Belly Belly Yeah!

The other side...

2012-10-25T19:25:00.000-06:00

I'm writing a new blog

http://foreveryourmatryoshka.blogspot.com/

Would love it if you followed along

It's been a long long time

2011-03-21T10:29:00.003-06:00

I stopped writing in this blog because I no longer wanted the deep association of bellydance + regular outside life. I was tired of the straight up bullshit that goes on in the "professional" dance world and found it exhausting and pathetic.

I still dance and teach and have moments of true LOVE for the artform and my students (of course; they are the best part!) but didn't want to just be the bellydancer.

Regardless, I've always been a dancer and always will be one. Despite my lack of training or sepcialization in middle eastern dance, I will never be able to sit still and will always have a very good reason to dance (as in, you don't need a damn reason).

I have an upcoming performance on March 28th for the studio's Spring recital. I'm NOT dancing to a middle eastern piece of music and I'm making my own costume. Weird? TOTALLY. I haven't felt emotionally connected to any music lately; nothing really makes me want to dance and perform something on a stage and then be proud of it. But, Sufjan Stevens does...I picked a piece of his music and at makes my heart feel like it's singing. I titled my performance 'contemporary improvisation' as that felt safe and acceptable instead of calling it fusion or soemthing that carries too many implications.

2010-09-29T15:40:00.002-06:00

As with everything in the creative process you come to a point where a little situation assessment is needed.

How much do you love what you're doing? How much longer do you want to do it? Is there a gain involved? What are the sacrifices? What are the rewards and benefits?

Is what I'm doing right now making me happy and providing what I need? Or is it preventing me from moving forward? Am I out to conquer or create?

I'm chewing these huge thoughts with my mouth open.

Although the level 2 class I taught last night was awesome. Ebb and flow.

Well Hello!

2010-09-07T10:52:00.004-06:00

It's been months - summer is on it's way out and I'm back to teaching tomorrow.

Why the absence? Dance has taken a backseat in my life. While I'll refrain from pouring my little heart out on the internet I will say that I was ill and at times physically unable to dance. Shit happens right?

I did make it to Hadia's Pro Course in Montreal and it was quite fun. My favorite aspect of the course is always getting to work with the orchestra; it's very special to work with excellent, talented musicians so closely. Usually we are lucky to have a keyboardist and a live drummer so this is always a treat. The musicians explain their instruments and then play us samples. The entire orchestra will then play an array of classic songs while we get to try out different moves and basically practice with a live orchestra.

We also performed with them in a Sunday night gala. I had very limited practice time and my song choice was a difficult one for me for more then one reason. Here it is in all it's glory (but the fist minute is missing)

My favorite moments are at
:26 - I love little hip drops!
1:13 - I caught the accents!
1:30 - Body linnneeesssss
3:00 - We didn't rehearse, I had no diea where my ending would be or when they would end...somehow this weird "Am I done" moment turned out to be a really really cute and perfect recovery.
3:44 - Adishakti thank you so much for smiling at me <3

Overall I danced with so much hesitancy which isn't normal for me. I was tentative and at times gross and sloppy but we're our worst critics, always.

Montreal was a beautiful experience for me this year - a rebirth of dance/person/love and so much more. I can't wait to go back but for other reason than dance.

Raks Mimi keeps on Raking

2010-06-28T11:57:00.002-06:00

Saturday marked the studio's year end hafla. I decided to dance Raks Mimi again as it was the freshet thing in my mind from Kelly's wedding at the end of May. Luckily it was caught on tape for your viewing pleasure

Website updates and Habibi!

2010-06-25T12:18:00.002-06:00

Woohoo! I had my web dudes change the background on my website. I like the new photo so much more. We also added more photos to the gallery.

http://www.edmontonbellydance.com/

In other news, I'm still not feeling well but my favorite HABIBI, Hala Jamal will be here for the weekend. We are dancing at a local Hafla on Saturday and guess what? I have NO IDEA what I'm going to dance to. Here's to winging it yet again. Being sick has left me totally exhausted and essentially wasted. Teaching for the last 3 weeks has been so hard as I get sick just from shimmying.

Summer classes start July 7 and 8 so I'm hoping to feel better by then. Fingers crossed.

xo

Weirdest phone call ever

2010-06-15T15:29:00.002-06:00

Anya: Hello
Male caller with thick accent who sounds like he is barking when he speaks: When is your show?
Anya: Are you looking to see me dance in a restaurant?
Male: Yes, when is your show?
Anya: I don't have have anything definite booked right now that is open to the public, just private shows. You can call Restaurant X and ask them when they might have a show.
Male: But I want to see you dance, are you dancing at Capital Ex
Anya: No, I won't be there
Male: What about in August
Anya: I'll be away for half of August and possibly dancing in Montreal
Male: What about September
and so on...

So bizarre - he was calling from Calgary.

I wanted to write more about the Toronto adventure and crazy habibi/homegrrls meet-ups but have been ill for over 2 weeks. I also need to tell you all about the MAC blush I got...another time I suppose.

When 2 loves collide...

2010-05-26T15:20:00.003-06:00

I'm in a crazy love triangle with circus and aerials and belly dance. I love them both but they are aren't always complimentary.

I love that circus is new and fresh and exciting. I also love that it's helping me to deal with my fear of heights and being upside down. It's given me strength I never knew I could have and a major sense of accomplishment, not to mention adrenaline high!

What I don't love are the bruises it leaves all over my body. This past Monday I was practicing the frog sequence on the rope and the rappel a the end. Unfortunately my usually solid protection of tank tucked into tights with a t shirt over top slid up and I am now graced with rope burn on my right hip. And did I mention I had run into a door knob the day before? So there's also a bruise. This does not farewell when your midsection is naked in a belly dance costume obviously.

I also have countless other bruises on my legs, inner thighs, and arms. A student once asked me if I had been attacked by a rabid dog...no, just doing circus.

The great thing about circus is that it's brought a whole new perspective and awareness to balance and body lines. I'm much more away of my toes pointing instead of crunching up or looking ugly. I know where my arm is or where it should be. I have a new affinity for arabesques and leg lifts/kicks in my dance. It's all too exciting and a step closer to really running away with the circus!

Pulpy bruised legs

You start with what you know

2010-05-25T14:08:00.003-06:00

On Saturday May 29th I'll be in Toronto attending a dear friends wedding. Later in the evening I'll put on my new sparkly Bella and perform for her and her guests.

It's a big deal. A BIG FREAKING DEAL. This is her wedding and I want it to be magical. Originally I was going to dance to Betwannes Beek because it's my FAVORITE but as I listened to it more I felt uninspired and kinda blah about it. I kept tearing through my music collection so many times but never felt satisfied so I went back to what I know. Oriental Fantasy (seriously love it so much). I had sent the bride a couple options and she kindly replied with "Sure but I'd like to hear your other options as well" (always a diplomat- love her). So I pulled out Raks Mimi and wouldn't you know, 2 years ago at Hadia's Pro Course she had spliced Enchanted Gardens together with 2 minutes Raks Mimi. This now means I'm 2 minutes ahead of the game and with the amount I've been listening to the rest of it, should feel solid for Saturday.

Revisiting Hadia's choreography to the portion of Raks Mimi has been amazing. I'm "getting" things I couldn't physically do 2 years ago. The muscle memory is right there as if I had just learned it.

However, in keeping with the last post - could I have procrastinated anymore? Uh, nope.

I still have some surgery to do on my Bella. Unfortunately the skirt is too big. I have narrow hips but full thighs and bum that extend forward and back from my body but I don't have width to my lower half. This means that turkish costumes almost NEVER fit me properly unless they are exactly my size. I don't want to cut into the skirt and beading to make it smaller so I was able to make a fold in the waistband and stitch it tight (temporary). I also have to hem the skirt a good inch and a half and adjust the neck straps. I just get so crazy about doing alterations to something so expensive. depending on how it feels to dance in on the weekend I might put it up for sale right away. We'll see.

Fanpage

2010-05-25T10:09:00.001-06:00

I decided to give me facebook group the boot and move to a fanpage instead. Hope you'll join!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anya-Belly-Dance/321084581875?ref=ts

Can you hear the gong?

2010-05-23T16:33:00.005-06:00

Last night's performance was a pretty big deal. It was my friend's birthday (who is 8 months pregnant), my best friend's going away dinner, my students were there and my mentor was there. The restaurant was packed - they turned away about 20 people who came in without reservations. But while you were looking forward to a yummy meal and fun with your friends I was running my very own gong show.

