Monday, July 21, 2003
Well, I did an interview for ABC News Channel 11 about bellydance as a workout. It aired on July 16th. They were supposed to tell me when they were going to air it, but didn't. I found out it was already shown when people kept coming up to me saying, "I saw you on TV! Arrggh!
I did manage to get a link to the story. Yeah!
I did manage to get a link to the story. Yeah!
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
More of the conversation......
I think you would love Bellyqueen. They are a progressive, cutting edge dance company based out of New York City. They are actually on the Lollapalooza tour as we speak, and are scheduled to make a club appearance in Raleigh. I'm definitely going to be there, front row center. To me, they have the same "Save the world through bellydance" mission that is evident after reading bios and looking at some of the work that they do. And they still manage to be hip, cool, and funky. I can deal with 'cool with purpose'. I don't think cool alone will suffice either.
Then, what happens when bellydance is not 'cool' anymore? What will happen to the dancers whose careers were built around joining the cool bandwagon? Will they still be around? Will they go back to their regular career? I really believe that if you are a dancer, a born dancer, you can do any kind of dance. Any kind of music moves you. You want to be on the stage in any kind of dance form. You talk to the audience using the oldest form of communication. This is what I mean when I say there's more to bellydance, or any dance, than being showy. Dancing is my life and the stage is my home. Part of my job as a professional is to make sure that the audience knows this too.
So, since I love other forms of dance, my dance company will showcase other dance styles too. But, I have limited it to certain dance styles. Only the ones that I have done that are truly rhythmic. I have already come up with and registered the name for the company, and will start holding auditions in the fall.
Why bellydance? Well I'll be honest . I'm a Leo, and we have that thing about us where we love to be the center of attention. This is not always good, but on stage, it works so well. Bellydance can be an indy art, and since I danced with so many groups, I was happy to find a dance form that could show my own individual expression. By myself. I'm totally responsible for everything I do up there under those lights. Bellydance also has that regal queenly feel about it. I clung to that immediately. The Leo in me. The last thing that got me was the muscle control. I'm fascinated by the many ways that we can move our bodies. There is so much muscle control in Bellydance. That floores me. I'm still learning how to move parts of my body that I have never moved before. I think it will take me a lifetime of exploration.
I think you would love Bellyqueen. They are a progressive, cutting edge dance company based out of New York City. They are actually on the Lollapalooza tour as we speak, and are scheduled to make a club appearance in Raleigh. I'm definitely going to be there, front row center. To me, they have the same "Save the world through bellydance" mission that is evident after reading bios and looking at some of the work that they do. And they still manage to be hip, cool, and funky. I can deal with 'cool with purpose'. I don't think cool alone will suffice either.
Then, what happens when bellydance is not 'cool' anymore? What will happen to the dancers whose careers were built around joining the cool bandwagon? Will they still be around? Will they go back to their regular career? I really believe that if you are a dancer, a born dancer, you can do any kind of dance. Any kind of music moves you. You want to be on the stage in any kind of dance form. You talk to the audience using the oldest form of communication. This is what I mean when I say there's more to bellydance, or any dance, than being showy. Dancing is my life and the stage is my home. Part of my job as a professional is to make sure that the audience knows this too.
So, since I love other forms of dance, my dance company will showcase other dance styles too. But, I have limited it to certain dance styles. Only the ones that I have done that are truly rhythmic. I have already come up with and registered the name for the company, and will start holding auditions in the fall.
Why bellydance? Well I'll be honest . I'm a Leo, and we have that thing about us where we love to be the center of attention. This is not always good, but on stage, it works so well. Bellydance can be an indy art, and since I danced with so many groups, I was happy to find a dance form that could show my own individual expression. By myself. I'm totally responsible for everything I do up there under those lights. Bellydance also has that regal queenly feel about it. I clung to that immediately. The Leo in me. The last thing that got me was the muscle control. I'm fascinated by the many ways that we can move our bodies. There is so much muscle control in Bellydance. That floores me. I'm still learning how to move parts of my body that I have never moved before. I think it will take me a lifetime of exploration.
Thursday, July 03, 2003
Pieces of a reply I made to someone that asked me about my dance goals....
You know, you are the second person to ask me what my bellydance goals are. Actually, I should say 'only' the second person. The other person was Jillina and afterwards told me that I had wonderful talent and that I should do something with it. I have very big bellydance goals, had then even before I met Jillina. I plan to be an international bellydancer, traveling to different countries for workshops, shows, etc. I plan to have a dance company. I plan to have a regular venue to showcase myself as well as my company. I also plan on teaching regular dance classes locally. So far, the last goal is a reality. The other goals will be, but they will take a little more time.
When you asked me that, it sparked me. It inspired me again. All day at work, I kept thinking about how far I really wanted to go. I had just danced at the Eva Cernik workshop that weekend, and my dance went well. Afterwards, I asked myself why I wanted to take this as far as I could. Some of the girls there make alot of money as dancers and had new $800 costumes to show off as a result. It took alot to humble myself and make sure that my goal wasn't just to make alot of money so that I could show off my expensive costumes too. There is alot more to dancing than just being showy.
You know, you are the second person to ask me what my bellydance goals are. Actually, I should say 'only' the second person. The other person was Jillina and afterwards told me that I had wonderful talent and that I should do something with it. I have very big bellydance goals, had then even before I met Jillina. I plan to be an international bellydancer, traveling to different countries for workshops, shows, etc. I plan to have a dance company. I plan to have a regular venue to showcase myself as well as my company. I also plan on teaching regular dance classes locally. So far, the last goal is a reality. The other goals will be, but they will take a little more time.
When you asked me that, it sparked me. It inspired me again. All day at work, I kept thinking about how far I really wanted to go. I had just danced at the Eva Cernik workshop that weekend, and my dance went well. Afterwards, I asked myself why I wanted to take this as far as I could. Some of the girls there make alot of money as dancers and had new $800 costumes to show off as a result. It took alot to humble myself and make sure that my goal wasn't just to make alot of money so that I could show off my expensive costumes too. There is alot more to dancing than just being showy.
