tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40771152853368206902024-02-19T07:17:47.225-08:00the pinkcoinbelt chroniclesTales of an Indonesian male American Tribal Style® belly dance student, teacher, and performer in Indonesia and Los Angeles, CA.famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-12693245823720993442014-07-29T10:56:00.002-07:002014-07-29T10:58:05.205-07:00sarasvati jewelry & adornments and new ats® belly dance classes in los angelesIt never occurred to me that I’d be making jewelry AND selling it. I always make my own necklaces and wear them myself, but I think it’s time for me to start selling them.<br />
<br />
So it’s with great honor that I give you <a href="http://sarasvati.ecwid.com/" target="_blank">Sarasvati Jewelry & Adornments</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEo9zhv2wCBn8YjtRUm53VpeOzUe8Iovq7hmmy2Ziqyol6_v_1SsCzvkagj2xHxKCQDe_9Jt964Mq5JgOqyd2T89Hi8zYuC0MQu0dDKZT6cWZfoeSptPyEDekeSQ_1feoinHydSM_Cukia/s1600/sarasvati.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEo9zhv2wCBn8YjtRUm53VpeOzUe8Iovq7hmmy2Ziqyol6_v_1SsCzvkagj2xHxKCQDe_9Jt964Mq5JgOqyd2T89Hi8zYuC0MQu0dDKZT6cWZfoeSptPyEDekeSQ_1feoinHydSM_Cukia/s1600/sarasvati.jpg" height="152" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I’m also teaching American Tribal Style® belly dance level 1 classes on Saturdays at 2-3 pm (starting August 16) and Thursdays at 6-7 pm (starting August 21) at <a href="http://www.liveartsla.com/" target="_blank">Live Arts Los Angeles</a>.<br />
<br />
Please refer to this flier for more information, or <a href="http://famousfeline.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/lalayuskaatsflier.pdf" target="_blank">click here to download the PDF flier</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiS0brQ-nIOK2IifahmpDFzJ42um4mmvOj83jpuLaeBdzaS261dRktqNzVqkhbvyHYoKrJPrbYmab55FElNX1CuIqSQRRSgP-MWEcwTxR73f3xEqCYzjqfg2hFMMohgqfzUahCMTVypG0/s1600/LALAYuskaATSFlier2-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiS0brQ-nIOK2IifahmpDFzJ42um4mmvOj83jpuLaeBdzaS261dRktqNzVqkhbvyHYoKrJPrbYmab55FElNX1CuIqSQRRSgP-MWEcwTxR73f3xEqCYzjqfg2hFMMohgqfzUahCMTVypG0/s1600/LALAYuskaATSFlier2-01.jpg" height="400" width="310" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-9600152729171193722013-10-17T14:47:00.001-07:002013-10-17T14:51:06.863-07:00street fairsOne thing that I like about dancing in the US is that we get to do street fairs. In Indonesia (well, I don't know about Bali), bellydancers are typically not that well-regarded. And people who go to street fairs here are generally laid back. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlueDiamondsBellyDance?fref=ts" target="_blank">Blue Diamonds Belly Dance</a>, student troupe of <a href="http://www.fcbd.com/" target="_blank">FatChanceBellyDance®</a> has been doing lots of street fair gigs lately, and I danced in two of them in my 'hood (Rockridge and Berkeley).<br />
<br />
Here are some tips.<br />
<br />
Sometimes you'll be dancing on asphalt. So wear appropriate footwear. I was tempted to wear my Asics running shoes, but the soles are too grabby, and since I don't wear skirts, my footwear shows (especially when I'm spinning), so in my opinion, sneakers kind of ruin the aesthetics. I used to have a pair of gold gladiator sandals, but they were so cheap and not made for dancing that they broke apart after six performances. Then I bought another pair of gladiator sandals, but they made my ankles bleed. And one time, one of them came off mid-performance, and it was really stupid.<br />
<br />
Then I found these awesome knee-high boots on eBay. These are vegan boots by Breckelles. At first I thought they were so slippery, and I don't like the way they clack clack clack when I'm walking, but turns out, the soles are not grabby, and they're perfect for dancing on pavements and asphalts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuhELSRk5JwYloomr7GL1XHSCM75LV_5nfs1JGnZCvuqR8ynjVBWT4P32X3DAEw1napb2Js6SesF0bTHy5beSo5VdvUiBAZLCI1fUvrpBZSsDySCv9EQY5rSeBQpKolgsxhxCdVRVhvOh/s1600/breckelles+vegan+boots.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuhELSRk5JwYloomr7GL1XHSCM75LV_5nfs1JGnZCvuqR8ynjVBWT4P32X3DAEw1napb2Js6SesF0bTHy5beSo5VdvUiBAZLCI1fUvrpBZSsDySCv9EQY5rSeBQpKolgsxhxCdVRVhvOh/s320/breckelles+vegan+boots.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then there's also the issue of dancing in sunlight. Our performance time for both fairs was at 1 PM. So yeah: the sun is relatively right above you, which is kind of good since you don't have to turn and spin and bam! the sun is right in front and blinding. But that also means that you'll get tired more easily (what with the headwraps / turban / head gear, and squinting is really exhausting), so don't wear too much jewelry like I did at Berkeley Sunday Streets. Seriously, I almost could not keep my elbows up in the final song of the first set (we danced to two sets). I got home and out of curiosity, I weighed my bracelets that I wore to the Berkeley gig, and I realized I was wearing 2.7 pounds of jewelry on my arms. Yikes. But it's a good work-out for your shoulders, back, and delts. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HOLYvFfYVK2iKlMG-acGe70gMlWQXduLliHlBS9-ykzyBMWpsYRgJJ7EW5NToQ6msCr4hSz9htLdZn3V2hUhSp_uSO0nb7fhcHwqsgiDWVQBSSkiB5uNYAsFD0UTMnT4AepvzvRDC2pE/s1600/tribal+jewelry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HOLYvFfYVK2iKlMG-acGe70gMlWQXduLliHlBS9-ykzyBMWpsYRgJJ7EW5NToQ6msCr4hSz9htLdZn3V2hUhSp_uSO0nb7fhcHwqsgiDWVQBSSkiB5uNYAsFD0UTMnT4AepvzvRDC2pE/s320/tribal+jewelry.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now about squinting, and this is probably just the shape of my eyes, I really don't like the way my eyes sort of disappear in action shots. So you may want to consider eye make-up that makes your eyes look big even as you squint (is that even possible?). And no, I'm not talking about this: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/dLvSSyTgmsM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Finally, cover-ups. With a shining sun and a typical Bay Area breeze, I'd recommend wearing assuit / tulle-bi-telli. The cool metal keeps your body temperature low. But if it's too cold, then use something else. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.cocoperez.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/kate-moss-123109-01__oPt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i.cocoperez.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/kate-moss-123109-01__oPt.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Oh, ignore her. That's just Kate Moss.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-43060432939343010702013-08-18T06:04:00.001-07:002013-08-18T06:06:33.632-07:00lilith's bali debutYears ago, <a href="http://pinkcoinbelt.blogspot.com/2009/04/dancing-with-lilith.html">when I first met Lilith</a>, I had big dreams.<br />
<br />
And so, here it is. Sorry for the quality of the video, though. Haha.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/1c0ypnagYz4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
In case you're wondering, the first song is by contemporary Balinese musician, Ayu Laksmi. The title of the song is <i>Maha Asa</i> (<i>Big Dream</i>). I've been using it for ATS® Puja.<br />
<br />
<br />famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-39283898792992207662013-07-29T10:02:00.000-07:002013-07-31T12:17:09.653-07:00just like a woman<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5KAqstAyD0Jg-3zLZ2SGSdBPQDsy6RrgnjUXfwq_ApKx-03gTMDn1Zf1oJYzWB2ZQ7HG43RkNDeeRuRq0vy1cTPA8_b0Ndfx_nzyrkayQKp_8fORFaWPVTuO8ITYq14vED8CoqV_UAYD/s1600/just_like_a_woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5KAqstAyD0Jg-3zLZ2SGSdBPQDsy6RrgnjUXfwq_ApKx-03gTMDn1Zf1oJYzWB2ZQ7HG43RkNDeeRuRq0vy1cTPA8_b0Ndfx_nzyrkayQKp_8fORFaWPVTuO8ITYq14vED8CoqV_UAYD/s320/just_like_a_woman.jpg" width="220" /></a>It is a well-known fact that movies that at least try to portray belly dance in a fair way are not that many. In fact, <a href="http://pinkcoinbelt.blogspot.com/2009/06/whatever-lola-wants.html">I can only name one that I know of</a>. Then there's <i>Just Like a Woman</i> (SPOILER AHEAD)<i>. </i><br />
<br />
This movie came out in 2013, directed by Rachid Bouchareb. It's about two acquaintances, Marilyn (Sienna Miller) and Mona (Golsfhiteh Farahani) who are forced by circumstances to get on a road trip from Chicago to Santa Fe in Marilyn's car. Marilyn goes to Santa Fe to audition for a belly dance company (as recommended by her belly dance instructor, Peter). She's hesitant at first, but then she's fired from her job and comes home to catch her deadbeat husband cheating on her with a pizza delivery girl.<br />
<br />
Mona, on the other hand, is an immigrant, and a wife of a very loving husband (Mourad, played by the ruggedly handsome Roschdy Zem) and an overbearing mother-in-law (Chafia Boudraa) who demands to have a grandchild and accuses Mona of being infertile. One night, Mona spills her mother-in-law's pills and yet serves them to her anyway. The mother-in-law dies in the morning, and Mona, overcome with guilt, runs away. She has no idea where to go, but kismet brings her bus exactly where Marilyn is parking her car. The two meet, and Marilyn decides to take Mona with her.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8s95A2b155JbIGUqWG3R6KLo3JDqKDh6tYbHY3NhwZxrjgqsxnCNxNyZ1pfmLz8B3cLrzFFuwTfnYwFQq0Wa54R-R2Pg6gO07wra_mxm3-6vf1QBPCaaYGhyphenhyphenfC10Ctaav0XrpDTsk6JV/s1600/woman5f-1-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8s95A2b155JbIGUqWG3R6KLo3JDqKDh6tYbHY3NhwZxrjgqsxnCNxNyZ1pfmLz8B3cLrzFFuwTfnYwFQq0Wa54R-R2Pg6gO07wra_mxm3-6vf1QBPCaaYGhyphenhyphenfC10Ctaav0XrpDTsk6JV/s320/woman5f-1-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Marilyn (foreground) and Mona (background) dancing at their first gig. </span></div>
<br />
Peter (Marilyn's instructor) gives several recommendations for restaurants Marilyn can dance at. Her first gig actually needs two women (how lucky!). Mona, being a Middle-Easterner, is (supposedly) a natural belly dancer, so Marilyn asks Mona to accompany her dancing at restaurants (one of them looks like a really seedy bar).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTOGQWdKq_4BkaWreL-FPGTbFi9Xi3d8ty0wnrUIk9csk7qW2p-_eAhR6M3zGlYvRCESki7lmRPWZhjTGaR7wAgpRpWKaMj9ewdGBrMgDC8BCA9n5quFHta3tFxHMUYHtmsFnLY6aodQZ/s1600/just-like-a-woman09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTOGQWdKq_4BkaWreL-FPGTbFi9Xi3d8ty0wnrUIk9csk7qW2p-_eAhR6M3zGlYvRCESki7lmRPWZhjTGaR7wAgpRpWKaMj9ewdGBrMgDC8BCA9n5quFHta3tFxHMUYHtmsFnLY6aodQZ/s320/just-like-a-woman09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mona belly dancing to flirt with her husband in their convenience store as Marilyn watches in the back.</span></div>
<br />
The first song they danced to is Hisham Abbas' <i>Nari Narayn </i>and they seem to be just wiggling around. They get paid and the tip money is good, and they think everything is fine and dandy until the Arab patron comes to their rooms (apparently they stay at his place) and demands to sleep with Mona. Marilyn answers for Mona and says she's not interested, then the patron asks to sleep with Marilyn, who, of course, refuses. The patron gets angry and Marilyn decides that Mona and she has to leave. One thing, though, the patron says his clients do not like blonde dancing girls, so from then on, Marilyn wears a wig (this wig later becomes important because near the end of the movie when Marilyn gets physically abused by two rednecks and unable to audition, Mona takes her place and disguises as Mona, wears her wig, and is accepted into the dance company).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwarfla3m4WP8dQoAYhnlZcjWyB9oFBX5_WSJ3JrLBjG9vI0CEx-LWO1R284jHXrlYYgbo07XBKMnodKBtGAsBjnAqMLzSNN4lo5IhpGs08liZiN16Dh11rQQJaAgPlu7GODsltSmWxu_/s1600/Just-Like-a-Woman_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwarfla3m4WP8dQoAYhnlZcjWyB9oFBX5_WSJ3JrLBjG9vI0CEx-LWO1R284jHXrlYYgbo07XBKMnodKBtGAsBjnAqMLzSNN4lo5IhpGs08liZiN16Dh11rQQJaAgPlu7GODsltSmWxu_/s320/Just-Like-a-Woman_02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Marilyn dancing at a bar for their second gig. </span></div>
<br />
In the mean time, Marilyn's deadbeat husband wants her back (I don't think he knows that she doesn't have a job anymore) and Mona's loving husband wants her back too (with two police officers who start off sounding important and adding tension to the movie but somehow just fade in the background).<br />
<br />
In the middle of their journey, Marilyn learns that Mona is on the wanted list and she confronts Mona. Mona tells her what happened and Marilyn abandons her at a gas station in the middle of nowhere America, and Mona, not knowing where she is (she's not American, she's never been outside of Chicago, the only path she knows is to get from her house to the store that her husband runs) just stays put in desperation. Marilyn then changes her mind and comes back to get Mona.<br />
<br />
I don't know where to start. Some of the costumes just look cheap (but then again, Marilyn is trying to be a professional dancer, so that explains the cheap-looking costumes). Then the very typical music choices... But let's begin.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0uzXpGYqr_ywXSip8c7MInOiVqqm5XsbreoLMr8OT5bBn7iNsPQFD1PmNePzo9h9jrZJGzQcem6oF-7kOB0wa-Dirwn-kn2RPSYuUxkqL0qBmVK6hJ4dhh10LgulK1YKAMw-1HIY2xxH/s1600/JUST-LIKE-A-WOMAN-Image-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0uzXpGYqr_ywXSip8c7MInOiVqqm5XsbreoLMr8OT5bBn7iNsPQFD1PmNePzo9h9jrZJGzQcem6oF-7kOB0wa-Dirwn-kn2RPSYuUxkqL0qBmVK6hJ4dhh10LgulK1YKAMw-1HIY2xxH/s320/JUST-LIKE-A-WOMAN-Image-02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mona auditioning as Marilyn.</span></i></div>
<br />
<b>There's no sense of progress in the story.</b> The music and the dancing skills don't progress. Mona shows Samia Gamal to Marilyn, but I don't think that inspires Marilyn. At one point, Mona tells Marilyn to use another song (thank God) and to dance with abandon (YES!) but nothing comes of it. I was hoping that Mona shows Marilyn a thing or two about dancing, about music, about being in touch with the dance itself (so many Middle-Easterners pride themselves for being able to dance to Middle-Eastern songs because those are their songs and so they can be really in touch with their dance because everything flows naturally while non-Middle-Easterners struggle to achieve this kind of flow, this kind of tarab that is discussed in <a href="http://pinkcoinbelt.blogspot.com/2009/06/whatever-lola-wants.html">Whatever Lola Wants</a>). Mona doesn't even smile when she auditions and yet she gets the part.<br />
<br />
<b>There's no tension when there should be lots of tensions.</b> You have an immigrant (and not just an immigrant, but from the Middle-East, forpetessake, in the USA!), you have the stereotypical Arab people who always blame and degrade women, you have a loving husband desperately searching for his missing wife (who later says she doesn't want him back because she thinks he's failed to stand up for her), you have two cops (one of them is perhaps a racist bastard) whose roles just disappear.<br />
<br />
<b>Angles and editing.</b> You know, I have no idea why this movie is rated R. You can hardly even see the dance. The story itself begins way too slow.<br />
<br />
<b>The ending. </b>Which is so anticlimactic.<br />
<br />
<b>The dance.</b> The dance itself is just meh, most likely because we don't really see what's happening. Then there's also no progression. Actually it gets worse (from an Arab restaurant to a seedy bar? Or is the movie trying to show what the belly dance scene in the USA is really like? Which, if it's true, then it's another missed opportunity).<br />
<br />
There are good moments in<i> Just Like a Woman</i>, though. When Mona is left in that gas station and she takes off her coat and stands there while still in a belly dance costume, now that's desperation. The wide shots really inform the audience that she is in the middle of nowhere. Then there's tender moment between Mona and her husband as she flirts with him in the store. Then Samia Gamal. Then Natacha Atlas' <i>Adam's Lullaby </i>(although really, Natacha Atlas? <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd6pugRC1lw" target="_blank">It's been used</a>). The male belly dance instructor (yes!). The fact that there are women of all shapes and sizes and some are even tattooed in his class (YEAH!). Although, both the male belly dance instructor and the other-sized women don't really have a role in this movie.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQYBCKhfjvRblT_cwiSvoo-otBwmVK7JfytvwcJa89bWyUB3f5AOPUH8_gzIXA047gPM6_KZlpB2c7c51hGf1ri4XgtqoCH8yFHq-TwswSq4iXjaMBdhVfqfsdDBbpEJSoCSWOAy3nYmh/s1600/19536655.jpg-r_760_x-f_jpg-q_x-xxyxx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQYBCKhfjvRblT_cwiSvoo-otBwmVK7JfytvwcJa89bWyUB3f5AOPUH8_gzIXA047gPM6_KZlpB2c7c51hGf1ri4XgtqoCH8yFHq-TwswSq4iXjaMBdhVfqfsdDBbpEJSoCSWOAy3nYmh/s320/19536655.jpg-r_760_x-f_jpg-q_x-xxyxx.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Well, I'll just leave you with this image. Here's Mona's husband doing something I don't know what, unfortunately not from <i>Just Like a Woman</i> (ya think?). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<br />famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-24471743085051796612013-06-16T10:37:00.003-07:002013-06-17T18:51:14.600-07:00hot and botheredLet me say this up front: I am a very sexual person. The only fetishes I'm not interested in are scat and permanent scarring. Oh, and leather, since I'm vegan. And I cannot stand the smell.<br />
