Highlights of My Neighbour Totoro Show

I am delighted to present you the highlights of our last show My Neighbour Totoro. It was an amazing time and I am very glad to have it recorded on a DVD!



It is great to see all children and families dancing and enjoying this very special moment. It is a really lovely gift and memory for the future.

(If watching on a computer, click at the bottom right for full screen.)

To buy a DVD, please contact me on 07550 722 693 or rod_maf@yahoo.com.

Flying to the end of the year show

I am delighted we are having a new end of the year show. This year our show is based on My Neighbour Totoro, a Japanese animated film from 1988, written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. Original music score is by Joe Hisaishi.

The story is about two young girls, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside with their father to stay close to the hospital where their ill mother is. The film is about the two girls' interactions with their new surroundings and the friendly wood spirits they meet in rural Japan.

With the beautiful animation, magical landscapes and wonderful music, it is an inspiring and so heart-warming story for all ages.

This year the venue is the Theatre at the Oxford House, in Bethnal Green, East London. Also, we are having a professional dance filming team to film the performance and produce a DVD, so exciting!

Saturday, 1 July 2017

12h00 noon

Oxford House

Derbyshire St

London E2 6HG

Oxford House, Bethnal Green

I can't wait to see our school together to culminate the year in a wonderful end of the year performance - and you are all invited!

Mafalda

See our previous years' shows:

2014/15 Under The Sea

2015/16 'Still Life' at the Penguin Café

The Nutcracker Repertoire Workshop for Adults

Thursday, 16 February 2017

6.15 - 7.30pm

ISTD2 Studios, London EC1

I am delighted to offer The Nutcracker Repertoire Workshop for adult ballet learners. It is open to all levels.

The Nutcracker programme, Royal Ballet 2016/17

In this workshop you will learn repertoire of the Royal Ballet's production, which I have learned directly with Nathalie Harrison, First Artist of the company. The repertoire piece is for all abilities.

You will also learn about the story, choreographers, music, and other curiosities of this enchanting ballet. The workshop will be set to Tchaikovsky's wonderful score.

No experience needed, only lots of enthusiasm to have a good time.

Price

Per person - £20

If you bring a friend - £15 each

To secure your place, payment should be made by bank transfer. You can also pay on the day, but we cannot guarantee you a place.

Bank details
Name: Mafalda Rodrigues
Sort code: 20-46-57
Account no: 03174301
Reference: Name Nutcracker

Time

6.15 - 7.30pm

There is another booking at 7.30pm, so we will have to finish on time. I will be in the studio at 6.00pm and we can start as soon as everybody is ready.

Where

ISTD2 Studios - the Basement Studio
346 Old Street
London EC1V 9NQ
view map

Numbers are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.

To book your place, contact Mafalda on 07550 722 693 or rod_maf@yahoo.com

I look forward to seeing you there!

We have weekly ballet classes for adults. More info in Adult Classes.

Ballet Storytelling Session - The Nutcracker

Wednesday, 15 February 2017

3.00 - 5.00pm

Hackney Forge, London E9

I am delighted to invite you to our first ballet storytelling session we are having this half term break.

If you are looking to entertain the little ones with a quality activity, what better to do than to let your imagination dive in one of the most beautiful ballet stories of all times, The Nutcracker.

This storytelling session is open to all ages and all family.

Here children and adults will listen to the story of The Nutcracker as in the Royal Ballet production, told along with the magical Tchaikovsky's score.

Children and adults will also have the chance to try some gestures and dance movements unique to this enchanting ballet.

Prices

Child & Adult - £15

Sibling or friend - £10 each

Extra adults are free. Children can also come without parents.

Where

Hackney Forge
243a Victoria Park Road
London E9 5HD
view map

Numbers are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.

To book your place, contact Mafalda on 07550 722 693 or rod_maf@yahoo.com

I look forward to seeing you there!

Workshop de Ballet no Porto (Portugal) - O Quebra-Nozes

Quarta, 28 de Dezembro

19h00 - 21h00

Olá a todas/os! Estou muito contente de oferecer um workshop de ballet na zona do Porto nestas datas festivas do Natal, perfeita altura para mergulhar na magia do Quebra-Nozes.

