So as many of you know, I belly dance. It all started about 8 years ago (2002, I believe), when D and I were at the Wild Buffalo in Bellingham. There was a great blues band there that night, but the highlight for me was the intermission show. Out came the belly dancers. They were Blond Ambition and they were awesome! It sparked something in me that night. I wanted to move like that. It was both intoxicating and beautiful. When Nancy got up on the water goblets to dance, I was in total awe.
Fast forward to March of 2009. Seven years have passed, but I have never had the courage nor the opportunity to take some belly dancing classes. But it had been on my mind again, a lot! then Crystle, my friends daughter posted on Facebook that she wanted to take a belly dance class. I asked her if it would be weird for her to take a class with me, as I am her mom's friend. She said that would be great, so I started my research. That was how I found Annyse. The first night that I joined her class, Crystle wasn't able to join me, so I ventured out alone. That class was the last in the 8 week series. So I was coming in cold to the review night. I went completely outside my comfort zone and joined in. Annyse was so graceful, I felt so awkward in comparison. But, she and all her students were so encouraging. They all cheered for me when we done. And that was it. I was hooked.
Crystle and I continued to take classes with Annyse right through to December of '09. We danced with fellow students in a July 4th parade. Well, more like sprinted... the parade pace was so fast that we all found it very difficult to dance. But, when December came, Annyse had to make the decision to not continue classes in Blaine. By the first week of January, I was having some serious withdrawals. I was very apprehensive about starting with a new teacher. I really wanted to take my dancing to the next level. To get out of beginner mode and maybe even perform one day soon. I was pretty nervous that maybe a new teacher and new style would prove that I really wasn't very good and that I have no business doing this. However, I missed it so much! So I continued my search. There were several options in Bellingham to choose from, but by March I had finally made up my mind to check out Maggie's class. I had met her before and seen her perform so I knew she would be a good fit as a teacher.
I think it was either the first or second class that I had gone to of Maggie's, when I got an email and a phone call from Annyse. She invited me to join a troupe with her and Yvonne, who was another student of hers. I felt so honored. I felt so excited and scared. I said yes!
I continued with Maggie's class, as it was a lot of fun. It was also challenging. I also took a drill class with Maggie in which we learned drills and exercises to strengthen our muscles and improve our skills. It was awesome! I loved dancing till my legs, butt and abs were burning and fatigued. I love sore abs!
Weekly troupe practices/lessons started with Annyse and I have fallen in love with troupe choreography! Plus, Annyse and Yvonne are amazing women. I love spending time with them! We worked hard on developing our first two choreographs. Somewhere along the way, we settled on the name Zahara Sisters for our troupe. Zahara is a feminine Arabic name meaning illuminated, or shining. At our very first public performance, we did a gypsy Rom dance that drew rave reviews from Annyse's teacher. And that was it. I was now in love with performing. =D
Work in Maggie's class continued on a cane dance choreography that we would have the opportunity to perform at a Hafla in June. This whole spinning of the cane was proving to be a problem for me. But with help from both Maggie and Annyse, I got better at it. Performing at the Hafla was a blast. The Zahara Belly Dancers (as we are now called) performed, and I also participated in two student numbers with Maggie's class.
Zahara has performed at a couple private events as well. After our first paying gig, which was at a senior center, Yvonne and I were elated. We could definitely get used to this. And side note: seniors are the most generous and appreciative audience ever! So fun to dance for them.
Meanwhile, belly dance has become a part of my everyday life. I find myself practising and working on moves at the oddest times. Like when I am cooking or doing laundry. I spend way too much time surfing belly dance costume sites and drooling over what I can't afford. I watch videos of other dancers, try to catch live performances whenever I can. I have dragged D along to a few now. I am sure it is such torture to see beautiful women shimmying and undulating! I have dragged some friends along as well. You all will be assimilated!
This last couple weeks I have been feeling stuck, but this week has been great! With new choreography we are working on (Zahara) and encouragement coming from my hubby and some friends, my passion is reignited (is that a word?). So to all my friends and family, I apologize in advance, but you will be hearing much more about belly dance. I am not at all obsessed.
Today, I am feeling inspired as a performer. Last night, I went to see some belly dancers perform in Bellingham. Not just any dancers, but the Mahala Dancers. Their choreography was creative and beautiful. Their costumes were gorgeous, all designed and made by one of the dancers. Seriously, these ladies ooze talent.
Meanwhile, belly dance has become a part of my everyday life. I find myself practising and working on moves at the oddest times. Like when I am cooking or doing laundry. I spend way too much time surfing belly dance costume sites and drooling over what I can't afford. I watch videos of other dancers, try to catch live performances whenever I can. I have dragged D along to a few now. I am sure it is such torture to see beautiful women shimmying and undulating! I have dragged some friends along as well. You all will be assimilated!
