During the time of Thanksgiving, ABA likes to attend the annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade. Located very close to our studio in Downtown Silver Spring, we always set up a float and sometimes even performed a piece titled “The Skater’s Waltz” for the crowd. For the past two times, we have prepared this performance choreographed by Madame Akhmedova just for this parade, with beautiful costumes and felicitous accessories relevant to the theme and appropriate for the weather. This parade always allows for us to showcase our abilities as dancers and performers, including a little amusement for the audience.

Throughout my time at ABA, I have participated in Montgomery County’s Thanksgiving Parade three times so far, whether it was sitting on the float, dancing in pointe shoes and socks, or both. With ABA expanding every year, the experience does as well, and it never disappoints. The first year I was a part of the parade, the girls and I dressed as our Nutcracker characters and sat on the float, as a sneak peek of our Nutcracker show. The next year, with a newer group of dancers, Madame choreographed “The Skater’s Waltz” to match our capabilities and to create a piece that was enjoyable for the public. We also had a winter-themed float that matched our dance perfectly. Similar to this year’s costumes, we had our dresses, capes, hats, socks, as well as our pointe shoes. This year, made possible even with the ongoing pandemic, we performed the waltz again, with slight changes based on what could be done and what would make it look better. This season’s float was upgraded too, shining alongside our glittery costumes. Despite the coldness every year, this parade presented as an epitome of what we can bring to the community as artists.


Publish Date: 11/28/2021