Summer Caravan - Oakland, CA

Oh, the festiveness of Shukriya's events!

What commonly seems like your typical Workshop/Showcase/Shopping event is far from it!

Shukriya's are always welcoming and well run. She's the one who puts on Rakkasah and Rakkasah East. Okay, I'm partial - it was one of the first major national events I ever went to, so maybe I'm just used to seeing the same faces.

Summer Caravan is in its 5th year, so still a relatively local event. This year, my troupe joined me for our show. What were we thinking? The girls had a 4 1/2 minute full costume change, and I had a 55 second costume change! ACK!

BUT, I'm trying to teach my troupe to be social at events. So we passed out many GotHips? bumper stickers, SANDSTORM stickers, buttons and other festive items.

Then it got near time to deal with the performance on Saturday eve.

Our good friends Shanna from Santa Cruz and Zari from Berkeley helped us with our costume changes. Oh my!

We did 3 pieces:
El Iyoun el Soud with the girls in double layer skirts and bra/belt.
Mashaal with me solo in silver on silver (while the girls changed)
MOVE (our edit) - The girls entered in different animal print velvets with halters and mesh gloves. I entered last in camouflage velvet and a sparkly gold *revealing* top that I am MUCH too old for!

Other than the stage being EXTREMELY slippery (I think I lost my balance like a bazillion times...didja notice? Course you did!), I think we pulled it off! We all had a GREAT time! Thanks to all our Bay Area fans for the awesome reception!

Of course, the Saturday night party at Jacks Bistro on Jack London Square was fun. Oh, what a great restaurant. We drank and ate and celebrated and they just about had to kick us out, except for the live music going on in the other room!

Sunday at Summer Caravan was more. I joined Zaina Hart at her booth for the Belly Dance Magazine. The girls drove home, with Fierce going to visit the In-Laws-To-Be, so I had the shmooze all by myself.

Highlights of this trip:
- Hanging out with Blume and her sassy belly dance tshirts! LOVE YOU BLUME!
- Laura finding a KILLER Costume in chocolate and turquoise that fit right off the rack.
- Zaina, Gaylene, Circe and Sian all sporting GotHips? dog tags!
- Chatting up a juggler and getting the low down on keeping my balls in the air. (Longish story, but I have less than a month to learn how to juggle -- life goals thing...coming down the wire...did I mention I'm almost 40? Check out my Belly Dancin Birth Bash on 8/27 to see if I learned!)
- Hanging out on the steps of the Scottish Rite Center with Phillip & Cynthia of Flowers of the Desert from Sacramento listening to them play, with all these Egyptians driving by, stopping, clapping and singing along!
- Promoting my MEN of Belly Dance workshop coming up in San Jose in September. There are people really interested in this! Wow!
- Meeting so many awesome people. Festivals really bring out the best sometimes!

Things we learned:
- Velvet is very difficult to put on in a hurry when you're sweaty.
- We figured out WHY they take out some of the light bulbs in the dressing rooms (gets WAY too hot!).
- Two dressers minimum for a 55 second costume change.
- Gotta scope out the food stuff before the show when you perform late!
- My girls are crazy. ;)

Coming next: Shake & Bake in Albuquerque, NM! (Next weekend!)

7/7-10/05 - Wiggles of the West, Reno, NV

Oh what joy to make it x-country.

Okay, I skipped all the gorey details: Long Drives, Smarmy KOA Owners, bug guts -- at least we carried the bathroom with us so we didn't have to stop too often.

Why-oh-why couldn't there be more Sonics? I kept wanting Sonic, but we couldn't wait that long. By the time we gave up and hit Burger Squid or Hardees, we'd find Sonic at the very next exit.

Curse you Murphy!

It was great to be back in the West tho - it's a dry heat. OH that means so much!

Reno is quite picturesque with the high desert. Wiggles of the West is just outside Reno almost to Cali (home!). The area is okay, too many smokers, tho. <cough cough> <hack hack> <wheeze wheeze>

Wiggles is an interesting event. As competitions go, it's quite laid back. Promoters Janie and Chris of TwoOldBags.net had more of a 'hands off' style of running an event then I would have thought. Either that or I was just too freakin happy to not have to get in the RV and drive every morning!

Judging competitions takes alot of energy and focus. My hand was cramping many times from writing so much. The competition was tight and exciting, some excellent performances in all categories.

I was priveledged to hang out with the Solace and Dev gang. Ooooh...! Dang those grrrls can get the funky on! (You GO!) Drinking in the RV with Saqra and Jeff with the terrier-luv-fest and the all you can eat lobster buffet hosted by Clawdia!

Yes, a hot chick dressed up in a lobster getup. So I kept walking by her and saying, "You know RID will take care of that"

Note the pic: Beware the buffet!

Janie...Chris...What KIND of place are you bringing us to that serves that kind of stuff?!?

It's like Prague, sans the whimsy.

