Bloglings

BAYOUSHIMMY'S BATON ROUGE BELLYDANCE FESTIVAL - MAY 31, 2008

shamsi — Mon, 12 May 2008 17:31:20 GMT

IS REGISTERING NOW!!!!!!!! BayouShimmy Spring/Summer 2008 BayouShimmy Newsletter - http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409678597 The 2008 Baton Rouge Bellydance Festival is around the corner and this year, we've got something for everyone! FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2008 7:00 pm—8:30 PM Jewels of the Mississippi www.600mainbr.com - Downtown Baton Rouge Main & 6th Professional Bellydance Showcase featuring dancers from South LA $10 - Tickets available online and at the door (Limited Seating) SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2008 $20 by the class $55 3 Class Pass $100 DAY Class Pass* - *includes 6 classes + Saturday Show! Printable Registration Form: Available here: http://bayoushimmy.com/BatonRougeBellydanceFestival/2008BTRBDFRegistrationForm.doc 8:30—9:00 AM Registration & Shopping At BayouShimmy Shopping—Swap Meet & Garage Sale 9:00—10:30 AM Beginner Introduction to Bellydance Ashley & Emily of BayouShimmy Just the basics in this class! Figure 8's, circles, lifts, drops & shimmies! No experience necessary $20.00 Pre-registration Required 9:30—11:00 AM Turkish Bellydance Improvisation Shamsi of BayouShimmy Basic understanding of what makes Turkish Dance, Turkish, rhythms favored by Turkish musicians and dancers and Attitude! Previous dance experience recommended. Beg.—Int. $20.00 10:45AM-12:15 PM Cane Dance Choreography & Technique Noura of BayouShimmy Raks Assaya (cane dance), the female version of the Men’s Tahtib (stick dance), is coy and flirtatious. The movements have been softened and stylized while still retaining an air of exhibitionism. According to researchers Raks Assaya is the epitome of female charm and one of the most popular dances in Middle Eastern entertainment. In this class we will learn some basic cane techniques, a brief history, and combinations leading to a short choreography. Previous bellydance experience recommended. Intermediate to Advanced $20.00 **Canes required & a few will be available for sale & loan at the studio. You can also try these locations to purchase your own: http://www.bellydanceprops.com/canes.php http://www.zarifas.com/Belly_Dance_Cane https://www.dahlal.com/default.aspx?n=1&c=7&s1=1124&s2=0 12:30—1:30 PM Basic Rhythms for Dancers Shelly Plaisance Don't let the title fool you! This class is for any drummer, musician, dancer, percussionist who would like to learn the 5 most versatile and utilized rhythms in the bellydance world and how to play them for hanging around the house, campfire, small & large performances! No experience necessary Loaner percussion available with pre-registration. Zils & drums for sale at BayouShimmy. $20.00 12:30—2:00 PM Egyptian Bellydance Stylings Noura of BayouShimmy If you love the Egyptian dance stars or just Egyptian-style dancers, this class is for you! Study the specific stylings and trademark moves & combinations of the classic Egyptian style based on the film clips of dance in 1950's, 1960's, & 1970's. Then delve into *some* of the more modern Egyptian stylings as time allows. This class will be partial video study of classic Egyptian films and partial "active dance study". Bring a notebook & pen to each class, but you *will* be moving also! Previous bellydance experience recommended Intermediate to Advanced $20.00 2:00—3:30 PM When the CD Player Breaks Sisters of the Phoenix; Sid & Michelle, Acadiana This fun duo will share their tips, tricks and techniques behind an entertaining and completely fun way to perform with a group or as a duet, but ESPECIALLY when the electricity goes out! Join Sidonia and Shaia with their special brand of "Making it with out a dedicated Musician" and as the dancers, how to become the Band! Loaner instruments will be available. Previous bellydance experience recommended but not required Beginner to Advanced $20.00 3:30—5:00 PM Barefoot Flamenco Kryss of Crescent Lotus, NOLA Kryss will be focusing on basic style and attitude, arm and body positions, the ‘flamenco turn’, basic footwork, a few of the flamenco ‘marking’ steps and the “Zambra Mora” step as taught by Elena Lentini and Amaya. This will primarily be a technique class. No dance form is ‘quick and easy’, but if you’re looking for a fun and powerful way to add flare to your current dance style, this is your opportunity. Long full skirts are recommended, as well as leotards or tank tops. Loose t-shirts are advised against, as they will obstruct viewing the movement of the arms and body. Previous dance experience recommended. Intermediate to Advanced $20.00 7:00—8:30 PM BATON ROUGE BELLYDANCE FESTIVAL Student Showcase & Choreography Contest RED LION HOTEL http://redlion.rdln.com/HotelLocator/HotelOverview.aspx?metaID=82 2445 S. Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 OPEN AMATEUR CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST & STUDENT SHOWCASE! $10.00— 1 Free with purchase of any ‘Class Pass’ STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST 2 Categories, Troupe & Solo Students dancing for 3 years or less and not in a professional capacity. Choreography can be an older choreography as long as it was choreographed by the students and has never been performed for money. Participants must register for at least one class during Saturday's workshops. Troupes have a 6 minute limit Soloists have a 4 minute limit STUDENT SHOWCASE & HAFLA Troupes & Soloists welcome Troupes have an 8 minute limit Soloists have a 6 minute limit Participants must register for at least one class during Saturday's workshops. All music must be turned in to Shamsi by 12:30 PM Saturday, May 31st. INDIVIDUAL HOTEL RESERVATIONS: Each individual guest must make their own reservations by calling the hotel directly and asking for Jan Douglas, Director of Sales at 225.235.4000 or 888-368-7578 by May 15, 2008. They must identify themselves as members of BayouShimmy. All reservations must be guaranteed with a major credit card.