I desperately needed to dye my hair so I bought some hair dye that I thought would match nicely (I usually get it dyed professionally) and hoped for the best. It looks great BUT it's way darker then I thought it would be. What does this mean for Anya? It means none of her hair extensions match. So I ran out to Images and Shades and picked up some new 16inch extensions and a new shiny ponytail! I usually double the hair weft before sewing it on to the clip so it's thicker. I use a glue gun but guess what? I had no glue sticks so I raced to the dollarstore and peeled up and down the aisles frantically. I was in luck! With my $1.05 purchase I raced home to get the hurr ready.

I also decided to debut my new sexy yellow Eman but were the alterations done? OF COURSE NOT says the Queen of Procrastination. I quickly cased elastic into the upper hip, padded the bra, moved the hooks, and adjusted the straps.

Then I decided (last minute of course) to make a new mix. I made a bang up mash perfect for getting the resaturant bumping and everyone in a happy dancey mood! I did some serious song splicing and was really proud of my mix and excited for the sizzling hot drum solo at the end.

I get to the restaurant and they're running behind. When people called for reservations they told them there would be a Belly Dancer so everyone had reservations at the same time which means the kitchen was slammed. I usually dance around 8 but last night went on around 8:45. As my music came on I was confused - this was my mix from last week - did they screw up the cd's? Did I burn the wrong cd? No time to turn back - people are waiting and they've waited long enough.

Everyone clapped, cheered, danced and I was only turned down once! Tips were flowing and everyone was having a good time. Then it was time for the drum solo. As mentioned above, the costume has cutouts on the hips which are lined with flesh toned mesh. My underwear were fleshtone colored lycra boyshorts. What does this mean? SLIP AND SLIDE! Bouncing, shimmying, and shaking meant my skirt was slipping down down down. So I played it up and hiked it up - wiped the sweat that was dripping down my face and made the best of it.

After I was finished I ran to the kitchen to grab my friends birthday cake - I had arranged with her husband to bring it out in my costume after I danced. We lit the candles and I turned around and started to sing Happy Birthday (Belly Gram time!) as I turned around and came out of the servers area I noticed that half her guests were outside smoking - oh well too late! She loved it - I just wish her peeps had been inside.

By the end of the evening I was exhausted - too much adrenaline and last minute running around. But no one knew - everyone had a great time. So would I change anything? Not really but maybe, one day, I'll learn to stop procrastinating.

Photos!

New Eman! Love it!
Darker hurr and smokey eyes - I've been really into putting teal or turquoise on the lower rim

Dancing with the birthday girl and soon to be Mama!

Anya's Music Video debut!

2010-05-21T10:31:00.005-06:00

Last month I wrote about being in Hot Hot Heat's music video 21@12 here http://bellybellyyeah.blogspot.com/2010/04/hot-hot-heat.html

The video was just released the other day on Much Music and here it is!
http://watch.muchmusic.com/search/Hot%20Hot%20Heat#clip304012

I appear at the house party a little after 3m20s. I'm not doing a whole lot of dancing and I don't think you ever really see my face but whatever, I'm excited nonetheless!

Big props to Ms. Tiffany Jackson who made it all happen

PS: The cute little red headed girl is Ruby, the daughter of my friends Casper and Tess. And the lady with the crazy red hair and tattoo's is my fabulous friend and hairdresser Delina!

Photos!

For someone who generally likes getting her photo taken this one is awful and hilariously silly all at once! With Delina!

With the freaks taking a cool off break

RUUUUBY!

They're here!

2010-05-19T12:59:00.001-06:00

My dear Habibi, Hala Jamal and I are so excited to announce that we are vending Oriental Fantasy Cd's! Yes dear reader, that's right. We worked with Beata and Horacio to bring 200 of their lovely cd's to Canada for your purchasing fancy.

Here's the info, happy shopping

Cd's are $25 usd each and include shipping. If you're looking to purchase 10 or more or need shipping outside of Canada or the USA, please contact me. If you're a local dancer, pick up can be arranged and payment can be made in cash, cheque, or interact money transfer.

To place your order, simply state the cd's you want, provide your email address and I will email you a paypal invoice. Your order will be shipped within 2-3 days of receiving payment and will be sent in a recycled bubble mailer (yay environment!)

The following titles are available and the quantities are in brackets beside the titles

Reda's Flower (5)
Valley of the Kings (5)
Vol 1: Ala Nar (15)
Vol 2 Inta Omri (6)
Vol 3: Salam Ya Amm (7)
Vol 5: Magic of the Moon(6)
Vol 6: Flowers of the Orient(4)
Vol 7: Dances of Pharaonic Passion (15)
Vol 8: Love, Moon & Stars (15)
Vol 10: Egyptian Love Affair (31)
Vol 11: Enchanted Garden (31)
Vol 12: Talisman (60)

How do I love thee Hadia, let me count the ways

2010-05-03T13:55:00.001-06:00

"Drills replace simply dancing and practicing. Combinations have no relationship to any music –they just exist. Six packs aim to replace a smoothly curved abdomen. Do tight buns and 12 year old boy thighs really need to replace odalisque women’s hips? Should the magic diagonals that make every move and every body lusciously feminine and interesting be replaced by two dimensional step-it-out right, left, front, back? Plus, most contain no aerobic component or teach anything that could possibly make anyone sweat."

For more, click above or go here http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2010/03/02/hadia-egyptian-oriental-dance/

Inthekitsch

2010-04-19T14:49:00.005-06:00

A couple of years ago I ran a small but successful crafting operation but because of work and other commitments let it go. I started making belly dance magnets last year and finally updated my etsy page and put some back up. I've had a lot of teachers order 20-50 as gifts for their students. I'm always happy to do discounts for large order or special requests! After I move I'm hoping to put together some extra special sets with Tahiya and Samia.

My little shop is here http://www.etsy.com/shop/inthekitsch

Hot hot heat

2010-04-18T18:40:00.002-06:00

Today I was in a music video for Hot Hot Heat's new song "21@12"

The theme was something along the lines of freaky looking people at a house party and somehow there's a glamorous belly dancer in the midst of it all. I was part of the party crew and blew bubbles and then danced beside the drummer with my sword and played with party favors. I don't know how much of me will actually be in the video once it's all said and done but I'm still excited!

Competition

2010-04-16T15:37:00.002-06:00

Last November I hastily signed up for a competition and promptly forgot about it. Luckily it's not until this November. But am I shi**ting myself already?

You betcha!

This is an amazing chance for me the challenge myself and work under pressure. I'll also get to meet so many amazing dancers that I see on BHUZ and on dvd's.

7 months away...

Profile on Anya

2010-04-15T17:18:00.002-06:00

I was interviewed and profiled by ms. janis of dress me dearly. Here's my little interview

http://dressmedearly.blogspot.com/2010/04/profile-on-belly-dancer-anya.html

Half over?

2010-04-14T14:51:00.002-06:00

April is almost half over. Have I accomplished anything on my to do list? NOPE, well, just my taxes. It seems that as soon as dance is done it's all I can do to stay awake in the evening and motivate myself to do anything. I'm so tired and sleepy - I guess part of what keeps me going is the adrenaline from teaching and dancing. ZZZZZZZZZ.

In other fun news, my costume goddess, Shauna, posted some of my photos on her blog.

That Zebra costume is one of my absolute favorites. It's comfortable, flattering, and oh so special. I had to convince her to take it off ebay and sell it to me because it was EXACTLY what I had been looking for. She even made me extra arm gauntlets and sent me extra fabric and beads and made a matching necklace and anklet.

Isis Dance Recital

2010-04-07T12:26:00.002-06:00

Last night was the Student/Teacher recital for Isis Dance. I was pretty worked up about this recital in particular because my level 4 ladies were opening the show and my level 1 and 2 ladies were working with some challenging choreography. Not to mention that I was dancing Hadia's choreography to Talisman. It was a tall order!

The Level 4's rocked "Unveiled" in their gorgeous matching L.Rose costumes. I'm so impressed that all the pieces fit save for 2 skirts that needed to be shortened. The costumes are so flattering to all of their body shapes and sizes and are oh so comfortable! We danced at a Hafla on Saturday which gave them a chance to have an extra practice before the big performance. They killed it!

We had a great mix of soloists including Tania who fused it up, Farahnaz performing a Persian number, Rena doing double veil, Aldiya rocking an Orit drum solo, and Nath Keo who wowed the crowd with his Oriental and Fusion. I felt that overall, the show had a nice flow to it and was visually exciting and interesting.

There's a certain cathartic relief once it's all over though, it means rest and relaxation (hah!) for me. A time to regenerate my creative forces and come back strong for the spring.

I had a dream...

