Manehattan at night was always a sight to behold, but especially so in the weeks leading up to Hearth’s Warming. The presence of the tall buildings affected the motion of the wind, creating downdrafts that had their own effect on the elements. The pegasi took advantage of that by scheduling nightly flurries, allowing the snowflakes to dance through the air while being illuminated by the light coming out of skyscraper windows and lanterns lining the city streets.
Shimmy Shake and Lighthoof spent their first night in the city practically dancing along with those snowflakes. The two earth ponies had saved up their bits. And as soon as the School of Friendship started its winter break, they were on the first train to the big city, eager to spend a couple of nights enjoying all that Manehattan had to offer during the most festive time of the year.
For the first day of their visit, and the morning and afternoon of the next, they made the most of their limited time by doing as much as possible. A trip to the top of the Empire City Building, followed by a visit to the Mare Statue, followed by ice skating at Rockfellow Center. They spent a good deal of time in the shopping districts, where they practically ran from storefront to storefront, taking in the elaborate displays. The latest winter fashions were exciting to look at, albeit a bit outside what the two could afford to spend. And even though the two students were a little too old for it, no winter trip to Manehattan was complete without a visit to FAO Horse to delight in all of the toys.
It was now their second day in the city, and as soon as the sun began to drop below the horizon, they hurried to Phonograph City Music Hall for the true purpose of their visit. The show wasn’t scheduled to begin for a couple of hours, but there was no way they were going to miss their chance to see the famous Buckettes dance troupe.
They stepped inside Phonograph City Music Hall to see that even the building’s lobbies were spectacular. Marble walls and brass accents rivaled all but the finest architecture in Canterlot. And that was to say nothing of the grand foyer, an enormous room – enormous-feeling even with the pegasi taking advantage of the indoor flying space – containing even more elaborate ornamentation. Had they been in a boring old museum, Shimmy and Lighthoof wouldn’t have paid any attention to the gigantic mural above the majestic staircase, but in this setting, they marveled at it. They were of the same opinion: What better for Equestria’s finest dance troupe than Equestria’s finest building?
With so much to take in, the wait wasn’t as long as they thought it might feel. And then it was time to enter the theater itself. As soon as they stepped through the door, Shimmy couldn’t help but nudge Lighthoof and point. Sweeping, curved ceilings radiated out from the stage and over the seats – actual seats, as opposed to the benches or stands that made up most of Equestria’s venues. Although the two could only afford tickets in one of the mezzanines, the view was still impressive. They found their seats and settled in.
Shimmy Shake turned to her friend. “I can’t believe we’re actually here!” she said.
“It’s even better than I thought it would be,” Lighthoof agreed, still staring at the proscenium arch.
“Both of us here, in the home of the Buckettes... it just feels right, you know?”
“Totally.”
It took a while for all of the ponies to get to their seats. After months living within the walls of the School of Friendship, the two had forgotten just how many ponies could congregate in one given space. The theater could have easily contained their entire student body. In truth, the theater could have comfortably held the entire population of Ponyville.
Finally, some unseen source caused the lights to begin to dim. Shimmy and Lighthoof would have looked at each other to express their excitement, but their eyes were now locked on the stage. The show was about to begin!
It started with the orchestra playing a medley of traditional Hearth’s Warming songs. After that, a pony dressed as Santa Hooves came out and addressed the crowd. Then the curtains began to slowly lift from the ground. And there they were – the Buckettes!
The dancers may have been dozens of yards away, but that didn’t matter to Shimmy Shake and Lighthoof. The two dancers-in-training were watching Equestria’s premier dance troupe perform its most famous show, and from the very beginning, it didn’t disappoint. It began with an elaborate tap routine set to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Warming.” There was so much going on, with the focus shifting between small groups of dancers extending across the entire length of the stage, that it was impossible to know where to look. It often was easier to just sit back and take in the motions of the troupe as a whole. Luckily, with their seats so far away, that was easy for Shimmy and Lighthoof to do.
The opening song hadn’t even finished, but the dancers were already beginning to make their way into a straight line. Both Shimmy and Lighthoof involuntarily held their breaths.
