I’ve been very fortunate to be touring through the U.S. at such a perfect time of year, the trees are blooming and coming alive out of the dead of winter. We arrive at the venues with an hour to spare and I do my best to take that hour outside, the last few venues have been surrounded by Oak trees.
I’ve never really considered myself a tree hugger or practiced doing this “silly gesture”, well.. until now. One afternoon I was feeling a bit more than a usual load of stress, and needed to be alone to clear my thoughts. I gravitated to a great big Oak tree, it called to me, I know I know… Sounds odd but it really did, I stood in front of it then placed my hands on it and instantly felt connected to something indescribable, if I could actually see what was happening it would have looked like energy being sucked from the palms of my hands and pulled into the tree, then into the earth, not like I was loosing energy but it was pulling the negative static from me. Within seconds I felt as of my feet were growing roots yet my head was attached to the sky I was everywhere, everything at once and more relaxed than I had felt in many months. At once everything was okay, I was free, all the fears and worries I had been filled with were gone. After I removed my hands from the tree, I sat under it, relaxed, feeling so thankful, then just listened to the world around me taking in my realization that I was everywhere and everything at once, or better said had remembered that I was everything and everywhere at once and never alone.
Since that day something in me reopened. The following day I found a bridge over a river and went to the center of that bridge and found that same peace once again, my mind easily shut off and I once again felt expanded everywhere at once, the tingling of the sun on my skin seeing it’s red glow through my eyelids, the sound of the river and chattering birds, the occasional cool breeze it was… perfect. Afterward just before getting ready for the stage I went to the shade of a nearby blooming tree and rested supine looking up through the flowering branches at hints of blue sky, feeling the roots on my back melting into the earth, watching the bees busy gathering for the hive. I’ve rediscovered something that has always been available to me, the world around me, just placing my hands on that old Oak tree a “Wake up call” I had not realized I’d fallen asleep until that day, was so self absorbed so trapped in my mind imprisoned by what I could not control, worries, fears, dreads. It does try to pull me back in but since I rediscovered that place, that peace I can more easily redirect myself outside of myself.
From that day with the Red oak tree, I kept a small moss covered chip of bark that I hold in my hand when nothing but the concrete jungle is surrounding me, takes me back to that place of absolute connection and peace. Life is beautiful when the eyes are open, So… I guess I am now officially a tree hugger
I have a hematoma. I fell the other day while attempting to crawl out of my bunk. My bunk is the one on the bottom so you would think that it wouldn’t hurt to fall while making an effort to stand up, but it does a lot. Fortunately, a ladder broke my fall and almost my forearm. It is a deep and pretty painful bruise. : ( Sad face Did you ask yourself what is a ladder doing on a BellyBus? Well good question. It’s a long story.
This morning our BellyBus departure time was 10am. Our last few shows were absolutely awesome but our travel schedule, not so much. Saturday morning we traveled three hours from Atlanta to Chattanooga and performed a show. Sunday we traveled three hours in the a.m. from Chattanooga to Birmingham, performed a show and then three hours back. Our bus pulled into the hotel about 3 a.m. and we were told to be back on at ten. That is only seven hours, I did the math. So there is no explanation why at 10:10 am I am wide awake and shuffling through a folder I keep stuffed in my seat. On every tour I bring along one folder full of papers from home that need my attention; bills, receipts, tax papers and other miscellaneous papers. I see one of these papers read at the top “notice to appear March 12, 2012″ it is from the Beverly Hills courthouse. So I check my space phone because honestly I am clueless. The date in my phone also reads the March 12th 2012. Opppps……. so this dilemma is a total bummer. I am not a criminal, I am a suspect in a minor traffic infraction that the Man believes is caught on video. This is kind of one of those less glamorous consequence of being a touring stage perfomer. I think I will be fine. I called a robot and fed it some numbers. Six-hundred and sixty dollars later, perhaps my civil debt is paid.