2010-04-05T16:16:00.003-06:00

This morning I had a dream that the restaurant where I work asked me if I could "please incorporate more orientale in my dancing." I was like OMG YES OF COURSE. I dance in a small restaurant and my job is to make a party and provide excellent entertainment so there's a whole lot of shaking going on! Quite a bit of artistic stuff get's left out because I simply don't have the room and the music wouldn't always be appropriate. Don't get me wrong, I love restaurant dancing but there's a big difference as to what I do there as compared to when I have the room/a stage/ appropriate venue.

I'm finding that I currently have a really great balance between restaurant and stage shows. I'm also finding that I'm pushing myself harder when it comes to prepping for restaurant shows. In my goal to get better at drum solo's I've been listening and mapping them out ahead of time so I know the cue's better but still improvise them. I've also become more picky about the music I use; because it's a Greek place I want to represent that in my music. I try to have at least 3 Greek songs - some traditional, some pop in every mix. Even though the patrons don't always know it, I know that the owners appreciate it and hey, I'm exposing myself to more music and becoming more knowledgeable - always a plus!

Hubba Hubba

2010-04-05T08:44:00.002-06:00

Goals

2010-03-29T11:41:00.002-06:00

One more week until I'm free from classes for a month. Here's my assignments for the break

1. Choreograph level 4 drum solo - I'm thinking the B&C drum solo from Ala Nar
2. Choreograph a level 2 piece - no more then 3 minutes, super fun and easy
3. Pick out music for Pro Course and get organized
4. Finish my taxes (@#%#$%^#$%)
5. Do an in depth online study of Khaleegi - music, meaning, movements
6. Work on drum solo improvisation skills - put on an unfamiliar drum solo and tape myself dancing to it
7. Reconnect with my doumbek
8. Get new photos up on the website and update my facebook page - deal with promo stuff
9. MOVE - OMG. That means clean up the cd's, dvd's, costumes, notes etc etc YIKES!
10. Start playing with idea's for the double veil dance for fall

Good luck lady!

What makes an Anya?

2010-03-28T13:20:00.003-06:00

Here's how a dancing night usually goes for me

1. shower (don't forget to shave those armpits)
2. primer and foundation is set
3. bronzer, blush, eyebrows, eyeshadow, lashes
4. paint toes and blow dry hair
5. curl extensions and put 2nd coat on toes
6. put in extensions
7. eyeliner ,lower eye makeup, and lipcolor
8. pack gig bag (don't forget zills) and scurry on over to the restaurant

Sadly no great photos from the show or in costume but the restaurant was PACKED last night. I think there were only 2 small tables still open. A huge THANK YOU to the peeps who came out and brought friends with them. It was a night to remember.

Inspired!

2010-03-23T10:48:00.002-06:00

After the weekend I returned home feeling more inspired then I can ever remember. I'm at a place where it's time to PUSH and push HARD. Creatively I'm feeling alive and ready to tackle choreographies and my own dancing. I've already picked the music for the Level 4 Spring Drum solo, all the promo is done for the summer classes, and I've got a couple extra special shows lined up for the next 3 months.

On the weekend, Hala and I revisited the entire Oriental Fantasy library. It's so magical; Beata and Horacio have done an amazing job creating magical cd's from the instrumentation to arrangements to the emotion so deeply infused into their music. I'm working on Hadia's choreography to Talisman and have the first 2 minutes down. Just over 3 minutes to go before the April 6th show.

For my Level 4's I picked a B&C drum solo which is snappy, cute, and easy to grasp so they can really PLAY with it during performance. I've also picked a whole bunch of pieces for future work. Some of my current favorites are

Ahabek Ya Amar
Sukker Bulag
Grand Solo Oriental
Tabla Solo
Zenobia's Dance
El Atlal (Instrumental)
Ismail drum solo
Gala Oriental
Arabian Dream
Mizmar Ya Boie

Hala said it best when she stated that if a student or new dancer was looking to purchase and invest in music that you really can't go wrong with the variety and dynamic that the Oriental Fantasy cd's offer.

Bella

2010-03-22T17:51:00.001-06:00

I just received an email reply from THE BELLA of ISTANBUL regarding a custom order. OMG OMG OMG.

I wanted a new white costume and I was hoping to have it for Caliana's wedding. She said it should be ready and to me by May 15 so here's hoping.

My bank account and credit card is already crying but omg will it ever be worth it.

Dang!

2010-03-22T09:32:00.003-06:00

Why is it that when I go away I get offered a whole bunch of extra gigs. I could have had 3 shows this weekend but I missed out because I went away. BUT it was SO worth it! The habibi and I got so much work done.

~We made new promo posters and postcards for me (I'll share once they're printed)
~I altered the skirt of one of my costumes - just have to redo the bra. Also helped Hala change around a couple of her costumes
~We worked on Hadia's Talisman choreography
~We did yoga and went for a long walk
~We had all you can eat sushi (this is very important to the habibi hangout time)
~We SLEPT. We were both so tired from work/life/dance and made lots of time to just sleep
~I bought 2 new costumes...whoops! We now have 4 matching-ish costumes which is hilarious but awesome. We're going to do a shoot with Gravy at the end of April. Can't wait!

I've also decided to do Talisman for the Isis Recital on April 6th. I'm mad at myself for not working on it right away after learning it at HipFest in October. Esepcially considering I had a really good grasp of it in the workshop. I've got an uphill battle to get the steps and footwork down and then add the feeling and emotion that Hadia has infused into it but also to make it my own. It's such a gorgeous piece of music and the choreography is so beautiful, I can't wait to show it off.

Another one...

2010-03-16T11:52:00.002-06:00

Too good to be true!

2010-03-12T10:21:00.002-07:00

This week has been full of consumer excitement.

1. I sold a total of 4 costumes to people who look amazing in them and who I know will love them so much.

2. I found a beautiful blue costume by way of the fabulous Samira in Hawaii. It's a Pharaonics Venus aka Goddess Ma'at in a pretty deep blue color. Can't wait!

3. The beautiful Eman that I traded my Mamdoh for with MellyBelly arrived yesterday and it's amazing. It's such a lush rich looking costume and I can't wait to take it out for a spin. It's a warm gold with pink accents in the same style as the Zenith

4. My MAC pro card finally showed up! YES YES YES! In perfect time too! I need some more brushes and face makeup and I have at least 18 empties that need to be brought back for new lipcolor!

5. I just placed an order for sparklies from Sam Moon! I bought about 6 necklaces and several bracelets. They don't ship to Canada so it's heading to Nadira Joharah in Texas and then to me.

I'm proud of myself for selling first, saving some, and then buying only things I really need. I usually buy on impulse then freak out about the money and try to sell things after the fact. Most of my jewelry is vintage rhinestone and pretty delicate so I wanted some cheaper pieces that I don't have to worry about as much and can replace as needed.

Best bellies

2010-03-11T09:16:00.006-07:00

In my intermediate/level 2 class, 90% of the students are return students to me. I've taught over half of them level 1/beginner and then they moved up with me. There's a couple I've been teaching since I started as a teacher two and a half years ago! It's so amazing to watch them grow as dancers and to start thinking of themselves as dancers. Obviously not everyone wants the same thing but many of them have started taking it more seriously, practicing, wanting to perform more, and pushing their own limitations or boundaries.

Another really cool thing to see is that they've become friends. They talk to each other before class, know each others names and I'm pretty sure some of them have gotten together to hangout or practice. This totally warms my heart because it adds more meaning to their class and experience.

I got super mushy and sentimental after my class with them last night thinking about my own belly dance journey and my friends that I wouldn't know if it weren't for bellydance so here's a little homage to them.

Hala Jamal ~ aka "The Illustrious Hala Jamal" We met each other in 2007 in Victoria for Hadia's level 1 Teacher Training course. We then met up in Calgary for HipFest and TT level 2 and then Procourse 2008 and 2009. In 2009 we shared a place (with Caliana) and had so much fun together. We've gone through engagements, breakups, house woes, new boyfriends etc with each and try to have at least 1 habibi weekend per month.

Caliana ~ I met Caliana at Hadia's Procourse in 2008. She contacted me on Bhuz and asked if we wanted to be roommates. Since it was festival season in Montreal our hotel choices were pretty limited so we settled on sharing a queen sized bed for over 2 weeks! We also did Procourse 2009 together and she's getting married in May!!!And she's asked me to dance for her wedding which is such an honor. Kelly's definitely been there for life and dancing advice and always has a fair and honest opinion on everything.

April Azhar ~ I met April at Procourse 2008, she wasn't there for tech week but me, her and Caliana were inseparable for the rest of the course. Sadly she didn't get to come to the 2009 course but hopefully we'll see her for this years course and at Kelly's wedding! We have matching unicorn pajamas and love grilled cheese. I also want all of her costumes!!!

