November Noir...and my students!

To those of you I'll be seeing at November Noir (and those of you I won't be seeing), we've changed our concept a million times already. This last change (and the greatest in my opinion!) is to add another person! That's right, there will be three of us, not two! It's amazing what kind of things change when you add another person. We've got a great concept. We've got reason for me to buy even more veils (like I need reason!) and better yet, I'm incorporating two people I'm growing very close to!

This all started out when no one showed up at my advanced class last night aside from two people I'd spent time with over the weekend. We started talking about the choreography and getting her into the workshops. Then we invited her to perform with us. We've already chosen new music and are starting to work with it. Guess what this means? Yet again, I have a troupe!

I know what you're going to tell me. Be wary. The last troupe projects fell through. I seem to go through trough troupes as fast as I change underwear these days! However this time I think I've finally found a place where I can honestly stand on solid ground. I'm the driving force behind it because I'm the one with the most experience. On top of that, I know I'm going to be expected to do most of the work, so it's not going to be a rude awakening if I find I have to do it all myself. I've grown a lot as a dancer and I really feel ready for the responsibility of choreographing things for our troupe. I'm finally feeling at peace with this one. I've found that I've really bonded with these two women in a way I never expected too. I haven't felt this with the other troupes I've been in. Better yet, for the first time ever, I feel like I can bring up ideas and concerns without having to worry about defending myself because I feel like I'm being attacked! I'm finally finding some peace!

So to those who will be seeing us at November Noir, we've got quite a show planned for you! For once it will be something truly me, and oddly, truly us. I don't think anyone will quite expect this kind of performance from me, yet when you see it, you'll know it suits me just fine...

Wish us luck! It's a long road ahead of us! There's a lot of work to do and a lot of practicing in my future! I just pray I'm up for the task!

Burned....

Owwie, owwie! I got my first fire performance injury! Actually, I shouldn't complain. It's not that bad. It stung for a while, but now it's not all that bad at all. It probably looks worse than it feels, and it doesn't look all that bad. Actually, I think if it wasn't for the fact that I had to really clean it to get the grime out of it, it probably would be pretty much unnoticeable. I'm actually pretty proud of myself. I continued on with the show, barely missing a beat. No one even realized I got burned. In some ways, I consider it a good thing that this happened. I know what it feels like, so I won't be so afraid of it in the future. Yes, it really stung at the time, but now it's not so bad. I'm sure in a day or two I won't even notice. In this case, I don't even count the small wick burn on my belly because I was stupid and got to close to myself. That was nothing in comparison to this. That one just stung a little and didn't even mark past a couple days. This one, I have a funny feeling, will last a while longer than that.

So to explain what happened, Hawk and I were dancing together, which we do on a regular basis. He's a lot of fun for fire performance, one of the few people that I'm actually excited to get on stage with! That goes for all kinds of dance. When it comes to dancing with someone, both other dancers and for my drummers, I really need to connect. I really need to get that feeling that we're dancing together. For the most part, all the world falls away and I'm left with the connection. It's an incredible experience. Anyhow, we were dancing together, using some of the stuff we've been working on, when I saw it happening, and didn't have time nor any idea of how to prevent it. All of the sudden his staff comes up between my arms and makes contact on my right forearm. It didn't hurt that bad, but it certainly pulled me out of the flow of the dance and into that logical part of my brain that tells me exactly what to do to make a situation better. I let go of the star with one hand and we untangled ourselves, then went right back into it like nothing had happened, though I almost had to laugh about the big old black mark on my arm after that. We just flowed back into the rhythm of the music. Stupid or not, we went back to that move, got it right, and the audience was impressed. No one new the difference until I pointed it out to a couple people when I was going to the bathroom to clean it. I wouldn't have even said anything if it wasn't for the fact that I was cutting in line to use the bathroom just so that I could clean it.

And while I'm on that topic... I don't know the name of the woman that was with Hawk last night, or more honestly, I don't remember, but I really like her. She's level headed, intelligent, and really nice. On top of that, she helped me out with taking care of my little injury, which I really did appreciate. I wouldn't normally have the guts to cut in front of someone for anything unless it was a dire emergency.