<br />
For decades, belly dancers have been trying to fight the stigma of belly dance being a sexy dance, and by that I mean dance of seduction, this is especially true in a muslim-dominated country like Indonesia. Three years ago, my troupe mates from the <a href="http://www.velvetraqs.com/" target="_blank">velvetRAQS</a> were set to perform a belly dance show for an outdoor festival in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Monument_(Indonesia)" target="_blank">Monas area</a>. Then the Jakarta governor at that time, <strike>that asshole</strike> <strike>jerk</strike> <strike>corrupt</strike> Fauzi Bowo (who went to the same all-male Catholic high school that I did which made me think he was different but turned out he wasn't) came and specifically ordered the belly dance show be removed or else he would not want to attend the event (he was the guest of honor). My troupe got paid in full anyway, but still.<br />
<br />
I don't do Salsa, but from what I know, Salsa nights are more common than belly dance nights, and people here are very enthusiastic about the dance. I've seen how touchy-feely Salsa is and the ladies usually wear really short skirts (with great respect to Salsa dancers, I love what you're doing, but I don't understand how Salsa can get more respect than belly dance. Maybe it's the name?). This also goes to Tango.<br />
<br />
One of my teachers at FatChanceBellyDance®, Ms. Sandi Ball, also does Polynesian dance. One time, she posted a photo of her teacher and his troupe dancing on stage. And all I could see were his body. I mean, I've seen videos of male Hula performers and I have to stay, they got me hot and bothered, awkay? Here, have a looksee.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://borderlessnewsandviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Ke-Kai-O-Kahiki-Merrie-Monarch-2011.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="http://borderlessnewsandviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Ke-Kai-O-Kahiki-Merrie-Monarch-2011.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Seriously, if you're a straight woman or a gay man, how can you not? Unless of course they're not your type. But bloody hell. Picture taken from <a href="http://borderlessnewsandviews.com/2012/06/the-ancient-hawaiian-legacy-of-kahiko-hula/" target="_blank">this page</a>.<br />
<br />
Here's the thing: I am guilty of making lewd comments about those hunks, and for that, I am sorry. Okay, so maybe "lewd" is not the correct word to describe what I wrote (it was more along the lines of exclamations like "yummy" or "hot" and I kept the nasty thoughts to my own nasty self), but it is not the dancer's fault if the audience member's member gives him a standing ovation (I can't believe I just wrote that).<br />
<br />
Last year, when I performed in Bali, I had an audience member (an Arab male) asking me for a photo. I obliged. Then for the second photo, he asked me to sit on his lap. I declined. I told him that he could look but he couldn't touch. He backed off.<br />
<br />
I danced Oriental and from time to time I dance Tribal Fusion, and I know that there are songs that require our faces to be flirty and playful, and they are translated by the audience as seductive (and our costumes are also less covered than ATS®). It is up to us as dancers to let the audience know that they can look (and take photos) and talk to us, but nothing more than that. I had a long discussion with my male American friend about that incident with Beyonce, and I said that she was an entertainer and although she wore a body-hugging suit and danced the way she did, it didn't mean that the guy could touch her in any way at all.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/85Dn0-WCxkU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Male belly dancers have been present throughout the ages. We hear names like the late John Compton to Tito Seif to Mohamed Shahin, then there are Zadiel and Eliran Amar. Here's one of Eliran's very popular videos.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tx23z-ytjO0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
It is his right to wear those skimpy panels. It is his right to show off his yummy bod. However, to be honest, it could've been covered just a teensy bit more. I was hoping to be flashed. When that didn't happen, I was both relieved and disappointed. Relieved because no wardrobe malfunction occurred. Disappointed because, well, I'm a perv. This is where costume choice comes into the equation. In the video, his facial expression is far from seductive, but yours truly here still fans himself whenever he sees this clip.<br />
<br />
My point is, there are things we can do to control how we want the audience (and the world) to perceive what belly dance is, and those things include pre and post performance attitude, costume choice, and make-up, and to some extent our facial expression (which is essentially related to the song we dance to). Yet it is alright (and expected) to be angry whenever an audience member "cracks" a slut "joke" and becomes touchy-feely.<br />
<br />
There's a huge difference between thinking lewd thoughts and actually doing them. There's also a huge difference between doing those lewd things with consent and doing them without consent.<br />
<br />
Fact of the matter is, there are still people who don't know the difference. I guess I'm a polite perv, or I have good self-restraint.<br />
<br />
There are belly dancers who try their best to fight this slutty dance label and at the same time there are those who get bashed on this <a href="http://this-is-not-belly-dance.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">hilarious Tumblr</a>. These people have helped perpetuate said label. Perhaps unknown to them. Hopefully unknown to them. (Addendum: okay, so perhaps that Tumblr isn't hilarious and the writer gets defensive from time to time, and thinks s/he knows what belly dance is or not, but who am I to say what is or isn't belly dance?).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/ce2N_LprfeI/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/ce2N_LprfeI&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/ce2N_LprfeI&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<br />
Back to Salsa and Tango. Maybe they get more recognition (and by recognition I mean serious dance movies like <i>Take the Lead</i> and <i>Scent of a Woman</i>, the former has this really seductive dance scene). See how the female dancer has that "look but don't touch" attitude and that air of aloofness? That's what I mean.<br />
<br />
I don't know. I'm blabbering all over the place. I guess I'm just jealous of the recognition that other dance forms have received and enjoyed in the mainstream media while belly dance is still stuck in being hoochie-koochie and cheap. I mean, come on. Even Twerking gets more respect.<br />
<br />
<br />famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-20239155065697466052013-05-30T13:41:00.002-07:002013-06-17T19:18:51.613-07:00an artist's attitudeMy admiration for Zoe Jakes is apparent. I adore her spins, her pops and locks, her make-up, her jewelry, her energy. She is a skilled dancer and theatrical performer.<br />
<br />
In my previous post, I've written about how I felt elated when she said that a piece of jewelry she wore was Javanese. <a href="http://pinkcoinbelt.blogspot.com/2012/09/where-i-stand-on-this-cultural.html" target="_blank">That particular blog post is about cultural appropriation and what I think about it</a>. Then yesterday, I saw this video.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/K6vc89XGyTw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
I am not an authority on Balinese dance (or any traditional Indonesian dance), but I've seen enough Balinese dance performances to notice there's something that doesn't sit well with me.<br />
<br />
Let me tell you, I am not offended by this performance, and to be honest, I think this is one of the ways to promote Indonesian dance. I mean, Colleena Shakti has consistently done this with traditional Indian dance and I know that Odissi is gaining popularity what with Sonia Ochoa, Moria Chappell, and one of my dear friends Allison Mulroy going to Ms. Shakti's school in Pushkar, India to learn Odissi. Traditional Indonesian dance is a dying art form. As an Indonesian, I can't help but feel somewhat guilty about this, because I am not interested in learning any traditional Indonesian dance (largely because most of these dances require discipline and hard work and they have really intricate footwork and arm work, and I'm just too stupid. I quit Kathak after only four sessions).<br />
<br />
I know there are Balinese dancers or those who are well-versed in this dance form who will probably be offended, so I think it's only fair to mention that Zoe Jakes and Marci Ann have been studying with <a href="http://www.gsj.org/" target="_blank">Gamelan Sekar Jaya</a> (I don't know for how long). (Addendum: <a href="http://sekar-mawar-merah.tumblr.com/post/53222633696/this-is-not-belly-dance-this-is-not-belly" target="_blank">click here</a> for further explanation from the person who helped Zoe choreographed this piece.)<br />
<br />
Now back to my gut feeling: I don't mind the headdress and the costume (I don't know if there's a religious significance attached to them), but some movements don't gel with the gamelan music. For example, the "Floorwork Body Dive" at 1:14 to 1:26; The pop, lock, and little drops that Zoe does at 1:44 to 1:49 and the chest shimmies at 1:42. I don't know whether or not these movements are in the Balinese dance vocabulary, but they somehow don't look right.<br />
<br />
I am not trying to be diplomatic nor kiss ass, and maybe I'm just insensitive and have the tendency to sell-out, but I don't feel that my culture is being appropriated by this performance. It intrigues me and makes me feel uncomfortable, but not offended.<br />
<br />
One of my closest ATS® dance friends and I had a discussion about this video performance, and we both agreed on one thing: the artist attitude. When I was an undergrad working on my degree in advertising, I had a professor in Copywriting class who kept telling us that we were not artists, that we still had to keep in mind how the audience (or the client) would perceive our work. I think that keeps me in check with my own approach in trying to create a choreography. For some people, this may mean less freedom, but it also may also mean giving value to (and therefore respecting) the audience. The thing is, I don't know if people (who have authority on an art form or a religion or a culture) will criticize an artist's performance simply because of the artist (diva worship). Not criticizing the artist, not presenting the artist with an opposing view point (not necessarily negative), is actually bad for the artist's growth.<br />
<br />
I like to equate this to a bad red carpet dress choice. Many celebrities have had their hits and misses. Many celebrities have had their phases of bad dresses. Some have survived and become fashion icons, some are still trapped in that phase. They might have survived because they listen to those who shook their head and said, "Honey, don't." They might have survived because they saw their pictures and shook their head and said, "I can't believe none of my friends told me, 'Honey, don't'!" But here's a counter argument: who's to say what's garish and what isn't? Who's to say what works and what doesn't? I don't like too skimpy and transparent clothes on the red carpet, but some people may call me prude.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.herundulatingscales.com/" target="_blank">Paige Lawrence</a>, the director of the Uru Tribe, wrote a very poignant Note on his Facebook page. It's a reflection of the Uru Tribe's journey to Tribal Fest 13, and how he feels about his own performance. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy, and sometimes it's a good thing, because it may mean we are constantly trying to evolve, to grow, to challenge ourselves, to come out of our comfort zone. I still cringe (A LOT) whenever I see videos of myself performing.<br />
<br />
Here's hoping that people won't see Zoe Jakes and Marci Ann's performance at Tribal Fest 13 as a true and authentic representation of Balinese dance. I know the introduction says "inspired", but we all know things can get lost and murky in translation.<br />
<br />
<br />famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-88754678266019218752013-05-21T15:26:00.000-07:002013-05-24T21:50:22.202-07:00so long, dear friendI first saw you in Anita's Dance Conditioning class in early 2011. You had white pants with red and yellow fire and a black shirt with wings. You were always so cool and charming and you danced with a smile.<br />
<br />
My first gig at Tannourine, in October 2011, and you danced with us. You were the one who gathered us to do Puja.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqsxEZihRiej3IZxop2xVXhj8NHbXMFWnT4i2aBO8-k5CtmS949RC5v0uwD0by7CCDmfTniwk7EvioMFuqeKdioauEPa4eDLQakqfHtw_1uF7RFAXrGOBkhnR_SDBkltP1Co7Dj28oaMg/s1600/337809_10150431881539363_529713167_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqsxEZihRiej3IZxop2xVXhj8NHbXMFWnT4i2aBO8-k5CtmS949RC5v0uwD0by7CCDmfTniwk7EvioMFuqeKdioauEPa4eDLQakqfHtw_1uF7RFAXrGOBkhnR_SDBkltP1Co7Dj28oaMg/s320/337809_10150431881539363_529713167_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Blue Diamonds Belly Dance (Tannourine Restaurant, October 2011)</span></div>
<br />
<br />
I will never forget the gig at Club OMG. It was Halloween 2012. We had fun, didn't we? The gig came from you and you said you thought about me when you talked to the owner about us for Halloween. Well, it is a gay club, so that made sense. That evening, someone committed suicide on the tracks at Embarcadero BART station and my train stopped at MacArthur for at least an hour. But it was one of the best gigs ever. Two Indian-flavored sets. You chose the songs. You sent me a text message asking if I got home safely that night. I still have the drink coupon that the club owner gave us.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then Devotion Kickstarter party came. That morning, you had a performance at Rakkasah. It was a back-to-back thing, and you came late as we were discussing our set. I told a friend that I thought you were being unprofessional, but we were all high-strung. I didn't say it to your face, though. Yeah, I stab people from behind. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You were late, I am not Mr. Goody Two-Shoes, and they can only mean one thing: we're humans. A life-form. And death is inevitable for all life-forms. Only yours was too quick. Unexpectedly so. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Stasi, you were there at Tribal Fest 13. This was Saturday, May 18, 2013. I saw you in the left wing. I greeted you. We hugged. Then you moved to the center seats with Laura, Sandi, and me. You sat with us. You laughed with us. You applauded our dance sisters, the Blue Diamonds Belly Dance, as they performed on stage, their devotion and hard work shone through their smiles and confidence. You zaghareeted with us. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And then you were gone.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
The Blue Diamonds ladies said you were there in the green room, wishing everyone good luck. As e-mails after e-mails poured in, everyone agreed: you were charming, you were bitingly funny, you had that sarcasm that I greatly enjoyed, you could let things slide off your back with ease, but you were also human. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now you are more than that. Now you are boundless, limitless, and I shall carry your energy, your strength, your smile, your courage, and your presence in my Puja, in my posture, in my dance. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Rest in peace, my dear friend. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvBoAPQlUcF9Gn-n45YcxGRY2PjzmokBLZMg6h0H1q_ipZYQljBXcUIp3zofh6Nr9DLFQezay6Ayi6Ge3toV5w3W55qAOakZnY6ce1xtOTTaqCVwlBMBaeskjmPeZwCv1Lst1k2x27Tx5/s1600/971034_10101600491958114_1298489992_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvBoAPQlUcF9Gn-n45YcxGRY2PjzmokBLZMg6h0H1q_ipZYQljBXcUIp3zofh6Nr9DLFQezay6Ayi6Ge3toV5w3W55qAOakZnY6ce1xtOTTaqCVwlBMBaeskjmPeZwCv1Lst1k2x27Tx5/s320/971034_10101600491958114_1298489992_n.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anastasia Martin (8 October 19XX - 20 May 2013)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Second photo by Shelly Swanegan Hamalian. </div>
<div>
<br />
