Costume Almost Done!

Well, not to brag, but I don't look forty! I've always tried to have a "childlike" approach to life-laughing, smiling, feeling things deeply. I took this pic me last week late one night when I had just gotten out of the tub. My hair is naturally curly-still rather wet here and uncombed.

My new costume is done except for matching mits that are beaded and sequined and look like snakes. Perfect for "snake hands" moves. Outfit will be very ethnic, reminiscent of a cross between the old "World's Fair" look and something from vintage Barnum and Bailey Circus. There is much copper color, black, red, blue and I invented a belt that has special adjustments that incorporated a forest green velvet. I will probably wear this one when I shoot my video next week.

I have another costume in the works that is rather Grecian inspired. I have had so much delight the last few weeks doing what I love-reading reference materials about costume in antiquity-Greek-Mesopotamian, Persian, Byzantine, Egyptian-the whole nine yards! Amazing stuff. Fascinated with the use of "tiers" and "flounces" in some outfits from the Minoan period in Greece. Very much the same in other cultures like the Indian, etc. When we think of Greece in olden times we forget how varied the looks were. The Cretan Snake Goddess wears the tiered type skirt.

Many fashion styles that come in and out of favor for day wear have borrowed so much from ancient times it's always fascinating to recognize when researching. When I worked in Fashion as a day job I was very talented because of my overall interest in costumes, clothing, accessories, etc. I was always very artistic and when I managed clothing stores or did visual merchandising/window display I always boosted sales. I actually got to be the assistant to a fellow named Bob who used to head up Saks Fifth Avenue's windows when I was a little girl back in the seventies. I remember him so well in the window really hustling it to get the XMAS windows done. Funny, how we ran into each other and I got to work for him down in Florida about 15 years ago or so. Small world!

Natalie Wood-Splendour

This is a photo from the fan page on angelfire.com. Natalie Wood (born Natasha Gurdin) is one of my alltime "idols" along with the great Jennifer Jones (born Phylis Isley). I was born and raised in Hell's Kitchen NY and what happens to me when I watch "West Side Story" is no less than "electric." A couple of years ago, I watched it for the umpteenth time and the crying lasted 3 hours after it was over...but you know it's that kind of crying which makes us feel so cleansed-so alive-so wonderful and passionate! I've always felt that New Yorkers have the ability to turn our great social tragedies into art. It's our way of healing-of sharing with the world. "West Side Story" is the epitome of that idea.

I will never forget NYC anchorman Rolland Smith report her death on the air in 1981. I was thirteen...my heart was broken. I had seen most of her films at the Carnegie Hall Cinema Revival House. I felt lost to know that she was gone.

Other favorite Natalie Wood films of mine are "Rebel Without a Cause," "Splendour in the Grass," "Love With the Proper Stranger," and "This Property is Condemned," and the made for television "The Affair."

In old photos, her eyes still haunt us today.

"Armenian in World Dance"

I am proud to announce that I was included in the research project "Armenian in World Dance" by the State Museum of Art and Literature in Yerevan, Armenia. There will be a companion book published with my bio and reminiscences about my dance career and life and the special impact it has had on me through my ethnic identity.

When I was approached, I so wanted to give credit to my mother and father and their musical talent and careers. The researcher stopped me and said, "I would love to really know more about you!" So I gave him my all.

I shared my life in dance which started professionally at the age of one in 1969, took him through some of my experiences with our music and culture, and related my love for not just the music but our romantic and passionate people. I related to him what it was like to be a dancer deep in the heart of the "Immigrant Experience" and the special bond that the peoples of the Near and Middle East formed together in this country. I also told him that my return to belly dancing after a break for a time in the 1990's helped me to heal a devastating illness that crippled me for a time.

The researcher Artsvi Bakhchinyan, was very pleased. He said he had spoken to a lot of people, but that I was the only one who "could provide any details."

Look for my "youtube video" in the next few weeks or so.

The photo above is me at age six upon return to NYC after a tour out of town. I had been dancing since age one and playing zil since age two. At this time I began a seven year run on Turkish Television.