Moving on from that, I went on to perform again later that night. Normally after something like that, I'd call it a night and be a little afraid of going back to it for a little while. It's that whole falling off a horse thing. If you don't get right back on, the fear will haunt you. It's barely enough of a burn to consider a burn. I think I did more damage trying to clean it than the actual burn did. However, it's still enough to make someone a little shy, and I'm the biggest chicken you'll ever meet! I was quite surprised. I didn't call it a night. I didn't give up. I wasn't even the least bit nervous when I lit up again. It was a lot of fun, but it always is. However, I wasn't afraid of being caught up again. There are so many reasons for that. For starters, I know that I was in good hands with the crew I dance with. I know if they can prevent it, they'll never let me get hurt, and if they can't, they'll take the best care of me they ever possibly could, no matter what they have to do to get me that care. It's not just because accidents are bad for the fire community. It's also because they're good people who don't want to see anyone hurt. I have no reason to be afraid with them because I know accidents do happen, and when they do, we're all level headed enough to keep the damage caused by them to an absolute minimum by handling it in the smartest, most expedient way possible.

A part of me has to wonder how it would have been if I was with someone else out there. What if they tried to get themselves untangled? What if they tried to get the staff out from between my hands on their own? While it's easy enough to just move the staff between my arms where it got caught in reverse, just a little lack of control or wobble in either direction could have burned me again. What if both of us weren't that level headed? That could have made for a messy situation. I can honestly say, I'm glad it worked out as smoothly as it did. I love working with the people from Wyldefyre for that reason. I know I can trust them in situations like that.

And in all of this, I had one of my students with me last night. She and I did a little bit of ITS dancing at the drum circle. I found, surprise, surprise, my cues and moves are still way off from any form of standard. I was asked if I wanted to dance with another dancer there. It was a lot of fun, but I was really intimidated. I ended up getting stuck in three or four moves that I'd been working with regularly in class and I felt like such a fool! Feeling the fool or not, it was a lot of fun.

Anyhow, my student saw the whole fire performance. She even saw the results of that burn. After all of that, she's decided she would love to get into fire as well! Most people I know would see that and would be afraid of getting hurt themselves. Even if I've told them I've performed probably over a hundred times before without incident, they'd probably still be thinking about that one time something goes wrong. They wouldn't realize that it's a potentially dangerous art and everyone will have an accident now and again. All you can do is take all the precautions you can to be sure that it's not a serious one when it happens and minimize the results as much as possible. In truth, it's like riding a horse. Sooner or later, everyone falls off. My old riding instructor used to say, "Once you've fallen off a hundred times, then you're a real rider." She's right. When it comes to most things that you could get hurt doing, it really does take a couple injuries to help you advance. Once you realize that falling off, or in this case, getting tagged with a fire tool, isn't so bad, it's easier to push your comfort zone and do something a little more "risky" and you'll do it with a far higher success rate of doing it right. There's less fear to get in your way so you're less likely to cause an accident due to reacting to something that hasn't yet happened for fear that it might. Even better, it's great that my student hasn't shied away due to a really minor accident that I'll probably completely forget about as soon as the burn is a little less raw and tender. I'm sure it didn't hurt that I was still laughing and joking after it all happened and did continue on as though nothing had happened. My entire attitude with the whole thing was that these things happen and I'll get over it. I was more upset that in cleaning the burn and all of that, most of the henna that my student did for me came of than I was about the injury! Not only does she still want to do it, but she wants to bring her son because she thinks he'll love it! This is just further proof that I'm really starting to find the community I need in my life. Though I never thought I'd say this about Texas, I feel more at-home here than I ever have anywhere else in my travels.

And in closing...if you're still reading after all of this... I've learned one very important lesson. I've decided to wear arm-warmers when I dance in the past for a very good reason. I put them in my purse and brought them with "just in case I want them". I should have put them on! Had I done that, I wouldn't have been burned. I almost put them on as I was leaving the house, but they didn't match my outfit, so I stuffed them in my purse. Lesson learned...never again will I doubt my instincts, even if it makes me clash.

Remember the Desert Passion Show...?

I talked about it and getting ready for it and all of that. It was a bit of a nightmare towards the end, but we all pulled it together. Well, I'm thinking of performing there again. I was watching the video today and I realized how much fun it really was. We weren't half as bad as I thought. Actually, I should put it this way, I wasn't half as bad as I thought I was! I thought I was a mess, but everyone else was probably fine. We all did pretty well...aside from me forgetting the choreography!

www.youtube.com/watch

So tell me what you think!