Sendo originalmente do Porto e tendo dado os primeiros passos de ballet no antigo Parnaso, é com muito entusiasmo e carinho que ofereço pela primeira vez um workshop na minha terra natal.

Mal posso esperar poder juntar antigas alunas e amigas com quem nos diferentes momentos nos cruzámos a dançar. Junta-te a nós, vem partilhar memórias e o amor pela dança!

Workshop

O workshop será uma aula técnica seguida de repertório do Quebra-Nozes do Royal Ballet (Londres). Vem dançar o Quebra-Nozes com a inspiradora música de Tchaikovsky.

Neste workshop vou introduzir a história do Quebra-Nozes e produção do Royal Ballet; música e curiosidades; e dar a conhecer o trabalho da Royal Opera House e do Royal Ballet.

Programa de The Nutcracker (O Quebra-Nozes), Royal Ballet 2016/17.

Como professora formada pela Royal Opera House e Royal Ballet School, o workshop vai reflectir a minha experiência com estas instituições, seus métodos de ensino e departamentos educativos de divulgação, e com bailarinos actuais e outros profissionais. Tragam as vossas perguntas!

Nível

O nível é geral, adaptado aos participantes, mínimo 1 ano de experiência. Todos são bem-vindos a partir dos 14 anos.
Workshop é também adequado a professores que queiram expandir conhecimento técnico e de repertoire.

Encontro

Antes do workshop podemos encontrar-nos em hora a combinar e partilhar memórias, trazer fotos, contar histórias e conhecer antigo/as aluno/as. Sugestões bem-vindas!

Vem desfrutar do ballet e sempre encantador Quebra-Nozes. Aprende mais sobre o mundo do ballet e dança com amigos!

Reserva já, lugares limitados.

Preços

€19 por pessoa

Traz um/a amigo/a - €15 por pessoa

Quando

Quarta, 28 de Dezembro

19h00 - 21h00

Onde

CulturDANÇA
Rua Tenente Valadim, 662
Candela, Vila Nova de Gaia
ver mapa

Para reservar lugar, por favor contacta:

Mafalda Rodrigues

0044 7550 722 693 (disponível também em WhatsApp) ou rod_maf@yahoo.com

The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House, 2 Jan at 2pm

These Christmas holidays, a group of parents and students of our school are going to see The Royal Ballet's production of The Nutcracker at the beautiful Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

The Nutcracker

Royal Opera House

2nd January 2017, 2.00pm

Guided Visit

Before the performance, I will offer a guided visit where you will be introduced to:

- the story and production we are about to see

- the music and other curiosities about the ballet

- the Royal Opera House and work of The Royal Ballet

- plus be accompanied during the event.

This has a cost of £12 per person.

Tickets

The performance is now sold out, although there is still a chance for you to get tickets.

The Royal Opera House has the Friday Rush tickets, which is a number of tickets that are made available to buy online on Fridays from 1pm for performances from following Saturday to Friday. This means that for our performance day, you need to check the web on Friday, 30 December at 1pm and you may find tickets! Please be mindful that tickets sell very fast as soon as they are available, so make sure you check the web as soon as tickets go on sale. Here see more info and to buy > Friday Rush tickets

The ROH also releases return tickets (tickets that have been returned by people that will no longer attend) until the day of the performance. You can check the website regularly and see if there are any returns (they usually release by lunch time) > The Nutcracker, Monday 2 January 2017, 2pm

It is a truly magical production, everybody should see it once in their lifetime. Get inspired by the video bellow :)

Hope to see you there, "it wouldn't be Christmas without it"!

Christmas with Ballet

Here is a list of ballet and dance shows for all the family to see in London this Christmas, plus a documentary to watch on TV on Christmas Day. Wish you have a wonderful and inspiring Christmas!

Ballet and Dance Shows

- The Nutcracker, The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House

Until 12 January

http://www.roh.org.uk/productions/the-nutcracker-by-peter-wright

This is the ballet Christmas show I recommend the most, it is a really magical production in a beautiful venue, immensely inspiring for children and grownups.

Parents and students of our school are going to see this production on 2nd January 2017 at 2pm. The performance is now sold out, although if you'd like to join us, there is still a chance for you to get tickets > here see how.

