RIP Hannah kitty kat

to the best companion and friend I've ever had, I will miss you.

You have been with me for 17 years and I will always love you dearly.

I'll keep you with me always

Extra! Extra!

Tribal Alchemy is this FRIDAY! Wow, how time flies. We will be taking class registrations online until Wednesday 12am. Friday show tickets available online until Thursday 11:59p. Saturday will be available til Friday 11:59p.

It's time to PLAY!!!!

Are YOU being served??

Why, yes! Yes you are!!!

I am one of the members of 4 Wench Productions and we produce an event called “Tribal Alchemy”. Now I know many of you think because of the word “tribal”, this event has nothing to offer to YOU. This would be incorrect.

What is Alchemy? By definition, alchemy is “ A medieval chemical philosophy having as its asserted aims the transmutation of base metals into gold, the discovery of the panacea, and the preparation of the elixir of longevity. “ How this translates to US is the mixture of different elements of dance and music to create something entirely new.

We offer affordable workshops, 36.00 each (which are approximately one week’s worth of fast food for most) and these workshops are instructed by some of the most sought after teachers around.

For the musicians, we have with us this year Mr. Dave Hall, who has toured with Solace Live and himself has been a drumming instructor for over 15 years. He has a vast knowledge base and much to offer.

For dancers who are not primarily of the “tribal” persuasion, one of our most requested an instructor (returning for a THIRD year) is Mira Betz. Her knowledge base is SO vast; it would fill this page to list every workshop topic she works with. She has taught workshops on Moroccan folkloric dance with us and this year is offering TWO very different workshops (one on improvisation skills and the other is all about the Taxeem!)

We have SOOZ, who is Fat Chance certified coming to share the ATS goodness. We have Theatrical bellydance, we have Belladonna bringing her unbelievable SWORD skills to teach. The list goes on and on!

The fact is, most bellydancers (no matter what style they fall into) use the same dance vocabulary. Our event offers the chance to learn some new ways to USE those moves, perhaps give you a FRESH view of your dance, and maybe turn you on to something you might not have previously been willing to try.

For 36.00 and a few short hours of your time, you can get a glimpse of something new and maybe start to figure out how some dancers “do that stuff”.

Most importantly, this event is NON PROFIT and benefits Safe Haven of Tarrant County. This center is a shelter and provides assistance for women and children who are affected by domestic violence. They can use our help, ALL OF THE BELLYDANCE COMMUNITY’S HELP. Please check out their website www.safehaventc.org/index.html

4 Wench Productions strongly believes in two core ideals: supporting our ENTIRE dance community by having an event that is affordable and offers exciting instruction. More importantly, we believe deeply and passionately about supporting our DFW COMMUNITY as a whole. Benefiting Safe Haven is a perfect way to do so.

So take a few minutes, check out our website www.tribalalchemy.net/ and marinate on it, consider the possibilities you might open yourself up to with just a few hours and a week’s worth of fast food money (okay okay 36.00 for those of us who take lunch to work every day).

If you have ANY questions about anything related to Tribal Alchemy, my email is ALWAYS open: obsidiadarkfusion@gmail.net.

Namaste and bright blessing to all,

Obsidia

Resident Wench #3

cleaning out tribe

since tribe is now very temperamental, I decided not to visit as often. i generally only hit tribe every 3-4 days...

with that in mind, I am leaving quite a few tribes that I have. SOOOOO, if I was on your tribe and I left, PLEASE know it is nothing personal. I just do not like visiting this site as often.

I'm on FaceBook almost every day and I certainly want to keep up with what everyone/their troupe/their event has going on, so if we aren't FB friends, find me and friend me!!!!

Here's my link:
www.facebook.com/home.php#...darkfusion

I'm clearing out my closet to make room for my fiancee!!

For anyone who doesn't know, I'm getting married and my fiancee is moving here in TWO WEEKS!!! So, to make sure there is space for her in the closet, I am having a HUGE sale on some bellydance items!

