Naimaland State of the Union July 2014

Australia and the US bonding over dance.

APRIL:

I met my Australian dance pal Kis, husband, and daughter in St. Louis for some costume shopping at Dahlal International's warehouse. We had a great morning walk around downtown St. Louis in search for breakfast. Then Kis and I took off to Dahlal's so we could nerd out over costumes. I custom ordered a Pharonics bedlah and Kis went home with an amazing black, orange, and yellow number. Custom ordering was pretty painless. I told Dahlal what I was looking for. She showed me a selection of bra and belt designs that could be custom ordered. I tried on one to decide on cup size. Then she took my measurements and color choices. I paid the down payment and that was that.

One third of one room inside the harem at the Dahlal Intenational warehouse in St. Louis.

 "To the window (to da window), to da wall, (to da wall) Till the sweat drop down my..."

Awards for most cut-outs goes to this dress. Even the sleeves and space between my knees in front had cut-outs. Sadly it did not come home with me.

I also went on a "glamping" trip to Huzzah Valley with my lady friends at the end of April. We lounged, we crafted, we went thrift shopping, we had a fire, and played games.

 

 Photo of me with Princess Farhana's The Belly Dance Handbook taken by the book's photographer and designer, Maharet Christina Hughes.

MAY:

I attended friends, Dean and Janice's pirate wedding and met up with dance friend Maharet. She has been living and working in LA since last year and came back to Springfield to photograph for the wedding. I off-handedly mentioned how I haven't ordered Princess Farhana's new book, which was designed by Marharet, because you cannot order the book signed by the designer. She promptly went to her car and brought back a copy of the book. She handed it to me saying she brought a copy to give to the first person who mentioned it. The wedding got underway before she had a chance to sign it for me but she managed to snap this pic before she left. I have yet to read it cover to cover only because I've been skipping to the parts that are most pertinent to me (and looking at the pictures.) I will say, out of the other BD books in my library, this is the most comprehensive and will be my go to reference for a while yet.

Yoga. I started doing yoga ten minutes-ish very day from May 21st to now (July.) My knee no longer hurts. My shoulders, neck, and wrists are doing great. My back pain has greatly improved.

I added 2 pallets to the existing flower bed in the back yard at the end of April.  May gave me purple, yellow, and salmon colored irises and the beginnings of day lillies.

JULY:

I will be making my first ever trip to the state of Indiana for ISAMETD's DANCING INSIDE THE MUSIC with Jonatan Gomes Derbaq and Deniz (OH.) on Saturday July 26, 2014. Naia and I will be headed out that Friday for the 6.5 hour drive to Indianapolis. I am crossing my fingures the custom bedleh I ordered at Dahlal's back in April will be in before our trip. It takes 12-14 weeks for the order to be completed and shipped from Egypt. I should be getting an email any day now. 

Dance has taken a backseat to X Files and gardening. The Husband Person and I are also doing an X Files marathon beginning to end, all 200 plus episodes and movies, which is taking us weeks to get through. The rest of the time I am outside picking bugs off of the vegetables and making homemade garden bug sprays.  Two more pallets and two more months in the garden and we've got radishes, cucumbers, pole beans, pumpkins, tomatoes, okra, squash, herbs, and wild flowers growing. I also added a border bed around the patio slab. 

I have to get back on the dance wagon ASAP. Greek Night was moved up to August 2nd. Then Bahia will be here for a workshop August 22nd. I am exited about both.

BONUS PIC: From my late February awards trip to Disney World. Guess who found the most fabulous pair of mouse ears in the whole park. Sequins AND appliques AND feathers, oh my!

~N

Ruby Beh Weekend

Ruby getting a feel for her surroundings.

(This post is long overdue from August.)

I think I spent Ruby Beh workshop weekend with a tight lipped smile on. Take two new costumes, new fire prop, new venue, and opening your home to a person you have never met. Add the fact you will be pushing your brain and body to learn and process new concepts into your dance and you get an uncomfortable looking tight lipped smile.

I spent five days teetering on the edge of trying to be flexible and accomidating without letting the stress of all of the "newness" overtake me. I think it just resulted in super Cra-Cra Face instead of the actual enjoyment I was feeling. One of the first conversations I had with Ruby in the car on the way to the meet and great was I told her I sometimes have trouble articulating (using my big-girl words,) and that I tend to over explain things. Her answer was to just be who you are.