Melissa Gamal ~ aka"MellyBelly" "Homegrrrl" "Body birthday twin" . I met Melissa on Bhuz. I bought one of her costumes and noticed on her profile that we share the same birthday (I'm 1 year older). We also are almost the exact same size. One facebook message led to another and soon we had HUGE facebook message threads 300 messages long. We started a tradition of sending each other birthday packages, mix cd's, and little gifts here and there to cheer each other up. We've gone through some serious breakups, makeups, drama rama all on the phone. We've never met but talk all the time. We just swapped costumes and I can't wait for my new melly belly sister costume to arrive! We're hoping to meet up this summer after almost 2 years of friendship!

I love all these girls because not only are they my dancer friends, they've become my real true blue real life ladies. I can call them if I need their opinion on a costume or a critique on a youtube video but can also stay up all night giggling about nonsense and call them whenever I need. Sadly we live all over Canada and the US but thankfully we have workshops and courses that help keep us closer.

ProCourse 2008: Caliana, Me, Hadia, April *Hala behind Hadia standing

ProCourse 2009
Hadia, Me (in green), Nadirah Johara (more on her later), Caliana *Hala behind me

Photoshoot! Photoshoot!

2010-03-10T10:25:00.003-07:00

I did a photo shoot last night with my friend Gravy of GraveDanger Photography and his lovely girlfriend Jenn who is a FABULOUS makeup artist and super involved in so many neat projects.

We took over 700 photos and have 60+ that we have to go through and narrow down to about 15. It was probably the best photoshoot I've done to date but at this point I've had a lot of practice. It was also one of the strangest location wise though: a former laser tag building that has been converted into band jam spaces and within a jam space lies an old vault which is Gravy's studio. It was super cold and barefeet+concrete is no good for the body but we made it work. It's probably why we got so many good shots, we were freezing and just wanted to get through it all!

We worked a lot with veils and spins and i've come to realize that I feel naked without my veil. I used to HATE them when I started dancing; I felt like I was getting the moves and then they stick this piece of fabric in my hands and make me move?!?! ACK! Glad i've worked through that!

It was also my first time wearing fake nails! I don't have the nicest nails during winter as they peel and crack so I bought some press ons and it made a world of difference. I was so much more conscious of what my hands were doing or what they needed to do to look pretty. I didn't want to glue them on because I'd never used them and didn't want to ruin my nails so I used the sticky stuff and lost probably 7 or 8 over the evening. I'm glad there's 24 in the package! While they made getting changed almost impossible I can definitely see why women are drawn to them.

Gravy sent along a quick edit late last night and it's pretty smoking! Can't wait to see what else he has in store for me!!!

The beginning, part deux

2010-03-08T15:28:00.002-07:00

When I was in Kindergarten/Grade 1 I used to take the same circus book out from the library all the time. I would take it home and read and re-read it over and over again. I can't remember much of it except that there was a snake charmer/belly dancer in it with a bright red jewel in her belly. I was in love with her and her outfit and hair. Even though I can't remember the book itself I know I loved her and would stare at the photo and dream about being in the circus.

Sabzy

2010-03-07T16:40:00.006-07:00

About a year ago a cute little Persian place opened up on Whyte Ave called Sabzy. I always walked by and meant to go in but never did until late last year and I had some of the best food I've ever eaten.

It's owned and operated by a family and the daughter is vegetarian making for a well rounded, veggie friendly menu. The first time I went I had their soup of the day which is a magically delicious green vegetable soup with thick noodles in it. I can barely finish a cup it's so filling but so so good. They have the art of spice down to a science with no one flavor ever overpowering the other instead just blending together to make perfection. I've also eaten most of the dips and the veggie sandwich. However, on Friday I had the sabzy wrap and just about died. It's sabzy, feta, cucumber, tomatoes, and soaked almonds or walnuts (yum) all wrapped up in a pita. SO GOOD. My dining companion had their special which was chicken and eggplant stew and said it was phenomenal.

I've never left there unhappy or still hungry. They also have some of the best "better then" baklava i've ever had. om nom nom. Anya with a full belly is a happy belly dancer (as long as she doesn't have to dance right away!)

ETA: Of course I forgot to write about my favorite part of this place (besides the food)! They have a small booth in the front window where you sit cross legged on persian carpets and bask in the sun. Almost every time I've gone I've gotten to sit here and it just adds to the awesomeness of the place. It's a great spot for girl gossip and an even better spot for a date with your honey <3

Friday Show

2010-03-06T20:59:00.004-07:00

I danced on Friday and wanted to try something a bit different for my makeup. I usually go for a heavier eye but this time I did a red lip and went for lighter eyes.

I used Urban Decay's "smog" with some purple from a random palette worked in. I then used some Lit glitter in "Las Vegas UF solid" in place of black eyeliner. On my lips was Cover Girls Superstay lip color in "Cherry" which I LOVE because it dries and sticks to your lips and doesn't transfer at all. This means no lipstick teeth even after smiling for 30 minutes! PS: Check out the AWESOME brows!!!

I wore my Pharoanics of Egypt "Andalusian Vision" costume. I ordered this back in 2008 during Dahlal's Pharaonics sale as a gift to myself for losing 15 pounds. This is only the 3rd or 4th time I've worn it but every time I wear it, I love it a little bit more. I had it up for sale on Bhuz but I think I'll keep it just a wee bit longer. Sorry for the blurry photo, at least the mirror is clean!

I'm DROOLING over here!

2010-03-05T13:20:00.004-07:00

I'm itching for a new costume... I should have bought the Everlast Embrace during Dahlal's 25% off customer appreciation sale but I wanted to clean out my closet first. I've sold 3 costumes so far with a 4th potentially selling today and maybe a 5th on Sunday. I also recently swapped a mamdouh for a gold Eman with my bellytwin Melissa Gamal from Arabesque in Toronto - should be here next week. I'm trying to break myself of the "buy buy buy" then sell later habit. I don't need 15 costumes...there are about 2 or 3 that I probably won't ever sell but there are others that I'm just holding on to until I find a replacement for them.

Here are the current favorites:

Everlasting Embrace in blue and gold by Eman

Gala by Eman

Dreams of Araby by Eman

Vineyard Vixen by Eman

Lucky that my breasts are small and humble

2010-03-04T11:22:00.005-07:00

There's a thread on Bhuz about Shakira and dancer's feelings on her being called a Belly Dancer or having students come to us and say "teach me how to shake like Shakira" whatever...not getting into it BUT it made me think about how and why I started.

I don't really know where the idea came from or how it happened but here's the pieces that led to the making of this puzzle.

1. In grade 12 (02/03) "Wherever Whenever" was pretty darn popular. I totally had the biggest crush on Shakira and her HUGE hair and big yummy hips and sexy bod. I was blown away with undulations and belly rolls and hip shaking and my little mind said "wtf - bodies can move like that?!?" I didn't identify her a belly dancer or her movements as belly dancing at the time.

2. During the Summer of 03 I was at the Fringe Festival and saw a Belly Dancer and live drummer out on the strip playing away. She was a shakin' it and I copied along...I could kinda do it and it was fun!

3. On a local music/punk scene forum a friend of a friend had a photo om her profile of her in a belly dance costume and I asked her about it. She had taken classes at Isis Dance and I looked into it. I hadn't yet fled from my prison in Sherwood Park and didn't have transportation so it wasn't an option.

4. I moved into Edmonton and after my first year of college I was looking for something to do and remembered Belly Dance. I signed up for the Thursday level 1 class from 8-9:30 with Noa (which 3 years later I would start teaching..more on that journey another time) and I was in LOVE. I was the youngest (18) in a sea of women 15-20+ years older then me. I practiced everyday and felt my little muscles burn and watched my body change. For my first performance I was placed front row in the middle and I totally stepped on my veil right in the beginning. I had handmade my costume with a girlfriend and I felt snazzy; my boyfriend, sister, dad, mom, step dad, and grandparents ALL came to the show.

5. From that point on I went on to take level 2 with Lorraine. I ended up taking a 3-6 month break (can't remember) about a year later and then trying out almost every instructor in Edmonton sometimes taking 4 classes at once.

So I guess it is a little story in itself. I had wanted a girlfriend to come with me but she wasn't able to. I'm really happy that instead of flaking out because I would be alone, I did it anyways.

Wash, rinse, repeat

2010-03-02T19:14:00.002-07:00

I'm a huge fan of buying second hand costumes. It has allowed great variety in my closet and less of a strain on my pocketbook. I'm always excited to open up the package to see my ~new to me~ pretty and try it on...except when it smells. Or should I say stinks.