Closet Clearout SALE!!!
Yarn Belt, handmade by Katy of BellaNaTana..Bright and beautiful..only worn twice in performance..40.00
Red fringe belt. Never worn..10.00 SOLD
Multi colored skirt…great for layering or wearing everyday. I only wore this once..20.00
Red micro dot harem pants by Desert Dancer. These are super comfy and look AWESOME on stage! Only worn twice..25.00
Black lace shrug..great for fusion or more “vintage inspired” costumes I wore this maybe three times..10.00 SALE PENDING
Authentic RoseHips skirts!!!
I have three for sale, all are an XL and will easily stretch to hip size 45”
Brown/Copper sparkle- 15.00 SOLD
Red/Black/White stripey-15.00
Gorgeous Black/White design-15.00 SALE PENDING
Amazing Blue shawl/hip scarf with gorgeous floral embroidery and fringe..worn perhaps twice..20.00 SALE PENDING
Authentic Kathleen Crowley wrist covers in gorgeous brown/cream..worn once..10.00
Steampunk inspired armlets..in an olive green…worn once..10.00
**pics in my profile..I accept Paypal..message me here or email me at obsidiadarkfusion@gmail.com**

FRUGAL FUN workshops with me, BellaNaTana and Just Trudi!!!!!

four wench productions presents:
Frugal Fun Bellydance Workshops
When: August 30, 2009
Where: Crescent Moon Dance Studio
6206 S. Freeway Ste. E
Ft. Worth, TX 76134
Class descriptions:
10 am – 11:30 Sassy Tribal Moves for Cabaret Dancers:
You’ve seen them, you love them, and have no clue how they are done. Come and learn fun and sassy moves that can be integrated into any style of bellydance. Want to know what the “Jiggy” is or the illusive “Black Widow”? Sign up and find out!
11:30 – 1pm 3D Isolations by Obsidia:
Bellydancers all know the fundamental movements: maya, taxeem, chest circles, etc. In this workshop, Obsidia gives you the tools to begin developing the foundation for EXTREME isolations that push these movements beyond the "norm" as if you are moving INTO the audience. You will learn a few short combinations that utilize this new found expansion of isolations. Drilling and discussion of the pertinent muscles used will be done. Bring a notebook.
1pm – 2:30 Bhangra Fusion, Just Trudi Style! :
Come learn a Bhangra Fusion Choreography that combines elements of bhangra, hip-hop, and bellydance, and some pure Just Trudi style! Hand outs will be available during class so we can concentrate on the fun!

Please check by the appropriate box:

________Sassy Tribal Moves ________3D Isolations ________Bhangra Fusion

Classes are $20 each or take all three for $50. Save $10!

Name:________________________________________________________________

Address:______________________________________________________________

Phone:__________________________E-mail:________________________________


Please make checks and money orders payable to “Four Wench Productions”
Mail to:
Frugal Fun c/o Tribal Alchemy
428 Guadalupe Dr.
Saginaw, TX 76179

For more info e-mail: rachelleerocks@yahoo.com

“We have Queso!”

This weekend was CATHARTIC

I have just returned from a weekend Intensive with Ariellah. It was cathartic for a multitude of reasons.

As a dancer, I've hit a plateau. I have no one to study with in my area that can challenge me to move further as an artist. Sure, I can go to a class and drill, but I am not pushed to expand myself and step outside my "dancer box". This has lead me to have a mental block in my art-I can't find music or movement I am passionate about.

Then I went to Kansas.

Ariellah's workshops really delved into being an ARTIST. Yes, we did drills and conditioning, BUT we spent the majority of the weekend working on ourselves and what each of us seek to bring as artists to the stage.

Today's (Sunday) workshop really made me look inward at myself and my life up to this very moment. And let me say, that is way more difficult than it sounds. I felt a ton of emotions swirling around within me and then felt them release as I shared what I felt and why. I had tears (which brought tears to a few others, sorry about that) but I came away feeling I had a better grasp on myself as a woman AND an artist.

I really loved this Intensive and not just because I consider Ariellah to be my mentor and biggest inspiration. Her workshops were very "personally oriented" and what you got from an exercise wasn't necessarily waht the person beside you got, which allowed EVERYONE to learn and grow from one another.

Jadzia and her gals were super sweet and helpful. They took care of all of us (including my fiancee, who had her own adventures wandering Wichita) and they made us feel at home.

When our plane took off, I realized that I was leaving all of the BS and crap that I no longer wanted or needed behind on the ground and (as cheesy as it sounds) I was taking off towards a better me-as a woman and artist.

"Creativity is an act of defiance." — Twyla Tharp

8 Toxic Personalities to avoid...

This article by Brett Blumenthal was sent to me by my honey. I know people that fit some of these and a few people that fit MULTIPLE descriptions..

Although we like to think that the people in our lives are well-adjusted, happy, healthy minded individuals, we sometimes realize that it just isn't so. Personally, I've had moments where I'll be skipping through my day, happy as can be, thinking life is grand and BAM, I'll be blindsided by someone who manages to knock the happy wind out of my sails. Sometimes it is easy to write it off and other times, not so much.