Shelly's birthday...the STOOPID President and the Geisha Moth contest...ouf

shamsi — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:38:04 GMT

So yesterday...it was Shelly's birthday (not his best day ever by a long shot). I took him to lunch because I knew I wouldn't get home from classes until about 9:30 pm and that was nice enough - even if we were both bitchin' about our mutually rotten days. Well - about 3 PM I found out that the President would be coming through town and they were going to *SHUT DOWN THE WEST BOUND INTERSTATE before 5:00PM*. All I have to say is, Are you F*&(ING SERIOUS? So, Baton Rouge depends upon its Interstate and shutting half of it down just at rush hour is about the most inane thing I ever flipping heard of. Needless to say, leaving my office at 5:08 and getting to the studio for my 5:30 class did not happen (this is typically a 10-15 minute trip). Alas, when I arrived at the studio, no one was waiting - if they had come for class, they had certainly already left. I went downstairs and had a beer...which I hate doing by myself, but I read a little too and that calmed me some. When no one arrived for my 6:45 class, I let everyone know I was bailing on the 8:00 PM class and headed home. The whole way home I was thinking, cool, I get to actually make supper for Shelly's birthday instead of 'picking something up.' (oh, and maybe I could get in a few guesses at the Geisha Moth U.F.O. contest!) I arrived home about 7:15 with Shelly sticking his head out of the door, "The power just went out," he was telling me. Great. There was NO rain, NO wind, NO nothing that would have caused the power to go out...nothing. Then we began seeing this HUGE storm cloud rolling in with brilliant flashes of lightening...and then it stalled, just to the North East of the house. We never got any rain, but apparently the storms in town were outrageous and fierce. About 9:30 we decided that we just couldn't wait for the power any longer, we were hungry and unwilling to leave the house again after my previous encounters with traffic that day. So I "Cooked" up a couple bowls of cereal for Shelly's grand birthday supper....and comeon ...guess what I'm going to say next? The power came back on just as we were finishing up the cereal - and you can forget my brain actually functioning enough to make a guess at the U.F.O.s....so we put in DiLorentes' DUNE (the extended version) and fell asleep while the Harkonnen's plotted against House Atreides....

To all of my friends...I am here only in body....

shamsi — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:19:28 GMT

My brain belongs COMPLETELY, SOLEY and ENTIRELY to the Geisha Moth Designs tribe.... AND THE F*(*&ING COTEST TO GUESS THE NAME OF A PAIR OF PANTS I'VE NEVER SEEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMFG! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I wish I had another life... I could move on...I could be done with this thing and think about...well, things I need to make my life function properly. Apparently, My Name is Shamsi and I suffer from Obessive Compulsive Disorder. Calgon....give me a bullet...please?

Mystery Dancer at Arzi's - Friday April 18th...and the Original Dynamic Dancing Duo Tomorrow at Cafe Med!

shamsi — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:19:58 GMT

ALRIGHTY!!! Tonight at Arzi's....d'uh d'uh du'hnnnnnnnn - who will perform TONIGHT? It's a mystery...be the first to guess and win a free round of hummus! :) Tonight - 7-9PM Arzi's 5219 Government Street Baton Rouge, LA Tomrrow - 6:30-8:30PM Cafe Mediterranean 4347 Perkins Road Baton Rouge, LA The incomparable Mzs. Rapunsel Belue & Jamie Babington - The Ultimate Babes of Bellydance - the Original Dynamic Dancing Duo - There to Shake a Shimmy and Squish Hummus through their toes! Check em out before the acheive SuperStar status and are NO LONGER within your viewing area! This week and every week - some of the finest bellydancing in the region, Fridays at Arzi's and Saturdays at Cafe Med....