Day 2 Travelling X-Country

I need to buy a vowel…'after a LONG ass day of driving: Leaving Casey Illinois, driving thru Missouri past Kansas City, then North thru a bit of Iowa and then Nebraska past Omaha to Grand Island (exit 318)

We get there about 9:30pm, kinda late, late dusk. Ron goes to hook up the sewer/power/water and I got walk the dogs.

I got literally EATEN ALIVE by skeeters!

Okay, the fireflies are freaking magical with their little sparkly dances…'but I can count 6 bites on my legs, 3 on my right arm, 2 on my left, one on my hand, and one on the back of my neck.

DAMN!
I hate skeeters.

Side note on fireflies: interesting when they hit the windshield – they still glow for a short time. Hmm…'glowing bug splatter.

X-Country in 4 Days!

So I had a week off of classes.
What do I do between the Philly gig and judging at Wiggles of the West in Reno? Uh...drive x-country...sure!

More to come!
Look out!

Philly! Where they make the cream cheese!

...I want to see where they make the LIGHT cream cheese...I'll bet the building isn't brick! (from "Best in Show")

Actually, July 2nd I taught a workshop in Gilbertsville, PA outside of Philly. It was a 'pick up' event: I just happened to be in the neighborhood visiting my in-laws...IN Gilbertsville...and a dance friend of mine Shadia teaches there. Shadia and Simon of SNS Imports were SO accommodating to set up a workshop and pack it in a matter of weeks.

Well, packed for the first room. We changed rooms and had more space.

I did one of my Finger Cymbal combination workshops subtitled, "These Ain't Your Momma's Finger Cymbal Combinations". A background in music really tweaks you for treating them as instruments...none of this LRLR stuff. Ouch!

After an exciting workshop, I got to hang out with a few of my East Coast friends. Although I prefer SoCal weather, I love to travel and meet such great people. Philly has some warm friendly dancers and I look forward to returning!

So Saturday night I had a chance to dance at Casablanca. Okay, it was the same weekend as Live 8, so I heard a few people not willing to brave the traffic. The restaurant is great tho -- excellent Moroccan food. My in-laws had a chance to see me perform for the first time, and I'm hoping a few of them take up classes. That would be great.

They could say in class, "My brother in-law is Jim Boz"
"WHO?!?"
LMAO!

What a great trip.
Thanks again to Shadi and Simon for setting this up!

Shadia is at
bellydancersonline.com/Dancer...ia.html

SNS Imports can be found at
www.snsimports.net/

Alaska Day 3 - Forget Me Not

So a couple more workshops, and I'm free! Another Raks technique class, and a sword workshop. Such fun!

Then a quick nap, and then packing I realize I bought too many souvenirs! Ah, always pack an extra bag.

Dinner with Saudi at a festive Italian/Greek restaurant, a bottle of wine, and off to the airport for my red-eye.

Note to promoters: avoid flying people on red-eyes. Ugh! The worst part of the experience by far! (I'm too big to be able to sleep on planes)

Ah, but the state flower are Forget-Me-Nots. Pic above is from the garden at the B&B I stayed at.

I daresay I won't be forgetting this trip anytime soon.
THANK YOU to all my new friends in Alaska and I hope to see y'all again soon!

Alaska: Day 2 - The Drama Begins!

So today I get to teach workshops.

It's always such a treat when I get to travel -- I get to meet so many fun people. The context of workshops is so much different then being in your hometown - Students pay attention.

I still get nervous.
It's a big responsibility. I always remember that it's my job to not only educate, but also inspire, entertain, encourage and console -- all while ensuring no one maintains any posture that might be damaging or painful.

And of course staying on schedule is a skill!

Unfortunately, I did not this whole weekend, alas!
My apologies to my Alaska friends for losing my pace. I had some great fun tho - what a delight! I taught a Raks Technique class and then Performance Tips & Tricks. I like to come back from lunch with some mellow concept-oriented classes...or at least work our way into things.

The festive thing was that the local newspaper was there to take pictures all morning. It was a bit disorienting, but after awhile easy to completely ignore the photographer. There was also a reporter to interview me during lunch. Supremely intimidating, but exciting nevertheless.

After a shower and a nap, it was time for the show. Ya know, it's kind of tough to watch the show when I want to get into my 'game face'...not considering the time it takes to put on makeup and costume. This time I was excited to get to see much of the show, inluding a few 'first' solo performances. What a joy! The show was very well run with a preference to shorter sets, but many of them. Several performers did multiple sets at different times, but the show kept pace! Most entertaining.

My set went well. I got a few people to dance with me as part of an audience participation portion, including Saudi the organizer. She's such a character! No problem getting her up having some fun!

After the event, I stepped outside to an INCREDIBLE view and sunset! Okay, it was 11:30pm...okay, sun wasn't even nearly down...but it was INCREDIBLE. 10 minutes later it was even more incredible then before.

