My Blog

winter update

samanthahasthorpe — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:57:28 GMT

There's a nip in the air...time for a winter update!! I am now back from the BDSS tour of London, Paris and Morocco. Here's the latest update from the chilly hills of Dartmoor, getting in the fire wood and gearing up for a busy festive season. I am looking forward to seeing you all at the following events: London this weekend, Sat 14th Nov. Workshops are SOLD OUT. Friday night guest performance by yours truly at The Export Quality Debutantes' Ball. Saturday 28th Nov I am honored to be a guest performer at the Circus to Gaza Cabaret Extraordinaire This event is raising funds for the next trip to Iraq.The Circus takes love, laughter, smiles and silliness directly to people who need it most. Saturday 29th of November. Performing with BDSS stars for a one night show in Holland, featuring Sonia, Petite Jamila, Moria and Issam Houshan. Details TBA Friday Dec 4th Guest performance at CHARITY CABARET The Stable Room, Union Inn, Moretonhampstead £5 on the door All proceeds to CLIC Sargeant (Childhood Leukemia) and Christian Response - supporting children and families in Moldova Then its off to Shanghai on the 12th of December with the Bellydance Superstars for our first tour there. Wheeww! STOP PRESS!!! Announcing the first in a series of bi-monthly workshops in Exeter, Devon! I am very excited to offer up the chance to establish a real rapport through ongoing sessions, something that is hard to do in large one off workshops. Finally, a regular workshop on home turf ... well... as regular as I can manage with my current touring schedule. I will be limiting the participant numbers to ensure I can work with each of you individually, tailoring each subsequent Exeter workshop to subject matter requested by YOU at the end of each class. The 3 hour intensive session will give us time for discussion and interactive feed back within the group. Yay! Where: EXETER PHOENIX, BRADNINCH PLACE, GANDY STREET, EXETER EX4 3LS When: January 9th 2010 from 12:30pm to 3:30pm (please arrive at 12:15 for registration) Wonga: £45 in advance by paypal to snakecharmahsam@gmail.com or by cheque (email for postal info) £50 on door cash only (advance booking advised due to limit on participant numbers!!) To register email vagabondprincess@gmail.com Transport: If arriving by train its a 10-15 minute walk up hill towards city centre From the clock tower: walk down Queen Street with Central Station on your left, turn left after the museum and walk up the hill. From the High Street: go down Gandy Street, turn right at the end and walk up the hill. If arriving by car I can email car park and park and ride options upon request. Please car share! AND....DRUM ROLL PLEASE.....A VERY SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY.... A four day Intensive with Sharon Kihara and Samantha Emanuel at Sharon's private studio in Berlin, Germany!! 150 EURO per day, including a home made vegetarian lunch each day AND the option of a private lesson in the evenings . Thursday the 4th to Sunday the 7th of Feb 2010 Limited to 8 students of intermediate/advanced level. Including strength training, drills and technique, original choreography and private coaching all in one unique and fabulous package!! Email sharonkihara@gmail.com for more info. (Participants must book all 4 days)

new bloggyblogg

samanthahasthorpe — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:20:30 GMT

http://vagabond23.wordpress.com/

newwwsss

samanthahasthorpe — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:44:59 GMT

