Musings

TF: Zoe & Rachel Workshops for sale

tribaljewel — Wed, 07 May 2008 22:56:59 GMT

Okay- I'm not dying. Just dealing with some thyroid, arthritis issues and hobbling around like an old lady. Sorry I scared some of you with that email. I have been waiting to see a specialist since November- first available appointment was in June. Was able to get an appointment this week! In the meantime, I am exhausted and dealing with my mobility issues- so no Tribal Fest for me. So...if you are interested in buying my Zoe ($40) and Rachel ($40) workshops let me know. I also have the two ticket package (w/CD) for the friday and Sat after parties ($30). I will let the whole bundle go for $100 ($10 discount)- but can sell them off individually as well. Let me know if you are interested.

Get Juicy

tribaljewel — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:55:44 GMT

So the weather is changing. There are a gazilion festivals on the horizon and my calendar is packed. I've spent a long time working on my special dance issues- working on shimmies, core strength, and I managed to lose a few pounds. But I'm still a long way from where I want to be. And I have all these performances coming up. What have I really learned about me, about my special dance voice. I'm still trying to copy other people's styles. As I stand in front of the mirror, I'm proud of the shape I am in- even my little momma belly looks okay. And I pull my pants lower- letting the mama flap hang out- making my body look longer and leaner. The light bulb goes off. I have curvy juicy hips. Yet I have been trying to do tight little shimmys. So I change the shimmies- making them bigger- juicier. It looks good- really good. I add in taxeems and mayas- vertical and horozontal. making it all loose. This is me! I have luscious curvy hips making big luscious shimmies, juicy taxeems and mayas. I add chest pops and fluid arms. Hey- I can do those tight accents on top and keep it big on bottom! After all this time- the answer was right in front of me- right there in the mirror- juicy hips.

Happy Dance

tribaljewel — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:32:40 GMT

I'm in- Yay! I'm on the Tribalfest program for Sat! Ummm... but you won't find "Juliet" listed there- can you guess who my new bellydance alter ego is? I'll give you a hint I'm on Sat in the early afternoon- really early. Gosh- now I need to get practicising. Whoever can guess correctly gets a free cupcake from me at Shake & Bake this weekend!!

Rebirth

tribaljewel — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 08:19:48 GMT

I am reposting an entry from some time back because it fits perfectly with my experience tonight and over the last week. Thank you for opening my heart tonight and this past week. I have learned so much from all of you. "Transmission means the extension of spiritual wakefulness from one person to someone else. Wakefulness is extended rather than transferred. The teacher, or the transmitter, extends his own inspiration rather than giving his experience away to somebody else... The teacher is generating wakefulness and inspiration constantly, without ever being depleted. So for the student, transmission is like being charged with electricity." Excerpted from Journey Without A Goal; the Tantric Wisdom of the Buddha by Chogyam Trungpa Who does this remind YOU of? Give a prayer of thanks to your teachers. May all beings everywhere be freed from suffering. May our thoughts, words, practices and actions contribute to their freedom. Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

Mardi Love Valentines Weekend 2008- Details

tribaljewel — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 21:11:21 GMT

Valentines Day is coming soon and Tribal SDstyle has a very special treat for you! We are teaming up with Urban Tribal Dance Company to bring you some Love for Valentines. Mardi Love will be coming to San Diego for a show and two workshops! It all starts on Thursday, February 14, 2008, when Urban Tribal presents a show featuring Mardi Love for you and your sweet heart at Kava Lounge. Doors open at 8pm. Show starts promptly at 8:30pm. Cover charge $10 per couple. Kava Lounge is located at 2812 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, Ca 92101. For more details on the show, visit Urban Tribal at: http://www.urbantribaldance.com http://urbantribaldance.tribe.net/ On Saturday February 16 and Sunday February 17, Tribal SDstyle will continue that Love'ing feeling by hosting two 4 hour workshops. Check-in starts at 11:30 AM each day. Saturday, Feb 16, 2008 Dance Place San Diego, Studio 107 2650 Truxtun Road, San Diego, CA 92106 12-4:30 (four hour workshop plus break) Skillet of Snakes day one delivers combinations for quicker tempos. using combinations in improvisational dance is a good way to keep your head whilst striving for variety and contrast. movements will be broken down and drilled. combinations will be joined together to form a short, original choreography. some belly dance experience highly recommended. Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 Dance Place San Diego, Studio 105 (across from Studio 107) 2650 Truxtun Road, San Diego, CA 92106 12-4:30 The sweet and low down. another day another dance, but today drops itself into a jar of molasses. mardi presents combinations borne out of her slow-dancin bag of tricks. new movements are introduced, as well as new takes on some basic slower moves in the tribal repertoire. some belly dance experience highly recommended. On line payment is available at http://mardilovetribalsdstyle.eventbrite.com Pre-registration is highly recommended. These workshops will sell out. So come and get some Love in San Diego on February 14, 16 and 17. For up to the minute details about the workshops, visit us at: On tribe.net http://tribes.tribe.net/tribalsdstyle Our Website http://tribalsdstyle.com