Maybe you are a positive person, but when you are around a certain individual, you feel negative. Or, maybe you have an idealistic view of the world and when you are with certain people, you are made to feel silly, unrealistic or delusional. Or, maybe you pride yourself in being completely independent and in control of your life, but when you are around a certain family member, you regress into a state of childhood.

Some of these situations, and yes, these people, can have a tremendously negative impact on our lives. And, although we are all human and have our 'issues,' some 'issues' are quite frankly, toxic. They are toxic to our happiness. They are toxic to our mental outlook. They are toxic to our self-esteem. And they are toxic to our lives. They can suck the life out of us and even shorten our lifespan.

Here are the worst of the toxic personalities out there and how to spot them:

1. Manipulative Mary: These individuals are experts at manipulation tactics. Is a matter of fact, you may not even realize you have been manipulated until it is too late. These individuals figure out what your 'buttons' are, and push them to get what they want.

Why they are toxic: These people have a way of eating away at your belief system and self-esteem. They find ways to make you do things that you don't necessarily want to do and before you know it, you lose your sense of identity, your personal priorities and your ability to see the reality of the situation. The world all of a sudden becomes centered around their needs and their priorities.
2. Narcissistic Nancy: These people have an extreme sense of self-importance and believe that the world revolves around them. They are often not as sly as the Manipulative Marys of the world, but instead, tend to be a bit overt about getting their needs met. You often want to say to them "It isn't always about you."

Why they are toxic: They are solely focused on their needs, leaving your needs in the dust. You are left disappointed and unfulfilled. Further, they zap your energy by getting you to focus so much on them, that you have nothing left for yourself.
3. Debbie Downers: These people can't appreciate the positive in life. If you tell them that it is a beautiful day, they will tell you about the impending dreary forecast. If you tell them you aced a mid-term, they'll tell you about how difficult the final is going to be.

Why they are toxic: They take the joy out of everything. Your rosy outlook on life continues to get squashed with negativity. Before you know it, their negativity consumes you and you start looking at things with gray colored glasses yourself.
4. Judgmental Jims: When you see things as cute and quirky, they see things as strange and unattractive. If you find people's unique perspectives refreshing, they find them 'wrong'. If you like someone's eclectic taste, they find it 'disturbing' or 'bad'.

Why they are toxic: Judgmental people are much like Debbie Downers. In a world where freedom rings, judgment is sooo over. If the world was a homogeneous place, life would be pretty boring. Spending a lot of time with these types can inadvertently convert you into a judgmental person as well.

5. Dream Killing Keiths: Every time you have an idea, these people tell you why you can't do it. As you achieve, they try to pull you down. As you dream, they are the first to tell you it is impossible.

Why they are toxic: These people are stuck in what is instead of what could be. Further, these individuals eat away at your self-esteem and your belief in yourself. Progress and change can only occur from doing new things and innovating, dreaming the impossible and reaching for the stars.
6. Insincere Illissas: You never quite feel that these people are being sincere. You tell a funny story, they give you a polite laugh. You feel depressed and sad and they give you a 'there, there' type response. You tell them you are excited about something and you get a very ho-hum response.

Why they are toxic: People who aren't sincere or genuine build relationships on superficial criteria. This breeds shallow, meaningless relationships. When you are really in need of a friend, they won't be there. When you really need constructive criticism, they would rather tell you that you are great the way you are. When you need support, they would rather see you fail or make a fool of yourself.
7. Disrespectful Dannys: These people will say or do things at the most inappropriate times and in the most inappropriate ways. In essence, they are more subtle, grown up bullies. Maybe this person is a friend who you confided in and uses your secret against you. Maybe it is a family member who puts their busy-body nose into your affairs when it is none of their business. Or maybe, it is a colleague who says demeaning things to you.

Why they are toxic: These people have no sense of boundaries and don't respect your feelings or, for that matter, your privacy. These people will cause you to feel frustrated and disrespected.
8. Never Enough Nellies: You can never give enough to these people to make them happy. They take you for granted and have unrealistic expectations of you. They find ways to continually fault you and never take responsibility for anything themselves.

Why they are toxic: You will spend so much time trying to please them, that you will end up losing yourself in the process. They will require all of your time and energy, leaving you worn out and your own needs sacrificed.
All of these personalities have several things in common. 1) the more these people get away with their behavior, the more they will continue. 2) Unfortunately, most of these people don't see that what they do is wrong and as a result, talking to them about it will fall on deaf ears, leaving you wondering if you are the crazy one. 3) Most of these people get worse with age, making their impact on you stronger with time.

