An Urban Family - Part 1

It's fair to say that, in my line of work, I meet a lot more people in one year than most people do in a lifetime. It's not always a good thing (!) but over the last couple of weeks, I've realised that I really do have the most awesome friends and family - not just all over the country, but all over this beautiful world. And it's a beautiful moment when those two words "friends" and "family" start to become very different to tell apart.

It all started with an after work trip to the Bournemouth Christmas Markets, dropping into the temporary tavern for some mulled wine in cute bootie mugs. The girls at Pavilion Dance are such a giggle, and with 3 of us not wanting the evening to end after just one mug, we went in search of tapas and another glass of bubbly. Sat in La Tasca, feeling slightly light headed, I can remember smiling at my new and growing Bournemouth family and feeling contented that slowly, all I had ever wanted was beginning to slide the first pieces together.

Just a couple of days later, and following the final professional show of our season, I was invited to a game's night at another colleague's house. Not knowing what to expect, I found myself playing some epic games (including The Warewolves of Miller's Hollow - SO AWESOME, check it out!) laughing my socks off with some fellow northerners, (one of which reminded me very much of my little sister!) making lots of new friends and starting some interesting new traditions. After leaving at 2am and then being awoken by Pavilion Dance's Technician, Cally, who's exact words were "Get up, we're going for breakfast." Happily, (and sleepily) I complied, to the result of many more smiles.

From now on, at the end of every term, there will be a Cabaret event at Pavilion Dance, showcasing what our classes and companies have been working on over the past 11 weeks. The first was held this year on Sunday 16th December. 2BU, Pavilion Dance's Youth Company, whom I manage, were featured with their fantastic super hero piece, Super Selves. 2BU had been working with Animation students from the Arts University College Bournemouth (soon to be the Arts University Bournemouth) to create projections and a comic book programme for their dance piece. The result was stunning and as I frantically operated the projector throughout their performance, I was dancing around the lighting desk with pride for these talented young dancers (in between running back down to stage manage Stage Right and dancing with Ki in the wings, of course!)

The culmination of all things work related came on the Tuesday before Christmas, when the Artistic Team were treated to a 3 course lunch, followed by a Thai 3 course meal, lots of wine and Secret Santa with the rest of the Pavilion Dance South West Team for dinner. Those hardcore few of us then moved on to a beautiful wiskey lounge/cocktail bar, but not before indulging in a spot of tap dancing outside the restaraunt, of course!

Following work the next day, Ki invited me round for dinner at her's. After a bottle of wine, a lovely meal, a spot of present wrapping and a bit of Christmas TV, we ended up having a bit of a sleepover, and arrived in work the next morning loaded with supplies from Costa Coffee.

...And that's just the Bournemouth part of the tale. There's a tale involving some rather special but rather rowdy northerners, but it's not quite finished yet. Join me soon for the next episode...!