"I like to think about what was going on the year the grapes were growing, how the sun was shining that summer or if it rained... what the weather was like... I think about all those people who tended and picked the grapes, and if it's an old wine, how many of them must be dead by now. I love how wine continues to evolve, how every time I open a bottle it's going to taste different than if I had opened it on any other day... because a bottle of wine is actually alive... it's constantly evolving and gaining complexity. That is, until it peaks... like your '61... and begins its steady, inevitable decline... and it tastes so fucking good."

~ "Maya" of "Sideways"

~ The Best Day Ever ~

Out in the world, you'll meet a certain thing
Once you know, you make it so, you will start to sing.

You should laugh 'cause, it’s really up to you,
Even if you get it wrong, you’ll get it right the next time through.

Once you have direction, and once you know the game,
You’ll stand at the crossroads where every choice is the same.

After a while you'll know exactly what to do,
Even if you get it wrong,
you’ll get it right the next time through.

Life is true and life is exact.
What you give is what you get and also what you get back.

No use in crying, let's dance with the few.
Even if you get it wrong,
you’ll get it right the next time through.

You are here to grow and learn by your mistakes
If you don't, if you won’t, they’ll repeat at higher stakes.

When you believe that there is nothing you can’t do,
Even if you get it wrong,
you’ll get it right the next time through.

I wish you well, good luck with your endeavor,
Every moment is magic and this is the best day ever.

~ David Wolfe 2000
www.davidwolfe.com/

"Take [your] destiny upon yourself and bear it, its burden and its greatness, without ever asking what recompense might come from outside. For the creator must be a world for himself and find everything in himself and in Nature with whom he has allied himself."

~ Rilke

"An Artist is rarely pleased. There is no satisfaction. Keep moving..... Keep pushing..... Seeking...... There will B rest." ~Mia Michaels

(Durrrrn, I love her!)

www.miamichaels.com

Can't respond to y'all, and it's buggin' meee. For now, try me at MySpace or Facebook.

MYSPACE ~ www.myspace.com/elaenchanting

FACEBOOK ~ www.facebook.com/profile.php

Facebook Fan Page ~ www.facebook.com/pages/Ela...4811369034

August 29:
Littleton, MA. Moirae presents: "THE IMPROPER SPECTACLE". **Workshop & performance** @ The Manx-Cat Theater, 410 Great Road, Littleton, MA 01460. Workshop: 2pm-4pm, Showcase 7pm (Doors open @ 6:30p). Prices.... Workshop only: $25... Showcase only: $11(online), $15 at the door... Workshop AND Showcase: $35... For tickets & registration, visit Moirae's website: www.moiraebellydance.com Workshop: HIP-DROP IT LIKE IT'S HOT: A Fusion Experiment in Bellydance with Ela Rogers

September 12:
Cambridge, MA. "SUPER SASSY FUSIONISTIC BELLYDANCE EXPERIENCE with ONCA O'LEARY". At The YMCA Theater, 820 Mass Ave. Central Square, Cambridge MA. Show opens at 6pm. Tickets: $15. pre-sale, $20 at the door. Contact Jessi at lulamoo@aol.com For tickets, registration, & performance line-up, visit WEBSITE: supersassybd.wordpress.com/ T-accessible & plenty of parking (on street or off). For driving and public transportation directions visit The YMCA Theatre Website: www.cambridgeymca.org/theatre.html

October 3:
Woburn, MA. ZaBETH's 12th ANNUAL FALL INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2009. Workshops, Showcase, and Contest! @ The Courtyard Marriott Boston Woburn/Boston North Hotel, 700 Unicorn Park Drive, Woburn MA, 01801. Registration and tickets sales going on now! For more info, prices, and sign-up, contact ZaBeth at zills@earthlink.net (978) 373-0601 Checks payable to: J. Robinson - P.O. Box 6123 - Haverhill, MA 01831. Workshops by Ela Rogers, Aepril Schaile, Troupe Moirae, Chadia, & Zill Circle with ZaBeth! Registration at 10:30am-workshops. Doors open for show at 4pm.