Other shows:

- The Nutcracker, English National Ballet at the London Coliseum

Until 7 January

https://londoncoliseum.org/whats-on/nutcracker-201617/?action=book

- Snowman, Birmingham Repertory Theatre at the Peacock Theatre

Until 1 January

http://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2016/the-snowman/

- The Sleeping Beauty, The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House

Until 14 March

http://www.roh.org.uk/productions/the-sleeping-beauty-by-marius-petipa

For 3 months-4 years old:

- Sponge, Turned On Its Head at the Barbican

Until 21 December

https://www.barbican.org.uk/theatre/event-detail.asp?ID=19633

Cinema

- Ballerina, in main stream cinemas

From 23 December

TV Documentary

On Christmas Day, watch The Royal Ballet's production of The Nutcracker behind the scenes:

- Dancing the Nutcracker - Inside the Royal Ballet, BBC Two, 25 Dec at 4.00pm

http://www.roh.org.uk/news/bbc-to-broadcast-behind-the-scenes-nutcracker-documentary-during-christmas-2016

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b086kdzl

Enjoy and Happy Christmas! * * *

Christmas Ballet Gifts

The first term is now over, 12 weeks just flew by! Our term couldn't have ended better than with the magic and inspiration of our adventures of The Nutcracker, it was like no other. Our little dancers were completely mesmerised in the last weeks!

Christmas is here and so are special gifts! Here see a list of eight special ballet gifts I have carefully selected perfect for little dancers. These items I can supply and deliver in time for Christmas.

Do not hesitate to contact me on rod_maf@yahoo.com to order your favourite gifts. Please note due to Christmas season, we have a very strict deadline to accept orders.

Important Notes

- Deadline for orders: Tuesday 20 December, 11.00am

- Delivery: In person in Victoria Park Village, Wed 21 December afternoon

Pointe Shoe Key Ring

£7.50

Ballerina Stickers

£5.50

Silver Purse with Elastic Bands

£2.90

Rag Doll Ballerina (45cm tall)

£13.90

Katz Pearl Handle Musical Jewellery Box with Mirror

£17.90

Little Ballerina Dance Bag

£14.90

Katz Ballerina Hard Case

£18.90

Capezio Shoes Backpack (Purple)

£16.90

'Still Life' at the Penguin Café - 2015/16 End of the Year

Last academic year was full of adventures, laughs and wonderful learning, including a visit to the Royal Opera House for a family day and group trips to see ballet performances.

Our year couldn't have been better - it ended with our show 'Still Life' at the Penguin Café.

Show programme. Illustration and design by Roman Perona

It was a blast! All our classes participated, including the beginner adults, and even mums danced to surprise their children. All students did beautifully and everyone had a wonderful time.

Fleas - Years 2&3 Advanced class

'Still Life' at the Penguin Café - The Ballet

'Still Life' at the Penguin Café is probably one of my favourite ballets. It was created for the Royal Ballet in 1988 by David Bintley (at the time resident choreographer with the company) and features wonderful and uncommon music composed by Simon Jeffes, founder of the Penguin Café Orchestra.

This ballet raises awareness of our planet and endangered species of the animal kingdom. It is a metaphor for the salvation of animals and also of people and humanity.

Monkeys in rehearsal

Monkeys in rehearsal

Monkeys in rehearsal

The theme, dance and music are completely unexpected for a ballet. This production is a modern approach to ballet, influenced by world music and dance.

Our end of the year show was an inspiring and entertaining time that lured all dancers and audience into a heartened and fun atmosphere.

You can find links to original music and ballet at the end of the post.

Texan Kangaroo Rats strike a pose

Monkeys' dance

A Creative Show

Our show was the result of collaborative creativity between me as teacher and show director, students and parents. The dances were based on the original ballet and created with the students input. Costumes and makeup were created within given guidelines for each group, which parents and students freely explored.

In the pictures you can see the results of the costumes, while students show their character's favourite position.

Penguins - Nursery class

Texan Kangaroo Rats - Year 1 class

Monkeys - Reception class

The creative costumes absolutely amazed me. Even all students being different from each other, the groups were clearly cohesive. I love to see such creativity and collaborative participation - good job mums and dads, as well as adult students!

