Class Gossip: TMI and Honorable Mentions
Vic Demonde the new Associate Artistic Director of the John W. Engeman Theater, Long Island's newest year-round Equity theater! For more info go to www.johnwengemantheater.com!!!...Alvin Ailey commercial... Zumba dance fitness class with Ben Byrd (a very fun guy and one of Kat's great friends) offers a fusion of Latin and International music and dance themes that create a fun and effective body-sculpting workout...Here are Erik's photos from the performance on Oct 5th showcasing pieces of choreography by Irene and Yuka and the dancers include: Khiara, Laura, Anna, Bea, Eriko, Taylor, Abril...Richard C.'s first job....NATEKid gets offered and an online distribution deal. Wooo hooo check it out-plug inyour headphones and download for free here...Welcome back, Allie, our lil' star of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

Tony at Circular Power: FYI: Tony trains Kat 4 times per week in preparation for this, yet another 'Nutcracker" season. Circular Power has a wonderful talented team of teachers working with several of your fellow classmates and professional dancers and athletes. More about Gyrotonics here -- its an excellent cross-training system for dancers & others as well.

*Note all Kat's private lessons are also currently scheduled for Sundays all day and Thursdays after 4pm, at the Circular Power Studios conveniently located at 850 7th ave Suite 305.

Andros on Ballet: Mr A is a dear friend, teacher and mentor to Kat for over 20++ years now. He has the answers to all those ballet questions!

Book Excerpt: In the Wings: Behind the Scenes at the New York City Ballet, by Kyle Froman. Available October 2007. Synopsis: A beautifully illustrated, behind-the-scenes look at the New York City Ballet and its dancers. In the Wings brings to life the exhilarating, awe-inspiring, and physically demanding life of the dancers in the largest dance company in America. Stunning color and black-and-white photographs combine with the text to give a firsthand view of what it takes to dance at the highest level, from the rigors of daily training and injuries to the transcendent moments on stage at the end of the day. Including a foreword by Peter Martins, this book will inspire and intrigue ballet buffs, aspiring performers, and arts-lovers. Kyle Froman is an 11-year member of the corps de ballet of the New York City Ballet and a gifted photographer. He was awarded the first Rudolph Nureyev Scholarship at the School of American Ballet.

Deals:
Sign up for free stuff at Bloch here...Danny's last minute dance deal !!!! Adult Charles River Pants $1.00 WHAAA?......

For Two Weeks BROADWAY SCARES on eBay Offers Unique Items from Wicked, Sweeney Todd, Phantom, Bat Boy and More! Game: CAT BOWLING...May I have this dance?

Now, you can see CHICAGO-The Musical for just $66.50! Enter code CHWBX95.

Hotel: When you visit New York City, you owe it to yourself to stay where it all comes together for one unique experience. You are invited to stay for a special rate available and, best of all, as part of W Hotels' We Care philosophy, 10% of your room rate will be donated to BC/EFA.

Select the W Hotel that reflects your distinct style or treat yourself and try all 5 experiences. This offer is valid from March 15th 2007 - December 31st 2007. Here's how to secure your room reservation:

1. Visit whotels.com or call 1.877.whotels and request the BROADWAY rate.
2. Choose from one of the 5 W Hotels in New York:

* W New York - 541 Lexington Avenue
* W New York - The Court -130 East 39th Street
* W New York - The Tuscany - 120 East 39th Street
* W New York - Times Square - 1567 Broadway
* W New York - Union Square - 201 Park Avenue South

1. This offer is valid from March 15th 2007 - December 31st 2007
2. Enter in the Promo Code BROADWAY
3. BC/EFA will earn 10% of your room rate.

The rates are based on availability and advance reservations. Select blackout dates may apply.To find out more about this offer from W Hotels, click here

Weekly Tips: Pointe, Health and Shopping
POINTE
No Ribbons Required, review, By Ariel Merrick
When San Francisco's Smuin Ballet performed at the Joyce Theater in New York City in August, we couldn't help noticing the female dancers' bare legs and shiny skin-toned pointe shoes without ribbons. We immediately wondered why and how this was done. Robin Cornwell, a member of the company since September 2002, says the women have been wearing their pointe shoes this way for about two years, since they performed a piece to the music of Frank Sinatra.

The company is relatively small-16 dancers-so they each usually perform in at least two ballets each night. They noticed that the ribbons slowed them down during quick changes and that their legs looked longer with only elastics. In order to prepare her pointe shoes for a performance, Robin dabs them with a makeup base that matches her skin tone. Then to make the shoes shiny and to match her skin, she applies a mixture of tan-colored Rit dye and rubbing alcohol. She then sews her elastics on with dental floss, which is much stronger than regular thread, and uses Jet Glue or hobby glue to keep the tips from getting too soft.

**KAT'S NOTE**: Although this may be a lovely line for certain performances, in daily classes & rehearsals you should always wear ribbons on your pointe shoes to stablize, support and maintain ankle strength. The ankle joint is made up of three bones,the tibia, fibula and talus & are connected to each other by ligaments. Think of ligaments as thick rubber bands that hold bones together so that joints are stable and function properly.

The stability of your ankle joint is dependent upon the ability of these bones to keep the central bone in place while the ankle moves back and forth and ribbons help assist in that stability. Ankle sprains are common injuries that occur when ligaments are stretched or torn. The ankle sprain is the most common athletic injury. Nearly 85% of ankle sprains occur laterally, or on the outside of ankle joints.

Be safe-Wear your ribbons!! And if you feel you have a foot injury, go see Dr Novella D.P.M., he has the scoop on dancers and their feet. www.thomasnovelladpm.com.

Have you heard of these?? Pointe Snaps for those who really don't wanna sew ribbons...lol!!

NUTRITION
Our food typically travels 1,500-2,500 miles from farm to plate. Support for local farmers. Prime Apple season facts:
The nutritional benefits of apple (as well as applesauce and many other apple products) are often underestimated because these foods are "quietly virtuous." When closely evaluating the nutritional composition of apple products, it becomes apparent that the lack of fat, cholesterol and sodium are just a few of the many reasons these products are an important part of a healthful dietary regimen.Fruit sugars such as those found in an apple serve as an immediate source of energy. Recent research suggests that it is the antioxidants that are plentiful in apple juice which are responsible for improving cognitive function. To learn more about this research, click here.

ANATOMY
NEED A HEAD? body fact: Your body uses 300 muscles to balance itself when you are standing still. Facial Toning designed to stimulate the 57 (fifty-seven) muscles, which construct our face and neck. Men and women are turning to yoga to help look younger. See the video.

Are you interested in increasing your flexibility? Well Kat sure was, and scheduled a private workout with Rachel a very beautiful dancer whom invented this stretcher and she is in town till the end o' the month.

Kat's Weekly Mailbag
Dear Kat,I am so thrilled to be a student of yours and tickled to be on your newsletter distribution. BTW, I LOVE the photo of your SAB ID...too cute!Thanks, L.
--Awwww, shucks!!! Thank you for being a part of my life tutu!!

I always look forward to taking your classes, Kat. You have such a way with teaching that makes taking ballet fun in spite of how hard and challenging it can be. I do aspire to be a better dancer. I think my technique is getting better. And even though my years are beyond those of a professional dancer, I still aspire to be the best dancer I can be. Thanks so much to you!! I love you so much. You are a blessing!! See you in class tonight!! C.

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