Ramblings of a Travelling Belly Dancer

Cairo Plans

JimBoz — Fri, 09 May 2008 02:19:08 GMT

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 http://blog.jimboz.com

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

JimBoz — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:57:39 GMT

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?!?

JimBoz — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:13:31 GMT

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 http://www.jimboz.com/blog/

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

JimBoz — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:45:52 GMT

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....

JimBoz — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:06:52 GMT

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....

JimBoz — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:31:37 GMT

...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."

Jim Boz's Local Class & Announcement Info for 02/07/08

JimBoz — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:11:34 GMT

You can sign up for my local & class announcement list, in addition to my General announcement list, at http://www.jimboz.com/phplist/?p=subscribe&id=2 Greetings Middle Eastern Dance Fans! A couple of quick announcements: - JBSD Field Trip to Dallas for the Fifi Abdo workshops & show! - Next 6 week Class session - Rakkasah Help? - No Class Days in Feb & Mar - First Church of Shimmy 2/17 -- - JBSD Field Trip to Dallas for the Fifi Abdo workshops & show! April 18-20 Little Egypt will be hosting the legendary Fifi Abdo in workshops & show! We'd love to say this is a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity, but it's now a Second Chance in a Lifetime since she's already been here! The difference this time? Jim AND Vanessa will be performing in the friday showcase! :) Get your deposits in as soon as possible. This event WILL sell out. FYI - Jim & Vanessa will be flying out of SAN Friday morning and returning Sunday night on the 9:30pm-ish flight on American Airlines. Want to join the party! Come on down! Fifi event info at www.LittleEgypt.com - Next 6 week Class session Next 6 week sessions begin March 4 & 5. There will be no class during the session on Mar 11-12. TUESDAY Level 1 Foundation Techniques 6:30pm Overview of beginning foundation steps, isolations and posture in addition to exploring folkloric influences. Emphasis will be on the basics of breathing, posture, emoting and basic rhythms. Beginning 1 is the entry level for Jim Boz's Belly Dance Classes. The series is designed to provide the safest introduction to the techniques necessary for different stylings of Middle Eastern Dance. Level 4 Performance Technique 7:45pm Dynamic expressions from the large stage to the intimate restaurant environment, our Level 4 Performance class is offered by invite or audition only. Call if interested. Suitable candidates will have a basic understand of movement vocabularies, culture and an interest in exploring performance options with a respect to the cultures we study. WEDNESDAY Level 2 Technique & Combinations 7:15pm Foundation movement textures covered in depth and offered in 'realtime' combinations suitable for layering in performances and choreographies. Steps are often covered in context of routines with emphasis on placement and appropriateness to a style of music, technique, situation or choreography, including Pop, Saidi, Oriental, Drum Solos, etc. Level 3 Advanced Technique & Combinations 8:30pm Complex techniques, layering and combinations in a fast paced setting. Experience the Jim Boz style in a exciting one-on-one environment. Drills, technique and layers will be presented in a variety of applicable texture phrases with discussion on placement and applying to individual characteristics. Focus will include individual expression, dynamics and musicality. * Drop In Rates o Drop in $18/class; o Two Drop in Classes in same evening $27 * Session Rates (no makeup classes, no prorating - Session fees good ONLY for one specific class period/one session) o $70 one 6 Week session (Same class all 6 weeks) o $105 two classes in same session (Same two classes all 6 weeks) o $125 three or all four classes in same session (All You Can Take for full session) - Rakkasah Help? Want to help at Rakkasah? It's the world's largest middle eastern dance convention and is being held in Vallejo, CA on March 14-15-16. We need help in our booth! Interested parties call 1-888-4-JIMBOZ! - No Class Days in Feb & Mar There will be NO CLASS on Feb 19-20, Feb 26-27 and March 11-12. - First Church of Shimmy 2/17 Feb 17 at 11:30am join us at Vernetta's for another installment of the First Church of Shimmy: 11:30-1:30 - Drum Rhythms - Part of the "Things you need to know to call yourself a belly dancer" Series! 2:00-3:00 - Finger Cymbal Drills & Jams Drums: $20 for members of the JBSD/$25 otherwise; Cymbals: $10 for members of JBSD; $15 otherwise.

