Tales from the Caravan...
Show: Southern Oasis 2005, April 30, 2005
Click here for (gallery)
Where to begin? This was a huge undertaking for us. We spent months planning
and scheming for it and it still didn't seem like enough time! Leading up to
the show we tried to do as much of the decorating/set up work ahead of time
as possible. We even drew and painted a large canvas desert scene background
that we are really proud of. It wasn't until the actual day of the show that
we were able to get into the Mission to decorate. After a few delays, we got
to work on decorating and holding the performer's meeting simultaneously. It
was admittedly a little chaotic and that will change next year. I was so
excited at all the people that showed up. After leaving my parents
(Alche-mamí and Alche-papí) and buddies to finish up the final decorating
details, Alchemy left for my house to do a whirlwind costume change. It was
our fastest yet!
We started off the show with a drum/percussion processional through the
venue to drum up interest leading to the stage. At the last minute,
unfortunately, we found out that we didn't have microphones (something else
that will change next year!) so we did our best to announce to the audience.
The shows were awesome. There are so many that are still swimming through my
head. Lia of Athens in her gorgeous shimmery silver cabaret outfit was a
hit. Veiled Impressions Tribal inspired choreographies were a thrill to
watch. Athenian Nights Thai inspired formations were awesome. Michelle's
sword number was amazing especially considering that there was a mix-up with
the music and she ended up performing to something other than what she
planned. Christina from Atlanta was gorgeous travel sized belly dance
mastery. Denys of Turku did a lively folk dance. Tasma's cane solo was high
energy. Dance of the Fates were lusciously beautiful synergy as usual. We
unfortunately didn't get to see much of Christy Fricks' performance as we
were on next, but judging by the audience reaction, it was a hit. We
performed a Group Improv number to Solace's Beledi and then an Alchemy
choreography to Groove is in the Heart in our new flowery belts.
In between during the intermissions we had plenty of willing drummers
including Kelly (my hubby), The Sultan, Denys, and Lia's boi. They sounded
awesome and afterwards we were able to dance to them a bit.
The vending was not as spectacular as I had hoped. We were not able to pull
together as much to sell as we planned. Next year we will be inviting
outside vendors. Its easier for everyone and provides a greater variety of
things to buy.
We had some video issues and are still working on getting that put together.
We are planning on having that put together by the next year's hafla, if not
before.
~Mari
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Hafla, Hafla, rah, Rah, RAH!
Well, folks, we did it. In one way, I'm really
surprised and impressed that we pulled off the
greatest night of bellydance this town has ever seen.
In another way, other than hard work to get everything
done and ready to receive our guests, it really wasn't
that hard! I know Mari is going to kill me when she
reads that! lol Thank you Lord Ganesha for removing
the obstacles in our path! Thank you Kali for the
Dance! Thank you Bast for the joy!
I will say I learned a LOT during this endevour. I
learned alot about myself: I can stay focused and see
a huge project through to the end without someone
riding my butt about it the whole time, if I am
committed to the project and passionate about it. I've
learned that I'm not nervous about speaking in public,
just speaking into the microphone! lol Without a
microphone there last night, I was fine emceeing.
Maybe by next year, I'll be fine with the microphone,
too. I learned how to better work with others, respect
their wishes and points of view and not just bulldoze
them with my own, and I learned to value my own ideas
more as others became passionate about them as well
and wanted to make them happen. I learned patience and
trust on a whole new level as I relinquished control
to the other members of my troupe and relaxed enough
to trust that they wouldn't let me down. I learned how
not to let them down, too.
I learned alot about Mari and Amy: I got to know them
even better, which makes our friendships more
meaningful and will make our dancing that much better.
How can I not dance better with these two women who
have gone through this process with me? I learned that
Mari is incredibly detail-oriented like I am, but much
more disciplined about it, which is a very good thing.
We compliment each other because we think of things
that the other wouldn't with our unique perspectives.
Mari is driven, determined and persistent. She is the
driving force behind our getting things done. I
learned that Amy is always focused on the big picture
and how we as Alchemy relate to the audience and the
public. She and I compliment each other because she
allows me to let go of details that are too small and
are slowing us down. Amy is the passionate,
personable, and most relaxed one of the group and she
keeps us working on the overall rather than detailing
everything to death.
