Melodia Goodness

Lots of plans in the works for Beledi Bay...
one of these is a fundraising promotion to help build the kitty for a fall cancer benefit we're laying plans for (w/ a small portion being set aside for our new troupe). Bonnie over on Melodia tribe has allowed me to post threads there about our Melodia Promo to get members to send in pics of them in their lovely pants for use on the web page. So now that I've opened the promo, I'm giving members of that tribe a full week to enter before posting it everywhere and opening the promo to the general public.

Other things in the works are a workshop w/ an enchanting Rajasthani dancer (a master of the Gypsy snake dances and Royal Palace dances from that region, you can see them doing this dance in the film Gypsy Caravan which is widely available here in the States). We just brought on two new instructors (for our Hawaiian/Polynesian and also our African dance classes), and starting to get calls in to the studio for both gigs and performances. Things still going somewhat slow - but def starting to gain momentum...

Live on the air! (again)

WTAN 1340AM has asked us back (for a third time) to talk about belly dance and to talk up our little studio... If you can tune in to the "BCC Show" from 3-4pm EST you'll be able to hear the live broadcast
OR www.tantalk1340.com/

Another guest that will be on with us is Donna Lee, and she does permanent make-up. So If that is something you've ever considered, then you'll def want to hear what she has to say. I, myself have permanent make-up (both my lips and eyes have been done). Now I still add to that for performances - but no longer worry about my everyday look.

Later!
~ Chandra ~

Going Live!!!

Just a head's up here ya'll...

My business partner, Kimara & I are being interviewed LIVE on CNN Radio (WTAN - 1340 AM) at 3pm today. We'll be talking about the health benefits of belly dance. Both of us are soooo nervous and excited at the same time.
Hope all goes well - tune in and wish us luck!

Just me
~ Chandra ~


The update:
The live interview went pretty well. Was a bit diff than we expected...
We'd been told about breaks for adverts and traffic reports - but not about live callers. We interacted w/ the other on-air personalities and callers phoning into the show. And think it went pretty well.
Obviously, so did the radio station - as we've been asked to return again next week (Woot! Woot!)

Oh, forgot to mention that in addition to the Live Broadcast, there's also live streaming video of the show. (3 Woots!)

I got it!

The fever...
for rhythm, the fever for dancing.
A fever for life!

This was a great weekend guys. Spent the day dancing in Lake Wales at an event put on by World Dance Bazaar. There were other dancers there as well (Black V and Blue Caravan danced together) and there were cloggers, a kids’ modern jazz, Tango dancers, ballroom and swing, and several other belly dancers and troupes.

Then top that off w/ the fab drum workshop held at the studio last night. Buddy helm was excellent. We all came away w/ more than we thought. You’ll def have to catch him sometime (he will be at Para Lounge in May).



And Hey! it’s Saint Paddy’s Day
you got your green on? If not, I shall have to hunt ya down an goose ya...

Open!

Finally! after all the hard work, delays, etc...
Beledi Bay Is open!
I am sooo freakin' jazzed - my dream is coming true!

I picked up my instruction and merchant licenses yesterday afternoon and studio doors are open as of today. Good thing too - as first classes scheduled to begin Monday. Drop by and check things out - we're more than happy to give you the nickle tour and sign you up for classes...

The studio is looking great - although the white dance floor is going charcoal soon (had to just get open), and things will continue to be added as time goes on which will add to the feeling that you have just entered a luxurious tent in the oasis.

Touting ourselves as an alternative dance and exercise studio - www.BelediBay.com
We offer more than just bellydance. Hawaiian/Polynesian, Yoga, Mat Pilates, Zumba, West African Dance, Drumming, Fire Dance, and more. I'm still interviewing instructors, but we do have a tentative class schedule up (I just emailed updates to my tech guy - and they should be up soon. If Johanna's info is showing up under the instructors page, then info is current as of today)

I spent yesterday putting the costuming items on hangers up in the boutique section of the studio. Mostly caberet items and hip scarves just now. Waiting for the silk veils, fringe skirts, and other tribal tidbits to arrive. If you have decent sewing skills and make costumes and such yourself - Beledi Bay will sell them for you on consignment. Drop by w/ what you've got and we'll talk!


See ya!!!

Still?!???

Ok, so its been a while since I blogged (or much of anything recently).
Nov was a crazy month... Perfomances, classes, trying to get the studio open. One of my roomies (*K*) had to go to hospital, It was pretty serious - and he nearly died. And my other roomie (Mandy) was freaking out bout it (Mandy is *Ks* GF). Then I had my great aunt (whom I'd not seen since I was 16) come and stay the week w/ me. That was kewl.

Things are still moving forward w/ the studio - getting the space refurrbed and ready to open is taking a LOT longer than anticipated. But we are getting there...
Classes begin in Jan (Yaaaay!!!)
Filming the performance portion for our "BD line dancing" vid is this month (w/ the instructional part to be filmed in the studio once open)

And thats pretty much the stint of my life at the moment. Getting the studio open is getting all my focus and attention. I promise I'll ome out and play again once everything settles...