Addendum: Some of the FatChanceBellyDance® students built a little shrine for Stasi, with flowers that flank her photo. Until we meet again, Stasi.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7o5uYzgCqT3OAIPRfav2GqtvBxSIXfDG6Zg07-c0oiouvwizP7ga6vmzb4tfQTUVaENPkjIlV4f-oJJ-y5G_33NgTjToMkSyTF0tvCljNSeEq1K-I1YrLoo3-dwAJDAdBd81ZQnDENmnU/s1600/2013-05-024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7o5uYzgCqT3OAIPRfav2GqtvBxSIXfDG6Zg07-c0oiouvwizP7ga6vmzb4tfQTUVaENPkjIlV4f-oJJ-y5G_33NgTjToMkSyTF0tvCljNSeEq1K-I1YrLoo3-dwAJDAdBd81ZQnDENmnU/s320/2013-05-024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-45071407340822873842013-04-19T09:46:00.000-07:002013-04-19T09:49:56.522-07:00new(ish) notes on teachingLast December, <a href="http://beatsantiquebellydancer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Tribal Babes Indonesia</a> hosted the second annual Tribal Bellydance & Fusion Festival where I gave a three hour workshop called ATS® Sampler Platter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxK4TZxAZZtV52Jo3DO5ut3u5F3r71O-rDgJcZPpDZ4g_Hc0nKiZlu9DjN6kiO5j6kLkZaCX8u51x-felZAl5hSVoHuRz8_oHbsBjrYyL9s3932VC0NWndDWjEmWgHBy5UEuXjhXGPzBcC/s1600/3763_375608435853031_880573279_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxK4TZxAZZtV52Jo3DO5ut3u5F3r71O-rDgJcZPpDZ4g_Hc0nKiZlu9DjN6kiO5j6kLkZaCX8u51x-felZAl5hSVoHuRz8_oHbsBjrYyL9s3932VC0NWndDWjEmWgHBy5UEuXjhXGPzBcC/s320/3763_375608435853031_880573279_n.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
To be honest, creating a workshop is so much like editing: it's really, really hard. Workshop is about picking and choosing things, what will work, what won't, what will bore the shimmies out of the participants, what will match the overall level of the dancers, but most definitely, what you want your participants to take away from your workshop.<br />
<br />
Teaching ATS® is something new to me. During my time in the US, I've only been a student, and I enjoy doing that. I enjoy having that somewhat carefree attitude: I'm here to learn, and not to teach. I mean, I do have the responsibility to improve my skills (which include not only my posture and techniques, but also musicality and how I interact with other dancers on and off the stage - to some degree).<br />
<br />
Here's the thing, ATS® is also something new, if not foreign, in Indonesia. The Indonesian belly dance scene is still heavily saturated with Cabaret / Oriental, which I also love, but perhaps will no longer be performing, except perhaps for Fusion. Tribal Fusion is also trending right now, but some dancers are not exposed to what "Tribal" really is. The whole concept, and that is the leading and following concept, is something unheard of. However, leading and following is the very essence of ATS® and I want to get that point across.<br />
<br />
I talked over the phone with Ms. Nericcio during the week when she was teaching in Michigan. I told her the dilemma I was facing: I would like to keep it interesting and challenging (because somehow I'd thought that the mentality of the Indonesian dancers was to gain the most in terms of quantity and repeating and drilling the same moves over and over again would bore them to death) while teaching them what "Tribal" stands for in American Tribal Style® (and its offshoot - Tribal Fusion). <br />
<br />
Here's the gist of what she said: keep things simple.<br />
<br />
I told her that the Sampler Platter class was designed to have three sessions. The first one focuses on Slow Moves (first and foremost the Puja, then posture, arm placement, Floreos, Arm Undulation, Taxeem, Bodywave, and probably throw in some fancier stuff like Reverse Turn or Corkscrew Turn depending on how fast the participants could absorb the more basic moves). The second one is all about Fast Steps (Egyptian, Arabic, Pivot Bump, Shimmy, and Turkish Shimmy). The third one can either be a review of all the Fast Steps and Slow moves or a Shimmy drill (which I love).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://pinkcoinbelt.blogspot.com/2011/07/improv-tribal-style-workshop.html" target="_blank">At Mihrimah's workshop two years ago</a>, she did a very cool thing where we would form a chorus, and one by one, we would come in from the left, move to the center, lead the whole chorus for a couple of eight counts, then fade to the right so the next person could take over. That was really fun and inspiring and I tweaked it a bit to match the ATS® concept.<br />
<br />
At the end of each session, I would pair two dancers in a duet and have them dance together for one song, to review the moves on their own (they wouldn't need to worry if they made mistakes - I told them to be confident and that they was to always follow the leader), then the participants would form a chorus, and each duet would dance as featured dancers for a while.<br />
<br />
This seemed to work at my last workshop. I mean, obviously I couldn't get the participants to have the perfect posture and techniques (heck, even I am still learning), but I managed to get the Tribal point across.<br />
<br />
Ms. Nericcio's advice was this: get people excited. This was particularly true. I remembered how the lifted elbow posture was especially excruciating but the participants seemed to enjoy it, part of it was because they felt challenged. Once people are hooked, they will become curious and want to learn more.<br />
<br />
However, there are also those who just want to get introduced to ATS® and see if it's really for them or not. This is fair game. I had a lady who asked me in my workshop, why we only did Pivot Bump on the right hip. She said that it would not train the muscles on the left hip. Carolena's advice for this one was to let them know that using the left hip does not complement the ATS® aesthetics and concept (leader on the front left). Also, bumping with the right hip doesn't mean that we're not exercising the left hip. Both right and left obliques are being used. Based in my experience, my Pivot Bump gets bigger if I also engage my left oblique muscles every time I release my right hip. I hope this makes sense.<br />
<br />
One thing for sure, though: Puja is an essential aspect of ATS®. It helps ground the dancers and remind us of our roots. This is why I always start each session and end the third and final one with a Puja.<br />
<br />
I can't wait to go back again to Jakarta and share the beauty of American Tribal Style®.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8u0OqW90dd659ys4VhfdxJ2L9maH5YZ3qp4n2Mjr4SE3od7LlPgTRn6tRv_OVJox229ALQ47lnlhy5P197Yc5aV0zDGJT7iSdDPHxBdWSLT6ofzBILbfHzO6MUCaVe2_7ER0-h-4fRRuS/s1600/403619_4665724855177_1110076059_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8u0OqW90dd659ys4VhfdxJ2L9maH5YZ3qp4n2Mjr4SE3od7LlPgTRn6tRv_OVJox229ALQ47lnlhy5P197Yc5aV0zDGJT7iSdDPHxBdWSLT6ofzBILbfHzO6MUCaVe2_7ER0-h-4fRRuS/s320/403619_4665724855177_1110076059_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-1075377220511995192013-04-04T22:59:00.001-07:002013-04-09T18:58:38.910-07:00some things happenedThere have been times when I felt I was the luckiest boy on Earth. As socially awkward as I am, I know a thing or two about American Tribal Style® belly dance, and that's about it.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lucky for me, I have the opportunity to stay in the East Bay and take classes at the FatChanceBellyDance® studio. I get to dance with the student troupe, Blue Diamonds Belly Dance, and last February, I had the honor to perform with some members of Blue Diamonds along with two of my teachers, Wendy Allen and Kae Montgomery, at Tannourine. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7hsWPN_zJ3EH7zttZY7RLRZZtPMgzJMC-OIOElunTXhJxLSDYZpeKPw458P2a0jG8q6_IJ48_Kc1YD4RbOjSCBVhWi-cP4bPYG9i66GCO09x_BWRRUPn4qvJD9ctkL9GDpGznNSV4SfB/s1600/IMG_4456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7hsWPN_zJ3EH7zttZY7RLRZZtPMgzJMC-OIOElunTXhJxLSDYZpeKPw458P2a0jG8q6_IJ48_Kc1YD4RbOjSCBVhWi-cP4bPYG9i66GCO09x_BWRRUPn4qvJD9ctkL9GDpGznNSV4SfB/s320/IMG_4456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by Yuka Sakata</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then of course there was the <a href="http://www.fcbd.com/clvw/events.shtml" target="_blank">Devotion Kickstarter Party</a> at Bissap Baobab Village last month. I just had to dance at this event because I won't be able to make it to this year's Devotion Show. <a href="http://www.dancewavecenter.com/" target="_blank">Dancewave Center collaborates with Gedung Kesenian Jakarta for Jakarta's Anniversary Festival</a> on June 15, 2013. More on this later. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaZW6TjTrk4n2kBDxyirFOsKyFPWtXVIuvvuAG5OqyiAMG1lBqUOSAf5LkkrraYJ7NCH9JhzCQ9axBFf4BUUC5JTmtpzFuYZ9_5uB8gc2BZDiG56GjOwnAsQzjW0Jf9uM8yn4iMP4qRvC/s1600/579234_10152689208950154_521236926_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaZW6TjTrk4n2kBDxyirFOsKyFPWtXVIuvvuAG5OqyiAMG1lBqUOSAf5LkkrraYJ7NCH9JhzCQ9axBFf4BUUC5JTmtpzFuYZ9_5uB8gc2BZDiG56GjOwnAsQzjW0Jf9uM8yn4iMP4qRvC/s320/579234_10152689208950154_521236926_n.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">In orange choli is Larissa Archer, yes, she's the daughter of The Masha Archer</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
But the real treat was this year's <a href="http://www.troupehipnotica.com/cues/" target="_blank">Cues & Tattoos</a>. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You see, some of the Blue Diamonds girls thought that it would be sweet to dance at Cues & Tattoos as some sort of a farewell for me (I thought I was going to leave the USA for good somewhere in mid 2013, but that won't happen because I'm staying at least for another year to get a dual degree in nonfiction. Yes). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So there you have it: Taksu Tribal. "Taksu" is a Balinese word which means "good energy" or "spirit". I'm going to leave the video right here so you can see for yourself if we have Taksu.<br />
<br />
Addendum: Just to rub it in, <a href="http://fcbdblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/good-afternoon-well-it-took-me-bit_4.html#links" target="_blank">here's what Ms. Nericcio wrote about Taksu Tribal</a>. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/P5uJS6lUMPQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQChmqh0XgedeVDA063dx0qGcjUGmXNluwLG5v-yWy99akqjgfVRxENr-qYj-8ILYaliAYXWxlUB44lnwconLyyUboIQdlOYlqEf7_o3v29Qkhy5oVkxliujTnUJ-ActwSfWLdYdt2v6L/s1600/906143_10200992676845272_1001203394_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQChmqh0XgedeVDA063dx0qGcjUGmXNluwLG5v-yWy99akqjgfVRxENr-qYj-8ILYaliAYXWxlUB44lnwconLyyUboIQdlOYlqEf7_o3v29Qkhy5oVkxliujTnUJ-ActwSfWLdYdt2v6L/s320/906143_10200992676845272_1001203394_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Proud, happy faces post dancing, posing with Ms. Carolena Nericcio!</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But wait, there's more. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So I told Rob / Valizan that I was going to go to Cues & Tattoos. He rounded up two other boys who were based in Seattle (Russ Martin & Rich Williams). I've met and danced with Russ at the FCBD® studio when he was taking General Skills & Teacher Trainings. He has killer Layback. I'm friends with Valizan and Rich on the Internet but never actually danced with them before. But you know, it's ATS®. It only took about two hours of getting used to dancing with each other and BAM! Sons of Trimurti was on the stage. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Katherine Erickson (owner of the fabulous <a href="http://www.silkroadtribal.com/" target="_blank">Silk Road Tribal</a>) said that when Sons of Trimurti danced on stage, the shopping stopped. The only time she'd seen that was during Suhaila Salimpour's troupe performance. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm still waiting for a video, but for now, here are some of the photos of Sons of Trimurti. (Purple: Rich Williams; Gold: Rob Galbraith / Valizan; Turquoise: Russ Martin)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNugcbLjrdfkF3UtqvJo_mCFl7faxoeX75eqMMY_LxHP0WoesyfiOObuAHxtufwJbpJIMIeAdUGQ6MTmG21z2f20SGmOmja_Sso4ppk6DFfu4SWxrhOpYjHlulVCsv5cYiim4hCu4tBzze/s1600/216693_510155979021280_79807307_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNugcbLjrdfkF3UtqvJo_mCFl7faxoeX75eqMMY_LxHP0WoesyfiOObuAHxtufwJbpJIMIeAdUGQ6MTmG21z2f20SGmOmja_Sso4ppk6DFfu4SWxrhOpYjHlulVCsv5cYiim4hCu4tBzze/s320/216693_510155979021280_79807307_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyoJle1T2-1VtbXyV4_BjJ7OvOgQxr8X2lRSOIlViOykD0ZzuSUZNI_akh_lTBPgHXJZIEjqJVcAWH0Zwxng6O4UbauoZjFBuS7ptHobHasgpt2BFWveABXew_l4H3VM_k1pe7eaWNcL6/s1600/575657_510156849021193_2081875292_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyoJle1T2-1VtbXyV4_BjJ7OvOgQxr8X2lRSOIlViOykD0ZzuSUZNI_akh_lTBPgHXJZIEjqJVcAWH0Zwxng6O4UbauoZjFBuS7ptHobHasgpt2BFWveABXew_l4H3VM_k1pe7eaWNcL6/s320/575657_510156849021193_2081875292_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sP_UMbkZ1nquB8rsYvApXVpQf1wkWwtdfQ8B5QwWau9VyoKR0aQVi_1xub6332FETMCYaxDzlcknQPMa_NzQilKbha045tzTrxX9n8eCl2ja7OB9N9JDMjCPr1qvs9aikDy09p4AjPji/s1600/575651_10151558701983729_226003623_n+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sP_UMbkZ1nquB8rsYvApXVpQf1wkWwtdfQ8B5QwWau9VyoKR0aQVi_1xub6332FETMCYaxDzlcknQPMa_NzQilKbha045tzTrxX9n8eCl2ja7OB9N9JDMjCPr1qvs9aikDy09p4AjPji/s320/575651_10151558701983729_226003623_n+(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos by LJ Brackenbury</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo-f0YKUO9VXJf3L9OlxPcj41ZDk76QLbBlIfxHXL2jMlchaxSy8ah4ArfQrfBNwM3CKW3sgN49RP4jTe1LjBby5M-VLnQkTbWZsxa_B0RwIbA6nhOYiixema2-UzcwcFFshjFkVBohgP/s1600/PICT8805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo-f0YKUO9VXJf3L9OlxPcj41ZDk76QLbBlIfxHXL2jMlchaxSy8ah4ArfQrfBNwM3CKW3sgN49RP4jTe1LjBby5M-VLnQkTbWZsxa_B0RwIbA6nhOYiixema2-UzcwcFFshjFkVBohgP/s320/PICT8805.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by David of CheekyMonkeyCaravan</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
Addendum: The video cometh! Courtesy of Laurie LA Tribal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/SEKEFvGMqlI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Seattle was uncharacteristically sunny and warm. So here's a photo of Kitty, my faithful companion for more than two decades, in front of the Space Needle. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaX7xV0eeX6CVhNvdwWRHdS_TzoqG1YZS5jcraJtwNkfXgtGXWS61W_9fhkchQ4Y6PtevQ6-AJ07AuIM89c_C9tqFmM1tl7g50mVg3YZI5aRh8ttuIp3Ty9ALozQkVWpE23tupchMkwbo/s1600/IMG_5230-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaX7xV0eeX6CVhNvdwWRHdS_TzoqG1YZS5jcraJtwNkfXgtGXWS61W_9fhkchQ4Y6PtevQ6-AJ07AuIM89c_C9tqFmM1tl7g50mVg3YZI5aRh8ttuIp3Ty9ALozQkVWpE23tupchMkwbo/s320/IMG_5230-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There will be a review of the festival as well as some pictures from the Instructor's Showcase very soon!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm going to end this entry by quoting a line from Bridget Jones's Diary: </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>It is a truth universally acknowledged that when one part of your life starts going okay, another falls spectacularly to pieces.</i></blockquote>
And of course vice versa.<br />
<br />
Yes, I know: I'm a very, very lucky boy indeed.<br />
<br />
<br />famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-25555235642771038252012-11-09T03:06:00.000-08:002012-11-13T22:55:21.930-08:00taking care of silverJust recently, I was lucky enough to come into possession of an antique Rajasthan style waist belt. It's exactly the size I'd wanted, and the price was not ridiculous (when I say "ridiculous", I mean out of my reach - I know how expensive silver can be, but I also know what "overpriced" means). So I made <strike>a few</strike> <strike>some</strike> many sacrifices and purchased it.<br />
<br />
When I finally received it, I was a bit disappointed and alarmed. It didn't look as silver as it was in the pictures. It looked yellowish, almost bronze-like. I thought I'd been duped. I could return it within seven days, but I decided to clean it, and some other silver jewelry, with baking soda and aluminum foil. The water residue of the belt was so ghastly and murky, but it was not enough. The belt still looked bronze and I was still worried.<br />
<br />
But I was determined to clean it. And so after consulting The Great Interwebz, I ordered <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FIS5U4/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01" target="_blank">this polishing cloth</a>. It came in the mail this morning and I just finished cleaning my belt.<br />
<br />
