Spirit of a Dancer Newsletter – April 2010

Spirit of a Dancer
Spirit of a Dancer Newsletter – April 2010

April 24, 2010
Shimmying in Spring All Over the Nation!!

Yes, I know that this is late… that April is almost over and I am just now writing this. But, trust me there was a reason for waiting. April 24, 2010 was a great day in the dance world and it seems that everyone was doing something! I was fortunate enough to attend a workshop with the lovely and talented Aszmara here in Pennsylvania, but there was also A Day of Dance for Autism going on in Hampton Roads, VA!

Workshop with Aszmara
http://www.aszmara.com/
Ebensburg, PA

On Saturday, I had the pleasure of being able to attend my first local belly dance event since moving to PA and I was pleasantly surprised by the turn out. The event was held at The Cottage in Ebensburg and was attended by dancers from all over PA and even into Maryland. The sponsors for this event were Ileena and Adrianna who I have been taking some classes with and really love. Adrianna also provided the vending for the event. Unfortunately, I think I am going to have to follow her up to Pennsic and buy everything that I wanted to buy that day and couldn’t. I was able to meet some really awesome local dancers and was just so happy that I finally felt at home.

Aszmara was amazing!! She is a little firecracker and really made us work for every ounce of the lesson, but like she said everything worth having in life, is worth working for! But, she made the workshop sooo much fun, made us relax, and made us see the beauty of the performance when you don’t “overdance” the music. Her words of assurance to me after the workshop made me really feel empowered to persevere and keep working at this, despite my feelings of doubt.
I tried to take everything that she said in when I danced. I used my intentions to move me throughout space and not my feet and let the music guide the dance. I have to admit, I was very nervous when I was about to go on. I had decided to dance to Derwood Green, because I felt like I had it pretty engrained in my head. But still, it’s a long song to dance to all by your lonesome… for your (shhh don’t tell anyone) first solo performance. And (shhh, don’t tell anybody) come minute five, I went blank and felt the need to start dancing into the audience (making ‘you know what’s look good since 1982, right?).

I wasn’t the only “raq-star” of the group, though. I really enjoyed the performances that I got to watch. Pam did an incredible drum solo and jumped right into a number with Michelle and Pat doing a Tarkan choreography by Adrianna. I had heard that was some of their first performances… but I sure couldn’t tell!! Adrianna also did a really awesome raks assaya number to Sheridan (in addition to being the night’s emcee!). She was so incredibly graceful and her dress was to die for. Another group that really impressed me that night was the Tears of Aset (http://sitamun.com/troupe.html) they did two gorgeous numbers and also did a very impressive cane routine.

The two stars of the night; however, were Angela Prato (http://www.angelapratodance.com/) and of course Aszmara. Angela’s veil routine was the first I’ve ever seen that actually made me want to pick up a veil and learn. She had done a routine to Amr Diab that was so fluid and beautiful that it made me want to cry. She later admitted that it was her first full length veil routine and then I really did want to cry!

And then of course, there’s Aszmara… and Oh My God. She was the epitome of the term “Awesome Sauce.” I have never seen a dancer in person who was more fluid or entertaining with that much fire and who moved so quickly across the floor with such grace. Her emotions and passion bled through her veil and spilled out onto the floor. I would really love to take from her again. I wonder if she does veil workshops?

The First Annual Day of Dance For Autism
http://dayofdanceforautism.weebly.com/event-information.html
Virginia Beach, VA

Unfortunately, I have not yet developed the ability to be in two places at one time. But, if I could I would have definitely flown home to be a part of the Day of Dance for Autism hosted by Kalaa (http://www.kalaabellydance.com/).

Kalaa always hosts great events (my first ever belly dance performance was at one of her Haflas) and from what I have heard, this one was no exception. I will be able to tell you more once I have the DVD in my hot little hands, but I can tell you who I am looking forward to watching.

JaLe and the Nawaar Dancers (http://www.jalebelly.com/id14.html):
JaLe is another dancer who I think is covered in the proverbial awesome sauce and can’t wait to see how her troupe is doing.

Hippy Chicks Raks (http://www.chandani.net/Troupe2.htm):
Of course. Any time RanaNahid and Zahirah are in the mix, it’s a good time.

Katerina:
I haven’t seen her before, but I heard she was reeeaaallly good.

Johara:
My favourite Northern VA dancer with killer laybacks and zils.
And… and of course

Serenity Tribal (http://www.serenitytribal.com/):
The world’s bestest ATS duo in the whole wide world (but we all know, I’m a teensy bit biased)

Pick of the Month
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRZ7MyQGPek&feature=related

I recently have developed a cane fetish. I think that it reminds me of my old Color Guard/Marching Band Days.

Here is a performance by the lovely and talented Angela Prato. I really enjoyed it because it has a really lighthearted, folkloric feel to it.

Spirit of a Dancer Newsletter - March 2010

Spirit of a Dancer

Spirit of a Dancer Newsletter - March 2010

We Built this City on Raq and Roll

Tips for Coping When You're the Only Belly Dancer in Town

“Building a Dance Community”

If you want others to be a part of your own little world, you have to invite them. Most people have a misconception about belly dancers because they have never met one. It is important to ‘market’ yourself as a belly dancer. This is not to say that you have to be a performer if your not one (not everyone you see in a Steelers jersey plays football), but simply be passionate openly about your dance.

Talk about your passion for dance among your friends and co workers in casual conversation. You may be the only window to the world of dance they will ever meet. Educate them about why you love to dance and invite them to get together to practice with you. You never know who may be your next sister dancer!!