Moving Forward Again with the Music

JimBoz — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:10:11 GMT

For most of my life I've been bummed that my favorite music is acoustic Arabic music, but my main instrument has always been computer/synth. For those of you who knew me 'before the dance' know that twice in my life I gave up a budding music career for a different path: once as a code hack, and second as what I am now. (What is that again?!? Oh yeah, broke! LOL) So I'm finally trying to meld my loves and have been noodling with a few pieces & projects. A few original noodles, working some traditionals, re-working some traditionals to electronica, remixing some pieces (drum solos, BoB's "Mizmar Madness", etc) and just general 'let's see what trouble we can get into'. However, I'm finding it difficult to find good samples or VST plug-ins with excellent Arabic instruments. I'm currently using Cakewalk SONAR (since I was a big Cakewalk fan back in the...*ahem*...DOS days. Yeah, dating myself) I'm kind of set on drums 'for now' with Hadeeth I & II and Wizoo Darbuka, plus plenty of samples from friends. Could always use more, but I'm extremely interested in usable samples of mizmar, oud, ney, kanun, etc. Anyone with any input? I'm considering the following: - MOTU Ethno Instrument - Sibelius Sounds: World Music - East West Quantum Leap RA - Orient World - Ethno World 3 All are varying in price. Some include loops, most include drums. Thoughts? Thanks! Oh, and don't hold your breath on hearing anything anything soon. Although I've studied theory (classical and jazz), Arabic music is very different and I'm very rusty! And add to that the myriad of projects I have on my plate and little time to address them due to my overwhelming tour schedule...! Ack! Shimmy On!

Yes, I had some time off

JimBoz — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:27:21 GMT

So sue me! :) Amidst all these trips just starting, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed. So I nipped off on a cruise to Cabo - leaves Thur/return Mon. Right out of San Diego. Very handy. It was nice to decompress. Gained back 4 of those pounds I lost, but I'm up at 6:30am again to walk my morning 4 miles, go to yoga, then I'll be at class and then the elliptical tonite for 4 more miles. Ground is still moving as if I'm on a ship tho. Houston will see the slimmer moi this weekend. I'm excited about visiting Houston - they're SO nice there! Then of course it's back to Mexico on the Belly Cruise. I think there's still space left, but the cruise is definitely more expensive. It will still be a blast - trust me! Acapulco, Zihuatenejo, Manzanillo -- sunshine and shimmies! Can't make it this year? Well, we're planning next year! Going to the Caribbean next year -- well, at least thru the Bermuda Triangle. That was Plez's request. It will also be my 13th cruise. oooooh

o/` ... On the ro~o~oad aga~a~a~ain... o/`

JimBoz — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:44:24 GMT

Ah, the wonderful 'break' is over, alas. Time to get back on the road. My first travel trip of the season: Phoenix. No show, but 4 days of workshops. Looking ahead at the next 10 months of approximatey 124,000 miles in flights across the USA and to 11, possibly more countries. All will be over the first week of December and then I'll get to breathe. :) It seems exotic, but it's work. And being on the road is rough. Eating unhealthy, litte time or opportunity to work out, go go go go. Yeah, I love it. :) But pity me: I've spent most of December and January taking kickboxing 3x a week, yoga twice a week, back to lifting and walking 3-8 miles a day. I've lost 20lbs and rearranged the rest. Let's hope I can try to keep that! Whew! I'm planning on being all svelt by Rakkasah. Andrea of Babylon Breeze was sitting with my photographer at Rakkasah East and remarked, "You must be good, you can hide his fat gut." Now I's gots a 'one pack' and working on the other 5! Yeah, eat your heart out, Andrea!