Frankly, life is too short to spend your time dealing with toxicity. If you can, avoid spending mucho time with people who are indicative of these behaviors and you'll feel a lot happier. Have you encountered these personalities? What have you done? Any personalities you would add?

HEY!!! YOU!!!! CHECK THIS OUT!!!

Now that I have your undivided attention.....

TRIBAL ALCHEMY 2009 now is happy to offer LAYAWAY options!!!

Tribal Alchemy Workshops

Friday
1:00-3:00
Dave Hall
Drummer & Dancer Workshop $36.00
1:00-3:00
Rose Harden
Rock Solid Fusion Foundation $36.00
Building Your Practice From The Ground Up!
Enhance and deepen your understanding of belly dance fundamentals with technique drills and tribal fusion combos. Rose will cover layering, shimmies, and up-tempo movements -- great for any style of bellydance! This class will accommodate all levels of experience.
3:30-5:30
Elizabeth Strong
Musicality and Combinations $36.00
3:30-5:30
Natalie Brown
Theatrical Bellydance $36.00
After running away and joining (and directing) a circus two years ago, Natalie has performed in everything from top hats to feather boyshorts. Learn to create cohesive theatrical productions with the right music, atmosphere, moves and costuming, and successfully walk the fine line between radiance and ridiculousness. Learn one of Natalie's signature character choreographies, drawing on tribal fusion, ballet and acting vocabularies.

Saturday
10:00-12:00
Rose Harden
Icing the Cake: Contemporary Tribal Fusion $36.00
We'll kick things up a bit here! Level changes, fancy footwork, and spins are the name of the game. Because we will be building on our foundation from the first class, it is recommended that you take both classes. Previous belly dance experience requested if taken without workshop 1.

10:00-12:00
SHAKRA
Exploring the Anatomy of Power
Join Shakra for an extensive dissection of high impact movement to discover empowerment through power moves. Using action-packed movements from specimens such as West African Dance, Bhangra, and their own Transfusion Style, Shakra will show you how to harness personal power and channel that energy to areas of the body where it is needed most. This workshop will also observe ways we lose physical and mental energy that affects endurance and performance. Be prepared to be worked from head to toe so bring Schmatorade (half water, half Gatorade) or your favorite thirst quencher.
12:30-2:30
Mira Betz
In Praise of Improvization (exercises to gain proficiency at improvisation) $36.00
12:30-2:30
Dave Hall
Drummer Composition Workshop $36.00
This class will be teaching you how to layer rhythms so you can make the beats you know more interesting, creating melodies for drums, and combining rhythms together to create songs for drums. You will also learn about odd beats such as 5, 7 & 9 and how to create your own rhythms too. This class is for all drums and percussion so bring what you have and is open to all skill levels.
3:00-5:00
Asharah
The Cymbalist Movement: Integrating Finger Cymbals into Your Dance $36.00
Finger cymbals are an integral part of American Tribal Style bellydance, and can be a lovely accompaniment to a solo performance. However, many dancers often feel daunted by cymbal playing and have been using them less and less… Finger cymbals aren’t scary, and this workshop will help you approach cymbals as an instrument and as a way to enhance your performance. With the right exercises, anyone can play cymbals and dance! Asharah will lead you through an intense warm up, teach drills that layer movements and cymbal playing, introduce common cymbal patterns found in Middle Eastern music, and teach a short dance combination focusing on the playing of your cymbals with the music and your movements.
3:00-5:00
Elizabeth Strong
Strengthening, Layering and Floorwork $36.00
Have you ever wished that you had more technique at your fingertips to express the rhythms and melody of the music?
This workshop explores isolating multiple parts of the body simultaneously and applies the technique to musicality. Strength and safety for moving up, down and around during floorwork will also be covered. And learn a couple combinations that can be easily integrated into any dance choreography. Bring a sword or tray for an extra challenge.
Sunday
10:00-12:00
Belladonna
Sword Workshop: Description coming soon $36.00
10:00-12:00
SOOZ
New Moves to Inspire You! ATS 101! $36.00
Been dancing tribal for awhile? Wanna spice up your improv? Here are some new moves recently added to the ATS vocabulary and also re-visiting the tried & true moves to drill them correctly. Bring zills! **Dancers should know the basics of taxeem, hand floreos, shimmy, arabic, Egyptian basic, pivot bumps & choo choo's.
12:30-2:30
Mira Betz
Taxeem: All that Oozes $36.00
Focuses on arms and hands and moving slowly, with power and intention.
12:30-3:30
Urban Gypsy
Class description coming soon $50.00