About 80% of my costumes are previously owned and about 30% of the come to me stinking or dirty or in need of repair. Sometimes I buy them because they need to be repaired and thus are a great price but many times this isn't disclosed.

The worst costume I ever received was from ebay. It arrived on New Years Eve and as I tore into the box my room was overwhelmed by a smell of old stale cigarette smoke, body odor, and sickly musty perfume. I couldn't even try it on - straight into the bath it went. I soaked and washed it for a whole day and then treated it with vodka. I finally got the body odor and cigarette smoke out but the perfume lingered. I was lucky and able to fix it up and sell it and not lose any money on it.

So I guess this is a reminder or maybe a plea to PLEASE wash your costumes. After your shows, spray them down with a mixture of 1:1 vodka and water. If you've danced in a Greek restaurant or in a place that allows hookahs or cigarette smoking do this immediately! There's no worse smell then old stale saganaki. Wearing deodorant is a no brainer but you will still leave your scent masked or otherwise on the back strap and around the bra cup. Spray this down and wash.

I'm tired of washing your gunk out of my new pretties, they deserve better.

Weekend off!

2010-02-27T17:59:00.003-07:00

This habibi is enjoying a weekend off. I did teach Saturday morning but other then that I have no dance homework to do and nothing urgent to get to. It's kind of nice for once...now to work on a solo for myself! and do my 2009 taxes...EEP! I don't even want to think about all the costume expenses.

Joy

2010-02-23T10:57:00.004-07:00

"Be thankful every time you watch a dancer or artist on stage. The joy she gives you, is paid for drop by drop, by her own tears and sweat. In exchange for her pain, she gives you joy, and shares her soul with you. Take that, tuck it away in your memories and cherish it, its worth more than gold"
ETA: Hadia was telling us about a student from Asia or maybe when she was in South Africa who asked her to teach them "how she makes the faces" When she told us the story we all had a good giggle because it's not something you learn, it's something you FEEL. We can mask mistakes or little imperfections but when it comes to the connection, you can't fake that and you can't trick your audience either.

Songs i'm really into right now

2010-02-22T10:57:00.002-07:00

"Ghaneyt Ashanak" from Ya Halawa - Gizira Band
"Basbousa" from Bellydance Plus - Gizira Band
"Bayt Al Qadi" from Raks Sharqi - Mokhtar Al Said
"Isis" from Sound of Glory - Amir Sofi
"Sahret Omrena" from Soul of Cairo - Ahmed Gibaly and Orchestra
"My music intro" from Aswan Dances - A. Abdelfattah

All habibi's must go home

2010-02-21T16:09:00.005-07:00

The habibi weekend has officially come to a close (or pause as Hala put's it) as she drove off into the south an hour ago. We had a GREAT weekend but as always want more time. She helped me organize my disaster of a costume room and now all my costumes live happily in their rightful drawers and my jewelry is living in their little plastic organizer boxes. I helped her alter a costume, she came to see me dance, and we ate...a lot. And then it was time to say goodbye. We'll hopefully get to see each other again in March and she promised to come help me move in April...can't wait!

Oh! And here's what I wore at my show on Saturday

Costume: Eman "Pharaoh's Fantasy" lent to me by Hala Jamal!

Makeup (forgive the streaky mirror)
-Smoky eye in a shimmery black from my HUGE 120 palette with Urban Decay's "Baked"eyeshadow on the brow bone and inner corner of the eye
-Urban Decay's ultraglide lipgloss in "Deep" with a hit of MAC's lusterglass in "Instant gold"

What the hell is a Habibi?

2010-02-18T09:27:00.002-07:00

"What's a habibi?" my friends boyfriend asked after telling him that I was coming to town for a weekend. If you're me, a habibi is your best belly dance friends who call you up for "Habibi Tawlks" (said in a psuedo arabic/new yorker accent) who leave you voicemails with wailing lyrics "Ya Albiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii" and who you have some of the best adventures of your life with.

I'm lucky in that one of my best habibi's lives a 4 hour drive away in the mountains. I call her place "Habibi Hideaway" because her backyard is literally a mountain. For 3 days we will barely sleep as we talk dance, costumes, workshops, and business plans. We'll go see dance shows, work on choreography, and sew sew sew until our fingers bleed. We also travel together to workshops and events. We are each other's support systems when trying something new or trying to get back on the dance/choreography wagon and each others biggest fans when we succeed or accomplish a goal. We also almost never buy a costume without getting each other's opinion first. On New Years Eve we performed together in Banff, in matching costumes to boot!

My habibi is coming to visit me this weekend and I can't wait. She hasn't been up for almost a year but I've been down to visit her 3 times in the last couple of months. Check her website out here www.silverpixels.ca/hala/ If you're ever in Banff on a Tuesday or Thursday evening, head to The Balkan and see her dance! She's amazing and will give you one hell of a show.

Let's Dance!

2010-02-17T09:04:00.002-07:00

For the first time in what seems like a long time I'm really enjoying teaching. For almost a year I found it difficult, sometimes aggravating, and I felt uninspired. Last Summer was quite traumatic and it definitely showed in my attitude towards dance and teaching, it's like I lost the spark and couldn't re-ignite it. That was until I got a call in October from Hadia and Dafne asking me to perform in Calgary at HipFest...the request came less then 2 weeks from the performance date. I decided to dance to Amir Sofi's "Holom" and listened to it one repeat every single day. I decided to improvise the performance and just go for it; I maybe danced it in the studio 3 times total. Afterwards I totally fell apart and cried - I had finally started to reconnect and felt the JOY of dance that got me involved in the first place. The performance is here and is a bit dark: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBh-otYp7Ls

Which is why I'm enjoying teaching this term so much. The level 1/beginner choregoraphy is a snappy little drum solo to Hossam Ramzy's "Wuh Ya Booy" and the students are eating it up, getting the timing, and throwing in a little pizzazz here and there. The level 2's are doing a veil dance to "Bayt al Qadi" and when I told them they would be doing veil they kind of scoffed and said "But we just did veil in level 1" to which I replied "This isn't a beginner's veil dance"...and boy is it not! It's pushing their dancing but also their concept of how moves and props evolve as your own dancing grows and strengthens. And finally, my level 4/choreography girls are ROCKING "Unveiled" from Angelika Nemeth's cd. I couldn't have asked for a better group of ladies. I also made the decision to do "troupe" costuming and we all ordered L.Rose 3/4 pinched banded tops and trumpet skirts in dark purple velet, and gold metalskin headbands and hip sashes. I can't wait for the order to arrive because they're going to look so so so HOT.

I'm already thinking about the Spring and Fall term. The level 4's will do a drum solo for the Spring so they can perform Unveiled followed by the drum solo for our Summer Hafla. Then in the Fall I'm choreographing a new double veil routine for the level 4's and a sassy cane piece for my level 2's. I'm bubbling with ideas and love it!As for myself, I need to spend sometime in the studio working on my OWN dancing. It's so easy to give so much away to your students but I have to remember to take care of me too!

Valentines Day

2010-02-16T09:21:00.004-07:00

I danced on Valentines day at Khazana's with a fellow beautiful dancer, Rasha. I was particularly proud of my makeup job and costuming.

The costume is a Pharaonics "Karma" (also known as: Venus 2007) in fuschia. I bought it in December 2008 after losing close to 20 pounds but never really felt super confident or sexy in it. The slit is really high and I've always been self conscious about my legs. However, I've continued to lose weight but also build more muscle mass and now I want to shout it from the rooftops (baby!)

My makeup worked out really well too, here's what I have on

MAC pressed mineral foundation in medium plus
Revlon Colorstay Mineral Finishing Powder in 030 Sunkissed
Annabelle duo blush in Immortal Coral
Urban Decay eyeshadow in Twice Baked
MAC liquidliner in Point Black
MAC zoomlash mascara in Black
MAC eyebrow pencil in Spiked
Urban Decay Ultraglide lipgloss in Quiver

The way to my heart is with a gift certificate to Sephora or MAC! I'm waiting for my MAC pro-card to arrive...it should be here any day!

Hope you had a lovely Valentines Day! <3

Return!

2010-02-15T18:45:00.005-07:00

I'm back! So much has changed but I'm so stoked that my website is up. It launched in November sometime. I think it's totally beautiful but already I want to change it...I'm doing new photos in the next month as these ones are already over a year old and I look a bit different.

Here it is: www.anyabellydance.com

Purpose?

2009-06-24T11:06:00.003-06:00

Yesterday at my day job we had a guest speaker in who was trying to motivate/inspire etc and he asked "Have any of you pondered why you are on this Earth and have an answer?"