SCAM ALERT: MyNewsLetterBuilder.com

JimBoz — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:17:24 GMT

Someone has been spamming me and making phone calls trying to get me to sign up for Mynewsletterbuilder. Idiots - like i can't run my own mailing list script?!? So here's the scam: the message said, "Oh, we're setting one up for Sadie and Princess Farhana" Umm...Like I'm not going to check?!? My bud Plez (Princess Farhana) doesn't even know who these people are. So umm....if anyone asks, I don't use them and you should not either. Spammers and cold-call soliciting will continue if you support these methods. If you want a mailing list, there are many free options available, and probably scripts available via your ISP. And remember, PLEASE: Do NOT Add ANYONE to your Mailing List without their DIRECT PERSONAL REQUEST! If you do, that is Unsolicited Advertising Email...aka UAE...aka SPAM

XMas Eve Dinner Started - Mele Kalikimaka

JimBoz — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:03:23 GMT

Just started cooking the pig. We WERE going to do this for xmas day, but we ended up getting invited someplace so we wouldn't have time to cook before we go - so I'm cooking today. On the menu: Kalua Pig (no Imu, oven style -- yeah yeah, not as good as the traditional way, but we can improvise, no?) Sweet Rolls Sweet Potatoes with coconut Rice Green Salad with lots of fruit Haupia Fresh Pineapple on the MP3 player: Blue Hawaiians, Na Leo, Makaha Sons and yes, plenty of mai tais!! Sort of like a xmas for people who just got back from Hawaii! Mele Kalikimaka!

Possible Availability on my upcoming UK/Euro tour

JimBoz — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 01:17:07 GMT

I'm making a few adjustments on my upcoming UK/Ireland/Euro tour. I may have a weekend available if this adjustment comes up, either the weekend of Aug 9/10 or 16/17, depending on a few upcoming decisions. I definitely have weekdays available the week of Aug 4-8, but travel would need to be closer to London/UK venues. My existing venues are: London, Suffolk,JWAAD Summer School (UK) and Dublin, Ireland I understand this is a usual time for holiday and it will affect attendance and availability of students. If anyone would like to discuss possibilities, please contact me here or better yet, via email at "contact -at- jim boz -dot- com" (or visit my website at www.jimboz.com and go to the contact page). This is an opportunity to share my trans-atlantic airfare expenses with other promoters. I am asking for: - A percentage of the trans-atlantic airfare based on the number of promoters involved (currently we are at between 20-24% of my total airfare) - Transportation expenses from my last venue - Hotel & food expenses for your specific engagement - 150Euro per hour for instruction (preferring a 5 hour minimum) - 175Euro for performance let me know if you or someone you know might be interested. I'm hoping to have these plans wrapped up shortly! I'm excited about this tour!

Holiday Schedule update for the Jim Boz School of Dance

JimBoz — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:12:53 GMT

Just an Update to the Holiday Class Schedule: December 12 - NO CLASS (Jim is heading out of town...for the LAST time this year!) December 18 & 19 - We WILL Have class! Special bonus classes even! Yum! Holiday Break December 25-January 7 - NO CLASSES SANDSTORM & Banat Majnoona Auditions Wednesday, Jan 2 7:30pm All current troupe members encouraged to attend. All prospective troupe members should prepare a short 3-5minute solo (or portion of a solo) highlighting your abilities. For more info, call 877-682-5873.