Dearest darling fellow vagabonds of the dance, greetings from Taiwan, where I have just finished a BDSS tour and am now packing the old faithful battered suitcases to head homeward, typhoons depending...!! I have put many new and extremely exciting updates on my website BLOG page. www.vagabondprincess.com If you don't believe me, then go and check it out and YOU'LL SEE!!! If you DO believe me. . then go and check it out!!!! what are you waiting for? so basically you have no excuse. . . do it. . . or I suppose you could just read on here... Exciting times, lots is new. Got some lovely new shots in the works courtesy of Polstar Photography and also new merchandise soon I promise. I feature as a soloist and in group pieces on the new Bellydance Superstar DVDs, Tribal LA Live and Tribal Fusions 2, also featuring Sharon Kihara, Zoe Jakes, Elizabeth Strong, Kami Liddle, Fat Chance Bellydance and many more, it’s now available on Amazon. Here are my whereabouts for the next ickle while... ready? OK here goes: 10-3-2009 Workshops Bristol UK contact pinkv@hotmail.co.uk ~ 07899090229 10-16-2009 to 10-17-2009 Workshops and show Belfast. Details TBA 10-22-2009 The Anvil Basingstoke 10-23-2009 Bloomsbury Theatre London 10-24-2009 Bloomsbury Theatre MATINEE 3pm 10-24-2009 Bloomsbury Theatre EVENING London 10-25-2009 Samantha Workshop www.raqsbritannia.co.uk/workshops 10-26-2009 Espace Cardin Paris, France 10-27-2009 Espace Cardin Paris, France 10-29-2009 Theatre National Med V Rabat,Morocco 10-30-2009 Megarama Casablanca, Morocco 10-31-2009 Megarama Casablanca, Morocco 11-01-2009 Megarama Marrakech, Morocco 11-06-2009 Monte Carlo Opera House Monte Carlo, Monaco 11-07-2009 Monte Carlo Opera House Monte Carlo, Monaco 11-08-2009 Monte Carlo Opera House Monte Carlo, Monaco 12-15-2009 Shanghai Theatre Academy Shanghai, China 12-16-2009 Shanghai Theatre Academy Shanghai, China 12-17-2009 Shanghai Theatre Academy Shanghai, China 12-18-2009 Shanghai Theatre Academy Shanghai, China 12-19-2009 Shanghai Theatre Academy Shanghai, China 02-05-2010 to 02-07-2010 Tribal London London, UK Fanks so much for stopping by fer a looky see, Love and Fluff

Poland 09

samanthahasthorpe — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:55:40 GMT

My Return to Poland 2009 This year marked the second raqs tribal summer edition in utska Poland hosted by Yolanda. I first taught there last year to dancers for the most part total beginners so we focused mainly on ats to get a solid foundation down for the first part of the week then moved on to fusion choreo for the second half of the course. Everyone seemed happy with the material covered and excited to go home and work on it all. Yolanda asked back again this year sharing the bill with Ariellah this time to increase the length of the event to two weeks of yoga, ats and tribal fusion fun. In May the workshop places went on sale on line at midnight and sold out in twelve seconds! It was the first time Ariellah and I worked together which was very special for me as she was one of my first teachers. It was also the first time I had seen her dance live since 2007 I think. She blew me away with her stage presence and musicality. It was very special for me as I was able to see alot of the same girls as last year and see how far they had come in only one year. They have obviously worked so hard, the shows were so inspiring, full of great technique, innovative ideas, honesty and joy. I can't wait to see what they come up with next year!!! It's incredible to see what lengths these girls go to just getting to the event, transport is very difficult in poland, slow trains, dodgy roads, huge distances and few airports mean a huge commitment in time and money. Their finances are limited, most cannot travel around Europe or head to the US to workshops so have to teach themselves for the rest of the year. To see how far they have come in the past 12 months is so inspiring to me, I am very lucky to get to share that with them and look forward to taking THEIR workshops in the future. Na zdrowie.

ebay ebay ebay...yer takin my whole life away...

samanthahasthorpe — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:23:10 GMT

I have joined the ranks of ebay sellers, I'm starting with this very special sale, to be followed by costuming bits and bobs, circus tat like fire wick and allsorts of things yous might like. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140328564008

raqs brit 09

samanthahasthorpe — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:15:17 GMT

My highlights... Mira's workshops were excellent as always, I have been fortunate to take a few in the States but to have her on home turf was great this weekend. I also took a workshop with Amel , a woman I could listen to and watch all day, she has such a wealth of knowledge, we were lucky to have her. I couldnt fit as many workshops in as I would have liked in between teaching my own and doing tech rehearsal for the show. I missed Wendy Marlatt being in the friday night show a she is moving back to the US, but I loved seeing Amel, Michelle Pender and Mira up there...thats all I managed to see because of rehearsal. I thought the line up of teachers this year was one of the best yet, great variety, I even tried an Ansuya pop choreo workshop and felt like a right fish out of water, but its all good experience. The show was nerve wracking but seeing familiar faces in the front row made me feel better so I relaxed into the show and had a lot of fun indeed. It was a highlight to see Bozenkas solo in the second half, she moves me to tears every time I see her dance. I would like to thank the UK crew for all their hard work in making sure everyone has what they need, this year felt very smooth, goes to show all their hard work over the past few years is paying off. Shame they cant have control of the outside world too, but that's most town centres in the UK at the weekend man, I know even Exeter where I live is a scary place on a saturday night with the booze and fighting and insults. Long as no one gets hurt I can put up with a bit of verbal to enjoy all the workshops etc at the winter gardens. We were lucky to have Barbara back on merch for the weekend, we miss her alot now that she is busy in France. Hmm, what else...oh yeah, cream cakes. x

spring is sprung

samanthahasthorpe — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:11:15 GMT

