Have you ever wondered why you can't seem to hire a bellydancer to jiggle her lady bits at your next rowdy shindig? Why does she become closed off,
defensive, or even hangs up on you without so much as an explanation when you tell her you would like her services for a private party at the end of a dark road at midnight?
It is an outdated and frustrating notion that the general public still still thinks bellydancers are adult entertainers. So let's clear up the biggest misconception right now. Bellydancers, burlesque
dancers, strippers, and escorts are not the same thing. They are all
uniquely different and are hired for distinctly different occasions.
We understand your frustration at this revelation. We do all kind of look alike with our glittery boobs and hair, dancing with focus on the belly and hips, but that doesn't mean we are or do the same thing. How do you know the difference? Use this layman's at-a-glace guide to help you choose the right entertainer for your function.
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.
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.
Guest dancer, Naia and Naima's duet for the last set.
A few quick pics from Galloway Station's 10yr Anniversay, Greek Night, Farewell weekend April 27, 2013. Galloway Station is now up and running at their new location on 1281 E. Republic Rd, Springfield MO 65804. Next Greek Night is scheduled for Aug. 24th.
Naima-vision - Best crowd ever!
Dancing on dollars and rose petals.
Naima gives a heartfelt goodbye to the original location with the last bellydance performance of the night - Gianni Mou To Mantili Sou
Gianni Mou To Mantili Sou
My Yianni, why is your handkerchief so stained? My dear Yianni, my brave young man? It is stained from laboring in foreign lands, In those cursed, forlorn places. I washed it five times and fouled five rivers forever with its stain.
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
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.
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.
I finally broke my zill-playing cherry at this month's Greek Night. I played and danced improv. It was slow and a little sloppy in some places. There was nothing impressive nor exciting about it but I did it! I made it over the hurdle of my first ever performance playing zills live. *whew*
~N
Thanks to Hessa for the video clip from her phone.
One of the few pics were we are all facing forward together. L to R: Miss B, Naia, Naima, and Hessa. Dance pics by Charlene Wells
Something really cool happened last weekend at Visioncon. I got to dance a choreography with 3 lovely ladies, Miss Bee, Naia, and Hessa,
representing 3 different studios and myself being the "independent". We
danced to Entrance of the Stars, two of us representing modern/classic
oriental dance and two of us tribal/fusion dance. I totally lucked into
this when Ananya had to bow out due to chairwomen duties for the con. I also finally got an opportunity to rock the hot pink costume Lisa made. Here are some video snippets from a few of the other performances that day.
~N
BONUS PIC I just happened to have on make-up and a camera to prove it.
Dancing as "Kindness" on stage at the Vandivort. Photo: C. Bryant
I had the pleasure of dancing in The Big Show: Seven, Phenomenon Studios Annual Student Showcase, a themed show that featured modern and fusion Bellydance performance for each of the the 7 Virtues and 7 Vices preformed on the Vandivort Theatre stage. I was assigned Kindness as my theme.
It was such a treat to get to have a Bellydance based show on a real stage. At dress rehearsal we all chose the lighting sceme for our numbers. CHOOSE LIGHTING! Such a simple thing but so rare for our BD community to get to experience. Gary, the sound/lighting tech was very nice and supportive of our group. While I don't think he has had much if any exposure to Bellydance before he never once batted an eye or asked a condescending question. One of the most fantastic things about this themed show was how amazing
and different everyone's song choice and performance was. Everyone
appeared to have put a lot of effort and thought into their
performances.
I really love backstage. I think I like being backstage more than on
the stage. It is seeing where all of the secrets of the show are kept.
The way the props are lined up and the costumes hung in rows. I like the
reflective tape on the floor to show performers where to walk when the
lights have dropped to almost pitch black. The Vandivort is a small
modest theatre with tiny dressing rooms and old style floor lights along
the stage front. Twenty dancers managed to share the tiny space with
only breaking 1 light bulb during curtain call.
Pre-show warmup
Backstage
From behind the red curtain
Stage props for the current running production.
Dressing Room
Hall of previous shows
Event photographer (and dancer) C.Bryant waiting for the show to begin
Surprisingly comfy chairs
It was at this performance of "The Chair Dance" (aka Lust) that I realized how incredibly challenging it is. It doesn't have just one but two props, (chairs and hats).
Ananya and me chatting in the dressing room before the show.
