The International Belly Dance Convention held in Las Vegas,
NV July 30- August 4 is now one for the books. There was an
incredible line-up of instructors and performers scheduled to
challenge and thrill those who would make the journey. Of
course, for my travelling companion and myself -- the promise of
new, undiscovered vendors held a fairly strong allure as well.
As with most first time events, kinks weren't quite completely
worked out by the beginning of the event -- and we felt the
organization and communication to participants was a little
lacking.
HOWEVER --- this attendee has no complaints regarding the
variety and quality of the instructors with whom she studied.
(Yes, there is disappointment regarding the absence of certain
headliners for whom I traveled 1,600 miles to see -- but it just
wasn't meant to be.)
The way the event was structured, up to four instructors were
teaching at the same time in different ballrooms. You were able
to sign up for whoever you wanted -- and take as many classes as
your brain and body could handle. For me, that meant about two
2 hour classes a day.
During the course of the week, I had the opportunity and great
fortune to study with Lubna Emam, Tito, Angelika Nemeth,
Mohammed Kazafi and Amir Thaleb -- a couple of them twice.
Patti had many of the same classes as I -- diverging at one point --
by design, to meet and study with Ava Fleming and Zahra
Zuhair. Thank goodness we did have each other to share notes
with.
There were shows every night -- and I managed to catch the
Wednesday and Friday night performances. It was an absolute
delight to see Ava Fleming, the Black Opal Dance Troupe, Sadie
and Meera entertain. I wanted SOOOO badly to meet Meera
(who performed a Bollywood number) because of the moves I
learned from her via tape. She lives in our Nari Narien
choreography! Then I realized that I HAD inadvertently met her
when I was talking with Harry Saroyan at his booth.
Friday night saw the Korean Bellydance Association open the
show (those girls were a little elbowy in class -- I just have to be
honest!) Aradia performed solo and with her troupe; Karen
Barbee -- and a live Egyptian Orchestra; and Mohammed K. Tito
jumped up on stage for an impromptu appearance ---
HEAVEN!!!!! Aubrey from California won the Professional
competition and she performed her winning number for the
receptive crowd. I had to leave before Delilah and few others
took their turn, as I was getting up at 4 a.m. to catch a flight.
There were so many other artists there I wish I could have spent
time with : Hadia, Zahra, Fahtiem, Virginia, Eva Cernik, Shareen
el Safy, Karim Nagi. What a line up. True -- Dina, Amani and
Raqia did not make it there for whatever reasons. It will make
my future meet-ups with them all the more sweet!
Very glad to be home -- I've brought back
choreography, combinations, and a few
pretty things for students to wear. Hopefully
I'll be able to recreate and share the artistry I
witnessed and enjoyed in Vegas!
NV July 30- August 4 is now one for the books. There was an
incredible line-up of instructors and performers scheduled to
challenge and thrill those who would make the journey. Of
course, for my travelling companion and myself -- the promise of
new, undiscovered vendors held a fairly strong allure as well.
As with most first time events, kinks weren't quite completely
worked out by the beginning of the event -- and we felt the
organization and communication to participants was a little
lacking.
HOWEVER --- this attendee has no complaints regarding the
variety and quality of the instructors with whom she studied.
(Yes, there is disappointment regarding the absence of certain
headliners for whom I traveled 1,600 miles to see -- but it just
wasn't meant to be.)
The way the event was structured, up to four instructors were
teaching at the same time in different ballrooms. You were able
to sign up for whoever you wanted -- and take as many classes as
your brain and body could handle. For me, that meant about two
2 hour classes a day.
During the course of the week, I had the opportunity and great
fortune to study with Lubna Emam, Tito, Angelika Nemeth,
Mohammed Kazafi and Amir Thaleb -- a couple of them twice.
Patti had many of the same classes as I -- diverging at one point --
by design, to meet and study with Ava Fleming and Zahra
Zuhair. Thank goodness we did have each other to share notes
with.
There were shows every night -- and I managed to catch the
Wednesday and Friday night performances. It was an absolute
delight to see Ava Fleming, the Black Opal Dance Troupe, Sadie
and Meera entertain. I wanted SOOOO badly to meet Meera
(who performed a Bollywood number) because of the moves I
learned from her via tape. She lives in our Nari Narien
choreography! Then I realized that I HAD inadvertently met her
when I was talking with Harry Saroyan at his booth.
Friday night saw the Korean Bellydance Association open the
show (those girls were a little elbowy in class -- I just have to be
honest!) Aradia performed solo and with her troupe; Karen
Barbee -- and a live Egyptian Orchestra; and Mohammed K. Tito
jumped up on stage for an impromptu appearance ---
HEAVEN!!!!! Aubrey from California won the Professional
competition and she performed her winning number for the
receptive crowd. I had to leave before Delilah and few others
took their turn, as I was getting up at 4 a.m. to catch a flight.
There were so many other artists there I wish I could have spent
time with : Hadia, Zahra, Fahtiem, Virginia, Eva Cernik, Shareen
el Safy, Karim Nagi. What a line up. True -- Dina, Amani and
Raqia did not make it there for whatever reasons. It will make
my future meet-ups with them all the more sweet!
Very glad to be home -- I've brought back
choreography, combinations, and a few
pretty things for students to wear. Hopefully
I'll be able to recreate and share the artistry I
witnessed and enjoyed in Vegas!
Here I am with Lubna Emam of
Egypt. Her choreography was so
much fun.
This has got to be one of the worst
pictures of me ever taken. What kind
of friend would do this??? Can I
please have a do-over????
Egypt. Her choreography was so
much fun.
This has got to be one of the worst
pictures of me ever taken. What kind
of friend would do this??? Can I
please have a do-over????
Okay -- here we go again. My
big chance to have my picture
taken with Mohammed Kazafi
and he looks away right when
my "friend" is taking the picture.
PuhLEASE!!!
big chance to have my picture
taken with Mohammed Kazafi
and he looks away right when
my "friend" is taking the picture.
PuhLEASE!!!
Okay -- we finally got one right.
Nobody looks goofy. But guess
what -- that's because somebody
OTHER than my "friend" took the
picture!! The taksim workshop with
Angelika Nemeth was exactly my
cup of tea. Love it --loved her!!!
Nobody looks goofy. But guess
what -- that's because somebody
OTHER than my "friend" took the
picture!! The taksim workshop with
Angelika Nemeth was exactly my
cup of tea. Love it --loved her!!!
My "friend" Patti -- responsible for the
photos of Lubna and Mohammed!
Here she is at a boutique we
stumbled across at the Venetian.
You'll notice she didn't take any
pictures of ME!
(Love ya sista!)
photos of Lubna and Mohammed!
Here she is at a boutique we
stumbled across at the Venetian.
You'll notice she didn't take any
pictures of ME!
(Love ya sista!)
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