Venus Uprising Bellydance New York City: BDUC 2008

Subtitle: Bellydancer of the Universe Competition 2008, or, How I Spent My Winter Vacation.

Succumbing to a rather unusual whim, this President's Day weekend in February found me in Long Beach, California, for the 18th Annual Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition. This was unusual for me because competitions are not really my bag. Admittedly, in 2004 I did compete in the East Coast Classic in Virginia Beach, which was a very satisfying and worthwhile experience. In addition to achieving the personal goals I had set for myself, I was fortunate enough to walk away with a 2nd place finish in the Grand Champion category. However, despite these positives, I obviously did not choose continue with similar events.

Until this February in California. For some reason, I developed an insistent bee in my bonnet to experience this event, which, at least to the best of my knowledge, is the biggest and most glamorous bellydance competition in the country. As with the ECC, I did set personal goals for myself, but, unlike my ECC experience, I went to the BDUC knowing that I had already failed to meet those goals. Quite simply, I bit off way more than I could chew, and I just did not have sufficient time to properly prepare myself or my material for the level of competition that I knew would await me. This knowledge caused me huge anxiety during the month before I left, and I thought about dropping out so that I would not make a complete fool of myself in front of so many dancers. Furthermore, being slightly insane, I had also determined to make several new costumes specifically for this event, complete with custom-dyed silk veils. Really, I need therapy. People think I am kidding when I say that, but I know that I am not. The financial aspect of this decision weighed on me, as did the fact that I really don't like to fly, and a 6.5 hour non-stop flight is something I have not attemped in years.

So, with all this baggage of anxiety and drama (and bellydance costumes!), how was my winter vacation?

Honestly, it was another very satisfying experience, and I am really glad that I followed through with it. The weather was lovely, and the Convention Center area of Long Beach is quite attractive. What truly made it all worthwhile however was the human element. First of all, this event is MASSIVE! I am in awe of the amount of time, labor, and attention to detail that goes into the production of the BDUC. It is like having Rakkasah (including workshops & vending), plus a huge international competition, plus two big stage shows all rolled into one. Despite this heavy load, everyone that I met working this event was wonderful. The ticket ladies, the dressing room assistants, stage crew - every single person was helpful, friendly and supportive. They dispelled anxiety, and made being there comfortable and fun. My not-quite-finished costumes were held together with strategic safety pins, but I got very good feedback on them from dancers and crew alike. It was particularly flattering to my designer-ego that several people came up to ask me if my black and rhinestone costume was an Eman Zaki.

Tonya and Atlantis, the mother-daughter duo that created the BDUC were amazing. Serene and gracious at all times, they never missed a beat or lost their composure. Atlantis in particular was unfailingly cheerful as she solved whatever problems arose (not that I saw many) and moved throughout the venue with her gorgeous mane of auburn hair floating behind her. They both welcomed me with such warmth and sincerity that I really felt accepted as a newcomer to the California scene.

My fellow competitors were another revelation. The atmosphere in the dressing rooms was always pleasant and relaxed, and sometimes quite silly as like-minded dancers bonded and had fun (guess which group I was with!). BDUC veteran Regine started me on a positive note by taking me under her wing as we waited on line to check in before the competition began. During that first morning, I met the lovely and elegant Jane Yee Shan who had travelled all the way from Taiwan, and the sexy, earthy Turkish dancer Dilek from San Diego. By evening we added my homegirl Nialee (from Montana) and Laila from Illinois to the crew. On Sunday I met Lisa Zahiya from North Carolina, who kept me laughing at inappropriate times. These girls were great, and I am sorry that we are so scattered geographically.

It wasn't all a bowl of cherries. A tiny percentage of the dancers were a little scary under their veneer of politeness. They wanted to WIN! The serious competitors spend the whole year working on a single routine. I had to laugh as dancers would claim that they did not really have a set choreography, then proceed to plug their Ipod into their ears and rehearse a routine where every beat had been carefully calculated. I was embarrassed to admit my lack of preparedness. The event itself was rather grueling, and it was difficult to get any sleep at my miserable hotel, especially since there was some type of reggae convention in town and EIGHT male reggae afficionados checked into the room next to mine.

So, while I was glad that I went to Long Beach, I was even happier to pack my bags and come back to NYC. And yes, my bags were a little bit heavier on the flight home. I had the tremendous good fortune to win the veil competition (by strange coincidence, this was the most prepared of my pieces!). I had even more good fortune as I won two Miss Congeniality awards. Considering how fun and nice I thought the other girls were, these two awards truly make me feel honored.