Disclaimer given. Acknowledgement received.

Ruby, Naia, and I spent Friday afternoon touring the Pythian Castle and Bass Pro followed by non-stop workshops from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon. I had all of my costuming stuff prepared well in advance since Ruby was staying in the Guest/sewing/dance room. I was able to get ready for 3 dance sets in minimal time before the workshop show began. I had my usually moment of butterflies while putting on my make-up and then my "I'm a professional" business hat went on and Ruby and I headed out the door for the show.

Ruby seducing the locals.

Nice cheekbones. Photo: S Bowers

Did I mention Saturday was also Greek Night? Not only was it Greek Night but the first Greek Night at Galloway Station's new venue and I had yet to even stepped foot into the building. Because of this I got to open the workshop show with a Shamadan procession provided by the lovely Malaika Dancers so I could leave early.

The end result of my Shamadan Respec was successful. No wax in the hair. No costumes on fire. I even rocked finger cymbals with some Zeffa rhythm. On one hand I think my Shamadan still needs more bling. On the other hand I am content that I can keep it on my head without burning down the Northview Senior Center. The paper would read, "So called 'Bellydancer' stupidly balances lit candelabra on head. Seniors outraged."

I wanted to see both of Ruby's sets so I ended up staying the entire show instead of leaving for Galloway when I should. As soon as Ruby's music ended in applause I headed straight out the door but I ended up getting stuck in road construction on my way to Galloway and was over 20 minutes late to our first set (I've never been late in all of these years.) When I finally made it, Sa'dia met me at the door to show me how to get to the office. We ran up 2 flights of stairs. I dropped my bag, dropped my cover-up, grabbed my zills, and immediately ran back down the stairs to the sound of our opening song.

The first set went by in a blur of adrenalin from being so late and having to learn my new dance environment literally on the spot. My dancing felt a bit frantic but I think I covered it well. I did have some family support from my mom, sister, sister-in-law, grandmother, and another family friend. Friendly faces in the crowd always help.

Sa'dia and I hung out in the office between sets standing in front of the electric fan. During this time people from the workshop where arriving to catch the late show. I had hit the giddy slap-happy point of the evening. I felt like a total spaz by the time Sa'dia and I went down for our second set.  New costume number 2 cooperated during the set although the skirt needs some serious attention. I don't have any pictures of it yet.

After a mostly successful second set, (forgot the same section of the same drum solo again,) I changed into street clothes and headed out to the patio to hang with my friends. That is the point I completely deflated. I was  s o   t i r e d  I could barely articulate. I did manage to procure a glass of bourbon that we lit on fire in lieu of a birthday candle and sang happy birthday for R.W. Lucky for me Ruby was tired too and we left before close time.

 Sa'dia rocking it in pink.

From the tip bag. Napkins, rose petals, and money. (Nowadays, many Greeks throw flowers, napkins, money, and the like instead of breaking plates.) I've been told that the shower of rose petals and napkins looks really awesome while we dance. It's usually always a surprise when the crowd cheers as a cloud of color floats from somewhere above you.

The napkins that didn't make it into the tip bag. You know, cause it's totally sexy and non-distracting to see while dancing.

OPA! Photo: C Mallahan

Cra-Cra Face

Photo: C Mallahan

Sunday was a quiet day for me. Naia took Ruby to the studio to teach 7 hours of privates. I spent the whole day in boxer shorts and playing XBOX with the Husband Person. I even caught up on some National Geographics, anything that was non-bellydance related. My mental health meter slowly began to refill. Cra-Cra Face dissipating.

On Monday I drove Ruby to the Branson airport. We probably had our best conversation during the ride because the stress of the weekend was over and Ruby was no longer a brand new acquaintance. I also think Ruby had taken off her business hat since the professional part of the weekend was over. I wish the whole weekend would have been as relaxed and jovial as that car ride. I saw Ruby on her way with a hug and wave.

By week's end it finally dawned on me that I was completely stressed out from the excitement of having Ruby, a dancer I very much admire, in my home and trying my best to be professional without completely geeking out all over the place. Instead of letting myself geek out I just felt uncomfortable and stressed. And it probably showed. Ruby did say to be who you are. I tried way too hard to wear my Professional Hat instead of my Me Hat. Lesson learned. It also dawned on me the following week as people were posting their Ruby pics to Facebook that I never got a picture taken with her. This is how my photo with Ruby would have looked.

Homies. 