Wow.

I posted one of the sunset pics.
Just amazing.

Special THANKS to my 'wranglers' -- after the show, we couldn't find anything open in Eagle River and drove all the way to Anchorage (30min one way) to hit Denny's. It was festive as we found so many things we had in common:
Monty Python
Red Dwarf
Mel Brooks
Hitchhiker's Guide
Dr. Who
...and so on...and son on.

heh heh

What a blast.

Alaska: Day 1.5 - No, that's not my cologne, that's bug spray.

Okay, so we finally get under way!

Lunch, tram up the mountain...Snow in June! Okay, so when I lived in Portland, OR it was always fun to take folks out the Columbia River Gorge and out to Timberline to play in the snow...in summer...in July. heh heh heh

BUT - from some of the pics, you can see how freakin BEYOOTIFUL it is up there. This is all right outside Anchorage.

Yes, we took some pics in the snow, then headed back down the mountain. We missed the last boat to see the Portage glacier, but driving along we saw a few glaciers.

Glaciers have blue ice. It's really kind of neet. Kept making me think of cocktails tho...I want to come up with a frozen concoction the same color as glacier ice now!

We visited the Alaska Conservation Center too. Apparently, there's like 3000 moose living inside the city limits of Anchorage! Wildlife abounds - most of the people I talked to had first hand accounts of bears, mountain goats, bald eagles...the kind of stuff most of us only see in zoos. Amazing!

Dodgning mosquitoes is a full time job tho. I got bit once, swelled up, and bought some OFF! and kept slathering it on. mmm..."No, that's not my cologne...that's bug spray."

Evening took us to a show called the WhaleFat Follies. It's a musical dinner theater revue show that is racously funny, mostly on Alaskan culture. Hmm..Alaska is the second largest consumer of SPAM in the country (First is Hawaii). Many of the jokes are local, dealing with political issues, state government silliness...but it is definitely a must for any visitor of Anchorage.

And of course it's delightfully civilized. (Read: they had mojitos)

Show's over 11:30-ish...it's been a long day...had a few cocktails...walking out.

The sun is still up.

Alaska: Day 1.0

So here's a pic of the B&B I was staying at in Peter's Creek/Eagle River area. Very nice. The doggie is their dog Sadie. She lets out a healthy WOOF when you drive up then runs up to the vehicle wagging her tail.

yes, she's a snuggle muffin!

It's so nice to get my 'doggie fix' when I'm on trips. For those who haven't gotten this yet: I have 4 dogs - it's tough being on trips and not get the snuggle time.

Behind the B&B is a river/stream where salmon sometimes come to spawn. (So I think 'okay, bears around here...salmon....uhhhh') I ask, "Then you get bears around here?" "Oh yeah"

BWAH!

Only saw them at the preserve tho. heh heh >whew!<

Morning at the B&B is great. I like B&B's, but the can sometimes be similar to hanging out at a relative's house: I never want to ask for anything. (blush) BUT - Lucy and Bob are VERY accommodating. They also have a place in Hawaii and we talked about Hawaii and cruises and so many subjects. Very nice.

Okay, then Saudi (the promoter) sleeps in. Not a problem...I had a wonderfully mellow morning.

Now keep in mind that I work 7 days a week. I think I have a day off coming up in August! LOL The shtick on this event is they fly you in a day early and take you on a cultural tour. Requires me to take an extra day off. I didn't like this, but I had not internet access...and it was tough to get my cell phone messages, so I had nothing to do but take the day off and enjoy.

In hindsight, I'm very grateful. I kicked & screamed, but it was SO worth it!

Eagle River, AK: Day .5

So the Eagle River Fine Arts Academy hires me to do 4 workshops up in Alaska outside of Anchorage.

mmm...Anchorage. I did a report on Anchorage when I was very young -- the big (9.2 or something?) earthquake and tsunami that happened back in '64. Wow.

Part of the event is a 'cultural tour' that everyone keeps mentioning with tongue in cheek. hmmm...what am I in for?

So my flight doesn't get in until well afer 10pm. My bags take 30-40minutes to get to the baggage claim, amidst coolers, golf clubs, ski gear, hunting gear. Plenty of 'good ol boys' on the flight. Good thing none of them chatted me up telling me of their hunting adventure while asking what I was heading up to AK for! LOL

The promoter was having vehicle issues, so since Eagle River is a good 30min drive over the mountains from Anchorage, they send a shuttle. The shuttle came by about 11:15, but while I was waiting I snapped that pic. The background is facing east, so you don't see the sunset.

Yes, that's after 11pm at 'night'.
Sun's out...yup.
Very Kool.

Shuttle comes, takes me to the B&B. Wow, drive up over the mountains. ANC is freakin beautiful with these big tall snow covered mountains on one side, and the sound on the other. It's like a land out of some epic fantasy novel.

...and the sun's out.