You know you want some Love

tribaljewel — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 01:01:10 GMT

ETR Canceled tonight !

tribaljewel — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 01:39:00 GMT

Hey all- due to the weather- we are canceling the ETR. Stay cozy at home. And I'll be dreaming of seeing you all next month. Any of you who are heading down anyway- are welcome to make a special party at the ETR. Bring your drums or CD's- dance and make merry.

2 Weeks to Go!!

tribaljewel — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:36:09 GMT

I am so excited! It is only two weeks until Tribal SDstyle! We have been really suffering here in San Diego. Everyone has been touched by the fires. Even if your home is safe- you know someone who has been evacuated or lost their home. So, Tribal SDstyle is adding the American Red Cross Firestorm 2007 to our list of worthy charities that we are supporting. The profits of the festival will go to our charities- but we need you to pre-register for the workshops and attend the evening show to raise money for these charities. We have a great line-up of local Tribal SD instructors- Heather Stants of Urban Tribal, Sabrina Fox, Sooz, and Steven of Atash Maya, Karen Tapia, Kirti Srivastava of Dil-Se Dance and Laura "Creatrix" Rogan. Our evening show includes all of our teachers and our special guests Solace and Blue Damsel. Plus we have great vendors! Bali Isle, Melodia Designs, Tribal Bazaar, Solace, Creatrix Designs, Chovhani, Gypsy Trading Post and much more! You will be able to buy your tribal gear, get some henna, have a massage and buy holiday presents, too. So go to http://tribalsdstyle.com and sign up for as many workshops as you can afford, grab your tickets for the evening show and tell your friends. We can accomplish anything if we all work together. If you can't make it to the festival, you can make a donation at http://tribalsdstyle.eventbrite.com We will also have donation buttons up on the webpage, myspace and facebook. We need volunteers for both days and the evening show. Please email kim at tribalsdstyle dot com to volunteer for 2-4 hour slots. We are offering special incentives for our super volunteers.

Sashi Workshop and Show was a huge success!

tribaljewel — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 18:09:17 GMT

Thanks to everyone who attended the workshops and show. We love you for supporting our events. We had a large turn out at the workshops- Go San Diego!! And this was a great lead in to the festival next month. Also, Sashi is an excellent instructor! If you are considering hiring her for an upcoming event- Do it! Now some special Thanks for our super supporters and volunteers! To Rebecca for helping out with set up and showing up early at the Rosary Room to work the door while I was running around San Diego- returning stuff we borrowed for the vending To Steven for always showing at every event, giving his support and sharing his talent. To Sabrina for promoting every event, being a positive force in this community, sharing your time and talent. To Bonnie for promoting every event, being the super stage manager and showering us all with the truth of the beauty with in each of us. To Laura for being an amazing and super talented MC and all around super Hero who can break down tables and tents, brew a mean coffee and regale you with stories, jokes and one liners that keep snorting in your coffee all day long. And that's just a small sample of what this woman can do. You are one of the true visionaries of what this community can do. To all the Dancers who danced last night or showed up and supported and continue to come to each event. You shared your time and talent. You are the backbone of this community. And finally, my great and humbling thanks to Kim, who of everyone, has given most of her time and talents to make each event a success. She brainstormed, she spent considerably personal time on every aspect of this event, and she marshalled the resources of the community. Kim you are a super leader, super hero and a Goddess of this community. Thanks to all of you!

