"Wilderness" is Saturday!

I'm trying to control my excitement regarding the production of "Wilderness"!
I'm sure many people/folks know by now I'm in Belly Dance United.(www.bellydanceunited.com) The show is this Saturday. Of course, I'm checking and rechecking my costume, making sure everything is so-so. I don't want to forget or leave something! I'll pack and recheck the packing, JUST TO BE SURE! In the back of my mind; I remember what occurred on my last road trip.

This show will not be the normal belly dance production, it's on the wilder side of dance. Each performer will be a particular creature. Some different and creative. I can't wait until the entire show is completed, I can sit and watch the video!

http://www.motheatre.org/

The Calendar

Sometimes the best planned calendar does not work. I worked diligently on my belly dance calendar for 2009! I had it organized and worked out all of the weekends; workshops and seminars that I wanted to attend. Funny how things change, when you see an opportunity for spreading your wings. I was laid off work in May 2008....now I've been called back. So off I go and my calendar has changed again. In such uncertain times, I'm grateful to have received the call back. So many people are being laid off without having the opportunity of returning. It could be worst.

I'm hoping for the best, and a weekend here and there! Saturday's can be downers.

Katherine Dunham

I ran across these pictures online of course. I'd thought I'd share them with others. I can't hear the music, but I do feel the drum as I admire the photos!

http://www.kdcah.com/index.html

Inspiration for Dancers

If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance.
George Bernard Shaw

Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.
John Milton

If you dance, you dance because you have to. Every dancer hurts, you know.
Katherine Dunham

Dance is the hidden language of the soul.
Martha Graham

The dance is a poem of which each movement is a word.
Mata Hari

Every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and dance.
Oprah Winfrey

A poor dancer will be disturbed even by the hem of her skirt.
Polish Proverb

To shake your rump is to be environmentally aware.
David Byrne

Dance is bigger than the physical body. ...When you extend your arm, it doesn’t stop at the end of your fingers, because you’re dancing bigger than that; you’re dancing spirit.

People come to see beauty, and I dance to give it to them.

Judith Jamison

Performing @ Saviour's Day In Chicago, IL

I had the pleasure of attending and performing at Saviour's Day 2009 this past weekend, in Chicago, Illinois.

We stayed at the Hotel Sofitel (Luxury to say the least) this is a wonderful choice if you are visiting Chicago. It's not close to the inner city, but a short distance form the O'Hare Airport. The hotel has excellent customer service and room service is tops! Hotel Sofitel gets a 5 star rating from me. I do regret that I did not take pictures in the lobby. I dined in the main restaurant and French Cuisine is tops. www.sofitel.com

We travelled around town during our stay and the Phoenix Restaurant serves Greek style cuisine. The service and portion sizes were very generous to say the least. Be sure to order the salmon plate, if in Chicago!

Basilico Resitorante was another one of our stops. Italian cuisine and very large portions, I was unable to devour it all. Too bad I could not take a bag home.
www.basilico.net

It was a rainy drive and not pleasant to pass the 18 wheelers, so be careful when doing highway driving in this situation. Caution is the key!

My lifesaver of the trip was Audrena, I discovered while driving I left my sword. Panic set in. How could I have done such a terrible thing. I remembered I had packed my bag on the bed with the sword under my bag. I will always keep a sword in my car, I will always keep a sword in the trunk of my car. I should know better. I drove out to her house and purchased a bronze sword.
www.audrena.com

As the announcer introduced me I had a different kind of butterflies, I was more than just nervous. I want to make a good impression, avoid offending anyone and it was to the utmost importance to present the art of Middle Eastern Dance in a respectful way. I choose to do a sword dance. For some reason I feel comfortable with the sword on my head. It was not my usual one but it was fine for a stand in.
Walking across the stage as the music I began to feel at ease and once the music soon passed the introduction I was beginning to settle into my dance. There was applause after the performance and I survived. It was an honor and every stitch that is took me to make my costume was sew very worth it!

I need to download the video of my performance:) My husband captured it all for me-how sweet.