Here are the photos.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNId3vZ7Lxma1DxGaz6U0dUBmUC0-mZPBTTW1Fl3jOl_NDNPs1QWSZRpHMgIHWHuCqQE5wHicNrSEhmZDYmDL9ClmuDi4xAmU2mwu32jJryNR_s98r0vSA0BSpbeKrbYLET6y1BnAc7uf/s1600/IMG_4310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNId3vZ7Lxma1DxGaz6U0dUBmUC0-mZPBTTW1Fl3jOl_NDNPs1QWSZRpHMgIHWHuCqQE5wHicNrSEhmZDYmDL9ClmuDi4xAmU2mwu32jJryNR_s98r0vSA0BSpbeKrbYLET6y1BnAc7uf/s320/IMG_4310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The waist belt. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3GsdK6bIvwgx1ve6iIHBtOdP8fwOVDfat9jzXoX-7coaDCTgV6Ad8WMYCBO3OLJBbw2lpHcyRpLXPVfR_rUt6pKjZaY-iojWSm6nJF_jGy_7h2PIDq1utCjm0alDYlOpEprQQysk0X46/s1600/IMG_4301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3GsdK6bIvwgx1ve6iIHBtOdP8fwOVDfat9jzXoX-7coaDCTgV6Ad8WMYCBO3OLJBbw2lpHcyRpLXPVfR_rUt6pKjZaY-iojWSm6nJF_jGy_7h2PIDq1utCjm0alDYlOpEprQQysk0X46/s320/IMG_4301.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The yellowy tarnish on the clasp was still there even after the baking soda and aluminum foil cleaning. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAqxGPS9ejX1PdGDLwEUiBhk0BG893shANjIbMUFIEN6Scar8RwBNIY6WQ2-cKxIDkDGLF5wjis2mM_Xx_azvfsTznzvBryrTl_UPE9GLXGUrlF7Ef-4foPqXWkXsCdKRZPVOQf1R43O4/s1600/IMG_4304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAqxGPS9ejX1PdGDLwEUiBhk0BG893shANjIbMUFIEN6Scar8RwBNIY6WQ2-cKxIDkDGLF5wjis2mM_Xx_azvfsTznzvBryrTl_UPE9GLXGUrlF7Ef-4foPqXWkXsCdKRZPVOQf1R43O4/s320/IMG_4304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some rub using the polish cloth, and hello clean old silver. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXkDJ24pLs3brCWfA4ip73ZEFbSTMuJ5jx4IoHRKbKkZmIrbHvBeSkkiOLw6dUUnD7FvU97i2XqewVGShxnFtGb8OWK1XXumiSz7f0MPX-o5CLT_Ain4JhP1UYRUo3kRstbG3bZcYqnxi/s1600/IMG_4307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXkDJ24pLs3brCWfA4ip73ZEFbSTMuJ5jx4IoHRKbKkZmIrbHvBeSkkiOLw6dUUnD7FvU97i2XqewVGShxnFtGb8OWK1XXumiSz7f0MPX-o5CLT_Ain4JhP1UYRUo3kRstbG3bZcYqnxi/s320/IMG_4307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm comparing my contemporary Indian sterling silver bracelet with the antique waist belt, still uncleaned.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62kqjt-EOwD8OdALwLGezVNZGmc1V-HycBGq8xZ_mqEqb5saA7TqmgyYIMVetl_tPk2FYJ8m10YtakvfNcmPWurUtJ0TD4sJD037ySx33WX2Hr0rAx_izn8ru8ShZGGS3chFOeWYQdb7h/s1600/IMG_4308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62kqjt-EOwD8OdALwLGezVNZGmc1V-HycBGq8xZ_mqEqb5saA7TqmgyYIMVetl_tPk2FYJ8m10YtakvfNcmPWurUtJ0TD4sJD037ySx33WX2Hr0rAx_izn8ru8ShZGGS3chFOeWYQdb7h/s320/IMG_4308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The bracelet, compared with the back of the belt's clasps that has been rubbed with the polish cloth. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_FHXNX_Q7rb8SIYS3z7QBfSwFTJ70BA5h6MLH_Yvzw3Lsb0TJB33CWadVx7HFoW8DSxVLjcIaxvXZo_qENUzLpOhSxIcwzuM0TVZLQ1LLTjoxfH0ETp75Z11WxyUY1hiUzCK-HVGYQb8/s1600/IMG_4315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_FHXNX_Q7rb8SIYS3z7QBfSwFTJ70BA5h6MLH_Yvzw3Lsb0TJB33CWadVx7HFoW8DSxVLjcIaxvXZo_qENUzLpOhSxIcwzuM0TVZLQ1LLTjoxfH0ETp75Z11WxyUY1hiUzCK-HVGYQb8/s320/IMG_4315.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A comparison of the bracelet, a part of the belt's been cleaned, and the part that hasn't.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfyWAmArRjZo7Aj_zrit3Zra6XL7dFX3_jWXxfYJIb2W1Ycsq3s__yBgZy22JXcP5P439GkWKfOZVu4AvuL9igLgcs5nfuApS0YKITITK9AAPx2GahJMIJF7CObmYFkBTwEuuc3TSZg9s/s1600/IMG_4318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfyWAmArRjZo7Aj_zrit3Zra6XL7dFX3_jWXxfYJIb2W1Ycsq3s__yBgZy22JXcP5P439GkWKfOZVu4AvuL9igLgcs5nfuApS0YKITITK9AAPx2GahJMIJF7CObmYFkBTwEuuc3TSZg9s/s320/IMG_4318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And after 100 minutes of rubbing and scrubbing and buffing (I was watching <i>Lord of the Rings: Return of the King</i> while doing this), look, look, look: it's silver. It's shiny, shiny silver. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoAQlWaDHVhpKWYUHsl-gbR-Tb-6Cce-orxR6XsGjvHV-IgHwFCAF1h_oosWtZVhf5PeIsxnm9PDO-mK_3GGZrdJTN84ImYb3k4MxpjUp33X8H7IysMlFGHNzFV5Um2Ushx8Mg8HDDexi/s1600/IMG_4320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFoAQlWaDHVhpKWYUHsl-gbR-Tb-6Cce-orxR6XsGjvHV-IgHwFCAF1h_oosWtZVhf5PeIsxnm9PDO-mK_3GGZrdJTN84ImYb3k4MxpjUp33X8H7IysMlFGHNzFV5Um2Ushx8Mg8HDDexi/s320/IMG_4320.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The belt and the dirty, dirty polishing cloth. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEjFJuHaUL162Xi7lnkoiJGCxiyUUZ09s-DZizLf6odNefTnvh60HCUdTpSA1ZoaMPTKD7l1FdVj7meWsk1LUF9Z54N8XtdSPIQYJPuYv-jHpGHLhYwZKosWYal_miRhfKinUEbkGcuL3/s1600/IMG_4332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEjFJuHaUL162Xi7lnkoiJGCxiyUUZ09s-DZizLf6odNefTnvh60HCUdTpSA1ZoaMPTKD7l1FdVj7meWsk1LUF9Z54N8XtdSPIQYJPuYv-jHpGHLhYwZKosWYal_miRhfKinUEbkGcuL3/s320/IMG_4332.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now it's time to store it so it won't tarnish in a short while. I bought these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001V9XUME/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=A38WFKVAMEYW7E" target="_blank">little zip lock bags</a>. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf7EdoKeSFW6Yc2ExA7thh7cWCpE3EJnJsb_we2XMytEOFApmqlcmOimhtWrfdDgKuNjs4mI-4TRbxXwDRWQvMZcxCaU1T58nN6Hk8c1I5ieAqz8Iqdjdzhcx1VtCxYNFjtaAMepLpXyY/s1600/IMG_4333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZf7EdoKeSFW6Yc2ExA7thh7cWCpE3EJnJsb_we2XMytEOFApmqlcmOimhtWrfdDgKuNjs4mI-4TRbxXwDRWQvMZcxCaU1T58nN6Hk8c1I5ieAqz8Iqdjdzhcx1VtCxYNFjtaAMepLpXyY/s320/IMG_4333.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050248TM/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00" target="_blank">anti-tarnish paper tabs</a>. These work like silica gel. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EmYAxEQGcGkalACMVqw06t-X8gGRWoGFbJ4SFEmrKelDr0mblDK67khI_Xr4foP68dxBA6otHc-_kJKDCjZX1ReeT7oeIjmeb4GtEPa4z1CosofgaHjdrIdsBrCGefC0AvIdI_q6aRLb/s1600/IMG_4337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EmYAxEQGcGkalACMVqw06t-X8gGRWoGFbJ4SFEmrKelDr0mblDK67khI_Xr4foP68dxBA6otHc-_kJKDCjZX1ReeT7oeIjmeb4GtEPa4z1CosofgaHjdrIdsBrCGefC0AvIdI_q6aRLb/s320/IMG_4337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And they're all protected inside the zip lock bags. I place the jewelry that I wear often in a separate bag. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAdzHmh69zZmoscVa3UgQQrsU9_kOAlw2_2qfIJmnKmIeoRfoSHy3qgTVfYB1OZu37YlzLQOjwVd5HdUyc47CafYGAWoKgsrmZ6dFMTPDBPhpznxWi6cAjEtJpH1byV7W9-c4dOcdTIxL/s1600/IMG_4338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaAdzHmh69zZmoscVa3UgQQrsU9_kOAlw2_2qfIJmnKmIeoRfoSHy3qgTVfYB1OZu37YlzLQOjwVd5HdUyc47CafYGAWoKgsrmZ6dFMTPDBPhpznxWi6cAjEtJpH1byV7W9-c4dOcdTIxL/s320/IMG_4338.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Also, as a double (or is it triple?) protection, I place them inside this bag that's made of cloth that has R-22 to prevent tarnish. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One last note, I also ordered <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001L1IE5A/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00" target="_blank">3M Tarni-Shield polish</a>, but it will arrive next Monday and I just couldn't wait to clean the belt. There are still some deep parts that need cleaning and the crevices too deep to reach. I'll clean it again using the Tarni-Shield and old tooth brush. Perhaps it's wiser to clean it first using the Tarni-Shield (or whatever chemical polish) - if your jewelry piece has tarnished too much, so that it will make the job of rubbing and buffing a lot easier. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All of these might seem excessive and too much, but consider this: you've spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars collecting silver or gold jewelry. I always see precious metals and stones as investments - their value most likely increases over time, so why not take good care of them? God forbid one day we have to part with them, but if the time comes, and they've been well taken care of, then they will sell for a price as beautiful as the jewelry themselves. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Make time to clean your jewelry, at least wipe the sweat and oil off your accessories when you take them off and store them in the anti-tarnish bag or storage. </div>
<br />
Addendum: The Tarni-Shield has arrived and I used it to clean the belt with an old tooth brush to reach for the deep parts. It worked just fine, although I prefer cleaning my silver jewelry using polishing cloth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdrepT6-fkEnr8GnmoQjOSELDoYMqdr26_6sBkZ85GeHGGhg3gTLoJSh7g9JOWhV64-6dUyxn3ZwqvMJ5e9n0uP9hRyqrzbWBVtyfM2oZuoV3TZ4TC1XNin7PHeMj5dGs7b5ccWxOFZyS/s1600/IMG_4346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdrepT6-fkEnr8GnmoQjOSELDoYMqdr26_6sBkZ85GeHGGhg3gTLoJSh7g9JOWhV64-6dUyxn3ZwqvMJ5e9n0uP9hRyqrzbWBVtyfM2oZuoV3TZ4TC1XNin7PHeMj5dGs7b5ccWxOFZyS/s320/IMG_4346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The lower buckle was cleaned using Tarni-Shield and tooth brush and the upper buckle wasn't.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Also, I'm now going to wrap my silver pieces individually in acid-free white tissue paper and then store them in the zip lock bags and R-22 bags.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'll do the same to my Assuits and I'll share how that turn out later. </div>
famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-12482093755683386652012-11-04T21:31:00.003-08:002012-11-05T11:58:02.086-08:00notes on performing ATS® soloSo, obviously I have tons of homework to be done (and I haven't updated my <a href="http://pinksanfrancisco.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pink in California</a> blog for a long time now), but I just can't find the motivation to do so.<br />
<br />
Although I like to multitask, I feel that I can do better if I work on one thing first (the one on the top of the priority list and work myself down - well, most of the time) and dedicate my time to it. And this blog entry has been waiting quite a while.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/eyNcSekIe-0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
The thing is, whenever I'm back in Jakarta for end of semester vacation, I don't really have anyone to perform <a href="http://www.fcbd.com/" target="_blank">ATS®</a> with, so I have to do a solo. At the end of every solo performance, though, I've always become sad because well, American Tribal Style® is never meant as a solo piece. No one told me this, but I used to believe the only person allowed to do ATS® solo is Ms. Carolena Nericcio. But then from time to time, I saw videos of FatChanceBellyDance® troupe members soloing when there're just two or three of them dancing together for a set.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/l-1bfEYdIdY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Still, as much as I love performing, for me, ATS® solo was not something I looked forward to. It just didn't feel right.<br />
<br />
That's why I'll always remember one recent Saturday when she said in class that even when we were dancing solo, we weren't dancing alone. We have the chance to engage the audience, to dance with them, to invite them in, to include them in our dance. And this can be done through our face and body angle. Always smile and not only with the lips, but also the eyes. Don't squint but slightly open your eyes and let your eyes smile too.<br />
<br />
This was a great light bulb moment for me. And I hope this makes sense to you too.<br />
<br />
I mean, yeah, I've heard of the concept of engaging the audience when dancing in a group - always maintain eye contact and smile and such, but this kind of falls into the wayside whenever I'm soloing. I didn't think of "dancing" with the audience. I always thought about dancing for the audience. <br />
<br />
Speaking about engaging the audience, Sensei Kae also stressed how important it was to always engage the audience whenever we're dancing, even in a Dueling Duet formation when it's easy to be too engrossed in whoever's leading. We can do this by making eye contact whenever we pivot or do a Move or Step that faces the audience.<br />
<br />
There's another important note. I've always thought the Arm Undulation (whether layered with Taxeem or not) and Body Wave were beautiful movements, but away from the stage, they could be really subtle, too subtle for a dramatic impact. Ms. Nericcio pointed this out yesterday. Dramatic slow songs (<i>Stamena</i>, <i>Aicha</i>,<i> Arawan</i>) instantly beg for level drops, turns, and laybacks, but that doesn't mean we can't do many of these when dancing to other types of slow songs. Use Arm Undulation (with or without Taxeem) and Body Wave for fillers, for transitions, for moments for the audience to breathe and clean the audience's palate, so to speak. And when you're doing these subtle movements, our body needs to be really articulate, and this means two things: clean technique and the knowledge of all the mechanics of the movements.<br />
<br />
Then I remembered that one time I saw a video of my performance and thought how boring my Arm Undulation was, no matter how much I enjoyed performing it and thinking how good it must've looked. Haha.<br />
<br />
I'm just going to close this blog entry with this awesome video (I think I put it on the blog one time, but it's just so good).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/MC2VlmZAhaA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-71139710195952138222012-09-23T22:25:00.000-07:002013-06-19T07:17:27.010-07:00where i stand on this cultural appropriation thingFirst of all, let's just make it clear of what I mean with "cultural appropriation".<br />
<br />
noun /əˌprōprēˈāSHən/ <br />
appropriations, plural<br />
<ol>
<li>The action of taking something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission; the appropriation of parish funds</li>
<li>The artistic practice or technique of reworking images from well-known paintings, photographs, etc., in one's own work</li>
<li>A sum of money or total of assets devoted to a special purpose</li>
</ol>
<div>
These definitions are from Google Dictionary. For this case, let's discard the third definition and add the word "cultural" in front of it, thus making the meanings of "cultural appropriation" something like this: </div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>The action of taking someone's culture or subculture, typically without asking for permission from those who are culturally or subculturally related or understand said culture or subculture. </li>
<li>The artistic practice or technique of reworking art (including but not limited to: dance and movement composition, literary composition, musical composition, visual composition like painting - mixed media - jewelry design - graphic design - tattoo - pottery - sculpture) in one's own work. </li>
</ol>
<div>
For the first definition, many have also added that those who culturally appropriate belong to the dominant cultures (typically the Caucasian), but sometimes, I don't think that's the case. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.troll.me/images/conspiracy-keanu/what-if-theres-no-internet-in-the-place-i-am-going-to-spend-my-holidays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://www.troll.me/images/conspiracy-keanu/what-if-theres-no-internet-in-the-place-i-am-going-to-spend-my-holidays.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
The thing is, during my free time, I don't go out and take long walks or run or enjoy the great outdoors. I'm not an outdoors person. The sun ruins the skin. During my free time, I browse the internet. Sure, I get caught in the weird part of the Internet from time to time, but anything's wonderful as long as I don't come across pictures or stories of animal abuse. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Time and again, I found posts that disrespect (that's a really pejorative term in many cases) belly dance, its culture and origin (which no one really knows), and those who perform the dance. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Time and again, I found posts that disrespect (again, that's a pejorative term) American Tribal Style® and or Tribal Fusion belly dances. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let's focus on the Tribal bashers (the Trishers? Tribashers?). What's really disheartening is that if you go on forums like Bhuz or Tribe.net, you'll see Oriental style dancers bashing Tribal, saying that Tribal is not belly dance. And it's cute (okay, it's not) when you see that in some of their posts, these dancers refuse to call themselves bellydancers because they think the term "belly dance" and "belly dancers" are demeaning. They do Middle Eastern dance. They do Oriental dance. They go to Egypt or Turkey to study with the greats and try to keep the art form intact. They don't like the term "belly dance" yet they tell Tribal dancers to use whatever name but not belly dance. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwVhS7rKYoIMmoNPuIhnSBeJ7VwkpvOehTfjYgZQtbYZ8g3L5c6LilzlEcL-baOOats49G8Rgq3JeDcKllPb08kkbyMaLfBqVSQYMq8GLcvGSf6VskLTzKJrDhfUGIYDU2vww4S_mgywL/s1600/Carolena-Nericcio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwVhS7rKYoIMmoNPuIhnSBeJ7VwkpvOehTfjYgZQtbYZ8g3L5c6LilzlEcL-baOOats49G8Rgq3JeDcKllPb08kkbyMaLfBqVSQYMq8GLcvGSf6VskLTzKJrDhfUGIYDU2vww4S_mgywL/s320/Carolena-Nericcio.jpg" width="177" /></a>But wait, turns out, these Oriental dancers actually use "belly dance" to promote their work, albeit with a cringe, because it's easier to get their point across. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I won't discuss that in detail and I don't really pay attention to those posts because, well, the posters have made themselves look and sound ignorant. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The thing that really gets me is the constant telling that Tribal style belly dance and especially ATS® are considered cultural appropriating. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Okay, I get it. ATS® has indeed borrowed lots of elements from different cultures across the globe. The Puja for one is an adaptation of East Indian prayer, then Megha Gavin from Devyani Dance Company expanded it (I don't know Ms. Gavin that well, but I do know that she is knowledgeable in Indian culture and philosophy) and FatChanceBellyDance® adapted the extended Puja, which I have yet blogged about. I'M SO SORRY. IT'S COMING ALONG!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then there's the jewelry (Afghani, Yemeni, Pakistani, Kohistani, Turkoman, Kuch), make-up (facial tattoos inspired by the Berber, the Ouled Nail; bindis from Indian culture), costume (India, Middle East), music selection (too many to mention, from folkloric Bedouin to contemporary Balkan to modern beatboxing, and we play finger cymbals too), and of course the dance itself.