I've been waiting 5 years for my Sufi teacher to write and publish this book...and it's finally here!

shamsi — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:47:39 GMT

Dunya's intense passion for dance took her from a small seaside New England town in 1972 to the Juilliard School in the heart of NYC's vibrant, edgy art scene. When a serious injury derailed her burgeoning career ten years later, she sought ways to heal her body and revise her future. Retreat in a monastic mountaintop community directed by a charismatic Iraqi Sufi Master, prove d to be a sojourn that ultimately led her to the development of Dancemeditation. Part memoir and part guidebook, this rich account of life in the body takes dance beyond performance into the dynamic realm where the physical, emotional and spiritual become powerfully intertwined. www.dancemeditationbooks.com BOOK PREMIER For those in NYC, please join me to celebrate my book birth! We'll have a reading and book, and tea as well as a gallery of Dunya's visual film poems, dance performance by the exquisite Alembic––Carleen Bevans, Nisaa Christie, Kate Russel (pictured here at the Metropolitan Building), and Anita Teresa–– and the elegant musical genius of saxophonist PremikTubbs and Musicians. Date : Sunday, April 6th Location: Metropolitan Building, 11-04 44th Avenue, Long Island City Time: 3pm Please let us know you are coming! RSVP: 212-226-2114 info@dancemeditationbooks.com Advance Praise for Skin of Glass "If you have ever longed to dance, if you have danced, if you are a seeker, this book will touch you and open your awareness to the majestic inner landscape of our being." —Laurienne Singer, MA. Faculty, Los Angeles City College dance department "Memoir, prose poem, erotic journey, mystical discourse and cultural commentary--Dunya's brave book also launches a new genre of writing from the body. It is a book sorely needed by a culture disembodied by fascination with electronic devices. Dunya's sensuous writing will draw you in from page one. You will travel inside her body, within her shadows and glory, as she recounts her spiritual quest. The urge to devour this book for its content is almost irresistible. But you'll receive more from Skin of Glass, if you read slowly enough to let the author's rich language fire your neurons and seep into your flesh and blood." —Mary Bond, MA, author of Balancing Your Body, & The New Rules of Posture "Skin of Glassintegrates narrative memoir with an almost microscopic focus on individual parts of the body (eyes, legs and crotch, spine, ovaries) in a way that does justice to the particularity of each subject area while also deriving rich and resonant literary metaphors for each of these "bodily stations." In fact, one has to return to Elizabethan conceptions of the "body politic" to find such ambitious use of the body-as-literary metaphor. Dunya's writing moves effortlessly from the particularities of subjective sensation to a more objective and generalized meditation on the significance of those somatic experiences. These are profound ideas, expressed in startlingly evocative language." —Roger Copeland, author of Merce Cunningham: The Modernizing of Modern Dance

Luvin' Bellydancah's :) Regularly scheduled appearances of some COMPLETELY AMAZING Bellydancers

shamsi — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:09:24 GMT

Before all the clubbin', before a complete level of insobriety takes hold.....come on by Arzi's 5219 Government Street, BTR LA!! I'll be dancing this evening from 7-9PM....with any luck Shelly will be there as well lending a little bit of live music! Tomorrow night go check out Rapunsel at Cafe Mediterranean 4347 Perkins Road (in the Southdowns Shopping Center) from 6:30 - 8:30... And for the love of mike...please let people know ...It's OKAY to tip the Bellydancah!"""" This has been a service bulletin from your friendly neighborhood spider-chick! That is all

New Rhythm & Movement classes start TONIGHT! April 1st - Noooo Foolin!

shamsi — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:45:19 GMT

Tonight I get to re-enter my passion for Middle Eastern dance by exploring the world of rhythm! Beginning tonight and for the next 8 weeks, we will embark on a journey of rhythm and movement; regardless of the particpants' skill levels. Every Tuesday from 6:45 - 7:45 we will cover new rhythms and percussion techniques for multiple instruments, please bring whatever percussion you own. From 8 - 9 we will incorporate those new rhythms and begin moving. Our hope, joy and desire is that particpants will stay through the 2 hour session so that we can learn to work together as percussionists and movers, playing and dancing for one another. 225.334.7885 - www.bayoushimmy.com/ClassInformation.htm or email shamsi@bayoushimmy.com for more information.