Any artist or performer, throughout their career, will go through periods of serious doubt, worry, stress and depression. They will question why the heck they are doing what they are doing and why they ever felt entitled to a dream career. They will worry from time to time, that today might be the last hurrah and tomorrow – they will be forgotten, swallowed up by the younger talent, hungry for their turn in the spotlight. If any artist denies this, please ask them what they are smoking and get me some at the next show!!!
The 8 months of working survival jobs previous to this Club Bellydance tour really did a number on my self-esteem. I turned my sarcastic scorpio telson inward and proceeded to bore myself into a rut. I developed a terrible habit of cutting myself down, masked in the facade of laughing at myself (one of my favorite pastimes), but I didn’t realize how this would effect me later – on the stage.
This Club Bellydance tour is my first opportunity to prove myself as a soloist, both to this company and the audience. I have practically mastered the art of performing in a troupe, syncing up with my fellow dancers to set the backdrop for BDSS soloists to shine. Now this is my opportunity to take my art to another level.
The stage lights dim and then rise as my music starts, I enter spinning and flaring my feather skirt and while I know that I should be in the moment, connecting with the audience and the music, the only thing running through my head is every negative thought I’ve had about myself, every horrible statement that was said to me or about me, even the teasing from my big brother as a kid was booming, echoing in my psyche.
I hadn’t felt so nervous since I was a kid in youth orchestra, armed with a heavy pair of crash cymbals and a conductor whose cues looked more like Tourret’s than musical prompts. What they hell am I doing here???
My insecurity was obvious to my co-dancers and they all jumped in to help. To pull me out of my rut, to get my spirit back on track.
Sabah has been working with me an hour or two most mornings to not only get my performance skills back, but to make them better than ever. The audience is showing their appreciation every night, lifting my spirits with their enthusiastic applause. Combine that with interviewing the local dancers every night about why they love bellydance and I feel better than ever now. I feel renewed, re-inspired, reinvigorated. I am back in the saddle again…. watch out Road – Here I Come!!!
Life as a Bellydancer can be a lonely one. Most gigs are solos, prancing around tables and hookahs. Opportunities for troupes are often limited to class groups, special events or occasional haflas. That is why i feel so fortunate to be touring the world with some of the most talented dancers, and genuine people, in the country. All of our talents, unique and refined, personalities and skills are what make this show so enjoyable.
Stefanya: her jazz background ads spunk, dynamics and attitude that make her style so unique. I am so happy that she chose Mario Kirlis’ New Baladi as her solo, it really showcases her talent.
Lauren: I am so happy that Lauren is dancing to Fakerni, it’s such a fun song that really wakes up the audience. As the newest youngest soloist, you really bring a fresh approach. I see the audience’s reaction to your solo and know that they fall in love with your youthful charm every night.
Sabrina: I Love how Sabrina’s solo follows after the Balkan Medley. We start with a serbian-ballet fusion duet, turns to trio and finally are joined by our tribal duet – all hands on deck – for an awesome Balkan dance off. It ends with Sabrina stomping off stage in character and she returns in her solo, commanding the stage and the audience in a wild feat of musical dynamics. She never ceases to amaze me, always reinventing and tweaking her choreography, proving that perfection is not a constant, but a breathing, changing organic process.
Moria: Moria, as Tribal director, is fantastic and so easy to work with during rehearsal week & tech rehearsals. Her costumes are to die for, many of them designed and created on her own.
We have been extremely lucky to have an aditional member to the club bellydance tour for the south east leg.Petite Jamilla’s spinning piece is beautiful, emotional and gives me goosebumps every night. I am really looking forward to the CanSurvive benefit Club Bellydance Show in Birmingham on Sunday.
The show would not be possible without the 2 men behind the scenes.
Stevo – a seasoned tour manager, makes sure everything runs according to plan.
Billy Bob – our newest road warrior – aka “Back Roads Billy” runs sound, sells merch, loads and unloads the trailer, and preps the stage making sure it is safe and ready for showtime.
