I love teaching. I love the energy coming through the students as we dance, explore and learn new things together. As December approaches and we prepare for our end of season recital { sorry, it’s a semi-private sold out event}, I am reminded why I love belly dance.

Even though there are very specific rhythms and moves accorded to all the varieties of Middle eastern dance/ arabic dance, I call what I do, Belly dancing For Fun, because that’s what it’s supposed to be.

Fun, for adult women who have stress filled days and need an hour – or two – to get out and shake things up in a gentle yet physically enriching way.

Fun, as we play with beautiful pieces of fabric that we direct through the air and laugh as those same gentle piece of fabric go awry and wrap around our heads.

Fun, as most of the ladies I teach are from completely varied backgrounds and get to know something about themselves as they all work together over the weeks of a session to learn and accept what their bodies can do!

And then, when it all seemed to be settling into a too familiar rhythm, I decided to mix thing up and created my own fusion classes that I call, Bellywood.

And the fun got turned up a notch!  Mixing moves from Bollywood, classical indian, and general mayhem with fusion music from south asian artists/ canadian artists and whatever suits my fancy, my ever evolving Bellywood with Halyma gang has been making me smile!

And now as things are winding up for the Fall 2012 session, I am looking forward to the break. during which I will over indulge in relaxation and food.

Starting mid January, though, we are back at it!  You gonna join in the fun?

Just got my confirmation email yesterday from the organizer, Mark Blevis, that I will be part of the very intimate group of presenters at the upcoming Creator Camp Ottawa on Sunday November 18th at Pressed, 750 Gladstone.

What will I be talking about? Well they always say to focus on what you know…so:

Bellywood: Creating dance, fusing cultures and styles.

A while back, I picked up Amrita Choudhury’s book on mudras to help me explain them in class and practice them myself!  Here’s her latest promotional video:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYaDm7MRzSw?rel=0]
And since I am talking about the Bellywood fun in my world, I’ve also got plans to see Delhi2Dublin when they hit Ottawa at Maverick’s on October 25th.
They often seem to be here on a weeknight, but since it’s right after my Thursday Bellywood, class, I think I can manage to be a night owl for one night!
I totally love their new album and have used 2 of their songs for class routines already! Here’s one of their early songs that I have performed to at some events in the past:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFuVXzg_gkg?rel=0]

As I take a break from putting the few bits and pieces I brought home after yesterday’s Ottawa Dancers Bazaar, I easily know this is the right choice for me. Letting go of organizing this event after 13 years, took me about a year to process, think about, and accept.

Both Tom and I spent time yesterday explaining the various reasons why I am “retiring” from organizing the Bazaars {Retiring letter from Tracey/Halyma}, and reassuring folk that I will indeed be continuing teaching, having my OCCPs as chance for students to perform, making costumes, and sending out weekly updates via email to keep folks informed of the online information in the Dancers’ News I am sent.

I have met some amazing people over the years and am glad to have been a part of the Ottawa tradition of creating a Belly Dance Community. I did not start it. I came into it when I was a beginning dancer by being introduced to it by my teachers, attending workshops organized by OMEDA, the Ottawa/Outaouais Middle Eastern Dance Association, which was run by volunteers and lasted for over 20 years. It has since faded, but many of it’s members are still strong in the Ottawa Community, supporting each other as best they can.

The vendors who have come through the doors of the Ottawa Dancers’ Bazaar have come from Sudbury, Barrie, Toronto, New York state, Sherbrooke, Montreal and area, and of course, our local designers/teachers/artisans have been well represented. And I thank all of you who have made it a remarkable experience in my life. Challenging at times, but always full of energy and learning.

Folks who have stepped up to volunteer have been amazing. Giving their time and energy to hep in whatever way they can, being part of the bigger picture and creating their own whacky experiences – they all rock. Thanks Dudes.

Thanks Linda – my longest volunteer, and Trisha, one of the newest volunteers! And Melissa in the background on door duty – she won the volunteer prize!!

So, with a sigh of relief and a nod of gratitude, the torch is passed. Eurika and Farasha, the newly crowned, “The Queen of the Bazaars” and “Bazarina” – we get very silly in our community – will be “strategizing” and coming up with their own adventures to bring to Ottawa’s Belly Dance Community. And I’ll be there with my full support – but no longer at 8:30 a.m. 🙂

The whole gang, a photo by Halyma on Flickr.

