My Blog!
Sun 7 March
It's been a busy weekend, but was so nice to meet up with so many ladies from dancing and share ideas and bits and bobs for costumes! Hopefully the tribal belts are almost sorted and people have ideas for hair falls etc. It is nice to create your own costume that suits your personality. And it was great to get together for a 'stitch n bitch' session ha ha!! No, my dancers are all too nice for that, they really cheered me up and made me giggle, we'll have to do it again.
My new isis wings arrived yesterday, and we realised that 1 'wing' was a lot longer than the other! So Mike came to the rescue again, and I think they are almost sorted now. But time is ticking and I still don't have a solo, so need inspiration soon!!
I'm dancing this week at a Brownies annual AGM which should be interesting! Might get to try out my new wings. And I've also been invited to dance at a hafla in Solihull in March, which I need to practise for! i'm dancing to Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire which I've just heard on Dancing on Ice and it was a fab routine - you forgot they were even on ice it was so precise!
Thur 25 Feb
Life is busy, and the planning for the hafla is taking shape! Thanks to some of my ladies in class, I've had numerous offers of help on the night which will make things easier, as it can all get a bit frantic trying to do 101 things and keep smiling! This week we finished the veil routine in my Tues class, and it will look so pretty when we've practised it. I also changed the ending to the tribal dance on a Monday night and I'm a lot happier with it now, so thanks to the women for perservering with it! I've also changed my mind with the track for my solo, and Mike did a great job at cutting & mixing a track that i love to make it a more manageable time! Best get working on it!
Fri 19 Feb
I am about to post some photos that Ali took at the xmas hafla, onto my Facebook page, 'belly dance with belly jewels' - it's quicker to upload than on this site, so check them out! There's also topics of discussion on page so post your thoughts, it's great to hear what my dancers like/dislike - all helps with my lesson planning!
I am not impressed with the snow, although I did notice how light it was driving home from work tonight so that makes things a bit better! As long as the snow doesn't cause any classes to be cancelled, as we are well into the routines and need to be getting lots of practise in over the next month ready to dazzle our audience at the hafla!
Weds 10 Feb
ooh there was a flurry of snow on the way home, I don't want any more!! I'd like Spring to come now I'm fed up of it being dark so early and having to wear so many layers to work! Things are busy in the belly dance world though, I've been asked to dance regularly at the Grecian, a Greek restaurant in Studley, and my first night there will be Sat 20th Feb. It is a lovely place, I visited last night, a cosy setting and very authentic, so I'm looking forward to it!
I am also dancing at a hafla in Solihull in March where the guest performer is Khaled, male belly dancer, so I'm excited to see him perform locally - I've seen him at Raqs B and Congress and although his style is very different to Ozgen, he is a fantastic dancer! I'm doing 2 workshops with him during the day. I'm also dancing at an AGM for Brownies, as my friend who is co-ordinating the event this year has to provide some for of 'entertainment' and has asked me to dance and then teach them a few moves, so that should be fun!
There are about 4-5 spaces left on Ozgen's veil workshop, 15th April if you're interested, and hafla tickets are on sale, so please contact me for details! Also, 'dancer of the month' for Feb is now on the 'latest updates' page!
Sun 7 Feb
Class was fun today, the ladies worked hard doing 'circuits' in pairs which was fun, and we finished the bolly/bhangra routine! Fast learners! Now we just need to perfect the arms and drill it into our memory, but we've got until mid-April, so plenty of time! I love seeing my dancers enjoying themselves at class, and having a giggle, it's what it should be about.
I forgot to choose a 'dancer of the month' for Jan! So I will skip it and announce February this week instead! So check the latest updates page over the coming week, it could be you!! I'm really impressed by how much my dancers have come on in their technique and ability to learn new routines, and i love it when ladies go away and work on a move or bit of a routine if they need some extra practise instead of just giving up! Not every move or style of dance comes easily - i remember when I hated spinning & turning, and could only do 1 or two at most, but over time I've managed to build it up a bit. Some people struggle with shimmies, for others it's arm & leg co-ordination, and for some it's just remembering the order that the moves go in!