As one, all of the dancers reared up onto their hind legs, linked their forelegs, and began their signature move – the kickline.
Thirty-six dancers, balancing on their hind legs, shifting their weight from leg to leg as they high-kicked in unison. And they didn’t simply alternate legs, either – there was choreography to it. Right, then left. Right halfway up, then all the way up. Same with the left. Right, right, left, left, all the way up each time. Always perfectly in sync – the sound of their tap shoes confirmed it – and able to stay on two hooves for that many kicks in a row. Shimmy and Lighthoof had been teaching themselves to do it – it was really hard to keep from losing balance and pulling the other pony down. If that happened here, it would create a chain reaction.
The song ended and the audience applauded – Shimmy and Lighthoof especially forcefully. But that was only the beginning of the show. As the dancers went offstage to change their costumes and take off their tap shoes, the orchestra played more music. Some other performers came out to sing and then set up the next dance routine. It was the toy soldiers routine, dating back decades to when the troupe began. It was more technical and not as flashy as the opening number, but Shimmy and Lighthoof appreciated it just as much.
That was followed by a high-energy salute to Manehattan. That number featured the most complex staging of the night, with stationary coaches attached to other ponies on manual treadmills who pretended to walk forward while dozens of pieces of scenery were carried along the background, creating the illusion of the dancers going on a tour of the city. A tour that ended with another kickline. Which was fine by Shimmy and Lighthoof – they couldn’t get enough of the move.
Then a routine where all of the dancers came out dressed as Santa Hooves. They arranged themselves in a circle and danced while a turntable that had been cut into the stage floor rotated.
Next was a traditional telling of the story of Hearth’s Warming. It didn’t feature any dancing – the dancers served as extras in the three tribes while the other performers played the key roles. That was Shimmy and Lighthoof’s least favorite part of the show, but still, it wouldn’t be the Hearth’s Warming season without a performance of the story. And the windigo effects were top-notch. Plus, the two understood that even though the dancers were still onstage performing, it gave the troupe a little bit of a chance to rest. After watching all of that dancing, Shimmy and Lighthoof were feeling sympathy aches in their own legs.
The show ended with one last dance number from the Buckettes – a number that concluded, naturally, with one final kickline. Shimmy and Lighthoof appreciated the fact that even though there were earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi in the troupe, none of the night’s dance routines had included any flight choreography. It was a throwback to the group’s founding, when the Buckettes were exclusively earth ponies.
After the curtain call (and one final kickline, much to Shimmy and Lighthoof’s delight), the two put on their scarves and hats and tried to leave the theater as quickly as possible. It was a difficult task, given the sheer number of other ponies also trying to exit, but the two made it to the lobby in a relatively short time, where they trotted out of the building and made their way around to the performers’ entrance. The primary reason for their visit to Manehattan was to see the Buckettes perform, but there was a second goal that they also intended to achieve.
They watched as several performers left the theater to go home. As much as they wanted to, Shimmy and Lighthoof didn’t try to talk to any of those ponies. The two had one specific target in mind.
Finally, a slightly older earth pony with a short dark purple mane came through the door. It was Quick Step – choreographer for the Buckettes. Shimmy and Lighthoof rapidly approached her.
As they had agreed, Shimmy did the talking. “Hi, Ms. Step! I’m Shimmy Shake and this is my best friend Lighthoof. We’re two of the cheerleaders at the School of Friendship, and we’d like to take a moment to show you—”
“Auditions are in April; details are available in the lobby,” Quick Step said without stopping. She trotted away, leaving Shimmy and Lighthoof standing alone on the cold sidewalk.
For a few moments, neither of them said anything.
Finally, Lighthoof said, “That was it?”
“She didn’t even give us a chance!”
“This is supposed to be our big break!”
“And she just... ugh!” Shimmy stomped her rear leg onto the sidewalk.
“Now what do we do?”
Shimmy glared at the purple-maned pony receding into the distance. Gradually, her expression changed to a mere frown.
“I don’t know.”
The two hung their heads. The bitter winter wind stung the tears beginning to form in their eyes.
