moss.

I've been dancing and training for nearly 20 years. 

It still amazes me how much time, sweat, effort, tears and laughs go into making live performances possible. Then it's over in 45 minutes. Done. You're off the stage, the next act is coming on. 

So why do we do this? 

Because you get to become someone else for that 3 minutes in the spotlight. Your brain shuts out the world, and the only thing that exists is the music, the audience and the lights. 

Oh stage, it feels good to be back. Hard to believe five years ago I never thought I would dance again. 

whirlwind.

Whew...well the last few days have certainly been a bit of a whirlwind.

I have to say, I did not anticipate to see and be a part of so much dance happening in Vancouver!

Everywhere I go, I'm either running into dancers or teachers from class, seeing a poster to come take classes at various studios or for another show.

This past weekend I ended up at two dance shows celebrating various types of movement in the city. In many ways, these are the "networking" events of the dance world.

I got to see some incredible performers, choreographers and get a scope of the many companies and people involved in each.

As I'm moving more into a choreography and producing role (never fear, I won't stop performing anytime soon), it's been very interesting to be coming into a community fresh and seeing everyone for the first time.

Yes, I've already encountered some people I'm not interested in working with because of their attitude. However, the rest of you are still looking mighty fine - I'm looking forward to working with many of you throughout the coming year on some great projects.

What are you waiting for? Kick up those heels and get dancing!

dancelife.

One of the things Toronto is very blessed with is an endless amount of things see and do any night. There's concerts, cabarets, films, parties, flash mobs - whatever you're into, there's something here.

I had the pleasure of attending a few shows this past week that featured dancers and choreographers I greatly admire. At all the venues, I found myself surrounded by so many people I have met at auditions, in class or workshops that I can call my friends.

Two very cool moments happened last night while in the crowded Virgin Mobile Mod Club at the show Urbanesque.

A choreographer who hired me for a flash mob gig a few months back (i.e. a plethora of dancers were hired for us to "mob" the venue) came and up put her arms around me. I was floored that she remembered exactly who I was.

In line for a drink, another woman tapped my shoulder and said, "You're Portia Favro right? I've seen you perform -  I'm a huge fan!"

I was floored.

In a community that really, I have only been a part for about a year, knows who I am. What started out as a stress release while I was at school has blossomed into something else.

I didn't plan to be a part of any of this, but I have fully been pulled in and accepted here.

This industry, like so many, is small but oh-so supportive. It embraces the uniqueness of each performer, cultivates individuality and supports each other. A huge part of the audience at many shows I've either attended or danced in are made up of those in the community.

This is something I haven't seen anywhere else. Perhaps it's because I came from an area where there were just so many dancers, each of us was just a number. And true, we all are a number or just a brunette when we're in an audition. However, once you land the job, it's about personality. It's your character. Your individual dance and performer persona is accentuated here.

Oh man Toronto, it's good to be here.

aos.

Whew...it's been a busy week to say the least (but full of all good things). Between working two jobs, preparing for dance and my side projects, the first few weeks of 2013 have been jam-packed, but fantastic.

I'm taking the weekend off to relax my brain (and my sore toes from running around in heels all week) until something very exciting starts next week!

I have been dancing with a group of fantastic ladies since September 2011 in the Army of Sass, and have had the opportunity to dance in several large-scale productions, countless gigs and completely fall back in love with performing.

Our last show featured over 50 beautiful dancers performing Beyonce-style choreography to remixed Christmas music, and we sold out our venue. To have over 800 people show up to watch dance still blows my mind, and I can't wait to get back in the studio.

Only this time...I'm going to be choreographing and teaching a group of dancers for our next huge show in June 2013 called "Confessions".

Stay tuned for more to come - I'll be teaching open classes for all levels, choreographing my feet off and dancing with my team of ladies at the same time.

2013, you're off to a magnificent start.

Defintely feeling like some choreography to this is in order. Make sure to come to class this Monday, January 14 at 8:30PM at Citadel in Toronto!

nuvo.

There are few things I love more than being on the stage.

Whether it be in an intimate small venue, on a football field for a halftime show or proper theatre - there's something otherworldy about standing on the platform and looking out to the audience.

All in all, the show went supremely well this past Friday, with approxamently 480 people coming to see us.

I can't even describe the feeling and energy that came alive that night. We walked onstage, and felt it. We hit it.

I am so proud of my dance family and all the hard work I have seen my director and other dancers put into this show, and I think it was our best one to date.

To be a part of something so much bigger than just me really blows my mind, and puts a reality check back into the situation.

But not too much reality - it was a Wonderland-themed show after all.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and after a good week off from school, work and life, we'll be back at for the next show in May!

Again, I can't express enough how thankful I am for all the support of my friends and family - I wouldn't be able to live this dream without you. Merci, gracias, thank you for coming!