~N

Veils and Needles

Where did I put that needle?

As promised, the rest of a post I deleted back in January.

Before I get to the x-ray picture at top I need to back up the late summer of 2011. Naia tried selling me a turquoise costume at a local bazaar which I turned down for money reasons. I did on the other hand talk her into letting me alter her purple costume and out of selling it.

Jump to some time at the end of 2012. I never have liked veil much, not having the personality for those classic, sometimes cheese-tastic, veil tricks and ALWAYS feeling like I was wrestling the veil more so than dancing with it. So I had made an agreement with Naia that she should choreography and teach me a veil number that I would have to learn and perform. I in turn would choreograph and teach her a drum solo which she would learn and perform. Both of us exchanging knowledge in our strong points for a chance to work on our not-so-strong points. A deal was struck and we began to casually hunt music for our new project.

Come December we were invited to perform in the opening show for the Bellydance Superstar Tour coming to town at the end of January 2013. Our veil/drum project suddenly became a one month crunch to create a duet in time for the show. The time crunch also made costuming a minor issue. Not having the time or money for new matching costuming Naia traded me the turquoise costume for classes, alterations, and other dance related services. I would wear the turquoise costume and she would wear her black (with blue) costume.

Bellydancer "headband" and strap extensions shown matched with beaded gauntlet. Old worn out plastic O-ring removed.

I brought the costume home about two weeks before the show for fitting. The skirt and top were connected by a plastic O-ring that I seam-ripped out and replaced with a metal one. I also added a snap so the skirt would detach from the O-ring and make it easier to get in and out of. I then found an old "Bellydancer" tank that I never wear and cut it up to make matching strap extension turning the original halter into a cross-back. Naia couldn't find the costume's headband so I used the rhinestone-lettered strip from the tank top to make a new one. I fixed loose beads and adjusted the elastic. Last but not least, hemming.

Fitted costume. Can you spot the troublemaker hiding in this photo?

The night of the show I did one more fitting and added some extra elastic to the skirt to keep it from sliding around. Satisfied with the fit I went on to do my hair and make-up. Ten minutes before I intended to walk out the door I heard my husband yell my name with a tone of voice I've never heard him use in the 13 years we've known each other. Fear.

I dropped the hairspray in hand and ran to the dining room to find him sitting in the floor pinning our gray cat, Augustus, on his back holding his mouth open with his fingers. "He swallowed a needle!" I peered in to see a sewing needle part way into his throat and part way still in his mouth. The cat was kicking too much to stick my fingers in to pull it out so I ran for a pair of tweezers.

I failed try after try to pull the needle out while the cat kicked and the Husband Person had a mini panic attack (literally shaking and close to hyper-ventilating.) I couldn't get the needle to slide out so with one last college try I grasped it and gave it a good yank. It pulled loose. The cat failed wildly. The needle fell back into his mouth and disappeared. Augustus swallowed, licked his lips, and acted as though nothing happened.

Stunned is not quite the right word but the Husband Person and I sat blankly, unmoving, mouths gaping, in silence for a comedically long time staring at the cat in disbelief. I've never felt so confoundedly frozen to the spot. Apparently, the needle had stabbed into the roof of the mouth just enough to keep it from being swallowed. When I yanked it free the cat kicked because it ripped the needle out causing pain. The Husband Person called the Emergency Animal clinic while I ran for the cat carrier and my purse and off we drove with cat and needle.

We sat in an examination room while the vet did x-rays. Me in plain clothes with full dance hair and make-up. The Husband Person hands shaking. I sent a text to the show host and told her I would miss the pre-show lighting rehearsal but would make it by show time. As you can see from the x-ray above the needle had safely made it to the stomach. We were instructed to allow Augustus no food, water, or heavy activity. We were to take him to the animal hospital first thing in the morning where they could endoscopy the needle out without it passing through the body.

I drove the Husband Person and Augustus home and made it at the venue in time to change and perform the opening number.

Smiling with veil in hand - a first for Naima. With Naia Abla.

My favorite kind of picture - mouth open, belly out. Mid-tabla stomach pop, with Naia Abal.

A sleepy picture taken right after the show. Please ignore the boobs and notice the newly replaced metal ring and detachable top.

