New Family Member

Starting with bare bones.

After my debut of the silver shamadan, the lovely Melhessa gave me her gold shamadan. GAVE me. Like here, take this. It is plain-jane but incredibly light in comparison to the silver one. I will most likely semi-retire the silver shamadan. It is difficult to transport and oh so heavy. Pick up the chair you are currently sitting in, put it on your head and light it on fire. Yeah, it's like that. So, I got to work making the new gold family member dance ready.

Blurring pic of the super un-sexy nut and bolt used to tighten the headband.

Inside the headpiece's framework.

Using foam left over from the silver shamadan I cut strips to line the interior of the headpiece for a custom fit. I then cut strips of left over fire proofed curtain fabric to cover the foam for a nice finish. I don't plan to catch myself on fire but I find having a "fire proofed" headliner amusing.

I used hot glue to wrap the fabric around the foam strips. Every time I use hot glue I think to myself, "Wow hot glue is so easy and convenient to use! Why don't I use it more often?" And then I promptly burn the piss out of myself.

Applying hot glue to the interior of the headpiece where the foam strips will go.

In progress.

I added gold, copper, and silver rhinestones glued around the frame with E600 adhesive for extra bling.

Different sizes and colors should pick up the light without adding weight.

Green/gold metallic flower clipped to the headband for panache.

Back lit by the window but lovely nonetheless. The headpiece is still utilitarian in design. I flip-flop between adding more bling or leaving it simple. Either way, a lit candelabra on your head is always epic.

I got this.

~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

Shamadan Respec

So, I bought a shamadan.

This really wouldn't have been my first pick for a shamadan. It is incredibly heavy and the center post is crooked. It did have 2 very important things going for it. It was only $50 and it is the same shamadan used at my wedding. Double score.

By the way, this shamadan is a beast! Sixteen candle holders total making it very top heavy. No matter how much I adjusted the padding or tightened the skull cap I could not keep it balanced. So I removed the entire top row of candle holders. Not because it made it lighter, (most of the weight comes from the rod in the center,) but to change the shamadan's center of gravity. It is easier to balance now with the shamadan's widest part closer to my head instead of 3 or so feet above it. Once I was able to walk around the room without incident I got to work on giving it a little bling.

 Blowing out the shamadan candles like a big bellydance cake after Amira's zeffa at my wedding. Props to Amira for rocking a 16 candle shamadan.

Metal rings and beads get salvaged from 2 different necklaces.

I attached beaded swags from the holes left by the removed arms.

Bead swag bottom view. This disguises the space gap left after removing the 5 top holders really well.

This piece of beaded fringe is attached using the metal rings from the other salvaged necklace.

Multiple layers of foam added and/or removed. I'm still working to get the right amount of padding in the right places.

My next challenge was the shamadan was stored in a green Christmas tree/decoration bag stuffed with pillows and foam for protection. I liked the bag idea but I wanted something more solid but still light enough to carry. Unfortunately, the shamadan is bigger than any solid container I can find to transport it in that isn't super heavy or super expensive. 

I decided to have a go at creating a case that will allow the shamadan to sit upright and stay protected using cardboard, duct tape, and my left over poly tubing from hoop making. If it works, Yay! If not I'm not out any money.

 I made a circle big enough for the shamadan to slip through. This will be the bottom support of the case. Boober, the needle eater, is on supervising duty.

I crafted a base from a cardboard box and some duct tape to fit the size of the hoop.

Three tube side supports added to the base with duct tape. You can see the green bag in this photo.

A matching hoop taped on top.

Doing a quick test to see if the shamadan will fit.

Getting a feel for how the cardboard sides will be attached.

Supervisor Boober patiently waits in his executive office for the finished product. Watching. Always watching.

More cardboard and duct tape. It's starting to come together!

With the new case inside of the bag it will not zip shut. I'm ok with that. The case keeps my shamadan safe and the bag provides carrying handles and additional space for transporting candles, lighter, and accessories. It won't win a beauty contest but it will get the job done. Best of all, it cost no additional money to make. I intend on adding more shiny bead swags to the shamadan when time allows.

Here is a link to a great shamadan info source by UK dancer, Candi.

~N


BONUS PIC: An interior view of the Supervisor's executive office.

All of the Props are Belong to Us

Camelia of Egypt dancing with Shamadan, Finger Cymbals, and Stick.