Air...lovely air

so, back from Brussels & Paris...yeah work.

Last trip of the 2008 tour completed and finally up for air.

Been out o f the loop - nasty divorce, lots of travel. This year:

Ended a 7 year relationship (dramatically)
Started a new one
Got more involved online, and couldn't keep up
Taught in like 9 countries (a couple gigs were cancelled, it was scheduled for 11)
Flew 139,131 miles for dance gigs
That's the equivalent of circumnavigating the globe over 5 1/2 times

For 2009:
NEW CD's! (Yes, working on my original stuff....Look out!)
Teaching in Egypt! (yup, me)
Learning more foreign language (like, maybe learn to communicatein French...and get some more Egyptian under my belt)

Excitement!

Hunchback wishes and Quasimodo dreams

So, I figure I'd pick up a couple of nice new dress shirts for Cairo. I mean, Princess Farhana (aka "Plez") decreed that we're going out every night. I figure to fit in I'd dress up - not a biggie, I like it.

Well, I don't really like how dress shirts fit me. Here's the poop and the cause for the latest insanity.

My neck size is 18 (actually more than 18, but that will fit me relatively comfortably), but I have long arms - so I need...get this:

18 - 36/37

So, you know how difficult it is to FIND one in that size?!?

Okay, now here's the real kicker: the way they cut men's dress shirts is like a tent. I mean, if you have those dimensions above, they figure you're built like a dumpling, I guess. I have broad shoulders and now since I've lost 4 sizes in my waists since last December, I end with a big baggy tent just above my ass.

This ain't workin.

So guess what insanity I try for?
I start looking for a *fitted* 18 - 36/37!!!

BWahahahahahah....!

Where the frak is my Xanax?!?
Someone just kill me now.

I bet Goldberg has a worse time finding clothes...hmmm

Help me track down "Shrook" by Samira Saied

Howdy

I'm wondering if anyone can help me verify the artist and help me find the album to a song I've found in MIDI files.

If your system can play MIDI, the link is at www.focusmm.com/sound/amusic/shrook.mid

As far as I can find, the artist may (may not?) be Samira Said also spelled sometimes Samira Saied. However, I can't find the song listed on any of the discographies I can find online and of course, I can't find an album from any of my 'usual' sources that has the song.

Anyone familiar and can help me with the info?

I heard on Bhuz.com that another singer recorded a more modern version, but the person who posted that info couldn't remember the name of the singer.
Any assistance?
Thanks!

Cairo Plans

Oh my — this is going to be insane.
Just got off the phone with Princess Farhana. For those of you who aren’t aware, we’re going to Cairo together.

Not for a festival, not for a tour, just to hang out and absorb. Well, and shop for costumes and take private lessons. The usual.

So we’re planning on visiting our friend Astryd (www.DanceAstryd.com) and hanging out with some of Princess Farhana’s friends. You see, she’s been there before. I’m the only one getting his…erm…’Cairo cherry’ popped. LOL

the rest of the post at blog.jimboz.com

Feed My Addiction - Used Men's Belly Dance Costume For Sale

There will probably be more as I clean out my closet. Hopefully going to spend this $$$ on new costumes in Cairo
(BTW - I have a kick ass pair of pants & belt I will asap. Black velvet Sharifwear jazz pants with kick-ass crystals down the side and a really kool belt wit lots and lots of silver/white fringe. Will post that when I'm home again)

Used Men's Belly Dance Costume

Custom made blue/gold with holographic sequins, ABCrystals.
Shiny blue fabric with depth in the sheen, catches the light. Gold lining.

Includes belt & vest.

This is definitely a used costume and needs some repair on the fringe. It was originally custom made in Turkey. The buckle was made & attached after the initial construction by a local San Diego costume designer. He also added extra AB Crystals to the belt & vest.

The fringe has come undone and apparently a few strands lost during storage. If I can find them, I'll include them. If not, it can be easily repaired by taking some of the fringe from one of the ends. I may have some fringe that would go with it as another layer. I can include it in the shipment or will ship at my own expense.

The vest fit me well when I was about 210lbs. I'm 6'2". I'm currently a bit bigger and have a 47" chest and the vest is a bit too tight for me. The shoulders measured across the back are 20" wide. The arm openings have approximately a 24" circumference. The back length is 20"

The belt is adjusted to fit a 40" waist. It can easily be adjusted to fit +/- 2" (that's for a 38-42" waist approximately - could be more versatile, I'm not a seamstress ;) The belt is 2" thin on its thinnest (front) and 4" thick in the back. It attaches with 2 big hooks and a big snap.

