August 27, 2009 - Last day events

Had a little meltdown at breakfast this morning in anticipation of this afternoon's public piano improvisation. Talked with the music teacher from Mexico who had also been asked to play, and she was having similar feelings - that it was insulting to be asked to play on a "rhythm machine" with no chance to practice or get used to it. So some translation intervention happened after breakfast, and we made it clear we would decide whether we were performing after we had tried the keyboard.

The whole group had a two hour rehearsal of all the class presentations, as well as the individual performers, which include a vocal solo and vocal duet. We were able to adjust the tone and volume of the keyboard so it wasn't unpleasantly shrill, and I think things will be okay. It was very hot today, so the thought of spending the afternoon in formal attire was not inviting.

After rehearsal we had the presentations on our village visits. Our group did a slideshow saying basically "This is..." for each picture and got it done with. After our final school cafeteria lunch, took a second shower and got dressed for the performance. There seemed to be a little air conditioning, so it wasn't extremely unpleasant. The program came off pretty well.

"On ne vit pas sans se dire adieu," duet in French and Czech by Sonja and Pepo (the music teacher)


The highlight for me was a drag parody of Cinderella, which included a very tall, striking male athlete from Australia as Cinderella (with very limp wrists) and a short stocky man from Israel as a gay priest who won the hand of Cinderella, even though the slippers were about 8 sizes too small.


There was also another play that included a character who snorted repeatedly (ala Lily Tomlin), which was much funnier than the Czech script which I could not understand!

I did not come to love the keyboard, but was able to play something that sounded intentional and was well received, so I don't think I caused embarrassment to the United States contingent.
Here's a video of a segment of the improvisation:

The three videos above were done by Otto Villatoro. Thanks!

Our class presentation of 2 songs and 3 poems was rather ragged, but we got through it and it's over. Yellow and Red Classes' Presentation

More on Final Program

Dobruška Class and Group Photos

Got most of my packing done this afternoon, then a festive final restaurant dinner tonight with Kathy and Margaret from the US bunch on our own. One final unusual sighting on our walk to dinner - a small truck came down the street looking much like an ice cream truck in the U.S. playing a blaring song which we recognized as the "Chicken Dance." Older folks came out of their buildings, not to buy ice cream, but fresh eggs! If I play the Chicken Dance song will you buy eggs from me?