Oogie

 

This year's Big Show 2012: Dark Phantasma hosted by Phenomenon Studios, themed on The Nightmare Before Christmas, was held at Drury University's Clara Thompson Hall. Our cast spent October through November rehearsing the 18 some odd numbers, (all but 5ish choreo'd by Miss B.) by a great coordination effort and scheduling through Facebook. Some of our super talented dancers designed and painted some really terrific backdrops for the stage. 

I had the great honor of portraying "Oogie Boogie," the best-est villain ever. Actually, I had 3 parts, including a brief stint in Halloween Town and Christmas Town. The huge cast shared practice rooms backstage with each other and handful of pianos. I can now say I've used an upright piano as a dressing table. Despite the cramped backstage everyone did fantastic and I had a wonderful time. I hope to see the show on video some day. What can I say, it was super fun!

~N

 Preparing for Halloween Town in my "dressing room" complete with radiator and upright piano. Not very spacious but hey, at least it had a mirror.

My favorite Christmas Town shot by Bob Ek. Yours truly in the front with white gloves and pigtails.

Oogie terrorizing Sandy Claws, Photo: Charlene Wells

  Oogie's "death scene" after Jack steals Oogie's shutter shades. Photo: Charlene Wells

 Lock, Shock and Barrel drag Oogie away. They actually picked me completely off the ground! Photo: Charlene Wells

 Curtain call. Photo: Charlene Wells

 

 

 Promo photos by Maharet and Miss B.

DanceTastic: Wrecking Crew Orchestra

Yet ANOTHER reason why I love Japan. Feast your eyes on the Wrecking Crew Orchestra performance. Can you imagine trying to choreograph this beast? Both dance and light choreography.

On a side note, I am playing around with the blog layout again. Hope this doen't cause any technical issues.

~N

DanceTastic: The Dying Swan

Reposting a video from The Occidental Dancer of John Lennon da Silva dancing a hip hop/street interpretation of The Dying Swan. It's absolutely breath taking.

Dance Tastic: Marko Kalc

Marko Kalc - Hoop Dance - Impro from Marko Kalc on Vimeo.

A wonderful hoop dance video featuring Marko Kalc of Croatia. It is lovely hoop work and beautiful dancing, but, I am totally entranced by his feet. Seduced even. Maybe it's the one shoe with white laces. Maybe not.

Bolly Hoop Fusion

I spoke too soon. Another Hooping video this time some Bollywood style dance by Neha Vinjapuri.

DanceTastic: Miim

One of these dancers is a life-size free standing robot. Can you guess which one?
TECHNOLOGY! Have some. Read more about Miim here.

~N

Footstickers

"Woman Dance"
medium surface covering – low traction – side surface(drag protection)

Footstickers, like tread for your feet. Not sure if they would be comfortable. It also seems to me once you glue them on you would want to keep them on for the whole day. You wouldn't be pulling them on and off like dance slippers. See the link for more designs. Footstickers - Independent graduation at Nike EMEA on the Behance Network

~N

Salsa Newb

I got tired of the top post being a picture of my rashy ankles so I decided to post an update. I gave myself a cold from sewing for hours between the vortex of air of our window air conditioner and box fan. My ankle rash finally cleared up but now I'm coughing so hard it makes my face bones hurt.

I just got back from my second salsa class. I like it a lot. I feel like the class is going a little slow for me but I'm just being impatient. Just because a can turn right (and spot) after 2 classes doesn't mean I know what I'm doing. I watch videos like the one below and get excited about wearing ruffles on my butt dancing with a sexy Latin guy with the top buttons of his shirt open. Call me a dreamer.



You know, it's a bit like being a newb Bellydancer. They get the BD bug and become overzealous watching crappy Youtube videos and buying overpriced flimsy costumes on ebay. I have to continually stop and tell myself I don't have an ear for the music yet and shouldn't get ahead of myself. We aren't even working on partnering yet. Just dancing alone. The idea of dancing face to face with another person, touching me no less, makes me break out in a sweat. ThenI think of touching a dance partner with my sweaty hands and I freak out more, sweat more, and so goes an endless cycle of sweatiness.

I did ask the Husband Person if he wanted to learn salsa with me.                             

N: "Do you want to learn sals..."

HP: "NO."

N: ...

HP: "...yes?"

N: ...

HP: "What's the correct answer?"

I'll worry about a dance partner when it comes to it. There is salsa practice hour after my class but I'm no where ready for that. Actually you know what the coolest thing about salsa is so far? Dancing in jeans and a t-shirt.


~N

Today's quote: "Isn't it enough to know I ruined a pony to make a gift for you?"

Romeo Dance Cheetah

 It is important for Bellydancers that costuming, stage presence, audience participation, music interpretation, choreography, and most of all self confidence all come together when on stage. This video shows how all these things combine to produce some of the best self and music expression ever. Thank you Master Cheetah. I take this lesson to heart.