Finding Tribe

It seems I've finally done it. I've finally found a place where I belong. I've found a place that needs me. More importantly, I need that place too.

My dance class has grown into so much more than a class. There are the drop ins that come and go, as you would expect. However, something more has come from it. I'm no longer teaching fitness. I'm now building community. There are four women in the class that I've really come to enjoy spending time talking to after class. They're kind of the core group of my class. They've built a strong foundation for me to stand upon. They're my community. Honestly, I don't know if I'd go on teaching without them!

It all started today with a discussion about what we were going to call our dance group when we eventually start performing at student shows or the street fair. I'd like to call it something better than "Gaia's ATS Class" or "Tribal Belly Dance II Class". I love the idea of picking a "troupe" name for the core group of my students. To be honest, I love dancing with them. If I could build an improv troupe with them, I swear, I'd be the happiest girl alive. They've been talking about costumes as well. This is more than just a hobby to them! This is an actual enjoyable thing. This is something they want to enjoy and share with other people. They're all so happy about it. I'm just thrilled I can be the one to be bringing this to them. I'm glad I can be a part of that experience.

What's more important to me is some of the feedback I got today. One of the women mentioned that she feels like she's finding real friends because of this, like there's a bond forming. Another of them mentioned that because of my class she feels like she's being elevated to a higher level, though I'm not sure how she means it, possibly in improving her dance skills. I've also heard mention about the incredible bond. I feel it too. I love dancing with these women! If one of them doesn't show up, I'm a little disappointed. It's not about the money. It's because I don't get to see them and I enjoy spending time with them. I come home from dance class with a smile on my face, even if there was a small turn out, or if I'm so tired I want to fall over. It's a beautiful thing.

Oddly enough, I've now run into the woman who asked me to join her dance troupe last spring. She and I pretty much haven't talked since we decided not to work together. After all her complaints about the lack of tribal classes in the area, I was a little surprised she didn't show up to my class. Now she's pregnant and says that's the reason, that the baby doesn't like it if she dances. At first I took that as a personal thing. I thought perhaps she just didn't think I was good enough and was making excuses. It's been bothering me for a bit now. Then I came to realize that the problem isn't about me. If she wants to be the best dancer she can be, she'll learn, train, and expand. I mentioned my concern to one of the women in the class, that I was surprised I didn't have this dancer in my class and I was a little hurt that she didn't show up, especially since we decided not to work together. I thought perhaps I'd done something to wrong her. I was returned with nothing but supportive, positive, uplifting commentary! It was wonderful! I've finally started to accept that some people just don't want my help. Instead of worrying about it, I've got a class full of beautiful ladies that want to improve their dance skills, build community, and have fun. I've learned to let go a little bit more, and I needed that.

This class has been so much better for me than I ever would have imagined. I went into this thinking it would be a place to build the dance community and to get good exercise while I'm at it. As time has passed, I've found that I've not only done that, but I've set the foundation for good, strong friendships, unlike the ones I've had over the past year. I may not have my good friends from back home, but I'm making new ones, expanding the community, expanding my horizons, and finding that my family could grow bigger than I ever expected it would. I don't think there could ever be words to express the gratitude I feel in my heart. In short, it's liberating!

Dance Class Success

Well, the class numbers have cut back a bit. It's a bit of a juggle whether the class is full or it's just the regulars. However, there really is a core group there. I like that. Not only is a core group there, but there's starting to be this bond between them. It's incredible.

On Saturday we're going to be doing henna. One of the women there does henna and will be there early to get us going. Then we're going to have class. After class we're all going to sit down and talk about costumes! A lot of the women there want to learn about costumes for the fun of it, but we're also talking about finding potential performance venues for my students to show off what they've learned. We'd like to all perform at National Night Out in front of the store I teach at. I've also been asked to do a demonstration for a local Campfire group! The whole class is going to be coming with me for that one, at least anyone who wants to go. The Saturday class is already talking about wanting to put together the heavy ATS style costumes as soon as they can so that we can all start practicing in them. They're really excited about all of this. They're a lot more into it than I thought they would be. I was told that I'd expect nothing more than the wives who want to dance for fitness and the women who want to do private shows for their husbands. While that's a lot of what it started out as, there's a lot more depth to it now. These women are truly learning to love the dance!

I've also been asked by a parent to start up a children's class! I know there's interest! Now all I have to do is find a time and date to start that will work for everyone! What could be more satisfying than sharing all of this with women and their children?