SHUT UP & SHIMMY - The 2008 Jim Boz World Tour

JimBoz — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 09:12:41 GMT

Okay, let's see - US, Canada, Mexico, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Britain, Ireland and Norway - 8 Countries Next year!!! ACK! Special treats for anyone in one of the destinations with extra Xanax! :) 1/6 - Workshops - San Diego, CA 1/24 - Raks Sharki for the Estrogen Challenged - Phoenix, AZ 1/25-27 - Workshops, Phoenix, AZ 2/9-10 - Workshops & Show, Houston, TX 2/17 - Belly Cruise Pre-Event Weekend Party 2/18-26 - Belly Cruise 2008 "Rak the Boat" - 8 Day Mexican Riviera Cruise! 2/29-3/2 - Workshops & Show - Nanaimo, BC 3/7-9 - Certification Workshops - San Diego, CA 3/10-16 - Rakkasah West - Workshops, Performance & Vending - Vallejo, CA 3/29-30 - Workshops & Show - Vancouver, BC 4/12 - Performance - Miami, FL 4/23-25 - IBDC, Toronto, Canada 4/26-27 - Workshops & Performance - Chicago, IL 5/2-4 - Workshops & Performance - Helena, MT 5/9-11 - Workshops & Performance - Beckley, WV 5/16-18 - The MEN of Middle Eastern Dance - Workshops & Showcase - NYC, NY 5/28-6/6 - VIP Cairo Tour 6/20-22 - Level 1 Certification - Ft Walton Beach, FL 6/25-29 - Professional Dance Retreat Program & Certification - San Diego, CA 7/10-13 - Wiggles of the West - Workshops, Competition Judging, Vending - Reno, NV 7/18-20 - Workshops & Performances, Huntsville, AL 7/25-27 - Workshops & Performances, Philadelphia, PA 8/3 - Workshops & Performance, Suffolk, UK 8/9-10 - Workshops & performance, London, UK 8/16-17 - Workshops & Performances, Dublin + 1 Other City TBD, Ireland 8/23-24 - Boz's Belly Dancing BDay Bash! - San Diego, CA (What, 5th Annual or something?!?) 8/29-31 - Festival of Sail - Performances - San Diego, CA 9/5-7 - Workshops & Performance - Milwaukee, WI 9/12-14 - Workshops & Performance - Miami, FL 10/4-5 - Performance - Festival on the Nile, Orlando, FL 10/10-12 - Rakkasah East - Somerset, NJ 10/18-19 - Sacramento, CA 10/24-26 - Workshops & Performance - Stavanger, Norway 10/31-11/2 - Intensive Workshops - Ft Walton Beach, FL 11/8-13 - 2008 Cruise the Casbah - Workshops & Performance - Caribbean! 11/14-15 - Workshops & Performance - Rochester, NY 11/16 - Workshops & Performance - NYC, NY

The First Church of Shimmy - Workshop with Jim Boz 12/2/07 San Diego

JimBoz — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:40:18 GMT

Presenting an informal 2.5 hour workshop with Jim Boz on sunday 12/2 in San Diego at 11:30am: Combinatons with Shimmies! Price is $20 for members of the Jim Boz School of Dance, $25 otherwise. 11:30am Vernetta's Dance Studio (voted 5 years in a row the BEST Dance studio in North Park) 3927 Utah St (just off University) Info, call 877-682-5873

The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

JimBoz — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 07:42:06 GMT

Geez..Tim Burton and Johnny Depp doing Sweeney Todd. Just saw the commercials. Can't believe my freakin eyes! That's kool....very kool. Nuff said.

On a roll...

JimBoz — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 04:22:00 GMT

Yeah, it's already been stolen a number of times, and I'm stealing it too! (http://people.tribe.net/mskristina) Well, it's not like I'm fully out of it. I mean, i remember when there was just your Porn/Drag name. Then life ambles on, and we don't think of the silliness. Rock Star Name: Butch Mitsubishi Gangsta Name: Chocolate Snickerdoodle "Fly Girl" Name: J-Yak (EEEEWWWW!) Detective Name: Black Dog My Soap Opera Name: Jonathan Angeles Star Wars Name: Bozja Superhero Name: Purple Martini Nascar Name:Robert Joe Witness Protection Name: Joseph Stella TV Weather Anchor Name: Price Pittsburgh Spy Name: Summer Rose Cartoon Name: Banana Jeany And the ever Illustrious Porn Name (or drag name): Butch Howes And just cuz I've been out of the name game thing for a bit, i ran across this site: www.davezilla.com/games/ My Blues Singer Name is Moody Jackson My Punk Rock Band is called the Barfy Cocktails My name as an extra in "Star Wars" is Squelchy the Panini Panini

They're Here! Well...mostly...!