After 2 months on the road I am now home in the shire just in time to catch the blackthorn blossoming and the daffodils in full flower. Feeling like returning from an epic adventure I am writing this here mini blogette. Everyone worked their utmost on this tour, we drove and drove and drove some more coast to coast, up down and round and round. The theaters were beautiful, some of the stages were huge, so we had to re stage the show to fit a different stage most nights. The new tribal pieces in the show are great to perform each night and the fact we are in more pieces in the show now meant we worked harder than on any previous tour. I really appreciate how hard the cabaret girls work each night now that I too have some crazy quick costume changes and even a prop to worry about! The highlight for me had to be our days off, of which there were 2. The first was in Florida, so everyone crammed as much as possible into that day on the water with jet skis, sailing, and boogy boarding. It was heaven it was. Until the next day when I had to wear my costume over some pretty nasty sun burn, heh. The second was in Park City, Salt Lake City, where we had time off at a ski resort. While we could not risk injury by boarding or skiing we did make the most of having chalets with full kitchens and a store nearby. We cooked food! After months of hotel living, the joy of being able to cook our own food was almost too much to bear. Zoe, Lauren and I invited everyone over and we had a feast of grilled fish, veg kebabs, sweet potatoes, salads and more. Afters we played funny games, it felt like Christmas. The next day after cooking another huge breakfast, Zoe, Lauren, Moria and I headed up to the slopes. We had a little time before we had to head to the airport so we got tickets to do the Alpine Rollercoaster. We screamed the whole way down the mountain, it was wikid fun. It is very strange to be at home with no lobby calls, no drives, no shows...for the moment anyway. I am looking forward to having some time at home to work on new costumes and dance, be a wife and walk my dog Spindle.

on the road

samanthahasthorpe — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:10:54 GMT

After a long winter break including rest, play, preperations, sewing, married life and a litter of puppies, I am packing my cases once again ready to leave the Shire and head to the USA. Still sewing like crazy, all new costumes for the new show, I cant wait to get back on the road with the girls, here is the tour info: BDSS Winter/Spring 2009 Tour "The Art of Bellydance" – the exhilaratingly vibrant new show will debut when the troupe deploys on a very special 2009 U.S. tour, launching in San Bernardino, CA on February 6 and hitting 34 cities before wrapping up in Detroit in late March. Two additional performances are scheduled for Vancouver in May. The Bellydance Superstars have been at the forefront of the dramatic worldwide growth in prestige and popularity of the art of Bellydance itself, taking this once largely solo dance and ancient art of Middle Eastern culture into the 21st Century mainstream as a major theatrical dance extravaganza appealing to a wide spectrum of dance enthusiasts. Featuring bold new choreography, exquisite costumes and new production elements, “The Art of Bellydance” builds on the troupe's renowned reputation in highlighting a variety of bellydance styles and unique fusions painting bellydance with a broad palette in a way the world's major stages have never played host to before. Don't miss the Bellydance Superstars' The Art of Bellydance in a city near you! February 6, 2009: San Bernardino, CA- San Bernardino Valley College Auditorium February 7, 2009: Ventura, CA- Ventura Majestic Theater February 8, 2009: San Diego, CA- Balboa Theatre February 9, 2009: North Hollywood, CA- El Portal Theatre “Babelesque” February 10, 2009: North Hollywood, CA- El Portal Theatre “Babelesque” February 11, 2009: North Hollywood, CA- El Portal Theatre February 12, 2009: North Hollywood, CA- El Portal Theatre February 13, 2009: Napa, CA- Napa Valley Opera House February 14, 2009: Chico, CA- Laxson Auditorium February 15, 2009: San Rafael, CA- Marin Center February 17, 2009: Phoenix, AZ- Orpheum Theatre February 19, 2009: Albuquerque, NM- South Broadway Cultural Center February 21, 2009: El Paso, TX- Magoffin Auditorium February 23, 2009: Grapevine, TX- The Palace Arts Center February 24, 2009: Grapevine, TX- The Palace Arts Center February 25, 2009: Cypress, TX- Berry Center February 27, 2009: Birmingham, AL- Virginia Samford Theatre February 28, 2009: Macon, GA- Grand Opera House March 1, 2009: Asheville, NC- The Orange Peel March 3, 2009: Washington, DC- GW Lisner Auditorium March 4, 2009: Wilmington, DE- Grand Opera House March 5, 2009: Weldon, NC- The Centre at Halifax Community College March 6, 2009: Durham, NC- Carolina Theatre of Durham March 7, 2009: Hampton, VA- The American Theatre March 8, 2009: Hampton, VA- The American Theatre March 9, 2009: Charlotte, NC- The McGlohon Theatre March 10, 2009: High Point, NC- High Point Theatre and Exhibition Center March 11, 2009: Newberry, SC- Newberry Opera House March 13, 2009: Atlanta, GA- Robert Ferst Center for the Arts March 14, 2009: Jacksonville, FL- Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts March 15, 2009: Stuart, FL- Lyric Theatre March 18, 2009: Augusta, GA- Imperial Community Theatre March 19, 2009: Nashville, TN- Belcourt Theatre March 21, 2009: Park City, UT- Kearns Auditorium Eccles Center for the Performing Arts March 25, 2009: Minneapolis, MN- Pantages Theatre March 26, 2009: Madison, WI- Wisconsin Union Theater March 27, 2009: Milwaukee, WI- Marcus Center for the Performing Arts March 28, 2009: Chicago, IL- Vic Theatre March 29, 2009: Detroit, MI- Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center

