Velocity - The End of An Era

From now, through March 27th, Velocity Dance Center is moving.  The old studio digs, in Seattle's Oddfellows Building, are about as dreamy as one can find for a dance center.  Lofty ceilings, big open spaces flooded with natural light, a larger studio that also converts to a theater, plus all the charm of an historic building.  What will the new space be like?  We'll know, soon enough.

For me personally, and for Velocity, it's like the end of an era.  For years, Karn Junkinsmith's Saturday AM ballet classes have been my reason to get up in the mornings.  Her energy! The fresh contemporary approach to ballet! The Music! (live accompaniment, the talented Jeff Junkinsmith, spanning a range from classical romanticism to jazz to amusing renditions of Nirvana tunes)  The afore-mentioned studio ambience, the inspiration of dancing with some of the other talented ppl who attend class....it has been a beautiful experience. It was also one of my first forays back into the dance studio this year, since my surgery.  Leaving that space forever, it definitely feels like an emotional demarcation.  The end of the pre-bunion era.

Karn, Jeff, everyone, thanks for being the Raison d'etre for this girl on Saturday mornings for so so long.  Even in the dead of winter dreariness, you are always there, and it is much appreciated! I hope we find an even better vibe in the new space.  (And of course, I hope I can get back that last 20 degrees of demi-pointe on the left foot real soon ;)

For info on the studio move, to help, or to participate in the week-long festival of free classes and events, more info here:

http://velocityforever.blogspot.com/

http://www.velocitydancecenter.org/

Comments

[Andrea]

Hi, Lynn. You probably don't remember me but I conversed a bit with you about the bunion surgery a little less then a year ago after you had undergone the surgery. My name is Andrea. Anyhow, I put off the surgery and got more opinions and now that my baby is 16 months and walking I have scheduled my surgery. I convinced the doctor to do a bilateral (ludloff/akin), I believe. I have scheduled it for April 16th, which is coming up rather quickly. If you have any advice for me that you haven't already given I'd appreciate it. Thanks and wish me luck... I'm gonna need it!

[admo]

your description of bunion surgery recovery very helpful. Mine is gong slowly and I should ahve done more two stretches I guess.

Good luck in your next STEPS :)

in the dance

[Shawn]

Hi Lynn. I am 15 days post surgery and soooo glad that I came across your site. Thank you so much for all the information and anecdotes. It's truly great to know what to expect and hearing it from someone who has actually gone through it successfully. It seems like the internet is riddled with cases of bunionectomy gone bad and it's hard to find helpful information. Anyhow, I only had my right foot done. My doctor would absolutely not do both feet at the same time. He said that he required 6 weeks in between surgeries. At this point, I can't imagine going through this again... at least until my right foot is completely back to normal. For right now, I am still scared of walking on my foot even though I was told yesterday that I could starting putting walking gradually in my surgical shoes. I guess it's a psychological... I feel like somehow I am going to do harm to my foot and set back my healing. Do you have any advise on how to overcome this? Thank you again!!! Shawn

[Lorelei]

Dear Extreme Bunion,
Your site is so helpful! It has been tough finding dancers who have had this.
I am 46 and teach dance in a university. I have a torn plantar plate requiring bunionectomy, hammertoe fix and plantar fix all at the same time on my right foot.
I am scared, but in too much pain not to do the surgery.
My feet have always been one of my best features in dance..very pointing...sounds similiar to yours.
I would love to hear how you feel today!

[Sepi]

You are all amazing and hugely inspirational. Thank you for posting this!!