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How do you get to the White House?
For DC-area dance students today, the answer is practice, practice, practice.
As part of a White House series aimed at stressing the importance of arts education, 20 high school-age dancers from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and the Joy of Motion Dance Center performed the closing number from the musical "Hairspray," in front of an audience including First Lady Michelle Obama, as well as the parents and teachers of the performers.
Later tonight, the group will perform in the East Room along with Broadway stars and new talent in a tribute to the Great White Way, as part of the "In Performance at the White House" series.
The students had spent the morning rehearsing the song, "Can't Stop The Beat," with famed choreographer Jerry Mitchell, one of the few in his craft to have three Broadway musicals running simultaneously (in fact, he's held this distinction twice, according to information provided by the White House).
Before the East Room event officially got under way, Mitchell led the dancers through the routine one last time, pausing over a particularly challenging few steps.
"Now do it again and smile," Mitchell said.
After the First Lady entered the room, the dancers took it from the top, hands and legs flying as purple lights bounced off of the hairspray coating each dancer's heads.
When the number reached its triumphant end, Mitchell praised the students but reserved some constructive criticism, telling the students to take it "from the Tracey dance" (named for the musical's lead character, Tracey Turnblad), at which point he gave more directions, some more technical than others.
During a sequence in which the dancers mimicked some iconic "Proud Mary" moves, Mitchell simply shouted, "And, Tina! Turner! Tina! Turner!" in time with the music.
The First Lady took to the stage after the performance ended, shaking her head and saying, "I'm tired!" much to the amusement of the audience.
"I'm just very excited. This is exactly what we envisioned happening when we started this music series," she said, adding that the event "showcases young talent mixed with some of the best talent this country has to offer."
Mitchell proudly told the First Lady that he hadn't gone easy on the students - they had learned the exact same routine that the show's Broadway dancers perform each night.
After shaking each student's hand, Mrs. Obama said that President Obama would be attending the event this evening, and told the dancers not to be intimidated.
"He's harmless. Just keep moving!" she said.
Leave a Comment:
Oh Boy! This should set the right wings nuts hair on fire!
You know... we hear it all the time... Damn those Obama's for all the entertaining they do!
Doesn't matter to them that these are students who have the opportunity of a life time!
Positive actions in NO way can be tolerated by the righties!
Let the Kobe Beef comments commence in 3...2...1... lol
Red,
It's because the GWB Administration had some REAL stale boring events when he was there. They don't understand the true meaning of Art's and Sciences...wasn't President Obama the first President that introduced technology into the White House and the Office of the Presidency?
Chit! The Repubs just learned how to twitter and that is something that I REFUSE to do! LMAO!!!
LOL Anita!
Pretzels & Punch has a tendency to go stale real fast!
Red,
LOL yes it does and ewwwww...I'll take suds with my pretzels!
Speaking of suds... no doubt 'W' did too... just when no one was watching! ;0)
Red,
Chit! judging from his speech (anguished anglish ...not English mind you) I'm inclined to agree with you.
Stop with the booze jokes already. Mr Boehner is in NO mood for it.
Drive by!
LOL!!!
I was even of the "Give The Pretzel Another Chance" crowd, lol!!
HOW. MUCH. DOES. THIS. COST.
Another Obama program to provide themselves and their friends with exclusive entertainments on the taxpayers dime. they include enough 'officials' so that we foot the bill.
Lord, if he were a republican. . .
Who has a problem with Kobe Beef? He won the championship, didn't he?
You got that right, Feisty. I think one was whining about the WH entertainment this morning!
Personally, I say cheers to President and First Lady Obama for bringing the People's House back to life. What a thrill for these young students--they can tell their children and grandchildren about their day at the White House.
I'm old enough to remember Camelot and like the idea of a second version.
Jody,
Isn't it nice to see again...
Absolutely wonderful.
I'll second that Jody!
I was too young for the first Camelot, but every time I see OUR President with his beautiful loving family it brings me a smile!
I was in 8th grade when Pres Kennedy was elected. It was magic, it was Camelot and I see the same kind of magic now.
