Post-choreography. So hot.

Fact: In my younger days, I took 5 years of jazz dance classes. We’re talking sequins, spandex, and hair with enough AquaNet to withstand a tornado. The whole nine.

Last night, yours truly was thrust into the dancing world once again, as part of The White Hot Happening at the National Ballet’s White Hot Gala. After some incredible performances by newly promoted members of the company, as well as retiring dancer Chan Hon Goh, it was time to grab a martini and bust a few moves of my own.

And how on earth did I manage that? Like most of my crazy adventures, it was sort of by accident…

My friend Jess and I both receive emails from Dance Break, a program that makes ballet tickets more accessible to dance fans aged 16-29. I was out for coffee with another friend when I got a text message from Jess, asking me if I’d gotten the latest email, and if I wanted to go. I said I wasn’t sure, as I couldn’t actually see the email on my Blackberry, but that I’d let her know. She wisely pointed out that tickets would likely sell out quickly, due to the nature of the event and the fact that there were drinks after the performance with members of the company (ie. a super awesome night that was sure to rock our faces off). So I said, sure, yes, put me down for a ticket. Then I got back to the coffee…

When I got home that night, though, I was in for a surprise. Upon opening the actual email, I realized that this super awesome event was much more than I’d bargained for. In addition to the performance and the gala, there was going to be something called a “Happening,” which required me to go to a choreography session downtown. At the National Ballet. With Melissa Williams from So You Think You Can Dance Canada. Umm… Wait a minute. I have to dance? In front of strangers? Seriously?

Hello flashback to the early 90s! (Or Frosh Week, for that matter!)

When our choreography session rolled around in May, I walked into the studio and took a good look around. Surrounded by very fit women on all sides, I had a sudden urge to proclaim “this isn’t where I parked my car!” and run quickly out of the building. But thankfully, I stayed put. After all, how many times in my life am I going to get to learn a dance from Melissa Williams? Really now.

The choreography session was great fun—despite the presence of many video cameras—and we were asked to keep a lid on the dance so that it would be a big surprise for everyone at the White Hot Gala. And let me tell you, it was a secret worth keeping. Last night was a complete blasty blast. After a month of practice here and there, I’m happy to say that I danced my very best, and managed not to trip on my heels and face plant on the hardwood. What more could a girl ask for?

For more details on the White Hot Gala and Happening, check out this article from the Globe and Mail. And if a video of The Happening surfaces somewhere, you can be sure I’ll be posting it here as well!

Update: Here’s the video!