In early September, I had the pleasure of being part of this group of ladies, dancing at a wedding.

It was an amazing event { thanks Eurika for inviting me} not only having the chance to dance with live musicians, but also working one more time with Rosemary/ Zahra.

For many years, when I first began dancing, I really only knew her in passing. I first danced in her husband’s restaurant at OMEDA events, [ Sam’s Falafel and Tabouleh Garden, on Rideau Street; Ottawa/Outaouais Middle Eastern Dance Association].
She was this quiet woman who had such a history, but I would only be in a position to access it on occasion, and more so after her husband passed.
I kept running into her, working with her on occasion over the remaining years, and would keep in a larger loop of concern and information as her own life took so many turns.
I just wanted to send her a thank you for the many years of energy she put into education, community spirit and the blazing touch she left on so many people.

I will add updates here when I receive them, and feel welcome to add your own comments below which I will pass along to her children, or go to her Facebook page and add your sentiments to her wall.

At the October 14th Ottawa Dancer’s Bazaar, there will be a table set up in memory of her, and information about a future event in the works by Randi Cherry and friends, please stop by if you are attending.

UPDATE -thanks Julia –

“Rosemary Corfield 
June 8, 1948 – October 7, 2012

Rosemary danced into the light to the beat of her own drum at the age of 64. Loving mother of Nicholas and Virginia, beloved cousin of Irene Wanless, and John and Jim Lang. Predeceased by her husband, Samir Haddad and parents, Norman and Virginia. Rosemary was born and raised in British Columbia. She will be deeply missed by her many dear friends and family and by all those whose lives she touched with her joy and love. Rosemary lived her life to the fullest and in the face of the increasing limitations of her illness, adapted and continued to live every day with resilience, courage and passion. She loved planning and hosting gatherings – including her own celebration of life just a few weeks ago. She was a dancer, a musician, an artist, a lover of languages, entrepreneur, a friend and, above all, a devoted mother. Rosemary was an inspirational figure in many groups, including the Ottawa Middle Eastern Dance Association, the Ukulele Ladies, the Belly dance and Arabic drumming communities, the Just for Women group. Everything she did, she did with her all. 

Her unbreakable spirit and love of life will live on in the hearts and lives of all who loved her. She leaves us with these words from Osho: “To be creative means to be in love with life. You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more dance to it.”

Many thanks to all our family and friends, and especially cousin, Irene, dear friend, Noralee Goodwin and the staff and volunteers of the Hospice at May Court for their loving care during the past few months.

A funeral service will be held in the Chapel of Capital Memorial Gardens, 3700 Prince of Wales Drive Nepean, ON K2C 3H1 on Friday, October 12, 2012 at 1:00PM.

Internment and reception to follow at Capital Memorial Gardens.

In memoriam donations can be made to the Hospice at May Court, 114 Cameron Avenue Ottawa, ON.”

 You can go to her online guestbook here:

Ottawa Citizen Obituary

Classes are over. the summer is here – happy solstice BTW.

It has taken a week for me to recover my energies /focus etc to thank everyone who cam out last Wednesday to my 29th – yes, 29th – class party { officially for the past few years, called the OCCP- Ottawa Centre Class Party}.

It’s always a bit of a roller coaster ride – some years we sell out early, some years I am scrambling to cover the costs by opening it up to the public. The dancers- teachers and students  alike – always bring their best to the show and make it an interesting and diverse mix.

This time around, I was extra grateful to the people who were there helping out and relieved to know that I could wander about a bit, leave pretty much all of the night of details in their hands and be a bit more social.  It’s months of work with the last few weeks for the June show being an especially hectic time as I am also in full bridal swing, so thank you to Erika and Catherine who took care of the Stage management and tag teamed with me for “voice from beyond” action and more.  Thank you Linda and Katheryne who were the main door folk – along with Emilie and Laura and Erika helping out as needed.  Thanks to Brenda and Donna for their jumping in as needed to direct people and just stepping up.

Then there is Michèle Roy. She is there before any of us, hanging fabrics with the help of Dennis at Ottawa U, and spends time before the event planning out the set design to make us all look great.

For the 3rd time in a row, I have forgotten to thank her in my final words – and have to scramble to make sure at least some of the people give her some accolades before they leave – ’cause she deserves much more than  40% of the people thanking her with applause for the decor.  She deserves 110% thanks for always designing something gorgeous to create that very social mood for the show.