I want a dance name!

tribaljewel — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 01:26:10 GMT

So I was reading the Indigo and I started thinking about this again. Lately, I have been dancing under Juliet Monique. It's my name and I like it but it's not what I want to be when I'm dancing. For example, I love Tempest's name. It is simple and perfect for her and her style. Or Olu- isn't that beautiful? But I can't come up with anything that suits me. Saraswati? No- too many sarahs and the wati part is confusing. Is it wati or vati? Ananda- reminds me of Annette Funicello for some reason. Serenity- too gooey. Raven- there a million of those and I'm not goth enough. So you see my predicament. Any ideas?

I have no friends on Tribe

tribaljewel — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 07:11:10 GMT

Has anyone noticed that after the extensive tribeoutage today that our friends are at 0. I know it's only a number and does not reflect the content of my character but.. What's up with that? And how come it is so slow to load? Wierd. Okay back to business.

SD Tempest Workshop & Show May 27, 2007

tribaljewel — Sun, 20 May 2007 18:49:23 GMT

Don't miss Tempest's last stop in California of the Movin' De Michief tour as she winds her way across country to her new home in Philly. It may be a long time before we see her in So Cal again. This will be an amazing workshop and show. Tempest will introduce her darkly dramatic style at the workshop in the afternoon (2-4 pm at Kava Gallery). Then join us in the evening for a dark gothic belly dance show at Kava Lounge (8-10 pm). Joining Tempest on stage will be San Diego's finest including our own first lady of gothic belly dance Laura Creatrix, the beautiful and dark Mistress Raine of Atash Maya, our high priestess of the dark Mother Cassie Mavis and moi, the Darkling Rose. All profits of this event are a fundraiser for TribalSDstyle and our November festival. TribalSDstyle is a dance community activist group raising funds for local and international charities. This year will focus on fundraising for the youth dance and music classes and events of TrancenDance and World Beat Center. So support TribalSDstyle and come to the workshop and evening show. For more info, contact me, email info@tribalsdstyle.com or go to www.tribalsdstyle.com (New updates after 5/20/07) Or just check out the cool flyer here.

TribalSDstyle Fundraiser at the Egyptian Tea Room

tribaljewel — Thu, 10 May 2007 07:36:12 GMT

The May Egyptian Tea Room showcase will be a fundraiser for TribalSDstyle. Our special guests are Sooz and Dave Hall. We are really lucky to have them join us at the ETR. We are also joined by the lovely Sarah of Atash Maya and Jennifer of Saraswati Modern Tribal. There will be a raffle with lovely offerings all to support TribalSDstyle. What is TribalSDstyle you may ask? It is a (and as far as I know the only) Non-Profit tribal festival with workshops and a gala evening show. Our first event was in 2005 and we raised money for NIger and Hurricane Katrina. This year all proceeds go to benefit TrancenDance- a non-profit dance company providing dance classes for at risk youth in San Diego and the music programs of the World Beat Center. As a dancer, musician or dance supporter, you know how dance and music has changed your life. Help at risk kids to learn about dance and music by supporting TribalSDstyle. This years TribalSDstyle will be held at the World Beat Center on Nov 10 and 11, 2007. Our featured workshop instructors are Heather Stants, Director of UTDC, Sabrina Fox, Director of Atash Maya, Sooz, Karen Tapia of Afri-belly, Laura Creatrix and Steven Eggers. More details will be coming your way. The Egyptian Tea Room is located at 4644 College Avenue in San Diego. The show is this Saturday May 12 from 8:30 to 10:30. Suggested donation is $5.

Mindfulness

tribaljewel — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 01:08:55 GMT

Yesterday I performed with Karen Tapia's students at Kava Studio. It has been so fun and wonderfully delicious to practice and perform with this amazing group of women and men (that includes the lovely Creatrix and my sweet friend Janet). Our practice and classes have been filled with live music and beautiful voices. I loveKaren's fusion of afro-cuban, dances of the african diaspora and belly dance. This performance was the first time that I can remember being fully present in my dance. After a while, I didn't care about the audience. I wasn't worried about what came next. All nerves, worries, thoughts faded away as I focused on moving my body to the music. I don't think it was my best performance but it was definitely my most real.