JimBoz — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 19:48:16 GMT

The Jim Boz Signature Finger Cymbals are on their way to my house! The info inserts are being printed and should be at my house by next week. The pouches are still to come, so I'm going to offer special: PRE RELEASE SALES on the BRAND SPANKIN NEW JIM BOZ SIGNATURE PROFESSIONAL FINGER CYMBALS!!! You can order them now at www.JimBozSignatureFingerCymbals.com Three Bronze -- One German Silver -- Tonality -- Variation -- And Incredible Artwork! It's the difference that Jim Boz and Harry Saroyan bring you - the ultimate in statement in Tone, Texture and Presentation! Coupling decades of experience by Master Craftsman Harry Saroyan with the dance and music experience of Jim Boz, these cymbals represent over 3 years of painstaking research, design, testing and production. With a background in music theory, sound design and studio engineering, Jim's approach to the use of finger cymbals in Middle Eastern dance performance focuses on musicality and tonal variations within rhythmic patterning. After experimenting with a variety of products available, Jim turned to Harry Saroyan to meet his needs in tonality, action and design in custom finger cymbals. Harry Saroyan's contributions to the Middle Eastern arts has made him one of the most influential men in the Belly Dance world. A master craftsman and a recording artist, he brings the dancers the ultimate in sound and selection with his exquisite line of finger cymbals and memorable recordings. Saroyan Mastercrafts is in its fourth decade of providing the finest dance accessories and Finger Cymbals available. The "Flaming Scarab" artwork motif was designed by Skellramics. Since 1990, Skellramics has been producing an unending chain of innovative and adventurous ceramics with a high level of craftsmanship and an off-kilter sense of humor. The set is not your typical choice in metals. The Jim Boz Signature finger cymbals are 3 Bronze and one German Silver intentionally. The set is ONLY offered in this combination. Playing a different set of cymbals in each hand offers a tonal variation within rhythmic patterns. This set is designed so that the German Silver cymbal is played on the tthumb of the dominant hand, the “dum” hand. The slight dissonance created on this hand can be controlled by using the 1st & 3rd fingers gently muting or releasing the cymbal attached to the finger. This special price is the Pre-Sales price. This set of finger cymbals includes 3/4" elastic, informational insert and a special custom designed finger cymbal pouch. This pre-sales offer will ship your cymbals, the elastic and the inserts -- with the pouch to follow in approximately 6 weeks.

