Vadalna Tribal Dance Co. STUDIO GRAND OPENING!

VADALNA TRIBAL STUDIO GRAND OPENING!! – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18th!!

I am so amazed and honored to be part of this incredible troupe! So much is happening for us this Fall!

Help us celebrated the grand opening of our BRAND NEW STUDIO and enjoy
performances by:

Vadalna Tribal Dance Co. (www.vadalna.com)
Kalimba Sound System (YEA!)
Dance demonstrations by the studio's NEW TEACHERS!

PLUS

Hennah Tattoos by Veronika
Tarot Card Readings
And of course some free fiddles! ☺

Check our website for our growing roster of classes & sessions in:
*American Tribal Style (ATS)
*Tribal Fusion
*Modern Dance
*Roth 5 Rhythms
*Feldenkrais
*Tribal Strength Training & Drills
*Yoga
*Body Work & Reiki
*Special Monthly Offerings

"Kalimba Sound System is… a collective of musicians who use percussion, violin
and modified Kalimbas as the basis of the music. They also integrate the loop
based software Ableton Live into their set, releasing sets of sonic textures to
drive the music in new directions."

When & Where:
Sunday, October 18th
8-10pm
Vadalna Tribal Dance Studio
287 Amory Street
Jamaica Plain, MA

Looking forward to seeing you there!

www.vadalna.com

Now if you've marked your calendar for this then look a week earlier and mark the 13th! Coming up very soon we resume our bellydance classes.... more information below! Hope to see you soon !

Tribal Belly Dance with Vadalna Tribal Dance Co.

Tribal Classes RESUME this October with three new amazing teachers, even longer classes AND Vadalna’s very own studio!!! Can you believe it!?!? Hoorays!!!

Tuesdays, Beginning October 13th!!
Intermediate (Open Level) with Denise - Tribal Fusion: 6:30-8pm
Beginners (Open Level) with Shakti & Kali Das – American Tribal Style (ATS):
8-9:30pm
(PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED for Beginners)

Vadalna Tribal Dance Studio (YEA!!!)
284 Amory Street
Jamaica Plain, MA

$15 drop in/ $110 for a ten-class card

For more information, pre-registration & full class descriptions visit:
www.vadalna.com or email us at Vadalna@yahoo.com

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:
Intermediate (Open Level ) with Denise - Tribal Fusion: 6:30-8pm
Building on the foundation of Beginners Level I and II (or equivalent experience), Tribal Belly Dance: Intermediate (Open Level) introduces the student to the Tribal Fusion style. Inspired by the hard edge, industrial sounds of current hip-hop and rap music of Palestine and Lebanon, this session will focus on the heat of extremes. Heavily technique based, movements will range from new asymmetric gooey movements to hip-hop based brash, sharp movements of the underground. Movements will have a keen eye on detail, pulling in small yet powerful additions to the foundation movements that reflect the breaks, stops and layers inherent in hip-hop, techno and industrial music we’ve come to love while tying it together with a smooth, sinuous, juicy tribal flow. Students will end the session having learned the Vadalna choreography to “Splinter Factory” by Filastine. At the end of the semester, students will have the opportunity to perform at Vadalna's Winter Gala (not required).

*Prior experience or teacher authorization required to take this level. Please bring knee pads, a yoga mat and water with you to class!


Beginners (Open Level) American Tribal Style (ATS) with Shakti & Kali Das:
8-9:30pm

Learn the sacred art of Bellydance through technique, muscle development, musicality, and dance movement!

Tribal Style belly dance is a fusion style inspired by traditional Raqs Sharqi and folkloric dance movements from India, Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Spain. In this series, students will be introduced to the foundations of American Tribal Style (ATS) as made famous by Carolena Nericcio, director of Fat Chance Belly Dance. In this class students will familiarize themselves with ATS vocabulary and learn foundational movements through proper body alignment, basic movement technique, individual isolations, drills, fun combinations, and strengthening exercises that lie at the core of tribal belly dance's powerful yet 'ooey-gooey' movement. Additionally each student will learn to lead and follow the group through Tribal Group Improvisation (TGI), a cornerstone of the ATS style. This encourages a spirit of team-work, awareness and cooperation, all parts of being a "tribe". All sizes, ages, and dance abilities welcome!