The next morning the Husband Person took Augustus to the animal hospital to an awaiting team of vet and students excited to observe an endoscopy procedure. But alas, after new x-rays it was discovered the needle had passed into the intestines overnight and all they could do was wait. A few hours of observation and one kitty enema later the needle along with a pretty serious hairball were produced. Apparently, the hairball helped to encase the needle making it pass without incident. Whereas the needle helped push the hairball through before becoming another emergency vet visit in itself.

Back from the vet the Husband Person presented me with a small cup containing the needle. I took a quick peek inside and sure enough the thread attached was the same blue of my costume. Augustus had been chewing on the thread, swallowed it and pulled the needle along for the ride. To this day, Augustus has no idea why he was "punished" by stabs to the roof of his mouth, being denied food and water, pokes, prods, and enemas.

The ironic thing is I had just been thinking about doing a post for pet and child safety around costuming supplies. Needless to say, never leave the room without putting all needles, pins, and other pointy objects away in a box or drawer even for just a bathroom break. Learn from my mistake. Think of the new costumes I could have bought with what I spent on vet bills.

The Bellydance Superstars were awesome by the way. And I made it through a veil number with some grace and elegance for once.

~N

Used needle with blue thread and other sundry items $429

JKH Revisit

Where's Naima in the sea of dressing room mirrors.

I had this really nice long post typed up about the past 2 months of dance and then I deleted it by accident. I have no clue how I did it and I was so upset at loosing all of my work that I haven't worked on the blog in weeks. I've decided to split the post in two in case I delete it again. That way I'll only loose half the work. Also, I am recovering from the plague. Anything could happen.

Anyway, I had the opportunity to dance at the Multicultural Festival with the Malaika Dancers back in January. It is hosted at Jaunita K Hammons Hall of Performing Arts every year on Martin Luther King Day. I had danced there as a baby dancer with Troupe Sarrab around 2001-ish. I thought it would be nice, after a decade, to revisit the largest stage I've ever danced on. This is also the stage I first saw Gita perform.

Malaika was given 2 sets, 1 on the "balcony stage" and 1 on the main stage. The balcony stage is intended for musical performances, not so much dance. It is crammed in the corner of the main atrium above the first floor but below the auditorium balconies. Only the patrons above us could see the performance and even then it was far and detached. I will say it was an interesting feeling to look up at the audience throughout the entire performance. It was also vibrantly sunny in our little corner and got quite warm dancing.

Despite the less than desirable stage placement, we chalked the balcony performance up as a practice run for the performance on the big stage. The main stage is seems huge in comparison and easily makes you feel quite tiny in its vastness. The professional lighting also means you cannot see the audience very well and makes emoting into the blinding light feel a little silly. The super cool thing about the day was the HUGE dressing room we were treated to. It had long rows of mirrors, lounge chairs, and even a private bathroom with a shower. The audio from the stage was also piped in through speakers so we could hear the performances live. All it needed was 4 dozen pink and yellow roses and a bowl of green M&M's.

~N

Video from the closest "audience" location. Looks like I'm dancing for team America with that big flag displayed in front of me.

Dancer's view off the Balcony Stage at JKH.

Malaika Dancers on the Balcony Stage at JKH.

Malaika Dancers on the JKH stage that made me break my rule of never dance without sandals.

Baby Bellydancer Naima in a borrowed palette dress on JKH stage 2001.

This is what happens when you take video instead of a picture. Doh. (I bought that dress for $7 at a garage sale!)

It Was in the 20's

I didn't realize my friend L. was filming during Saturday's Greek Night. Chiffon isn't much of an insulator.

Ava Flemming Weekend

Ava Flemming, pic by S. Bowers

The one workshop I've been waiting on baited breath for finally arrived and I found the battery on the Jeep was completely dead 30 minutes before Ava Flemming's Friday night class. I hitched a ride and made it through class, despite another (and worse) round with an injured shoulder. The Husband Person said I looked, "like Batman," because I couldn't turn my neck side to side. Did I mention the Friday class was with veil? I'm pretty sure during my solo performance on Saturday I gave everyone a lip-quivering smile from the pain.  By the end of the workshop and show Saturday night I finally gave in and took a muscle relaxer from a fellow dancer. Miss Bee also poked and prodded my muscles a bit to release some of the tension. By the way, Ava's workshop, fantastic! Ava's performance...

EPIC!!!

I can't even begin to tell you how crazy awesome it was. I just don't have the words. Don't bother looking up videos of her online. Well, I mean, YES go watch videos of her but they don't even come close to what her live performance is like. I caught myself standing in the back of the room, mouth hanging open with my hands hovering in mid-clap while watching her.