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBDRqiE30eKJKd4Dl0aL2HvFkWo7IBHfgogQjJmfLgfM3kjsYfHM9hQOk5CMeqLKvyZwRMkGdS-ENprOQP57YXv6q7kfJwD9vZ4GYXhWIRGTPNOSXwrIcQEFicd4lxAo3YA5kWT2GnFNN/s1600/IMG_3965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBDRqiE30eKJKd4Dl0aL2HvFkWo7IBHfgogQjJmfLgfM3kjsYfHM9hQOk5CMeqLKvyZwRMkGdS-ENprOQP57YXv6q7kfJwD9vZ4GYXhWIRGTPNOSXwrIcQEFicd4lxAo3YA5kWT2GnFNN/s320/IMG_3965.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3mbXu4LH8v3jyLbhQ245N4N9rd4cZh1XxciwGbcQyI_NbUXFolbmKkdbMpf896djU6efaKTD-MNByWgNIMe8uJWq84aDnApCmJ8MPxc9AMCNqMg_vUfaQuk0dal8m7vS4nS9m7ewQl15/s1600/IMG_3964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3mbXu4LH8v3jyLbhQ245N4N9rd4cZh1XxciwGbcQyI_NbUXFolbmKkdbMpf896djU6efaKTD-MNByWgNIMe8uJWq84aDnApCmJ8MPxc9AMCNqMg_vUfaQuk0dal8m7vS4nS9m7ewQl15/s200/IMG_3964.JPG" width="150" /></a>Full disclosure: I'm an ATS® belly dancer. I don't have that much money, but when I do, I use it to take dance classes and buy dowry (which includes jewelry and costuming bits and pieces).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For the jewelry, again, since I don't have that much money but I need to get that chunky, more is more look, I sometimes have to opt for cheaper jewelry. I mix and match cheap and plain silver bangles with the monster ones that I've carefully tried to research. I own several pieces of Assuits, only one of them is more than fifty dollars including shipping. My prized possessions include a Tuareg spike and dome ring that I bought from my friend, the amazing dancer/photographer/hair-flower-creator <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/hairaphernalia" target="_blank">Shelly Swanegan Hamalian</a>, a gold-washed Turkoman ring from <a href="http://sirik.com/">Sirik.com</a>, a Carol Felley cat with Amethyst ring (my birth stone is Ruby, but I'm really drawn to Amethyst), and a silver hip chain from <a href="http://www.nakarali.com/" target="_blank">NakaRali</a> (I bought this one at TribalFest 11 and I'm still broke now). I wear the cat ring because I'm crazy about cats. Plus, it's silver, it's huge, and it fits in the more is more aesthetics.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For facial tattoos, I use the chin line and the three dots near the outer corner of each eye. I stopped wearing the dots over my eyebrow because I learned that it's used for Indian brides. I'm not a bride, nor am I Indian, although you know, when (I'm not using "if") <a href="http://fashionscandal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/john-abraham-dostana-bum-photo.jpeg" target="_blank">John Abraham</a> proposes, I'll be one, and y'all are invited to the wedding. <a href="http://www.fcbd.com/videos/MakeupCostume/MC_Embellishments.shtml" target="_blank">In this video</a>, Ms. Nericcio clearly states that bindis and facial tattoos in ATS® are purely ornamental. Also, <a href="http://www.face-painting-fun.com/cultural-face-painting.html" target="_blank">go here for more information on facial markings</a>. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I wear turban when I dance because my hair is short (and I've a small head) and I need something to stick the flowers on. Also, as androgynous as I want to be, men do wear turbans, and in a way, my turban can both conceal and show that I'm a dude. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://pinkcitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Yellow-Green-Turban.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://pinkcitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Yellow-Green-Turban.png" width="164" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3SRn_EKDRy5lp-QB5jJL6QFGKwvbiPEabzZUKl2aIWeQZnXDskj01jmmdAkFQx9taZP1W8OgcJxTNzYsnj8r3MHdWM6FmxMVmHUYQ4x2B2chGrp1xJ-qmI6WuXsRxYE0vyNNNWlEOsCj/s1600/yaoi20115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div>
Does that make me, an ATS® belly dancer, a cultural appropriator? I guess for some people, yes. But I do know my limits, because I know which elements I need to use, which elements I can go without, and not only because of aesthetic reasons. Having knowledge and information on the things we wear and create (and for some, the things we eat) is one of the ways to adopt a culture and promote its beauty. If you go to FatChanceBellyDance® studio, you'll see stacks of books about tattoos and jewelry and textile. Those ladies, especially Ms. Nericcio, know their trade.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
ATS® is not an authentic representation of Middle-Eastern dance. That fact was established a long time ago. Some people are ignorant of that, and that's also another fact. So let me write this again: ATS® is not an authentic representation of Middle-Eastern dance. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But many ATS® dancers (I'm not saying all) are well aware of the origins of the jewelry they wear. Some of them can even point the places out on the world map. Some have even been there. These dancers help expose the world to a culture rich with tradition and exquisite jewelry (and then some), which means more production, more income, and eventually more revenue to the craftsmen and the overall tourism industry. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://pinkcoinbelt.blogspot.com/2012/01/indian-jewelry-and-vedic-culture.html" target="_blank">At the Indian and Vedic Culture miniseminar several months ago,</a> Ms. Colleena Shakti said that the NakaRali silver supplier and craftsmen had doubted that their products would sell well in the USA (and subsequently, the world), because they had low demands in India. More and more young people in India prefer the more modern (and sometimes cheaper) jewelry. This stroke a chord. Many Indonesians, I for one, don't wear traditional clothings or promote the traditional jewelry, which by no means is less exquisite than Indian jewelry. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3SRn_EKDRy5lp-QB5jJL6QFGKwvbiPEabzZUKl2aIWeQZnXDskj01jmmdAkFQx9taZP1W8OgcJxTNzYsnj8r3MHdWM6FmxMVmHUYQ4x2B2chGrp1xJ-qmI6WuXsRxYE0vyNNNWlEOsCj/s1600/yaoi20115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3SRn_EKDRy5lp-QB5jJL6QFGKwvbiPEabzZUKl2aIWeQZnXDskj01jmmdAkFQx9taZP1W8OgcJxTNzYsnj8r3MHdWM6FmxMVmHUYQ4x2B2chGrp1xJ-qmI6WuXsRxYE0vyNNNWlEOsCj/s200/yaoi20115.jpg" width="200" /></a>In <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tribal-Fusions-Exotic-Art-Bellydance/dp/B000S8CLRO/ref=sr_1_4?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1348461876&sr=1-4&keywords=tribal+bellydance+superstars" target="_blank">Evolutions: The Exotic Art of Tribal Bellydance</a>, Zoe Jakes talks about her costume and jewelry inspiration. One of the pieces she wears is a heart-shaped pendant from Java. Is it a religious symbol? I don't think so. What if it is? Should I care? I don't think so either. Is she culturally appropriating one culture from my country? Maybe. But here's what I do know: when I heard Zoe said "Javanese", my heart leapt with pride. She's an international performer and I don't care that I sometimes don't like her style, but she promotes something from my homeland. Also, every time I hear songs that incorporate musical instruments from Indonesia, I feel honored, I feel respected.<br />
<br />
Heck, I was ELATED when I saw Kecak dance in <i>The Fall</i> (frigging awesome movie, by the way. Very beautiful, very strange, very surreal, very emotionally exhausting, with Husband #16 Lee Pace in it). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also, another thing. There's this Tumblr blog that bashes people wearing Native American headdress. I get it. The thing is, the same writer said that he celebrated Halloween, which is a Celtic tradition and is nowadays commercialized (like Christmas and Easter and the Eid). So, double standards? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My friend Julia sent <a href="http://www.xojane.com/fashion/electric-teepees-and-neon-dreamcatchers-how-to-shop-for-native-american-fashion-ethically-and-blissfully" target="_blank">this link to a great article</a> (the conclusion is, it's hard to draw the line as to what exactly is "cultural appropriation", but the rule of thumb is to not wear something that has a deep symbolic meaning like a war bonnet, nor something that has religious meaning like the Rosary, and always make sure that the craftsmen get respectable cut because, well, they need the money to keep producing those gorgeous items. By the way, in terms of turbans vs. war bonnets, you know, many turbans are worn because of the <a href="http://www.ehow.com/about_6310137_do-people-wear-turbans_.html" target="_blank">functional purposes</a>). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, I'm beat. I was supposed to do my homework, but I really felt that I needed to get this one out first. </div>
<div>
<br />
Addendum: <a href="http://pinkcoinbelt.blogspot.com/2013/05/an-artists-attitude.html">I've also written about the Balinese-inspired performance by Zoe Jakes and Marci Ann at Tribal Fest 13</a>.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
***</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Man in orange and green turban photo is taken from <a href="http://pinkcitymag.com/rajasthani-turban/" target="_blank">Pink.City.Mag and check out its page on Turbans</a>!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Photo of Carolena Nericcio by <a href="http://www.fromthebellyofatraveler.com/" target="_blank">Kristine Adams</a>. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Photo of me taken by Shelly Swanegan Hamalian.</div>
<br />famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-91398088612308866302012-09-16T23:09:00.001-07:002012-09-16T23:11:00.064-07:00folkloric look for ats®<div>
All I knew (and this was said repeatedly whenever we had classes that focused on creating a folkloric look) was that generally, when one wants to dance ATS® to a folkloric music (with the mizmar, oud, doumbek, without any of the synthesized sounds), complete with the vintage head wrap and tassels, it is best to maximize the folkloric look by staying away from swirly, swishy moves. This categorization had eluded me for so long (a year, probably), but last Saturday, I finally received the answer. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Ms. Sandi Ball gave me the permission to copy this list. I've added some that weren't on the original list (look for the asterisk). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Folkloric Look:</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Egyptian (I assume this means all variations of Egyptians, including Triple Egyptian, but excluding Egyptian Sevillana since this has a more Flamenco feel to it)</li>
<li>Arabic (but not Arabic Hip Twist nor Arabic Hip Twist Flourish and its later descendant: the Alabama Twister)</li>
<li>Pivot Bump</li>
<li>Choo Choo</li>
<li>Shimmy (including the variation with a slight dip on the one in every four counts. Since the Shimmy is a two-count move, it goes like this: <u>one</u> - two - one - two - <u>one</u> - two - one - two - <u>one</u> - two etc. The underlined is when you slightly dip) </li>
<li>Turkish Shimmy (including Quarter Turn and Half Turn, but excluding Turkish Shimmy with Arms & Turn)</li>
<li>Arabic Shimmy (excluding Arabic Shimmy with Arms & Turn)</li>
<li>Reach & Sit (well, this one comes from the Tahtiyb / Stick dance, so it works well with songs with Saidi rhythm)</li>
<li>Up 2 Down 3</li>
<li>Double Bump & Single Bump</li>
<li>Shoulder Shimmy</li>
<li>Wet Dog</li>
<li>Ghawazee Shimmy</li>
<li>Reshamka</li>
<li>Chico Four Corners</li>
<li>Ribcage Rotation</li>
<li>Head Slides</li>
<li>Circle Step*</li>
<li>Camel Walk*</li>
<li>Corkscrew, Propeller, Reverse Turns*</li>
<li>Torso Twist*</li>
<li>Circle Step*</li>
<li>Bodywave*</li>
</ol>
<div>
Modern Look: </div>
</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Arabic Hip Twist and Arabic Hip Twist with Flourish and the Alabama Twister</li>
<li>Turkish Shimmy with Arms and Turn</li>
<li>Arabic Shimmy with Arms and Turn</li>
<li>Double Back</li>
<li>Sahra Turn</li>
<li>Wrap Around Turn</li>
<li>Barrel Turn</li>
</ol>
<div>
Now, obviously this list is ever evolving. For example, the Water Pot from Devyani or The Box Step and Push Forward Push Back from the Ghawazi Caravan vocabulary are not on the list. Granted, the Water Pot is swishy and swirly (meaning it has lots of turns and spins), but it does have that folkloric look. In my opinion anyway. And the Push Forward Push Back and Box Step have that folkloric hard edge. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also, I believe Floorwork falls into the Folkloric Look category. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One of the main reasons I post this is to remind myself that there are moves that are considered Folkloric Look. When I dance, especially when there's mizmar or any kind of wind instrument that's not droning, I like doing the swishy steps like the Arabic Hip Twist. So, the list gives me a kind of boundary in a good way. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was going to include a YouTube snippet of The Tattooed One, but instead, I'm just going to post this.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I stumbled upon it, it was like opening a treasure chest. Seeing Ms. Nericcio's fast solo is a rare treat too. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-HXSXOFZk4k?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-8494699713705918442012-09-02T16:06:00.002-07:002012-09-02T16:11:12.197-07:00le moroccan six<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I rarely get the opportunity to take a class with Ms. Marsha Poulin. Come to think of it, I think I've only taken one class with her once way back last year or earlier this year. Yesterday was my second ever. She taught us the Moroccan Six zil pattern. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://trollcats.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/playing_piano_will_turn_you_gay_trollcatl.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://trollcats.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/playing_piano_will_turn_you_gay_trollcatl.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Before I begin, let me give you a full disclaimer: I took piano lessons from when I was five years old to when I was fifteen. Ten years. And I still didn't know how to play anything if it's not on the C Major scale. I have a really bad musicality and my eyes and fingers just can't coordinate that well and I just couldn't (can't?) commit the songs into my muscle memory. Learning to play finger cymbals is and always has been a challenge. I was first taught how to play the zils by <a href="http://www.orientalexpression.gr/" target="_blank">Ms. Maria Aya</a> when I was in Greece back in 2008. She taught me several patterns including the Triplet and the Baladi. It wasn't hard, but that was because we were sitting down. At that time, even moving the arms and walking while playing the zils was hard. </div>
<br />
In ATS®, however, only two patterns are used regularly: the RLR and the Military. The Military is only used for Up2Down3 and Double Back while a slight variation is used for Push Forward Push Back. Sometimes Ms. Kristine Adams or Ms. Sandi Ball would drill us on Baladi pattern and Moroccan Six, but yesterday, we really focused on the Moroccan Six.<br />
<br />
You can listen to Moroccan Six pattern in <i>Moroccan Six</i> (duh) by Helm in <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/helmmusic3" target="_blank">Tribal Dance - Tribal Drums</a> album or <i>Ishwini Fik</i>, also by Helm in their <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/helmmusic4" target="_blank">Spice Box</a> album. As you might have guessed, there are six beats in a measure, instead of the regular eight, so although Moroccan Six and Ishwini Fik can be considered as up-tempo, two things won't fit: RLR pattern and Fast Steps. That means, only Slow Moves can be performed to these songs. However, not just any Slow Moves. Ms. Poulin advised us to do Dramatic Slow (fancy turns, Floorwork, Layback, Dueling Duets) to songs with a Moroccan Six pattern.<br />
<br />
While the featured dancers do their things, the Chorus backs them up with a special zil pattern called, you guessed it, the Moroccan Six. All six beats must be acknowledged by playing the zils on each beat but only the first and fourth beats are accented (played louder). Then play another six beats on the zils evenly (without accent).<br />
<br />
This is the written pattern: <b><u>R</u></b> - L - R - <b><u>L</u></b> - R - L - R - L - R - L - R - L<br />
<br />
The bold and underlined letters are the accents.<br />
<br />
Now, as opposed to the RLR or Military zil patterns, the Moroccan Six should be played a bit muffled. The Chorus is already in a Slow Move mode, so arms are down (with the elbows lifted as always), and the hands are in the position where the thumbs are above the rest of the other four fingers. You know, like when you're gathering water to wash your face. Let gravity bring down the zils on your thumbs to the ones below, which are resting above the middle finger and (as in my case, because my zils are quite big) the index and ring fingers. This will make the the ziling sound more muffled.<br />
<br />
One more thing: featured dancers don't need to play the zils when dancing to a Moroccan Six song. And if the dancers in the Chorus aren't confident enough to play the Moroccan Six, then don't. A little tip: start slow, then build the speed.<br />