Dancing to the Beat of Your Own Drum

It’s often hard to stay involved in something when you’re the only one doing it. Even if it is something you really love, the human nature is to do things as part of a community. So, what do you do when there is no one in your area to dance with? Sometimes the dancer’s fiery spirit makes us feel that we should just start dancing in the middle of Main Street until someone dances with us. However, this may not be the best approach.

Sometimes, it is best to stay true to what you love and develop your own self practice. Keep a “build it and they will come” attitude about yourself and chances are you won’t be dancing alone for long.

Tips for Home Study

¯ Do it Regularly: Set aside an hour a week just as you would for a class.

¯ Focus (…’Grasshopper’): Try to minimize distractions (kids, pets, phone calls) so you can focus.

¯ Set Goals: Set goals for what you want out of your practice.

¯ Use Study Guides: DVD’s, books, even written choreography can help guide you.

¯ Building Blocks: Drill what you do know and work on new moves, too.

¯ Be Organized: As both teacher and student, you have dual responsibility. Take notes on what you want to learn during ‘class’ and takeaways you want to remember from your session.

Pick of the Month

Normally, I would choose to feature a performance. This month, I am choosing to highlight the talents of a person.

I’ve always been very open about the fact that Rachel Brice is the reason why I became a dancer.

However, Samantha Emanuel is the reason why I drill.

I first saw Samantha on stage with BDSS in 2009 (She was still Samantha Hasthorpe then) back in Hampton Roads, VA. At first glance, she was a good fit in the group despite being much taller than the other women. However, I found myself completely mesmerized by the fact that she moves with such fluidity.

For those of us with a skeletal structure, her movements seem impossibly graceful. She is now on constant rotation on my YouTube playlist and after watching her dance, her intoxicating, playful moves certainly will stay with you, too.

Learn More About Samantha at www.vagabondprincess.com

... and here are the YouTube Picks, Enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/samanthahasthorpe#p/u/6/5RH-JnI0kr8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUqCXoYrz_Q&feature=PlayList&p=3201955C93F81769&index=6

Epiphanies

So, I have been in the beautiful mountains of Pennsylvania for about five weeks now and I am finally starting to feel like this is a place that I could make home. Without all of the things that I have become accustomed to such as belly dance, yoga, friends, whole food markets, The Heritage, and Starbucks, I have been feeling a little down. I think that I have also been spending a good portion of my free time gaining more introspect on what I want in my life. I've spent a great deal of time drilling, reading, and meditating. Subsequently, I've also done a lot of moping around the house blaming my husband and the snow for my 'cabin fever' AKA evil witch attitude.

Last night, many things in my family life came to a head and I realized once again, that I have been suffering from a source that is of my own design. I spent a couple hours tonight listening to the Venerable Robina Courtin's interpretations of the teachings of Buddhism on why bad things happen to us and how we allow an inherited practice of being depressed manifest itself into our current loves. Instead of saying woe is me because I am in this foreign place void of all of the things that I love, I have chosen not to lose myself or my intrinsic happiness to it. There are a multitude of opportunities for me here that were not there for me in Virginia and I haven't lost anything so long as I practice my own version of happiness.

Tomorrow night, I am going to start taking lessons from a cabaret (gasp) teacher here in the local area. I spoke with her earlier in the week and she basically told me that we are most likely at the same level just at different areas of dance. But, I really think that it is important that I get out there and make the most of what there is in this city and learn what I can from each person and each experience that I can, teach to others what gifts that I can, and set up as many haflas as I can... because we all know one has to have a party. Besides, I went in to Giant Eagle today and saw that it has a full natural foods section with all of the falafel and couscous a little hippy girl could ever want to cook-I never felt so at home.

A Common Misconception... but a Misconception Nonetheless

I always strive to begin things on a positive note. So, I'll find a way to make things positive from this event...

Last night, I made it back home from D.C. where I attended the General Skills Course through Fat Chance Belly Dance and received my GS certification (can I get a woo hoo?). This morning, I returned back to the not so glamorous corporate life that I lead in order to fulfill my family's needs and keep my dance on going. Having been gone for a few days, it was natural to field a lot of 'So, how was your weekend?' type questions.

I had told a few people that I was going to a belly dance workshop, but not that many. So, imagine my surprise when I was asked how the 'pole dancing conference' went. I wasn't really prepared for that, but I did my best to explain that it was a belly dance workshop and that it was instructed by a world renowned instructor... to which I received a sarcastic laced 'belly dance- I couldn't possibly see how I could have confused that for pole dancing (with laughter)?!'

Now, we all know in the belly dance community that there are people who compare us to 'adult entertainers.' However, I had never had such an open display of this from anyone and most especially another woman. Being an ambassador of my craft, I attempted to explain that ATS is merely one style of belly dance that blends folkloric and world dances and that there are many more facets to belly dance in general that goes so far beyond the Vegas stereotype.

I was met with the response of... 'oh, you really take that seriously. I guess I shouldn't joke about it-so, do you wear one of those crystals in your belly, too?' I never felt so defeated in my life and it took every ounce of power in me not to cry. I was crushed to see the ignorance that people have towards dance and wished for a moment that I could take all of the hours of practice, thrill of my performances, love from my sister dancers... just everything and place it in a ball and have her experience it all at once.

Our art is so often overlooked, misconstrued, and apparently laughed at. I really would love if every woman in the world could experience a true (non-Hollywood) live performance just once. Even better, I would love for everyone in the world to have been able to gaze upon Carolena as her zils fluttered through the air as she stood in the corner just jamming to music or slithering through the air to Al Green.