So, I ended up having a blast at TF this year, I'm so glad I went. I got to perform twice, at the Friday afterparty with Amar and DJ Dragonfly (who was great). A big thanks to Amar for letting me dance. And, as a last minute fill in, I performed at 1:42 on Saturday afternoon. I already had my wig and makeup done, and got the call as I was driving over to the fest. I'm glad I followed the 4 Ps - Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance, so I did not have to go on stage like a half make up drag queen (NOT PRETTY). After which I got to relax for the entire weekend, hang out, and enjoy the dancing (AND SHOPPING!!). I was lucky enough to stay with a bunch of hot potters, so i had lots of great peeps to hang out with. Much better than last year when i knew only a few people. So hears my performance highlight list for this year. It reads pretty much like last year (scroll back to see)...

1. Zoe - Zoe's my favourite. Nuff said.
2. Unmata - They did a race car themed piece, which, was amazing. Makes me want to go home and work on choreography.
3. Tjarda (at the Friday afterparty) - by far the best flamenco-bellydance fusion I've seen, putting others (including TF teachers) to shame.
4. Colleena - I missed her fusion piece, but got to see her rajasthani piece with Patricia Passo's bata de cola. Fucking amazing. I've seen her fusion, Oddissi, but this was my favourite.
5. Asharah - Asharah has balls. Last year she did a very intense, aggressive piece which called for a lot of stage presence. This year she danced to a LIVE CELLIST. Never seen that before. I wish the sound was better, it didn't pick up the cello as well, but it was brilliant.
6. Damage Control/Bellydance Mafia (Choreo by Cera) - best, most innovative, intense choreography at TF. WTF are the rest of us doing? We needs to step that shit up.

Honorable mentions!!! Other dancers I really enjoyed this weekend were: Kitiera (great choreo, killer technique), Carolina (trumpet fusion???), Daniela (from Florida, saw her last year, great slinky smooth style), Martina and her group from Vancouver (i'm so tired of derivative bellydance, these guys didn't dance like everybody else, definitely ones to watch).

Hopefully I didn't miss anyone! Overall I think the performances were much better than last year. Or maybe I got better at averting my eyes to some onstage tragedies. In any case, It was a fantastic weekend.

Oh, and there's a video of me on youtube:

www.youtube.com/watch