<br />
Here's FCBD® and Devyani dancing to Ishwini Fik.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/bu98enjBqeU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com2San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.419415537.674631 -122.577344 37.875228 -122.261487tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-36102606645743541572012-07-28T08:25:00.000-07:002012-07-28T08:40:14.750-07:00what ATS stands for<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Let me say this up front: I am a perfectionist. I've blogged about this and some of you are tired of me whining about this, but really, I'm cringing every damn time I see a video of myself performing ATS®. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Well, actually, I cringe not only whenever I see videos, but also photos. I'm not talking about the flabby midsection (although that's a huge problem, pun intended). I'm talking about the A, T, and S in ATS®, which are:</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Attitude: no ego, know when and how to lead, know when and how to give up lead, know when and how to follow, no drama, no bullying, no seniority, no jumping on pedestal, no belittling. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Technique: no floppy arms, no floppy wrists, no hunched back, no sunken chest, no unclear cue, no unclear shimmy, no zoning out, no low energy level. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Smile: neutral smile for Slow, big, toothy smile for Fast. </span></li>
</ol>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I'm lacking in all those. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I'm working on my smile, though. Anyone who's ever met me knows that I don't have a perfect set of teeth and I always try my best to conceal my teeth (I've been doing that for more than twenty years, so my jaws have muscle memory of their own), and smiling during ATS® Fast is always a killer.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">And about the negative list above (maybe some will think it's demotivational since the list has so many no-nos and I didn't try to word it out more carefully using positive phrases), well, the list is for myself and I'm not being too hard on myself (HAHA I just wrote "hard on"), I just don't want me to misrepresent ATS® that I know. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMMNvVX5p7ZhGy7YrnSefDRLN2oNs7ljaI6SOWGNOY8WDprkmXT9b1zSh2C-tgdxignF4X61v-vmUsSdyexHdA_29Pykx1HWb2P-2l-SeLaNcuELpiNkyYoudWySjruTtt5uA9LpXunMM/s1600/DSC04205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMMNvVX5p7ZhGy7YrnSefDRLN2oNs7ljaI6SOWGNOY8WDprkmXT9b1zSh2C-tgdxignF4X61v-vmUsSdyexHdA_29Pykx1HWb2P-2l-SeLaNcuELpiNkyYoudWySjruTtt5uA9LpXunMM/s320/DSC04205.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I'm almost relieved that there's no photo of me doing ATS® at Taqsim Festival: Semarang.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcrFXEwthL9QdEY-pOVpzaN58Nqvcc4Cv4LKPuRaO_T8LZs53aGwwJO3jq3MeZ9qATAvitcU6-XbG_n5JEcfzdAosSdoX_QnCPLpuO9J63AyGRMqQ42oGuIQpAzCI7V-6IRjrlYwuHpW-/s1600/IMG_2961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcrFXEwthL9QdEY-pOVpzaN58Nqvcc4Cv4LKPuRaO_T8LZs53aGwwJO3jq3MeZ9qATAvitcU6-XbG_n5JEcfzdAosSdoX_QnCPLpuO9J63AyGRMqQ42oGuIQpAzCI7V-6IRjrlYwuHpW-/s320/IMG_2961.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Taqsim Festival: Bandung. Just Tribal Fusion workshop. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">July 2012 saw me and the velvetRAQS director, Ms. Mifta, traveling to two cities in Java. That was the first for me. Ms. Mifta already has lots of out of town workshop experience. We did Taqsim Festival in Semarang (Central Java) on July 9th and Bandung (West Java) on July 21st. The Taqsim Festival in Semarang had both workshops and hafla while we only did workshops in Bandung because it was held on the first day of Ramadan. Then I went to Bali for vacation on July 26th, and a friend was hosting a small hafla and I also danced there. On July 1st, I danced at <i>TAQSIM: the celebration of Oriental and Tribal belly dance</i>, a hafla hosted by the <a href="http://www.velvetraqs.com/" target="_blank">velvetRAQS</a> and <a href="http://www.dancewavecenter.com/" target="_blank">Dancewave Center</a>. I had been working on a drum solo by Drumspyder and I was confident enough to present it. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I was absolutely wrong. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">First try on July 1st: Floppy arms, floppy wrists, weak shimmies, I messed up the Sunanda. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Second try on July 9th: Floppy arms, floppy wrists, weak shimmies, too-low arm positions when doing Split Arm 2 (right arm above, left arm table top). </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Third try on July 26th: No more floppy wrists, but still floppy arms (although much better than the first and second attempts), more powerful shimmies, higher arm positions when doing Split Arm 2, but my arms were too frantic when doing Arabic Shimmy with Arms and Arabic Shimmy with Arms and Turns. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ajjWC_RksStE338uWvDzyXU1NIZ0h8Z-5_BbBGO35ZxUOznb-SH_8ZidvAixIjsMAU3oqQrOlGwFFA3tweVkx_ihxtEA79O3xozYkb3mgVS9YIR_J-k8bXkVaskzFIEXiBJeqLdWTmUv/s1600/208945_10150966960117073_1308524195_n-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ajjWC_RksStE338uWvDzyXU1NIZ0h8Z-5_BbBGO35ZxUOznb-SH_8ZidvAixIjsMAU3oqQrOlGwFFA3tweVkx_ihxtEA79O3xozYkb3mgVS9YIR_J-k8bXkVaskzFIEXiBJeqLdWTmUv/s320/208945_10150966960117073_1308524195_n-001.jpg" width="219" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: x-small;">Dancing in Bali: NO SMILE.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Ya know, I'm just trying to get a decent video here so I can upload it to our website. I guess it has to wait. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I heard Rachel Brice videotaped herself when rehearsing. I believe it. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Fortunately, I don't have to be all negative. I discovered this photo and I thought, hey, there's still hope. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwvEQHb51ZN1FGXmruIDAhRES85vy_bBydHZJVZL5nYmBeMOEgsvK2l4RKD6m0jXADvRFvCVeq_nDsnvQkIWrbtol_ZbWJk6PWoL6AU0Xrox2Z_Kp4iNuPt0rXt9HioiuGrjtysVu62Tt/s1600/DSC_3685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwvEQHb51ZN1FGXmruIDAhRES85vy_bBydHZJVZL5nYmBeMOEgsvK2l4RKD6m0jXADvRFvCVeq_nDsnvQkIWrbtol_ZbWJk6PWoL6AU0Xrox2Z_Kp4iNuPt0rXt9HioiuGrjtysVu62Tt/s320/DSC_3685.jpg" width="242" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: x-small;">At TAQSIM: the celebration of Oriental and Tribal belly dance.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: x-small;">I'm leading the dancers in the finale. I wish I'd smiled this big during my real ATS® solo. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-60742531781598155122012-06-02T23:45:00.000-07:002012-06-02T23:45:15.955-07:00shimmies and shimmiesYa know, it's a bit ironic that I call myself (on this blog anyway) "the boy who shimmies", and yet I find myself unable to shimmy properly, well, the Oriental shimmy anyway. However, when it comes to ATS® Shimmy, I feel very confident and at home.<br />
<br />
Sensei Kae, Ms. Sandi Ball, and Ms. Wendy Allen all did shimmy drills on the course of two weeks. Beginning with Sensei Kae (another shimmy & spin class) on Thursday night (we also learned the tricky art of Over Shimmy), Ms. Ball on Saturday afternoon (have you ever seen how she flawlessly executes ASWAT? I have her tips below), Ms. Allen on Wednesday (I felt a bit adventurous and took the 51A bus to cross Oakland and Emeryville to Alameda where she teaches, then Sensei Kae again just a few hours ago (more shimmy drills).<br />
<br />
So, okay... Here are the tips from Ms. Sandi Ball:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>To make your ATS® Shimmy even, if you're like me (my left shimmy is weaker than my right when I'm doing Turkish and Arabic Shimmy), then switch your focus from your right hip to your left hip. Concentrate on the left hip only. Your right hip is already shimmying big and nice and juicy, now it's the left hip's turn to get some lovin'. This was a lightbulb moment. It works for me. </li>
<li>When doing Arabic, there's this contrast going with your upper body (chest and torso) and arms. When the right foot steps down on one, think of stepping down but your upper body goes upward, like floating up, this is to get your chest to lift and your torso to undulate). Then as the left foot steps down on two, it's like your upper body (down to your hip, actually) sits down. On one, as the upper body goes upward, the arms plunge down in front of the body, then floats up on the side to over head from second to eighth counts. Add shimmies and you have Arabic Shimmy. </li>
<li>For ASWAT, this is how you achieve Ms. Sandi Ball's ASWAT flawlessness: as you're turning on fifth to eighth counts, keep your left hand near your left hip on five and six and left it float on seven and finish on eight. Letting the left hand sit there for five and six gives more aerodynamism, plus you won't hit your dance partners as you turn. </li>
</ol>
<div>
This is one of my favorite videos, despite its lighting quality. Although I think the dark lighting adds the mood. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EiDapscsO54" width="300"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, I'm blogging at San Francisco International Airport now, waiting for a grueling economy class flight back to Jakarta. I'm so sad to miss classes at the mothership for three months, but I'm glad that I closed it rather well: I got to dance with a guy! His name is Russ, he's from Seattle. He's at the studio for General Skills and Teacher Trainings. So that means... Another male joining the clan!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sensei Kae just had to do the Shimmy drills. Then I had to drag two suitcases, each one weighing 23 kg (50 pounds), from my apartment on the third floor, all the way down, and walked five blocks to the bus stop. Then one block to the BART station. One of the suitcases contains <a href="http://pinkcoinbelt.blogspot.com/2011/10/kali-and-medusa.html" target="_blank">Kali, Lilith's twin</a>. I was a bit worried because I thought the suitcase containing Kali was oversized and Singapore Airlines has restrictions over the combined linear dimension of the suitcases. I even phoned their rep in SF, and I thought I had to pay USD 109, but it turned out fine. They checked in well. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm so tired. I just want to find my seat (I get window seat this time, YAY!), get comfy, see the in-flight movies, and cocoon myself. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'll see you soon. I need to blog an addendum about ASWAT and Sunanda. </div>famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.419415537.6743185 -122.577344 37.8755405 -122.261487tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-18550995889781390702012-05-24T10:35:00.000-07:002012-05-25T12:14:10.040-07:00tribal fest 12: year of the unicorn and the emperor's new clothesVell, vell, vell, Tribal Vest... vee meet again...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGq5LKKWfhqe8BGp_DTx84YZLGn6YgoCoGYNT6ZODvOILdDMG0FmFl9guI7JEUlZRYTDs8oDJrbmUv8GM_BNyk8jL-BIHA1Kzl90ZwI-GE4rJYSw54gwmsXjQzA4Jy6dhr6zxzS7ZPGcbv/s1600/DirtyCar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGq5LKKWfhqe8BGp_DTx84YZLGn6YgoCoGYNT6ZODvOILdDMG0FmFl9guI7JEUlZRYTDs8oDJrbmUv8GM_BNyk8jL-BIHA1Kzl90ZwI-GE4rJYSw54gwmsXjQzA4Jy6dhr6zxzS7ZPGcbv/s320/DirtyCar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
When you see a dirty rear window of a Toyota, with what appears to be an om sign missing its hat drawn on the dirt, instead of something that says "I'm filthy, wash me?" you know you're in another realm.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This time, I didn't take any workshops nor stayed near Sebastopol. Instead, Laura picked Julia and me up at Julia's apartment in Berkeley, and we went from there. We arrived in Sebastopol on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at around 10 AM, just in time to catch Laura Elizabeth's performance. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/EGpwPx_o7oU/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EGpwPx_o7oU&fs=1&source=uds" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EGpwPx_o7oU&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We only came on one day: Saturday, and boy it was a treat. It was the day of ATS®. We had Ujbaba from Russia (those girls... I've said this once, and I'm going to say this again: Ujbaba proves that no matter how far removed you are from the mother ship, you can still have the ATS® posture and attitude), Spin-Off (Ms. Wendy Allen's student troupe from Alameda, CA), Blue Diamonds Belly Dance (student troupe of FatChanceBellyDance®) and of course, FatChanceBellyDance® themselves. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a day of shopping (I finally got two <i>saye goshas</i> that I'd been eyeing ever since last year's Tribal Fest) and Silk Road Tribal did not disappoint. Thank God I didn't have that much money and they were out of red <i>talhakimts</i>, or I'd be more broke. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">If that's even possible</span>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Other notable mentions were: Donna Mejia-Ela Rogers-Hilde Cannoodt <i>Intrepid Bodacity</i>, Donna Mejia's solo, Ela Rogers' solo (I finally understood her. She had this... amazing stage presence, and her facial expression was so spot on), Ambush Bellydance (I don't understand why this group is named this way, but they were spectacular), Devi Mamak & April from Ghawazi Caravan (using Flamenco and ATS®, they were moving poetry), and Paige Lawrence (he can actually dance, and this is probably inappropriate, but I don't care: I find him really attractive). That being said, I was busy going in and out and eating with my dance sisters, and so I didn't really sit still and see the whole show. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And we took off earlier for dinner at Infusion Cafe (or something - great tea, but the food was total rip off, and it took them ages to make our dinner, and they let two crazy dudes in: one was playing the guitar in the parking lot and then came into the cafe, STILL PLAYING THE DAMN GUITAR, and the other was high beyond belief. The high guy was spotted at Tribal Fest too). So I missed this (somehow NSFW): </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-ztfP8jLMOQlrL-p3G2m0r9ZAnzgp_N1dxb_TpaK5MBHTsYxaq9BG4aLKpbhWCxii-vJHUKAMfFEURwnk9yCqCw6vmPwRxt8u4Z_AgafU9v3rNeoeO18FaBXqvQ1gfq6awMsWy1fAjua/s1600/TribalBoobsBalAnat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-ztfP8jLMOQlrL-p3G2m0r9ZAnzgp_N1dxb_TpaK5MBHTsYxaq9BG4aLKpbhWCxii-vJHUKAMfFEURwnk9yCqCw6vmPwRxt8u4Z_AgafU9v3rNeoeO18FaBXqvQ1gfq6awMsWy1fAjua/s320/TribalBoobsBalAnat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Suhaila Salimpour and the Bal Anat closed the Saturday show. We thought they would do the same performance they did at Rakkasah, but they didn't. Those are boobs. We didn't see those at Rakkasah. We didn't see them at Tribal Fest 12 either because we left early (thank God). You see that black block on her left nipple? That was my doing with Photoshop. You're welcome. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You know, I'm not going to apologize. I'm going to say this: call me a prude, call me short-sighted, but I don't think this is art. I mean, braless? Really? They can afford all those assuits, why can't they make a white or beige bra covered in cowrie shells? I mean, it would have the same effect, probably even better. There were straight men in the audience. This is exactly why I stopped being a PETA person: female nudity <b>can </b>be avoided. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I didn't see the performance first hand. There's a YouTube video of it, but I haven't seen it and I'm planning to not see it (that's different from "not planning to see it"). So maybe, maybe I missed the point. Then again, that whole Saturday was so filled with skimpy clothed ladies and dub step songs and pieces that are said to be "theatrical" just to get away with having visibly low quality, that my eyes were hurting from rolling over and over, my sides were splitting because I was trying hard to restrain my laughter, and my ears were in pain because of those... dub steps.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, again, maybe I missed the point, but maybe I also didn't. Maybe I was the boy who said that the emperor was naked (an unsightly view, otherwise I'd die of dehydration from overdrooling). Maybe if I had been there when Bal Anat performed, I'd have liked it because judging from the assuits and all, they were dancing to a more traditional Middle-Eastern music, and at Tribal Fest, that's awesome and rare.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then again, come to think of it, maybe it's like that hard poem, or hard fiction story, or independent film, the one that gets so critically acclaimed because it's difficult to understand. The judge or critic or whatever doesn't get it, but doesn't want to admit it, so in order to look intelligent, he/she applauds that piece of... art.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
