I'm going to have a daughter! :)

I have not been on tribe very much at all- life and other social networks seem to have taken over. I have gotten a few concerned messages from some of you (thank you for your thoughts) and I just wanted everyone to know that I'm kinda out of the loop due to the fact that I have been experiencing the new adventure of being pregnant! I'm 1/2 way there now (20 weeks)... due in early November and I just found out that we are having a little girl! Lou and I are so happy.

There have been an amazing amount of changes in my life these past couple of years... a lot of pain and loss... guilt and hurt... but also intense amounts of growth and joy and love. It feels amazing to be so literally full of life.


Sending love to everyone- thanks again for checking on me! :)

New Dance Afire Video Clip on You Tube!

www.youtube.com/watch

Monkey Do Workshop Weekend At Contradiction Dance!! April 10-12

Full Workshop Descriptions and Detailed Schedule!!!

It's time to sign up and lock down your space! Full workshop descriptions and
schedule below... feel free to contact us with ANY questions.
valloup@gmail.com



FRIDAY, APRIL 10th:

When: 7-10pm
Who: Danny Vogle aka Ignytor
What: Dart Making and Spinning
Cost: $35 www.facebook.com/l.php

"Learn to dance with a rope dart Danny Boy style, aka Ignytor who has amazed many a
crowd with his dart dance. All you need is yourself and a desire to learn to dance
with rope dart. Limited supplies will be available at cost to build your own
practice rope dart so preregister now so there is enough supplies. We will go over
the basic principles of Chinese rope dart and go into the art that it inspired. We
will learn patterns, wraps, shots, kicks and most of all how to move, dance and
perform with a rope dart."



SATURDAY, APRIL 11th:

When: 10-11:30am
Who: Cheeky Monkeys
What: Mental Warm-up Improv Class
Cost: $15 ($20 @ door)
www.facebook.com/l.php

Have you ever wanted to be better at thinking on your feet? This class is a series
of improve games designed to make you start thinking faster. There are no winners or
losers in these games, it's not about the wittiest or funniest, it's all about
warming up your brain for a full day of quick thinking By the end of the class
you'll be on your and mentally warmed up, it's aerobics for your brain!

When: 12-1pm
Who: Cheeky Monkeys
What: Showcraft - 20 Minuets in Vaudeville!
Cost: $30 ($40 @ door)
www.facebook.com/l.php

While there is no shortage of classes on "How to...", it's time to take it to the
next level! Take those skills you have painstakingly learned, and work them into a
great show! This class covers how to build a "bit", and then how to take the bits
and build a set and a show! We will also develop a toolbox of elements to get the
most out of your audience, heckler handling techniques, and much much more.

When: 3-4:30pm
Who: Master Juggler Garbonzo!!
What: Juggling! Beginner to Advanced
Cost: $30($40 at the Door)
www.facebook.com/l.php

Garbonzo!!, this interracially renowned Jester of England, will advance your
juggling skills no matter what level you are. Yes, even *your* absolute, afraid to
throw them in the air, beginners understanding, or your masterful six club skull
bounce can be improved upon. Paul will engage each of you individually and you will
leave a much better juggler for his company. (beginner bean bags available for
purchase $2each, $5 set of three)

When: 5-6pm
Who: Mr. Eon
What: Mental Magic with Mr. Eon
Cost: $30($40 at the Door)
www.facebook.com/l.php

Lean the basics of "mentalism," and other tricks to make people think you can read
their minds and predict the future! You need only bring yourself, a willingness to
manipulate both friends and complete strangers and pencil & paper to better remember
this cool stuff.

When: 7-10pm (maybe all day depending on weather)
Who: hosted by Tequila
What: Steampunk Burner Bazaar!!!

FREE for all! If you would like to bring a table of stuff to sell, trade, gift...
we are asking a small fee. Tons of costumes, green products, handmade items, art,
jewelry, bellydance stuff, hoops, fire tools!!! New and Loved...Reuse and Recycle!!
Contact us for more info: sgee@dcaccess.net




SUNDAY, APRILl 12:

When: 12-3pm
Who: Va Beach's DJ
What: DJ's introduction to Double Staff Stylings
Cost: $35 www.facebook.com/l.php

While a fabulous art in it's own right it can't be stressed enough how valuable an
understanding of double staff stylings can be for the practitioner you looks to move
beyond the confines of their beginning tool. Be you a dedicated poi spinner who
yearns for the simplicity and power of staff play. Or a burgeoning staff spinner who
looks with admiration on the subtle complexity of poi. Double staff is the gateway
tool that shows the way. This class is designed to engage the absolute beginner and
the self
taught intermediate alike. (if you need a set of practice double staves stay tuned
for a cheap kit and meetup date and time to assemble them.)

