Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Another busy week

Saturday was a fun day of performing with my students at MACfest. My friend Tary and I vended again selling our crafts, for me it was my cards and Tary her crotched Christmas ornaments. Sales were not great all the vendors were saying this but it was a great day. The sun was shining and anytime there is an opportunity to dance it’s an awesome day!

My camera decided not to work that day and my husband took photos using Tary’s camera. When I get the photos from Tary I’ll post them. I put together a video of some of the performances from the day. This is my first attempt of making a video using my Flip Video camera. The video wouldn't load here in my blog so I posted it to YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3y1CHR7XMc.

Our class recital was to be last night but it got cancelled due to weather. Arizona has been hit with rain and snow for the last several days which is very unusual for us but so greatly needed and appreciated; I love it!! I must say it feels like winter :0) Our high was 59 yesterday which is freezing for us!

I held class last night for all 5 of my classes inside the warm and dry dance studio at the Mesa Art Center where I teach. All my classes performed for each other and we performed dances I taught a long time ago in previous sessions to see if we remembered them. It was a fun evening and thanks to Mitra I got Thriller on film. This routine is performed by the beginning tribal class and they did and fantastic job. The video wouldn't load in my blog so I posted it on YouTube, take a look when you have a chance, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2nqzmQXARE.

My camera kind of worked last night and below is one photo that sort of turned out; I think it’s time for a new camera! Thank goodness Dena sent some photos she took and Wow!!! Thanks Dena you rock!







Next event coming up is a free belly dance lesson I’ll be teaching at Dooby’s on Tuesday Dec. 30th. There will also be an hour of open dancing and performances by those that attend the evening. If you have ever wanted to learn how to belly dance or just love to watch this beautiful art form stop on by. Dooby’s is located at 2909 S. Dobson Rd., Suite 21, Mesa, AZ 85202, 480-756-0469. The fun begins at 6 p.m. with the free lesson at 6:30 p.m.

Have a great week…..

Monday, December 8, 2008

Awesome Dance Weekend!!!!!

Wow! what a great weekend for dancing. Friday night started with the Holiday show at Dooby's Grill in Mesa produced by Samia. The restaurant was full but not overly packed enough room to move around and what a great audience it was. It was so nice to see friends I haven’t seen in so long.

There were to be 11 dancers that night but unfortunately Zoraya couldn't make it due to being in a car accident. I was to go on third in the line-up with my snake Kaa, my Royal Python; instead I went on second. Azita went on in the first half since Diosa & Zemurah were late. They missed the turn off and ended up at the first rest stop before Casa Grande. They made it and did an awesome show. From what I could see of the first half everyone was fantastic.

I had to leave during the first half since Kaa decided to entertain the audience with a treat of her own. I feed her 2 weeks before the show so there would be no surprises but no she held all of it in just waiting for the right time to relieve herself. Luckily I felt moisture and got her in the basket just in time before she sprayed the entire front row of kids in the audience.

I missed the entire second half of the show but heard it was magnificent!

Saturday I taught one of my mini workshops to a full house. I reviewed six combination moves I taught in 2007 and they were a hit. They were some of my favorite combos some pleasantly simple and elegant with some being challenging; the combo with the undulations up and down with a shoulder shimmy layered on top being a favorite :0) I didn’t plan it but they were basically all thigh killer moves; oops!

Saturday night was the Chandler Parade of lights were 10 of us performed. I must say I have some very talented students who came up with some terrific costumes!!! I think next year I’m going to have a contest on the best lit costume and another prize for the best use of glow sticks!!!

We had a blast from the start, with getting ready in the parking lot, practicing in the staging area, dancing the entire parade route and eating afterward at Denny's. I know everyone was worried about being cold but it never was an issue we were all to busy having so much fun! The parade viewers were cheering and yelling; I even heard a few zaghareets and wow the cameras flashes were going off like crazy!

Below are some of the photos from the parade. A gigantic Thank You to Linda's husband for taking all the photos, carrying all our stuff and fixing our banner!!!













Next week is super busy also with vending and performing at MACfest. I’ll have photos of us to post if I remember to bring my camera :-)

Enjoy your week…

Monday, December 1, 2008

Time is flying way too fast!

Whoa where did November go????


Here it is December 1st and after updating my website last night I can't believe how super busy December and January are with life, dancing and crafting!
If you are out and about shopping stop by and say hi at any of the events I will be at. I will be performing at Dooby's in Mesa Friday Dec. 5th with several other dancers at Samia's Holiday Show. On Saturday Dec. 6th myself and several of my intermediate students will be performing in the Chandler Light Parade in Historic Downtown Chandler at 7 p.m.


Saturday Dec. 13th I will be vending with my friend Tary in space G14 at MACfest in downtown Mesa (Main Street between Center and Macdonald) and some of my intermediate students will also be performing that morning from 11:30 - 12:30 in front of the Bank of America building on Main St. and Macdonald. Tuesday December 15th is my Mesa Art Center (MAC) class recital starting at 7 p.m. on the patio of the Art Studio building. Dress warmly we are performing outside!
I will be teaching a free belly dance class at Dooby's in Mesa at 6:30 p.m. with open dancing to follow until 8 p.m.

Check out my events page for more information, times, addresses etc on all the above events and more events in January.

January I'm already booked every weekend with some dates doubled booked. Some of the highlights are teaching several workshops with one being a cane workshop at Plaza de Anaya, a show at Inside the Bungalow on Friday Jan. 9th, my annual swap meet is a huge event with lots of vendors and 4 workshops this year and several of my students and I will be having a show at Dooby's on Jan. 31st.

I have been making greeting cards and other goodies like crazy for vending at MACfest with my friend Tary. I'm also making Christmas gifts and having so much fun trying new projects and techniques. Below are some of the 3X3 card sets with matching envelopes and boxes I've been making. The set that is tied up in a bow has no matching box.





I've started teaching private lessons again and having a great time with my new students. I'm working on new routines for my January session classes and enjoying the new dances; hope my students like them :-)


My online belly dance costuming business, Shimmy Bliss, has been keeping me busy. I have over 270 items listed in my eBay store and have been running sales in November and plan on running more sales in December. I currently have a sale ending today on a variety of belts I have in stock like the ultimate belts, the ever popular shell belts and many more. Future sales in my eBay store will be fringe belts, skirts, tops and costuming supplies.

My hubby and I have been remodeling our kitchen and we are getting closer to being done! I painted the wall behind the stove and we finally got the new stove hood installed and its working! We haven't had a stove hood that has worked for 13 years; it's so nice.

The cabinet doors are installed and I'm almost finished painting all of them. I love the glass inserts, you can see through them but not really; cool effect. The new pendant light is awesome! I have never had a light over the sink and what a difference this makes when you are washing dishes. The little things in life can make you so happy :-) As you can see in the photos we are waiting for one stainless steel counter top to be installed and the back splash. Once this is done I'll finish painting and laying the new bamboo floors. The old wall paper can be seen around the window this was driving force to remodel I couldn't take this wall paper any more! I hated it when we purchased our 1930's bungalow 13 years ago and it's finally disappearing; yeah! Our goal is the end of the year to be finished. Wish us luck :0)





I'm going to try and blog more this month with all the events and parties that are happening. I kept forgetting to take my camera to November events and when I did remember to take it with me I forgot to pull it out and take pictures!

Everyone have a safe and fun a holiday season and hope to see you at some of the events happening around town.