Today the Tucson Tribal Belly Dance Collective had a very productive practice where we picked a couple of songs to perform to, and now we're building our first themed set. I'm happy to say that I provided the song for our badass sword trio. I'm also pretty excited about the costuming ideas we have.
Tomorrow I'm going to the Renaissance Faire in full tribal gear, because that's how I roll. I just made myself a new tribal necklace with a giant stone cicada. It's pretty epic, I'll have to post pictures. Actually I think I have a few new things that I need to post pictures of.
Oh, there was also a trip to crazy accessory store Charming Charlie where I picked up three ridiculous cocktail rings. IT'S AN ADDICTION! One if them is some sort of weird swan-peacock hybrid.
Showing posts with label ren faire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ren faire. Show all posts
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Monday, March 28, 2011
Oh my gosh, a picture!
Day 86 of practice.
Hey, a picture! Stolen shamelessly from Facebook! These are just some of my lovely dance friends who came out for the Ren Faire invasion! The back row consists of the Ghazaal Beledi dancers, with one of their musicians standing in front of them. Everyone else is an attendee! We were out in force! And so well-dressed, too. You can't tell in the photo, but I'm actually wearing some purple and blue with my black and green, much to the delight of my friends. I'm trying to learn to love contrast.
Anyway, today has been a lazy practice day, because I'm tired and dehydrated from Ren Faire! I danced while washing dishes, and now I'm sitting here doing isolations and chair dancing while I type. I think I'll do some nice stretches after this, as I didn't stretch at all after yesterday's shimmy marathon, and my legs were telling me about it this morning. I want to throw myself into some more hardcore practice this week, so I need my body to be in good shape and ready for a little abuse.
I think I'll also get back to work on my flashcard project. I need to remember to put some blank index cards in my dance bag; my goal is to write down new combos right after class, while they're still fresh in my mind and while Cari is there in case I need to ask for some clarification.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
You want me to shimmy HOW fast?
Day 85 of practice.
Ah, the joys of live drummers! My day at the Renaissance Faire ended in some real practice -- nearly an hour of dancing at the Drum Jam. And not just bopping around, either. My friends and I practiced our tribal moves, and I also got some serious shimmy action going on when the drummers kept playing faster and faster and faster! It was great fun.
Although I'm still disappointed with how the belly dance contest was handled (and don't ask how it turned out, I didn't go), I'm glad that I decided to go out to Faire today. It was fun to see so many of my friends, watch some shows, enjoy a beautiful day, and spend time getting to know one of my local dance friends better. All this AND I got to wear a costume all day? I call that a win!
Ah, the joys of live drummers! My day at the Renaissance Faire ended in some real practice -- nearly an hour of dancing at the Drum Jam. And not just bopping around, either. My friends and I practiced our tribal moves, and I also got some serious shimmy action going on when the drummers kept playing faster and faster and faster! It was great fun.
Although I'm still disappointed with how the belly dance contest was handled (and don't ask how it turned out, I didn't go), I'm glad that I decided to go out to Faire today. It was fun to see so many of my friends, watch some shows, enjoy a beautiful day, and spend time getting to know one of my local dance friends better. All this AND I got to wear a costume all day? I call that a win!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
No Contest
Day 82 of practice.
I will not be dancing in the contest at the Renaissance Faire. The powers that be (ie, whoever is in charge of the Facebook account) decided to not only not address our concerns, but to delete our posts. They also informed all of the people who wanted their kids to get a chance to compete that it was an 18+ contest only. Since the Faire has had other contests for kids, it seems pretty clear that they're trying to send a message that belly dance is Adult Entertainment, and that's not cool.
Normally I'm not really a kid person, but in this case I feel bad for the little girls who are being denied the chance to get up and shake their little coin scarves and feel like a jingly princess, or show off what they've been learning in their youth belly dance classes. Ren Faire is supposed to be a family-friendly event (you know, despite all the beer, and the wenches with the overflowing bodices, and the numerous shows with the "Loose Canon" designation warning of adult content), so you'd think they'd be all about giving belly dance the family-friendly image that most BD communities are striving for.
