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.

Marvelous Monday, Part ll - The Evening Class

Hats & Taps' Monday started and ended on super high notes.  We were invited to Tap in the evening for an ARC (American River College) class regarding geriatrics.  Caring for seniors is a fast growing industry.  It was the final meeting for this class.  We came to dance, talk about being active seniors and answer any questions the students asked.  Many in our group are retired teachers, if there is such a thing.  Carol is a prime example.  She used to teach, and still does.  Only the subject matter has changed.  Even our most senior seniors confessed their ages which delighted and amazed the class. We learned more about each other as well.  And, we were even asked to do an encore!  Engaging with these students and the wonderful teacher of the class was a very special experience for us all.

We now, not only have a blog, but are out there on several peoples' Facebooks, UTube, and a possible twitter "Eat your heart out Hugh Hefner" comment, that tickled everybody! 

"Hats, I think yesterday was one of the most satisfying of my dancing.  The response to what we are doing was so gratifying.  Thank you all for your devotion to Hats and Taps.  Love, Carol".

Yes, a marvelous Monday, indeed!

A Marvelous Monday

Monday the 5th of December was a marvelous day!  Hats & Taps danced in the morning for the Easter Seals Cerebral Palsy Center.  What a delightful audience and staff they are! They were prepared for us with treats, water and a most charming sign!  We loved it!

 Many from the audience joined us dancing on the floor 

for the final number, Feliz Navidad.  

What a party it was, and a great way to start the day!

Lois, Rhoda, Connie, Mary, Linda 2, Ruthie on the floor, Liz, Carolyn, 

Linda 1, Santa Marie, and Carol.

Thanks to new member Mary for having her phone handy and clicking some pics! 

Our World Needs To Know....

Our Tapping World needs to know that every performance is special to us. We may not always get pictures posted or blog in a timely manner, but there isn't an audience we don't appreciate and enjoy tapping for. We had a wonderful time at St. Anthony's Church on November 17th, 2011.  The sun streamed into the tiled Foyer and twinkled on our tapping toes. The after-show hugs and comments were warm and welcome.  Thank you for having us!