My Blog

Costume Almost Done!

Aziza — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:41:33 GMT

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

Aziza — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:54:08 GMT

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"

Aziza — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:09:25 GMT

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.

My Pretty Flowers!

Aziza — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:53:25 GMT

Ah! This is what I'm up to besides working on my new costumes! Got my hands in dirt yesterday and it felt so good. Planted these little beauties in some pots I got marked down last Fall. Yellow and one blue. Clay pot we already had and Johanna put her Mother's Day begonia in that one. What a blast. Celebrated it early! Mother's Day founded by a lady in West "By God" Virginia. They don't much like to tell about her on the news. West Virginia the "step child" of America. (Undeservedly!) No protests about costumes, "What it all means," the latest "cliques" and "critiques." Just the "earth" and "God" and the "basics" of nature. That's what it's all about! We rescued what might be a "Killer Bee" from our house last night. Going to a "beekeeping" seminar tonight and want to ask them what the heck it is. It's in a "bug house" right now!

Springtime Dancing

Aziza — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:04:05 GMT

My friend Bill took some photos of me outside in the lovely Springtime! My eyes have been itching a little from allergies, but I don't think it shows too much! Still working on costumes (sewing is tedious hard work, never underestimate that if you don't do it). About done on two and will be ready to roll. The coin/paillette belt in this photo will be in a black and gold outfit with "Persian Lace" type skirt. Looked at a used car yesterday, an Escort station wagon. Used to have one-need one now so I can travel out of here. The rebates are coming, thank God! The economy is terrible. My sister "Marty" went to Cairo recently. Will tell about that another time. She will finish school, hopefully in June and come meet me right after. We have a few ideas of how to get it planned. Will be bittersweet without Renee'. "Marty" never got to meet her. "Marty" is a sweetheart. We want to meet our brother Gary and hear about our sister who is older than him. She was named Alexandra and went to Egypt's "Fashion School" many years ago. All of us kids are artistic. Can never remember that "LOL" means "Laughing out Loud." I heard that again on the news last night. When I see it I always think it means "Lots of Love"-Ah! I'm so old fashioned! And Arabic girls are always "hot wired" to be "Helweh"......."Sweeeeeeeeet!"

Costume

Aziza — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:55:04 GMT

Cannot wait to finish this costume and do my video! It is almost done. Worked on it last night while listening to a vintage 50's album "Hits from Guru Dutt." Songs are from Indian Cinema directed by a fellow named Guru Dutt. The songs are fantastic!

In Memory of My Sister Renee'

Aziza — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:59:15 GMT

Two years ago, the week of my birthday, I found my beautiful sister Renee' Bushong through a miracle involving Morocco, Eddie Kochak and the unbelievable maze of belly dance history that has enveloped my life like a spiderweb. Renee' and I were entangled together in this web. When Renee' was 18 she survived uterine cancer. She had her adoption files opened for medical purposes. She eventually met her birth mother who revealed to her the terrible heartbreaking experience she went through with our father Samir Al-Tawil. Through that info, Renee' went on a journey and had countless interviews with musicians and others in our world in hopes of finding siblings. Renee' and I were thrilled to find each other in 2006. By my birthday week of 2007, we had a fabulous meeting. I didn't get to be with her much. We thought we had all the time in the world. I saw her in July of last year and then on February 15th we spent the most beautiful day in NC. It was like magic. We bonded more than ever. I did not have to know her all my life to love her and know that she was my sister. Two weeks later, her heartbroken boyfriend Terry called me with the terrible news. On Friday, February 22nd they were in a terrible car accident on black ice. Renee' was killed instantly. Renee' was the most optimistic person I ever knew. Her eyes were dreamy and filled with promise and love. I will never forget her. Our sister Marta is in Paris and devastated that she will never get to meet Renee'. Before she left my house in February she said, "I may not be so religious 'Z'- or go to church very often. But I have to believe there was some kind of blessing in our finding each other." We hugged. I followed her out to the car and I blew a kiss as she went away. I never saw her again. She was a tattoo artist in Indiana and worked with the mentally impaired. Today is my birthday and I'm without her...but her memory is "tattoo'd" on my heart.

Costumes

Aziza — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:43:57 GMT

This is a vest I have one arm hole to seal to be done with. The fabric was already beaded and this is a conversion from an old evening gown. I will have a matching belt and cuffs. I love the design.