Recital Time

In early June Payton had her recital.  No, I don't have any pictures.  I am in the process of downloading them.  However, the recital was a success.  She did a lovely performance to twinkle, twinkle little star.  I have a pretty hot sports opinion I am about to go into regarding her recital.  Payton takes dance at a dance studio in Southlake.  It is a huge dance studio.  Literally, the recital was over a three night time frame to fit in all the performances.  Luckily, Payton's was on Friday night.  It was perfect timing for our out of town guest. Her costume was age appropriate and darling.  I am always a little leery about little girls growing up too fast.  I was so thrilled when her teacher instructed all the moms that the girls were to wear some make-up, but this wasn't Toddlers and Tiaras.  However, my world was shattered when we arrived to the recital and got back to the dressing area.


Apparently,  this studio has a group of elite or show/select dancers that were literally in at least three performances per night.  I believe the starting age for this group is eight.  I will say this, they are very talented, no doubt about it.  However, I kid you not, their first "costume" was similar to this:

However, it was only worse........  You see, the shorts were actually covered in glitter.  The top was short sleeved and tied up higher.  In fact, I don't think it had buttons on it.  It was tied up right over, I kid you not, a sparkly bra thing.  These girls ranged in age from 8 to maybe 14.  They also sported pig tails with huge ribbons in them with red lip stick to top of the look.  They looked liked sluts.  Sorry, no easy way to frame that.  My mouth almost fall to the floor.  Most of these girls had not developed yet, so the bra thing was for looks and to keep them from flashing everyone.

The dance was also not age appropriate, in my opinion.  I guess it was hip-hop, but really do girls that age really need to learn how to wiggle their hips and butts on stage?  Derek was mortified.  His exact quote after the performance of under aged girls was, "She is quitting before she is put into that class."  Also, Derek made another great point that I had never thought about.  Derek said he felt sorry/ uncomfortable for their dads in the audience.  I am not a dad, but I see his point.  As a dad, seeing your little girl up their dressed and dancing extremely provocative has to be a gut check, right?  The sad part about this is that the parents paid for these costumes!!!  They paid for their kids to be in the recital.  They knew this!!  Maybe this is where I turn into a prude, but there is no way in hell I would approved of this.  I will admit that I am no Pollyanna.  I will also admit that I realize that a dance costume needs to be form fitting to allow the dancers to move, but there has to be other alternatives at there. I plain leotard would have covered more than this outfit.


So where does this leave us?  Payton is still in dance this fall at the same studio.  She is also starting gymnastics this fall as well.  Note I said gymnastics, NOT mini-cheer. 

Mini-cheer just scares me.

Really, this is an outfit appropriate for a little girl?  I will admit, that some of these mini-cheer girls are super talented.  Seriously, the hard work and athletic ability they have is beyond question.  However, again, must they dress like this?  Is this now the standard?

I know if she wants to continue in dance  I will either have to be the mom that doesn't let her kid in the recital or find a dance studio that teaches more classical dance that shares some of the same views on how little girls should dress.

Am I the only one out there that thinks this way?  Surely, I can't be.  There has to be a place/ studio that teaches dance (including hip-hop) that is fun, but also understands that little girls should not dress like a drunken sorority girl at a Halloween party.  At least the sorority girls are at least of legal age and attending college.  (Disclaimer........ I was in a sorority....... see I am not a Pollyanna).

Okay......... I am off my soap box now.  I am off to research other dance studio's as we speak.