I put up my hand and said

"To dance"

and it's the most honest i've felt with myself in a long time.

Moving and shaking...or not

2009-06-18T14:35:00.002-06:00

Everything has slowed way down. The summer will do that to you. I don't want to stay inside dancing for hours on end. I want to go outside and splay.

The class numbers dwindle so fast in the spring session, I went from 16 to 5 in my intermediate class!

Recently a couple of dancers talked about retirement - they're in their 20's. I don't get it.

Nothing else to write for now.

Choreogprahy evolution

2009-06-04T09:07:00.003-06:00

I posted this on Bhuz but wanted to put it here too

I recently finished a choreography to Rakasni Ya Habibi. I taped myself just dancing around in my living room the first time I listened to it. I then worked on it and taped it 2 weeks prior to performance and then day of the performance.

1. First time ever dancing to the music in my living room - totally improvised and totally embarassing

2. 2 weeks before performance

3. Performance

Tamra-Henna

2009-05-29T13:00:00.003-06:00

This weekend is the Tamra-Henna workshop! I'm excited. On Saturday we'll be doing 4 hours of a full choreography, Sunday is Drum Solo for 2 hours, Oriental vs. Beledi for 2 hours, and a 2 hour master class on Oriental Rhythms. I'm the most excited for Sunday to be honest...however I look forward to pushing myself again.

I'm also dancing in the show on Saturday evening. This is always nerve wracking but hopefully I'll do well. I've choreographed Rakasni Ya Habibi enough to get though anything I flub and have some room for improv.

AND I'm vending my cute little buttons and magnets. I'm bringing along some hairpieces that my friend makes as well. I hope this is profitable for both of us!

http://www.middleeasterndancer.com/

MAQAM

2009-05-25T10:41:00.001-06:00

I think I'm going to do it...

Solo Cabaret and Drum solo....I already know what I'd like to do for both, just waiting for the details to really start preparing,

OMG

http://shimmychicago.com/mbc.html

Current Favorite Music

2009-05-21T12:16:00.003-06:00

Daret Al Ayam - as longa s it's fully ochestrated and not done on keyboards
Esmaooni - fr. Sakura
Salamit Om Hassan -fr. Sakura
Ala warag il foul - Fatme Serhan
Rakasni ya Habibi - Dr. Samy Farag
Don't me me blush - Fr. Angelika's CD
El Hantour - Especially the version with Saad and Amina

Strengths and weaknesses

2009-05-20T11:07:00.002-06:00

We're not meant to be perfect at everything. Some people will be amazing choreographers, performers, teachers, educators, dancers. And some of us will not. Some of us will do really well on the stage, others in a restaurant. Some of us will be amazing zillists - others will be able to dance with a shamadan on their head.

There will be dancers that move you to tears and others who will leave you feeling cold and distant.

There are some things I can let go of easily, while others I will battle for.

Fortune Cookie

2009-05-19T15:26:00.001-06:00

I thought it was pretty darn accurate

"Your life will be prosperous if you use your creativity"

Belly Dancing Degree...

2009-05-12T09:16:00.000-06:00

Neato!

"Belly dancing is threatened these days since Russians invaded the Egyptian market," she told AlArabiya.net, adding that there are many belly dancing institutions in the United States and Europe."Why then shouldn't Egypt have a belly dancing institution whether affiliated with the government or the private sector?"Dina, another Egyptian belly dancer, also welcomed the idea and said she would be ready to teach if she were asked. She also noted that the new institution would be the first step toward establishing a professional syndicate for belly dancers just as other professions have."

http://www.alarabiya.net//articles/2009/05/12/72656.html

The reason why

2009-05-12T00:34:00.000-06:00

This is exactly the reason why I dance...I hope it is for you too

Sick

2009-05-06T10:52:00.001-06:00

I is a sick belly dansah.

I don't feel like doing anything except sleeping and eating Japanese food.

Record Fair Findings

2009-05-03T18:13:00.004-06:00

I did OK this year - not fabulous but not bad at all.

I was really excited about "The Art of Belly Dance" because it had Gamil Gamal on it and it's one of my favorite songs ever.

I also found a George Abdo that was still sealed (!!!) means nothing to anyone but me, but didn't buy it. I already had it. It's kinda neat that the people remember me, hold things for me, specifically remember me when they're searching, very cool!

Pugs love belly dance too!

2009-04-29T23:03:00.003-06:00

I tend to use my living room as a practice space and my sweet little pug, winston likes to sit on the couch and watch. This is what happens when you're dancing with a veil, discard it, forget to pick it up and come back in a couple minutes.

Reeling it in

2009-04-28T13:28:00.005-06:00

Something that I love about my dancing is how expressive and BIG it is (not in terms of movements but more in terms of filling the room with emotion, presence etc) but I need to reel in the not so good things. Things like:

CRAZY ARMS
-I have developed a bad habit of doing strange things with my arms. I credit an instructor I had for about 2yrs with this. I have successfully reduced the amount of wrist rolls I do but now find myself always gathering my hands inwards and together by my belly during transitions. I also have "dumpy hands;" It seems like my arms in general hold energy and grace OK but past my wrist it's just dumpy - see next point

DUMPY HANDS
-Whenever my hands are over my head and I bring them down they like to rest on my head in a little bunny ear type way - it's very bizarre. Whenever I put them one on the side of my face or hair it looks stupid, like I don't know what to do with it.

TRAVELLING too much (like I'm in a hurry and I don't know why)
-Don't know what to do? Oh we'll just travel here and there. I need to learn how STOP and DANCE without moving. Own that space while I'm in it and then let it go

WEIRD FACE
-For some reason I am always squashing my neck away by looking down with my face but up with my eyes. It looks stupid - I need to look up and out, and it will appear that I'm 3 inches taller. Oh, I also LOVE dancing to my right hip exclusively...gah. It's like the audience isn't even there, I'm just grooving with my right hip.

The record fair is coming, the record fair is coming!

2009-04-27T10:35:00.008-06:00

About 2-3 times a year we have the Pop Culture fair, I started going reluctantly 3 or 4 years ago as an audiophile's girlfriend. Now I just about pee my pants waiting in line to get in. It all changed when I found some vendors who had old belly dance records, I eagerly bought them all for super cheap. They now know my names and specifically pick up records, books, and posters that they find. I saved all my tip money from this weekend, updated the list of what I have and what I need, dug out my record bags ready and am raring to go! It's also awesome that they support BBBS of Edmonton!

I've also amassed an impressive collection of burlesque and risque type albums - I usually buy something because of the cover and always love when what's inside is just as juicy.

Now, what do I do with these albums? I've been dreaming of doing a super vintage/retro night at a local restaurant where I'd actually spin these vintage beauties. It could be amazing!

So, until Sunday here are some of my favorites:

Healing

2009-04-25T09:46:00.005-06:00

Viktoriya was in a head on collision, is in a coma, and doesn't have medical insurance. One of the first cd's I was ever given was Bassam Ayoub "Raks Ayoub" and she's on the cover.

I made a donation here: http://www.sultrabellydance.com/
Viktoriya's website is here: http://www.bellydancingbyviktoriya.com/

One of the dancers here was in a roll over accident some years ago and is paralyzed from the hips down - this hits close to home.

Better then I thought

2009-04-24T20:44:00.004-06:00

My show went really well tonight. It's at a Greek restaurant that I frequently dance at (it's also the restaurant I was proposed to in) and I feel really comfortable there.

I spent about 2 hours making a new mix and was getting really frustrated with it but it turned out nicely!

Here's what I danced to

Huwaida from Belly Dance Beats Disc 2 *I love the opening drums
El Leilah by Diaa from BDSS Vol 5
Min Gheir Leh(Radio version) remixed by the REG Project
Alf Leyla Wa Leyla - Remix *but a gentle remix not full out techno
Prophecy - my edited version
The Captivation (drum solo) - from BDSS Vol 5
Closed with an outro cut from Prophecy

I kinda promised myself I wouldn't talk about costumes on here and focus more on the dance but I have to gush how much I LOVE Pharaonix of Egypt costumes! Mme. Amira makes the most amazing costumes in terms of fit, comfort, bling, and aesthetics. I currently own 6 of her costumes and have owned a total of 10 since I started dancing. I've bought all except 2 second hand and the 2 I had custom ordered fit perfectly.

I recently bought a "Diamond Drape" on ebay for a ridiculously low price (thanks best offer!) and yes it needed a lot of work (new lining, serious wash, re-strung beads, new elastic, all hooks had rusted) but it was worth every stitch when I danced in it tonight (especially since all my tips were $20's!!!)

Anyways, I'm really proud of myself and my dancing, I did a really good job and made a whole bunch of people happy. And I'm happy too.