Class outline,
A. The basics
1. One Beats
a.parallel ( 5 hole theory)
b. butterfly/opposite (5 hole theory)
2. Two beat butterfly opposite
3. Three beat
B. Anti-spinning Introduction
1. wheel plane (side view)
2. Wall plane (front view)
C. Finger Spinning Introduction
1. How to do
2. when it's used
D. Other Staff movements
1. Long arm/extensions
2. Pistons/Chu Chu's/1.5's


When: 3:30-6:30pm
Who: Katie aka Surprise!
What: Hoop Performance and Choreography Playshop with Surprise!
Cost: $35 www.facebook.com/l.php

How do you move from being a good hoop dancer to a dynamic hoop performance artist?
Learn fun and original choreography combinations for kick ass solo, partner and
group hoop dances. Explore various performance techniques to create attention
grabbing improvisation, busking/ street, and staged routines. Participants will
explore characterization and stage presence and
gain experience crafting unique performances. You will have the maximum amount of
fun if you choose to bring a song that you would like to perform to, character and
performance ideas, costuming to wear and share, and your hoops!

Topics covered:
Performance- Stage presence, Characterization, costuming.
Choreography - Linking movements together to create a unique show stopping dance
Partner and Group Choreography - Fun combinations that can be done with partners and
groups with single and multiple hoops


When: 7-10pm
Who: hosted by Loup de Lou and Dance Afire
What: The last Pajama Jam of the season!!!
Cost: $5

Come out and play with us at the last inside spin jam- play session of the season!
After this we will be switching to outside gatherings. Take advantage of the
mirrors and beautiful studio space... AND play with all of the amazing instructors
who are in from far away!

The Kaihea Photo Project

Kaihea was an amazing woman who's life touched many of us in meaningful ways.

I have seen some really beautiful photos and stories online in the past day. I think it helps us to remember the good times we spent with her.... and to share them with eachother in understanding and compassion. These stories, photos, memories may be things that her family does not know about or has never seen.

Let's each print a photo or two and write something... a story... a memory... a thought, on the back and then bring them on Saturday to give to her family and Paul. We could put a board up so everyone can see the pictures... or just have them on a table.... or if that feels inappropriate, we can simply gather them in a box and let her family have them.

When my father passed away, it was very important and comforting to us to gather memories... photos... stories. It helped to remember his vibrance in life and to hear from the people who loved him.

Kaihea is at peace... but she lives on in our memories. Let's share some of that joy that she brought to us with her family in their time of sorrow.

Love

Bronwen

I'm Dancing at the HIPSXotic Benefit! November 6th at the Palace

I'm very excited to be a part of this!



Don'​t miss out on the 3rd Annua​l HIPSX​otic Carni​vale
Thurs​day,​ Novem​ber 6th, 2008
Doors​ 6 pm

Shows​ start​ing at 7pm.​.​and throu​ghout​ the night​!​
An inten​se eveni​ng of spect​acula​r perfo​rmanc​es benef​iting​ HIPS
With your retur​ning host Antho​ny Nelso​n……

Sides​how by DC's own Sides​how girl Mab just Mab
Class​ic Comed​y & Thril​ls by Charo​n Henni​ng & Alexa​nder Kensi​ngton​
Darin​g Fire Perfo​rmanc​es by membe​rs of Dance​ Afire​….​
Belly​ Dance​ and Drag King Perfo​rmanc​e by Bella​donna​ & Ken Vegas​…
Burle​sque by Lily Stark​ White​ & SKYE
Fabul​ous Door Prize​s….​.​
And more…​…

100% of ticke​t sales​ and donat​ions go to help HIPS meet and incre​ased deman​d for our servi​ces,​ helpi​ng sex worke​r lead healt​hy lives​,​ step by step.​

This show will SELL OUT! Limit​ed VIP and gener​al admis​sion pre-​sale ticke​ts at www. HIPS.​ org.


HIPS
Educa​tion*​Advoc​acy*​Suppo​rt
P.O. Box 21394​
Washi​ngton​,​ D.C. 20009​
202.​232.​8150 xt. 307
www. HIPS.​ org

Dance Afire Tonight!

It's Dance Afire's biggest and most exciting week yet... please come out
and support us!

Haunted Voodoo Luau at the Piratz Tavern
Thursday, October 30th- 9:00 PM
8402 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring MD

www.piratztavern.com


Nightmare on U Street at Exposure
Thursday, October 30th- 11:45 PM
Club Liv- 2001 11th Street NW DC
DJs RIB, Steve Archer, Liebchen, K
18+ $10

www.exposure-dc.com/


DC Zombie Lurch Afterparty at the Piratz Tavern
Saturday, November 1st- 8:00 PM
8402 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring MD
Meet up with the zombies earlier in the day to bring decaying joy to the
city. This is a fundraiser for the ASPCA- a small donation is requested.

profile.myspace.com/dczombielurch


Happy Halloweeeeeeeeeeeeeen!! :)

pic by Andrea Noble

Music and Words

I've been really delving into music therapy recently... getting back into the poetry that first brought me to a lot of the music I have loved for years, discovering new amazing artists and putting mixes together that reflect my emotions.

This song is from one of my favorite albums of all times... but I hadn't listened to it in awhile until today. Reflective, resonant... I feel these words right now.


