Venus Uprising Bellydance New York City

WORKSHOPS EVERY DAY :: blanca

 SUN OCT 21 - LEON - GUANAJUATO
We taught two private workshops for Lupita and her group DAE who drove 3 hours from Morelia. Carmine taught Middle Eastern rhythms, then together we gave a drum solo workshop. Taking the workshop was Alvaro, a musician with the Symphony Orchestra in Morelia.

 After the workshops we went to Guanajuato, my favorite town in Mexico. We stayed at the most gorgeous place... the view of the town was glorious, every detail was beautiful. We were on the top of a tall mountain and from our window we could see the fireworks in two different parts of the the city, announcing the end of the Festival Internacional Cervantino, the largest arts festival in the country. 

MON OCT 22 - GUANAJUATO - SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
Wish we could have enjoyed the magical place that is Guanajuato longer but at 9 AM sharp we had to drive to San Miguel de Allende to meet Elsanne and teach at 11. By the time we finished the workshops I knew something was very wrong with Carmine because he had slowed down to a mere 10 jokes/hour. Elsanne gave us her dentist's number who prescribed an antibiotic over the phone and gave us a next day appointment with the root canal specialist who luckily was coming to town just that one day.

TUE OCT 23 - SMA
Just as the dentist anticipated, Carmine's pain was completely gone right after he took the medicine and he was able to teach our drum solo workshop.

After 2 hours of agony at the dentist's office, Carmine came out feeling perfectly fine as you can see from the picture [phew!]. Elsanne took us to a gorgeous Rancho for the best-looking and best-tasting party ever.

WED/THU OCT 24/25 - LEON
We went back to León and taught 6 workshops in 2 days... nice! By now Carmine is able to teach about half of the class in Spanish. He's even contributing new words to the Spanish language, such as "tamboristas" (female drummers).

FRI OCT 26
At 6 AM Carm and I leave for the airport. We have a 6-hour layover in Mexico City, the perfect amount of time to have breakfast, change our currency and write a drum solo. He leaves for California, I fly home.

I called Celia my sister to tell her I'm home and she tells me she and her son practiced with Carmine's DVD today.
"we were trying too hard, shoulders hunched, then we heard his voice say: 'relaaax...'. We turned to look at the TV screen and saw his smiling face... we couldn't help but smile too..."

SURROUNDED BY BEAUTY :: blanca

WED OCT 17 - GUADALAJARA (cont.)
Don Jose drove me from Quinta Don José to pick up Carm at the airport. Don Jose turned out to be a graduate from my high school in Morelia, (many years before my generation) I couldn't believe it! After a lifetime of directing some of the most prestigious schools in the country and managing some huge companies Don José has taken the Quinta as a personal project to help his friend who owns it. From their chaotic past, he transformed the gardens, pool, fountains and all corners of the Quinta into the most charming, lively place. He personally grooms the gardens and tends to the many sweet details that make this place so special. As you see from the photos, the place is perfect... but he says it's not up to his standards yet and the place still needs a year or two to be where he wants is to be—I can't imagine where that could be!—Again I thought of the idea of growing a garden... of nurturing a project and manifesting your dream.

THU OCT 18 - GUADALAJARA
We had my ideal breakfast: set in a beautiful garden, under a perfectly blue, sunny sky, with birds singing and fountains decorated with flowers. Carmine is quite fond of Mexican food — What a relief not having to take him to Burger King!

Later, we taught our workshops (4 hours total) and had a show. The level of the local dancers was very good! The show opened with Carmine playing an amazing drum solo (no dancers, just him). I had never heard him play a musician's drum solo — Wow, he's good. Performing with us were Araceli de Anda (our workshop hostess), Nicolee and Ayled, who are all into tribal style (he's the first male tribal dancer I've seen), also Marcela who loves cabaret style.

After the show we went to a place two houses down ("La Medina de Fez", I think) which was really pretty. There was a bellydancer there too. I'm telling you, bellydance is taking over the world.

Back at the Quinta, I learned thanks to Carmine  that there are Margarita glasses in Mexico about the size of a kitchen sink. Our bartender's joy was apparent. He prides himself of making them "extra special" (meaning that he adds way too much tequila). Enjoy the picture of the fine Carm and his Margarota.

FRI OCT 19 - GUADALAJARA - LEON
Speaking of tequila, I'm typing this on the road to León, and the fields are covered with blue agave. It's very pretty. This morning, the lady who cooks at the Quinta made us a special breakfast (even though she had prepared buffet breakfast)... she's so sweet. When we boarded Don Jose's van he told me that the lady gave me a nickname: La Sirenita :)

Today is our only day off and we happily spent a couple of hours doing nothing by the lotus pond...