However, I also didn't see this performance below and I truly regret it. And now, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the genius work of Sooz Tribal. This is theatrical, this is American Tribal Style®, but most of all, this is heartfelt and amazing. I saw Sooz's work last year and it was hilarious, but this one... This one touches so many strings of my cold, dark heart, and melts it that it comes out of my eyes as tears.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="196" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jEvaW8yzT3w" width="350"></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally, here are some photos to cleanse your palate. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Spin-Off: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkosb4vfsTJZN6_1DRD3M-14_JRoBMpisT9XOorE2Fl8Ko0LtkofEaDyg2Iq9Wmv7rIzBybl_dZinEFQbBUTpQFzE1etVS6rEVsoRlZ4BIvPCDuse7U1isQzR2YM10RB-p-GnCu4cMxM_/s1600/SpinOffBellyDance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkosb4vfsTJZN6_1DRD3M-14_JRoBMpisT9XOorE2Fl8Ko0LtkofEaDyg2Iq9Wmv7rIzBybl_dZinEFQbBUTpQFzE1etVS6rEVsoRlZ4BIvPCDuse7U1isQzR2YM10RB-p-GnCu4cMxM_/s320/SpinOffBellyDance.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blue Diamonds Belly Dance: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOx1veGq05JCQrSoolfVWLRWtHJkgmS6HVFwq5qiLyWawQKPl2KzP1B-jz-XKcIIeDywaLvfI0Pv6qdHix-jtHJBqo3RgTHqgTeIF1jSriVQn9RVHTszCr73rnkhNXb2PxZBHmAqGYXpW/s1600/BlueDiamondsBellyDance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOx1veGq05JCQrSoolfVWLRWtHJkgmS6HVFwq5qiLyWawQKPl2KzP1B-jz-XKcIIeDywaLvfI0Pv6qdHix-jtHJBqo3RgTHqgTeIF1jSriVQn9RVHTszCr73rnkhNXb2PxZBHmAqGYXpW/s320/BlueDiamondsBellyDance.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
FatChanceBellyDance®:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIi_7GaZ8wNYhOiN3a_etujRjzimHg27NXecFeKOXG9N4NczQiufovljItiomdWKfrEEEp26Djmd0NHCXB4KcADXlHRV5HEFGNgoukI14eTFEbJSOxsR4NIXnoAPbqQ0TuRhGmBKGLGJYn/s1600/FatChanceBellyDance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIi_7GaZ8wNYhOiN3a_etujRjzimHg27NXecFeKOXG9N4NczQiufovljItiomdWKfrEEEp26Djmd0NHCXB4KcADXlHRV5HEFGNgoukI14eTFEbJSOxsR4NIXnoAPbqQ0TuRhGmBKGLGJYn/s320/FatChanceBellyDance.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCG1i1JWPjdWhQoUORH3KiH_SPYHdBevjQeGARlklimN8f7e9mdj33AYByhhO6dVPy-SNWtr-np4tYVVD750FCLXHEPPbic4J3TjMzVcUgUEiLGSLFFJzxO6_UgY7Jk0sOwe2YC5wkl96/s1600/FatChanceBellyDanceKaeStef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWCG1i1JWPjdWhQoUORH3KiH_SPYHdBevjQeGARlklimN8f7e9mdj33AYByhhO6dVPy-SNWtr-np4tYVVD750FCLXHEPPbic4J3TjMzVcUgUEiLGSLFFJzxO6_UgY7Jk0sOwe2YC5wkl96/s320/FatChanceBellyDanceKaeStef.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuzPThicKhJejRrPyCeVVz6qvnYQMU6Aixk9j9xG6h7o-aRGaLML9hydg9IGoKKNAcVBuULBVYrA2ZwBZxLwl-2MkmsuV9msAmfe_HFJX11BLegxAl_DVpi-0vP3N2-cZ_oLedmSthf91/s1600/CarolenaNericcioLayback01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVuzPThicKhJejRrPyCeVVz6qvnYQMU6Aixk9j9xG6h7o-aRGaLML9hydg9IGoKKNAcVBuULBVYrA2ZwBZxLwl-2MkmsuV9msAmfe_HFJX11BLegxAl_DVpi-0vP3N2-cZ_oLedmSthf91/s320/CarolenaNericcioLayback01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The perfect Layback</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBD-OhUljZ0fPzPtaMZG7pXXxkdNMoicL6f73ZZ0I7mgcVnfgwFv8DTcg1A5fBfKRjx8zZl3Q4qGv-3bcHmjyYlTf_psBV9wAgKweWgBmfM9ca2lfFEkNnhJPa4vg7sJQs3Qvg7mKg5mhr/s1600/CarolenaNericcioTattoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBD-OhUljZ0fPzPtaMZG7pXXxkdNMoicL6f73ZZ0I7mgcVnfgwFv8DTcg1A5fBfKRjx8zZl3Q4qGv-3bcHmjyYlTf_psBV9wAgKweWgBmfM9ca2lfFEkNnhJPa4vg7sJQs3Qvg7mKg5mhr/s320/CarolenaNericcioTattoo.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ms. Carolena Nericcio's back and her gorgeous tattoos. </div>
<br />
And of course: Vlad... Look at that horn. They didn't name him "Vlad" for nothing. That horn looks suspiciously like a fetish dildo or something. Although that pointy thing does seem like it's able to deliciously touch some hard-to-reach spots.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7774p_Y94tdVKcgE71jAl4CY-lXkwi7IU174Y5ltYxyS6SKJHtVg6CSP4N2v9Lsw3_29UmRffh0-7g7estCabiG9A5iqkxBhXrpzPEznVzhlAjWdGin951H1w8TI9fSX81PynNUzDwc9X/s1600/Vlad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7774p_Y94tdVKcgE71jAl4CY-lXkwi7IU174Y5ltYxyS6SKJHtVg6CSP4N2v9Lsw3_29UmRffh0-7g7estCabiG9A5iqkxBhXrpzPEznVzhlAjWdGin951H1w8TI9fSX81PynNUzDwc9X/s320/Vlad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Which reminds me of another impaler (or not, I don't know him and his preference):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-S7N0DF5KyDXy_iO9mgjDqI16b66wwUNcUdOLAsIYVJLTC0Xj4kSPfl2EkVw7OaiLksf9bWFoQhVBFIqif5W2HzY4Ub4oy42AdIkOamg2rJIOQu9wBmGxj21cACBSj83f7oL8Jv0ZNPA/s1600/GayUnicorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-S7N0DF5KyDXy_iO9mgjDqI16b66wwUNcUdOLAsIYVJLTC0Xj4kSPfl2EkVw7OaiLksf9bWFoQhVBFIqif5W2HzY4Ub4oy42AdIkOamg2rJIOQu9wBmGxj21cACBSj83f7oL8Jv0ZNPA/s320/GayUnicorn.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<br />
I had to blur out the dangling part, otherwise this blog would've been R-rated. Click <a href="http://esteticmen3.blogspot.com/2010/04/unicorn-exterface.html?zx=673b85119b52e620" target="_blank">here</a> to see the full view (NSFW). Again, you're welcome.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Bal-Anat photo is by Chuck Lehnhard, <a href="http://www.slickitup.com/gallery-exterface.html" target="_blank">Unicorn Man by David Mason (Exterface)</a> (DEFINITELY NSFW).famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com2Sebastopol, CA, USA38.4021359 -122.823880638.3772489 -122.8633626 38.4270229 -122.78439859999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-180772977661883752012-05-23T19:02:00.003-07:002012-05-24T10:13:00.958-07:00i am sorry... but here's a treat...Okay, so I apologize. My last post was 128 years ago. But I have reasons. Well... Had. The Spring 2012 semester was a bomb. The hours weren't fun at all. But, I'm alive. And in two weeks, I'm heading home. I'm so excited. My boss, Mifta, has lots of plans for me: hafla, performances, out of town workshops, so I can't complain.<br />
<br />
Dance wise, this semester has also been very, very fruitful. I went to Rakkasah in Richmond, then to Tribal Fest 12 (my second!), but each of them will have its own entry. Or at least one entry for both where I'll compare them.<br />
<br />
But this entry won't talk about Rakkasah or Tribal Fest. This entry will talk about the annual National Dance Week showcase at the FatChanceBellyDance<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">®</span> studio on Saturday, April 14, 2012 (which was 72 years ago). And I happened to dance there, as Blue Diamonds Belly Dance, student troupe of FCBD<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px;">®</span>.<br />
<br />
Here's the snippet of the performance in the first set, to <i>Caravan </i>by Raquy & the Cavemen. Guess which one is me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/X_rfh1caYJk/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/X_rfh1caYJk&fs=1&source=uds" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/X_rfh1caYJk&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<br />
Well, I guess this post breaks the <strike>lazy</strike> spell.<br />
<br />
Come to think of it, this entry won't have anything much, because, I'm <strike>too lazy</strike> letting the video do the talking.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/30502029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/30502029.jpg" width="178" /></a></div>
Last year, I went to the National Dance Week / Observe the Creative Process at the studio. I was... blown away by the performances. I was blown away by the students were so graceful and powerful at the same time and those were students except for Ms. Kristine Adams & Ms. Anita Lalwani who perfected the icing on the cake by dancing to the crazy fast song called <i>Drum Solo 2:31</i> by the adorable Tobias Roberson (cue <i>le sigh</i> here). Some of the ladies have become my friends, and I have to tell you that I am blessed to have them as my dance sisters. When I got back after the show, I told myself that I needed to work my ass harder to have at least half their skills.<br />
<br />
Then this year, National Dance Week happened again, and the studio once more opened its doors for observers, and the students put on a show.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, I was happy. I still am happy as I'm writing about it 2 months later. And I'm glad that I shared a session with Yuka, whose husband Ben took the video, though mostly because Yuka's there, but that's not the point. The point is: I was there and I danced there and even though it was hot and I had to ride the bus back home with my make-up on, an old lady told me that I looked beautiful, I was happy.<br />
<br />
Cue <i>le sigh</i> again.famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com2670 S Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA37.7624612 -122.417418837.760892199999994 -122.41988629999999 37.7640302 -122.4149513tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-12358197517273535312012-03-18T18:08:00.003-07:002012-05-23T19:03:12.338-07:00foot, elbow, faceSome Saturdays ago, Ms. Nericcio was there to teach the class. I was away in December and January and those were actually the months when she wasn't travelling and dedicated her time to teach (and observe). So of course came rain or high water, I went to the studio.<br />
<br />
I know I'm still struggling with so many aspects of many of the moves and steps. I realized that I've been very, very bouncy. I mean, with the flailing arms and the bobbling head and everything, so I'm working on it. But Ms. Nericcio pointed out something else (well, not only to me, but to the whole class). She said she wanted to see a beautiful entrance when we're coming out of the Chorus to be the featured dancers.<br />
<br />
Here's the checklist: <br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Feet: Glide, don't walk. Long, supermodel steps. </li>
<li>Elbows: Lifted to convey a feeling of emphatic entrance. When you slide back in to the chorus, make yourself small so you can fit right back in, without dropping the elbows, of course. </li>
<li>Faces: Smile! Toothy smile when doing Fast Steps. You can also show your teeth when doing Slow Moves, but it's okay if you don't, as long as you smile. </li>
</ol>
<div>
<br />
<div>
Here's a little video to emphasize on the three aspects above. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="233" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tDe0Erl6m1w" width="300"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
I was late for two consecutive Saturdays and so I didn't have the time to tell the teachers (Ms. Allen on one Saturday and Ms. Lalwani on the next) that I was working on my bounciness. But after class, I asked Ms. Lalwani about this and she said that she didn't see me bouncing too much. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, yeah. I guess I can work towards a goal after all. Haha. Yay!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-69200916477543363482012-01-29T07:05:00.000-08:002012-01-29T07:05:00.233-08:00the owl and the pussycat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEU5-sSQAAJ_OLjhKqH7mwIgvkR30Pt9_bj_lmOn6x5kIuCCr_AYgb2qk4IdN_srJVN-e1ye5EiGLc4reP9gAG7NdsdeKEAptp1UvKNYbhjNUY_c_mrChDLZmUGee3aynGJWUv0fet17Rb/s1600/owlandpussycat.jpg"></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEU5-sSQAAJ_OLjhKqH7mwIgvkR30Pt9_bj_lmOn6x5kIuCCr_AYgb2qk4IdN_srJVN-e1ye5EiGLc4reP9gAG7NdsdeKEAptp1UvKNYbhjNUY_c_mrChDLZmUGee3aynGJWUv0fet17Rb/s200/owlandpussycat.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702702982480697586" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 200px; " />Last night, we performed at a friend's wedding. Well, she's actually a friend of one of the <a href="http://www.velvetraqs.com/">velvetRAQS</a> girls and we were asked to dance at her wedding (not Middle-Eastern themed, but we didn't care). They were gracious and the guests were quite enthusiastic. <div><br /></div><div>However, I had mixed feelings. </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know if I were just being tired and draggy (as I'm writing this, I'm still feeling tired. I was sneezing and it's usually a sign that I'm going to be hit by a full on cold, so let's just see...), but I'm starting to doubt my performance skills. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's good that I'm taking a hiatus on performing as BlueDiamondsBellyDance since my school schedule for the Spring Semester (boy, that's a lot of "s") doesn't allow me to go to Thursday rehearsals and classes at FatChanceBellyDance<span style="line-height: 18px; ">®</span>. </div><div><br /></div><div>So let's just see where this is going. I'm really hoping this is a false alarm. I'm not taking a full hiatus on dancing because I'm still passionate about teaching. </div><div><br /></div><div>I guess my problem is that I don't know how much I'm worth. And some nights, like last night, I felt like I didn't give my best. And I feel a headache coming up. </div><div><br /></div><div>And the significance of the picture with the Owl and the Pussycat? Well, there's something so enchantingly detached and dispassionate about the poem. Not to mention haunting and depressing, with no sense of closure. It just hangs there, in the air, with uncertainty. Just like what I'm feeling right now. </div>famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-25141615251592955802012-01-28T06:52:00.000-08:002012-01-28T07:01:19.779-08:00youtubeWell, here's my first video on YouTube. Well, not really the first, but someone uploaded it, so why not. <div><br /></div><div>It's not half bad (since it's small and the quality's not so good). </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the <a href="http://www.velvetraqs.com/">velvetRAQS</a> plus Lilith, dancing to <i>Washing Away the Dirty</i> by Dirty Elegance at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, Saturday, 7 January 2012 for <a href="http://www.dancewavecenter.com/tdw3">Dancewave Center's annual recita: The Dance Within 3D: One World</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>In this one, I became Kali-Ma and slayed the Goddesses of Time (Past-Present-Future) so Earth could reset itself. Choreography by me, videography by <a href="http://www.njoged.com/">Njoged.com</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I feel that this one's so much better than last year's when my posture was still so pseudo-ATS and I had helicopter hands. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="450" height="259" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SPSNk-4NBHc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-15981810391686579922012-01-24T08:26:00.000-08:002012-01-27T08:11:33.454-08:00indian jewelry and vedic culture<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKmtYIzQJ0DPj5iPXUGWTt5BeutOHvPoSC76YrZExqgyW2Vluv42JY_JnUYFiOC2gLz0oh0eM6hyphenhyphenSXSoJenmhVA6u5RPK2v0Jglx0rFxuQNN6iPkL7jolXl-VoCf8uBhImFvTHdeXHBeA/s1600/PA050050.JPG"></a>So last year (that's right, last year!) on October 5, FatChanceBellyDance<span style="line-height: 18px; ">®</span> organized a miniseminar on Indian jewelry. The speaker was Ms. Colleena Shakti, the other half of <a href="http://www.nakarali.com/">Nakarali</a> and Odissi dancer / teacher. I really don't need to tell you how fabulous Nakarali pieces are. I, err... I bought a piece of silver belt at last year's Tribal Fest and although it cost me an arm and leg, it's a good investment. <div><br /></div><div>But I digress. Let's begin. </div><div><br /></div><div>The beginning of Indian jewelry can be traced back to 5,000 years ago. The source of inspiration for the aesthetics came from the Vedas (ancient sacred writings of Hinduism). These Vedas have specific description of the adornments worn by the Gods and Goddesses (yes, I'm totally using capital "G"). These descriptions were made into illustrations by painters, and the poses of the Gods and Goddesses were translated by temple dancers into what is now known as Classical Indian Dance. This style of Indian dance is considered the epitome of Vedas, and therefore Indian, culture. The detailed carving of a God or Goddess or dancer from 500 years ago shows the exact same jewelry worn now. </div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tnvxDPaZyQ5e7yE0YO8tSUtFFcqSgtqGUOG6EM93YPwDev1O1U2N6ZjTtud-gJOI94R4UmVWotZjT3rBVBxKP_xcJkgknYA1QWRJzi_TTE717mNYRHQRBMSFJECqWrkh8omQ63bV6ANN/s320/chakra_figure.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701246104525939970" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 320px; " /><div>What's remarkable is that every part of Chakra is covered in jewelry. This means there is a specific placement of each jewelry piece. Placing precious metals on the Nadis contains the power / spirit of the Mother / Goddess, therefore binding the Shakti energy. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Indian idea of divine beauty is adornment. There is no end of adornment in the Indian aesthetics. The purpose of the body is to be adorned. Even in Kama Sutra illustrations (the classic ones, not the FHM ones) and sculptures, the clothes come off, but never the jewelry. