The toymaker then attempts a spell to transfer life force from sleeping Franz into his beloved Coppélia. Swanilda fools him by pretending to come to life. She dances mechanically and, to our great amusement, frequently "accidentally" bumps and slaps him as she moves. Okay, we men aren't looking too smart in this story. The act ends hilariously after Franz awakes: Coppélius learns he has been tricked, is completely overwhelmed, and faints comically as curtain closes. Swanilda also has great fun revealing truth about doll to poor Franz, who is forgiven in end. (It's a small village; maybe Swanilda figures he's best she can do.) Given that Shanghai Ballet is on tour and can't drag an orchestra along, music is recorded - and perhaps a bit too soft - but score is spunky and complements action perfectly here.

The Shanghai Ballet has many principal dancers who can play different roles as needed in their performances. Tonight Swanilda was played by Fan Xiaofeng, and with her playful facial expressions, she seemed perfect for role. Franz was portrayed by Ke Da, who normally plays another fiancé soloist as part of a group of couples to be married in story. He exuded an earnest innocence that contrasted Swanilda's coquettishness wonderfully.

The story largely ends there. Act III consists of some terrific celebratory dances by corps de ballet and pairs of fiancé soloists. In this act there were no props on stage - not even a backdrop, which seemed odd. Oh, well - it was dancing that counted. Different groups performed dances named "Hours of Day", "Dawn", "Hours of Night", and "Spinners". When male fiancé soloists lifted their partners, it appeared to require all their strength, whereas Nureyev and Baryshnikov could have played "catch" across stage with one of those ballerinas. That's probably just genetics, though. The best dance of all was graceful, romantic wedding dance by Franz and Swanilda.

The entire act, and indeed whole ballet, was great fun; individuals and

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Rob LaGrone, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

Then, for pub dwellers up to challenge, how about testing your hand/eye coordination by trying your hand at $5,000.00 darts tournament? If pub games are too strenuous and you prefer more sedentary events like shopping from many vendors or want to watch highland dancing competitions, then so be it. Who am I to argue?

Unfortunately, I missed participating in whisky tasting on Friday night of this three-day event, since I was distracted by my evil friend Jim with a good bottle of tequila. Hence, my initial shortage of functioning brain cells and not wanting to sit in a stuffy classroom doing something boring like learning. In all, each event was not only fun, but if you were not careful, you learned something new without reading a book just because this event is so unique and interesting.

There Will Be No Raining on This Parade

For first time in at least last five years, Norse rain gods didn't pay a visit to Scottish Festival and Games. Kim and I have regularly been attending this event for years and years, and always thought that chilly rain was part of Scottish charm and atmosphere. I thought it was like actually being in Scotland, yet without Nessie doing backstroke around loch. We first started attending this event to participate in their British car show that coordinated with Scottish Festival, but unfortunately due to two new event sponsors being Toyota and Mercedes, I assume, British car show was dropped from roster. Now, with this event being dry as a bone, yet a cool 62 degrees, it seemed different regardless of fact that Long Beach has an average of 357 sunny days per year.

The Black Watch Posts The Colors

The contest was narrowed to 15 semifinalists,

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Don and Kim Tatera, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com