I just LOVE to dance!

Times are tough for many of us these days. LA can be a very stressful place to live and life can get crazy here. That's why I am so grateful for dance.

Whenever I am in a class, whether I'm teaching or taking, I feel happy. I always enjoy dancing! It's kind of like being on a roller coaster ride. I am happy and feel a great rushing sensation...even when it's a tough class and my body is just not cooperating.

And it's not just about the dance itself. It's the community. Some of the best people I've ever known are other dancers. Hanging out and chatting about dance is certainly my idea of a good time.

I'm so grateful to have found Middle Eastern dance. I hope I always maintain this passion and enthusiasm and I hope to pass my love along to other dancers.

Xx

My monthly parties make me so happy!

About a year ago, I was offered to host an event in a small but amazing space behind a yoga studio. My dear friend and fantastic drummer, Andrew Des Chenes, and I set up a little stage and spent the evening teaching dance and drumming to the 6 friends who showed up.

Since then, the party has taken on a wonderful life...bigger than any I could have imagined. Live bands, amazing performances by some of the best dancers around, wine & brownies galore and an evening of dancing and fun for everyone!

The most recent party was this past Saturday, June 19th. I invited percussionist Jamie Papish to play and he brought an oud player. Lucky for us all, Donavon came and sat in with Jamie. Together they were hot!

Performances for the evening included the incredible Nasila, sexy & adorable Julz, beautiful Katrina, myself and the absolutely amazing Jenna!!!

I teach a class before the party from 8 - 9p and had a full house of lovely ladies who were having a great time. For some reason, I found myself teaching them a rather vigorous class and had them shimmying and dancing their tails off.

All in all, it was a magical & beautiful night. I always feel a little like my own performance is the one aspect which gets neglected, because I get so busy playing hostess. But it's fun to get to dance with the live band and really great to perform at my studio. (Oh yes, I bought the yoga studio a couple of months ago!)

A wonderful night. I just love belly dancing.

I Made It Myself!

This is the story of how my new costume, nicknamed the "Apple Green Mansfield", came to be.

While wandering through Michael Levine one day, I stumbled upon the most gorgeous, sexy, amazing fabric I have seen. Apple green satin. Stretchy apple green satin. YUM! Not having a clue what I would actually do with it, I bought 2 yards.

A week later, I went back downtown, picked up 3 more yards, and found a good deal on extremely expensive and delicate silk chiffon. The vision of a glamourous, Ginger Rogers-movie-star-costume was filling my head. I knew that silk chiffon was the only way to go for the skirt to something with apple green satin.

But now what was I going to do with it all?

I did design and help to make my very first costume...but my Aunt Margaret really did most of the work. Considering she is a costumer, that was such a treat.

My periwinkle costume that gets tons of comments and attention was made by the wonderful Eshta Amar, so that was a matter of me paying her a very reasonable price and attending a few fittings.

In other words, who was I to think I could make a belly dance costume?

I went out, bought a sewing machine, and was off.

After a week of working 10 - 14 hours each day, sewing and cutting and measuring and looking things up on the internet...my costume was born. And she is beautiful.

I realized she is like an old 50's movie star. She is Jane Russell. Marilyn Monroe. Jayne Mansfield.

This is not a costume that I can wear in a restaurant or nightclub. Those audiences want to see modern, shiny and skin. This costume is different than all that. Then again, so am I.

It needs some alterations and adjustments. But I love her. And I love that I made her myself.

You can do it, too!

Dancing in 2010!

For whatever reason, this new year has really strengthened my dedication to belly dance. I took the month of December off to do the family thing, and came back strong in January.

My newfound determination to work harder, dance more & enjoy being an entertainer is exhilarating!

I have spent the past few weeks taking as many dance classes as I possibly can & showing up to all the troupe rehearsals. The more I dance, the more I become the dancer. Or something like that.

Being in Anisa's troupe is a joyful experience, and it's a lot of work! I never realized how difficult it really is to be in sync with other dancers & it is challenging me in all sorts of ways.

My restaurant/cabaret-style skills are improving, if I do say so myself. I am getting more comfortable with audience interaction and am enjoying an improvised set. At Moun of Tunis a couple weeks ago, I felt really "on" and had so much fun dancing for a lovely restaurant of people & other dancers! And I even had someone take a good performing picture of me....bonus!

There is always fear & doubt, nerves, a little anxiety & often the middle of the night waking up worrying about losing my costume on stage!

But it's worth it. It's the best feeling ever!