THE COMPLETE PACKAGE!!!!!!!
Cost-$276.00
8 Classes, Friday Night Show Ticket, Alchemy T-shirt and all the fun you can handle!
It’s the complete Alchemy experience! Your choice of 8 workshop classes, a Tribal Alchemy t-shirt and a Friday night Show ticket!!!
THIS YEAR THERE’S TWO SHOWS!!!!!!!!
::TICKET INFO::
Friday show “the night of Crazz-iness” PRESALE PRICE $10.00 (at the door-$15.00)
Friday night VIP- $20.00 (Reserved seating, chocolate covered strawberries and a drink coupon)
Saturday “Gala” show PRESALE PRICE $20.00 (at the door- $25.00)
Saturday night VIP- $30.00 (Reserved seating, Yeli Belly’s Specialty Chocolates and 2 drink coupons)
TRIBAL ALCHEMY T-SHIRTS!!!
Cost is $15.00





WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!!!!!
Information
Tribal Alchemy is a NON PROFIT event that benefits SAFE HAVEN of TARRANT COUNTY. SafeHaven of Tarrant County is a non-profit organization created to help victims of domestic violence. They provide shelters, meal, clothing, education, counseling, medical and dental care and other services that really benefit the community. Last year Tribal Alchemy was able to give a van load of donations to SafeHaven along with some money. Thank you to all that donated! This year, their services have been taxed more than ever so lets show them how much we appreciate what they do for others!
We will be accepting monetary and item donations during the Tribal Alchemy weekend. Here is a list of items they so desperately need:
• Girls' & Boys' Shoes
• Girls' & Boys' Socks *NEW*
• Toddler Clothing & Shoes
• Bras and Underwear *NEW*
• Women's Sleepwear & Slippers
• Women's Plus Size Clothing
• School Supplies & Backpacks
• Standard Size Pillows *NEW*
• Blankets
• Bath Towels & Wash Cloths
• Twin Sheets and pillowcases
• Laundry detergent
• Trash bags
• Diapers, Wipes, Baby Lotion
• Shampoo, Conditioner
• Toothpaste & Toothbrushes
• Brushes & Combs
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Deoderant
• Baby Food & Formula
• Baby Bottles & Nipples
• Non-perishable Foods
Thank you so much for giving for an organization who does SO MUCH to give to others! For more information about SafeHaven: www.safehaventc.org/index.html
WANT TO VEND? WANT TO PERFORM??
PERFORMING:
We have performance slots available to our attending Alchemist in our Friday Night Show "the night of Crazz-iness". If you are interested in performing email your performance application to info@tribalalchemy.net or mail it in with your registration to:
4 Wench Productions
P.O. Box 182604
Arlington, TX 76069
Here is some information about the performace space:
~Ceiling height: 16' from floor to bottom of truss
~Stage flooring: 3/4" plywood raised on 1x4 slats. Covered by 1/8" tempered hardboard. (As soon as we get the seating configuration we will let you know of the stage area. Don't worry you will not have a little stage in the middle of the room as shown in the picture )
~Dressing rooms are availabe but please come prepared as much as possible because space is limited.
~No fire or animals are allowed in the show.
There are limited spaces so please send in your application as soon as possible
VENDING
Have beautiful items you want to sell? We have vending space available for $100 for the whole weekend. If you are interested in vending or want more information, contact us at vending@tribalalchemy.net .
READY TO REGISTER?!?!?!?!
OFFFFFFFF COURSE YOU ARE!!!!!!
Registration is available online www.tribalalchemy.net or snail mail. For snail mail, fill out registration form, make your check out to 4 Wench Productions and mail to:
4 Wench Productions
P.O. Box 182604
Arlington, TX 76069
We are also offering layaway plan for those who purchase the Complete Package. Just post-date checks, of equal amounts, for the 15th of each month, with the last check must be dated no later than Sept. 15, 2009. Mail these checks along with your registration form OR you can go to the website here:

www.tribalalchemy.net/index.php

and sign up for layaway on 5 workshops, 8 workshops OR the complete package!!!

A $35 fee will be charged for any returned checks.
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new video of moi (on my profile)

taken last Saturday by my girl at Cafe Layal.

It's a bit dark (as most restaurants/clubs are...

but enjoy!!!