Saidi Dress & Update

So, I decided to do up a model dress for a friend who has hired me to design & sew Saidi dresses for her troupe of four girls. I don't normally do that, but I needed a new Saidi dress and have enough fabric here, so I thought it would be a nice way to show her what we could do on fabric, versus paper.

She has decided to go with this style, but with fuller, rounded sleeves. I think it will be lovely!

So, I'm sewing some sequins on this one right now, and then some paillettes.

Yesterday I wrapped up a lovely progressive balady for my intermediate class. They seemed to like it. Today, I have to work on Al Toba for my advanced girls. Hopefully I will have time to work on Ba'eed Annak for my performance at the Yousry Sharif show!

Things are certainly getting busy - I'd best keep on top of things! We bought a new house and take possession at the end of this month. It's a cottage we're converting to a house, so there's a lot of work with that as well. We're busy on the phone with contractors and permits galore. Family is coming down this weekend for Thanksgiving. Looking forward to that!

Today, the plan is to finish the Saidi dress, sew up a bra for a costume I'm working on for the Yousry show, as well as work on Al Toba. Tomorrow, I will get started on the troupe dresses and Ba'eed Annak.

Haven't been doing so well behaving as far as weight loss. I always find the first two weeks tough... after that, I seem to settle into routine and can handle temptation pretty well. I've just got to stay on for those first two weeks! Today is day one. Again! Every day is a new day..... Definitely have to get back on track or I'm going to wind up with a problem here!

Video Clip 'n Stuff

Well, I got my DVD of the Aziza show. Here was the result...

Fall classes are starting up. I have to try and get two choreographies done in time! Plus I am dancing in the Yousry Sharif show in November (Montreal). Doesn't sound like much, but until I start making a dent in them, I'm feeling a tad overwhelmed. Still, there is plenty of time, so I'm sure I'll do fine.

Tomorrow I have to do a demo for a studio I'm working for. Hopefully all goes well and we get some sign ups! I'm not too worried about the performance demo, but am not sure how I'll conduct a separate demo of 2hrs worth of lessons with people coming in and out at whim. We shall see!

Appointment Today for New Teaching Position

Okay, well I guess I'll start with the fact that the videos are up from the weekend show. Asmehan did three lovely little collages. As luck would have it, the portion of my performance she chose to showcase was the exact part I was not happy with. I'm looking forward to seeing the whole video to see the performances I missed, as well as my own. The good thing about editing your own material is that you can toss those bits you don't like! Alas, here they are as sweet Asmehan chose to present them. She did a lovely job.

Clip 1
Clip 2 (I'm in this one)
Clip 3

Well, I've been looking for a proper studio since I started teaching three years ago. It's really hard to find a place in town that has reasonable hours available on a weekday. Mirrors and a nice floor are important, too!

The drummer I've been working with was recently hired by a local studio and has gotten me a lead. It's centrally located, has a huge auditorium and stage. Perfect for both classes and haflas! I have some mirrors here at the house I'd be willing to donate to the school, which I'm hoping they'll let me bring. If all works out, I'll be moving my advanced classes to this location. The arrangement is very good, as they do not rent the space, but rather keep a percentage of class tuition. Fine by me, but we'll hash out numbers today. I'm very excited about this!

All Went Well & Costumes for Sale

Well, the performance and weekend as a whole went well. I feel reasonably good about my performance, but you know how it goes... it's never perfect. The Montreal gang are a fun bunch to hang with, and Aziza was very touched by the show that evening. Her performance was beautiful, of course. I didn't get to see many of the other performances because I was backstage much of the time, but am looking forward to seeing the video our hostess is making of the evening.

Hubby and I stopped for crepes on a delightful little retaurant patio in the mountains before heading home.

Next week is the beginning of a new session in Kingston for my intermediate and advanced classes. Should be fun! I have a nice little accordian piece I intend to choreograph and teach to the intermediates, and am putting together a choreography to El Toba for the advanced girls.

This coming November Yousry Sharif is coming to Montreal for a workshop and show. The troupe will be performing a piece and I will be doing a solo.

I have a few costumes up for sale. They've been for sale for a while, but the economy is pretty slow... so, I've drastically reduced the prices in hopes of finding them new homes. Here they are...

Headed to Montreal, Yellow & Aziza's Birthday

Well, this afternoon I'm headed to Montreal for a Master Workshop with Hadia. Should be fun! This morning I have to prepare for this weekend's show.

