Jennelah's Adventures in the world of Danse Orientale

I just LOVE to dance!

2010-11-06T10:04:00.001-07:00

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!

2010-06-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-02-17T01:37:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-02-09T12:20:00.001-08:00

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!

Oh what a year it has been!

2009-12-03T20:11:00.000-08:00

December is often a time for reflection. It's the end of the calendar year, the start of winter & a time for celebration and remembrance.

For me, the start of December marks the end of my first year on my cabaret dance journey. It was at the Moun of Tunis showcase last November that I did my very first restaurant performance. I honestly don't think I have ever been that nervous in my life....before or since!

It was the start of a great adventure and a year filled with performances, costumes, dancers & a ton of glitter.

I remember the night at Moun so vividly. My entire family came to the showcase, including my grandma. This was the one and only performance she saw me do before passing away this past July. I will always cherish that smiling, approving look she had on her face as she watched me.

I had about a month to prepare my routine and diligently spent that time choreographing a piece to a song I must have listened to 1,000 times. It was my goal to be fully prepared for that night. I knew the layout of the restaurant and had it all planned on when I would turn to face certain directions of the audience and when I would dance my way into the second room, etc... While I was filled with all sorts of jitters and stage-fright willies, I was prepared.

At least I thought I was.

In all my planning and preparations, it never occured to me that crowds in restaurants at showcases are just DYING to stuff dollars in my costume! Hmmm...that can really do crazy things to a choreography. But that's the point of showcases for a young dancer like myself. We have a great chance to learn.

As the choreography went out the window, I tried to just relax and enjoy the ride. When it was over, I snuck back into the dressing area and caught my breath. I made it.

Princess Farhana was back there and I was dying to get any kind of feedback on my performance from her. She probably said all kinds of nice things, but what I remember was she said I looked nervous.

No kidding!

That was a useful comment, because I now work hard at not letting any fears or doubts show in my face or on my body.

Overall, it was a monumental, unforgettable night in my life as a dancer.

Since that showcase, I have performed at over 30 events; showcases galore, haflas, my own parties, Middle Eastern camp & private parties. Each one of those performances has been fun, exciting and has helped me to grow and learn as a dancer.

I was thinking today that I am excited to see what happens in the coming year. Belly dancing is like a fine wine and I look forward to getting better and better over time!

Happy December.

My day with Belly Dance Royalty

2009-11-11T00:52:00.001-08:00

Wow...it has been a while since I blogged. And so many wonderful and exciting things have been happening in my belly dancing world these past several weeks!

The most recent notable expedition was the day I spent with the incredible Princess Farhana at the Oasis Dance Studio in Highland, CA.

Her Royal Highness (HRH) asked me to accompany her to a day full of workshops and an evening of dance out at Politti Ashcroft's awesome dance studio. I considered myself part of the royal court for the day and hoped I would be donning a tiara at some point.

She started off the day with a fun and challenging belly dance class, followed by a burlesque workshop...where my girlhood fantasies of wearing high heels, satin gloves & a feather boa could actually be lived out... and then she finished the workshop series with a make up class.

I was the make-up "face" for the class, which was great because I got to learn all sorts of new and wonderful tips AND have my make-up done for the nighttime!

(There are some rather terrifying before and after shots of me somewhere in cyber space!)

It is so interesting to be around Princess Farhana because she inspires so many women and has an uncanny ability to make each and every woman in the workshops feel like a hot, sexy goddess. And also a little like a naughty girl, too!

Politti puts on a fantastic show in her studio at night and that night I was honored to get to dance in the show; along with some a great ATS troupe, the very unique Mandala Danceworks, a fantastic tribal fusion soloist named Edenia & the glittering glam princess herself!

It was fun...so much fun!

The more I dance and stay in this community, the more incredible experiences I get to enjoy. Learning things like; how to pull off a satin glove on stage, the best way to roll my entire belly, & which grades of glitter work best on the eyes - are all things that keep me obsessed with the world of belly dance.

Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp HERE I COME!!!

2009-08-15T09:16:00.000-07:00

I have honestly been looking forward to this all year.

Camp. Mendocino. Heaven for anyone who loves Middle Eastern music & dance.

It's a magical place. Those who have been will readily agree. It's impossible to capture the euphoria of a week in the woods with nothing but music and dancing.

A bit of the hippie lifestyle, indeed. But a week without cell phones, computers & a real need for money does any body good.