Romeo Dance Cheetah, 1st place 2010 US Air Guitar Champion. (It's hard to tell in this video but the trim around his collar lights up.) Officially the most kick ass sport ever! If only BD performances were 1.5min.

~N

Now listening: Sneaker Pimps
mood: the Husband Person

BD Vlog 10: Greek Night

~N

Now watching: Speed Grapher
mood: gyros

World Dance: Native American Jingle Dress

This video has a story of how the Jingle Dress came to be followed by dancing. For some nice pics of Jingle dresses follow the link http://www.gatheringofnations.com/educational/powwow_dancers/index.htm.

~N

Now watching: Twin Peaks
mood: white rice

Sokout

I stumbled across this clip from the film Sokout (The Silence), by Iranian born writer/director Mohsen Makhmalbaf. It shows a young girl adorning herself with fruit and flowers and then dancing along to the sounds of a blind boy tuning the strings of an instrument. I wish the dancing wasn't cut but kept going.

~N

Now watching: Twin Peaks
mood: anything that goes good with honey butter

World Dance: Bali

Balinese dance is one of the most unique and beautiful dances to see. The dancers incorporate their heads, eyes, arms, hands, fingers, and more into the movements. I am fascinated with the way they can flutter their fingers. The music makes me think of an orchestra made out of nothing but wind chimes. Here are two videos of dance followed by some links for you to learn more about how Balinese religion and dance developed and are practiced.





Learn more about Bali here and check out the National Geographic special for free on www.hulu.com - Bali: Masterpiece of the Gods

Bebop Bebop!

It's a secret no more! Three lovely ladies and I will be performing a +15min. set to the music of Cowboy Bebop at this year's Visioncon (Sci-fi, fantasy, comic, gaming convention) during the Masquerade intermission. The Masquerade starts at 6pm on Saturday Jan. 23rd, 2010. No this isn't bellydance. The four of us just happen to be bellydancers.

For more info:
www.visioncon.net
Cowboy Bebop 

(Remember - we are doing this BEFORE they decide to ruin it by making it into a live action movie staring Keanu Reeves. Don't get me wrong. I like Keanu, and Cowboy Bebop, and will definately go to see it, and probably buy it on DVD. I'm just saying...) 

~N 


Now listening: Sneaker Pimps - Bloodsport
mood: grape nuts

DanceTastic Tuesday: UNIQLO MIXPLAY

I particularly love this because of the dancers' ability to remain so still. The pop & lock movements give it a robotic feel but it's the stillness that creates the illusion of machines. (That, and I think hip hop Asian boys are just cute as buttons).

~N

mood: tom soup and grilled cheese

Dance - Tastic Tuesday: Daft Bodies

The original Daft Body ladies bust out some techno moves.
It's been a while since I've watched this. If you haven't seen it you will enjoy their ingenuity.



The men give it a go. Pretty good, although you have to wait through their inflated ego intros at the beginning.

In a Greek Mood

I'm getting in the mood for Greek Night surfing videos. This is a sweet couple dancing to live music. Enjoy!

~N

Now listening: Greek, Greek, Greek
mood: Maymie's fried chicken and grits

GREEK NIGHT THIS SATURDAY!

I just found out Greek Night is this Saturday, Sept. 19th.

Galloway Station
4211 S Lone Pine Ave
Springfield, MO 65804-6637
(417) 890-1626

Greek food, music, and dancing.

Bellydancing at 9:30pm and 11:30pm

Hope to see you there on such short notice!
~N

Long live Swayze

Patrick Swayze dies at 57...

now listening: jpop
mood: deviled eggs

First Rehearsal

A hint of my fusion project. Can you guess?

Well, not exactly a rehearsal. More like social hour along with discussing my choreo plans, the music, costuming, etc. for the fusion piece I am doing with 4 other dancers. Everyone seems super excited, digs the music, and is a-okay with the costuming. Yea! I gave everyone a copy of the music so they will have a week to become acquainted with it. We will start full on practice next Wednesday.

On the way home from rehearsal, Ananya and I were driving behind a bunch of idiots on mopeds, without helmets, honking and yelling, jumping up and down on the seat, dragging their feet, swerving back and forth, etc. A real hazard on a 45-50m/hr road full of cars. I wanted to run over the biggest idiot of the group just to prove the point of acting a fool and not wearing a helmet will get you killed.

Unfortunately, I didn't want the sound of his head popping under my tire to be on my conscience and wake me in the middle of the night when I'm in my 80's. But I seriously thought about it.

I am considering stripping some of the furniture out of my bedroom so I have a better practice space.

~N

Now listening: iamx
mood: chocolate cheesecake