home again

samanthahasthorpe — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:15:32 GMT

On my way home now from a 2 month BDSS tour, I have learned alot on my way around the states and europe. We started in the UK, my first tour on home turf. The Bloomsbury shows were great, especially as that was the very theatre in which I first saw the BDSS show in 2005, and NEVER expected to end up performing on that very same stage with the troupe. Life is funny that way innit. My husband rented a mini bus and drove 20 or so friends down to the show in Torquay, that was the first time they had seen the show, afters we went to the pub for some classic karaoke, troupe and all, Devon style. Pics to follow. It was very inspiring to do a good length of touring with Bozenka, she is such an incredible performer, I was honored to spend time with her both on and off the stage. The continued hard work and dedication of the whole group continues to inspire me to train hard and improve, I am lucky to be where I am.. Belgium was a highlight, it was the first time my Belgian relatives had seen me perform in the show, they loved it. Lauren and I also got to the munching of fresh chocolate waffles and truffles even if it was only fer an hour, it was sooo worth it man. In France we stopped at Miles' castle for a mini intensive, the students gave good feedback at the end, and we all ate way too much incredible food banquet style courtesy of the lovely Lucy the chef. It was perfect, waking early to cross train round the grounds, then breakfast, then yoga class, then drumming with Issam, then we all either taught or took workshops till lunch, then more workshops, then more food, with discussions in the evening, exhausted to bed, then did it all again each day for 5 days I think. I was pretty much in heaven. I even tried spinning and veil and cane and classical egyptian classes with Bozenka and Petite Jamila. It inspired me to try now things for my own choreo and improv, I have alot of material to work on before tour time kicks off again. Tour is so crazy, you never know what day it is, I scoffed at that on the first tour, thinking I was so together I would know, but now I lose track of the date and days early into the tours. Its a strange world, the touring world, with all the early starts, teaching, traveling, TV shows, slotting in mini sightseeing excursions, cross training to stay safe from injury, and having someone tell you where to be and when, you find it hard to keep a grip on the outside world; friends, family, partners, especially if there is no internet as is the case on the european tours especially. Its a balancing act thats fer sure...an act that I am still trying to master. Now I am moving into a little place by the Teign river in Devon, chopping wood to stay warm, feeling a million miles away from the world I have been submersed in for the last 2 months, its a nice reality check. This will be the first time I have really unpacked my bags and got my books out of storage for the last 3 years at least. Its a nice feeling, but I cant get too comfy as I need to stay focused on new works as next year sees the production of a new BDSS show, so I am gearing up for learning new choreo, sewing costumes and coming up with new and exciting material for workshops. No rest fer the wikid. It will be no easy task when I am away from the group and living isolated in the middle of nowhere, plus its high time I am wifey, I havent had a chance to do that yet as I left right after the wedding. Its so nice to be building a home with Oscar right now. This is the first time I have been in the UK for winter for a few years, I'm scared...its cold. Off to split some logs fer the fire. Keep in touch peeps, see you on the next tour!!