Electrifying

2009-04-24T10:04:00.003-06:00

I won tickets to see Neil Young from my work last night. My jaw hurt from smiling so much by the end of it. He's 63 and rocking out the same is he did when he was 30. I had goosebumps watching his dedication and passion for his craft. It was totally beautiful and touched my heart.

It was also a slap in the face reminder that I need to take better care of my asset - my body otherwise I won't be able to keep raq'n (har har) as I get older. I need to get to physio to heal my ankle, I need to get enough sleep, I need to be more dedicated to my practice.

I hope I never stop dancing. I hope I never stop hearing whatever it is I hear in the music. I hope I die doing what I love.

Looking for something

2009-04-20T13:23:00.003-06:00

I feel blessed and cursed at having instant information at the tips of my fingers. As someone who loves everything and anything that harkens to a time gone by I find myself with a deep desire to go backwards.

Whenever I buy an old record, book, poster I feel conected to a realness that I don't get when I put in a DVD or download a song on itunes. I don't have to search these things out - they're already there.

If I have a question, I send an email. If I want feedback, I make a video and put it up on youtube. I can go to Egypt and Turkey on a whim (and a pre-organized tour) and I can find exactly what I'm looking for with google.

It's too easy and I want it to be hard, I want the payoff to be magnificant but the work to be relentless. I want to consume everything I can but from the source. Not from the 2nd source, from the first. I want to struggle through and dig deep.

I want to forge new ground and soak it up. I want the adventure, the work, the archives. I want to get away from the costume and into the dance. I want my obsession to be magnificant.

Grindstone

2009-04-09T11:17:00.002-06:00

Hey brain - time to get back to work. I need to crank out a total of 3 student choreographies and 2 for myself...in the next 2 weeks. I have a feeling that instead of relaxing on the beach, I'll be dancing with my ipod.

I'm doing Hadia's Orientale training again this year. I want to prepare both a baladi and orientale piece - something I've never done for myself before. I want to challenge myself and use elements of everything I've learned in the last year. I've reached the end of the last peak and I'm down at the bottom again, heading up a higher, steeper mountain this time. I hate the frustration of learning and working through things but the pay off is worth it, ten fold!

I'm letting go of Turkey - I put it in the wind and it will come back if it's right but for the moment, it's not. I'm sad but it will be there next year. I need to work on myself first.

Proud and Prouder

2009-04-07T21:18:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was the recital - I had 6 classes performing in 4 different numbers. The preparation was exhausting but they all killed it. I was so proud of my level 2's who performed to "West Naima" and my level 3's who did a complete routine to "Escape from Cairo"...they danced stuff that I would have choreographed for myself! Amazing.

My drum solo with Sonny and Eric was amazing as well. Their drumming was really good and at the last minute threw out any ideas I had in my head and winged it. When I watch the footage a friend took I can't believe that it's me dancing - I've gone through a massive transformation in the last 4 months and there's another one coming.

I'm so glad I found belly dancing and plugged into it. My life wouldn't be the same without it.

Henry Rollins....

2009-04-03T23:24:00.003-06:00

I am reading Henry Rollins "Get in the Van" and I have a lot in common with his experiences. Not necessarily the anger but the self depreciation, the yearning for something more, the awkwardness when receiving comments. It's kind of amazing. I hadn't even been born yet for most of it...

I was also given a journal from a co-worker who used to teach High School. It's filled with wondrous quotes that make me want to cry, especially when they relate to dance...

My current favorite

"I dare you, while there is still time, to have a magnificent obsession"

-William Danforth

Total Gratitude

2009-03-31T08:57:00.001-06:00

When emails like this show up in my inbox I'm left speechless

"I just felt like I should thank you for the dances lessons you taught us all. You opened me up to a new perspective and gave me more self-esteem and confidence. I was on a dark road in the past and I am still healing a bit, but you are an angel to me (not to be creepy...lol) and I am so grateful to have met you and gotten to know you a bit.

I hope that you receive many blessings, happiness, love and joy in your life!

A ton of people look up to you, you're a beautiful person. Thank you for showing me a new passion in my life and for honestly touching my heart."

WOW

Thank YOU for letting me be this person!

You don't have to be perfect...

2009-03-29T18:29:00.004-06:00

To be WONDERFUL!

What a great moto for dancing and for life...and for all women everywhere.

It's hard to receive compliments and focus on the good in life and dancing. Maybe I screwed up a move, maybe I didn't explain something clearly in class, maybe my zill came off my finger. But I was smiling, kept going, was engaging the audience, was still the quirky/patient/attentive teacher that I always am. Most people/students forget the small stuff and instead are too busy focusing on the WOW and the good stuff.

Yeah, my arms need work
Yeah, a server stepped on my skirt and I almost wiped out
Yeah, I've had really bad brain farts in class while teaching and made mistakes

But I kept going, I came back and I learned from it.

Having a mega-watt smile doesn't hurt either...hehe

I need to be better at allowing myself to make mistakes but then NOT making them again. I need to intentionally work on those little things that throw me off. It's a long road of learning and I'll never learn it all but at least I can try and improve as I am.

To me, this is wonderful...it captures everything you hope to embody as a dancer. It's not perfect but it is indeed wonderful!

Gala

2009-03-28T15:35:00.002-06:00

Last night I performed at a fundraiser Gala, with ball gowns and everything! It was quite fabulous and I'm very glad I did it! Initially the organizer and I had decided on a cabaret performance with zills so I could pull people up and get them dancing after speeches. However, about 4 hours before the show I called because she gave me a couple different show times and I wanted to confirm. I was now dancing before speeches and no longer dancing cabaret. I quickly rummaged through my brain to pull up the Enchanted Gardens choreography I performed in December and ran thorugh it 3 times. I remembered enough that I could add whatever I forgot. I was the 4th and final performance and was greeted with a warm welcome of applause and shouts when I entered the ballroom. As I was dancing I spotted a friend from my first year of college - she just about jumped out of her seat when she saw me!

The dance floor was huge and I did my best to make sure I didn't spend too much time with my bum to people...large hip circles proved to be interesting. I wore my black Pharonics of Egypt Labyrinth which I bought from Mellybelly in Toronto (aka my birthday/body twin) and felt just as dressed up as the girls in their gowns. I worked on melting into the music, small but sharp accents, and creating better lines with my arms. I won't really know if I accomplished any of this until I see some photos but hey, at least I tried!!!

After my performance I was overwhelmed by compliments, hugs, and requests for photos. I felt honored to receive so much praise and was glad I contributed to the evening. Shortly after I changed we were evacuated due to a fire...I could smell it but haven't heard any news on it.

It's really bad...

2009-03-26T11:12:00.002-06:00

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Restaurant+next+blaze+suffers+major+damage/1429197/story.html

Taking care not to sit on a soggy chair, Ghada Ghazal stood in her family's Co Co Di Restaurant on Wednesday and turned pages in her waterlogged reservations book.

"This Saturday, we're all booked," Ghazal said, turning wrinkled pages stained with blue and red ink streaks that were once bookings. "On Sunday I have a wedding; that's the worst part. I can't find their number now."

"I knew there would be damage, but I didn't think it would be like this at all. I thought there would be a little bit of water, a little bit of cleaning and we'd be open again," she said, surveying the damp and darkened restaurant that smelled of smoke.

Instead, when she and her husband arrived Wednesday morning at the Mediterranean eatery they've owned for eight years, they discovered the roof over the bar caved in, paint streaked down the walls and plaster from the roof covering tables, chairs and booths.

"It's bad, bad, bad," Ghazal said, pointing to a row of hookahs bought last week. "I think everything is damaged. Everything."

When the fire started around 3:40 p.m., the wait staff at Co Co Di had to usher patrons out the door. On Wednesday, coffee cups that had been left on tables were filled to the brim with water from fire hoses. The roof above the bar, the part of the restaurant closest to the fire, has completely caved in, leaving pot lights dangling.

The restaurant does have insurance, but Ghazal said they will lose at least a month of business, most of which comes from downtown regulars, before they can reopen. Despite yellow police tape on the building next door and sidewalks thick with ice from water that fell from fire hoses, customers streamed in to Co Co Di Wednesday just to make sure no lunch was on offer.

My heart is so sad for them...

New session, new idea's, new music

2009-03-26T09:18:00.003-06:00

Last night I started the spring session of classes at Yoga Within. I was bowled over with the enthusiasm of my Level 1 and 2 classes! I had about 5 returning students to my level 1 class and a total of 20 register (YIPEE!) and every single person in my level 2 class has been with me for almost a year now (wow!). I'm very honored to have a following of students - they really help to push me to learn how to explain things differently and evolve the course content as they progress. It's also one of the motivators to seek out new music to be used in class and introduce them to different music. iTunes is my best and worst friend, best because VOILA it's right there but worst when it comes to my credit card...eep!