Workshops for sale- Can't go to TFF- Got the kids R sick blues

tribaljewel — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:55:40 GMT

Hey all, My son has bronchitis, and hubby and youngest appear to be coming down with colds, too. So, I can't come to TFF. Sad for me. But I have four classes to sell- I have the two saturday Rachel Brice classes, the Jeremiah Soto class and the sunday Kami class. Paypal please. First person to pm me gets my space. My loss is your gain.

Miss Juliet Monique of Saraswati- Special Guest of Urban Tribal at Kava Tuesday 12/12

tribaljewel — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 07:06:50 GMT

Hey everyone, Come on down to Kava Lounge tomorrow night for a great show with Urban Tribal Dance Company and special guest appearances by Cat, Laura Creatrix and yours truly! Enjoy the live music stylings of Jinny Al Hawa and the beautiful performances. Please support the owners of Kava and show your tribaliscious love and community spirit by coming out for some late night Love. Kava Lounge located at 2812 Kettner Blvd., near Little Italy. Share in the festive holiday spirit! Show starts at 11pm.

All I want for Solstice

tribaljewel — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 19:29:38 GMT

Is a private with Mardi Love. Yes, I'm greedy and I freely admit it. But I will be in SF, from December 23 through 27. Plenty of time for a two hour review of the Opa Csupa juicy choreo. Is there some little bird that will whisper in her ear. Tell her of my longing.. Wow, I'm feeling kinda Gollumy here. "Me wants the precious. Trixy little (Rachel)stole the precious from us" And what's your personal holiday wish?

Transmission

tribaljewel — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 21:13:51 GMT

"Transmission means the extension of spiritual wakefulness from one person to someone else. Wakefulness is extended rather than transferred. The teacher, or the transmitter, extends his own inspiration rather than giving his experience away to somebody else... The teacher is generating wakefulness and inspiration constantly, without ever being depleted. So for the student, transmission is like being charged with electricity." Excerpted from Journey Without A Goal; the Tantric Wisdom of the Buddha by Chogyam Trungpa Who does this remind YOU of? Give a prayer of thanks to your teachers. May all beings everywhere be freed from suffering. May our thoughts, words, practices and actions contribute to their freedom. Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

Giving for the Holidays

tribaljewel — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 19:35:50 GMT

I want to encourage everyone to consider giving gifts in in your giftee's name to OxFam. There are lots of gifts for under $25 that will benefit a child, a family or a village like construction tools, trees to plant or even an emergency toilet. We are very blessed to have the abundance that we have in this country. Even if you have very little money and it is a struggle to pay the rent, you have a lot more than people without indoor plumbing, clean water or electricity. And if you do have plenty- don't give in to the tendency to overspend on stuff that neither you or the person you are gifting really needs. Gift some homemade cookies, or knit a scarf or send a little something to OxFam ;-) Here's a link. Check it out. https://www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com/ With great love and thankfulness that you are in my circle of friends, Juliet Monique

Score Sheets- Just a spoonful of warm fuzzies

tribaljewel — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 20:15:35 GMT

So, yesterday, I received my score sheets in the mail from Hips of Fury. I was really excited and kind of nervous as I opened the envelope. Each of the judges took some time to write about things that could be improved and things that the participant did well. All the judges confirmed the one area that I knew I needed to work on- technique. This was really positive for me because I know I am evaluating myself objectively. I liked that several of the judges identified specific areas of weakness and tips for improving. My lowest scoring judge echoed my own post performance thoughts - "You would have scored better in the Tribal Fusion category". One of the major criticisms being that I was not cabaret enough. It was the positive comments, though, that really amazed me. I have always been scared that I have no stage presence. "There's Juliet going through the motions." "There's Juliet with that deer in the headlights look". Every judge- even my low scorer- commented positively on my stage presence. Wow. I'm stunned. And "good musicality"- this for the girl who could not start on the "1" to save her life and whose husband said she didn't have any rhythm back in the beginning. And it was the little extra comments, that did not have to be said when there was little time to scribble notes, that gave me a warm glow. Comments like: "A pleasure to watch" made it all worth it, will keep me practising my technique and ensure that I will be back at HOF next year... in a different category ;-). Thank You Judges!