uchhh

samanthahasthorpe — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:40:33 GMT

As usual on returning from a tour I am experiencing the lull, the rutt, the stuck feelin. Wasting half a day already on line when I have so much to do before I head off again. Maybe sharing the following will help me get off my backside, go for a run and do some practice.. " If we let go of play, our work becomes ponderous and stiff. If we let go of the sacred , our work loses its connection to the ground on which we live. Knowledge of the creative process cannot substitute for creativity , but it can save us from giving up on creativity when the challenges seem too intimidating and free play seems blocked. If we know that our inevitable setbacks and frustrations are phases of the natural cycle of creative processes , if we know that our obstacles can become our ornaments , we can persevere and bring our desires to fruition. " Stephen Nachmanovitch

offski

samanthahasthorpe — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:03:45 GMT

This picture is kind of like the inside of my head right now, dont ask me why as I dont really know. Taught a wikid workshop back on home turf today, great to see everyone, now sewing and packing again ready to hit the road encore for a trip round Poland teaching and traveling for the next 2 weeks. Then fly back to teach at Larma Tree Fest, where Taraf de Haidouks will be...cannot wait for that one, will be campin with some of the guys from Transglobal Undergound and Natacha Atlas's crew..wahhayyy. then its off to Taiwan to join the troupe again..and share the stage with Rachel once more as she will be coming back for that tour. uh then I head home to get meself hitched, then head off to the states fo more dancin. Life is good, I am very very very very lucky. Back to the needle and thread.. see you all somewhere on the road! "You cannot walk straight when the road bends" Romani proverb

home..

samanthahasthorpe — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:48:40 GMT

being home is weird I cannot focus on anything, I have wasted the last 2 days, in a daze. I have a tonne of work I want to get done, but every project I start I walk away from and find myself staring into space. It's hard not being on tour. Suddenly I am responsible for what I do, where I go, what I eat. I have managed going for runs and some morning yoga, but after that..the day slips away and I have not drilled or worked on choreos or sewn new costumes. It would be ok if I had time to chill but I am off again soon... bugger, I let the kettle boil dry again. Man! somebody slap me wiv a wet fish or summink coz I need to get me arse in gear!!!

Casablanca

samanthahasthorpe — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:19:21 GMT

So 2 1/2 years of life lived out of a suitcase is coming to a close as Oscar and me make the UK our homebase once more. The Italian tour was great, the food incredible (ate wayyyy too much) and the production company looked after our every need. Highlight in Italy: Rooming with Barbara. Lowpoint : NO internet in any hotel we stayed in..very frustrating for keeping in touch with Oscar and keeping on top of work schtuff. The shows have been fun, now that I feel like I know the new choreos, I got my first solo in the show, as Hannah Nour and Adore had to leave due to injury. They have been sorely missed on the tour, it aint the same without them. I have some video from the show, not great quality but I'll see about posting them up. Then we had a crazy 3 days, went like this, did a show in Torino, drove to Milan, flew on a jet, then another plane to Dubai, had jsut enough time to do make up..performed the show for a private party, had just enough time to eat a snack after all that, remove said make up, then head to the airport, fly to Amsterdam, change planes, fly to Bergamo do a show that same night. So I guess we missed 2 nights sleep, oh then me and Jillina were driven 2 hours to teach a workshop the next day, then met the troupe at the airport..then flew to Casablanca!! So today I caught up on that lost sleep, and am off to check out the antique jewlry scene here, hoping to find some new pieces/inspirations for new costuming..coz after a tour like this you wanna make all new costumes, as the ones you have have fallen apart/stink real bad/just plain bore you. But I am gonna see Kathleen soon so thats pefick timing for some sewing nights with her.yay. I am sad it's the end of the tour, it's always real quiet without the troupe around.I'm going to have to start thinking for myself again! Towards the end of the tour I have no idea where I am, what city, what day it is, I blame all the flights on that though, they took their toll. The sun is shining here in Casablanca and tomorow we are all heading to Marrakech for more souk trawling and mint teas agogo. Looking forward to the next tour, and seeing you somewhere en route.Love anf fluff to yous all. xxx

wee update

samanthahasthorpe — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:07:30 GMT

