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C A L E N D E R
There's lots of cool info on this
page,
DID THAT SAY WINE ???
AND WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT SHOPPING ?
There is almost
always a vender with
Unless stated otherwise, all pictures are by
Since Dance Unlimited in Buda is only 5 miles from our house, we
are determined to make shows at that location a success ! This time,
we actually made it into the paper – Hays County’s Free Press - front page
of the Neighbor’s Section….a great picture and caption of Gypsy
Hips…..which hit the streets in time to attract people to the show.
That will go a long way on name recognition and it was free !
Thanks go to their editor Connie ! First, some recognition for our helpers; Dawn, one of Drakon’s intermediate students from the Buda area, took over the project of draping the mirrored wall and our grandson Dillan’s friend, Taylor, helped her with that ! Thanks ladies – it looked really good. It is surprising what can be done with a few pieces of fabric when the creative minds take over. Alima’s daughter, Jennifer, took the DJ position away from M’lilah (yeah), and Dillan collected donations at the door and helped us set up and take down the stage - it is always a challenge making all our equipment fit these different locations. Many thanks all of you !
To get the show off and running in fine style, we welcomed
4
members of Le Ja Diin. A dynamic troupe
from North Austin- all very close friends having begun their sisterhood as
members of Bobbye Dee's Kizz-La Dance Ensemble. All of their
choreographies are group efforts; they piece out the music so each member
can create a portion alone and then bring it all together and the
playfulness about their performance makes it is easy to tell these women
love dancing together.
Le
Ja Diin Troupe’s 2nd number showed a costume change and
was a totally different feel. This is one troupe that is continually
improving and will continue to grace the Desert Passion stage as they do
so !
Syria has
been dancing for 8 years – also, currently with LeJaDiin. She performed a
veil dance to a song called “Yearning”.
Shakata Dancers came back with a fun Spanish flair number that had
their big skirts flying !
Then, we made an abrupt change of pace, from Gypsy soul to classical new age, as we welcomed Drakon & Jennifer Daniels. They repeated (kinda) the original duet composition first performed at ABA’s Jukebox Belly Dance Show on January 22, 2010, at the Dougherty Arts Center in Austin. For some background, when Jennifer and Drakon first decided to collaborate on a special number for the Jukebox show, they wanted it to be totally original. Jennifer, a professional violinist with YEARS of experience playing improv for various dancers, watched Drakon dance with his blue wings and then wrote the music as she interpreted his dance style. Now, when they perform, he interprets her music as he dances. Because they are getting more and more comfortable with each other, this will always be a fluid and ever-changing piece. We are all really looking forward to what else this pair will be inspired to create.
For even another change of pace, the sound of drums pulled the
crowd outside during the intermission….Doum Tec Support was a great backup for Dillan
to spin his fire ! He had never performed for live music, and said it was
“interesting”. We have told him he will have to get used to all kind of
sounds, and since he is so focused on what he is doing, I cannot see how
he can pay attention to music anyway ! He is a fun spinner and keeps the
“hot” pace throughout. Then back inside, where Gypsy Hips and Doum Tec Support (Charles Law and Dave “Sharkbait” Flowers on Drums, Jennifer on violin - assisted by Saiidi and Xandra) seized the stage. I will just let the pictures tell the story, but there were group numbers and solos, and even a number for Drakon. He loves to dance with these guys and his sword comes alive in his hands when he has a band behind him.
The next show at this location won’t be until October 2, when we will be honored with Belladonna from Houston !! We will be back at Eternal Way for the March 6th show ! Somewhere towards the top of this page, there was a write up with the lineup ! See you there !
Since I really do not like writing our own reviews, I coerced Ruya into helping me write this one …partly, and as always, after all the work preparing for a workshop/show there is a bit of a let down – and that is not a good time to write ! Maybe writing before an event would be better – maybe entice a few more patrons to come see what has excited me. Anyway, this is a combined effort.....read on !
