TAKE A BOW, KIDS
once again Gold Coast Eisteddfod season is swinging into action to dazzle audiences with a showcase of young talent.
THE unmistakable smell of hairspray fills the air … yes, it’s Gold Coast Eisteddfod season.
Energetic herds of little girls zooming around the Arts Centre in hot-pink tulle and rhinestoneadorned headbands will be a common sight over the coming weeks. It’s no big deal.
Although an eisteddfod is far from an episode of Dance Moms, there are six characters you’re almost certain to meet at a dance competition:
1. The mum who doesn’t know how to ‘dance mum’
This is the mum who doesn’t understand the difference between a ballet bun and a leftside part bun. She spends most of her time wondering why her daughter didn’t choose to play netball or soccer. “Cutting up oranges would be so much easier than this,” she thinks to herself while hand-sewing her child into a costume fiveminutes before showtime.
2. The male support crew (aka dad, brother or boyfriend)
These types can be found in the audience, pretending not to nap during U/8 classical ballet solos. Can be overheard telling their children/sisters/significant others: “No, of course I’m happy to sit through 25 routines before you come on stage,” while stifling a yawn.
3. Ultra-prepared dance mum
She’s the one you go to when your unprepared mum (see category 1) packed your ballet tights instead of your fishnet tights.
This mum has stocks of bobby pins, hairspray, tights and bike shorts – sometimes even spare costume parts in case of an emergency. She can do any hairstyle or makeup look and is basically your dance teacher’s right-hand woman.
4. The first-place getter
She (or he) is the Maddie Ziegler of their age category. They’re always front-centre in
group dances and walk around backstage with a first place medal around their neck.
They have probably starred in a music video or been in a professional show at QPAC and you’re 50 per cent in awe of their talent and 50 per cent extremely jealous.
5. The dance teacher
“Charley, you’re two beats behind everyone else and we’re on stage in 15 minutes, get it together.” While some dance teachers embrace the eisteddfod razzamatazz, they’re always there to support you. Even when they yell at you to go further into your split ... it’s all in name of love. Probably.
6. The organisers
At the Gold Coast Eisteddfod it’s Judith and her team who work behind the scenes to make the competition a success. They are the unsung heroes – be sure to say “thank you” if you see them around the Arts Centre over the last couple of days of the eisteddfod.