PLEASE HELP BAYOUSHIMMY TEACHER WHOSE STUFF WAS STOLEN!

shamsi — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:59:09 GMT

Well - I'm never opposed to helping out friends by asking other people for help when I feel the need is sufficent. Last night one of our teachers (friend/dance sister/student/loved one) had 2 things stolen from her car, which had the windshield busted out and door prised back in order to steal said '2' things. The first item, not so important were a bunch of personally mixed CDs. The second item was her entire GIG BAG. For those of you out there who understand what it would be to loose 1) Your best cabaret/performance (paying gig) costume 2) ALL of your makeup, 3) Best Harem Pants and dance Shoes, 4) Veil, 5) Performance music, 6) Finger Cymbals, 7) Way awesome cover-up that I gave her....and am actually sad it's left our little family - Please let us know of any cheapies, freebies or trades that could be made in order to get her back up to speed. Ashley is 5'1-2ish, Long torso, Long arms, shorter legs, petite waisted (probably 30-32), 32" Ribs, D cup. Any and all assistance is more than appreciated. Thanks, S

BayouShimmy's 2008 Spring Newsletter....

shamsi — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:40:33 GMT

http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409656827

Sometimes I feel totally beautiful......

shamsi — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:35:12 GMT

Okay - so this is really about Chris - Chris C, we'll call him for right now....I saw him hanging out on the Urban Gypsy 3rd Coast Tribe....so go find him there... kinglyam.smugmug.com/gallery...08_LSHr3 A couple of weeks ago Shelly and I had the most awesome opportunity to go to Houston for Olivia Kissel's worksohp and then perform later that night with some other Gorgeomous Wimmins and Chris was there snapping pictures. That's what the link is all about. Chris' pictures. Whoa, I say. I don't always take the best pictures (cause I'm high-strug and type-A and it comes across when I pose for photographs) but I love candids...actions...yeah -these are awesome. So anyway...I'm posting one of my new favorite pictures and i wanted to share where it came from. I'm still working on my for really-real blog about the Olivia/Houston weekend... http://www.girlie-queue.blogspot.com/ - Should have it done by monday...I freakin' hope.

8,000 DRUMS - WORLD/EARTH HEALING - Host your own CIRCLE!

shamsi — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:22:02 GMT

I'm going to begin this by saying, BayouShimmy will host a drum circle at BayouShimmy on the 21st of March in alignment with the message that follows. We will meet from 11am - 12pm. Bring a drum :) Ca c'est tout. Location Montreal 8,000 DRUMS PLEASE DO YOUR PART AND FORWARD TO ALL OF OUR RED NATIONS...SUPPORT ALL OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS...LET US STAND TOGETHER AS ONE PROUD UNITED NATION! Passing along the word to bring healing for our Mother Earth This special event will take place 12 noon EST. It is also a full moon that day and spring equinox is March 21, 2008 (eg. if you are on the west coast, your time will be 10am this will be your time to be aligned with us here in EST etc. etc.) 8,000 DRUMS on March 21 at noon HELLO, GREETINGS, ANIIN, TANSI, HAN, HAKODA!! Darlene Courchene was contacted by my friend Gilles Novaks who is a Montagnais Indian from Montreal. He is a Medicine Man and a Healer. He asked me to get as many Tribal people to participate in a worldwide ceremony called the "8,000 Drums". He was contacted by two Huron Clan Grandmothers from up there in Canada and they asked him to help spread the word to all Indians everywhere. It will take place on March 21, 2008 at 12:00 noon . All you need to do is play a drum either alone, or with a group or have the whole Tribe participate. The purpose is to fulfill the OTOMI PROPHECY. The Otomi's are Mayan Olmec and Toltec descendants. The drums will be played so that the Creator will hear us and grant our wishes as we pray for help in the Healing Process of our Mother Earth. People are destroying Her and our Mother Earth needs our prayers. Thank you. Ewo-wox-co-dah-wa.

