Happy 2014!

Habibi! It's a new year!
I wanted to share a video of my students rocking their last performance at the Go Bar. This is a modified choreography from the original one created four long years ago (which you can see here).



Also, here are some GREAT pictures taken by Barbara Smith from Yalla, Ya'll! They are super great and I'm very pleased. The video of the performance is past the pictures. The choreography to this number is by Christy Fricks; its a Sulukule piece and was super fun to perform.

Hafla at Hendershots

Another show next Saturday on the 28th, this time featuring the phenomenal dancer Aziza Nawal as well as the amazing musician Denys Proteau.

$5 pre-paid, but $7 at the door!

NO JOKE. Make it out while you still can, the tickets are selling FAST.

Every Dancer Needs...

While prepping for a show this weekend, I realized that I needed to make a list of all of the things a dancer needs when heading out to a show. Now, of course, every dancer is different and there are some things on my list that others could probably do without.

Regardless, here are some basics you can pack in your dancer bag (along with all of those costumes you're going to need to bring):

• First Aid Kit.  C'mon, folks. You're a dancer. Anything can happen. You can twist your ankle and need a cold-pack. You might get a heinous headache and need some serious ibuprofen. You might even get cut up on the stage space. I've been cut, bruised, and even broke some bones (but you go to the ER from that; your First-Aid ain't gonna help you there) that it's worth it to have a first aid kit handy.
  
• Makeup. Even if you do makeup at home, a performer always wishes they had packed some extra makeup in their bag as soon as they get to the show. Besides, you sweat and makeup runs off, so do yourself a favor and bring something with you to do touch-ups with.
• Makeup wipes. For quick makeup changes, or just to get out of your makeup as fast as you can by the end of the show.
• To-Go Sewing Kit. I think its fairly obvious why this is a must. If its not, I'm just going to let you know that one or two stitches can be a costume LIFE SAVER.
• Bobby pins. This is not just for your hair, but for quick attachments. I can't tell you what I've used bobby pins for. Its too many things. Plus it helps turning your hair into a sexy beast.
• Safety Pins. You never know when something is going to snap or pop, something beyond the simple stitch that can be fixed by your to-go sewing kit. Besides, there is always going to be at least one person in the Green Room (or backstage) that is going to need a safety pin for something.
• Deodorant. No brainer, kids. This is a no-brainer. You're probably going to share a tight space with a lot of people at once, and you KNOW you don't want to be smelling anybody that hard (which means they probably don't either). Also, there is always going to be at least one person backstage that is going to ask for deodorant.
• Extra Eyelashes. While this could seem frivolous to some, to others this could mean whether or not the audience actually gets to see your eyes from a distance. Not only that, if something goes terribly wrong with the pair you are wearing, a back-up is always a nice thing to have.
• Eyelash Glue. Eyelashes come off. Just because you put your eyelashes on well before the show and they seem to be doing alright doesn't mean they are totally secure. I have a friend who has a terrible time with eyelash glue, and has actually resorted to using super glue, but that means she would just have to pack extra super glue in her dancer bag. Also, I don't recommend that.
• Double-Sided Tape. Raise your hand if your titty has flopped out of your dance bra? Yeah, you know who you are. In the burlesque world, this may not be a super-necessary thing (although I've used it for securing pasties, so don't rule that out), but in other forms of dance you might want to actually keep your nipples inside. And when I say double-sided tape, I am not talking about the scotch tape you find in the office supplies. I'm talking about the thick roll that you may have to find in the hardware section at Wal-Mart.
• Sheer to Waist Tights. Tights aren't for everybody, but I sure as hell like them. For one thing it keeps my panties secure. For another, if I have multiple costume changes and have to slip on fishnets or different types of stockings, it's easier pull them over the sheer tights. Also, my sweat will only stick to tights and not to the costuming I'm wearing. Tights tear easily, so it's probably worth it to you to have an extra pair in your bag--besides the one you are wearing.
• Glitter. Again, this one is optional but I feel like glitter, especially body glitter, is always going to make the audience viewing you ten millions times better. For one thing, if you are on a big stage and your viewers are quite a distance away, glitter helps them see what to look at. I saw a trio of bellydancers in Vegas last year that had put an intense amount of glitter all over their abdominals--I could see their undulations through the TV screen in the Green Room! It was awesome.
• Hairspray and Gel. Totally optional. For someone who goes through wig changes, its a great and wonderful thing to have. Hairspray is also really helpful in making your hair as big as the 80's, which is what you want for big-stage productions. Big hair makes your dance personality bigger, too.
• Change of clothes. People always forget that they probably don't want to drive home in their bedlah, or in the 5-inch stiletto heels they walked in on. Pack some flats, some pants, and shirt. That way if you go get something to eat afterwards you can do so in comfort.

This is what I put in MY bag. Sometimes it varies, depending entirely on what sort of show I'm doing.  Got anything to add? Please do! List it in the comments below so we can all read 'em!

SE Mosaic

 

The South East Mosaic Dance Festival is approaching super fast! Make sure you get registered while you still can. This is an amazing opportunity to try out different kinds of dance (bellydance, burlesque, and the flow arts).

There are some phenomenal performers that will be teaching workshops, so don't miss it!

I will be teaching a burlesque workshop on seamless reveals! Don't miss it!

Please share!

Bellylesque continues at Floorspace Studio.

Starting May 21st, Theatrical Bellylesque classes will switch into summer courses. The time will be moved 6:30pm - 8pm.

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Guest Instructors

I'm very excited to have Misty and Adrienne taking over my Theatrical Bellylesque class this coming Tuesday.

Misty is part of the professional belly dance troupe, Sulukule, and will be running the heavy-duty drills portion of the class. She's got some mastery skills and it will be exciting to learn from her!

Misty has been performing and studying with the professional troupe Sulukule since 2008. She is a mistress with the art of sword, and her diligence and attention to detail will make any experienced dancer learn a thing or two about themselves. Misty will be running the first half of Theatrical Bellylesque this Tuesday at 6pm (at Floorspace). You don't want to miss her precise drills, I promise!!

Adrienne will be going over the burlesque portion of the class. She has worked with amazing dancers like Michelle L'Amour and Fonda Lingue. Her fan work is incredible and not to be missed!

Adrienne has also taken classes and worked with other greats:
Miss Indigo Blue
Julie Atlas Muz and CherryPop Burlesque
Lola Martinet and the Dolls of Doom
Ophelia Flame

Harlem Shake

The Chicago Starlets (one of Michelle L'Amour's troupes)

Sulukule dances with Pamoja

Sulukule had the amazing opportunity to dance with UGA's Pamoja Dance company last weekend, April 5th and 6th.

We performed an altered form to the sword piece Relic (song by Beats Antique) as well as my recent choreography Roustabout (song also by Beats Antique).

Some images were taken during dress rehearsal. We had a lot of fun!