The last Bellydance night at Fullsteam Brewery for the year was this past Tues and it was packed! I really like that venue. They have a nice stage for the band and a fairly nice open space for dancing. Everyone seems to enjoy the beers and there is a food truck for people that need to eat I performed live to the Lost Nomads, with an original song by Andrew Shakinovsky called “Knife in the Dark”.
Next one is Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Professional Photographer Paul Cory was there again photographing the event, which means great photos! More coming soon! Check out his work!
So I had my 3 month hair appointment yesterday and that meant photo shoot in my life. It has been a while since I have done one for dance photos so I thought I would do some in my 2 favorite costumes. It was raining and dreary which meant no outdoor shoots. I even had some really cool ideas, but I guess they will have to wait until Spring. Even if the weather was nice I had noone to help me, so these are all self portraits. I am getting good at those! If you are looking for a wonderful hair salon in the Triangle check out SlingBlades Hair Design in Durham. Shelley Ethridge is one of the best!!
I was playing in Photoshop last night with some new album templates and thought what a nice way to showcase all my gorgeous costumes. LOL! This does not include the two that are for sale and the teal gypsy costume, the other coin costume I made, or all the misc. skirts, pants, and tops that can be coordinated into other costume pieces! I think when I have some free time I will do a video diary and take you inside my costume closet. Plus I have several costumes I am making too!
Last weekend was the NCBellydance.org anniversary Gala celebrating 10 years of Bellydance goodness in North Carolina. It is the go-to place that lists all the areas instructors, performers, classes, events, workshops, and everything you can think of. The weekend started with a welcome hafla Friday night, a weekend of workshops, and a wonderful Saturday Gala and Silent auction, held in Historic Downtown Apex’s Halle Cultural Arts Center.
Here are some photos taken by Megan Freeman. If you are interested in making a donation to NCBellydance to keep it running, check it out!
The last Undulation Nouveau of the year is coming up.
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 at Fullsteam Brewery in Durham. Show starts at 8pm. Last time there was a full house so make sure you get there early this time for a good seat. The Lost Nomads will be there playing live Middle Eastern music and there will be bellydance performances by local dancers. There will also be open floor dancing for anyone who wants to get up and shimmy!!! Hope to see you there!
This Saturday, Blue Moon Dance Company is hosting it’s annual fundraiser. All proceeds from this hafla will go to The Black Dog and Black Cat Club of the SPCA of Wake County
This year’s fundraiser will feature an old fashioned hafla complete with open dancing, great live music, yummy food, and spontaneous performances. This will be a great chance to have some fun while supporting a terrific cause in a friendly and relaxing atmosphere!
Fee is $5 but you are welcomed to donate more if you like. The animals Thank You!
If you cannot attend but would like to make a contribution please visit this link: SPCA of Wake County
Here are some wonderful photos taken by Melodie Elaine Estes
of Creative Lens Art By Melodie, from the Day in Downtown Festival in Fuquay Varina this past weekend.
This has been a rough weekend. One of our beautiful dogs died unexpectedly early Friday morning so we are all devastated. I have been a wreck the past two days and still cry as I write this blog post today in her honor. I have had some tough performances in my dance ‘career’ if you can call it that, though its been brief. I have had challenges, non crowds, cold weather, hot weather, and even had to perform the same day after a tornado come through our neighborhood back in April, but nothing has prepared me for this. Yesterday, I had two performances, they were the most difficult I have ever had to do. As I tried to get ready, I had to redo my makeup several times, and just tried my best to get through that moment in time. It was a very crisp, cold, wet chilly day, for it rained that morning and it was breezy. There were not many people out at the Day in Downtown Festival of Fuquay, but the ones that were there were enjoying themselves. I was joined by my friend Ming of Twilight Tribal. I got through my dances and only cried once, so I felt like that was good. Every time the breeze would blow I thought of her, my special dog Ellie
I came home and cried for a couple hours and then had to get ready for the next show. I was performing a scary Halloween Tango duet that we have been practicing for months and it was GREAT! I just wish I had more energy for it now. The show was great, everyone had wonderful costumes. I only cried twice. I made it through the dance and we had fun. Felt a wave of relief all my performances were done so I finally could cry in peace.
I am so sad today. I am so glad I don’t have to smile today and can just cry.
Last night I traveled to Fayetteville to visit all my dance buddies and perform in Dark Shadows. That was Fayettevilles first Halloween Hafla and it was alot of fun! A bunch of great performances.
I picked my music out early, but have been so busy I hadn’t been practicing and didn’t come up with a ‘creative vision’ for my performance until about 2 days ago. I made the tutu on Thursday in a couple hours total and originally just made it for ‘FUN’ to wear to the show. I only decided to wear it at the last minute when I couldn’t decide on what to wear with my Organic Armor and I didn’t want to repeat my last look, and then it hit me “Gothic Ballerina”, So I spent Friday scouring youtube for Ballet movements to inspire me. It is hard! I am tempted to take some beginner classes now though. I was so out of breath after practicing all those spins, ect. Anyhow, I had fun and that is what matters most. Because life is all about doing what you love….Dancing!!
I performed live to the Lost Nomads, with an original song by Andrew Shakinovsky called “Knife in the Dark”. 