My whirling experience - and an invitation to whirl -

shamsi — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:10:14 GMT

When I was a kid, I would spin and spin until I fell down dizzy and laughing. I think getting dizzy was the whole point. In the summer of 2002 I attended a 10 day Dancemeditation retreat with Dunya (Dianne McPherson) of the Dervish Society of America. It was there that I whirled for the first time. I was excited, apprehensive and curious. We were given basic instructions, but I was the only one of the group who had never whirled. When I first got up and began to whirl, I started slowly, but there was an inescapable force that seemed to will me to go faster. I was not prepared. When the dizziness hit it was accompanied by a severe wave of nausea and I staggered toward my pre-prepared pallet against the wall. My total whirling time was 5, maybe 7, minutes, from a 30 minute whirling session. I laid on my blanket, curled up on my right side, back pressed against the wall, watching. I watched the other whirlers in wonder and a little bit of envy. They all seemed so peaceful, serene and very powerful, all at the same time. I felt as though I had missed out on a great opportunity; completely unaware that my experience had been just as complete as anyone Else's. Later, after the session had ended and supper was finally cleaned off the table, several of us sat drinking tea talking about the experience. I listened, not completely relating. They spoke of releases and ecstasy, all I had experienced was sickness. It was then that I learned of the natural process of purification that whirling induces. Since then I have read several medically related articles about whirling, all in an attempt to better understand what I had experienced. Some have been helpful, to one degree or another, they have all been a bit confusing, but all in all, very interesting. One study suggests that if a person whirls for 10 minutes and then rests for a short period of time and then whirls again (for any length) that the second whirl will increase energy and the ecstatic results will be enhanced. I will speak to that last bit with the story of a January 2007 whirling experience. We were using new music for the whirl - from the Fez Festival in Morocco; very powerful and moving. I whirled in the first group and I think that Dunya had forgotten that the piece of music was shorter than what we are used to using, so the session ended after 15 minutes and for whatever reason I was not tired. Typically I will fall out after a whirl and go into that beautiful sleep of annihilation, usually only achieved after very heavy meditative work; this time I could not even lie down I was so wired. I felt as though I wanted to whirl more, but the second group had gotten up and there just wasn't enough room. After their session ended, Dunya (who is quite brilliant for picking up on the subtle energies of a group) said that if we hadn't had enough we could get up and whirl again. I, along with two others stood up and began to whirl. At this time I felt a beautiful energy begin to take me over and my whole head was thrown back, involuntarily. I felt as though if I picked up my feet I would fly. It is not the first time I have experienced the 'flying' sensation while whirling, but it is the first time that I felt I would fly because someone had picked me up and was carrying me through space. I had only vauge recolections of my movements through the room itself, but afterwards people told me that I had circled the entire room again and again. I never close my eyes during whirling, but my gaze is soft and inward; this time as my head was thrown back, my eyes were looking up at the ceiling which began to melt away revealing the darkened night sky and all the stars in it. I felt laughter bubbling up from the deepest well of my soul and while the laughter did not escape into the night, the vibration of it resonated through my body and I began to cry. I had never felt so loved, so open, so beautiful, so a child of god and creature of the universe as I did at that moment. (After my first whirling experience, Dunya offered me the name "Shamsi". She said that as she watched me whirl that was the name that repeatedly entered her thoughts. I accepted the name, perhaps not so graciously, but it took me a very long while to acclimate to it. Translated from Arabic, Shamsi means 'Sunny' or 'Sunshine'.) As I whirled on this night, during that second session, I heard my name resonating in a deep baritone, from where I know not, but the voice continued to repeat, you are of the lineage of The Shams. The Sun....the lineage of the Sun.....I am still not certain of what that in particular means, but since that night it has happened to me again and always the feeling is the same; a deep embrace from a loving parent who has been with me since before this body was born. And that is why I whirl, because it always feels like going home. Here is the spiel I now give prior to each session of whirling, regardless of the group's experience: "Whirling is the primary purification practice of most Sufi practitioners. When we whirl we always whirl to the left (counterclockwise) because this puts us in alignment with the spinning of the universe. As we whirl, our left hand faces down and the right hand faces upward, creating an electrical circuit that receives and gives energy which also passes through our hearts. The gaze of the whirler is not a piercing, outward focus, but rather a soft, inward gaze. If the whirler feels unbalanced, looking down at the back of the left hand allows a still, focal point through which balance is regained. In the Dunyavi order our foot work is very personal. Some prefer to pivot around the left foot, remaining in one place throughout the session while others use both feet to step around, which can often lead to revolving around the room while rotating around the self. Because it is the primary purification practice of the Sufis, if one's body has been overly taxed with stress, toxins or poor nutrition the whirler may experience nausea or some similar discomfort. The important thing to remember throughout the whirl is to breathe, holding one's breath can sometimes lead to feelings of nausea as well. The speed of the whirling does not matter. My favorite story is of an 80 year old woman named Ruth with whom I whirled one afternoon for 30 minutes. She had never been able to stay up the whole time in previous whirls, but this time she said, "I'm going to do it at my own pace." And true to her word, I believe an entire revolution for her was approximately 45 seconds to a minute, but she did whirl for the full 30 minutes. Life happens at our own pace, whatever we decide that is, and whirling is no different. To begin, one crosses their arms over their chest to signify 'the one' that we are part of the one. Once the whirling has begun, the arms open (the state of 'open-ness' is also left to the practitioner, in our order) and the left palm faces down with the right palm up. To end, the whirler simply begins to slow the pace of their rotations, bringing the arms back across their chest until they can stop their movement completely. If the whirler wishes, they can remain standing in the spot where they finished until they are ready to move back into the physical space. _________________________________________________________________ This is your official invite - we whirl at BayouShimmy dance studio 3623 Perkins road, suite a baton rouge, la 70808 -225.334.7885 - every last Friday of the Month from 6:30 -8PM. NO experience necessary, no charge (unless you'd like to donate).