At the end of the semester, students will have the opportunity to perform at Vadalna's Winter Gala (not required).

*$50 downpayment required to reserve your spot.

Menagerie!

Ahhh it's coming soon.
Menagerie
Vadalna's first full lenth theatrical production at the Multi-Cultural Arts Center in Cambridge! Dec 5&6, Tickets on sale now, check the website,
www.Vadalna.com for tickets
and to make 'tax deductable' donations for special extra's like snazzy tee's, program mentions, ad space and more!
Oh there's lot more info but it's late for me and I've danced till I can dance no more for, or type for that matter this night....
to the weary of feet and mentally fogged, sleep well I'm sure it's well deserved.

when what I do REALLY pays off! with Chocolate.

So in my crazy world of this promo this day and that thing next week, don't forget 'oh what was it a week ago?' I gotta say sometimes things fall in place pretty nicely! Some of you know I've been a bit down and hybernating brrrrrrrrr, grumble grumble. BUT then 2 days ago I got a little zest back in my step and started creative thinking and unpacking and blah blah blah I got another promo offer. This one for the weekend of Priestess Path in October, ehhh, too bad, then I looked again and wow I can maybe work a bit before I leave for the weekend. The really sweet and sometimes bitter part of this is that it's for a company called Transition Nutrition, (please look them up!) Raw Organic Chocolate, and they'd really like to work in Trade! So I'm figurering out when I can do what and they need a few more promo minded or want to try being promo minded, outgoing engaging organic nuts! Anyone interested just lemme know, asap would be good he's trying to get it all barred together. The convention runs Thursday 16 till 6pm Friday17 till 6pm and Sat18 till 4pm You may not have to work all the shifts either, And he's lookind for someone to work on Sat that would drive with him to NY after to work another event Sat evening and Sun, anyone need a free trip to NYC? I'd need some info on ya to pass it along, calling me works really well!
blessings with chocolate!
tiff

Comfortable Silence + day 1-6

So I've decided to abstain from verbal communication for the next 7 days! This is something I've been thinking about for a few years and putting it off for this reason or that but last week it re-entered my mind and I realized that I can do anything I want! And for now, I want to be silent, listen more often and more deeply, focus on other methods of communication and observe what happens around me. I'm curious what forms of communication I will become more dependent apon and how this experiment/experience will effect my life this week. I don't go into this blindly, 3 years ago I played around with 2 1/2 days of silence and am so excited to expand apon this! I am blessed with a job that allows me to go internal and be non-verbal. I am blessed by all of my friends that are trickling in from festival with lots of stories that I am just so eager to listen to and relive with them as they are told in whatever color and light they are presented. I am blessed with the inspiration to explore this and for the support of those of you who already know I'll be taking this up. So for this week I will work, I will pray, I will play, I will listen and I will do it all very, very quietly. I ask the nature spirits for their support and I welcome their messages and I am listening. So if you're reading this and you wanna reach me, don't worry I'll be checking my emails and if you leave me a message on my phone I'll get it, and get back to you in whatever way I can when I can. I welcome the challenges and difficults that I might face this week with open arms and ears and plan to keep a daily journal of what I notice and how it all progresses.
With winks and hugs I embark on my silent adventure.

Day One1
The first day of my silent adventure is almost at an end. I thank the goddess for inpiring me to embark on this journey and am very pleased to note that I feel this is perfect for where I am right now. The challenages of the day included a couple of moments where I forgot I wasn't speaking... as soon as the words reached my lips I remembered though and hay it's the fist day, this takes some getting used to! I was stung by another ground Bee this afternoon, if I get stung tomorrow it will be 3 for 3 and I'll have to get more allergy med's.. Wowsa not using words to get over that and then try to warm my co-workers was sure interesting! Little bee's what do I need to know? I'm here, listening, watching, definately feeling, I'm still open and if ya gotta sting me again I won't take offense! I noticed that I didn't listen to the radio in my car, and thought maybe it was because I'm already in such a 'what have I not been hearing' mode that I left it off and choose other stimulating noises to amuse me while I drove???
So I wrote a note in short detail letting people know why I wasn't speaking and the funny thing was that after people read it, most of them stopped talking to me until I wrote them that yes, you can speak, I can listen, I can answer in other ways, The point is for me to use my other senses and communication skills, not to silence the world around me. Funny funny. It was an amusing day, a hard day, an inspiring day and a day that I am ready to put to bed so goodnight, rest well, sweet dreams.