So What is my purpose here?

tribaljewel — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 00:35:16 GMT

Today I met with a friend for lunch. We talked about our kids, mutual friends, the old firm we used to work for and our lives in general. Over bread and olive oil, she mentioned that she wanted to get her LLM in tax and that she was tired of arguing with people over the terms of a settlement agreement or to set a discovery schedule. Her parents were going to help her with tuition and she was filling out her application tonight. So it set me to thinking. What exactly am I doing with my career. What am I doing with my life. Where do I want to be in ten years? And why is it that what once seemed so clear does not seem clear anymore. I have been telling everyone that will listen in the legal community that I am looking for a fulltime position. But is that what I really want when it is only to pay the bills- and not moving forward? I hate the idea of billeable hours. I want family time. But if that is so why do I spend so much time with outside activities like belly dancing. I am running to something I love or running away from something. Like making a decision about my career...

Oh Opa Cupa!

tribaljewel — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 23:51:57 GMT

I have been humming this song and listening to it on the internet since yesterday. And it pretty well sums up the way I feel about this wonderful weekend. Very bouncy and happy! And I'm hoping this great wave of joy sees me through my performance at Hips of Fury this Saturday. Yes, that's right, I'm competing at HOF. And Saturday night was my dress rehearsal (although, I'm not actually wearing that costume at HOF). And it was a very fun dress rehearsal and the culmination of alot of belly dance dreams and wishes. Too much stuff to go into here but it doesn't really matter what happens at HOF as long as I enjoy myself as much as I did Saturday. And this Saturday at the Egyptian was the way I have envisioned it since Deborah, Janet and I started dancing there two years ago. I want to thank all of you who have helped it grow and been there since we started. Laura and Bonnie are top of that list, along with Michael and the Sacred Hips wymon. So great to see friends, old and new, who have been with me on this amazing belly dance journey. I really love you all. And finally, my most deep heart felt thanks to Heather, my teacher, mentor and friend. I cannot believe how much support you have given me over the years! Thank you! And you were right- I didn't freak out. The expressions and smiles from you and Rachel during my performance will remain in my heart at HOF and beyond! And to my BFF- who loves ya baby! Okay, so what are we doing next month?

The Dance

tribaljewel — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 17:36:17 GMT

Yesterday, I found out that the job I thought was within my grasp is not. And the comfortable long term contract position I have enjoyed is ending in two weeks. And despite my anger yesterday, as I drove over the bridge this morning, I felt a great sense of abundance. I know things are going to work out. And I found it strange that I have been selected to be a delegate for the Women's Peace & Justice conference- a position I thought I would never be selected for. I wonder, What is the Cosmos trying to tell me?

Just MAC me

tribaljewel — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 02:40:37 GMT

I went to the MAC make up artist today (12:30) to get ready for my upcoming performance at the end of October (my personal fav here in SD as she is a dancer too so she gets it) and came home all glammed and ready to go.... do the laundry and clean house. Hehehe! So its 7:30 and make-up is still in place and looking pretty fresh. Now comes the hard part- cleaning it off and re-doing it for practice. My hubby took some pics- so I will post them.

happy dance

tribaljewel — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 19:45:05 GMT

My dance practice is moving forward in directions that I have always wanted to go. Working with different dancers- people much more skilled than me- is making me dance up, work hard, moving muscles that haven't been moved in a long while. My body is beginning to do stuff that I always wanted. It's waking up, learning new ways to move. I am becoming open and letting myself be vulnerable. I am letting myself be led. The stubborness, self-conscious issues, the negative talk in my head is far away. It is though I can just be in the movement. Just be in my body. The hard work is joyful. The pain in my muscles as I sit here and type is a reminder of the beauty of working to move forward in dance. I am so very happy and I send my love and joy and bounty to all of you. I am so truly grateful to each of you.