updatarama As of March 08 I am back on the road with BDSS, just finished in Vancouver BC. The shows were great fun, the workshops always a pleasure as those Vancouver girls work so hard on technique, it really shows whenever I come back to teach, it is so inspiring. I am now on route to Milan for a month of shows and workshops in Italy. We will be filming a new DVD in Casablanca…on my birthday!! After Italy, Dubai and Casablanca I will be heading homewards to the land or marmite and crumpets and a proper pint sized pint of scrumpy. Yup it’s time to go home to Blighty after two and a half years on the road in North America. Wow…and what a crazy couple of years it has been, I have learned so much, it’s been a real growing experience. I am so lucky to be where I am right now, doing something I love so much. In July I am over the moon to announce I will be dancing and teaching at the Larma Tree festival in the UK, the headlining band being… Wait for it… Taraf de Haidouks!!! Yayyyyyy. Also in July the BDSS Tribal Fundamentals instructional DVD is due out I think, just waiting to get the final cuts sorted. I am very excited to be coming to London for the Bloomsbury Theatre shows with BDSS in October, where my journey really does come full circle (the Bloomsbury is where I first saw the BDSS show and wished I could do that too way back in 2005..heh). I think I am going be the first Tribal style teacher to do a weeklong intensive in Poland this summer, details coming soon, I’ll put em on the calendar. I am scheduled for the Taiwan tour in August, and Raqs Britannia, Raqs LA, Raqs USA and Tribal LA, all coming up this year. Wheeeeew! Please check the website for more confirmed workshops and shows. www.snakecharmah.co.uk Oh oh oh, and I am currently working on a brand spanking new website too, should be up in the next few months, you’re going to love it, I hope, I know it is fun designing it anyways. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again man…careful what you wish for, coz when you get it, you won’t know what hit. So I hope you all are happy and dancin’ fit , maybe even wearing a fake moustache wherever you are, and I hope to make it to a town near you very soon! Stay Wikid and Safe. The Vagabond Princess.x

wheeeewww

samanthahasthorpe — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 04:30:58 GMT

so today sees me just getting in to La Paz Mexico after a mammoth 26 hour treck back from London..yes I walked..no I didnt walk..I flew, but the transfers and layovers and then buses took their toll, so now I am home, I find I need to unpack, wash clothing and re pack ready to get back on that same bus, back to that same airoprt at 6 am..yay. no really..yay, off to the mainland to check out ruins and chiapas and all things old..really really old. Tribal London was one of the best gigs I have had the pleasure of being a part of with BDSS so far. It was just me, Kami and Sharon, putting on a 45 minute show. It was so much fun. Taught 4 workshops, which all got good feedback, it was great to go home and share what I learned in the states with others, I love when at the end of the finger cymbals workshop, I turn around and everyone is beaming at themselves coz they just played a combination of patterns they would have laughed at the thought of playing at the start of the class, and now they are playing and dancing..hm, I think I may be rambling..that journey has left my brains like jam or something and the thought of doing it all again in a few hours is kind of daunting. Time fer bed.

whewww

samanthahasthorpe — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:17:11 GMT

this month brings me to La Paz, Mexico, where we decided to stop driving for a while, we are stopping here for a month, coz it's nice! Signed up for Spanish classes, and found 3 local belly dance studios already! So I'm goin to teach some classes here, as the girls are MAD for Tribal style, they are so fun, and this will help my spanish too..I need to learn key body parts and directions pronto. They are all helping me loads , I should learn fast. I flew to LA and back last week to shoot the Tribal Instructional DVD, it will be me, Sherri, Moria and Kami. It was a looonnng day, but alot of fun, I had to improvise my performance section as I didnt get the rights to the track I wanted, no idea what it will look like... the trip down south has been amazing. I touched a grey whale!!! I'll post pics here..got some video too, sooo amazing. Think I was pretty lucky as its early in the birthing season and some locals here have never actually touched one. She brought her baby to the boat to show it off, the baby was doing little belly rolls off its mama's back. Her head felt soft..and barnacaly too.yay. London in 2 weeks, was hoping to get there with a tan..make everyone reeaally jealous back home, but its been pretty cold here, so wont be doin that then. arsenips. Better go practice, see you all back in Canada, or Blighty, or Italy, I dunno..somewheres!

tour's end..for now

samanthahasthorpe — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:38:05 GMT