Oh the music! It's out of this world. From the moment you arrive at camp, there is a rhythm that starts. Something like, "Dum, tek...Dum, Dum, tek". That rhythm continues all throughout the week. It changes tempo, speed, structure. But it is always present. It penetrates every muscle. It makes its way deep into your soul. Magic. Truly.

And the people. What spectacular, loving and fun people! Everyone is bonded and feels a unique kinship with one another...during camp and beyond. I met some fantastic ladies and men last year!

I am not a camper, that's for sure. A week without electricity does take its toll on me. But it's the simple life that reminds us how beautiful the world can be when human beings come together in a loving and peaceful way.

Aah...camp. I'll post pictures when I return.

Xx

Leylet Hob - Dancing to a Classic & Paying Homage

2009-08-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I set out in search of finding the "perfect" classic Arabic belly dance song for me. Considering that my collection of music is almost obscenely large because I can't stop buying it, I didn't actually have to go very far to start my search.

What I had to do was listen...really listen. Along my journey, I passed through the greats like "Zeina" and "Leila" and several others with names that escape me. I briefly fell in love with "Aziza". Well, I am still in love with the song but my desire for perfection kept me on the search.

Then I listened to "Leylet Hob". Of course I had heard it before. Any of us who have taken classes and been around the community for a while know this song.

It's really fun. Very beautiful! And I was totally sold when I found a Suheir Zaki clip on You Tube that is absolutely fantastic!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbWs8F2nVjQ (check it out!)

I am going to pay homage to her when I dance to this song. She has some great moves & she is such a wonderful dancer to study. Aaah, the heritage of this dance is so exciting!

So I'm off to break down the song, determine the rhythms and start to choreograph (or something like it!)

Xx

A Drum Solo.....without a drummer!

2009-07-13T17:38:00.001-07:00

Today's dilemma is finding a good recorded drum solo for an upcoming performance. I love dancing to a drum solo....but with a live drummer. Unfortunately it's not always possible to have the luxury of a drummer at every gig. And so I am shopping for a solo that speaks to me.

It's much tougher than it sounds. There are some incredible drummers that have fantastic CD's available. Some of them are completely intimidating when I think of trying to keep up with the fast pace, quick changes & multiple layers of sounds.

And then some of the solos are simply not my style. So it is tougher than I imagined it to be. But I'll find a good one, I just know it.

When I first started to work with a drummer I was completely intimidated by the idea. Turns out it is one of the greatest and simplest ways to get over the big fear of a drum solo. Breaking down rhythms, being able to hear exactly what is being played, knowing for sure when a DUM is a DUM and a TEK is a TEK. I love it.

I am sure I'll find the right one...or at least the right one for right now.

Xx

Summer Fun and Dancing

2009-07-07T00:52:00.000-07:00

Blogging requires consistency and discipline to sit down and actually keep up with it. I'll try, I'll try.

I want to write about my wonderful adventures in Morocco this past May, my exciting weekend at the Cairo Caravan & the fun times Andrew Des Chenes and I have been experiencing in putting together my website.

And I will write about those things.

This week is all about focus for the Belly Dance & Drumming Party this Friday night at Yoga Groove. It will be our second party. The first one, held in the beginning of June, was an unexpected delight. I had high hopes for a good turnout and interesting group...and that night exceeded those hopes. The ladies who took my dance class were all so gorgeous & so eager to learn the moves. It was really freeing to NOT have mirrors in the studio. None of us could get that tinge of self consciousness. And in my eyes, they all looked perfect!

Andrew's drum class turned out to be a great time for all...or so I heard. The drummers all came in to the studio after class and joined us dancers. They played a couple of rhythms they learned while the dancers stayed on time with the choreography.

It was such a loving and fun time! I hope it will be that way again this Friday.

Writing more soon...for sure.

My very first blog

2009-05-23T18:15:00.001-07:00

Here I am....blogging. Wow! What does that mean? Do I feel different now that I am among the elite crowd of people who blog?

I will write about dancing here in this blog. The basics of me are that I took a 'bellydance' (quoted here to be discussed later), class about 5 years ago and fell deeply in love with the art form.

Since then, I've taken hundreds,well...it is likely to be thousands by now, of dance classes & workshops. I was in a full-fledged dance company, performed in many group showcases & spend hours looking up dancers on You Tube.

Last year, I decided to solo. Me, on stage, blingy shiny costume, dancing all by myself. How did I get the courage to get there? What can I do now?

It's the most exciting adventure I've been on yet. I want to share it with you as a source of amusement & inspiration.

Xx