Day 2
It's amazing how many times during this day I found myself in deep thought. I suppose it could be the energy that I'm not using to speak finding an outlet through other means...or it could be the calm that this silence has created around me that just enables me to go to that sweet place in my mind that I treasure and visit not often enough. I'll think about that some more later...
This afternoon during work I took a coffee break and picked a cup up for my co-worker. I've become very effecient at writing what I need to quickly and the stumped guy behind the counter was polite and seemed very confused, I could feel the energy shift when he read my little note and then the dis-ease that set in only slightly, it was as if he had a bubble of his thoughts reading, should I talk, should I write her back? She looks normal, I wonder why she's not...oh just get the coffee and dont' offend her or treat her any differently. I realized that this could become both something for me with my mediations and self-disipline and how the world relates to me. It's so easy to be in silence in community. No one thinks anything odd at all, you all understand and I thank you for that, but in public areas that still have lots of walls up and fears and illusions, I'm sure no one on the train would realized I'm not speaking as we barely speak to one another on the T anymore anyway but at social events and other outings, people places, Perhaps I'll play with that this weekend?
It was easier today not let anything slip out and once again when it occasionally would as soon as I heard myself it would cease again. I miss my voice. I would like to ask for what I need, I would have liked very much to tell Jason to have a wonderful time at Spirit Fire, this is making me once again very self sufficient. I have what I need on me so as not to have to ask/write for anything. Yup, today was able dependance, apon myself and my trusty pen and paper. I wonder what tomorrow will show me? The bees did not sting me today though the medicine they gifted me with ealier this week began to itch somethin' fretfull! Instead they went flower to flower with me at work and I listened to them buzz and makes sounds that I couldn't or wouldn't and I was very catious not to bee disturbing any nests... Thank you little bees. And oh the lillies are pouring thier energy into thier seeds! It's a great time to harvest lilly seed pods from the bloomless stalks! Lets see what grows.

Day 3
Yesterday: I found myself feeling to rushed and busy yesterday. Very productive but not very calm while it all took place. It's a bit of a blur. I remember not being able to focus too clearly... I opted to sleep early rather than sit down and meditate and am thankful for that now. i remember a bit, I had my first encounter with... I don't know what to call it. But it was a situation when I think this guy was very poorly attempting to flirt as I was trying to park in beacon hill and when I didn't respond except but to smile here came the 'what you don't speak english? yeah I believe that' ect.... I realized that silence was also power and I pondered that as I prunned shrubs and pulled tiny weeds from in between rocks in a garden surrounded by bamboo, yup bamboo, tall and strong and the silence only amplified the sound of thier swaying in the wind. I took my time here to enjoy it as long as I could. thank you dear bamboo. I often visualized myself as a strong hallow stalk when I am holding space and whatever is passing through that space becomes water and passes through me as well, as if I'm a conduit for it to go deep into the earth to be obsorbed, transformed, cleansed and cleared or whatever is needed at that time... I shared that practice of mine with a sweet sister how I thought might be in need of a way to let things go, let them out, I hope she has been able to listen and release. blessings to all..