Combine these with your favorite jazz or harem pants!

AS IS $300 (includes shipping and insurance to the continental US - call or email for other shipping options)

No refunds or warranties - I'm spending the income from this on new costumes in Cairo.

More images at www.JimBoz.com/bluegoldcostume

email: contact@jimboz.com

Cairo - What to Pack?!?

This is my first time travelling to Cairo. Geez, what to pack?!?

Okay, I’ve travelled a bit. Just last year I flew more actual miles than the equivalent of circumnavigating the globe 4+ times. This year will be over 5.

So I’m not really a stranger to packing for a trip, although I admittedly pack a little extra. I tend to expand to the maximum weight and volume allowances.

Packing in just a carry-on? You freakin kidding me?!?

More at www.jimboz.com/blog/

Seeking Bay Area Belly Dance Promoter to Co-Produce Event for May or June 2009

Greetings y'all

We are seeking to put together details for our 2009 Men of Middle Eastern Dance event. We're hoping for the San Francisco Bay Area, preferable SF Proper.

The event would include:
- Showcase of Men dancing Middle Eastern dance styles
- Workshops featuring the

We would need someone to assist coordinating:
- Finding, securing a venue
- Coordinating videographers
- Local promotions
- Coordinating registrations possibly
- Working with scheduling of other local events

Details are flexible. We are hoping for a May or June event.
We will be hosting international stars who specialize in Middle Eastern dances.
Interested parties, please call 1-888-4-JIMBOZ, msg me here on Tribe, or email: contact@jimboz.com

We would prefer experienced promoters for this endeavor. Thanks for you consideration!
Jim Boz - MEN of Middle Eastern Dance

yes, it's been awhile....

Haven't posted to my blogs in a long time. Playing the logistics games with getting travel and details set up for this years' tour: 44 Engagements in 11 Countries. Can you imagine?

2008 Marks the SHUT UP AND SHIMMY Tour

I'm hoping during this tour to have some new music. I know during my UK Tour I'll be teaching ATS & Fusion, and I have original music. Well...umm...wait till you hear it. Just got the 'okey dokey' from the band, so still have to do the paperwork thing, but -- it's sort of a goth/industrial remix of a Djinn song.

Stay tuned!

I know there's a few people here on my friends list that knew me from 'back when' I was a full time musician rather than a full time dancer. Thanks for support - and yes, it seems I'm back into music and trying to fuse both. So all that messed up stuff back when I played in Tension Factor? Umm...kind of back.

Now let's see if I can actually learn Maqam based music arrangements. You KNOW I'm loving retuning! Equal temperament is boring! LOL

OKAY - But Here's the scary part:
The 2008 Tour is going and I'm looking at my 2009. I am now almost completely booked thru spring 2009. I have the following dates available:

April 18/19 (maybe PHX?)
May 9/10 (mom's day wknd)
May 23/24 (Memorial day wknd)
May 30/31

BUT - I have yet to schedule next year's Cairo trip!

Next year I'm tentatively visiting 8 countries so far.
SO - if you're interested in having me out in your area for 2009 - Chat me up now so I can hold a date for you.

...and then you can get me to bring you one of my custom remixes...foolish mortals!

Amazing how crazy things can go!
WooHoo!

For 2008 Tour dates, visit www.ShutUpAndShimmy.com

Okay, I admit it....

...I like pro wrestling.

Okay, it's more of a circus these days than it was when I was growing up. Grew up with a brother, so roughhousing was influenced by "Big Time Wrestling".

As an adult, especially in my 20's, we used to watch WWF and WCW. It was like a soap opera with body slams - a testosterone soap opera. Okay, yeah -- sorta staged, but those guys really get hurt. It's 'sports entertainment'. Very physical.

And hey, I'm a freakin dancer!
Like we don't do things that are staged?!?

So, I'm waiting for my flight to Houston. Hey, that's Bill Goldberg! Kool.

We get onto our flight. I've got one seat next to me and guess what?
Yup, he's sitting right next to me.

What?!? They put the bald guys together?

So I don't want to be a giddy fan - I mean, we all know our stage persona isn't the real us, it's a role we play for entertainment. After a bit of sitting in our seats, I'm reading a book, I mention, "You know, when I used to be more buffed, little kids would think I was you."

"Hey, I'm really sorry about that, " he responds.

He's a great guy. Bright, family guy. Gave me some frequent flyer pointers.

But yeah: Giddy.

I told him I hope no one thinks he is me and apologized in advance.
"What do you do?" he asks

"...oh, I'm a belly dancer."