I enjoyed one of my workshops yesterday, but unfortunately i left the isis wings one after 1/2hr - it wasn't the teacher that I had issue with, but the venue! It was sooo cold, no, actually it was freezing - it was basically a garage, with concrete floor! And to make it worse, there were 3 poles for pole dancing, so at most you could have had 3 or 4 dancers with isis wings comfortably, not about 12! Without room to turn or dance what is the point?!
I'm struggling for inspiration for my solo for the hafla, and also need to alter all my belly dance bra tops, since I've lost a few pounds and seem to have lost it all from my chest!! So poor Mike might be sewing this week if I ask him nicely, as I need them for my performances Sunday! I also need to finish choreographing the veil dance for my Worcester class, and need to find a time when me & Ali can get together to work on a duo - phew! sounds exhausting, good job I've got Friday off work!
Thurs 5 Feb
Where are the weeks going?! We're into February and I've still not thought about my solo for the hafla. However, I'm dancing at a restaurant Valentine's evening so can try out some moves then I suppose! And I've just had a message to say my costume has been shipped so I'm excited as it means I can wear it next Sunday, as long as it doesn't need any alterations!
I'm pleased that Ozgen's latin fusion workshop is full, just a few ladies to pay to secure their space, and about 6 spaces left on the veil workshop. And all performance slots for the hafla have been filled!
I'm dancing with Alison this weekend at 2 workshops, a Shab'bi pop and an isis wings, so I'm looking forward to that, I like learning some new moves and mingling with other dancers.
Weds 27 Jan
I can always rely on my belly dancing to perk me up! i was having a fed up day yesterday and if I'm honest could quite easily have gone home and snuggled up with a big bar of chocolate! But 5 minutes into class, and I knew I'd be ok, as it really uplifts me, and seeing everyone trying hard to master the routine and dance with their veil puts a smile on my face!
Only 2 spaces left on Ozgen's latin fusion workshop, and a handful more on the Sunday morning veil technique, plus hafla tickets now available!
I try to encourage my dancers to get involved as much as possible with their new routine, so I've offered to host a tribal belt making session at my house for those who are interested. I'm not the world's best at sewing, but i've managed to create a few belts and think it's so much nicer making your own and adding your personality and creativity into it. I buy so many bits and bobs to use for costume making and hardly ever get time to create one, so this will make me dig out those hidden treasures and make a new creation!
Mon 18 Jan
I had to write a quick note as I had a really good vibe after tonights class! We worked hard on some tribal moves & co-ordinating arms & legs, and putting them into the routine. It's a difficult routine to get going as it means me having to teach 2 different dances happening at the same time but once ladies start to know where they're meant to be and knowing the steps it will all come together. We also had some new ladies join us and I hoped they wouldn't be put off by learning the routine, but they did really well!
Since coming home I've worked some more on the veil routine for my Tuesday class and am getting a feel for how i want it to look, so I'm looking forward to class tomorrow. I've filled just under half of Ozgen's workshops already so if you know you want to do one or both workshops with him then sign up!
Sun 17 Jan
As pretty as the snow was, I'm glad it has now disappeared! We can get back to shimmying at class, and working on our new routines! I have finished choreographing the tribal one, and just have to finish the veil one, and then maybe think about my own, and not leave it until the last minute as always!
I've been busy making jewellery this week as I've got 2 jewellery parties booked in, and some other jewellery on order, so lets hope the ladies will enjoy mooching through it and trying bits on!
I also ordered a new belly dance costume on the internet yesterday so I'm excited about that arriving! You enter your own measurements and it is meant to be 'custom made' so lets hope it fits like a glove...the last couple have needed to be altered!