Anyway, enough about that. Practice! I skipped The Dance Loft tonight (so much for my extra zill training!) because my husband had a really bad day at work, so I felt like I should enjoy a nice relaxed dinner and evening with him, rather than scarfing down my meal and rushing off to class and coming home sweaty. So instead I had a nice chunk of practice at home, and I got some work done on my solo and played my zills. The zills are definitely better -- I didn't feel rushed at all, and I only screwed up during the transitional parts of a combo with lots of quick arm switching. And the breakthrough I had yesterday regarding my solo seems to be sticking. I won't be ready to perform it tomorrow, but things are looking good for next week!
I will not be dancing in the contest at the Renaissance Faire. The powers that be (ie, whoever is in charge of the Facebook account) decided to not only not address our concerns, but to delete our posts. They also informed all of the people who wanted their kids to get a chance to compete that it was an 18+ contest only. Since the Faire has had other contests for kids, it seems pretty clear that they're trying to send a message that belly dance is Adult Entertainment, and that's not cool.
Normally I'm not really a kid person, but in this case I feel bad for the little girls who are being denied the chance to get up and shake their little coin scarves and feel like a jingly princess, or show off what they've been learning in their youth belly dance classes. Ren Faire is supposed to be a family-friendly event (you know, despite all the beer, and the wenches with the overflowing bodices, and the numerous shows with the "Loose Canon" designation warning of adult content), so you'd think they'd be all about giving belly dance the family-friendly image that most BD communities are striving for.
Anyway, enough about that. Practice! I skipped The Dance Loft tonight (so much for my extra zill training!) because my husband had a really bad day at work, so I felt like I should enjoy a nice relaxed dinner and evening with him, rather than scarfing down my meal and rushing off to class and coming home sweaty. So instead I had a nice chunk of practice at home, and I got some work done on my solo and played my zills. The zills are definitely better -- I didn't feel rushed at all, and I only screwed up during the transitional parts of a combo with lots of quick arm switching. And the breakthrough I had yesterday regarding my solo seems to be sticking. I won't be ready to perform it tomorrow, but things are looking good for next week!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Flying by the seat of my dance-pants!
Day 80 of practice.
So here's the thing... the Arizona Renaissance Festival is having an amateur belly dance contest on Saturday, when a bunch of my friends and I will be there. Most of us were not planning to compete. Some of us were thinking maybe. Then we noticed that one of the three criteria they were going to judge on was sexiness.
Oh boy.
Now here's my thoughts on sexiness in belly dance: Is belly dance sexy? It can be. Are belly dancers sexy? They can be. Is that the focus of the dance? It shouldn't be. Any sexiness that I have while I'm dancing is just incidental. I want to be pretty when I dance, yes, but sex appeal is not on my mind. I just want to dance in a way that fits the music and makes my audience smile. If someone in the audience happens to think "Wow, I'd tap that!" I'd really just rather not know.
So one of my friends who has connections at the Festival sent a nice note letting them know how offensive it was to judge us on our sexiness, and how all of her talented amateur belly dance friends were now turned off from entering the contest. And a couple of us posted saying "Wow, we'd love to compete... if only we weren't going to be judged on their sexiness."
The upshot of this is that I may or may not be entering a silly contest on Saturday. Which means I may or may not need to practice something for it. I'd like to do veil, because it's pretty and showy and with any luck I will pick up my new veil on Saturday. But on the other hand, I like to wear lots of jewelry and hair stuff and jingly belts to Ren Faire, which I'd have to take off to perform with a veil.
In the meantime, today's practice consisted of dancing while I did dishes, and practicing my solo for Performance Prep class. I'm a little frustrated because before, when I would practice to this song I was hitting lots of things right and it felt good, but now I'm overthinking it and not doing as well. Some of my friends are choreographing their solos, but I am just not a choreo girl. I want to do improv, but my improv to the song has been lackluster. A continuation of last week's funk, or a sign I should pick another song? I don't know.
So here's the thing... the Arizona Renaissance Festival is having an amateur belly dance contest on Saturday, when a bunch of my friends and I will be there. Most of us were not planning to compete. Some of us were thinking maybe. Then we noticed that one of the three criteria they were going to judge on was sexiness.