Honestly, I'm glad this is working out. I'm glad my students are so incredibly excited about all of this. I'm thrilled that it's all for the love of dance and everything else is a bonus! It's completely taken off! I can't wait to see where it all goes from here.

Costuming...always costuming...

Alright, the decision has been made. I'm going to make myself another costume. My last costume isn't bad. Actually, a lot of people really like it. Love it even. However, I want something a little more traditional and I definitely want something cooler.

So the decisions that have been made thus far? I've just gone diving through my fabric stash. I've gotten a whole bunch of purple, blue, and blue-green tone fabric out. I'll need something to lighten it up a bit. It's all beautiful colors, and it's not that dark. I've got a beautiful jewel tone purple cotton for the choli. I've got this lovely crinkly jewel tone teal that I'm going to use for a belt. I'm going to put coins and other jingly things on it. It's just going to be a narrow strip, like a normal belt. I might put some fringe on it too, but I haven't decided. That may get in the way of it jingling or cover too much of the belt. I think I might embroider some pretty shisha on it or something on it so that it has a little more bling. Underneath that I'm going to make a triangle shaped belt in a pretty navy-blue velvet. I used that same velvet for my panel skirt that I made for Tribal Storm. I'm thinking I should back it with some kind of canvas or muslin or something that won't stretch, that way it won't start to sag over time, as I know velvet has a tendency to do. I'll have to stitch everything through both layers though. I might even get brave and try some iron-on interfacing, but I doubt it. That would be too much work for me. However, it needs a little bit of strength behind it. I'm going to embroider shisha down the sides of that. Then I'm going to add big old tassels to it, because everyone loves tassels... I have some pretty navy-blue satin that I'm going to use to cover a bra. I'm going to go all out on this one, I'm going to make a bra too! Now I just need to figure out something for pantaloons and a skirt! Of course, that's the challenge. I could just use the skirt I have, but I want to be a little more versatile. On top of that, I want to have at least a couple tribal costume pieces that don't have any black on them. I mean it! No black embroidery. No black fabric. No black stitching. No black trim. Of course, that doesn't mean I can't use a black bra base to build my bra over, but the point is that no black will be showing. Now that I think about it, I'll also want to look into fabric to make a turban with. At least that won't be hard. Or maybe I'll ditch that and just wear flowers or something because it's MUCH too hot in Texas!

What inspired the idea? Well, there's a few dance events coming up. There's a big show at the Belton Market in September. There's a National Night Out going on in Cove in October. Apparently there's some other event going on in December. Of course, there's also the events in Austin and the haflas. I want to have more variety in my costumes! I want to have more options, more choices. Even if I don't go to all of these events, I'll still want to be able to change things up a bit, have a bit more variety. Honestly, I get tired of going through my costumes thinking, "Should I wear my Gothic costume? Or should I wear my ITS costume? Or maybe I'll do a combination of both..." I'm very limited. Until I fix my other bra, I've got one bra top. I've got my bodice from Moresca. I've got one twelve yard skirt. I've got one tribal jingle belt. I've got two corset belts now. I have two fringe belts. I have a snow leopard print belt. I've got one set of hair falls. I've got a few pairs of melos and a couple tops. I don't have black melos anymore. I sold them. I just got tired of wearing them for dance. I guess I've kind of outgrown them. If I'm going to do something funky and fusion, I want it to be fun and different. Everyone wears melos these days. It's become trendy. I'm not so much on being trendy.

So I'm going to work on my costume a little at a time. First I'm going to add to my ATS gear. I'd like to have a REAL ATS costume. Then I'm going to be working on my Tribal Fusion costume. I'd better! I've got to get my costume together for November Noir! By the way, if anyone has any idea where I can find some good pinstripe fabric, point me in the right direction. I'm clueless! And a fedora...I'm going to need to find a nice fedora...preferably leather, but I'm not too picky...

I have no idea what kind of bug has gotten into me. I'm starting this costuming frenzy, and I'll be honest, it's a little scary... I like making costumes and all, but I'll be honest, I can only do so much before I get easily distracted by something else, or I get frustrated with something that doesn't turn out quite right. I prefer to sew my own costumes by hand (but I think I'll have to make an exception for a skirt!) so it takes forever and a year! However, when I'm done, I have costumes that are nice enough. I just can't help but think they're not as pretty as everyone else's. Then again...maybe I'm to hard on myself...