I usually start my very first class by having them chat with someone they've never met, they ask their name, what their belly dance experience is/why they chose belly dance/what they hope to get out of it, and to share something unique or special about them. They then share that with the class. In the 2 years I've been teaching I've never encountered a group that claps for each other and laughs from the belly out loud... it was amazing. The women would share that they were divorced or turning 40 or 50 (because it's the new 30) and the class would cheer for them. It was an overwhelming feeling of bondedness and willingness to learn, be open, and take risks.

I could be reading too far into this but it really took me back (in a good way).

I'm going to try something different with my spring level 2's and 3's. I want them to taste a little bit of everything and I want to be really intentional about it. I'm not going to do a choreography but instead work on mini dances (or combinations of moves) that pertains to what they learnt that day. We'll work with many different pieces of music so they can get a broad taste for everything. I also want to give them the tools to start dancing on their own - dancing intentionally and with thought vs dance party. There's nothing wrong with dance parties, but you need to know where to go from there too.

A really sad day...

2009-03-25T09:20:00.003-06:00

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Fire+razes+historic+building/1425767/story.html

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/03/24/edm-rice-howard-way-fire.html?ref=rss

http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/2009/03/25/8874371-sun.html

One of my favorite places to dance was in a fire yesterday...you can see "CoCo Di" at the bottom...It's ran by the sweetest family who welcome you with hugs and warm greetings when you show up. They dance with us, bring us watermelon in the summer, and notice when you buy a new costume. Lots of water damage and the building is from the 1920's...

Just as sad, over 2 months ago "It's all Greek to Me" owner, Ted died of a heart attack carrying groceries into his store...he was Ghada and Riad's (CCD owners) best friend.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Life/Uncle+Tsenekos+always+there+help/1183992/story.html

Mizmar's and Ankles

2009-03-24T12:07:00.003-06:00

I bought 3 mizmars...why? Why NOT! I can't play them but I can sure blow into them and made some awful noises. I'd love to hav a solid knowledge of the maqam...it's on my goals/to-do list for sure. I just need to sit down and take time. I have a music background and a decent ear, I just need time.

If you're interested in getting your own you can too!
Anatolia's Shop
Sinclair Sound

On another note, I sprained/twisted/fell on my ankle last week and it's still hurting. I've been using arnica on it and taping or wrapping it during class. The first week after spraining it I didn't really dance at all and just did the arm movements when teaching. This week is much better but everytime I go outside on the ice, up and down the stairs, or turn I'm worried I'm going to fall on it again, it's the worst feeling ever.

One of my friends was in a car accident and was unable to dance for a long time (I'm not sure if she's even dancing now yet) I can only imagine the heartache of having your expression and release taken away from you. I've felt so useless and blah because I am limited in my movement. I have a busy 2 weeks of dancing coming up and need to make sure I make sure I'm taking care of my ankle but also myself.

Dum TEK!

2009-03-23T11:54:00.011-06:00

I bought my first doumbek in Montreal in July '08 when I was there for Hadia's Tech Week and Teacher Training. How could I resist, they were $65 when they sell here for $100+. When a fellow dancer was selling hers I scooped it up for $50 for my bf. So now we had 2 doumbeks to aimlessly bang on and scare our dog.

A student/good friend let me know that her bf was a drummer and offers drum classes. We've been working with Sonny of Think Rhythm since December and have been having so much fun! Couples therapy? NAH, just get out your drum and groove. He works on the principle of Dyad drumming, facing each other and zoning into each other's rhythms... many times we've shown up grumpy at each other and by the end have worked things out quite nicely.

http://www.thinkrhythm.com/

Sonny and I performed a drum solo together...a first for both...

Hitting THE wall

2009-03-22T18:58:00.002-06:00

I had a student who hit the wall today, my heart was so sad for her. I know the feeling, it happened to me last weekend. You're tired, brain full, struggling to keep up, making the same mistakes over and over again...you just can't get it. And something sets you off...for me it was dancing facing the other group, in another workshop it was when my hand collided with another dancers because she went the wrong way and I thought it was me.

The hardest part isn't having the meltdown, it's picking yourself back up and walking back into the class and joining in. It's kicking your own ass to make yourself try again, asking questions, listening. This is what dancing is - hey, at least we're not being judged every week and don't have the terror of elimination hanging over our heads - but at the same time WE are our worst judges, able to demean ourselves to the lowest of lows and usually relying on others to bring us up. We sometimes have the hardest time being our own friends and fans. Calling ourselves out as great, often waiting for someone else to do it for us.

PS/totally random side note: When ever someone tells me that they love my costume I (mentally) fill in their compliment with "that's because my dancing was so hot." No costume can save bad dancing, ever.

Yousry Sharif

2009-03-22T00:44:00.002-06:00

Last weekend I went down to Calgary for my first weekend workshop with Yousry Sharif. I wasn't sure what to expect considering I've heard so many different things but I was pleasantly surprised. Suzy (www.shimmywithsuzy.com) brought him down and we worked with her CD "El Helwa" which Yousry also produced. On Friday we worked with Dum Dum Tek... I had already done some work with this peice a year ago and LOVE it so I was totally excited. We started up with a "warm up" or follow the bouncing butt and figure out what the heck you're doing. I was sweating within 5 minutes but SMILING at the same time. I was having so much fun! We did a lot of things that I'm not used to like constantly switching weight or lunging/thrusting our bodies forward and back and the quick sneaky footwork!!! GOODNESS. I didn't quite get everything but got enough to keep building. It was a great way to meet Mr. Sharif and get used to his technique.

Saturday and Sunday were different stories...the day started off on a more sombre tone and there was definitely less smiling had by all. We worked on Amber Orientale. I loved the first section that we worked on during the morning but after lunch my brain was rejecting everything I had just learned and I was incredibly frustrated with myself. Mr. Sharif likes to split the groups and have 1 group dance facing the others which is an excellent learning tool but when there is a defecit on one side the mood changes quickly. What I found frustrating is peoples lack of ability to take risks and stand at the front of the room. When we were split and facing each other there were people who would specifically move to the back so that we were left with a giant pit in front of us...in a way it helped me because I had NO ONE to watch and had to hold myself accountable but seriously, are we in grade 7 again? GET OVER YOURSELF!

I ended up spending most of Saturday evening and Sunday morning working on and remembering and writing down what I had learned. I'm tired of going to workshops and not remembering a damn thing so I wanted to get my money, sweat, and time worth! It really paid off on Sunday. I was so happy that I had remembered most everything and now knew an entire choreography! I feel like another door has been opened for me and that my personal revolution can continue to progress and change. I know I won't keep the jazz/modern elements but the rest, I love. Most importantly, I felt like a true DANCER the entire weekend...thinking about it brings tears to my eyes...Mr.Sharif put it best "Dancing is JOY"

PS: If you ever go to a Sharif workshop here are the rules
1. NO TALKING DURING CLASS - not even a peep
2. No gum
3. If you have a question, only ask Mr. Sharif and don't interrupt, he'll give you a chance to ask
4. Fill the space, move up, don't doddle...
5. LISTEN and do you best to get it right asap ;)

PPS: Some more tips
1. Warm up before you start
2. Stretch and cool down after every session
3. Go some gentle stretched and warm up's when you get up and before you even go...it will make a WORLD of difference!
4. PROTECT YOUR BACK...it's really easy to screw it up, especially if you don't know what you're doing...watch out for sciatica with the soheir zaki hip drop, lean backs from the mid back...others but I can't remember right now

First Post!

2009-03-20T10:58:00.000-06:00

Hey! I have a blog! A blog about dance! Neat!

Ps: Shimmy Party is an ongoing choreography joke...when we don't know what to do we insert shimmy party here/insert

Here's what I've been up to lately in 2009

-Learning the doumbek
-Yousry Sharif Workshop (more on this later)
-Teaching 7 classes/week
-Learning to balance life/work/dance/class/aspirations/home/dog/bf
-Performing at as many shows as I possibly can...

I wasn't sure where to go with my dancing this year so I made it a goal to perform as much as I possible can, if an oppurtunity presents itself, then I'll take it. So far I've made good on this and performed anywhere from 1-4 extra shows a month...many of these are unpaid/low paid but it's just another way to get myself out there and build up experience.

I've also started looking into competitions, not because I'm vain but for the experience and to travel...it seems i'm too late for even the waiting list (full) for the BDNC http://www.bellydancenationals.com/ next year...