Oh boy.
Now here's my thoughts on sexiness in belly dance: Is belly dance sexy? It can be. Are belly dancers sexy? They can be. Is that the focus of the dance? It shouldn't be. Any sexiness that I have while I'm dancing is just incidental. I want to be pretty when I dance, yes, but sex appeal is not on my mind. I just want to dance in a way that fits the music and makes my audience smile. If someone in the audience happens to think "Wow, I'd tap that!" I'd really just rather not know.
So one of my friends who has connections at the Festival sent a nice note letting them know how offensive it was to judge us on our sexiness, and how all of her talented amateur belly dance friends were now turned off from entering the contest. And a couple of us posted saying "Wow, we'd love to compete... if only we weren't going to be judged on their sexiness."
The upshot of this is that I may or may not be entering a silly contest on Saturday. Which means I may or may not need to practice something for it. I'd like to do veil, because it's pretty and showy and with any luck I will pick up my new veil on Saturday. But on the other hand, I like to wear lots of jewelry and hair stuff and jingly belts to Ren Faire, which I'd have to take off to perform with a veil.
In the meantime, today's practice consisted of dancing while I did dishes, and practicing my solo for Performance Prep class. I'm a little frustrated because before, when I would practice to this song I was hitting lots of things right and it felt good, but now I'm overthinking it and not doing as well. Some of my friends are choreographing their solos, but I am just not a choreo girl. I want to do improv, but my improv to the song has been lackluster. A continuation of last week's funk, or a sign I should pick another song? I don't know.
Monday, February 21, 2011
I want to dance!!!!
Day 52 of practice.
Practice today consisted of isolations in the car, bits of dancing to music overheard as we traveled through Ren Faire, and belly rolls at my desk tonight. Tomorrow I'll finally have time to actually dance during the day and get some good, real practice!
Ren Faire was lots of fun, got to see some dancing, hang out with a dance friend, and buy new costuming goodies. Also got some compliments on my costume, especially my ridiculously large $7 mall bracelet. Hooray for cheap costume jewelry! (Wait! I make jewelry! Why would I say such a thing?)
Also got way too much sun. It was cool and partially cloudy so I foolishly didn't use sunscreen and barely used my parasol. I have very bizarre sunburn patterns all over my body. Good thing I have plenty of time for them to heal before my next performance. I'll just look funny at class!
Practice today consisted of isolations in the car, bits of dancing to music overheard as we traveled through Ren Faire, and belly rolls at my desk tonight. Tomorrow I'll finally have time to actually dance during the day and get some good, real practice!
Ren Faire was lots of fun, got to see some dancing, hang out with a dance friend, and buy new costuming goodies. Also got some compliments on my costume, especially my ridiculously large $7 mall bracelet. Hooray for cheap costume jewelry! (Wait! I make jewelry! Why would I say such a thing?)
Also got way too much sun. It was cool and partially cloudy so I foolishly didn't use sunscreen and barely used my parasol. I have very bizarre sunburn patterns all over my body. Good thing I have plenty of time for them to heal before my next performance. I'll just look funny at class!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
More silent practice
Day 51 of practice.
Lesson learned. Gotta dance during the day when my MIL is here, or else I get stuck silently drilling belly rolls while she sleeps. Boring!
I had better work some of these belly rolls into my veil performance, given how much practice I've been having with them.
Tomorrow I'm off to the Arizona Renaissance Festival, where I will see Ghazaal Beledi and maybe Jamila Lotus perform, and I'll shop at the Domba booth, and of course I'll rock a tribal costume. Not sure how I'll work dance practice into the day, other than drilling isolations on the ride up.
Lesson learned. Gotta dance during the day when my MIL is here, or else I get stuck silently drilling belly rolls while she sleeps. Boring!
I had better work some of these belly rolls into my veil performance, given how much practice I've been having with them.
Tomorrow I'm off to the Arizona Renaissance Festival, where I will see Ghazaal Beledi and maybe Jamila Lotus perform, and I'll shop at the Domba booth, and of course I'll rock a tribal costume. Not sure how I'll work dance practice into the day, other than drilling isolations on the ride up.
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