“I know that expression,” said a voice from in front of them. They both looked up to see an azure-coated earth pony mare with a light gray mane and tail. Based on her toned body – and her cutie mark depicting a horseshoe print with a dotted line leading to another horseshoe print – she was clearly one of the Buckettes.
“A lot of ponies come to Manehattan thinking they’ll immediately get their big break,” she said. “I know Quick Step can be blunt, but if you’re going to make it here, you’re going to have to learn that that’s not how this city works. In the long run, she’s helping you by not giving you false hope.”
“So that’s it?” Lighthoof said. “We can’t be Buckettes, just like that?”
“It’s not that you can’t be Buckettes. But you’re going to have to put in the work if you really want it. We all have to.”
“What do we have to do?” Shimmy asked.
“Be two of the eighty best dancers in Equestria,” she said. “And be able to prove it in a high-pressure audition.”
Both Shimmy and Lighthoof looked a little frightened. The dancer laughed.
“Good – that’s the reaction you should have,” she said.
“What happens at the auditions?” Lighthoof asked.
“It isn’t too different from a regular dance audition. Just longer, with a lot more ponies trying to get the job, and with less time to learn each set of steps.” Upon seeing the uncertain look on each of their faces, the dancer said, “Have either of you ever had to audition for a job before?”
“We’re still in school,” Shimmy said. “We’re on the cheer squad at the School of Friendship.”
The dancer looked at them for a second. “That’s why you look familiar!” she said. “My brother is on the Connecticolt buckball team. I went to watch when his team played your school. You know, a lot of ponies were really interested in your halftime show. Most of us haven’t seen a dragon or a changeling with our own eyes before.”
“Yeah,” Shimmy said, “they really are the draw.”
“But somepony has to let Ocellus stand on their backs,” Lighthoof said.
“Hey, don’t sell yourselves short,” the dancer said. “I noticed what you two were doing out there. I remember being impressed at how you were able to make the whole squad shine as one. That ability to be part of a team is good training if you want to be professional dancers.”
“Oh... thanks,” Shimmy said.
“What are your names?”
“Shimmy Shake.”
“Lighthoof.” They each shook her hoof.
“I’m Deft Chassé. Come over here.” She led them closer to the performers’ entrance, against a wall that somewhat shielded them from the cold wind. “So... you really want to be Buckettes?”
“Who wouldn’t?” Shimmy said.
“Well, you’ve got the enthusiasm. And you both would meet the height requirements. What are your dance backgrounds?”
“I’ve been dancing since I was four,” Shimmy said.
Lighthoof said, “And I’ve been dancing since I was five.”
“And we can do this. One, two, three, four...”
Together, they reared up, put their forelegs behind each other’s withers, and performed their own approximation of the kickline. After eight kicks, they dropped back down onto all fours.
With a smile, Deft said, “Have you been practicing that?”
“A little,” Lighthoof said. She chose not to tell the entire truth of “a little every day for the past three weeks.”
“It’s not bad for a first attempt. Kind of uneven, though. And actually, a little too high. We all kick to the height of our elbows so it’s uniform. But what I meant is, what kinds of dance are you good at? To be a Buckette, you have to have experience in ballet, jazz, and tap.”
“Oh,” Shimmy said. “Well, we both have strong jazz and ballet backgrounds. But I haven’t done any tap for a few years now.” Lighthoof nodded her head to indicate the same.
“That’s all right,” Deft said. “The first thing I would suggest is for you to get some more tap training so you’ll be able to handle all of the steps the Buckettes have to do. That way, when you’re ready to audition, you’ll be ready for everything.”
“Ready to audition?” Lighthoof said.
“I’m not saying it’s impossible to become a Buckette if that’s your first audition. But I’ve never heard of it happening. And the Buckettes audition is one of the most intense there is. You should really get a feel for what professional dancing is like before you throw yourself into the deep end.”
Lighthoof said, “Isn’t there some way to just get Quick Step to talk to us instead?”
“Not if you want to be a Buckette – the only way to get that is to pass the audition. But if you want to show her what you’re made of, there’s also the summer classes.”
“Summer classes?!” Shimmy said too eagerly. “We can be here during the summer!”