Drakon and I got to Sue’s
Dance Studio in Georgetown about noon to find that Gitane and Amethyst
(with Indigo Rose – Ft. Worth) had beaten us there and Amethyst was all
fired up about presenting a 1-4 pm workshop for Desert Passion !
(visit
the workshop page while you are here for more details on that) Ruya writes: Drakon opened the show and got the audience warmed up with his fabulous dancing. He wore a really nice red and black costume that shimmered under the lights.
Ruya writes: Connie, one of the Georgetown intermediate students, wearing a purple velvet choli top, matching purple chiffon skirt with a lavender handkerchief hem skirt overlay and silver coin hip scarf, performed using a gorgeous pair of purple Wings of Isis. Wings are always a crowd pleaser, and this audience was no exception. I enjoyed watching her original choreography and thought she danced very well with the Wings , which is hard to do with this studio’s low ceilings. Connie is able to get away with it when Drakon can’t !
Later,
she was joined by Heather, for a routine they
worked on outside of class. Drakon loves it when his students do
homework – and create their own choreographies -- that is what will make
the Company so versatile. Ruya writes:
I
can’t wait to see them dance this one again some time! They wore black
tops, violet satin skirts and hip scarves.
TwistedNotionz, the mother/daughter team from Cedar Park performed two totally different ATS routines and had enough variety in their performances to hold the audience’s attention throughout. Ruya writes: I’d heard good things about TwistedNotionz, but hadn’t seen them dance before. I always find tribal interesting to watch since usually much of it (if not all of it) is improvised. They design and make all their own costumes, and I particularly liked their black/silver costumes which kept reminding me of Assuit fabric. I must admit I was admiring Eden’s black net gauntlets & wondering if they could work for cabaret.
Ruya writes: I'm from Killeen/Ft. Hood, and also danced 3 times during the show. My first 2 two songs were all improvised, one being “Little Egypt” sung by Elvis – in honor of the King’s birthday the day before, of course! Then, Drakon and I performed a cane dance choreography by Nourhan Sharif. For that I wore a silver beaded costume with silver coins and paillettes and a purple chiffon skirt. It looked good with Drakon's red top and pants with matching coin hip scarf.
M'lilah writes: Ruya is too modest to mention that the cane number earned thunderous applause and we had several people mention how much they liked it. She is a professional dancer teacher in Killeen and is currently studying privately with Drakon. They will probably be doing some other performances together.
Lori,
debuted on the Georgetown stage doing a strong cabaret number. She plays the
audience well and they welcomed her with lots of applause. Lori writes, "The wilds of Georgetown are off my beaten path, but it wasn't TOO far to drive. However, it helps to know where you're going- it's disconcerting to be traveling down a very dark rural road then suddenly come upon a small industrial strip mall with lots of cars parked in front of it. But there we were- the industrial space makes a fine open dance studio; a large room with no pillars to dance into, with plenty of parking. It was fun dancing for an interested audience that wasn't the usual belly dance crowd. It changes the goal from doing something new and different and technically interesting to giving a good accessible show. I especially enjoyed dancing in front of the two girls who took pictures constantly through everyone's performance- they even asked to take my picture after the show. You can be a star in a young girl's world!"
Our featured artist, Amethyst, performed with high-class style ! Her personality and stage presence is truly invigorating. To close the 1st half, wearing a white outfit which contrasted nicely with her buttery yellow veil and sparkling tiara, she danced with confident sass and burned the floor to loud applause. I swear that veil knew some special tricks. Ruya writes: To close the 2nd set, Amethyst wore a beautifully beaded & sequined chocolate brown costume, the godets on the trumpet skirt were caramel colored and contrasted nicely with the costume. She had us all holding our breath while she danced with a candle tray. That’s right, live flames! First the whole tray on her head, then changed to one candle on her head and one in each palm, which is when she displayed amazing coordination weaving her hands in opposite directions around her body while holding the candles flat in her palm.
