Winter Gala 2012

Fans! The wait is over. Winter Gala 2012 is in the bag. Longtime Fans will recall that this is the third Gala in which Our Hero has participated. He was there at its inception, in 2010, when even the Toddler Room tots participated, and the kids were taken into a green room before the performance. But we know we don't need to remind you of all of this. Who can forget Our Hero's breakout performance in Little Red Caboose?* By 2011, Winter Gala performers were pulled from the ranks of tots in the Twos Rooms and beyond. Our Hero was an old hand, but the excitement of the night got the better of him.**

In this year's Gala, Joe performed two numbers with the Preschool A classroom. A ditty called Bundle Up sung to the tune of If You're Happy and You Know It, and The Lion Sleeps Tonight. (In the run up to this year's event, Joe informed us that instead of "wimoweh," he liked to say "wimoWAP!") Given the second song selection, jungle animal costumes were de rigueur. Joe was in a monkey suit (over monkey pajamas). He is third from the right (or stage left). (WE were sitting in the first row, stage left, and he pegged us--Joe Fans!--right away. Waved with both hands when he came out.) You can spot him in The Lion Sleeps Tonight as the start of the group that isn't doing the wiggle at the wimowehs. You can see his wheels turning, trying to remember all the motions with the words. He had the words; the motions were perhaps a little lost in the moment. But watch for the tucking of his head to his hands on "the lion sleeps tonight" line, and especially, the little hip waggle which he added at the second chorus of wimowehs. Also, look for the enthusiastic hopping that follows the celebratory Preschool A huddle at the end of its performance. He was so proud, and we were, too. (Clara would have been, too, but she stayed home with Sara, who came over to put her to bed. Birdie will perform at next year's Gala, so yes, you will want to start counting the days now.)

*http://joeekkers.blogspot.com/2010/01/winter-gala-movie.html

**http://joeandclara.blogspot.com/2011/01/second-annual-winter-gala-movie.html