According to Lithuanian Tradition March 1st was the first day of spring. Of course it is still snowy and very cold, so it sure doesn't feel like spring to me... but it is very good to know that winter is almost over. At least now there are little old ladies on the street selling pussywillows, and the flower shops are filled with tulips and daffodils. On the day before (feb.28th) there is a celebration for mardigras where people get together eat pancakes all day...

I had a chance to watch the video of both performances on the bus back from Vilnius, and just as I predicted the second night was much better. I can't help but wonder what it would be like if I had more than a week to learn the choreography. ;) Also, Birute manged to get me two TV interviews, a radio interview and my photo in two newspapers. Of course I have no idea what the articles actually say, but everyone I know here has made some comment about the picture...

Today was my first "real" performance with Aura. I could have used at least another week of rehearsal, but I did the best I could. The performance consisted of two dances, "Extremum Mobile" and "Aceptic Zone". Each are about 30 mins, with a lot of fast violent floorwork. As you can imagine, I have bruises everywhere. But then so does everyone else, so at least I know that it is the choreography and not my dancing. :) I only had about a week to learn both dance...

Thursday was the Lithuanian Independance day, which gave the entire country four day weekend. There were flags everywhere, fireworks, and people going crazy. I celebrated by having rehearsal, and then going to a wonderful blues performance by a group from Chicago. Then on friday we went to the shore of the Baltic Sea. It was beautiful. There is a thin peninsula of sand that protrudes from the Lithuanian Coast (I will try to find a good map). From the top of t...

Arrrggggh.... The Flu. Both Sigita and I (as well as several of the other dancers) have been struck down. So, I haven't been doing much for the last week. Learning how to say peppermint and vitamin C in Lithuanian. Sleeping through most of the day. I still managed to teach some of my classes and prepare a short solo for a performance that Aura did yesterday in Vilnius. Nothing big. Luckily I started to feel much better on thursday, so everything went well. No s...