Dance classes were essentially the same this week as last, although with the addition of tribal classes with Soubhi (more on that later) and Burlesque Academy not happening this past week, but will be happening this coming week, with its alternating week schedule.
Monday night – The last class for this session of the schedule began, with Tribal Improvisational Belly Dance with Soubhi at TALC. I was so intimidated by the concept for tribal improv that I didn’t attend the workshop that Belladonna had here in Knoxville, but in the more intimate setting of the TALC studios, it doesn’t seem so scary anymore. For those unfamiliar with the concept, dance improv is a group of dancers composing choreography on the spot, through pre-arranged cues, and tribal improv is a group of tribal-style belly dancers doing so, using a crescent-shaped formation, with a leader at one end of the crescent. The leader is the person giving the cues, and this can shift from time to time.
It plays into one of my insecurities, of not knowing what the hell’s going on, but once I get even more familiar with the moves – we learned an Egyptian pattern, as well as two Arabic patterns, and should add more this week, and the ebb and flow of the cues, I believe all will be well. It’s not only physically challenging, but requires a participant to stay focused mentally as well, in order to pick up the cues. There are solos involved in it, as the leadership role is passed from one dancer to another. I think it’s a great way for me to continue to grow with my belly dance, and continue to become comfortable with my skill and potential to not mess things up royally.
The rest of the dance week was as expected, with choreo beginning in all. I still marvel that I’m able to remember, even if it is vaguely, the various choreos for each of the the choreography classes I’m taking. Add into that, in a couple of weeks, the choreo for the Grinduation piece for the Burlesque Academy, and I’m going to be a brain stuffed little girl.
All items that I babbled about in the previous post have been delivered – the pasties are awesome, the hat is fantastic, and the books are, for lack of a better word, divine in Dita’s case, and highly entertaining in Jo Wheldon’s case.
Today’s projects have involved making an overskirt for belly dance on Monday, and I’m quite pleased with both the easiness and quick construction time for the pattern I used, and also the gorgeousness of the fabric I found for it. It’s a silver printed lace pattern on a black stretch background and fits my personal aesthetic very very well. Photos will be forthcoming!
Costuming items include a project for Anna, and then I’m probably going to make a test run for another anticipated project for Anna, using myself as the fitting for the first attempt, since I want one of that style of dress too.
The world should be glad I use my talents for good, and not evil.