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The Funtastix are training for their next big performance. The acrobatics department of SV Concordia Welkers is traveling to Rodenbach today – to the “rendezvous of the best”.
Welkers/Rodenbach – 36 girls whirl through the hall of the Welkers community center, lay out mats, do a somersault, stretch, chat. Finally, trainer Lilith Jarosch gathers them together to talk through the choreography. Because on Sunday (March 29th) they will be going to the state finals of the “Rendezvous of the Best” competition, explains Jarosch, founding member of Funtastix.
Funtastix are fighting for a place in the final at “Rendezvous of the Best”.
“We will be performing with our program 'Baroque Infernal',” she announces. With it The Funtastix already presented themselves at the Fulda Carnival Society. Thematically it revolves around, among other things, balls in the Baroque period. “During the ball, the Queen enters the hall and announces, 'Tonight's theme is Dance or Die!' “Dance or die,” explains the trainer, while in the background two girls are practicing a demanding lift, guided by trainer Michaela Wehner.
“Baroque Infernal is actually seven minutes long – but for the performance on Sunday we had to shorten it to around five minutes,” reports Lilith Jarosch. This wasn't easy, but the result is the best of the show. If the Funtastix are successful in the state competition, they will then move on to the national competition. The “Rendezvous of the Best” is organized by the Hessian Gymnastics Association. This is the most important competition for show groups from all over Germany.
Creativity, innovation and originality, alongside precision and quality of movement, would determine the performances. This competition features groups performing performances from a variety of disciplines – dance, gymnastics, acrobatics, rope skipping, trampoline, aerobics and more.
Conveying a story believably on stage
When asked what is important in show acrobatics, trainer Lilith Jarosch answers: “Expression! What story am I telling right now, how do I convey it believably on stage? And respect and mutual trust. That is simply essential for lifting and acrobatics.”
For the girls, the tension before the performance is mostly limited. One of the girls reflects on her impressions of the performance “Hessen laughs at Fassenacht” on hr television, where the Funtastix appeared in February with the program “Bonjour Paris”.: “That was very exciting because everything was so big. There were a lot of impressions in such a short time that I had to process first.” On a side note: Axel Heilmann, President of “Hessen laughs at the Fassenacht”, was so enthusiastic about the Funtastix that he joined the club.
And if you're nervous, the Funtastix commit themselves to a little ritual. With the battle cry “Shah!” “We copied our reputation from the Chinese National Circus,” explains Lilith Jarosch. Gummy bears are very popular as a snack for the nerves. “The girls train really hard and disciplined for their performances and competitions,” adds Lerna Russe from Funtastix. “They are connected by their inner fire and passion for this sport.”