I've got to thank Mari and Amy for taking a chance on
Groove is in the Heart. This is a song I've wanted us
to dance to for a while now. While they both seemed
excited about the project, too, it's still a risk to
dance a song like that for a bellydance audience. No
matter how much you love your little choreo, you take
a chance when you take the stage to show it off to the
public and moreso with other dancers. I'll admit, I
have some crazy ideas about what I would like to see
us dance to and I know some dancers are
uber-conservative when it comes to music. I cannot
express how much I appreciate being with two women who
can get behind an idea I'm really confident about and
help me make it happen. So far, our instincts haven't
been wrong and we've always had a great audience
reaction. It's a realy gift to dance with Alchemy.
I've learned alot about our circle of friends and
family and how much those who love are willing to help
you make your dream a reality. No one can ever replace
the Sultan. He is simply incredible generous with his
time, support, enery and ideas. He's always willing to
listen and lend a kind or helpful word. Need someone
to drive you there? The Sultan is your man. He's
dependable in the best sense of the word. And what
would we do without without our Alche-Mommy and Easy
Money, huh? Mari's parents are truly two of the nicest
people I've dealt with. Always there to start the
tipping when things are slow at a First Friday, paint
a canvas, tell us we look wonderful, get the word out
to EVERYone they know about our performances, hang a
backdrop, or just make us laugh, they are two
fantastic folks and I'm glad they are playing for our
team. I feel very lucky to be surrounded by such
people and I hope we aren't difficult to "work for."
And, what can I say about the husbands? These
bellydance widowers put up with, sometimes fund, and
always support our dance addiction. I know I couldn't
dance without knowing I had Jason at home. He takes
care of Xay so well and always comes to my
performances to show his support even though I know
sometimes it's hard on him to do so. Jason gives me
the freedom to be creative and pursue my dreams. Amy's
husband Michael can be depended on to give us some
great advice for advertising and marketing as he is
truly a wiz at such things. And Kelly, Mari's hubby,
is just fantastic for getting shit done! Need me to
make the food? Got it. You want me to make copies of
your DVD? Sure thing. I need to run the sound board
for the Hafla at the last minute with no experience
whatsoever? Not a problem. Thank you Kelly!!! You
rock!
I have to throw in a bit about people in my life who
are far away,but have called regularly to ask how the
Hafla is going and to support me emotionally and
spiritually. My parents have always thought I was the
best thing since sliced bread and continually work
hard to convince me and the world of the same. They
support my creativity habit with lots and lots of
craft supplies and tools and are just an awesome
resource of love and acceptance. Lee and Chris are the
best friends I could ask for, calling me from DC at
least once a week to see how I'm doing, how my dancing
is going and always curious as to whether or not there
might possibly be something they could help with. They
even try to find Alchemy paying gigs in their area!
See how lucky I am?
Obviously, I also learned about planning,
implementing, and running a Hafla, but that's a given.
;) The best and most valuable lessons I learned last
night were about bellydancing itself and the dancers
who participate in it. The world of bellydance is
traditionally a catty place full of one-upmanship and
back biting. While it's still prevalent today, that
trend is fading. Dancers are reveling in a world of
sisterhood rather than competing in a world of dog eat
dog. With a very few exceptions, each and every one of
my interactions with dancers, either while in their
troupe or one their own, was a positive, supportive
and uplifting experience. The dancers seemed to be
relaxed and having a good time last night. I hope part
of that is due to our planning and working so hard
towards that goal. They all had smiles, laughed,
joked,and got to know people from others troupes
better. We networked like mad, made connections that
we hope to continue, and just generally knit ourselves
into a larger community. It was awesome.
All in all, I'm still a bit overwhelmed and trying to
process it all. I can say, though, that I had a
fantastic time last night and the Hafla met, then
greatly exceeded, my expectations. I was so happy to
see Amy talking to her co-workers and getting to be
the star for the evening, looking like a Diva
surrounded by her adoring fans. It made me glad to
watch Mari leading other dancers in ATS during the
live drumming once to formal show was over and she
just shined with her love of the dance. I loved seeing
our friends there having fun even while they were
working hard for us. I was really excited to see peole
I never knew before being dazzeled and awed by the
dancers and the evening. Thank you all.
Wow. We did it.
~Jeannie
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Alchemy: Transforming the ordinary into the sublime
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