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jewelry also serves as an identity to show the caste and community. The 10,000 year old culture of India is passed on on both conscious and subconscious levels. The style of adornment reflects which tribe the person belongs to. Communal-mindedness is necessary in a tribe; there is no such thing as a stand-outness. Tribal costume (and jewelry) is not just adornment, but a lineage of ideas. The idea is how to represent people for having a pride in the moral system. </div><div><br /></div><div>For example, the children of Kalbeliya Tribe, a caste of snake charmers, wear beaded jewelry (lighter, more comfortable, cheaper). When the girl is ready to be married, then she will wear silver that weighs at least 1.5 kg on her body. This is for financial security. Imagine, the people in this tribe lead nomadic life. This means no wall, no indoor plumbing, and now ATM. So if you had USD 5,000, where would you put it? On your body!</div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTKmtYIzQJ0DPj5iPXUGWTt5BeutOHvPoSC76YrZExqgyW2Vluv42JY_JnUYFiOC2gLz0oh0eM6hyphenhyphenSXSoJenmhVA6u5RPK2v0Jglx0rFxuQNN6iPkL7jolXl-VoCf8uBhImFvTHdeXHBeA/s320/PA050050.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701251939113116994" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><div>Jewelry is investment (like the belt I bought), it's also a transferable asset (you pass it down to the future generation), and it even guards you. Ms. Shakti told us the story of her Mataji who had an accident. Her leg was run over by a car, but she was alright because she was wearing a big-ass chunky anklet. The anklet protected her from too much damage, but it was broken to pieces. So they took the anklet to a shop to be sold to cover the hospital fee. The jewelry pieces are not pure or 92% silver, but they have to be mixed with other metals to endure the harsh conditions the tribespeople live in. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Kalbeliya women are beggars, but they're adorned in jewelry and that's their right. The jewelry is not meant to be given up to feed the family (I know, right? THE IRONY). Sometimes, these people carve their names on the jewelry, like they have their names tattooed on their forearms because they're illiterate. Nowadays (I guess this also happens in Indonesia), Indians don't want to wear the older, more classic jewelry because they want to appear more western. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was feeling rather intelligent that night and so I asked a question. The illustrations show Gods and Goddesses adorned in gold, so why is it that silver is the big thing? These are Ms. Shakti's responses: </div><div><ol><li>Gold is more precious (more expensive) than silver</li><li>Silver mixes better with nickel and other metal</li><li>Gold is reserved for Gods and Goddesses therefore distancing mere humans (Silver) with Supreme Beings (Gold - representing Solar energy)</li></ol><div>I hope I didn't leave out important details! I'm sorry it took so long to write this. Sigh. Now that one debt is done, I still have two articles to post: Male ATS costuming ideas and the Extended Prayer. </div></div>famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-60459849965299420372012-01-23T10:57:00.000-08:002012-01-23T11:43:16.128-08:00tribal spark<div style="text-align: left;">A few weeks ago, on Sunday, 8 January 2012, Tribal Babes Indonesia hosted Indonesia's first ever Tribal Belly Dance and Fusion Festival. They were having a special guest coming over and it's none other than the lovely Ms. Cinzia di Ciocco of <a href="http://lessoeurstribales.com/?lang=en">Les Soeurs Tribales (LST)</a>. I've seen LST's videos and I have to say that I'm most impressed with their fluidity, creative transitions, and very, very pretty skirt work. And as far as I know, in the videos, everything is Improv Tribal Style (ITS).</div><div><br /></div><div>I danced two numbers, using FatChanceBellyDance<span style="line-height: 18px; ">®</span><span style="line-height: 18px; "> American Tribal Style</span><span style="line-height: 18px; ">®</span><span style="line-height: 18px; "> Moves and Steps to <i>Caravan </i>by Raquy & the Cavemen for the first one, and Tribal Fusion to Linetzky and Romeo's <i>Sentimientos</i>. I gotta tell you, though, one is the loneliest number in ATS</span><span style="line-height: 18px; ">®. There's no sense of the tribe. Nonetheless, I was happy because I got to dance with my <a href="http://pinkcoinbelt.blogspot.com/2011/09/skirts.html">Banjara Skirt</a> and my old headdress. So, yay to power in costuming!</span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsyVVaodYOslYNbsGOARup5UFyXcl2OYLOFJ4oZlin8xtlZ6YaDaTTMGmJWg4Pfuwg_ADDKsmnR5HEo2kG2l45peniGDgcYJALeGmi4_lZw-9zUWAZfytCQcIiUT6pOUJRFBRASRHc0Wa/s1600/IMG_5154.JPG" style="line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsyVVaodYOslYNbsGOARup5UFyXcl2OYLOFJ4oZlin8xtlZ6YaDaTTMGmJWg4Pfuwg_ADDKsmnR5HEo2kG2l45peniGDgcYJALeGmi4_lZw-9zUWAZfytCQcIiUT6pOUJRFBRASRHc0Wa/s400/IMG_5154.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700906723349393474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 400px; " /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8wolgGWc-vGCpGb-tHaBmMYQ6RDHD824hfGAVg9fEtMgcrwuoLSe-nhAegtBTSr9TlVm-uHlkHrlzcfXzqsTDdG4ys_2IZ5J4cGXquptDhUWQuMAce1qGdJncX9mv1SLdtk_nPASA3r2/s1600/IMG_5153.JPG" style="line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8wolgGWc-vGCpGb-tHaBmMYQ6RDHD824hfGAVg9fEtMgcrwuoLSe-nhAegtBTSr9TlVm-uHlkHrlzcfXzqsTDdG4ys_2IZ5J4cGXquptDhUWQuMAce1qGdJncX9mv1SLdtk_nPASA3r2/s400/IMG_5153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700906709423992786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px;">I wish I had pictures of me dancing to <i>Sentimientos</i>, but for now, those photos will not see the light of day. HA. I wore my white Tribal garb for that one in case you're curious.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrlpoSDEzF45l9E4s8x7Wuup8GfEPmCuB6eQJ-PKe_Swsr5hA7y9m7_5vNqfGIU1dS-b2pSwffxAbGrWnzOWMfw2TIQ4d0cG9w5zm9n0kiWmPVcqY2DM5whrFWDJzGRrqMG4kC6SofxaZ/s1600/IMG_5758.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrlpoSDEzF45l9E4s8x7Wuup8GfEPmCuB6eQJ-PKe_Swsr5hA7y9m7_5vNqfGIU1dS-b2pSwffxAbGrWnzOWMfw2TIQ4d0cG9w5zm9n0kiWmPVcqY2DM5whrFWDJzGRrqMG4kC6SofxaZ/s400/IMG_5758.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700911514917600290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div><span style="line-height: 18px; ">Anyway, I was telling you about one being the loneliest number in ATS</span><span style="line-height: 18px; ">®</span><span style="line-height: 18px; ">. Well, guess what, at the end of the show when all the performers were called on stage, Ms. Ciocco took my hands and we danced together to none other than Shakira's </span><i style="line-height: 18px; ">Ojos Asi</i><span style="line-height: 18px; ">. Yes. We danced using the basic American Tribal Style</span><span style="line-height: 18px; ">®</span><span style="line-height: 18px; "> vocabulary (Egyptian, Arabic, Arabic Shimmy, Pivot Bump, Turkish Shimmy, and of course the luxurious Taxeem). I had seen her doing Double Back and Chico 4 Corners during her performance so I threw them in as well. I also threw in the Chico 4 Corners passing and she caught that. Some of the moves didn't "translate" well between us but it all made sense because later she told me that she did Gypsy Caravan.</span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMdB5xnYY0H5snTbWngcb3yW5P8DDSb_xQYHCPfnYdvYt9Habu2K0AFuWVAe4J4AVAZos-mPmhaH_AX3jJ2vHCVHlqykRa1NJg9idNuCIWuhiixxO4VsbG-tQJ61YOgieXQV-HzDPKryD/s1600/IMG_5759.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMdB5xnYY0H5snTbWngcb3yW5P8DDSb_xQYHCPfnYdvYt9Habu2K0AFuWVAe4J4AVAZos-mPmhaH_AX3jJ2vHCVHlqykRa1NJg9idNuCIWuhiixxO4VsbG-tQJ61YOgieXQV-HzDPKryD/s400/IMG_5759.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700911520148940962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px; ">Still, it felt really good to dance with someone I'd never danced with before, and we did it quite seamlessly. Of course I blundered by doing Slow Moves when the song was still fast (I hadn't listened to <i>Ojos Asi</i> in ages), but still, doing the on-the-spot improv felt so natural. After the song ended, Ms. Ciocco encouraged me to explain to the crowd that we had never danced together ever and then we shouted, "That's the power of Tribal".</span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px;">Oh, and yeah, I also made another blunder by CHANGING INTO MY STREET WEAR. Haha.</span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px;">It was a fun night, although I really wish we could see more Tribal and Fusion belly dance. </span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px;">***</span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px;">Photo credit: </span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px;">All photos courtesy of Tribal Babes Indonesia. </span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px;">In the third photo: (left to right) The emcee of the evening, Ms. Vina from Kalimantan (!), Ms. Nabila from Sahara Dance Jakarta, Ms. Miftahul Jannah from <a href="http://www.velvetraqs.com/">velvetRAQS</a> / <a href="http://www.dancewavecenter.com/">Dancewave Center</a> (yep, that's my boss... and her ankle boots...), Ms. Enna from Sahara Dance Jakarta, Desi from Tribal Babes Indonesia, Ms. Cinzia di Ciocco from Les Soeurs Tribales, Ms. Christine Yaven from Bellydance Jakarta, Ms. Patricia from Star of the East / Interlude Dance Academy, Yours Truly, and Yulia Bollywood. Quite a lot of line-up, huh? </span></div>famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-49722775905341693372012-01-16T04:49:00.000-08:002012-01-16T07:04:14.568-08:00tribal fusion intensive<div style="text-align: left;"><span >I'm teaching again! This time it's for an eight-week intensive program and not for American Tribal Style<span style="line-height: 115%; ">® but Tribal Fusion.</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:24.0pt; line-height:115%"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div><span style="line-height: 18px; ">It's only Rp. 800,000 per person for all eight sessions, but it's limited to </span><a href="http://www.dancewavecenter.com/" style="line-height: 18px; ">Dancewave Center</a><span style="line-height: 18px; "> students. We're going to do drills and end with a choreography to a short song (</span><i style="line-height: 18px; ">Sourire </i><span style="line-height: 18px; ">by Les Nubians).</span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px; ">Here's the little poster: </span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4DN1LVYx16HoFwnkhEyJNDiLQohsFmoPdJDxaia7zYQmnElokZQ6L3HnKf8mY7dg_1TddvGhBLV5yXJp8mejffimPQIiqG90Ir1ToJ71Zayy2mmKirBlSVC-zh9sfhjsONKn1z75acfk/s1600/Tribal-IntensivePoster.jpg" style="line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4DN1LVYx16HoFwnkhEyJNDiLQohsFmoPdJDxaia7zYQmnElokZQ6L3HnKf8mY7dg_1TddvGhBLV5yXJp8mejffimPQIiqG90Ir1ToJ71Zayy2mmKirBlSVC-zh9sfhjsONKn1z75acfk/s400/Tribal-IntensivePoster.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698211890645588930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px; " /></a><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 18px; ">For more information, check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/150703381709704/">Facebook Event page</a>. </span></div>famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4077115285336820690.post-70441338170942232342012-01-14T11:49:00.000-08:002012-01-16T06:54:35.658-08:00well hello there, 2012<div style="text-align: left;">Alright, as usual, when I'm back in Jakarta, I hardly blog. I have reasons! As soon as I landed in Jakarta, the grueling practice sessions and rehearsals began, and I'm not kidding. A few hours after touch-down, I met my <a href="http://www.velvetraqs.com/">velvetRAQS</a> girls and we practiced the two numbers that I choreographed for <a href="http://www.dancewavecenter.com/">Dancewave Center</a>'s annual recital, The Dance Within 3D: One World. The sold-out show (yes, sold-out. Again.) was held in the legendary auditorium of Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (Jakarta Performing Arts Building) on Saturday, 7 January 2012. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>Here are some photographic highlights from the show. Things weren't perfect (I'm trying to be modest) and by golly look at my bloated belly. Sigh. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>I resolve to own six-pack abs for the next recital. </div><div><br /></div><div>No, really. I do. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBWMf7hy2Y1cvf1-Lui3m4cPS_Dj6FfMGUPrGM7Es__kAZQTybBDOcPSXYuo9Bc4RSvPnhaInEpY1i3-1xAPcsyLpBhej6cepDp84uHujgi6ZOfWWjAMJS2QDS0RTsQIUNBjRk6iYvKHi/s1600/IMG_4996.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBWMf7hy2Y1cvf1-Lui3m4cPS_Dj6FfMGUPrGM7Es__kAZQTybBDOcPSXYuo9Bc4RSvPnhaInEpY1i3-1xAPcsyLpBhej6cepDp84uHujgi6ZOfWWjAMJS2QDS0RTsQIUNBjRk6iYvKHi/s320/IMG_4996.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697579770253009922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADsJFY7UuuoadPPcKo2SjrpAKbJKgtF4cDKs51oG2MDK6rnTEq0FUnjIhnBZhO38rqUBp34pbKy15C5vyG-qiBhIIbR5op3mRRrN1GeU0tEpLPgvDOYnwG5DZmZg-ZDtRGNHLW4wD6iRr/s1600/velvetRAQSSnowTDW3.jpg" style="text-align: left; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADsJFY7UuuoadPPcKo2SjrpAKbJKgtF4cDKs51oG2MDK6rnTEq0FUnjIhnBZhO38rqUBp34pbKy15C5vyG-qiBhIIbR5op3mRRrN1GeU0tEpLPgvDOYnwG5DZmZg-ZDtRGNHLW4wD6iRr/s320/velvetRAQSSnowTDW3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697579536104853666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRn6AzY2AQqOw9HFBsesWkd_f5v9Dnzu-DSDEXwf22nicgWmmpOSu4fMzfRKBSrUDs5HbyXo-dbiE3DUmBC2crNg7kQTNPAxEWAWauCeqLVdZPRbkHGvhzzxAqrae3E64QiVt_A8zofw_s/s1600/IMG_5020.JPG" style="text-align: left; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRn6AzY2AQqOw9HFBsesWkd_f5v9Dnzu-DSDEXwf22nicgWmmpOSu4fMzfRKBSrUDs5HbyXo-dbiE3DUmBC2crNg7kQTNPAxEWAWauCeqLVdZPRbkHGvhzzxAqrae3E64QiVt_A8zofw_s/s320/IMG_5020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697579540487280578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrndKZcV6v-zBSyQq3rNMS-1iC8jv5WMV2eZyA3PFZXkTeXh6FN9TuwzdNXHzjQM0vgneTzU1Q70bye-BrsG9HRfFpGD3wTH-xi-RGCAUqAuT49YiaCJJM0AtiNOh9kVpP5u_pGtFDpYr/s1600/IMG_5055.JPG" style="text-align: left; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrndKZcV6v-zBSyQq3rNMS-1iC8jv5WMV2eZyA3PFZXkTeXh6FN9TuwzdNXHzjQM0vgneTzU1Q70bye-BrsG9HRfFpGD3wTH-xi-RGCAUqAuT49YiaCJJM0AtiNOh9kVpP5u_pGtFDpYr/s320/IMG_5055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697579544851139010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px; " /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnC-TQEExBnaLq49YMjncm3UwCOyq6UL5M_m3TVCLZZneki2p5lyWEp5wW2psyJzgE031-uPaDBnu5CIqXcysKNHRyxlSaGCLD-zL6_2XUqEN0fSzuvlou-CrSl6ESw3p8BaPFD5fDkgj/s1600/IMG_5060.JPG" style="text-align: left; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnC-TQEExBnaLq49YMjncm3UwCOyq6UL5M_m3TVCLZZneki2p5lyWEp5wW2psyJzgE031-uPaDBnu5CIqXcysKNHRyxlSaGCLD-zL6_2XUqEN0fSzuvlou-CrSl6ESw3p8BaPFD5fDkgj/s320/IMG_5060.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697579552908050594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwZZnW5Gvw1PNKkYrE8z6s3jI8NLy68-RvD7Ksl3S9ci-mpec5GI5_ik1LbRyWhrHoJSbGsO9e6FcGoU63f58L1vg8I3o4GKUWyL6IwJoXja6484tBmVrbNY3JPaRmlN0uqY5EUOdF8eN/s1600/IMG_5077-1.JPG" style="text-align: left; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwZZnW5Gvw1PNKkYrE8z6s3jI8NLy68-RvD7Ksl3S9ci-mpec5GI5_ik1LbRyWhrHoJSbGsO9e6FcGoU63f58L1vg8I3o4GKUWyL6IwJoXja6484tBmVrbNY3JPaRmlN0uqY5EUOdF8eN/s320/IMG_5077-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697579561751437938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The pictures of the velvetRAQS in white Tribal Fusion attire (headdress, bra of the girls, my top, and my belt are all made by me) are of us dancing as Snow Flakes using choreographed moves from <span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 204); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span><a href="http://www.fcbd.com/" style="text-align: center; ">FatChanceBellyDance</a><span><a href="http://www.fcbd.com/">®</a> vocabulary. I'm very proud of my posture as it totally slims down my belly. Haha. I wore my new Ivory Tulle bi Telli scarf from <a href="http://www.safticraft.com/">Safti Craft</a>. I only have good things to say about Safti. Very timely production and shipment. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>The second set of pictures are of us in black Tribal Fusion attire (my top and belt are made by me). I danced as Kali-Ma who slays the Three Goddesses of Time so Earth could return to her glory (before time, before humans exist). </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm still waiting for pictures from the first Tribal Bellydance & Fusion Festival organized by Tribal Babes Indonesia, right the next day after The Dance Within 3D: One World, where I danced two numbers. I've got a really cool story for that evening.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">***</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Photo Credits: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Photos 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are by Diana Tri from <a href="http://pikmephotography.blogspot.com/">PIKME Photography</a>. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Photo 2 by Yudha Wiraghupta. </div>famousfelinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01667698661053883432noreply@blogger.com0