Just ordered a top from Geisha Moth Designs.....

shamsi — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:18:11 GMT

2/26/08 And I'm sooo freakin' excited - like, worse than a kid at Christmas even..... I know she said she would ship it Saturday.....but somehow I know that won't be soon enough..... I haven't even seen the product in real life...maybe that's the unnerving level of excitement? waiting.....waiting...

Whirling Sema.....a meditative practice.....no experience required

shamsi — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 22:57:22 GMT

Whe're Whirling again :) This Friday, Feb 29th from 6:30 -8PM At BayouSHimmy - 3623 Perkins Road (Upstairs between the Caterie & CVS Drugstore) No experience No charge (donations graciously accepted if offered) Skirts can be nice to whirl in but are not necessary A quiet, gentle form of purification through an icomparable meditative practice. Join us. 225.334.7885 or info@bayoushimmy.com for more information.

AMEL TAFSOUT, DANCER/HEALER AND ISHMAEL, MUSICIAN, IN NEW ORLEANS; APR 4-6TH, 2008

shamsi — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:37:31 GMT

AMEL TAFSOUT AND ISHMAEL, MUSICIAN, IN NEW ORLEANS; APR 4-6TH, 2008 Middle Eastern Dance Artists (MEDA) of Louisiana hosted Amel and Ishmael in July of 2007 in Lake Charles, LA. Due to popular demand, an additional workshop weekend is planned for April 4-6, 2008. All events will be at the Hotel Le Cirque, #2 Lee Circle, New Orleans, LA 70130; Parking behind the hotel is $5 for up to 10 hours and $20 for overnight guests. $99 sg/dbl occupancy; 3 or more: +$10 each. Do Call Early. Rooms may not be available later: 1-888-211-3447. Ask for the MEDA discount. Hafla-type Show (Finger food, socializing, and dance; Friday April 4th, 2008; $10 6:30-9:30p 16 Performance slots available on a first-come, first-served basis; must be a workshop participant. Hotel lobby bar. Hotel Le Cirque is a short streetcar ride from the French Quarter. Amel’s Schedule Saturday April 5th, 2008 $85; $90 cash at door; $75 MEDA members; $40: ½ day, which includes Ishmael’s lecture; no lunch. 9-10 Registration 10a-12p Dances of the Ouled Nayl 12p-1p Box Lunch In-House (Cost included) 12:25-12:45 MEDA meeting; everyone’s invited 1p-2:30p Ishmael lecturing on Middle Eastern Music Theory (joint Dancer/Musician Class) 3p-5p Sahraoui Morrish/Guedra: Hand & Arm techniques, and Facial Expressions Various hand movements such as from the Amazigh-Berber and the Andalusian plus How to tell a story or bring emotions to the dance, especially if using a song. 6:30p-8:45p Banquet and Lecture “ALGERIAN WOMEN Throughout HISTORY”: Amel will give us a background on Algerian women’s history: the radical changes that affected Algerian women’s lives as a result of the wars of colonization; decolonization; the establishment of independence; and the injustices toward Algerian women during the ‘events’ of the 90s; and their contemporary situation. $25, if registered for workshop; $30 if not. Sunday Healing Workshop: Amel says Both Men And Women are welcome; $85; $90 cash at door; $75 MEDA members. Read her credentials & the Sufism article at www.meda-la.com & on her website. Eat a good breakfast beforehand; Bring a small blanket & a PLAIN long shawl, NO COINS. 9-10 Registration; 10a-3:30 First: Preparation for the Healing Release of sadness, frustration, etc. (due to Katrina’s flooding or perhaps another circumstance) through music and dance. Break for a Box Lunch In-House (Cost included); during mid-lunch a short MEDA meeting. Zar-Hadra Trance Dance. Amel, the expert, asks that you come with an open heart J Ishmael’s Schedule; Our famous Middle Eastern Musician who plays the Kanun: Saturday $85; $90 cash at door; $75 MEDA members; $40: ½ day, which includes lecture; no lunch. 11a-12p Introduction to Middle Eastern Music (Maqams) 1p-2:30p Lecture on Middle Eastern Music Theory (Dancer/Musician Class) 2:45-4:15p Use of Maqams in melodies and songs. BRING Instruments that can play maqams (ma koms’): Any Middle Eastern Instrument (except drums); Violin; Cello; Fretless Guitar; Oud; Lute; Flute; Bass or Double Bass. Vendors: Jewel of India and The Belly Dance Shop, representing both tribal and cabaret. Registration & more information (like songs to be familiar with) at www.meda-la.com and info@meda-la.com. Krys, Amel/Ishmael Committee Chair, perchance2dream@hotmail.com; Iona at danceriona@gmail.com Vice President; or Marlane, President at marlane@cox.net 504-669-3369.

