2000

ESTO - TORONTO

Every four years, Estonians from all parts of the globe gather to celebrate Estonian culture in all its forms, including music, song, dance and rhythmic gymnastics. Kalev has always been a part of this tradition, with its gymnasts performing whereever these festivities are taking place.               For the millennium celebrations in Toronto, Evelyn Koop was called upon to produce the "Festival of Lights", which is the main music/dance show of each ESTO. She also produced "An Afternoon of Elite Gymnastics" at the MacMillan Theatre for ESTO 2000. Several alumnae returned to participate on this occasion: Clare McFarqhuhar, Heli Oder, Taimi Petersoo, Sandra Bauer, Helve and Talvi Hess, Susanna Wadsten and others. Here is a selection of photos from "Festival of Lights" 2000:
Kalev RSG Novice competitors doing the "Bird Dance":	A medley of Kalev Estienne teens in a jazz number
The young son of the choreographer of the "Caterpillar/Butterfly" routine (Katrin Pettinen) took time out for a juice break on stage during the dress rehearsal.	The "Butterflies" are emerging! Several groups, (including the Children's Elite from the Rhythmic Elite Centre) performed the routine
The Expressions in a routine to a song by the Backstreet Boys: Veronica, Katrin, Ann, Jessie	Irina Funtikova did a latin inspired routine, leading into "Summer",  part of "The Four Seasons", which was revived for the occasion.  Vanessa's solo began the routine itself. -->
Talvi                         Talvi, Susanna, Jessie	Vanessa, Talvi, Veronica, Gloria  -   Susanna
Because of the huge stage at the Molson Amphitheatre, the "Water" routine (from "The Four Elements") was performed by three groups, two of which are shown here: the Alumnae Elite and the Expressions (plus a groups of competitors). The three huge "waves" created by enormous white silk scarves, in addition to the wide ribbons used, were particularly effective!
The Swedish group, "Malmöflickorna",  showed their skills with ribbons and..	... balls:
New costumes had been created for this performance (by "Illusion") and the choreography had been updated for The Expressions' impressive "Galaxy", a routine set to the theme from "Star Wars", depicting the struggle between good and evil. Lit by strobelights flashing through smoke in the battle scenes, the dramatic movements, formations (and costumes) made the story come to life.
Veronica and Talvi (and Ann in the small photo on the right)
Evi, Veronica, Ann, Talvi, Katrin, Helve	Vanessa is lifted by (in front) Susanna, Gloria, Taimi
At the end of the routine, the "Expressions" paired up with the "Malmöflickorna" for a juggling parade!
The very last performance of the evening was a routine, choreographed by Estonian Lia Palmse for the ESTO '96 "Festival of Lights". It was performed here by gymnasts from three clubs (including the Expressions and Malmöflickorna), each wearing a different coloured outfit, accompanied by the ESTO orchestra and vocalist:
Vanessa, Veronica, Talvi, Triinu, Katrin, Clare	Talvi, Taimi, Triinu, Clare

HELSINKI 2000 - FIRST AGG WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Eight gymnasts from the Rhythmic Expressions: Gloria Hui, Ann Ravens, Veronica Tieze, Evi Stabler, Katrin Villman, Rebecca Lovisek, Jesse Sorell, Vanessa Livingston and Talvi Kuld (with coach Elvira Boudakova, and Evelyn Koop) travelled to Estonia to participate in the  1st World Championships in AGG, which took place in Finland. Kalev did not place well in this first effort.

1998-2012 K Wadsten