"Joyful Girl" by Annie Difranco

i do it for the joy it brings
because i'm a joyful girl
because the world owes me nothing
and we owe each other the world
i do it because it's the least i can do
i do it because i learned it from you
i do it just because i want to
because I want to

everything i do is judged
and they mostly get it wrong
but oh well
'cuz the bathroom mirror has not budged
and the woman who lives there can tell
the truth from the stuff that they say
and she looks me in the eye
and says would you prefer the easy way?
no, well o.k. then
don't cry

and i wonder if everything i do
i do instead
of something i want to do more
the question fills my head
i know that there's no grand plan here
this is just the way it goes
and when everything else seems unclear
i guess at least i know

i do it for the joy it brings...

An open heart

Life swirls and twists us in extreme ways... change and evolution... realization and expansion. Sorrow dances with pleasure... fear with excitement and all as one our emotions, thoughts and experiences weave together to create the beautiful pagentry of ourselves.

The world is so lovely... so exquisite in it's imperfection. The dappled green leaves dancing with the golden summer light... the sky an impossible blue.... water, rocks and a child's laughter... the smell of salty skin. To be a creature that experiences soaring joys and crippling lows is both an amazingly special thing and an insignificant part of existence. To be human is to feel... to think... to act... to hurt... to heal... to love... to hold... to let go... to sing... to dance... and to hopefully survive the adventures of life with a heart that stays open.


Beautiful Day by U2

The heart is a bloom
Shoots up through the stony ground
There's no room
No space to rent in this town

You're out of luck
And the reason that you had to care
The traffic is stuck
And you're not moving anywhere

You thought you'd found a friend
To take you out of this place
Someone you could lend a hand
In return for grace

It's a beautiful day
Sky falls, you feel like
It's a beautiful day
Don't let it get away

You're on the road
But you've got no destination
You're in the mud
In the maze of her imagination

You love this town
Even if that doesn't ring true
You've been all over
And it's been all over you

It's a beautiful day
Don't let it get away
It's a beautiful day

Touch me
Take me to that other place
Teach me
I know I'm not a hopeless case

See the world in green and blue
See China right in front of you
See the canyons broken by cloud
See the tuna fleets clearing the sea out
See the Bedouin fires at night
See the oil fields at first light
And see the bird with a leaf in her mouth
After the flood all the colors came out

It was a beautiful day
Don't let it get away
Beautiful day

Touch me
Take me to that other place
Reach me
I know I'm not a hopeless case

What you don't have you don't need it now
What you don't know you can feel it somehow
What you don't have you don't need it now
Don't need it now
Was a beautiful day

Hometown Evolution

It's so peaceful here. No one is in a hurry and there is a smile and a wave waiting with every neighbor. I'm sitting at the dining room table at my mom's place in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A small cozy house full of beautiful things on the top of a hill- surrounded by old trees. There is a kitty on my lap, one on the table and two looking at me from the kitchen counter. The air is so clean- the night sky so clear. Last night I sat outside my brother's new farmhouse- watching the stars and talking with him of books, politics and philosophy as the cows wandered by his fence. Water, air, earth and fire are so easy to feel here. I'm surrounded by love, family, animals and nature. It feels wonderful to breathe in peace.

My hometown- Floyd, Virginia- home of the Buffalos, host of the Friday Night Jamboree, mother to hillbillies and hippies-old and new- an amazingly cute one stoplight town nestled in the heart of the Blue Ride Mountains. Home of Floyd Fest- a long weekend music and art festival with a multitude of bands ranging from hard core bluegrass to happy hippie jam- coveralls and tie dyes dancing together in harmony. I ran into so many old friends- so many memories- blasts from the past. The children I used to babysit for transformed into tall bearded hippies... the friends I used to ride horses with turned into beautiful mothers with daughters of their own. New love and families coming together- playing and having fun... generations.

I'm here to spend time with my family- especially my mom who is turning 60 this weekend. I'm here to clear my head- think and rest and figure some stuff out. It is a time of huge changes- life is ever evolving. These past couple of years have been so intense- so full of huge life changes... I'm settling and reflecting... thinking about my feelings and needs.... figuring out my intents for the next step in life. At times I am full of sadness for the past- for things lost and things forgotten. I am processing through my guilt- trying to look inside and come to grips with some hard truths. At times I'm filled with peace and calm- feeling release and the quiet of being. At times I'm filled with joy and love and a burning excitement for the future.

Life.

Home- Family-Love- Evolution


"Bones sinking like stones
All that we've fought for
All these places we've grown
All of us are done for

And we live in a beautiful world
Yeah we do, yeah we do
We live in a beautiful world

Bones sinking like stones
All that we've fought for
All these places we've grown
All of us are done for

And we live in a beautiful world
Yeah we do, yeah we do
We live in a beautiful world

And we live in a beautiful world
Yeah we do, yeah we do
We live in a beautiful world

Oh all that I know
There's nothing here to run from
'Cos yeah, everybody here's got somebody to lean on"

-Coldplay