Dancing in the Whitehouse! It must be some socialist commie plot. And besides, how can Obama even think of allowing dancing in the Whitehouse while so many people are unemployed and the gulf oil leak has sprung another leak. And using purple lighting! How dare he allow a lighting color made famous by Michael Jackson and Prince. Must be an African Amercian conspiracy of some kind to take over the Whitehouse for good.
Ok JoAnneSmith, you can take it from here.
Oh, boy, that just might set them off but it should be fun to watch.
It may be awhile CA...
Selfish Redhead is still on the last thread trying her hardest to be 'funny'!
It's a sad thing really - going through life ignorant and lacking wit...
CA,
If you are going to use up all their talking points we will never get them to say anything. LOL
Feisty:
I thought she might come back with the comment that some of these little twerps performing probabaly have parents that are unemployed and that after performing they'll be asking Obama for handouts, like a sandwich or some punch or maybe God forbid even five bucks so they can stop at McDonalds on their way home. Then proceed into a rant about how the Whitehouse is becoming the center of socialism where even kids can go to get a damn peanut butter sandwich at (her) and taxpayers expense. In closing I thought she might want to tell the little weasels to keep their mouths shut and that after their performance to get the heck out of her Whitehouse through the back door of the basement kitchen, and don't even think about asking for a glass of water. That would add to the Whitehouse water bill and therefore the deficit.
LMAO - You sure got her number CA!
Thanks for sharing!
Dennis, Columbus:
It's easy to be negative, and if not so sad kind of fun. Try it sometime. And if enough of us do try it now and again perhaps the JoAnneSmiths of the world will disappear. Or would we be embolding them even more...........oh my, forget what I just suggested here.
CA & Feisty,
Ever notice how much she uses “cut and paste” so she won’t forget what she is talking about. I guess she just can’t follow the discussion with out flash cards.
Excellent point Dennis - I never thought of it that way! Flash Cards lmao!
Another thing to notice is how when challenged the selfish redhead disappears for a while to look for help from the rest of the 'gang'!
Btw: CA - like I mentioned she's still over at the last thread spinning herself dizzy! And demanding an apology out of you!
I know this is like begging for a rash, but where the heck is C U Farley today? The rats in his mom's basement chew off his typing fingers??
Damn it Drive-By!
I thought I was going to make it a whole week! lmfao!
While I'm at it, would it be considered to be in bad form if I whipped up a little ad on here for JoAnna's new line of donuts??
"Try some NEW JoAnnaSmith brand Low Cal Diet Donuts- All hole, and little else" ?
Feisty
The right is going get all "wee wee'd up" too because the RepbliCAN'ts get nervous about indoctination and anything Obama.
The First Lady is a classy lady I'll bet she didn't miss a beat.
Half wit -half governor will tweet to"refudiate" the indoctrianation. Ya betcha
Bighollywood breibart.com will send the fake ACORN pimp there to do a video.
Hiya Bev,
I almost fell off my chair this morning laughing when I heard the Tart of the Tundra compare herself to Shakespeare!
You're kidding? Shakespeare? The woman can't string a coherent sentence together let alone a classic work. Darn, I missed that. No doubt Ed, Countdown or Rachel will report on that one.
Right wingers, NO I AM NOT JEALOUS because Palin is pretty--I just can't tolerant incurious and flakey in one tiddy bundle.
Honest to goodness Jody! I couldn't believe my ears! ;0)))
I'm sure Keith will take her apart at the seams...
As for the pretty thing - I admit she's an attractive woman on the outside - but it's what lies beneath that makes her so UGLY! There's nothing attractive about HATE!
Jody, Iowa:
If one looks closley enough at Palin there is nothing pretty about her. Recall various fright movies where an attractive female lures and seduces a young man, and just as the love making begins she turns into a wicked and ugly old hag with long sharp teeth who appears to have been dead for ages. Then she sinks those long sharp teeth into the young man's neck to his demise. Now that is what many people see when looking at Palin. The young man of course representing this country.
Okay, friends...what word was Palin trying to come up with? Refute or repudiate? And when will people quit treating her as anything but a carnival sideshow?
When will people quit treating her as anything but a carnival sideshow?
Well, based on you and the 90% of the rest of the people posting here, not anytime soon.
And she's laughing all the way to her investment adviser.