Tom. Tom has been videotaping my performances almost from the beginning and has been recording and creating beautiful dvds for the performers for my class parties since they started.  Again, he spends hours assembling the info and creating a beautiful record of the event so that even the beginning performers can see themselves looking great on stage!  For performers who have not yet ordered a DVD but want one – email him via his website: www.darnermedia.ca

David. New to the scene – this great guy has been tossed into the whirlwind of Tom’s world by becoming both our neighbour and a huge help at both mine and Tom’s projects of late!  His first foray into being our official photographer has yielded some amazing results!   My photos will soon be viewable to the public and as other dancers give permission/post them on their own sites, you’ll be able to see what a great photographer he is!  And he’s a nice guy so I am sure you’ll be seeing him around !

And Dar of Shibori Borealis is one of my very special VIPs at the OCCPs!  her veils inspire us all to challenge ourselves to dance better, show them off and do them justice!  My costume for this show was once again designed with pieces from Shibori Borealis, both the veil and the silk for the skirt.  The rest of my costume was created by assembling pieces of our community.  Other turquoise silk on the bedleh set was from Roxanne, another local costumer. the beaded fringe I purchased from Nikita, another local dancer.  Purple sequins I think came from Leila, the purple beaded appliqué at my hip from Michele Roy, along with the turquoise sequin fabric on the bra and belt.  So much inspiration from so many creative people all manifesting in my newest creation.

So thank you.

I’m gonna shift gears and focus on private lessons and shows fro the summer.  Wedding dress, bridesmaids and other costume work will keep me busy during the days. And a few dance festival performances will keep me humble as I dance with my buddies in Bollywood For Fun.

See ya in September when my classes resume and in October for the next Dancers’ Bazaar!

Twice a year, since I began teaching belly dance, I organize an end of season class party { Ottawa Centre Class Party}. December and June bring out the dancing students and professionals to a <hopefully >fun filled evening of performances, and for those doing the performing, some fun socializing in the green rooms.

It’s gone up and down in size over the years, depending on enrolment in classes, availability of teachers and student groups to come out etc.  When it began, back in June of 1998, it was in my back yard for the spring/summer one, and in a nearby Byward Market restaurant for the December one.

It peaked a few years back at about 450 performers and guests, and was at the Bronson Centre for a couple of shows. Then the cycle had started to move downwards again and less people were able to participate, so I happily moved back closer to home at the Ottawa U Alumni Auditorium- averaging 270 people for the past few years.

Last week, we peaked again – all 300 tickets are out with teachers, and I have growing list of performers and their guests waiting to hear if any tickets come up for grabs.  There will be a lot of last minute shuffling.  And stress for those folks wanting to bring those 5 extra people { really doubtful that I’ll be able to find that many extra tickets.}

So what to do?

1 – I have teachers checking with their students – are you sure all of your tickets will be used?

2- this morning it occurred to me that often the people involved in the first half, in spite of being told to stick around since the second half of the show has even more fun, LEAVE.  And so during the second half of the show there are piles of empty seats for no good reason.  Do I need to work this already existing “negative” into a positive for this one event?  I’ll percolate on this, but if any teachers know for sure that their students will only be there for the first half { due to early morning shifts/kids etc. – LET ME KNOW!}

3- Crowdsourcing solutions: I run a benevolent dictatorship, but I am open to good ideas.  So if you have any solutions – bearing in mind it’s less than 2 weeks away and about 20 people want to have tickets to sit for the whole show, on top of some floaters who will only be there part of the time…

Ah well, I am now off to a full day of web series shoot and then dancing at the Indo Caribbean Cultural evening tonight.  See ya later!  Leave me some comments below!

A few years back now, I was going to get rolling on Youtube and create a weekly episode of mini lessons.  As I got busier, it instead became a mere short series of videos { there are 5} that all include some dance moves and some include some extra stuff, as I was trying to make them interesting!

As I begin a new session, I try to remember to let my students know both about my Basic Lesson DVDs as well as these mini clips for those who want to practice during the week.  And rather than making them search too hard, here is the playlist from my youtube channel!

Try this at work 🙂 CLICK ON THE PHOTO – I couldn’t get the youtube fancy embedding to work yet!