October 10:
Salem, MA. "DESCENT: DANCES OF THE DARK GODDESS II: DESIRE". A show, truly, not to be missed! The First Universalist Society Sanctuary. Purchase your tickets now at www.aeprilschaile.com

October 17:
Taunton, MA. "2nd Annual HELPING HIPS BELLYDANCE CHARITY GALA". @ The Roseland Ballroom (The Hong Kong Restaurant), 174 Broadway (Rte 138), Taunton MA 02780. Doors open at 6:30pm. $35 per ticket - **tickets ONLY sold in advance** Don't miss this elegant adults-only event! Permormers include: Ela Rogers, Aurel, Melina, Najmat, Phaedra, Elena El Amar, Hanan, Kanina, & The Mirza Troupe! Light food, cash bar, raffles & silent auction. For ticket purchase, contact: info@helpinghips.org or call 508.822.6449. Send checks to The Helping Hips/Ancient Arts Studios, 590 Berkley St., Berkley MA 02779. Include name, phone, & email.

November 15:
Arlington, MA. "RAKS SPOOKI IV" @ The Regent Theatre, 7 Medford Street, Arlington MA. 7-10pm. From the mystical, to the eerie, to the downright chilling...each performance will offer a unique vision of the fusion of Middle Eastern dance and a gothic sensibility. *Proceeds from the show will benefit Women For Women International, a group that supports women in many of the countries from which belly dancers draw their inspirations. TICKETS are available at the Rengent Box Office: regenttheatre.com/events/Raks_Spooki.htm or call 781.646.4849




~ Message me if interested in locations or ticket information

March 28:
TRIBAL FUSION BELLYDANCE WORKSHOP @ "SHIMMIES FOR A CURE 3 - The Shimmy Fund". Gala performances following.
Location: The Somerville City Club, Somerville MA. Time: 3:45pm - 4:45pm
Uber Fabulous Tribal Fusion Isolations and Spins with ELA ROGERS .........*2/11/09 WORKSHOP SOLD OUT*
Workshop Description:
This workshop will focus on the all important warm-up, drills and isolations to build strong posture, and concepts breakdown of controlled stylized movements included for muscle isolation in Tribal Fusion Bellydance. We will focus on hands, wrist, and arm work, as well as concepts of different types of spinning. We will put some new skills to work with a short choreography. Bring a sweatshirt (you'll see why later), a yoga mat, and water. ...........To sign up for any "Shimmies 3" workshops, purchase tickets for the Gala, & more info... visit "Shimmies For A Cure 3" website: shimmies4cure.tripod.com/ or contact Rachel at lehcar1007@aol.com

August 29:
*WORKSHOP SOLD OUT* Littleton MA. HIP-DROP IT LIKE IT'S HOT: A FUSION EXPERIMENT IN BELLYDANCE - @ "THE IMPROPER SPECTACLE". Location: The Manx-Cat Theater, Littleton MA. Time: 2-4pm. A fun, whimsical Tribal Fusion Bellydance workshop, focusing on the fusing of Hip-Hop, "B-Girling", and Modern dance styles, and incorporating them into Bellydance. We will be drilling some eclectic patterns, locks and shifts, and shimmy drills, along with focusing on clean technique and proper form, that will strengthen the dancer's carriage. Pilates-based exercises to strengthen the core muscles will be featured, along with a delicious stretching segment! Come with an open mind, water, and a yoga mat! Let's FUSE! Showcase following at 7pm! FOR REGISTRATION & TICKETS, visit www.moiraebellydance.com

October 3:
Woburn, MA. FORWARD AND REVERSE: TRIBAL FUSION BODY MECHANICS - @ "ZaBeth's FALL INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL" Location: The Courtyard Marriot Boston Woburn/Boston North Hotel, 700 Unicorn Park Drive, Woburn MA, 01801. Time: 12-1pm. Just what it says! While focusing on clean technique and body awareness, we will drill movements and patterns forward, then reversed, initiated by muscle control to create un-human-like lines and presentation. We will mix "juicy and slow" with "rapid fire" to keep thinks interesting. Pilates-based exercises to strengthen the core muscles will be featured, along with a rewarding stretching segment! Bring a sweatshirt, water, and a yoga mat. Registration at 10:30am-workshops, Showcase & Contest following at 4pm. For more info, prices, and sign-up, contact ZaBeth at zills@earthlink.net (978) 373-0601 Checks payable to: J. Robinson - P.O. Box 6123 - Haverhill, MA 01831. You can also visit by BLOG "2009 Workshops Schedule" on MySpace for further details: www.myspace.com/elaenchanting