Jody,
I 'm old enough to remember Camelot too. I 'm glad we a young couple in the WH who are not sticks in the mud.
Hey Feisty
The "Tart of the Tundra" probably learned about Shakespeare toe-tapping to children CD's with her kids. You know she can't stand still for a moment.
Yes, it is refreshing to see the White House full of life again.
"Yes, it is refreshing to see the White House full of life again."...????
Yes, Neither Bill Clinton nor Jimmy Carter had young children when they lived in the white house.
President Clinton was a year younger (46 to 47) than president Obama when he took office; daughter Chelsea was all of 11, as is Malia Ann Obama. Amy Carter was 9 when her father took the oath in 1977.
On another topic; This thread defines the term "echo chamber" and highlights the "us vs them" mentality that is fracturing our nation and pervades on this blog.
dangerfield:
Just calling it like it is now and then. Where there is no give and take none shall be given. Those who preach and pursue divisiveness in an attempt to gain political power will be given no quarter. Those who can't recognize even if disagreeing with his policies (which is their right) Obama does have the country's best interest at heart and is a good man shall be called out. There is no reason for anyone who defends these propositions to apologize or to back down. The fracturing of this country occurs when each morning people make an auto-pilot decision to attack a person for simply waking up in the morning no matter their activities or decisions for the day. Yes, some on the left use attack tactics as well, but the majority of the bloggers here are being forced to defend. They are constantly being forced to defend against those who attack this President using backwards logic thinking resulting from their need to justify their personal dislike for the man regardless of his leadership style and policies. So please don't give us this high and mighty BS that we are all adding to the fracturing of this nation.
"So please don't give us this high and mighty BS that we are all adding to the fracturing of this nation"
Sheesh, I feel like Jon Stewart must have when he was on "crossfire"...:)
But you are...and the "high and mighty" lecture notwithstanding, you all defeat your own case in the process.
Oh and my critique isn't "high and mighty", it's called common courtesy...give it a try sometime...:)
Somebody scattered the flock.
Anyone ever notice that when a righty gets all high and mighty, the lefties get even higher and mightier?
Happens to me all the time.
I don't know Richard, hard to tell. Before that dang dangerfield showed up, they were having so much fun that were forgetting to vote for each other like they are supposed to.
Anyway, nice to bump into you again in the these little intellctual cul-de-sacs.
You'll have to explain the voting thing. You mean they stuff each others' ballot boxes?
That probably wasn't fair, I apologize.
I saw a pack string like this once, sans righties, and someone commented that their last post didn't go through and it got about 9 votes. I probably shouldn't have assumed anything, but that's what I get for thinking instead of staying with Hannity's talking points.
Again my deepest apologies to all.
Sarah and Todd won't "do it" standing up, because they are afraid it will lead to dancing.
Wow, drive-by, you really hit a speed bump straining for that one.
CA, Tuscaloosa, AL
I remember seeing that. I think it's the one where the Tart Tundra Queen, that'd be Failing Sarah in this case, has an oil tanker capsize near Liberty Island after she decimated all the men she made love to?
Someone please post the link with S. P. comparing herself to Shakespeare. Gotta hear it for myself! Are you referring to her farewell speech when she was stepping down as governor of Alaska? My family still guffaws over these lines:
"Denali, the great one, soaring under the midnight sun. . . In the winter time it's the frozen road that is competing with the view of ice fogged frigid beauty, the cold though, doesn't it split the Cheechakos from the Sourdoughs?" :)
Whew, finally found it. I always like one column per day when the lefties go from being superficial to really superficial. It's a veritable frenzy of breathless animosity and self-indulgent sanctimony. You'd think they were doing satirical take-offs on their personal perceptions of Rush Limbaugh.
But no! They actually take themselves seriously when they think they're having fun and pushing the outer limits of clever repartee`.
But CA is not high and mighty as someone else suggested. CA thinks CA is mighty, but most of the time comes across as high.
Oops! Sorry CA, had you confused with Eric and Beverly.
Never a disappointment here.
Wow. You all have reverted to the caddy little girls in high school that spent their slumber parties trashing the plain looking girls who got good grades.
Not too long ago you all promised one of your own to move forward a little more respectfully.
I agree, Candice, you righties have turned this board into a JR High Slumber Party.
