20. November 2009 by Khizmet.

Mid October, Alf’s parent flew out our way for a visit.  We went to the Toronto Minitaure show (1/12th scale doll house miniatures) because, well it’s an awesome show….and Alf’s Mom has been miniaturing for many years.  Alf’s Dad helped us start our kitchen renovations by adding upper cupboards and a new range hood.

 We went to the Stratford festival again this year.   We went to see Tom as Puck.           (I attended the University of Saskatchewan’s Theatre program with him…..ah good times good times….) He was once again…STELLAR!!!

Mandy of DownHips Dance Studio Hosted the “Belly Dance Bizarre”  show…. This year My presentation with Karma was entitled “re-HEARSE-al”  mwah ha ha ha!!

http://www.youtube.com/user/khizmetbellydance#p/a/u/1/Ijz1N_AG-kI

and of course this year’s continuation of my Doggie howleen video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANyZU_Yql0Q

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5. October 2009 by Khizmet.

 On September 19th we performed at the Waterloo Royal Medieval Faire!! Very exciting!

 It is one of my favorite events to partake in…..I think I’ve danced at it for the past 7 or 8 years now.  This year Khizmet and Karma were joined by Rhaehana and Bella Luna, and Mandy and Katie from Down Hips studio.  The faire fell on the “International Talk like a Pirate day”!!!  ARRRR

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18. September 2009 by Khizmet.

I LOVE the Royal Medieval Faire!!  I have been so lucky to have danced at it for hte past few years….once again, I will be joined by gorgeous wenches on the Queen’s stage at 2 pm… see you there!!

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11. July 2009 by Khizmet.

Today was the Student Gala for Haft Vadi belly dance studio.  What a wonderful time seeing friends and what they have been working on in class for the past few months.  Mandy did an awesome job again organizing the show….whew …that certainly is a high stress job!  Here are just a few photos that I managed to get.

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29. June 2009 by Khizmet.

ARRRR…they be fine garage sales in these waters….preparing ahead for the Royal Medieval Faire, a lass can never have 2 many weapons at hand…. cast your eyes upon these fine instruments of battle….a handsome price I paid that scallywag.

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28. June 2009 by Khizmet.

  Saturday June 27th, what a beautiful hot and sunny day…a perfect day for a dance performance.

Sonia, Faith, Rebecca, me, Catherine and Donna dancing to Hakim

Andria, Rhaehana, Michelle, Jenn with their first number
(Corinna hiding behind Jenn and Faith just out of  the  shot…. DOH!)

Donna, Catherine, Sonia, Rebecca, Faith and me dancing with Shamadans

Corinna, Rhaehana and Jenn swishing skirts

Me with poi, Rebecca with hoop, Donna with poi

This event was organized by the Silverheights Neighbourhood Association, and was a day of family fun and activites ending with a very impressive fireworks display at the end of the evening.

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25. June 2009 by Khizmet.

busy week so far

Troupe rehearsal!  woo hoo! Dancing on grass is not easy…especially my lumpy lawn!
Khizmet and Karma & Rhaehana and Bella Luna will be dancing at the:
 Silverheights Neighbourhood Association 2nd Annual family fun day!
 We will start the show with  our little Hakim pop number and drum solo, then Rhaehana and Bella Luna will dance their classic piece and drum solo, followed by our “groovy” Shamadan (Candelabra on our heads),

then they will dance a “gypsy skirt” dance, next Donna, Rebecca and I will do some glow poi/ glow hoop.

Tennis… 30 C makes for a very sloth-like “slammy” <my tennis and juggling nickname)
ARRRR! my team is at the bottom of the standings (does that mean we are kneeling?)….I fear some of my Maties may jump ship…they be keel-hauled before they do….( just practicing my Pirate-speak for international “talk like a pirate day”….Sept 19th 2009)

