COLUMN: Remember to make time for your passions

Happy last week of November.

Wow, time sure flies when you’re having fun — and your kids are in a million extracurricular activities.

It’s been a busy fall. Between my sons’ hockey, baseball and chess schedules, I made sure to carve out one hour for myself to dance each week.

Hey, who says kids get to have all the fun?

Dance was my favourite extracurricular growing up, and I’ve made a point to continue nurturing that passion as an adult. I took a bit of a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic but recently came back to taking classes and performing in local shows. Taking time for ourselves is so important. We need to fill our own cups so we can pour into others’.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to showcase 12 weeks of hard work in the dance production Overdrive at Newmarket Town Hall with Studio XIV.

The Overdrive show was an imaginative piece set in the year 3042, when robots rule the world, music is outlawed, names are nothing but numbers, and artificial intelligence rules the world.

Studio XIV, based in Newmarket, offers a wide range of adult dance classes for all levels and genres. This session, I joined the jazz funk class — a high-energy blend of jazz and hip-hop.

My group, who played ‘The Purple Planet Jackers,’ had a blast learning choreography for three routines, which we performed for family and friends on show night dressed in purple iridescent outfits and futuristic sunglasses.

Vanessa Lynn, the talented and dedicated powerhouse behind Studio XIV, knows how to create magic on stage. Her passion for dance shines through in every detail — from the carefully curated music and choreography to the bright lights, props, and costumes.

The part I love most about dance is its blend of art and athletics. Getting to play out creative stories and evoking emotions from the audience while maintaining full concentration, synchronization and flow is demanding both mentally and physically.

Half the fun of show-day performances is getting ready with hair, makeup and costume. The other half is the adrenalin and anticipation of performing on stage to a live audience. There’s nothing quite like it.

Each week of class, I would look forward to the challenge of mastering new choreography. Committing to a full performance session was a promise to myself and my classmates — to stay focused, dedicate time to practice, and work together toward an exciting final goal: the performance.

This session, I got to reconnect with old friends I hadn’t danced with in a while, as well as meet new friends. What I love about the studio is the positive vibes, from the enthusiastic and encouraging teachers to the fellow students. Everyone is so lovely, welcoming and supportive, and it feels like you have your own personal support group cheering you on each week.

Studio XIV hosts two shows a year, with its next performance scheduled for June 2025. If you’re a former dance kid like me or someone who’s always dreamt of being on stage, I recommend checking it out, or any other studios in the area that offer dance for adults, like Studio House Barrie, The Heels Collective, Levita Ballet Studio, and Bradford School of Dance, to name just a few.

Let this be your reminder to make time for your passions. Whether it’s dance, painting, or something else that lights you up, carving out time for yourself is always worth it.

Here’s to filling your cup and finding your joy.

Natasha Philpott is a Barbie-loving, cat-obsessed writer who lives in Bradford with her husband and two boys. Follow her on Instagram here: @tashaphilly.