If'n you're in Baton Rouge tonight.....

shamsi — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:44:11 GMT

My lover-ly booty will be SHAKIN it from 7-9PM at ARZI'S 5219 Government Street..... I'm thinking I will have some Orhan Gencebay, Sezan Aksu, Faruk, Blue Lotus Society, Farid al Atrache, George Abdo, Mohammad Abdel Wahab, Sulekule and some other beautiful sounds on tap. Come on by and have an iced-tea or an Athenian..... and we can eat fried cheese together by the light of the incadescent bulbs :)))))

Beyond the Levee - Now Available through CDBaby.com

shamsi — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:44:18 GMT

DarkestHeart's 2006 release Beyond the Levee is now availble for hard copy and downloadable purchase through www.CDBaby.com/darkestheart (www.cdbaby.com/all/bluelotusproductions) As we say "Eclectic Music for the Adventurous Soul" and we mean it! This album covers everything from Progressive Metal to straight up African polyrhythms with everything from Funky Bass Guitar to Ashiko. There's some great booty shakin' music and lots of other stuff too! For all you Tribal Goth fans - check out the SERPENT track....you're all sure to dig or if you're looking for something a little more organic - Track 1 - Swamp Telegraph is a 1 take wonder - no tracking, just the 1 take, 3 drums (Klong Yaw, Djembe & Doumbek) and almost 10 minutes long. You can also read more about Darkest Heart & Blue Lotus Society by checking out www.darkestheart.net

I wanna go home with the Armadillos.........

shamsi — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:00:12 GMT

This morning on my way into work NPR had a piece about Lebanese immigrants in the Gulf South http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18547399. It was really quite fascinating, but the thing that really caught my ear was an interviewee whose title is "managing editor for The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi". I guess it really struck a chord with me because my brain misinterpreted the information and before I could readjust to the actual title "The *NEW* Encyclopedia of Southern Culture - I managed to hear it "The Encyclopedia of *NEW* Southern Culture. Wow did this open up some weird, definitely deep seeded cultural pride. I'm from the South. So South that I've only ever lived North of I-10 for 9 months of my whole life..... My paternal family owned one of the largest plantations in Alabama they managed to keep it running up until the early 1900's. My great-great Uncle was Edmund Pettus (after whom the bridge in Selma is named). On my Mother's side, her father's family were prominent Natchez citizen's and my maternal Grandmother was Ms. Natchez 1938 and her parents were from New Orleans and had to leave during the depression so my great-Grandfather could work. I guess it just really hit me (even though my brain completely re-arranged this man's title) that we are living in a NEW culture. That the things that once defined the South are truly on the verge of being gone. The things that I had in my adolescence and early childhood clung to as my Southern Heritage are not only obsolete, but many would prefer to forget much of the history and just move on or continue to persecute me for long-since past wrongs done by people I've never met. So strange to realize that I'm on the brink of accepting a whole new Southern way of life - the redefining of my culture and ultimately of myself within this culture. I have many times in the recent past lamented the loss of things like people holding doors open and even being offered "Thank you" when they actually do hold that door open. Politeness seems to be a Southern commodity that is going by the wayside and is not a staple I'm ready to see go. So many things I've been completely irate about loosing are on the verge of being gone and I must accept it to some degree. I will maintain my politeness because that is how I was raised, but I feel that I must accept the new culture of what it is to be Southern in the 21st century. I feel that in order to connect with those who are not originally from the South I must accept who they are and where they have come from and what cultures have influenced their lives. Without this acceptance I am ultimately denying the "warm acceptance of a stranger" that is also Southern. So, from this weird misunderstanding that my brain twisted into something I needed to delve into, I begin my struggle to accept the New Southern Culture and my place in it.

