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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7. June 2009 by Khizmet.

Saturday June 6th, some lovely members of Karma joined me at the Arts Festival.   We danced 3 numbers, the first was a folkloric dance, Assaya (cane). Rebecca and Donna are dancing with me here.

Notice that we are wearing full length dresses that cover our bellies.  Most people don’t know that there are many styles of costuming in belly dance.  The dresses are called Beledi dresses, and there are 2 styles, one where the front allows a decorative bra to be seen (Rebecca and Donna are wearing that type), or it totally covers  you up, like the one I am wearing.

Then we were joined by  Sonia, Faith, and Leah for a pop number and a drum solo.

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2. June 2009 by Khizmet.

A few Karma girls and I will be dancing at the Cambridge Arts Festival this Saturday, June 6th downtown Cambridge in the Center for the Arts  from 4:35 til 5pm. We will be doing a little folky number with assayas (Canes), and then a little pop number and a drum solo, then I’ll show anyone in the audience who is interested a few belly dance moves.

Also Rhaehana and Bella Luna will be joining us for a spectacular Fire Themed show at the Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts.  Friday June 12th.  We will be performing in the new City Hall ! I am so excited!!! we are scheduled to perform at 9:15 pm…. we hope to see you!   the event is free this year as well so bring ALL of your friends!

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12. April 2009 by Khizmet.

soon I will have pictures of my sparkly students…

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12. April 2009 by Khizmet.

Sunday, April 5th, Rhaehana hosted a bellydance Student gala….as always it was exciting to see new dancers and long time friends! I had a BUNCH of students perform! My intermediates and advanced students….as well as Karma < my troupe!

Karma opened the show with one of my “themed pieces” that I just LOVE LOVE LOVE to choreograph

Katherine Howell caught some amazing shots!

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2. April 2009 by Khizmet.

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