Pointes in the park
DNAinfo
August 3, 2010
By Gabriela Resto-Montero
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
Hundreds of Ballet Dancers Break Guinness World Record in Central Park
Over 200 dancers stood en pointe for more than a minute in Central Park to break a world record.
New York City — Hundreds of ballet dancers gathered in Central Park on Monday to break a Guinness World Record.
A total of 230 volunteer dancers broke a Guinness World Record when they stood en pointe for one minute and seven seconds at the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park, besting the previous record of 220 dancers.
"I want to be a small part of history, get your name in a book somewhere" said Allie Pawlaukojc, 20, a dancer who traveled to the event from Long Island, before the attempt.
"And when else is something like this going to happen?" Pawlukojc said.
American Ballet Theatre principal dancers Michele Wiles and Craig Salstein led the record attempt, which was also a fundraiser for the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club dance program.
Dancers from the club's ballet school, which is part of the Angelina Ballerina Stars of Tomorrow program, performed before the attempt.
Although 240 dancers registered for the marathon group en pointe, the combination of heat and Central Park concrete made it impossible for 10 of them to finish out the minute.
"I'm worried about standing en pointe for a whole minute," said Rachel Ackerman, 13, who nevertheless ended up standing for the two attempts.
The first attempt, where Salstein led the group in a choreographed routine, went just fine, but the group decided to give the record a second try just to be on the safe side.
In the end, Amanda Mochan, from the Guinness World Records, handed a record plaque to event organizer, and dance photography legend, Gene Schiavone.
Organizers for the event planned to donate all of the donations to the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club.
This text was taken from: http://www.dnainfo.com/20100803/upper-east-side/hundreds-of-ballet-dancers-break-guinness-world-record-central-park#ixzz0vhIdimeg
Personal comment: What a fun thing to have been a part of! I’m grateful (again) to Eric for bringing to my attention that this attempt was a success. I remember reading about it being planned some time ago and I wish I could have participated.
Again, when I saw this through Facebook, I thought of you instantly, and wondered if you could have tried it.
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