SAT OCT 20 - LEON "FACETAS DE UNA DANZA MILENARIA" -- Teatro Maria Grever
We got to the theater at 10 AM for tech rehearsal. We basically had the theater at our disposal. I'm impressed by the professionalism of these people! We had great lighting equipment and at least 6 tech people, who didn't make a single mistake that night. We also had box office people, 4 ushers and Juan Melia, director of the Instituto Cultural de León arrived very early to make sure we were all set. Everybody was going out of their ways to help us. I was directing the show and the whole experience was a pleasure. Nobody got stressed out even for a second, it was wonderful.

We had dinner with my family, then headed to  to the theater to finalize the last details and get ready for performing.

There were about 300 people in the audience. The show had a great mix of styles. Performing were Belibeya (first tribal bellydance company in Mexico) and Grupo Danza y Arte. The live music was wonderful, people couldn't believe Carmine had just met Guillermo  (harmonium and djembe) and Victor (cajón) that day.

Speaking of Carmine: his drum solo was beautiful and moving... who knew drum solos can be beautiful and moving! After the show the director of the Institute invited us back to perform again in a few months. I came out to say hello to my friends and encountered a crowd of people asking for Carmine's autograph. There was also Lupita my teacher from Morelia with a bunch of her dancers and drummer Alvaro.

I am ecstatic by how the night turned out... this is what I live for: wonderful show, wonderful people to work with, happy audience. Here's a photo I took from backstage, the last one is the full cast after the show... will post more when I get them.

A SKELETON IN THE CLOSET :: neon

CONNECTING WITH ANOTHER PRINCESS :: sarah

Princess Farhana is in NYC. I went to see Margret Cho’s show where Princess Farhana is performing. It is a wonderful production. I attended her class. We also went out and had a blast talking about costume design, dancing and performing. She too has created a Mata Hari costume! She is a wonderfully inspirational person to be around. I felt as though we were on the same PRINCESS page. She hooked me up with her brand new Belly Dancing with Fans instructional DVD- I can’t wait to watch it! Check out her other NYC shows this month: http://www.princessfarhana.com/news.htm

MUSICAL GUESTS INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE :: sarah

Pat and Denis of the band Pangia, performed at RAK this year. They were promoting there new CD. The new CD has photographs by me on it. This CD has some really wonderful taxsims. This cd is different from their earlier releases because it is the first that has no lyrics. This feature is wonderful since you never have to worry what the words are saying. I am always nervous to pick songs with lyrics because it always requires translation, and relying on others to get that right. (and of course the have the best photography on the cover ) Go to their website and check it out.

This year they wanted to come back for another photoshoot. I offered for them to come and stay at my home. Pat is 6’5 and we had a low hanging light in the entrance way. Pat successfully whacked his head on it each time he walked in the hallway. Pat being experienced finding his way around a hardware store offered to change it for us. I jumped at he offer. He also noticed that since we installed our own hardwood floors it complicated the closet door situation. I had a fabric curtain hanging there. Pat trotted off to the hardware store and several inches of sawdust later I have the most glorious perfectly hung closet doors you can ever wish for! Denis was on the spot with a vacuum cleaner after he finished. I am still in shock at how generous Pat and Denis were to us! Who else has non-family member guests that improve the resale property value of someone’s home. These kinds of guests can stay ANYTIME!

Charleston was happy to find chips and other food in Pat’s luggage. Here he is resting after eating a big suitcase meal.

FIRST DAYS IN MEXICO :: blanca

    Wed, Oct. 10 - León
Shortly after landing, I was interviewed by Luis Meza, reporter for "AM" newspaper to talk about the show we are having on the 20th. I was impressed by the beauty of the "offices" (it really is a palace). At night I enjoyed some time with my sister Celia and her children whom I adore. 

Thu, Oct. 11 - León
Early in the morning I had 3 more interviews and one dance segment for 2 TV stations, which were a lot of fun. Celia and Jonathan, PR for Instituto Cultural de León, were with me. Nicté (my workshop sponsor in León) found out I had arrived because she saw me on TV. At night I drove to Morelia.

Fri, Oct. 12 - Morelia
After a long, long time I saw my first bellydance teacher Lupita! She showered me with gifts and had me sign the certificates (at least 40 of them!) that she was going to hand the students after our workshop. The certificates are also signed by the department of culture of the State of Michoacán and have curricular value (how do you say that in English). How cool is that?

The first workshop was for little girls, between the ages of 5 and 8 or 9 at the most! It was the cutest thing ever as you can see by the picture. The workshop was 2 hours long, mind you.

The second workshop was from 4-8 PM. During the first hour the students warmed up with a different teacher, then they danced with me for 3 hours! These girls have some energy! And their memories are so good! During part of the workshop we were joined by a group of musicians (the band's name is currently unavailable).

