Here We Are Again…An Update.

So.  Almost 3 months after I last posted.  Things have changed – some good and some not so good.  The not so good aside, I’m happy to report I’m back in the dance community here in Richmond, VA. My Tuesday night class is working on a Drum Solo for our June recital and Wednesday we’re also working on a Drum Solo for August…it’s the year of the Drum Solos.

And the best news of all is that I’m more officially official as a dancer that I was at last check in – which hopefully will allow me more opportunities to use this blog to promote Middle Eastern Dance.  In December I was asked to audition for a respected local troupe The Women of Selket. I auditioned in January and earned a spot!  The troupe has been around for about 30 years so imagine my surprise when they called on me to join with only 6 years of training. The experience so far has been a joyful one.  (The past 20 months have been some of the best and worst times in my life.  Coming out the other end of some emotionally trying events I’ve found that as long as I can dance, create and bond with my fellow dancers I can heal. Physically, emotionally and mentally.) With this troupe I’ve already learned some great history of the dance and have the opportunity to not only perform more than before but to meet and train with some talented nationally known dancers. I hope to post here at least once a week – either with some history I learn or about events going on locally.  We’ll see how that works.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saw a Show and Took a Photo

A local dance troupe, The Women of Selket,  hosted their annual workshop this past weekend here in Richmond VA.  The guest instructor and performer was Fahtiem.  For those who have not heard she really really can do a belly roll side to side.  Yes.  Not up and down but left, right, left, right…  I have laid in bed many nights trying to accomplish this.  Up and down I can do but sideways??  Maybe I’ll start trying diagonal…

Anyway check her out here – This isn’t the exact choreography she performed Saturday but you can see the fantastic belly action very clearly.

Also want to add that all the dancers that night were great!!  Some interesting props – fan veils and feathers – and some good old-fashioned Egyptian Lasser Fakir makes me smile 🙂

The next day I took a mini road trip to Charlottesville to play with a friend’s Nikon D50.  We were wandering around The Mall and I noticed a sign that said BellyDance – Alexandras Dance School.  I went closer to get a photo, looked up and saw a zil class in session…

Alexandra's Dance School in session!

I was very tempted to go on up and join them.  Maybe next time – I’ll call ahead.