol 2 who, throughout the season, have been there to entertain and provide music relief and much appreciated support!  Thank you too, to Eric for these pictures of our last dance of the year!

We did miss our Lois, though.  Ms. Funglow!

 Connie, Linda 1, Carolyn, Liz, Carol, Marie, Rhoda, Mary, Linda 2.

It was a delightful evening!  One front row viewer told the gals that 

it was the best hours entertainment he had seen in years. 
That tidbit, others, and the whole joyfull
audience reaction sent us home on another high!     

Thank you Yountville Veterans and Elks!  

Seeing Rudolf's cousins on the way out was a fitting adieu 

as we headed for home in the dark.       

And to all, a good night!

I dreamt of Hats & Taps taking their bow all together with the
biggest of Holiday bows on this Christmas's gift of giving.

Well Wrapped

With a pleasant sigh of relief for the big show behind us, a Christmas cloudiness carried us to Crown Plaza on December 13th.  This is a place of giving.  A regular favorite, for the audience, small or large, is always eager to participate and enjoy the tidings of the season.  It's not always about the gift inside, but about the wrapping and intent with which it is given.   Merry Christmas to all!

When we tap our toes and turn around, 

not always in our intended places, 

we remind ourselves of why we're here, 

by the smiles on all those faces.

Wrap Up - Continued

Sunday, December 11th, was a big day!  Hats & Taps nervously prepared for Richard's (Carol's and many others' master tap teacher) River City Taps stage show at the 24th Street Theater.  Rehearsal was in the morning and several groups were to perform.  Carol rolled out her new number, Roxie, for the first act and we finished the whole show with Let It Snow.

Mary, Rhoda, Lois and Connie

This experience was a first for many of us as we danced on a stage looking out to a completely dark space. Thank goodness the dress rehearsal helped work out some kinks and the performance went well. Audience feedback was favorable.  Fun was had by all.  Nerves melted and a Sacramento winter's warm glow sent us home with smiles.

Thanks again to Mary for getting a picture of some of the group.  

December Wrap Up

Where to begin,... oh yes.  December 9th, Hats & Taps performed at the Dante Club for the Pulmo Pals.  Arranged due to Carolyn's connection, we squeezed in 3 wintery numbers for a packed room!   We lost Carolyn's Jimmy this year and are still at a loss for words.  Somehow though, I think Jimmy was there, watching and smiling, and shining through Carolyn's sparkling eyes.