Up-Freakin-Dated Tour Schedule - 2007-2010

JimBoz — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 19:38:32 GMT

Yeah, you read that right. There's someone who has me booked into 2010. Whew! Means I'll get to pay my mortgage a bit longer! :) Oh... and also I'd like to fill in the last few dates for 2008 before the end of 2007. This way I can get my 2008 Tour Shirts made AND list your event on it! :) All 'tentative gigs' might be available in the near future, depending on communication factors. If you're interested in one of those dates, let me know. It's not uncommon that venues become unavailable or events don't 'jell'. (some weekends are unavailable because i'd like to have a home life sometimes. Available weekends are marked) 2007 11/11 - Carnival of Stars [Performance] - Hayward, CA 11/14 - It's a Beautiful Pizza [Singing with Brothers of the Baladi] - Portland, OR 11/15 - Workshops & Performance with Ala Nar - Eugene, OR 11/16 - Private Lessons (times available) - Portland, OR 11/17-18 - "Excellence in Dance" Certification Program Level 1 - Portland, OR 11/17 - Performing with Brothers of the Baladi at the Kennedy School - Portland, OR 12/1-2 - Workshops - San Diego, CA 12/8 - Toyland Parade with our Dance Studio (Voted Best Dance Studio in North Park for the 5th Year!!!) - San Diego, CA 2008 1/6 - Workshops - San Diego, CA 1/24 - Raks Sharki for the Estrogen Challenged - Phoenix, AZ 1/25-27 - Workshops, Phoenix, AZ 2/9-10 - Workshops & Show, Houston, TX 2/16-17 - Belly Cruise Pre-Event Weekend Party 2/18-26 - Belly Cruise 2008 "Rak the Boat" - 8 Day Mexican Riviera Cruise! 2/29-3/2 - Workshops & Show - Nanaimo, BC 3/7-9 - Certification Workshops - San Diego, CA 3/10-16 - Rakkasah West - Workshops, Performance & Vending - Vallejo, CA 3/22-23 - AVAILABLE (Easter Weekend though) 3/29-30 - Workshops & Show - Vancouver, BC 4/5-6 - AVAILABLE 4/12 - Performance - Miami, FL 4/19 - Performance - Columbus, OH 4/23-25 - TENTATIVE 4/26-27 - Workshops & Performance - Chicago, IL 5/2-4 - Workshops & Performance - Helena, MT 5/9-11 - Workshops & Performance - Beckley, WV 5/16-18 - The MEN of Middle Eastern Dance - Workshops & Showcase - NYC, NY 5/23-25 - AVAILABLE (Memorial Day Weekend in the US) 5/28-6/6 - VIP Cairo Tour 6/20-22 - Level 1 Certification - Ft Walton Beach, FL 6/25-29 - Professional Dance Retreat Program & Certification - San Diego, CA 7/5-6 - AVAILABLE (Independence Day Weekend in the US) 7/10-13 - Wiggles of the West - Workshops, Competition Judging, Vending - Reno, NV 7/18-20 - TENTATIVE GIG 7/25-27 - TENTATIVE GIG 8/2-3 - AVAILABLE 8/9-10 - AVAILABLE 8/16-17 - AVALABLE 8/23-24 - Boz's Belly Dancing BDay Bash! - San Diego, CA (What, 5th Annual or something?!?) 8/29-31 - Festival of Sail - Performances - San Diego, CA 9/5-7 - Workshops & Performance - Milwaukee, WI 9/12-14 - Workshops & Performance - Miami, FL 9/20 -22 - TENTATIVE GIG 9/27-28 - TENTATIVE GIG 10/4-5 - Performance - Festival on the Nile, Orlando, FL 10/10-12 - Rakkasah East - Somerset, NJ 10/18-19 - TENTATIVE GIG 10/24-26 - Workshops & Performance - Stavanger, Norway 10/31-11/2 - Intensive Workshops - Ft Walton Beach, FL 11/8-13 - 2008 Cruise the Casbah - Workshps & Performance - Caribbean! 11/14-15 - Workshops & Performance - Rochester, NY 11/16 - Workshops & Performance - NYC, NY 11/22-23 - AVAILABLE 11/29-30 - Could be Available - Turkey Day weekend in the US ** All Further unlisted weekends most likely available ** 2009 1/16-18 - Level 2 Certification - Ft Walton Beach, FL 1/23-25 - Hafla San Diego 2009 - San Diego, CA 2/6-8 - Workshops & Performance - Santa Cruz, CA 5/1-3 - Workshops & Performance - Las Vegas, NV 5/15-17 - Festival on the Nile, Orlando, FL 5/19-21 - Level 3 Certification - Ft Walton Beach, FL 10/30-11/1 - Ft Walton Beach Intensive, FL 2010 1/15-17 - Level 4 Certification - Ft Walton Beach, FL 6/18-20 - Level 5 Certification - Ft Watlon Beach, FL 11/5-7 - Ft Walton Beach Intensive, FL