Sat Oct. 13 - Morelia
2nd part of the workshop. When I arrived I could hear them warming up to Djinn's music.

We all rushed to get pretty and headead to El Leon de Mecenas, which is a great place. We performed and had a feast. I couldn't describe how wonderful everything was, how wonderful everyone was to me. My mom, my niece Mariel, and my Sister-in-law Cindy were there! So special.

Sun Oct. 14 - Morelia
Had fun at my dad's annual birthday party!

Mon Oct. 15 - Morelia
I got to cut the ribbon at Lupita's newest DAE dance studio. At night I took a jazz class, it was really good. I got to enjoy my mom's yummy food for a few days :)

Wed Oct. 17 - Guadalajara
Drove to Guadalajara, actually Tlaquepaque, which is one of the most Mexican places in Mexico. The place I'm staying at is simply glorious, the staff is the sweetest ever. I picked up Carmine... I'll tell you more later because we have to take a bus to León now...

Hope all is wonderful in New York or wherever you are!

 

RAKKASAH EAST 2007 :: tanna

I consider myself to be a "vendor veteran" of Rakkasah East.  While I was not at the very first event I have attended all the subsequent ones.  And attendance does not mean one afternoon of shopping and schmoozing.  Working with photographer Lina Jang, we arrive Friday before the Ukrainian Hall opens, set up, work from opening to closing, try to attend the infamous "after party", get some sleep, and repeat for Saturday and Sunday.    It is exhausting, but it is also a lot of fun, and I would really miss it if I did not go.   

The weather was particularly beautiful this Rakkasah weekend, and both Friday and Saturday were quite busy.  I love getting to catch up with friends and colleagues that I rarely get to see.  Of course, it is difficult to chat against the backdrop of complete sensory overload that IS Rakkasah.   Piles of gleaming, glittering costumes distract the eyes while non-stop music fills the ears.  Many first-timers get completely overwhelmed.  Fortunately there is the interestingly furnished dining area when you can relax and eat a rather diverse assortment of food.  (I HIGHLY recommend the chocolate cake, and I don't even like chocolate cake as a rule.)

On Fridays we typically are more pumped up, plus it is the shortest vending day, so Lina and I had the energy to go to the after party at the hotel for a few hours.  We were well entertained by the Men of Rakkasah (we are eagerly waiting for the swimsuit calendar!), including of course birthday boy Carmine Guida and beat-boxer Pete List. 

Returning to work, I got to pose for a photo with my very respected and beloved master dancer and teacher Phaedra.  My new plan is to get pictures of myself with all my incredible teachers.  I still have a long way to go, but I want these memories captured!   Serpentessa also stopped by, accompanied by her reptilian companion.  Our outfits matched so well we had to take a picture.  While I am not a fan of snakes, I am not afraid of them as long as Serpentessa is around - her knowledge of snakes and their handling is unequalled.

Shopping-wise I was pretty good.  Buying 3 new pairs of fan-veils was a sound business investment.  Nothing excessive at all.  Ditto for the leopard-print wings.  Just because I rarely use the 3 pairs I already own does not mean I won't use these ones.  They can all keep each other company in my closet.

Lots of friends, lots of dancing, lots of noise, and eventual burn-out by Sunday.  It was great to go, and it was even better to come home.  But still,  I'm already looking ahead to Spring Caravan!

VU Representation! :: Alyra

Check out our shirts! Aren't they lovely! A stylistic design that crosses borders between bellydance, biker, goth and of course FANTASY. Neon, Sarah and I launched them this Saturday at Rakassah!

Designed of course by the ever amazing Neon!

The Great Pumpkin Blaze:: Alyra

This is most definitely my favorite time of year. From the bright orange setting suns to the blue expanse of the close moon, I just love it. Especially Halloween, my most favorite holiday ever! For my birthday, my husband took me on a field trip with my family to the Great Pumpkin Blaze at Van Cortland Manor (which is right past Spooky Hollow!). It was simply incredible! 300 hand carved pumpkins glowing in the dark cold night. It was creepy, sinister, elegant and super spooky. I highly recommend it! Here are some photos and they absolutely don't give the Blaze justice. The detail on the carvings were heartsopping! Check it out:

Look closely at the shots and you can see heads on a wall, ghouls coming out of the ground, a corpse, etc..etc.. It was just simply amazing!!! Go and see it! The last night is Halloween....BwahhhhhHAHAHHAHAHA!!!

WHEN BELLYDANCE IS YOUR LIFESTYLE... :: neon

When bellydance is your lifestyle, you dress to impress wherever you go!!!

Carmine, Blanca, Neon