sophomore.

The Dancers Among Us by the incredible Jordan Matter 

While most people were at home decorating cookies and the house this past Christmas, I was in the dance studio, choreographing. To me, it's just another home I was thrilled to be back in.

Now several months later, the choreography I set then will premiere this weekend in British Columbia at the Shine Dance Competition.

After a successful run through the competition circuit last spring, I'm very excited to see how my choreography does in its sophomore year.

Over lunch last week, one of my best friends asked me the most difficult (and frequent) question I have gotten over the past year.

"Portia, where do you come up with your dance concepts? How did start doing choreography?"

knight.

Looking back, I paid more attention than ever to film this year. Between working at Canada AM and having movie reviews, screening and interviews with various actors every week and my personal interest, I've spent a lot of time looking at a screen.

But it wasn't wasted. 2012 was definitely a good year for cinema. From action blockbusters Skyfall, The Dark Knight Rises and The Hunger Games, to comedies like Friends with Kids, Moonrise Kingdom and Magic Mike...there was a lot of variety for every palette. 

I stumbled across this video a couple days ago, which has captured more than just the highlights of movies that came out in 2012.

Not only is it good to help reminisce about what films I enjoyed, it's a gentle reminder about the ones I missed.

Check out the video here: 

gotham.

After months and months digital and electronic mentoring (thank goodness for email and cell phones), I finally have gotten video footage of my dancers performing my choreography in British Columbia.

I'm slowly but surely getting all my pieces uploaded. First up is my duet featuring dancers Brittney and Keanu.

This piece was inspired by Batman and Catwoman fighting/dancing. I have always been fascinated with the relationship between the two fictional characters, and these two dancers let me run with the concept.

This was definitely taking a step away from what we would normally see in the contemporary competition dance category, but it was well received! These two did so well every time they performed, and the duet placed first overall, platinum and in the top 10 several times at competition.

We took a chance and went against the grain. It was more than worth it.

Thank you to my beautiful dancers who made my vision come alive. Who knows? There might be part two - there are many more characters lurking in Gotham...


"Gotham"
Dancers: Brittney Rost and Keanu Herzog
Choreography by Portia Favro

More footage of the solos I choreographed are coming up soon!

PS thank you to so many for all your support in my emerging choreography career. Your help means the world to me. There is so much more to come, stay tuned.

top5.

My parents always used to ask me, "do you want to live to work, or work to live?"

I'm taking the former stance, and say I'm working for the weekend.

I'm totally soaking up every moment of this one. I love being able to skip out of my downtown apartment and run over for a cup of coffee with no commute.

So with a little more time in my afternoon I have the time to present I have my top five picks for this month.

The 10 Spot.

Even if you never have enough time to get ready and look perfect each morning,

you can still look clean and polished when you have a fresh manicure.

With my student budget, I can't afford one every month, but the next time I get my paws done it will be at The 10 Spot, a fabulous salon on Queen West.

Coloured skinny jeans.

I was out last night with a couple of girls, and two of us were wearing coloured jeans.

There's something very spring-y and fun about them, especially because you don't usually expect a pop of colour via your pants!

Check out Gap and Joe Fresh for good cuts (and good prices)

Nina Simone.

My playlists have been super heavy with Nina Simone lately.

Here's my favourite track, which sounds still sounds contemporary with its electric beat.

Wooden boards.

I love wooden boards to both prepare food on and also to serve appies on.

Anything that serves double duty is good in my books.

Toronto Batman.

Enough said.

Please marry me.

Know about someplace/something interesting in your area?

Leave a note below or Tweet/Facebook me, and I'll go check it out.

You never know, you or it could be featured in next month's Top 5!

anne.

STYLE STAR: ANNE HATHAWAY

I can remember way back in the day going to the movie theatre to see The Princess Diaries, and falling in love with the style of Anne Hathaway.

Many years (and movies later) she is still one of my favourite actresses, beauty and fashion inspirations - whether she is wearing a gown that exudes Old Hollywood glamour, or her polished everyday looks that are easygoing and chic.

As a self-professed glitter girl, I adore when Anne incorporates a bit of glimmer into her outfits - who doesn't want to sparkle every day?

Here are a few of my favourite looks, can't wait to see her play one of my favourite characters, Catwoman (pictured in all black walking below) in the new Batman movie.