early morning assembly performance

abingdon square, 6:30 am.
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as much as we grumble about getting up early, once we get outside we feel wonderful. this morning we met camille on the corner of west 11th and greenwich street and then walked to the L train at 8th avenue and 14th street. the sky was still growing bright, the air was crisp, and the 4/5 train was crowded!

we got off at 86th street and lexington and walked five long blocks to the brearley school by the east river. it always feels good to stand at an edge of manhattan . . seeing the sweep of the river after walking through the narrow city canyons always makes my heart sing. (in the background is the triborough bridge.)

they first rehearsed to space themselves in the auditorium.

waiting to go on.

the mamas sat up in the balcony, where i surreptitiously tried to take a few pictures and film excerpts. i actually wanted to get more of a side view of dancers and audience, but the little girls saw me aiming with my camera and started whispering and pointing. i had to disappear. not much escapes a child's notice during assembly!

after the performance, the children had many questions, which was nice! how did you make the tunics? how did you decide on the colors? what are the names of the dances? how long did you rehearse? how long have the girls been dancing?

lori had good ghirardelli chocolate for everyone. chanda's mouth looks quite full!