…..doggie classes….I thought I had it figured out….I am so wrong…. my Turbie failed his last attempt at grade 3 because he is reactive… when he sees another dog he tends to take an aggressive stance…staring and then wants to get to the dog and it always ends in barking and growling…the task for me is to anticipate this behaviour and never let it get to the staring stage…. the second he looks away from me I’m supposed to get his attention back to me….we also have a big task working on his emotional control.
    The last few times in the park (a good place for distraction) he was stellar…I’m trying to wean him off treat rewards and the goal is to try to make myself way more interesting than other things.  He loves his toys…especially basketballs….he’s popped a few already…but a basketball is too big to take into class so I have a conventional “tuggie”.
   Arriving at class, I whipped out the tuggie, but alas he didn’t seem remotely interested…so I reverted to my habit, which is treat reward…about 40 minutes in….he was really losing focus…and so was I… we were both sweaty and irritated…and I forgot all about trying tuggie again….we had 2 barky blow outs….both totally my fault…and on the ride home, Alfie trying to console me because  98% of the class he was an awesome little guy, but those 2 barky moments were all I could think about and really upset at myself…. I feel like I’m failing my Turbie again….

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21. June 2009 by Khizmet.

Saturday morning garage saling….yesterday we were out and about treasure hunting and a very interesting “tack” sale in Ayr enticed us South…..well since it was a drizzly day the garage sale was postponed…but even more fateful was that the Fresh Ayr Festival was on…..we wandered about the grounds and …..came upon one of my favourite Cambridge potters…(Janet Douma) and  belly dancers! A delightful group of women from, I believe, more the woodstock area?  I spoke mostly with Kim (Belly dancing and beyond is the vendor name listed in my program) who explained that she studies with Sahar from Stratford.  They were lucky enough to be able to dance in a covered area so as not to get their lovely costumes wet….what a wonderful range of ages and skill levels… there were a few young girls…I’m bad at guessing ages….but I would guess about 7 to 10 yrs old?..dancing alongside the women of the group.  I wish I had thought to bring  a camera… not even my phone did I think to bring along….argh!  a few highlights for me during their performance was a quite intricate drum solo performed by 3 of the beautiful dancers…..but I also noticed how nice their 3/4 shimmes were on the advanced dancers of the group.  It was noticeable that choreography memorization is one of the areas that they need to work on….(who doesn’t need to work on that sheesh!) and gosh darn it….smiling is one of the hardest things to remember for less expereinced dancers…and I’m sure as they perform more they will grow into their performing personas.

    Also very lucky to chance upon…was a performance by Alannah Mason.  I have heard of her being in the community but had not met her yet.  I was very excited to introduce myself and chat a bit before her set.  Her first song was a spanish song being very soulfully played by Zorba, a local group consisting of 2 guitars and a drummer (who played a Djembe and Conga), she danced with veil for the first song…and in shoes! (I bow down to anyone who can dance in shoes…I cannot!)

  Off came the shoes and she got down to business with an all percussion set (to Cd).  She had a really pretty green and gold costume, with a matching tie dye veil).  She has really nice stage presence with a very relaxed smile.  I’m pretty sure she improvised the set.  A delightful moment was when she invited a few of the kids/teenagers to come up and try some of the moves with her….they were having a blast.  Also fun was she invited me up for a shake too! We synchronized for some moves and took turns leading and following…  Her moves were clean and clear and she had a nice relaxed dance style.  Her arm stylings were also very nice…she was always aware of her arms and hands..right down to the fingertips.  
  The only 2 things I would have liked to have seen more of were ;
….a variety of songs…It’s super hard to try to dance to percussion for a complete show….it would have been nice to see some taqsim..it would also provide a nice breather. (the humidity must have been a killer yesterday!)
…. an expanded repetiore of moves… I’d love to see her 3/4 shimmy…I’m sure it would be awesome… she’s in great shape and her hip action would rock a 3/4 shimmy.

I didn’t get contact info from either of them (Kim and Alannah)….I hope they visit my site and send me an e-mail asap!!!

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17. June 2009 by Khizmet.

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12. June 2009 by Khizmet.

Tonight at the Mayor’s celebration of the Arts, we will be performing on the Atrium stage (in City Hall) at 9:15 pm!

 Khizmet and Karma/Rhaehana and Bella Luna  have put together a “fire themed” show for the evening…which includes:

 Shamadan (wearing Candelabras on our heads) ,Veil, Fan Veil, Arm veil, Poi veil, Candle dance , and then our Finale. 

Please come and say hi! 

The event is free this year so bring all of your friends and your family!!!

There are 3 stages of performers, there are visual artists with their work set up through the venue, and wonderful local Restaurants have delightful foods that you can sample.  See you tonight!  I am so excited!!

Khizmet

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