Nov 3-4 Weekend with Astryd Farah in SD & LA - Profits going to SD Fire Relief

JimBoz — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 17:20:20 GMT

All Profits from the SD & LA Workshops & Showcase will be donated to SD Firestorm Relief. For performance spots, call 877-682-5873 BellyDanceSanDiego.com Presents Astryd Farah from Cairo, Egypt Saturday – Nov 3 Workshops & Showcase in San Diego Sunday Nov 4 Workshops in Los Angeles Astryd Farah deMichele: Spending her time between Egypt and the United States, performing and teaching Oriental dance professionally, Astryd has been showcased at the JW Mariott and Sheraton Royal Gardens Hotels in Cairo, Egypt. In the US Astryd Farah instructs dance nationally as well as performing solo or with her band "Ala Nar". Her powerful technique and stunning interpretation of Arabic music delights audiences East to West -- her extended time the Middle East having integrated into her body a profound understanding of this beautiful art form and is one of the featured dancers in top Egyptian choreographer Raqia Hassan's technique videos. Both Saturday San Diego & Sunday Los Angeles Workshop Schedules Identical 11:30am – Hot off the Press! The best from Cairo - $30 Hot combos and technique work using Cairo's top pop of 2007! Current movement from the stars of the Egyptian stage, as well as from the choreographers behind the scenes. Combinations, Drills and Oriental Technique including shimmies and layers...Get into the Cairo groove with fun combos, gestures and the "why to" of modern Oriental technique. 2:30pm –Sassy Saidi Pop - $30 Fun, heavy duty saidi and shaabi pop choreography with assaya (cane). Don't miss this one...another original in Astryd's oh-so-Egyptian style with that happy, sassy, grin-filled zealous-ness! SHOWCASE – Saturday November 3, 8:00pm – San Diego – Admission $10 Starring Astryd, Jim Boz and more! San Diego Workshops & Showcase held at: North Park Lion’s Club 3927 Utah Street (Just off University) San Diego, CA Los Angeles/North Hollywood Workshops at: Madilyn Clarke Studios 10852 Burbank Blvd (in the NoHo Arts District) North Hollywood, CA For more Info, visit www.BellyDanceSanDiego.com or call 877-682-5873

All Clear For Now!

JimBoz — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:05:59 GMT

Thanks for all the love & concern, online and more so. You can find occasional posts here, and on Twitter ( www.Twitter.com/JimBoz ). We're so far out of the danger. The Harris fires are sorta under control. The evac call for my area (Rancho San Diego) was rescinded. We're unpacking the cars, but keeping everything handy in case anything changes. THANKS for all the love & support!

Sorry for the drama...but...

JimBoz — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:13:05 GMT

All we've been doing all day is sitting around watching the news waiting for the call to evacuate. We have to stay home, in case we can't get back home to get the dogs. Just heard on the news with all the fires in Cali: 950,000+ people displaced more than Katrina and second largest displacement of Americans since the Civil War. Doggies love the home time.

What to wear to an evacuation?!?

