So, another party, another season, another amazing evening behind us.
Thanks so much to everyone – every show has a different feel, energy, dynamics and of course technical fun, and it was great to have some new groups/ soloists involved, showcasing their styles along with some familiar faces returning!
As the Ottawa Centre Class Party is basically a “student recital”, I really want to draw attention to the generous spirit of the teachers/professionals who come out dance dance for us, sharing their talents and inspiring us with amazing choreographies/ improvised pieces, gorgeous costumes and time and energy. THANK YOU.
The volunteers make the world go round, smoothly jumping in as needed, helping out with a smile and stepping up when I don’t even know what they might be having to do. I really appreciate being able to trust that once things are set up, these folks can take over, and all works itself out! Thanks to Michele R, Erika, Donna, Gailene, Michele F [ who stuck it out outside for the whole show and took your dvd orders all night!] Laura, Sylvie, and Catharine – our Talent Wrangler. Also thanks to Lainie and her assistant Jen for what promise to be lovely photos. THANK YOU.
And Tom, of course. Did you remember to order a dvd if you wanted one?
Email him: info@darnermedia.ca – there is still time.
And finally the student performers of all levels -from first timers getting their feet wet in what I hope was a fun, relaxed atmosphere, to seasoned performers who still consider themselves students, but really do shine when they hit the stage. THANK YOU.
Today, I’m relaxing. Tomorrow, it’s back to work for a few more days till I start my official holidays for Yule.
So, seasons greetings / happy holidays to you all!
Tracey/Halyma
WINNING NUMBERS – thanks for reminding me!!
#79 was the first one drawn at the show last night – won a $25 gift certificate!
#114 is the second number for the other Eco-TAV gift certificate!
On December 11, 2010 Samahang Ala Eh! a non profit organization hosted a Variety Show entitled “IBA’T-IBANG KILOS, ISANG LAYUNIN.
This fundraising event was held at the Bronson Centre Theatre, 211 Bronson Ave., Ottawa, ON, on Saturday, December 11, 2010 in support of their commitment to assist and motivate a financially challenged group of students in their hometown of Batangas in the Philippines, by giving them the opportunity to complete a high school education.
Bellywood with Halyma was invited to perform as part of the evening’s entertainment and I was so pleased that 5 of my students from our first session ever were willing to join me on stage that evening!
I hope to get shots from the organizers in the future, but here we are back stage: Jaana, Sadira, Ameenah, Halyma, Esmerelda, Renuka
I really should be working, but on my morning walk, I was going over general conversation in my head that happens in the back stage area at almost every show. With my upcoming end of season show happening this week, it seemed like a timely topic to chat about briefly.
Do I still get stage fright?
Hmm, well, I actually only had what I felt was stage fright once. Oh wait, twice.
In grade 7, when I had to present a “speech” for the very first time, I was extremely nervous. I remember choosing to wear a skirt that day so that folks would not see how much my knees were actually shaking as I gave it. The topic was one of a funny nature, and not to brag too much, but I actually came in second in the ranking of the students, my good friend coming in first as she chose a serious topic for her presentation. Okay, I was a good student and usually did well in class, but was actually surprised to have done so well, when I knew how much I was shaking the entire time.
First fabulous pic as a new bellydancer!
The second time was my last performance as a belly dance student – or thereabouts. Back when I started taking belly dance classes, I totally fell in love with it, and within about 6 months of beginning, I was taking 2 classes a week, participating in the local volunteer association that was around at the time, and dancing at amateur parties as often as I could.
It was probably in early 1997, as the previous summer /fall of 96, my life started on a path of some much needed personal growth. I was going through a lot, and dance was my escape when needed and my dance friends were my solace to get me through.
And then it happened. At one of our amateur shows, which were taking place at a local lebanese restaurant on a somewhat regular basis, I was standing in the “back stage” area – which was the stairway to a basement changing area that those of us taller than 5’6″ had to duck the lightbulb! – and I was introduced that I would be performing next.
Now, at this time, the restaurant had been inviting some of their own regular patrons to come out and enjoy these shows, so there were some non-bellydance folk who had been booking a table and coming out for at least a few months.
Once my name was announced, I heard the words, ” Ahh, Halyma!” amidst very welcoming clapping. and all that went through my head was > “OH Crap.”
Suddenly, my time of relaxed and fun dancing- because I was still ” a student” -had switched. What did it mean to have people calling my name? It was too weird.