Tour’s end..for now Back on Vancouver Island after a brief stint on the road with BDSS. It's amazing how little you can see of so many places when you are running on a schedule like that. I seen plenty of highway between Ontario and Quebec. I found a hot Belgian style waffle and a coffee and watched people skate on a frozen pond in Quebec City one morning..around 8 am..(before we had to pile on the bus to head for Montreal)..moments like that make me so happy on the road. The shows were huge, the theatres were gorgeous, the snow was beautiful. I am always sad when tour ends, I miss everyone loads, it's so quiet here;;sigh;; Highlight: The whole bus singing 'moving right along' from the muppet movie..classic..and a little tear jerkin'.

homecoming..

samanthahasthorpe — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 11:38:40 GMT

homecoming dance show thingy yay yay yay at the weekend/ so weird to be home. i am digging through my boxes in the attick and found my old Fat Chance videos..vhs..a little warped and fuzzy from 2 years worth of damp, but still playable..this is where it all began... my journey comes full circle as i watch Carolena go through the basic steps that got me hooked on Tribal Style way back in 2003. Now I'm back..and I'm going to work through the videos again, like i used to, a little older and a little wiser..maybe.. goin to teach some classes do some dancin at festivals catch up with old friends and finally sew up all the pieces ive been carting around the world for 2 years now that i have a little time to kill...before its time to pack up and head off once again. its hard being solo, hard to focus on personal practice, anyone got any tips on gettin around that?

edith

samanthahasthorpe — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 11:24:56 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-sUzR71wpQ

oh dear..

samanthahasthorpe — Wed, 23 May 2007 21:55:14 GMT

i made a mess...

back in bc...

samanthahasthorpe — Tue, 15 May 2007 22:40:35 GMT

just got back to bc after my stint in monte carlo..its ...so..quiet ...here....weird to be back. The coffees are so BIG here! British Airways managed to lose my luggage again, so ALL my sewing projects are somewhere in the ether right now..which is making me a little edgy to say the least. i have plenty to organise and keep busy with over the next 2 weeks though so i wont have time to get all sad about missing the troupe. it was a blast. Monaco is kind of like a cross between a movie set and a zoo..the casino shows were so much fun. I have a drum to start learning on, I have new costume ideas..which will be hard to realise if my luggage doesnt turn up.I have 2 shows coming up..and i am now staying in log cabin north of nelson..with no hot water, no bathroom, an outdoor shower and a bear. eek. looking forward to vancouver workshop this weekend, martina has been workin her arse off preparing all of that, s'gon be fun!! see you there.

sam's scoop

samanthahasthorpe — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 00:04:11 GMT

oi oi tricksters, weirdos, fellow dance devotees, fanatics and freaks. Just a heads up that my Springtime telegram is about to be divulged, so if you havent signed up to the mailing list, ensure you do so asap.Fanks. To do so please trundle along to www.snakecharmah.co.uk

best yet

samanthahasthorpe — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:38:33 GMT

Well then, shows are over, Ariellah flies home today after we spent a few days resting, training, yoga and sauna in the most beautiful place by the river.......and its time to pack my bags again. Off to San Rafael for the biggest tribal contingent in one show, its gonna be wikid.Then theres the Tribal DVD shoot in LA. Then prep to head off to europe! Cant believe Im heading back to europe after so long away, Im not scheduled for the Raqs Brit event, much to my mum's disappointment. Shes not a happy bunny. Finally feeling rested after the last few months of craziness and preparations and more craziness. Had a blast last weekend, the workshops were perfect, even though a gymnasium in a hockey centre isnt the calmest environment for shavasana, but needs must ya know. The shows were the best yet, Ariellah was blown away by the quality, as am I every time i see these shows. BC is full of dedicated hard working, hard training, focused dancers. When I got to Vancouver Island I landed thinking I would be the only Belly Dancer and be lonely and bored and frustrated...well that couldnt have been further from the truth man. The last show had 30 talented perfomers from Vancouver city and surrounding islands. I want to thank all the performers again for making the shows the best yet.

ach..

samanthahasthorpe — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 23:19:07 GMT

ever get that feeling when you have things to do all at once..and none of em get done coz you've spent the past who knows how long running backwards and forwards from sink, to sewing, to practicing, to writing class plans, to editing tunes, to unpicking sewing, to the phone, to groceries, to thinkin,to...to.. to..... ok....procrastinating on tribe???????????? nuffin gets finished.

yay

samanthahasthorpe — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 16:52:58 GMT

rehearse, eat, sew, practice, sleep, repeat. i love my life right now.