Truly a shining star, Amethyst ended the show with an upbeat song and got just about everyone out on the floor for open dance. It was a long day, a fun evening, and everyone had a great time!
Thanks go to everyone who took the workshop, performed and help produce the show ! YOU are appreciated.
Side note -- Gitane brought a collection of her Treasures and vended ! I think Barbara bought her out - but I got these beautiful "Turkish Eye" earrings that I will wear with pride ! We especially love it when venders and performers are willing to drive so far to help us give a great show to the community ! And Georgetown so deserves it !
The whole evening featuring Desert Passion Company (Connie & Barbara from Georgetown - Dawn, Delia, Elizabeth, Erica and Marisol from Buda) was so much fun -- great dancer spirit, great choreography -- smooth presentations all the way through ! Drakon and I were so pleased with our new speakers - that change totally solved the musical glitches we have been having, so the lineup moved smoothly from set to set. There was a lot of variety, with lots of costume changes to show the various styles which took some effort on Drakon's part as he choreographed the entire show to include company numbers, solos and duets to include our choice of tribal guests. We were given the entire pool bathhouse for a dressing room, but unfortunately, it was out by the pool.....heated....but since the cold north wind was practically buffeting people into the pool, the dancers sure moved fast between the dressing room and the stage !
To open the show, 5 of the "Desert Passion Warriors" dancing to "The Fire of Anatolia" entered from the back of the room, regally undulating down the aisle, "camel-walking", before breaking out of the single file line with "circling and guarding" movements. Drakon came into the central area, also from the back of the room, moving smoothly from one good "watch out - the Sultan is here" posture to another. While Delia remained in a "guarding pose" on the stage, the other 4 circled around blending from one pose to another while Drakon performed a warrior style solo. Then when the music changed to "Tabla Solo", the 5 of them moved into their choreographed routine. Connie, Barbara, Elizabeth and Tilal were were all dressed in black and silver with their faces veiled. They looked really good. Drakon has taught them to hold those swords as if they could really use them. That is really why this particular dance has evolved into such an effective crowd pleaser. Considering Drakon's two class locations are rather far apart, Buda to Georgetown is 68 miles, the 2 groups rarely get to perform together, which creates a challenge for Drakon. But, they have it down to a fine art. Tital's husband Patrick said, "I was so mesmerized watching that I forgot to take pictures." Good, that is what Drakon hopes to accomplish.
In addition to several Company numbers, three of the members danced solo as well. Connie danced a New Folkloric Cane routine to Zaman Zaman. She loves that routine and seemed much more sure of herself then she has in the past. It is so good to watch beginning performers grown into confident dancers.
Tilal performed a "old" folkloric
cane to
Dawn, also of Buda and an Intermediate level student, did her favorite veil routine "Shou Akhbarak" in a new costume she made. It was a special shade of green that went very well with her skin and hair coloring and the use of a black veil added emphasis to the overall look. She is another dancer who has come a long way since her first solo. Her beaming smiles, mostly directed towards her husband, connected the performance with the audience saying "now all eyes on the dancer"!
Barbara, Georgetown Intermediate student, performed "Drum Solo" from Bahaia's CD and it too has evolved into a much more carefree performance. Barbara makes her own style, and with a black top and simple gray skirt she showed off a tribal necklace and belt designed by "Gitane Treasures". Rumor has it that Gitane is making her a bra top to match that belt. Can't wait to see it all together !
The evening's Guest Dancers, Erin and her daughter Hippie dancing as TwistedNotionz from Cedar Park, performed three different ATS Punk & Pop duet numbers, Gypsy Part of Town, Habibi Min Zaman, and Hermetico. Their self-created costumes were unique and different for each set as were their choreographies. They are fast establishing themselves as a strong addition to the Austin dance community. Hippie also performed solo to "Discovered".
Dawn, designer and creator of their bright-colored sequined tops, was joined by Buda Company members - Delia, Tilal and Marisol as they danced to choreography written by Desdemona. The company has never performed it before, so they were a little nervous, but the two numbers, Salem Halak (Give Yourself Up) & Galbi, allowed for a embedded solo by each member. The performance was a well presented piece of Arabic Pop.
