Another great weekend for dancing – with a bit of magic worked the evening before!
4 willing students and myself graced the grassy stage area at Brewer Park to help entertain everyone from old Ottawa South who ventured out into the sunshine to celebrate the Old Ottawa South Community Association’s 30 year anniversary party.
Going on right after the preschoolers was a tough act to follow – and at least some of the little ones kept right on dancing even after we had started our show – it was very funny!
My thanks to Kim, Shade, Vashti, and Phila for joining me for this event! AS students of the recent sessions it was really nice to have them there to show what I teach/they learn in the classes I give through OSCA as well as the Routhier Centre.
And I think I only messed up Melaya Leff a couple of times with the grapevines, but no one noticed 🙂
After the big show, there is a lot of ruminating, revisiting, self-discovery and awareness increasing that happens.
Amongst the organizers, it involves some nachos and shots accompanying complaints about things out of our control and ideas to improve things within our control.
Amongst the performers, there is self-congratulation and self-flagellation over what-ifs, could-have-beens and moments of glorious, “I did it”s. And the chattering of many voices over how beautiful the other dancers were, how great each others bits were and general participation in the wonderful “mutual admiration club”. It is all good. It is all part of the process.
Sometimes called De-toxing, sometimes called the Post Mortem, the “after party” gatherings, that consist of a small group that will include the organizer and a few select volunteers and participants from the evening, serve to remind us that we are all in it together and no matter how we did on stage, we are all there for each other.
Can a dancer perform 4 times in one night and survive? Yes. Can that same dancer learn 4 different routines perfectly and perform them all with accuracy and grace with less than 6 weeks to learn them? Maybe. Should she? Maybe not.
It becomes a question of choice- or does it?
Peer pressure plays a role for sure. All of the other students are performing – of course she is too! Expectations and the idea of our own personal reputation also play a role – I can do it! I am a _______ [ insert: advanced student, professional, teacher] therefore I have to do it!
But here is our reality: are you a full time dancer or a part time dancer? If you are a full time dancer, teacher, performer, choreographer, etc. and are making a living at it, then yes, by all means you should be able to put on a varied and exciting show of multiple acts and know them all perfectly with or without others on stage with you.
If you have an unrelated day job, teach part time, perform even less often than you teach, and actually want a social life beyond your work and your hobby, then maybe you can cut yourself a break. NO one will mind, no one will care if you say “NO” to that extra routine. Or if they do care briefly, they’ll get over it.
Two years ago I had to come to terms with what was becoming my mantra: “I cannot do everything”. I was overworked, underpaid, and stressed on a daily basis. How has this changed – I am not as overworked. Still occasionally underpaid, but I am working on that. And I have begun to choose my options more carefully.
No one is saying that I have it all figured out – I don’t. I have good friends who are there to help when I need them. I have a fabulous Husband who supports my choices. And I try to make my choices based on what will be good for me, and good for those around me, in the best ways I can.
Time passes after each event, giving it some perspective and less emotional attachment. If we can live in the moment, just that little bit more often, we can allow ourselves the chance to make mistakes, and learn from them. Or do things perfectly and be graciously appreciative of that moment. But they are all moments which will pass – the happy and the sad; the powerful and the weak, the profound and the pathetic.
Thursday, June 12, 2008 ~ the Ottawa Centre Class Party~
What a night. It was the culmination of a lot of hard work and a lot of fun. I am still recovering from it in that I have done the bare minimum accounting, putting things away, send out thank you emails and put up some pics in a private area on Flickr for those who performed and might want copies.
Sorry, not open to the public – that’s the domain of our official photographer. When I get that link I’ll let ya know!
But it was a blast, and I am happy to now look forward to some random workshops this summer and some more sewing.
And the sun is shining today, so I think we’ll take advantage and have some outside time – forecasting a rainy week ahead!
Happy Father’s Day to all of those Dads out there!
It all began Saturday morning. 9:30 a.m. And the lovely ladies Zamira, Halyma [ me] and Zeevah graced the Oasis with their strength and energy.
Supporting the Weekend to End Breast Cancer here in Ottawa is a fun and rewarding experience. Supporting any cause you feel strongly about in a way that feels right for you is always a win-win situation. I have already extolled my opinion on the importance of volunteer performances in a previous post, so I won’t go on about it again.
We worked hard both mornings, we had fun with each other, and the smiles on the faces of the Walkers as they came into the Oasis each morning were priceless.
Thanks to Zamira, Zeevah and Shade – see more pics of our fun weekend by clicking on this one!
Sorry about the tan lines; next year I will have some spray on 45 SPF – or maybe 60 by then. 30 SPF just does not cut it any more!
I was able to take the afternoon to relax – Zeevah continued out to Art in the Park and supported the other group of dancers gracing that area of town! Zamira headed home to prepare for the show that night as well.
Saturday evening took us to Ottawa U alumni Auditorium for Jalila’s – now known as “Jewel”- Welcome to the Dance Event – a multi-class recital that featured students and teachers from across the city. I was fortunate to be able to present my advanced group, Zafar [ Victory in turkish] and perform a solo myself. I did not get pics of me in my outfit, but I am hoping that Lainie did!
A great evening – lots of fabulous dancers and some really nice progression as we see dancers who started a while back and have improved in their skills with each consecutive show in which they perform!
A long day brought a quiet evening at home, checking over video footage [ Hubby shots the video of the show].
Sunday morning had me up not too early – I was able to sleep in a bit. I chose to go easy for costuming and was ready to head off by the time Shade arrived. We headed over to pick up Zamira, and off to Pit Stop # 2’s second location. Not too far form my place, but definitely a drive. And we were heading off to the Clutch afterwards, a non belly dance event of relaxing and nibbling of fresh fruit in a quiet lovely basement in Navan! So I wanted to have the car handing and ready to go.