So time to go bin diving for more fabric... Wish me luck on a good find for the perfect pair of pantaloons...

Three classes now?

It all started out with one class. We were going to try it out for a month while the other instructor was out of town. Then it took off. By the third week I had eleven students and they were begging me to pick up another class! So I did. I told them I'd be teaching on Saturdays, same location. I'd be teaching two classes a week. That wasn't good enough! I was told I should teach more often! So here it is people, I'm going to be teaching three classes every week! You know what that means? That means a healthy income! If the second two classes are just as much of a success as the first then I'm going to be doing pretty well for myself! No, I don't do it for the money, but I won't lie, it helps!

I've also had a few offers to dance, mostly through the woman who arranged the street fair. They're nothing major, but I'll get a chance to hand out fliers for my classes. That means I'll actually have a chance of getting new people who wouldn't otherwise be exposed! If I keep this up, I'll have to look into sinking money into studio space! We're going to run out of room for everyone!

So it looks like my classes are a success! They're a roaring sensation! They're a hit! And to think I started out all of this not knowing if I would really find a place as an instructor, at least if I was truly honest with myself. There's a need though. Most of the women like it because it's a work-out. I make them sweat. Most of them also like it because it's fun. I can't blame them! I think it's a lot of fun. They roll their eyes and make side comments, but they keep coming back for more. Some of them are surprisingly getting really good! And they've only been coming a couple of weeks! Some of them will have to work harder, but there's no one in the class that I think I'd have a hard time with. I've just got to get them to relax more! Some of them are just so tense! Tension doesn't help!

Today we learned a couple of new moves. They absolutely ate it up! I've been watching too many ATS videos. They should know they're in trouble now! I'm hoping I can find an ATS class that I can actually get to, and isn't on one of the nights I'm teaching. I think it would be so much fun to get back into it! Unfortunately that means driving all the way down to Austin. However, have no fear! I will finally be purchasing the FCBD videos and have plans to save up so I can go to the General Skills certification this winter! I just hope Caelan doesn't deploy before then or I may have to find a sitter for that. THAT could be tricky... Well, wish me luck on that...until then...I'll be torturing my class with SHIMMY DRILLS!!!! I know, I'm evil..

Drum Circle Improv

All I have to say about last night is, "Wow!"

It started out pretty fun. We got there and jumped right into it. We had a little improv belly dance thing going on. I taught a little of what I know (Many thanks to Shakti and her classes!) and we used those for a while. It was fun. We laughed a lot. Tons of pictures were taken.

Then when that was over, I was asked to bust out the sword. Hawk wanted to see it in person. There was another girl dancing with a sword there, so I didn't jump in. I didn't want to look like a copy-cat. However, when Wyldefyre stole the circle with lots of fire, out came the sword! Hawk asked if I would dance with him, he would have fire, I'd have my sword. Then Gina asked if we'd mind if she joined us. Next thing you know, in came Willow, then Celeste, and Anna! I'm not even sure if that's everyone who got out there! All I know is everywhere I turned there was more fire! The sword was glinting in the light from all of it. I almost didn't even want to dance! I just wanted to sit there and watch it all. Better still, I danced with that sword and I didn't drop it once! I even did moves that were more difficult than the ones I'd done earlier and I was still okay.

I don't know what it is about drum circle energy, but it always seems to make things better. I had no problems doing barrel rolls with double veils at the drum circle, but when I wasn't there, I always got dizzy. I never got dizzy at the drum circle! Last night I had no problems with my sword, but I'd had nothing but problems earlier in the day. Seriously, I don't get it! Well, I do. At a good drum circle, once that energy gets going, it keeps you going. The nerves are gone. The confidence is suddenly not needed. It's a safe environment, and I thrive on that energy. I just wish that all performances could be like dancing at a drum circle!

Then there was the fire improv. Hawk, Celeste and I danced together... From what I've heard from the audience, it was damn sexy! I danced with Hawk too. I'm finally getting to the point where I'm so comfortable with the both of them that dancing an improvisational dance is almost natural. Many times we don't even have to talk to each other anymore. Even without cues, we somehow make it happen. It's so much fun! I just can't wait to do it again!

Dancing in the Streets

We did a street fair today! There's a local market day every month. I was called last minute and asked if I could pull something together to dance for the show real last minute...as in yesterday afternoon! I was thrilled!