Zebras - Adult class

The Ark - all groups together

Transformation With Performance

It was fantastic to see students transformation throughout the weeks towards the show. At their own levels, all students improved immensely. They got fully involved with their characters and dances and applied themselves to the maximum.

Adult students, as well as mums in their surprise dance, did particularly well for overcoming stage fright and vulnerability in a new performance environment - and it became a powerful experience.

In an adult student's words, "it was an experience of personal enrichment where I have connected with my artistic self. As a performer, I felt myself a channel of energy, it was a privilege".

Zebras in rehearsal

Zebras in rehearsal

Zebras in rehearsal

Dance For All

To end the show, parents and friends and all audience of all ages and abilities, joined us on stage to dance together with one and only aim: to have fun.
This year we danced to 'Celebrate', a music ironically part of soundtrack of Penguins of Madagascar film. It was fantastic way to end, with such powerful energy - well done all!

From babies to grannies dancing together at the end of the show

Results of a Stimulating Artistic Experience

The performance experience was extremely good for all students, whether children or adults. Our show not only helped learn about a ballet, history and repertoire and expand technical skills, but it also boosted participants' confidence and the sense of school community was empowered.

Child form Monkey's group with Mafalda

In the third year of business, this was our second end of the year show and the first repertoire adaptation. I'm thrilled with how it went. Thank you all for your effort and commitment.

It was a pleasure to develop such creative and stimulating artistic experience for all involved, whether children, adults, mums only, or whole families. I just love doing it, it gives me life - can't wait for next year's! I hope our show has enriched everyone's hearts as it has mine.

I look forward to the start of our new academic year!

End of Fleas' dance

Link to original music on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/122qCupASXUMZyZSeP8qvJ
Link to original ballet by the Royal Ballet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyhEpzBLwd4

Invitation

I am delighted to invite you to our end of the year show. I am immensely happy we are heading to our second show since we started our classes three years ago. See our last year's end of the year show - Under The Sea.

This year our show is an adaptation of 'Still Life' at the Penguin Café, a ballet created for the Royal Ballet in 1988.

This ballet raises awareness of the animal kingdom, the environment and the destruction of the planet. The wonderful music by The Penguin Cafe Orchestra combined with the theme and choreography creates an inspiring ballet for both children and grownups. It is a modernist approach to ballet.

Come and join us in this dancing and loving afternoon to see from our 2 year-olds to our beginner adults perform.

The show is open to previously enrolled students, to those considering enrolling from September, and to all wishing to come for an entertaining afternoon.

Saturday, 9 July 2016

3.45pm

Chisenhale Dance Space

64-84 Chisenhale Road
London E5 5QZ

view map

Dress Code
Smart. Colours: black, white, gold or fuchsia pink.

Come ready to be part of the party! As guests at the Penguin Cafe, you are dressed very elegantly. Our show is a collaborative and inclusive experience for all participants and audience.

Tickets
£5 per person; young children that sit on lap don't require ticket.

There are limited tickets available for general public. Tickets can be purchased in person on the day of the performance or directly with me prior to the day subject to availability.

I look forward to seeing you all there!

Contact to book your place:

07550 722 693 / rod_maf@yahoo.com

Visits to the Ballet - Autumn Season

Our previous visits to the ballet both with adults to see Obsidian Tear/The Invitation/Within The Golden Hour at the Royal Opera House, and with families to see My First Sleeping Beauty, were a success! We are now planning our next visits to the ballet in the autumn season for both adults and children.

We are going to the Royal Opera House to see the productions bellow. Prior to the ballets, I will offer a guided talk.

The Nutcracker

Royal Opera House

Monday 2 January 2017, 2.00pm (bank holiday)

This visit is open to all, adults, children and families, and any friends who would like to join us.

The Nutcracker is a wonderful ballet that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. It's magical especially at this time of the year, and it's a great choice as first full-length production children see.

Wayne McGregor Triple Bill
Chroma / New Wayne McGregor (no name yet) / Carbon Life

Royal Opera House

Thursday 10 November 2016, 7.30pm - the premiere

This visit is open to adults, adult students and parents of children enrolled in our classes, and any friends that would like to join us. Please note this visit is not suitable for young children.

This ballet is a triple bill, which means a night with three different works, in this case of the choreographer Wayne McGregor. He is one of the most influential and avant-garde choreographers of today that is redefining the language of dance and ballet. This ballet includes the world premiere of his new work for the Royal Ballet.