JimBoz — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:36:58 GMT

Warning: Dark Humor ahead -- just a coping mechanism in my John Waters/Cecilia Riverbank fandom sort of way: Okay, so if the call comes in the middle of the night, you're fine: what you're wearing will look chic in a very refugee sort of way. No problem. Plus it resolves any issues and complaints from those who would dare to give you the stink eye over your mismatched shoes & clutch. If the call never comes, great. You can spend the time primping and prissing, making sure the hair is 'just so', and reassured that if the call came, you would show up fashionably late and downright fabulous. All heads would turn as you rounded the porta potties at Qualcomm, past the cots, with your nails done, hair coiffed and eyeliner smudged just enough to highlight the tragedy. Ah, but for those of us who know the call will come in a few hours, it's not enough time to call your manicurist, dammit. SHE"S Busy evacuating her children! Can you imagine? Now is just the time you were wishing you had taken that smart late summer frock to the dry cleaners like you've been meaning to since Labor Day. Ah, you figured you had until April and anyway, you were just going to blame that vomit stain on the cleaners anyway and scream until they bought you a new one...which would just happen to be in style for next years' parties. Do you pack the photos of your dear old mum, the bills, or Fifi's sweater - because, afterall, if you end up down on the coast Fifi might get a sniffle or two and you really dont' know hell until you have a uppity demanding spoiled furball with a headcold and an affinity sneezing at the most inopportune times. Sort of like that time we took the dogs to the 'blessing of the beasts' on Easter. Not that we're christian or anything, we just figured it would be THE social event of the season since they had flowin in a cardinal, or robin (or one of those church mucky mucks) from outer Latvia or Lithuania or Luxembourg. Okay, so we have a bird from an EU "L" country and although I wanted to stay on the A List...or at least the B List because, after all, I'm still trying to scrabble my way onto the society page. So here we take Fifi who had been chasing a few rodents in the backyard. Not that we want to admit it, but it's become a bit chic in our neighborhood to admit it. Of course, we tend to like to blame the rise in problem to 'that family' that moved in down the street and 'can you imagine how they dress their child and what is with that sedan they have to drive them in...can't they afford an SUV?!?'. We're in line and Fifi is none-too-pleased. She wouldn't still still enough for her perm so we had to do a quick set in the morning beforehand. She wouldn't sit still for her combout and she got scratched. Amazing how well we can cover up a skin scratch on a white Bichon with White-Out. Here comes the priest/cardinal/pope/whatever. We're primed to have the cutest picture which we're thinking about offering sexual favors to the newspaper photographer to make sure it gets front page center. Then it happens: Fifi lets loose with the biggest sneeze we've heard since leaving the trailer park back in 1998, complete with loogey the size of Lithuania...or Latvia...or Luxembourg...(whichever is medium sized). The sheer mixture of colors, and although earth tones and would NEVER go with my complexion, could be pleasing in the right light, and I daresay similar to a painting we saw while trying to shmooze some art homo down at the galleries with overpriced merlot and a frightening odor of mixed patchouli, Givenchy and desperation. The blues, the browns, the greens, the mucous...wich did NOT go well with that off season color the cardinal/robin/priest/pope was wearing. Apparently he noticed how well it did not go because he reeled back in horror/contempt/fright as if Fifi was the puppy version of Linda Blair in his particular nightmare since Seminary. Excitement over? perhaps, but Mister "I'm Too Godly For Your Fifi" decided to take the time to divest himself of the innocent's sneeze product and get this: went on to the next animal, which was one of those "I'm So Freakin Happy There's Air To Breathe" Terriers that you just want to roll a diabetic for an insulin fix. Of course, little muffly terrier and their inappropriately dressed owner (can you imagine flip flops at an event of this magnitude? How un-newsworthy!) ended up with the 'awwwwwws' and 'oooooohs'. I'm sure they were just saving those for me but couldnt' bring themselves to do it after said loogey-incident. I'm sure Mr Terrier would NOT have gotten the response without poor little head cold Fifi building the excitement. I mean, they were READY for Fifi. But poor poor...Fifi. The cute picture should have been me and Fifi, dammit! At least with a fire, it would be devastatingly cute to outfit Fifi with a smoke mask. Not only would it increase our 'awwwww' factor (and therefore our marketability for the news!) but would resolve any mucous issues that would potentially ruin our chances for fame amidst this tragedy. Then again, I have enough time to figure out -- would I be able to get away with the Avocado blouse at the evac center? It's clean, it's fall, and looks good with dog snot. (THis was all tongue in cheek, y'all. I don't have a dog named Fifi -- I actually have two of those terriers with the "OhMyGawdDadTheSunIsUpI'mSoHappy" Dispositions, with two attitude-but-friends-sofa-muffin-basenjis. I'm just writing this as a way of coping with the pressure. THANKS)

Class update 10/23-24

JimBoz — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:19:17 GMT

ATTENTION NO CLASSES TUES 10/23 or WED 10/24 Due to Fires FYI - Jim's House is 1-2 miles from the projected fire line of the San Miguel Fire for 1pm on 10/23. We're evacuating. Doggies doing well! Parents, not really so well... ;) For those of you who have partied here, International Stars, Local Stars & Students alike, no worries. We will always have a welcome space to celebrate, since it is in our hearts and not in this structure!