Well, it was awful....very few people stopped and watched. It was terribly hot. I didn't have a brain when I left and didn't bring water. My tribal costume was so hot and heavy in the Texas heat that I thought I was going to die! There was sweat pouring down my leg, even with the skirt tucked at the waist because of the pantaloons. My head was roasting because of the turban. It was horrible! The pavement was so hot that my feet hurt every time I'd wander out from the shade. The sword fell...twice... I was shaking so bad with nerves because I'd only ever practiced with the sword at the house, never in public. On top of that, the wind kept catching it and turning it on me!

But aside from the heat, the few spectators, the costuming roasting me, and the sword, I had a great time! I got to get out there and dance with people I'd never had much chance to dance with before. I had a chance to dance for people who had never really even seen belly dancing before! As always, the kids loved us, the husbands wanted to stop and watch, but their wives were with them, and the wives were often irritated by it. However, I just plain ignored the husbands! What little I played up to the audience was directed towards the women, not the men. That was amusing. We even got one woman to dance with us on the sidewalk!

However, I have learned a lesson in all of this. First and foremost, find a cooler costume! I love my big, heavy tribal get-up, but I need to make it cooler somehow. I'm thinking lighter weight pantaloons in something other than black. I may just ditch the skirt. Next time I may go without a turban and do flowers instead. However, if I do the sword again, perhaps a turban would still be a good option in a lighter color and maybe with some cooler fabric. I've noticed the sword balances better, though it turns easier, if I wear some kind of wrap on my head rather than just balancing bare headed. Even the one layer of fabric I have there helps keep it in place better, probably because it's less slick than my hair! I'm thinking next time I may go with a something more traditional ATS, just because no one around here has ever seen that kind of thing before. The whole group is filled with cabaret dancers. It's kind of nice being the odd one out. Next time, however, we need to put out a tip jar! Seriously, there's no point in dancing 100% for free! And these people go to the market to spend money! You know what? Let us get a cut of that too...

Dance Classes Taking Off!

My classes are a hit! Last night I had 11 people in the class! That was only the fourth week of class! That's just incredible! I'm so excited about that! It looks like we're really going to have a good turn out. Not only that, but there's been a good deal of interest in me teaching an additional night every week. I've been asked by three different people last night alone if I was planning on taking a second night or if there were any other studios I teach at. People are just eating the class up! I'm so excited!

The choreography I'm working on will be to some very familiar music to anyone who had seen Tribal Storm perform. We're using Tiger Moon Dance by Solace. It's so difficult not to jump into the same choreography Tribal Storm used when writing it! Still, it's a nice short song and it's kind of catchy. My students all love it! The fact that I'm teaching a choreography at all is a big hit. Most of them are used to the other instructor at the studio who simply teaches some of the moves. They think it's great that I'm giving them a choreography to work on. It gives them a little bit of something to play with. I've loved that from all the workshops I've done before. They're eating up the improv too! We're not working with cues or anything. We're just mirroring and playing a kind of follow-the-leader kind of thing, but they all enjoy it. Some of the people in the class that were most timid about doing improv are now the first ones to volunteer when I ask if anyone wants to lead the improv! It's wonderful!

So here's where things stand on the dance classes. I've been asked to pick up an additional class! I'm now going to be adding Saturday afternoons to the line-up. If that goes off well enough, I may ask about having an advanced class that directly follows the regular class, because I have a couple students that have the basics pretty solid. I'd love to give them an option to take a more advanced class. We'll see how well the Saturday classes take off. I'm so excited that there's enough interest that I'm picking up another night. I'll admit, it's good for my wallet. It's also good for the kids because I can bring them to class. Everyone brings their kids and they all go play together. It's so refreshing! However, what I like most about getting another class is that I'm going to be one more day to build the community.

On top of that, I've been asked to hold a class for children after mentioning that I wanted to do a kids class. It looks like they'll be putting it out to the homeschool community as well, so we'll see what that brings in! I mentioned a class for teens as well and it looks like there may be interest in that too. I've also been asked if I'd run a class for adults once the school year starts so moms can come dance while their kids are in school! If all that works out, that'll be five classes every week! I really hope it works out because as much as the money is nice, I'm finding I really love teaching!

Well, I need to get going. It's into the shower, put food in my stomach, and on the road for me! I'm heading down to Austin tonight for more fiery goodness! It's going to be a good night!