Hugs!
~ Chandra ~

It's mine!

Yaaaayyyyyy!
the studio space I've wanted is now mine!

Took bloody long enough...
but after on again / off again negotiations w/ the landlord, I had all but given up on getting this space (had actually begun negotiating on another space - but really, REALLY wanted the Dunedin location). The landlord heard through the grapevine that I'd made overtures on the "other space" and aquessed to my terms.

So I got the space I wanted - and on my terms
(Yaaaayyyyyy! Bounce, bounce...)
That's why I been doing the happy dance this week.

Kimara & I to begin getting the inside ready starting next week
(just resting up for it over the weekend).
I'm friggin' excited as hell!

Recovering indeed!

I'm finally taking a much needed breather and resting up from all the furious activities of these past few weeks. I never knew how much time and effort went into putting on an event. But I certainly do now! IMHO it went really well, thanks to the efforts of Riz, Amy, Steve, Shannon, Karen, Pat, Kim & myself. Kudos to all the performers (such fab dancers all)

I truely enjoyed meeting Amy Sigil of UNMATA. The chick def rocks! I had seen UNMATA perform before, and had taken a workshop w/ them in the past. Never knew how real (or how hot either) Amy would be. (Hmmm... think I've a new secret crush)


Amy says Florida is still recovering from her workshop - and LOL, she's right! If you didn't make it to the workshop or Benefit, you totally missed out. I didn't know one could learn a choreo so quick. It was "Fast and Furious", but also fun (def raised the cardio and kicked OUR butts).

The beni was informal and went very smoothly - despite all my worries that some major catastrophy would ensue. Lots of winners in the raffle, and the silent auction had some fantastic items that help raise a bit more $$jack$$. If you'd didn't make it out to either either event - and would still like to make a donation, the webpage www.firewhip.com/hip-expressions/ is still open and the paypal button functional.

THANKS AGAIN EVERYBODY!

The near future

Ok, the new studio is NOT going to be done in in time to host the UNMATA workshop there - so it has to be International Bazaar (thanks to Lisa Myers there...).
I'm kinda bummed that things taking so long getting opened.
But am sooooo happy that the workshop is still going off. And several performances coming up this week also.

In a way, the delay is a good thing. Gives me a little extra time to get marketing materials and other things done. There never seems to be enough time in my day to acomplish everything what needs doing...


Been working on a couple of really kewl and edgy choreos, to some diff kind of music than traditionally used in BD. I really need to get some moves sharpened up a bit and execute better - but they are gonna be soooo friggin' "IT" when perform them. YEAH BABY!

I'm also looking forward to the Benefit for Johanna this coming Thurs (Oct 11th). Aside from performing, and getting to watch the other dancers when they do their pieces - am happy to be able to help out. I love Johanna - she is a real inspiration and a hard taskmaster when it comes to the dance. Another thing to look forward to is riz doing his veil piece. Now THAT is gonna be uber kewl! Don't get to see many guys dancing...

After the 13th things quiet down only a tiny bit. But I shouldn't be running all over by then - have more of a reg schedule (I hope). I'll try and write updates as can.

Peace Out Everyone!
~ Chandra ~

Happenings

Well, its been a while since I've blogged.
Soooo much has been going on...

Working up a new duet w/ my studio partner Kimara (costuming and music VERY edgy/different), and getting ready for several upcoming performances with my troupe as well. I'm also helping to put together one of the benefits for Johanna (doing this along with Riz of "Fire by Riz", Karen of "Hip-Expressions", and others). And then there's the UNMATA Workshop, of which I am totally looking forward to (for several reasons).

One of those reasons is that if my studio is open in time - the workshop will be held there (if not, a secondary location is available). Another is that I sooo love UNMATA, and now that my dancing has progressed a bit - I've been wanting to take another workshop with...



Have hit a few snags w/ regards to getting my studio open - but things still moving forward (end of Sept looking iffy - but shortly thereafter is very real).

So far "Beledi Bay" has an instructor for Egyptian/Caberet (Patti Berber, who incidently is also stage mngr for Loud Zoo - and was referred to me by Johanna), one for Tribaret/Fusion (my partner Kimara), Myself and another (April) will each be teaching a "Foundations Class". Cassy (many of you in the area have seen her at the Dunedin Brewery and on Treasure Island) will be our Hooping instructor and also teaching Fire Dance, and Nancy will be instructing Hawaiian and Polynesian. I'm still working out the details/schedule for our M.E. Rhythms instructor.

I would dearly love to have a male instructor (as several men have expressed an interest is learning - but prefering a male instructor vs a woman). And am also wanting an experienced/qualified instructor for afro and/or street dance/hip-hop...