Day 4
I want to talk. It's been difficult to day to keep this up. I found myself very frustrated and turned to drumming, ah I love how I feel when my hands are tapping, slapping, snapping on a drum... I took a frame drum to what is slowly becoming a fern garden and sat in the cool afternoon air. It was nice to see nature respond to the vibrations coming from the drum. first a sneak attach by Noche' and then as I picked up the beat the squirrels became frantic with the round and round the tree we go routine which of course gave Noche' another target to set his 007 act upon! I met a man yesterday at a nursery. He owns/operates Weir Gardens and this was the first interaction with someone who didn't know my intention behind being silent that I have had a true connection with. He's incredible. As luck would have it I had to go back today for more golden tiara hosta's. He gifted me one and then I was asking about a certain flower taking over the fields and we went to look on the way back to my car and as his tale of purple luscent and native american weirs came out so did a magistic blue heron, oh how beautiful! I look forward to next week when I can thank him for his kindness, knowledge and sharing self. did I mention he's an organic gardener??? Lots to learn from this one if he's willing to teach. I drew today and I went to visit friends, I had only a half day at work and so much free time, oh I didn't know what to do! So I did yard work here and housework inside and lots of computer and mediation and research for creative expression, that's a little something I'm not yet ready to reveil more about but in time, just wait and did I mention I'd like to talk now? I'm giving it till morning, and then probably afternoon to see if this urge, desire, withdrawl will cease again... I wonder if I'm talking in my sleep like I did as a child????
Day 5
Struggling very much! I cleaned 35 wyman today and it was quiet inside, no one was home, no threat to answer questions before remembering I was being silent, no threat also for anyone to hear me if I broke this vow.... hummmmmmm nope integrity, then out of no where I found myself toning in the living room and had been doing it for a while when I realized, whoops, that's not being silent, so I let it tone out and closed my mouth again and accepted that it was unintentional and fine and just a part of my day and that it must have happened because it was suppose to! I thought very much about ending my silence on this day, I saw the sadness and confusion in my,kitties eyes, I felt bad that I could only physically love him up and tried to mind melt let him know that though it was odd he was still wonderful and very very loved! I think it worked!!!! He's a very smart one. My employeer didn't call me to work this morning, I think though he's been so supportive it's been difficult for him as well not being able to get the usual feedback from me and it taking much more of his time... thanks for understanding Eitan! So this day is ending, and we'll see how I feel tomorrow. it was a hard day, and I'm suffering with a horrible allergic 'to something' reaction! my head feels like a hot air balloon and I can't stop sneezing or needing to sneeze, it's confusing and a big pain in my ass, but oh well, this too will pass I'm sure.
Day 6
So this morning after sooooo much strife in the last say 24 hrs the fairies gave me a unmistakably clear sign to 'let go' and end my silence.
I was struggling trying to remember why I had started this and couldn't focus on even getting physically into a clear enough space to really give this question any attention. Wanted desperately to speak since I opened my eyes, knowing my plans for this day would take much longer and much more energy (that I didn't feel like I had) to perform without the benefit of speach was weighing heavy on me...
And then I came across my fairie oracle cards. For those of you who have this deck or have used mine you'll know they're pretty much spot on All The Time! As I manage to sit and be somewhat calm I open my deck and shuffle shuffle shuffle with my question in mind... what am I missing, what am I not listening to hard enough,why is this so very difficult right now? will I get through these feelings I'm having and be better for it? and the card that jumps out at me is the 'letting go' card. wow, as I read it's discription is so very clearly states that whatever project you are in is not having as positive effects as you had hoped and that it is time to Let It Go, release it to the creator and everything will be perfect! So with that I went outside, did my morning mediation and ended with 'Goddess Bless' and then began my first day of talking, non silence, re-emergence into the word of vocal communication and it was beautiful and very nice to be back. though odd at times. I found that I still was very quiet when listening to people and didn't really make noise in my car, I started to think about saying what is important and 'Letting Go' of what is not, not necessary, not needed, perhaps only a hendrence or potentially drama causing statement and focus instead of speaking from the heart and doing this verbal communication thing like all things keeping in mind balance and intention. I'm so glad I went on this adventure and yes I would happily do it again, just not right away! I plan to do some serious reflection on this as a whole and will update again soon. Did I mention this day led me to a womens circle on rocks and stone on the edge of the woods overlooking the ocean where primal yells temporarially closed our cirlce so it could be opened again in a lush green field with guardian trees on every side where we honored the earth and sacred nature and build the sweetest offering/ alter together and listened as the birds and squirrels commented on it and we wondered together if they were happy with what we were leaving? This is the wonderfulness of life and speach that I was honored to enter back into!
blessings.