Really, too weird.
I danced with a flush of nervous energy that totally shifted my perspective on my dancing and made me realize that, if I was going to continue, I had to actually start to work at it. My colleagues at the time who had begun pretty much at the same time as I had, they were working at it. They were taking workshops and practicing and challenging themselves. I was having fun.
So I took a break.
I stopped performing. I stopped taking classes and dealt with my personal life. And I kept in touch with those cherished friends in my bellydance world as they had been a big part of making changes in my feelings about myself and my sense of self esteem.
I also had to come to terms with a few things before I could return to belly dance. I had to decide what was it about the dance that was most important to me. The fun, the personal challenge, the costumes, the community.
And I came back in my own quiet way and the next phase of my life started as a teacher and professional performer.
So, long story, without an answer – Do I still get stage fright?
No, not really. but I never did. As a student dancer, I told myself that it was okay to make mistakes because I was still a student. And once I realized I needed to smile more, something else kicked in – I developed a fabulous nervous twitch that affected the side of my face, and the only way to stop it was to smile!
These days, I get crazy hyper vigilant. I get moments of complete blankness on stage. I get a voice in my head that reminds me to keep smiling even when there is almost no energy to be felt from the audience. So, there is a full roller coaster of emotions attached to my performances, that I try to use to my advantage. When I do make mistakes { this happens much more often now that I dance with a group!}, or things go unexpectedly awry { wings incident a few weeks ago..}, I know to smile and keep going.
So, some of the sage advice from the conversations that happen backstage may help you, if you have moments of stage fright:
Don’t beat yourself up about making mistakes.
Keep smiling and laugh it off.
Warm up a bit and speed practice through those moves a few minutes before, just to refresh your memory.
And what advice has worked for you?
Post me some comments folks and share your advice for those new dancers who are making their way through the ranks!
Wow – I woke up on Sunday morning to edit the Dancers’ News and realized very emphatically that it is now December.
Last night I taught my last two Monday evening classes of this session, and last week I had covered the Thursday classes. Wednesdays will continue until next week- so two more classes there and that’s unusual for me. I like my 12 week sessions but with the new location having a different system, ya gotta go with the flow, right?
Photo by WTL
December is a month of myth for me. In my spiritual journey, I understand that December brings about the dark to encourage us to rest and reflect. But with society’s mentality, the reverse happens, where everyone gets busier and busier with parties, visiting and shopping.
I’ll be seeking that darkness after I get through my own end of year celebration with my classes and invited performers. My Ottawa Centre Class Party downsized last year to reflect a turn in the dance classes, and has returned to more of a semi-private event to ensure that the 250 plus dancers and close friends of dancers can come in and enjoy the fun.
I was asked how long I have been organizing this event and while I won’t post photos from the first one in my back yard: June 13, 1999, you can use your imagination. There’s a tarp and a sheet hanging as the “backdrop”, and a small group of lovely ladies who came out and had fun! We’ll leave it at that!
Photo by Lainie Cambria - Click to see more!
I’ll know next week if there will be any tickets available at the door, but usually it sells out to within 10 tickets, so I don’t really advertise. But I can chat about it as it’s a big part of my life at the moment!
It’s like a light at the end of my tunnel by this time of year. Darkness in the morning, darkness in the evening, I join in on the usual lament! I approach December 21st with anticipation of the shift. And it’s a full moon this year – that’s gonna be nice if the skies are clear!
So, the class party brings on challenges and fun at the same time. Organizing, budgeting, cajoling, and harassing folks to bring them all together in a sparkling mass of movement and music is something that I enjoy and have allowed to grow gradually over the 10 plus years that I’ve been teaching and having an end of year party.
I am so grateful for the colleagues who participate as they understand how much work it can be and help so much by being on top of their own contributions to the event. I do delegate and each teacher is responsible for getting her own groups choreographed, costumed, practised and prepared for this fun night! It’s a lot of work for everyone involved and I think it gives everyone a great chance to shine!
Another shot by Lainie from last December's show!
And there are always the volunteers – amazing women who are my friends and playmates in various parts of my life, and they come out and help with generous hearts at many of the events I organize!
I am in my final week of preparations, have another show to perform in on Saturday evening, some social gatherings of the season coming up this weekend too, and some responsibilities of my own to keep on top of. <sigh>
And I know that I am blessed with so much….
I think January will be my time of rest!
The first week at least…till classes start again 😀