Over a week later my shoulder still hurts. I am doing light stretches and being patient. It is improving but very slow. I milked that muscle relaxer for a week cutting it into eighths and taking it before bed. I don't have another show until Greek Night in November. I hope to be in better shape by then.

~N

Ava shows the workshop crowd videos of famous Turkish dancers.

Rule of thumb - The uglier it looks hanging on the rack, the awesome-r it will be when you wear it. Modeling a King of the Nile - Princess Farhana design.

Fun group shot, pic by S. Bowers

Doesn't get better than this, Ava Flemming.
(I'm mean look at my face! I'm batsh*t crazy about her at this point.)

34

 With my birthday sister Melissa, both born in California one day apart.

 Turning 34

 Well...

 it was delicious.

K. hanging with the ever illusive Husband Person.

PartyPeople @ Phenomenon Studio

We wore like the same shirt, only different. Freaky.

Pin the tale on the Zebra.

Currently: Playing Prototype. Making smoothies with my birthday Ninja. Putting together beginner costume classes for early 2013. Hooping during my lunch break. Concocting a video exchange with Kis. 

And being pretty much awesome ;)

~N 

Dancing with Fish

Performing for Malaika's 1yr Ann. - Miss Bee, Naima, Hessa, Naia, photo: B. Pronia.

I had the pleasure of dancing at Malaika's 1yr Anniversary party at Herba Thea Tea House. The rounded counter top in the photo above surrounds Herba Thea's goldfish fountain. It was the first time I have ever danced behind a fountain full of goldfish.

~N

A Short Photo Journal

Who got hairspray all over the mirror? I'll give you one guess.

My blog has been a little heavy on the costuming posts so I thought I would throw in a short "day in the life of" post.

My lucky charms. I did not wear false eyelashes for the Visioncon performance and it felt completely off. I think it was due to the lack of false eyelashes. Call me superstitious.

The most eyeshadow I have ever owned. I bought this E.L.F. palette during the Christmas holiday for $5. My favorite color is the bronze-gold in the second row from the top, fourth from the left.

These 5 lucky ladies are lined up hoping to be picked as tonight's ring of choice. I went with the pearl, rhinestone, butterfly ring.

I rarely get nervous at the venue or during a performance. I do however get nervous during the "primping" process when I'm getting my make-up, hair, and costume together. I made repeat trips into my office to huff on these lovely pink roses clipped from my friend H's garden to de-stress.

I usually listen to non-bellydance music when I'm getting ready to relax and take my mind off the upcoming performance. I brought my laptop into the bathroom and listened to this song to Elivs Crespo's  Por El Caminito and merenged around the room to get rid of my butterflies. 

PS. Daryl (Norman Reedus) is my desktop wallpaper. You're jealous, I know. It's ok.

I load up my bag with flyers and business cards from local dance studios. I'm not affiliated with any studio but I always pimp my local community.

Ready to walk out the door. A huge thunderstorm is coming so I'm keeping my hair up until I arrive at the venue.

So, the rule of thumb is to always try on your costume before your performance. Right before I took the above picture I put on my belt and it practically fell off of me. I've toned up enough around my waist that the belt hooks were too loose. I had tried on the costume 2 days prior but apparently did not dance around vigorously enough to ensure the belt still fit. My first inclination was to tighten it up using safety pins. Realizing this was a horrible idea (that I've used in the past) I grabbed the sewing kit in my bag, snipped out the hooks, and restitched them in under 5 minutes. I'm pretty sure it would have taken me that long to pin the thing together with safety pins. With this accomplishment I declared out loud, "'Cause I'm a Motherf*cking Professional!"

Here are volunteers counting bids and donations.

My performance was at a fundraiser for the Doula Foundation, which for friends who know me, is pretty ironic. I was kept hidden in a back room while the live auction was being held in the main venue.

And I waited...

I was asked to be at the venue around 7:50-8pm. I was pushed back to dance between tables at the end of the live auction after they auctioned off 2 Moneyball posters autographed by Brad Pitt. In case you didn't know, Brad Pitt was raised in Springfield. I don't think the crowd was very excited about owning more Brad Pitt memorabilia but they forked over $250 each for the posters. I finally got to perform for 3:44min and left by 9:15pm. I grabbed my umbrella, hiked up my skirt (literally) and made my way home through the rain.

~N