Local Sponsors – we couldn’t do this tour without you. This show is all about rallying the bellydance community and every show has been fantastic.
We are about half way through this one, and it’s getting better all the time!!
It has been my honor and privilege to inherit the role of Director of the Tribal contingent of The Bellydance Superstars. After Rachel Brice, Sharon Kihara, and Kami Liddle, I know that I stand on the shoulders of giants. The women I work with now: Sabrina Fox, April Rose, and Colleen Anderson, are pure gifts. I use my role as a service to them, marking my success only by their growth and flourishment as individual dancers and by our group as a unit. In the last year I have watched the trust and love among the four of us build a collaboration and support structure that keeps fresh ideas flowing and pushes each of us to sweat for 6-7 hour rehearsals straight, dancing and smiling until we see stars. Communication, communication, communication. Each must be heard, acknowledged and loved. I my mind this is a woman’s way of leadership. If we set the stage for beauty, she will arrive. The director must not take on the ego burden of “doing” everything and thus receiving credit. Rather the “allowing” of creative individuals to come together and influence and inform each other’s drive toward curiosity and expression. Art is a fluid entity, strong enough to bind an identity, yet elusive enough to be scared silent if fear and bullying replace love and encouragement. I have worked under many directors, all generous and artistically brilliant…most a little nutty ☺, myself included. It’s difficult to be director, choreographer, and dancer. You your off and your on das as each. It’s a delicate thing to weave all three together in a cohesive and productive way. What I have learned is that you can always admit that you don’t know; always ask a second opinion; “talk-back” is part of the process, not a personal attack; the goal is always clarity with efficiency; most arguments stem from unclear communication; better to dance than talk; the body teaches us what we may have forgotten; interruptions kill the focus yet sometimes save the day. Perhaps above all, a director is at her best when she serves the art and not herself, she is the organizer, sooth-sayer, translator, cat herder, good mother, terrible mother, and only on very rare occasions disciplinarian. Truly a group is only as good as it’s individuals and that is whom the group serves, not the other way around.
No it’s time to prepare for our Atlanta show tonight, and my workshop here tomorrow. I got another nose piercing yesterday (my 4th) and I think it gave me a sinus infection, so here comes the high-potency vitamin-C doses, salt water sprays, and maybe even a netty pot. We are almost at the halfway point for this tour. Florida and Louisiana were so fun. The weather has been perfect throughout the South East and for February it’s felt more like a summer road trip. Soon we will be heading north of the Mason Dixon line and I’m hoping Spring will follow us.
Wow this leg has been going fast, the momentum has been non stop since day one. Every show has been a gem all on the same level of greatness. I am so happy to see elements of FCBD And Gypsy Caravan in the Tribal groups both authentic and fusion. I saw and shared the stage with my BDSS favorites Ansuya and Bozaenka, and soon will be doing a show in Atlanta Georgia where my Father will see me perform.
April 1st I get home for about 10 days and then am off to Europe and China for both The Bombay Bellywood and Club Belly dance shows then to teach 5 choreography’s in 6 days in Beijing. Once I return I am planning to head to France to catch up with family there for a few weeks this will be in early June. I have a feeling I will be happy to be home for summer.
I love where my life has taken me and the saying “be careful what you wish for you just might get it” is so damn true! It takes a lot to keep up. I cherish a good rest and have gotten used to falling asleep anywhere anytime in just about any position I realized much of my insomnia bouts were caused by to much ease now I sleep when I can and dance when I can and eat when I can and untimately…Blog when I can This one was a scramble but I just let it all pour out from my head.
Recently I had an incident with my good friend the sun. Now, with a complexion like mine you can love the sun but you can’t necessarily take long walks on the beach with it. Let me start off by mentioning that it was a pleasure to have a day off on the Miami Beach. After daily long bus rides, tech rehearsal, two hour hair and make up, and then a show getting outdoor time during the sunlit hours is pretty much not possible expect for that magical day called “day off”. This day is not to be confused with “travel day” which is set up in the same way as “day off” but with the added ingredient of imprisonment in a moving cell. I think that we will receive two of these glorious”day off” in this 30 day run. This first “day off” as I have previously mentioned happen while we were at Miami Beach. And I really thought being in the sun for less then 45 minutes, you know couldn’t hurt me and severely burn my skin. But it did and when I started to get ready for the show to my dismay I discovered my body was as pink as a tulip. :( and outch!!! It really hurt.
