Holiday Hafla

Went to a Holiday Hafla sponsored by Haala. There was a swap table and Amara al Amir was vending. It was nice to see everyone and all the fun themed holiday performances. This is a photo of me and my good friend Audra Evans. She is a wonderful dancer and photographer too. She has done all my studio photos. I lusted after her teal costume so badly, I had to order one just like it...LOL

Darfur Show

The Darfur Benefit Hafla was a big success. They raised over $1000. There were alot of great performances and the musicians were great as usual. Megan Freeman took alot of great photos that night. Here is one she took.

Arabian Party

I performed at an Arabian Party last night. What a great bunch and alot of fun!!! They had live musicians including Naji Hilal. The music was great! I could have stayed and danced all night.

More Surprises!

I danced at another Indian surprise birthday party! What a blast! I did a short performance and gave a mini lesson to all the guys, then the ladies. They were the nicest group and invited me to stay for a yummy Indian lunch!

Timbuctooth performs

Andy performed tonight w/ Timbuctooth at the North Regional Library. They sounded really good. (Made me want to get up and dance), but Anna was there and very restless. There wasn't a large crowd, but we all enjoyed the music.

Here is the link of some photos I took.


http://picasaweb.google.com/shimmygoddess/TimbuctoothAtNorthRegionalLibrary

baby dancer

Here is a photo a took a while back of my little princess, Anna. I can't wait till the day where we can really dance together.

Babelesque

The show was amazing!! This was my first time seeing Jillina and Rachel Brice perform and they are still my absolute favorites! The whole show was great, the dancers were wonderful, and the costumes were to die for! Jillina did part of her drum solo standing on a drum, and Rachels solo was my favorite. I was disappointed they didn't come out to autograph....maybe next time

Babelesque

The Bellydance Superstars are coming to Raleigh tonight, so I am taking my mom to the show....

Can't wait!!

HAFLAween 2007

Blue Moon Bellydance sponsors an event every year called Haflaween. This was my first year performing in it. All the dancers and musicians were great. I had some problems getting my costume together...my vampire teeth kept falling out and my cool eyelashes wouldn't stay on...so I didn't look like much but a gothic looking bellydancer. LOL.

I went on at the very end. The performance went well. Then after the show we stayed and danced until late. We got home after midnight!

It was a blast and I look forward to dancing at next years show!!

**Photo taken by Megan Freeman

Wild Wedding

I had my first solo performance for a wedding tonight. It was a Lebanese/Greek family. It was great!! It was at the Barclay Villa in Angier, NC. The house is gorgeous. They had a grand staircase to walk down. I entered with a veil and then moved into my performance. It was all improv and the crowd was the best I have ever danced for.

Surprise Surprise!!

I danced at a Surprise Birthday party last night. It was alot of fun! It was in Apex for a 40th Birthday party. Got the ladies up to dance with me too!!

In the beginning....

I have decided to start this "journal" as a way to express my thoughts and dreams for myself through bellydance. I began my journey in November of 2002, when I took my first bellydance class. My teacher is Clare Smith. I came to my first class that night very nervous and self conscious. I was 7 weeks postpartum and feeling pretty out of shape. It took a couple of classes for me to realize this was something I really wanted to keep up. I came to class every week and began to form my friendships with all the "regulars". We did a couple open houses at the dance studio and it was alot of fun.

I don't know when it happened, but at some point I realized I wanted more, much more. So not only did I come to class, but I really began to practice on my own. Through DVD's and just drilling myself on techniques and practicing what we learned in class.

I finally built up the courage to do my first solo after 2 years. It was at a Hafla put on by Belly Revelations. I did about 4 group dances and then my solo at the very end right as they were finishing up. I new if I didn't go out there and do it, then I never would.

It opened up everything for me. I still continue to work hard and try to dance a little every day. I have a ton of DVD's I need to work on, but am having more fun now just developing my own style.

I am obsessed with learning as much as I can. I am currently taking classes with three different teachers...one can never learn too much.