Zeevah joined us at 10:30 as the Walkers were not moving so quickly on Sunday morning! We danced, had our pictures taken some more, laughed, felt hot, sweated, got sprayed, drink water and ate bananas!
Then Zeevah again headed off to Art in the Park while Shade and I finished off the final hour before happily finding our way to that air conditioned basement!
All in all a great weekend of belly dance – and I am happy to have a light day today to put away all of these costumes, and get back to work on Thursday’s Ottawa Centre Class Party that I am organizing!
Sunday morning, bright and early, with the sun shining off of the sparkles and glitter of the dancers as they lined the Rideau Canal to welcome to participants of the ING race weekend!
GeeGee Robinson is one of the matriarchs of our belly dance community here in Ottawa and has led the Shen Dancers as they perform and share their love of belly dance, middle eastern dance, Raks Sharki, whatever name you would like to call it.
Along with many of her former students, and friends in our dance community, they created a fun and joyful atmosphere with music, drums, zills and cane dancing!
I was glad to be able to pop by to take some pictures of them – deciding that two dance events in one weekend was enough for me.
I had been at the Indo-Caribbean Cultural Celebration performing on Saturday evening, and then was heading off to dance and teach for a friend’s party around lunch time. So, I offered some moral support and documentary assistance to the group of lovelies!
Congrats ladies – there were a lot of smiling faces as they passed you by!
Our final event for the World Party promotion happening at The Bay. This one – Rideau Street location.
Shade and I went early – too early – remember for next time to no go so early!
Upon arrival it was difficult to get a hold of our contact as she seemed to have a lot going on, but the ladies at the Lancome counter were fun and tolerant of our hanging about and chatting!
Once we connected with our main contact, I was asked if I had a cd player with me…
What?
I had not expected that, but had brought my small ipod player/speakers for another gig/belly~gram we were doing right after the Bay event. So, fortune smiled upon us as I approached the musicians who were playing before us. They had the perfect set up – two or three speakers connected to what – their own ipod!
YAY!
They were so great to let me attach my ipod to their system and let us use it to dance! It was a life saver! We had a blast and Shade’s mom took some fun shots of us dancing!
Then we headed off to our next gig – a birthday surprise for a friend of mine! He was shocked and we got a few other folks in the office to come out to clap and enjoy the show too! Short and sweet!
Third gig lasted less than a minute at Patty Boland’s as we gave a little pre-farewell show for Michelle – a wonderful server who takes care of Tom every Friday and me too when I am there for lunch!
She leaves shortly to bring new life to the world! We wish her all the best!
She was quite surprised when we suddenly had music and were shimmying all around her! Tried not to cause too much hassle as she was working at the time!
All in all a good day!
Happy Belly Dance blessings to you all!
The Runway for the Cure Fashion Shows at Mambo restaurant have been a great adventure!
Thanks to Estrelita who asked me to provide entertainment for it, and to Marisol, the owner of Mambo, Kinki and Helsinki, who has been a gracious hostess to us!
The ladies who came out with me benefited from the opportunity to get out and dance for strangers and friends in some cases, without the heavy obligation of remembering a routine. The crowds have been lovely to dance for, we could always find someone smiling and moving to the music to play along with. Thanks to Shade, Anastasia and Megan for joining me! And thanks to my Thursday Creative intermediate class for their patience and understanding…next week = full workout!
I have benefited by getting some more exposure for my own classes and for “Halyma’s Belly Dancing For Fun Dancers”, my business of providing belly dancers at events. An entirely new flock of people have seen how much fun it adds in a friendly, family oriented and yet still exotic way!
And the event benefitted from entertainment and added energy to their fund raising – what a win win situation for all!
Number 2 of the Bay World Gala events, and so far they have each had their own set-up, style and energy!
No stage for this one, we just danced around the cosmetics area – which could have been odd…
But it was great! Thanks to Liz and Andrea who graciously came out to cheer us on and dance with us a bit! It was great having some familiar faces. And I was able to self-promote to some of the women working the counters!
A lovely young couple stopped and watched until I wandered over towards them, and then I scurried off to get them a card after she had inquired if we “do weddings” – you betcha we do!
And the food – sushi, fruit, little desserts, a chat with the Egyptian women who was serving hummus and tabouli… was all good!
I am now looking forward to later today at the Experimental Farm where the Ottawa SuperCities Walk is happening. At about 11 a.m. a wonderful group of dancers and drummers who have volunteered their time to come out and “welcome” the walkers to the Finish line will be joining me! YAAY US!
Another day, another show under our belts! It has been a pleasure working with Shade and Anastasia for the Mambo Fashion Shows-Runway to the Cure. Next week will be our last show and it will feature Shade and I – maybe someone else too – we’ll see!
The audiences have been fun and relaxed – smiling and clapping along at that subdued, “we just ate a lot” pace – but that’s all good!
These volunteer events are such a great way to share our love of belly dance with those who may not have seen it up close and personal before. I have a previous post all about my opinion on volunteer dancing so I won’t go on about it again!
We were able to sit and chat with Tara, from the Ottawa Cancer Foundation, last night and she was so enthusiastic about how much fun watching us dance was – it is great to hear! And she is also involved in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer – another event that we are going to be participating in – first weekend in June!
This weekend brings on three more volunteer events for me – The Bay World Gala events: today at 4 p.m. Bayshore; tomorrow at 1 p.m., St. Laurent and the MS Walk at the Experimental Farm on Sunday morning. I am very proud to be a member of such a strong community of dancers who are willing and able to come out to support these events and share their skills!