Nude Guy Yawning:
You seem to have issues with opposition. There are only about five of us. Should a couple of us go away and even things up a bit?
Hello, Newday.
You all just got that mean girl syndrome going on. You say you admire Michelle Obama because she's showing herself to be a classy First Lady. You might strive to be like her one day, that's all.
No actually, Candice, it is the righties that constantly post some really ugly things here. The lack of respect for Americans that are struggling in a really poor economy is appalling. The "junior high syndrome" you reference comes from all of you.
Really, Newday? I'll tell you what I find appalling.
- President Obama exploiting the poor three unemployed people in the Rose Garden today. I hope after he spoke, he took them inside, slipped them a few bucks or offered them jobs - maybe as czars or something.
- Same speech - I found it appalling as he pretty much lied to the face of America by telling them the Republicans don't want the unemployed to have unemployment benefits, when he knows full well that the Republicans want to pass the bill but want to cut spending somewhere else or use unused stimulus funds to pay for it.
- I find it a bit appalling that a few months ago he was promoting pay-go rules, but now that it's politically advantageous for him to denounce the concept, pay-go is just a Republican ploy.
- Also appalling was to accuse the other side of denying people help because of politics. By saying this in the same breath, he was hypocritically playing politics.
- Also appalling is the fact that he actually thinks that the measly amount of money unemployment pays will allow those folks to go out and buy stuff, go on a shopping spree and support the economy and everyone will be happy. In reality, unemployment will most likely go to the evil bankers when those people pay their mortgages, the county assessor so they don't lose their homes in tax sales, hopefully to the grocers so they can feed their families, but there will be little left over to buy the kids new shoes. Does he think people who once were working can live off of $300 a week? That evil Walmart pays their employees more than that.
- If President Obama spent more time figuring out how to help businesses create jobs rather than bashing half of the country disrespectfully, I guess I would be less appalled.
Candice: I am sure that the people that appeared with President Obama would not appreciate you demeaning them by your insinuation that they do not have the mental capacity to determine whether they should appear or not. I would imagine that they wanted to get their personal stories out, putting a face to who the unemployed are so people like you might develop a heart. The facts are that the Republicans do not want the unemployed to have relief, and they are positively giddy at the thought that they can stop that relief from happening. Why? Well, aside from them being the most despicable people that exist, they know that unemployment payments help the economy, and they desperately do not want the economy to improve, party before country you know, and their own selfish hides before the needs of the people that are truly suffering and need relief. The evidence...when they were in power, they supported the payment extensions....without talk of offsetting it by spending cuts. Other evidence...they still want those pesky tax cuts, without spending cuts which is how we got in this mess in the first place. But, good for you, Candice, so glad that you have dropped the masquerade that you are just someone who wants both sides to get along. At least you now own that you are a Republican, the mantra of that group being"self before country."
Newday, Did you watch today's speech? I think the lady in the yellow dress suddenly looked a little freaked when the President explained her very personal situation --that she was thinking she'd have to ask her dad for money now that she can't find a job. I'm all for telling the stories of the plight of Americans to make illustrate a point. Usually it's done at arms length. The people aren't usually standing there. He and his staff rounded up people to USE to illustrate a point, regardless if they agreed.
But that's become President Obama's "I feel your pain" dog and pony show. Kind of like when he brought all the physicians to the White House for his health care speech and his staff handed out the lab coats so they'd "look more" like doctors.
You keep on projecting your judgmental thoughts on to me. Why do you think I believe they do not have the mental capacity to determine whether they should appear or not. If that's the thought that immediately pops into your head.......maybe it's you doing the the judging.
Have you not been keeping up with the news reports that Republicans DO want the employment bill to go through.....they just want it to be paid for with unused stimulus funds? I can send you some links if you'd like to those stories. And....why are there unspent stimulus funds, by the way?
If the President was a true leader, he would see the Republican's side too and encourage his Democratically controlled Congress to move over some of the stimulus money. And then, everybody - including he - would win. Why is that so hard?
The right does want the economy to improve, Newday. But after awhile you figure out that throwing band aids on a deep wound won't do it. I think it would be better to create an environment with less uncertainty so that businesses will hire. But, maybe the Democrats want to keep the unemployed suffering. That way they can spin that they are the heroes and the Republicans are the bad guys. That's what you believe isn't it? So it must be working.
