Just slightly over a week ago, I was invited to participate in the International Belly Dance Convention in this city of lights. I had just under a week to prepare my current office to be shut down for 6 days (which turned into just 5) and get my facilities, supplies and other items in order.
I was excited as some big name performers like Delilah, Aradia, Dina, and Amira and many more were going to be there to perform and I was right next to the stage, or so I thought. The set up was, at best, not quite what I had expected in which a large wall seperated the vendor area from the dancing area. Of course, the hotel’s floor plan didn’t make things all that easy either keeping the actual arena area’s extremely seperated from the ballrooms. A short and tedious hike (up hill almost both ways) kept exhausted workshop dancers from finding the energy to tredge to the “bazaar” making foot traffic rare and purchases even rarer.
My booth extended to two 10 X 10 area’s only due to lack of attendance, and before the second day, most people were doing the same thing and re-arranging their booth’s and their locations to get recognized a bit better. I actually had a beautiful location, even though it was towards the back of the hall.
Despite the lack of business, I really did enjoy myself on many levels. Networking and making new friends within the community that extended past my city limits. Musicians, local dancers and costumiers from all over the United States were there to share their wares. Most of them amongst the cabaret dancers and costumes, but their were some beautiful pieces of kuchi jewelry in which I spent some money and even bartered for. A belt, anklets and several pair of tribal earings and some amazing music sung and composed by my new found sister in the dance, Jehan, a prime producer and innovator of the off Broadway Show in New York called “GoddessDance.”
At one point Jehan, my mother and I were given the opportunity to hear some of this woman’s lovely music. It, surprisingly enough, left my mother in tears. Watching my mother cry over a song that invoked the chants and passions of earth faiths when mom is such a Church goer, made me wonder just how much the two could be internmingled with each other. I, for one, am not an avid believer in organized religion, but each of us have something that works for each of our souls, all of it should be of good intentions and harm none.
But, getting back on track….
I spent a good portion of my days rekindling new friendships and networks as well as re-establishing older aquaintances that have over the years, peeled away in onion like layers.
One in particular was Nina ‘kitty’, a close and dear friend of mine that I have known since before she graduated High School. Her fiery spirit along with those that cluminated 3 dancers total, a troupe named “Taboo” (link to follow soon), took first place in the Tribal Troupe Competition, with another local group “Ethnophonica” an African Fusion group taking second. Congratulations Dancers!
The best part of the IBDC was the fact that the fire got lit under my feet and I am in desperate need of reconnecting with the dance animal that retired about 2 years ago. I attended my first class in two years for a refresher and some work out, and even though my muscles didn’t feel it so much, my memory cells sure did. I picked up on the choreography easily with some minor and a few major gliches.
But that is a story for another time…
Until then, keep slinging the mudd!
Raj
Recently:
- Season over?
- Another Black Henna Scare…
- Rahja & Jenn together again?!
- Balloona Pallooza III
- Pamela’s Baby Shower
- Las Vegas Valley Belly Dance Intensive
- Robinson Bridal Shower
- Blessing Way
- Belly Dance Mag: The Raqs Sharqi Magazine
- Renaissance Faire Ramblings