So I am leaving a list of tips for all the fair skinned dancers out there who find them self in a smilier love / hate relationship with the sun. This is my best advice if you find yourself with a sunburn and the big show is only a couple hours away.
1. Take an ibuprofen. I normally don’t condone the use of drugs but in this case it is really helpful to relieve the fever like symptoms often produced by the burn.
2. Get some aloe vera and slather yourself in it. This oozie goozie substance will not only remind you to allow your juicy movents to flow, but it will sooth the sink from the irritation and assist in the recovery process.
3. Bronzer, Bronzer, Bronzer. At the very least bright red skin with streaks of white from your bikini straps will make you look more like an American Flag then a beautiful bellydancing goddess. So it is best to use your biggest dusting brush and the darkest bronzer that you have. Start at the neck and work your way down. (ha ha that is what she said) This process took me about 10 minutes total so you need to patience to make sure that you are not irritating the skin and that you have a full and complete coverage. It is of my opinion that you don’t need to be the same color on both sides of the body. Maybe I am wrong but I don’t think that when you on on stage the audience will notice. It saves you time and bronzer. So if the sun kissed you only on the font no need to tend to the back.
4. Not all that glitters is gold. In fact, beware of the glitter. This can really hurt depending how intense the burn is. It may be best to hold off for the fist night.
Red, white, brown and olive. We are all beautiful creatures. So let the sun shine on all your assets, exposing all the goodness and truth you have to offer. Happy dancing to all the beautiful people.
With almost 2 weeks under our belt and 3 more to go, I am having a blast performing for and meeting all the dancers and dance lovers who are coming out to enjoy the shows.
The girls and I love to watch the first act and have been putting together videos from all the shows. I already have a couple of cities up on our youtube channel:
I will be putting more videos up soon, but am waiting for my computer to get back from the repair shop.
In other news, our day off in Miami was amazing. I took sabah’s workshop, which was awesome, with Bozenka and then we all went out to eat with Alexandria and Johara from the Art of Bellydance Studio. A beautiful LARGE cuban meal of pulled pork, rice, beans, yucca and of course Mojitos!!!!
Spent the morning at the beach and am now its time to get ready for the show!!!
Thank you so much to our sponsors so far in Louisianna, Alabama and Florida:
Kryss & Shannon in New Orleans at Cafe Istanbul, Lilea McGee in Lafayette at The Station, Lauren Arnable in Mobile at the Playhouse in the Park, Julianna Wilson in Tallahassee at The Moon, and Johanna and Karen in Sarasota/St. Petersburg at the State Theatre. I just adore watching the first act every night and appreciate all the hard work both the dancers and sponsors have done to make the show such a success!
Next stop Naples, Florida with special reunion with Bellydance Superstar Ansuya!
If you go:
What: Club Bellydance, a bellydance performance featuring local and internationally acclaimed bellydancers
When: Saturday, March 3. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show begins at 7:30 p.m.
Where: River Park Community Center, 301 11th Street North, Naples
WORKSHOP LOCATION:
The Art of Bellydance Studio
1431 Alton Road
Second Floor
Miami Beach, FL 33139
WORKSHOP TOPIC: Egyptian Choroegraphy ala Sabah
Learn a strong performance choreography harmoniously meshing exquisite musicality, archetypical bellydance movements and Sabah’s trademark touch of grace, elegance and strong hipwork. Learn to use imagery to add expression and emotion to a classic orchestrated Egyptian song as seen in the Club Bellydance show!
WORKSHOP PRICE: $55 by February 25th, $65 after deadline and at door, upon space availability.