This seems to be very important to you, Newday, so I will explain to you again. I am center-right, pro choice, God fearing, NRA supporting (but not entirely lately), compassionate conservative usually Republican. Hold on to you hat----I voted for Obama. (Couldn't bring myself to vote for John McCain who was running not because he was the best candidate but because it was his turn, and he was deemed entitled. I was excited that Sarah Palin was chosen as running mate because that meant there was a possibility a woman would be in the White House. Then I quickly found out she was an idiot. I do not like Boehner, Mitchell, Pelosi or Reid. There are things President Obama has done that I agree with. I was happy when the Tea Party sprang up because the Republicans were going off the deep end and the Democrats turned too hard left. Then, it turned out many of the Tea Party were nuts too. Your stereotyping other Americans, the Republican party and your incorrect assumptions are not becoming to you and your friends, Newday. Open up. Then, we might get along.
I'd like that. Wouldn't you?
Oh Candice you are so very sad. "President Obama exploiting the poor three unemployed people at the Rose Garden today". Which is it Candice, those people were either there by their own choice, or the Secret Service was holding a gun on them, you can't have this both ways. "Poor" is a term of judgment. Your words not mine. "I can send you some links if you'd like the stories" Really, Candice, your arrogance is showing. As if I would need YOU to send me anything. I don't find you to be particularly erudite. And sorry Candice, any objective observer recognizes that the Republican party does not want the economy to improve. That is just a fact, Jack, they want it to stay in the toilet, the toilet they put it in, so that they may improve their chances this fall. Go back and study my previous post and see if you can understand what I said, I simply cannot make it simpler for you. Would if I could, but you still wouldn't get it. And no, you are not center right. There is no such animal. You are a right winger who is ashamed for whatever reason to admit that sad fact. As to having any interest in getting along with you? Why would I care? Frankly, you are as pedestrian as most of the right wingers that post here, and I am very selective about my friends.
Newday.
I have no idea what happened to you in your lifetime that has made you so sad and bitter. You are drowning in thoughts you have made up in your head -- or some talking point memo put them there -- and you can't shake them. Reason, compromise, consideration nor respect has any effect on you. No one could reach out to you. You would never consider an opposite view. You don't listen. You are too selective and closed off.
I am sad for you, Newday. (I know you will hate this but I'll write it anyway)...There are some on your side that can actually converse. I know you don't believe me because you don't get the concept...but that gives me hope. We all, as Americans, need to move to the middle --- the left needs to move a little to the center and so does the right.
I would never expect you will agree with me or any one right, center right or center left for that matter....and you don't have to.
I will pray for you Newday - not that you change your mind and your ways because you are who you are and I respect that, but I will pray that you find peace in your life and in your heart.
Sincerely and truly.
Candice,
It was kinda funny that Richard remarked about newday having opposition issues and asked since he was outnumbered 5-1 if a couple of us should go away. Although it would have been fun to watch Richard or others, I'm glad that everyone backed off and left it between you and newday.
You skillfully handled it with respect, despite the personal insults; with calmness despite the vitriol; a focus despite the insanity and a compassion despite the hatred.
Newday and some others have a tendency to express a moral superiority and need to arrogantly inform us how we feel, what we think and who we are. It was pretty refreshing to see the way you presented the argument.
And besides, newday will no doubt provide the rest of us plenty of opportunities to place the sanctimony stick where it needs to go if necessary.
Good job Candice.
Hmmm, interesting, Candice, you accuse me of making judgments about you, but you have determined from an internet conversation with me that I am "sad and bitter" How judgmental of you! So people who disagree with you (because you, in your own mind are so all knowing) must by definition, be sad and bitter. No, actually I am tired to death of people who have no understanding of this country and its traditions trying to bring down a President who is making some tough decisions. It is no wonder that bob is rewarding you for your lack of analysis, you are two of a kind. I realize it is tough being caught out, but I responded to your post with what YOU said. But, it amuses me that people like you in their arrogance and convinced of their own moral superiority can only attack when it is pointed out to them the fallacy of their argument.