A couple of days ago I made a yellow mermaid skirt and utop. They turned out great, but lycra and my bootie are not friends! So, back to the sew machine I went and drummed up the same thing in a bright yellow crushed velvet. Turned out gorgeous! It's much prettier than the lycra and much kinder to my figure. I'm wearing the set paired with my new Gold Great Loop bedlah. I'm feeling the costume - now let's hope I feel the dance!

My piece is coming along... I've finished the Oriental, with only a few small transitions and arms to iron out. I still have about 40 seconds of the drum solo to finish choreographing, but I've listened to the music enough that I'm not stressing over it. I'm fine improvising it if I don't have time to choreograph it - my efforts are better spent cleaning up the Oriental now that time is getting scarce. I haven't practiced as much as usual. This heat is insane. Normally, I'll practice for hours at a time, but in this heat the most I can handle in 3 or 4 run throughs before the sweat is dripping off me. Who ordered this heat anyway? Blech!

Rhythms session is going very well. Fall classes are beginning to fill. The summer off was bliss, but it's time to get working! I need to teach now... life was becoming too hectic between dance and work so after much deliberation, I formally quit my job yesterday. I plan to keep with the teaching and gigs, and sew dance costumes and Regency wear as time permits. Evenings are really packed, so now I'll have time for daytime privates with Denise Enan. I'm very excited about that!

Awesome!

Tonight we started the first class of a mixed-level session on rhythms. Sign up was low due to the busy summer months. Many of my girls are away on vacation. Okay, so that sort of sucks when you're trying to get a session going, but what rocked was that we had a drummer out to play! A truly awesome thing in this little town... I know many dancers have access to live music on a regular basis but around here, it's pretty much nonexistant - I'm tickled pink!

Andy is a local drummer. We got wind of each other through facebook, I think it was. At any rate, he plays all kinds of drums as well as with a few bands professionally here and there. He had a little experience with the doumbek and Arabic rhythms. We all played them on the drums or sagats at first, and then I got the girls up dancing combinations with the sagats to each. I always worry about keeping a good balance of challenge without making things too difficult. I think we hit the nail on the head tonight. I saw some struggling, but plenty of smiles. They definitely have a few things to work on and had a good time. Can't ask for more!

Can't wait for next week's class!

Tomorrow we're going to check out three waterfront properties. Looking forward to that too!

New Piece & A Few Other Things

Well, a dance friend of mine is holding a birthday party for Aziza and has asked me to perform. There are nine performers altogether, I believe. I've never met Aziza, nor trained with her as of yet. As much as I appreciate her dancing and high level of skill - my own style varies immensely, so my focus has been on training with other instructors. Namely Hadia. At any rate, Aziza seems like a very sweet person, and my Montreal friends are a joy to be around. I'm really looking forward to it. It's been a while since I've been anywhere without the kiddies.

So what shall I dance? It's a tad intimidating, indeed! The organizer requested a copy of our music, and after much deliberation, I've made my choice. I'll be dancing to "Raidak" by Nesma and "Doum Doum" by Shake Em Up Belly Dance Productions. The first is Oriental, the second a drum solo. Together, they amount to just over a 6 minute performance.

Today I started on a choreography and have about two minutes complete. I tried some new things... trying to get out of my box and keep things fresh. So far, so good. Of course there are kinks to iron out, but I like it so far. The beginning is really quite fast, and I've chosen to absolutely crawl through it. I like the effect. We'll see what happens with the rest of it! My intention is to have Raidak done by next weekend. Oddly enough, drum solos come fairly quickly to me - it's the Oriental that has me busting my derriere to produce!

Last night I met with the girls in the troupe and we went over a few things. It's been a lot on my shoulders for the last couple of years, so have asked them for help. They seemed eager to help. Our next troupe piece has been decided and is Alf Leyla Wi Leyla. We also talked about the spring workshop and show I host every year, and they will be helping me with that as well. I love the event, but I can't say how much of a relief it is to have some help. It's way too much work for one person to do on top of preparing for classes, my own performance piece and troupe choreographies/rehearsal. I consider myself blessed to have such a devoted, and genuinely nice group of girls to work with. We'll be dancing a Nubian piece and a fun Saidi piece w/sagats at next year's show. Should be fun!

About five years ago, I lost 54lbs. It was tough, but I got through it and kept it off for a long time. Well, it's started slowly creeping back and I'm less than pleased! Everything I used to do isn't working. I guess having kids and age have begun to do a number on my figure. Accept defeat? Heck no! Today, no excuses... I have gotten back on track and am determined to stay young, healthy and attractive.