Guided Talk and Visit

Prior to the ballet, we will meet at a local cafe (place and time to be confirmed close to the date) near the Royal Opera House and I will introduce you:

• the ballet we are about to see
• the choreographers, composers and other curiosities
• the Royal Opera House and its work

It is possible to book our talk at a restaurant of the Royal Opera House if all are willing to eat/consume minimum £10 per person. I recommend this option for convenience.

Tickets Price Range (good view seats):

The Nutcracker

• £92-£42
• half-price tickets for under-18s - up to two adult full-price tickets and up to four half-price tickets for under 18s in top-price seats in the Orchestra Stalls/Stall Circle and the Amphitheatre

Chroma / New Wayne McGregor / Carbon Life

• £50-£21

Booking arrangement, guided visit and support throughout the event:

• £12 on the top of the ticket

BOOKING

Advance booking opens on 15 June at 9.00am. I have ROH membership so I can book tickets for us in advance of the general public.

Please note as these are very sought-after productions - especially The Nutcracker - I strongly advise to book as early as possible on the booking opening day as the seats sell out very fast.

Please note I am only able to buy the tickets once the total amount is paid into bank account.

Bank details
Sort code 20-46-57
Account No. 03174301
Ref: Name ROH

If you'd like to join us, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss ticket options.

It will be a great event. Come and see a ballet. Have a good time while learning about this high art form.

For more info about the ballets, see the Royal Opera House website - The Nutcracker, Chroma/New Wayne McGregor/Carbon Life.

Come and bring a friend. Can't wait to see you there!

Booking for Summer Term

BOOKING FOR SUMMER TERM IS OPEN

If you wish to enrol your child in our classes for the summer term, book now, we have last places available.

We have a waiting list for some of the classes so if we have enough people interested, it is likely we open new classes. Express you interest.

You can see our timetable and term dates here - Timetable

We will be back on the week commencing 11th April.

PAYMENT OF FEES

To secure your place in the summer term, payment have to be completed by Monday 4th April. If this if your first time in our classes, the taster session has to be paid by then too.

Please note your place can only be secured once payment is completed.

You can find all information about fees, payment policy and bank details here - Fees

I wish you a Happy Easter and look forward to seeing you all next term!

Going to the Ballet - My First Sleeping Beauty

I am delighted to invite children and families to go to the ballet this Easter!

We are going to the Peacock Theatre in Holborn (Central London) to see My First Sleeping Beauty, a production of the English National Ballet and English National Ballet School. Before the ballet, I will do a Guided Visit.

This is a beautiful ballet show carefully designed for children from 3 years old, so all the family is welcome to have a good time at the ballet.

I have worked at the English National Ballet School at the time they were developing this production and can tell you more details about it. This ballet is a wonderful experience for the children and families.

This visit is open to children and families currently or previously enrolled in our classes and to any friends that want to join us.

My First Sleeping Beauty

Peacock Theatre

Friday, 1 April

Guided Visit: 10.00am

Show time: 11.00am

Details of the event:

This ballet is a shorter version of the Sleeping Beauty ballet and has a narrator to help the young audience fully understand the story and dancing. It is set to the inspiring Tchaikovsky's score. It's a perfect introduction to the beauty of ballet performance and a great family day out.

Guided Visit

Prior to the ballet, we will meet at the theatre and I will introduce you:

• the story of the Sleeping Beauty ballet
• the adaptation of "My First" series
• the English National Ballet and English National Ballet School

Parents and children in visit to the ballet "My First Coppélia" 2014

Prices of Tickets and Guided Visit

Tickets:

• Good tickets now available are between £15-£25

Booking arrangement, guided visit and support throughout the event:

• £10 on the top of the ticket

Please note I am only able to buy your tickets once the total amount is paid into bank account.

Bank details
Sort code 20-46-57
Account No. 03174301
Ref: Name MFSB

If you'd like to join us, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss ticket options, the tickets go fast.

It will be a really lovely day at the ballet with the little ones. Come and have a good time while learning more about this beautiful art form.

For more info about the ballet, see the Sadler's Wells website.

Bring a friend. Can't wait to see you there!