Dance musings: Helm workshop

On Saturday I was lucky enough to attend a workshop with the wonderful Helm. Helm are a US based group who perform middle eastern/folkloric music tailored for belly dancers (especially ATS). The workshop was split into two groups -dancers and drummers - who worked seperately for a few hours before coming together during the last hour to work together.

In the dancers group, we worked with Ling Shien to learn different zil patterns and put them together with foot patterns to dance to their song "Hosanni Oo". At first, it was really difficult to remember the zil and foot patterns together but as the workshop progressed I really began to see how everything fitted together. The zil patterns complemented the footwork which also complemented the music. By the end of it all, things had finally managed to make sense! It was a thoroughly challenging but enjoyable workshop, and Ling Shien is a wonderfully patient and supportive teacher.

After some lovely thai food with Tracy and Andrew, we headed off to the Firewater show with Helm and Dajjah. It was amazing to be able to hear Helm live, as we dance to their music all the time in class. I was blown away by how beautiful Ling Shien's voice is - so haunting! Moirai Tribal were dancing too and at one point, Tracy and I were coaxed up to dance. It was really nerve-wracking but good fun - we even managed some level three moves!

We didn't know what to expect from Dajjah but they were really good as well. It was middle eastern music but with a truly modern slant. Hannah (whose classes I go to on a Wednesday) was dancing to their set and she was amazing. She has such a fluid style and an otherworldly look when she dances. Let's hope some of that rubs off on me!

Escaping the city

The weekend before last, Graeme and I, along with a group of friends, headed off for a weekend in Norfolk. We were so lucky with the weather - beautiful blue skies during the day followed by crisp chilly nights.

It was so nice to escape from the hustle and bustle of London to beaches and autumn tinted woodland. When we arrived home on Sunday night everything seemed so noisy after the peace of the countryside.

It was a wonderful weekend - the combination of good company, yummy food and beautiful surroundings made it perfect!

Dance Musings - Tribal Vibe, 16-18 October, Aylesbury

On Saturday I attended Tribal Vibe - my first time at a bellydance event that was devoted to ATS/ITS.

My day was kick-started with “Shimmy Queen” - a workshop with the wonderful Paulette Rees-Denis of Gypsy Caravan. I’d been to one of her workshops before in Edinburgh and she was as excellent a teacher as I remembered. We took a whistle stop tour through basic shimmies and then on to combos. It was an energetic workshop and my shimmies definitely felt the benefit.

After lunch, it was time for some “Dynamic Duos” with Philippa and Jesse of Moirai Tribal. The workshop focused on a core group of moves and using them in passes, turns and lead changes with a partner. It was great fun and taught me how to add an extra dimension to dancing in duets.

My final workshop was “Spins and Formations” with Sarah from Tribe of Kismet. We started off discussing elements that help when performing fast turns before trying to encompass them into a basic spin. Once we were well and truly dizzy, we moved on to formations and how to maintain them while changing lead. Finally, we combined practising formations and throwing in some fast spins for good measure. I did feel more confident spinning by the end of the class – I still can’t get the hang of spotting though!

I was unable to stay for the whole evening show but I did manage to see the first half. It was amazing to see all the different styles of ATS/ITS in the one place. I wasn’t convinced by the performances with large chorus lines, but I think in a larger space they would have worked better. I was, however, very impressed with Kalash who danced with such amazing energy I swear I could feel it emanating into the audience. Moirai Tribal, and their student troupe Apsara, were as fantastic as ever, although I am terribly biased!

Overall, I had an amazing day and learned so much from truly excellent teachers. I do hope Barefoot Bellydance decide to go ahead with next year’s event, as I will certainly be there!

Ten days in...

... and it's all good. I started my training as a clinical scientist two weeks ago and I am really enjoying being back at the bench. For the first time since I finished my PhD, I feel like I am going in the right direction. I know it's early days yet but I really do hope I feel the same in a years time. Admittedly, I do have a lot of work to do getting my professional qualification and I may have to do an MSc (which I'm not thrilled about), but I am convinced that after the thesis trauma anything is manageable.

Off to Tribal Vibe tomorrow for a whole day of ATS workshops followed by a show in the evening. Got to get up early to get to Aylesbury for 10am. Thankfully, I have all day Sunday to lounge around and recover!

(the photo is a beautiful Peruvian butterfly. Too fast to catch open but just as beautiful closed!)

We made it!

G and I make it to Machu Picchu after four days of trekking - 26th September 2009.

Currently sorting out all our photos and then I can share more about our amazing holiday!

Suddenly I have a social life ;o)

It's been such a busy week here. Even last weekend was busy! I'm looking forward to things being a bit more restful this weekend and next week.

The weekend turned out to be themed around Oscar Wilde. It was totally by luck, not intended at all. On Saturday, G and I met up with my wonderful colleagues, Anna and Philippa, and their wonderful partners to go to see "The Importance of Being Earnest" at Regent's Park Open-Air Theatre. We were so lucky with the weather. After it being rubbish all week, Saturday afternoon was lovely. The performance was great - very well acted and wonderfully funny. We had a lovely picnic afterwards, which involved loads of Bubbly, canapes, cupcakes and so many different salads that I lost count. It was wonderful day and we were all well fed and watered.

On Sunday, I inflicted Matthew Bourne's Dorian Gray on G. I say inflicted, as it's not really his kind of thing (he prefers plays to dance performances). I certainly think he was still impressed. I really do love Matthew Bourne - he has a way of making things his own without losing the message. Dorian Gray was no exception - it was funky and modern, while retaining the disturbing elements of the novel. The skull mirrorball was an excellent touch!

The rest of the week has been completely mental. G's family seem to have descended on from all over the world. On Monday, we met up with his aunt and cousin from the US for yummy tapas. Wednesday was meze with his cousin from Australia (who's currently living in Mexico). Combined with Tuesday's ATS class and yesterday's trip to the hairdresser, I feel like I have never stopped!

Tribal Fusion workshop tomorrow with the wonderful Darkstar. We're focusing on arms and upper body technique. I'm really excited about it, as my arms need a lot of work.

June catch-up

June was a busy month for both of us. Here's what happened:

• My Parents visited for a weekend. We went to Greenwich, as Admiral Nelson is one of Dad's heroes and he wanted to see Nelson's jacket in the Maritime Museum. On the Sunday, we visited the Wetlands Centre, which is just amazing. It was a glorious day and the ducks etc were out in full force.
  
• We got involved in the Story of London festival by taking full advantage of their Living History weekend. On the Saturday, we celebrated the marriage of Henry VIII and Katherine Parr at Hampton Court with a picnic and fireworks. On the Sunday, we celebrated Britain's victory at the Battle of Waterloo at Apsley House. The highlight was a re-enactment of the Battle using vegetables - very funny indeed!
  
• I started my new job at work. It all seems good. Much busier than the old one and a lot more challenging too. Should be a good way to spend my last few months there.

The elephant in the room...

Well, it was a month before I could pluck up the courage to post that last post. I've been debating whether or not to mention my Mum's cancer, as I know that she sometimes reads my blog. However, I'm not sure I can write things and pretend everything is fine, while something which is utterly not fine is happening. Thankfully, everything seems to have gone well. Mum's surgery was a success and she is now on the mend. She goes to see her Consultant this week, and we're all hopeful that it's good news. I'm going to Scotland to visit my Parents in a few weeks and am very much looking forward to seeing them. Being here in London while all this has been happening has been incredibly difficult.