Drakon performed in his black and silver costume with the pewter wings to Move. The crowd always loves this one and as usual, he did a great job with the drum solo part.
The Company grabbed at the opportunity to perform their "Sahara" routine and with only 6 dancers, it was a different choreography from the way they performed it for the ABA "Another Year and a Day" show at the Daugherty Arts Center. Drakon performed a Modern Egyptian American solo to "Hadi Yensa Albou".
Due to the midnight countdown sneaking up on us, the last third of the prepared lineup had to be skipped so we could all move outside to enjoy (brrrrrr) an awesome fireworks and fire spinning performance by our grandson, "Dillan - The King of Fire". While we all huddled together shivering, Dillan kept the the fireworks popping one right after another - they were all high and spread beautifully in the wind. I was impressed by the fact that the huge "Blue Moon" was directly overhead, peeking through a hole in the clouds, so that the fireworks were bursting above us with the magical moon as their backdrop. I was deeply moved by the beauty of the moment. With incredible teenage energy, Dillan moved from fireworks to fire spinning. The music switched from indoors to outdoor speakers as he started with glow sticks, 4 colors, and then moved to staff and poi. This kid is good...a very strong fire spinner. It was probably too windy, but he was able to keep the crowd outside watching, so that should speak for his skill. Dillan will be a regular at Desert Passion shows whenever possible. After he finally ran out of energy, we all moved back inside for hot mulled wine prepared by Maricarmen and Erika.
Several times throughout the evening, short intermissions were inserted to give the patrons a chance to restock from the incredible "Mediterranean Food Buffet" table. To fill a much needed slot, M'lilah & Drakon's daughter, Janell, has started "The Girl Next Door" catering service, and for her first Desert Passion show, she totally outdid her herself. The food was delicious, with a nice mix of choices.....her homemade menu staples Falafel, Tabouleh, and Greek Meatballs were served with Hummus and Spinach/Artichoke Dip and Dolmas. Pita Bread (both fresh and as chips) was available too ! A glass Dessert Tower was three levels of a variety of yummy treats.
There was a delicious punch and 5-6 different wine choices. She had everything artfully arranged on a beautiful table - every one was so impressed. We highly recommend "The Girl Next Door" to cater your next event ! Very well done, Janell !
We want to thank all our family who spent their holiday time helping "Gramma & Grampa" bring another impressive show to the belly dance community. Janell (her husband, Cary, her daughters Raysha and Keslyn and their husbands, Jeremy and Dimas and her son Dillan). Many, many thanks to Ranch Studios Event Coordinator, Maricarmen and her daughter Erika. And to the Studio's cleaning crew for their extra work on our behalf.
Happy Dancing during 2010 !!!
Maricarmen (center) and her children
The next few pictures are taken at various DPMEDT shows during 2009 --
Perks for being one of Drakon Family of Students............
Drakon usually, actually, always prefers to dance to new music, but for a traditional cabaret performance. he chose an old classical favorite … probably familiar piece of music ….by Bassim Yazbeck called “Cocktail Om Kalthoon & Tabla Bassem”..
Barbara performed her very first solo and this was interesting. History: At Desert Passion’s June 20th Georgetown show, Barbara purchased one of Bahaia’s DVDs from EmbellYishments and has managed to memorize the choreography just watching the DVD! She performed the Table I Solo with absolutely no help from Drakon. Good job Barbara ! She says, “I love everything about belly dancing, especially the clothes!” Uh oh ! Hope Matt doesn’t lock up her wallet – actually, by watching him watch her, I think he probably considers this all money well spent !
These are some of our favorite sword shots.......
Drakon (both pictures by Valerie)
And M'lilah, who does not dance at all period, but is the emcee at every show, says that, "After 10 years I am still thrilled to keep these shows happening and urge you to "Please keep coming back !"
M'lilah by Valerie
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