Sun 10 Jan
The snow is sticking around but we managed to dance today, and a great turn out too so thanks to all those who braved the cold! I think a lot of ladies were fed up of being stuck indoors and wanted some exercise! Our bolly & bhangra routine is coming along great, I think the ladies are enjoying it, and it certainly warms us up! Please, If you are planning on doing Ozgen's workshop, sign up and bring your money to class to secure your space. I know April seems ages away but I'll also be sending the flyer out to other local dancers and there are only 20 spaces on each workshop, maybe even less for the veil due to space, so please don't leave it if you are keen to book up. And start thinking now if you want to work on a solo or small group dance, the stage is yours!!
Wed 6 Jan
What a chilly start to the year! I love the snow, it's so pretty, but makes it havoc for driving and getting around, so unfortunately, class last night and tonight have been cancelled. I have posted ths on the 'latest updates' page, so if you're ever unsure if class is on due to weather conditions, please check there or send me a text or email. Luckily we managed to do some shimmying Monday night despite the cold conditions, and we started a new tribal routine, which I think will look great, and I had some positive feedback from some of the ladies which was nice!
Fri 1 Jan 2010!
Happy new year! I've had a lovely Christmas and am ready to start dancing again! I have chosen the tracks for the new routines, and I am exciting to get stuck into some tribal fusion and even a hint of flamenco with a fan dance! I have been in contact with Ozgen and chosen which workshops he'll be teaching us in April, so I hope lots of you take a lessson with him, as it costs a lot to bring teachers of his calibre to Redditch and pursuade him to dance for us too! So I can only do this if I get the support of local dancers to take a workshop with him, so please keep checking the website for details to be posted soon!
I've also created a new page on the website, take a peek! It's an idea I've been toying with for a while. I know how much I love to shop, and browse, and try on jewellery during a girlie shopping trip! So I've made it easy for you to do that, by offering home jewellery parties, where I'll bring the bling to you, and all you need to do is invite your friends round!
Tues 22nd Dec
Oooh only 3 days to go!! I love Christmas, and had a lovely end to the year with the hafla. As soon as I can i will upload some photos onto the website, so keep checking! It was a nice change to enjoy a less stressful, informal hafla, more like an end of year party, with just the ladies from my troupes all coming together to share in the festive spirit! Such great performances, and I was especially proud of those who did solo's - Steph, Nicki and Carol as I know they were super nervous, Alli was fab as ever, and the modern style really suits her dancing, and then a funky tap dance from Jan & Gaynor and a small troupe performance form 'Fusion Confusion' - I loved it all! And for those who danced for the first time, which is always nerve-wracking!
I am now trying hard to chill out - i find it so difficult to not be dancing or planning a dance class or choreography, but I'll have a week off, then get my ipod out and start thinking up ideas for January!!
Mon 14 Dec
Time is ticking, and I havne't finished my solo yet! I've choreographed a fun, light hearted dance to a xmas track so I hope it goes ok! My Sunday & Monday classes have had their last class of the year, and we've had fun and lots of shimmies, and pressies and sweets! Two classes to go and then I'll spend Thurs & Fri trying to sort my solo, even though I've got 2 xmas parties both days - mine and Mikes! Oh and I've got 'pin the tail on the camel' to sort out, and the raffle...too much to do as always!
Weds 9 Dec
Just over 2 weeks 'til xmas! Classes will end next week, when we wrap up 2009 with our Christmas hafla on the 20th, so please remember to check the 'diary' to find out when your class starts back. I'll enjoy having a few weeks off which will make a nice change! Not many hafla tickets have been sold so please let me know by the end of this week if you are yet to get yours, otherwise I will assume people are busy Christmas shopping etc and will open it out so those attending can bring guests. If any of oyu have any raffle prizes please bring them to class.
I'm looking forward to next week, as I love the run up to xmas and although I'm very busy, I love the 'buzz' everyone gets at this time of year and means we get to do some fun things in class, such as belly dance 'pass the parcel' with some sparkly prizes!