Deft held up her hoof. “It isn’t that easy. The Buckettes have summer training classes every year. But the class costs hundreds of bits, and you have to pass an audition to even get into one. If you can, though, it’s a really good way to find out what it’s like to be a Buckette. It’s really intense, but you would get to work with Quick Step. And more than a few of the dancers here got hired after proving themselves after two or three years.”
“Two or three years?” Shimmy said.
Lighthoof added, “And you have to pay for it every year?”
“It’s not the only way to become a Buckette, but it’s a good way to refine those specific skills. I don’t want to discourage you, but the fact is, this is the most famous dance troupe in Equestria. It’s really difficult to land a spot.”
Shimmy had a crestfallen look on her face. “We’re going to have to start saving a lot of bits.”
“Like I said, it’s not the only way. Wait here for a second – let me see if Sunnystep is still inside.” She went back into the building.
Lighthoof turned to her friend. “I still really want to be a Buckette, but it also kind of sounds like it’s a scam.”
“I knew it was a lot of hard work being one,” Shimmy said. “I just didn’t think it would be so impossible to become one in the first place.”
A minute later, Deft returned with a yellow pegasus with an orange mane. “This is Sunnystep,” she told them. “Sunnystep, this is Shimmy Shake and Lighthoof. They’re cheerleaders for the School of Friendship.”
Sunnystep shook each of their hooves. “Deft was telling me about your cheer squad. She said you did a great job pumping up the crowd.”
“Thanks,” Lighthoof said. “But it sounds like that doesn’t do us any good for becoming professional dancers.”
Deft jumped in. “I never said that. Sunnystep used to be a professional cheerleader before she joined the Buckettes.”
“Really?” asked Shimmy.
Sunnystep nodded. “I spent three years with the Saddal Cowpoke Cheerleaders before moving to Manehattan. My time on the squad taught me a lot about discipline and teamwork, so when I tried out for the Buckettes, I already knew what it meant to do my part so everypony looks good. And it helped prepare me for the endurance we need to get through long performance days.”
Shimmy’s ears perked all the way back up. “So we still have a chance of becoming Buckettes?”
“If you’ve got the drive, the dedication, and the talent, then yes. We have a few former hoofball cheerleaders in the troupe. If you’re as good as Deft says you are, then you could easily make a cheer squad. From there, who knows – maybe we’ll see you here in a few years.” She took a moment to look each of them over. “But keep in mind this isn’t the only possible place you could end up. Maybe you’ll discover that your talents are in cheerleading. Maybe you’ll discover that you make great cheer coaches. Your futures are still wide open.”
“We know,” Lighthoof said. “And cheerleading is fun, but we’re dancers at heart.”
“I understand,” Sunnystep said. “Just don’t get so focused on one goal that you never even stop to consider anything else.”
“And don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t happen exactly the way you imagine it,” Deft said. “My old roommate when I first moved out here tried out for the Buckettes one year and didn’t make it. So instead, she started dancing in Bridleway shows. Now she has a career she says fits her a lot better.”
“You’ll probably have to find another job anyway,” Sunnystep added. “This isn’t a full-time gig.”
Deft asked the students, “Does that help?”
“Yeah, it does,” Shimmy said while Lighthoof nodded. “Thanks for all of the advice. And for talking to us in the first place.”
“You’re welcome,” Deft said. “Well, I’ve got to get going. Best of luck to you two!”
As she left, the others waved good-bye. Sunnystep turned back to Shimmy Shake and Lighthoof. “Did you have any other questions about being a Buckette?”
Shimmy thought for a second. “Yeah. Is stepping out onto that stage every night as exciting as everypony says it is?”
“It is,” Sunnystep said. She thought for a moment. “Do you want to see what the stage is like?”
Both of the students’ jaws dropped open. Lighthoof said, “Really?”
“The curtain will be down and only the house lights will be up. I can’t give you the full tour, but if you want to at least see the stage, I can show you. One cheerleader/dancer to another. ’Tis the season, right?”
Both ponies immediately agreed. As they followed Sunnystep inside, their smiles practically stretched from ear to ear.
It was a Hearth’s Warming vacation that would stay with them forever.