FREE JAZZ! Ornette Coleman

Hey everyone, for those of you who know who this is, wow guess what????? He'll be in Burlington VT tomorrow!!!! and for those of you who know Eli, our most wonderful guitar playing (with an amp following him around the forestdance fire) brother, he's looking for a ride up there. He's staying at Jason's and can be reached at 415-548-0433 (his friend Brendan)..... For those of you who havent' had the pleasure of knowing either, this is a great day to meet both! The show is this Saturday the 7th! time is 8pm and cost is $37 to $75....
He has been called the 'best living musician, so fu#%@Q% awesome' and it's truly something to see before he breaks on thru to the cosmic, primortial oozeiness for good. So I love you all, I'll be heading to In and KY and OH very very soon, brother Eli waiting for the universe and the sweet love from community to come thru for him...
blessings and love,
Tiffany

Beltane Festival Sunday May 4th!

So this year I will not be at the Kentucky Derby why..... trying something new, many new things in my life these days but this May 4th I'll be in Central Mass with Oceana and Kellianna celebrating life and the coming out of darkness. This event is not to be missed!


It is Beltane! The Earth softens under the caress of the sun and all the world is new. We emerge from the darkness of a long, difficult winter; our eyes drink in rolling green hills budding branches and tender shoots. We breathe deeply the fresh fragrance of radiant blossoms. We have survived!

Our dear Oceana is heading it up and looking for more Drummers, Dancers, Fire Performers ect....! If it's calling to you to be in service get in touch with her to have the 'donation' of $11- $15 bucks waived. There's going to be food, a maypole, a fire jump, lots of good people and good fun and good energy to soak up and share! You can see more about the location at www.wesociety.com (look to the right side for events in the US). 3pm till 10pm or so... And if anyone is especially moved to be part of an elemental invocation she's looking for a few volunteers.

I hope to see you all there and my car has space in it for anyone needing a ride.

Home from Costa Rica

So much to say. Let some pictures do the talking first, I've posted many on the forestdance tribe site. please browse!
For now lets just say Ahhhhhhhhh, so good!

New Moon Ceremony's at the Sisterhouse in Roslindale!

How the wheel turns and how we grow and transform.
Not long ago I posted this while living in JP and now heart and home in Roslindale a new sisterhouse has emerged at 6 Malverna St. And true to a promise I made in that first home of womens healing I'll be hostessing more New Moon Gatherings. Starting soon, keep your eye out for more info and if you have any requests or suggestions send um' on over! Below is the post from so long ago.... a brief bit of what you might expect to see re-ignited. And at what a time when our moon could use some of our energy now!

Many of you have heard me speak about the new moon ceremonies (womens circles) that we have at the Sisterhouse on Paul Gore ST. Each month we gather together and set an intentional space for sharing, meditation, grounding and simply being. It's incredible and open to all women. This is a wonderful 2 hours each month where just as the moon is dark and we are in the dark waters we can gather together and embrace our wombs and the divine feminine and co-exist with life. check it out, I'd love to see all my beautiful sisters there.
Blessings,
health.groups.yahoo.com/group/...erhood/

Bikes Not Bombs

So while I was visiting Boston last October with so much free time on my hands I decided to go and volunteer at Bikes Not Bombs. A great organization, more about that later. I instantly felt welcomed and eager to 'get dirty' with wrenches and screwdrivers 'flattening' bikes for shipment overseas to less fortunate areas where riding a bike is the best transportation providing people with a means to go get food,and medicine, clean water ect... Every Wen night they have a community night from 6 to 10pm where they open the doors to whomever is willing to walk through and volunteer. Well I've lived here a month now and haven't made it back down there. Putting it in writting, sending my intention into the cyberworld I'm hoping will help me stick to it. It is so rewarding to help, to give, I'm gonna go take apart so bikes!!!