Confessions of an 8 hour a day computer jockey

shamsi — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:53:40 GMT

I've recently been all over Tribe mostly because I have a desk job again. As is typical with my desk jobs the actual 'work' to be done usually only equates about 3 -5 hours a day. Everything else is killing time. Last Friday I got to spend quite a bit of time talking with my friend Krys (we rarely get to visit in person any more) and I kept gooshing about Tribe. Well - you know we all push ourselves against those around us, and without competition this is an amazing growth tool, but she was feeling like she was a sloth for not getting out here and posting more or reading more. She cracks me up when she starts talking this was because we're all already pulling off super-human feats of work-a-holism....like somewhere stashed behind our backs we have this whole extra week that the rest of the world doesn't know about that we should just be able to access as will. At any rate, it's something that I've had to come to grips with myself over the last year and it all boils down what are your priorities, where *must* you spend your time and energies. When I didn't have a desk job I spent more time wandering around outside, taking pictures, practicing dance more, marketing for myself, Shelly & the studio, cooking supper, cleaning house, etc. Now that I'm back in front of a computer for 8 hours without reprieve, I find myself taking the time to see what the rest of the world is up to. I'm enjoying it too. Previously, if I wasn't forced to be in front of a computer and made to read posts and blogs, etc, I just couldn't do it. Now, because of my situation, this is actually the most productive use of my time while on the computer. So here I am, trying to remind myself that this too can be productive....and finding it hysterical that some people actually wish they were in my shoes.....hehehe - little do they know ;}

Invitation to Whirl

shamsi — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:06:55 GMT

Tonight we will have our first whirling session at BayouShimmy - which is next door to The Caterie (on the right) and upstairs. We'll open up and begin with an introduction at 6:30 PM and start the whirling between 6:45 & 7:00. There is no previous experience necessary to whirl. This is a spiritual practice for some and a gentle purification practice at the very least. At its core, when we whirl, we do so to realign ourselves with The One. If you have any questions or are interested but would like more information, please feel free to contact me at shamsi@bayoushimmy.com. Skirts can be useful but are not necessary. Please bring a sweater, blanket or shawl for your own comfort. Water is available at the studio. Small donations for the studio would be greatly appreciated, but are not required. Hope to see you there, Shamsi

Reiki Attunement & Group Share @ BayouShimmy -Feb 10th 12-1:30pm

shamsi — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:50:02 GMT

I'm hosting a Reiki attunement and group share at our studio (BayouShimmy 3623 Perkins in Baton Rouge 70808) If you're interested in joining us or just have questions, please feel free to conatct me via email shamsi@bayoushimmy.com Donations/Exchanges will be accepted in place of any monetary fees. Sunday Feb 10, 2008 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Beginner Bhangra Choreography with Ashley of BayouShimmy

shamsi — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 17:31:48 GMT

Beginner Bhangra Choreography with Ashley starts THURSDAY, JANUARY 17th! Ashley Eldringhoff of BayouShimmy will teach a 6 week Beginner Bhangra Choreography starting Thursday, January 17th at 7:00pm. To view her choreography handiwork, you can check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13XHDwzq4co www.bayoushimmy.com/ClassInformation.htm or http://store.bayoushimmy.com to register or for more information. To contact the teacher directly, email ashley@bayoushimmy.com

BayouShimmy 2008 Newsletter

shamsi — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:55:36 GMT

http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/view_newsletter.php?newsletter_id=1409634067

Hmmmindays

shamsi — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 19:24:00 GMT

I watched part of the original Miracle on 34th street again last night. I love when the universe throws the same message in my face repeatedly - in a 24 hour period. I don't know how many out there remember the actual message of the movie - but even in 1947 they were beginning to realize that commercialization had taken over. One of the biggest points Kris Kringle makes is how everything becomes about the stuff and rushing and competition and less about the "Christmas State of Mind." I guess this hit me particularly hard this year because I just haven't cared about the whole present giving/getting thing for a while…but this year does take the cake. As a matter of fact, I'm so out of that mentality that I just really want to run away from home for Christmas -forget the family, friends, etc. It's the "Christmas State of Mind" I want. I want to feel warm and fuzzy. I want to feel as though everyone cares about one another and actually has the ability to forget about themselves for like - 5 minutes. I want to know that MASSES of people are walking away from a Christmas of buying stuff and making rushed plans to be with people for 30 minutes at a time and moving toward...I dunno, a day spent in the company of friends, family or just the great wide world being thankful for the beauty that walks through, around and among us each day. So I figure I’ll start with me, to all of you my friends and acquaintances, this Yule season I am wishing each of you the deepest peace, that peace which passeth all understanding, love, deep and abiding love shared with anyone you can call friend or family but most of all, I wish on all of us the illusion of vast, depths of time which allow us to be with and enjoy the company of those we cherish.

A boy and his dog......

shamsi — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:52:26 GMT

No, in this case the dog is not smarter, but the boy has given the dog children's benadryl and apparently Louis' brain swelling has diminished and he is in fact a more active and aware dog. YAY LOUIS! He still may not live very long,but at least he's gotten a good home, amazing love and gotten to bounce in the grass like Pepe' LePew!