Venus Uprising Bellydance New York City

FANVEILS WORKSHOP :: tanna

2008-06-28T10:01:04-04:00

Last Saturday 440 Studios was the home to our first fanveils workshop. While I had initially expected a rather low attendance rate, to my surprise the workshop actually sold out, and I had to close down registration. This is a sign of the degree to which fanveils have now saturated the bellydance market. A year ago they were not so common, especially here on the East Coast. But at Spring Caravan in early June there were at least 4 fanveils performances (including my own), and at least 4 vendors selling different varieties of fanveil.

I resisted the urge to purchase any new fanveils at Spring Caravan, but at that point I already owned 9 pairs! And I needed every one of them, plus a few new "quickies" that I hurriedly made in order to lend them out to the workshop attendees. Definitely another big draw to this workshop was the "try before you buy" aspect.

For two hours Room 4F was a kaleidoscope of swirling silks in a rainbow of colors. The dancers who attended were very fun, and very enthusiastic. This was definitely the most interactive workshop I have ever taught since so many of the ladies had questions pertaining to their own specific ideas. It is my hope that in the future I will get to see some great fanveil performances as they bring their ideas to fruition.

BLANCA'S TAROT PARTY:: neon

2008-06-27T14:14:19-04:00

When you enter a NYC apartment and you find no couch (instead it’s silk beaded cushions scattered on the floor and a bed with a canopy and exotic embroidered fabrics), and no TV (iPhone instead), you know that this New Yorker lives an intensely metropolitan life. Add to this a toy-like Shih Tzu named Lola, strange carved objects of antique Indian wood, a host of Turkish and Moroccan lamps hanging from the ceiling (along with “silks” for practicing aerial dance), and closets stuffed dead with bellydance costumes, swords, jewelry and high-heeled silver sandals, and you know that you have found the place inhabited by the NYC bellydancer Blanca.

Yestserday Blanca’s became the scene of her “Meet your Destiny” Tarot-reading party. The readings were performed by Sherene, Jungian scholar, astrologer, dancer and therapist. Sherene wears long strings of crystal beads around her neck, writes astrology sections and celebrity horoscopes for Elle, publishes the astrology magazine “Constellation,“ teaches dance-based therapy workshops and does readings for those seeking souls who are concerned about their path and destiny. Yesterday’s readings were “public,” we all could listen in on what the cards predicted for each of us. Upon facing one’s destiny via the cards, everyone was left marveling at the insightful and often scary-spot-on nature of the readings.

I had two readings: one was done for me by Blanca - she is a psychic-in-training, and I was eager material for her Tarot skills practice session. It was a simple reading interpreting three cards: past, present and future. One interesting thing she said, to which I could strongly relate, was that my present offers me many opportunities, but that I will succeed best by serving others. My past was represented by Death and future was represented by Aeon. Both were interpreted with a deep message about my life’s journey and the promise of an “outcome of a high order.” My second reading was done by Sherene with multiple cards spread in an elaborate way. My future contains unexplored avenues of personal progress and at the bottom of my reading was the money card. “One thing you don’t have to worry about is money,” said Sherene - which was nice to hear, but I know myself: I’ll worry, I’ll worry!... Other than money, my destiny did not appear straightforward. My life seems to be turning in an unknown direction. I keep thinking of this with trepidation.

A few cards kept coming up in almost everyone’s reading, in particular cards referring to patience and refraining from immediate action or decision. Perhaps they reflected the place where we are collectively — not the right moment for decision making, for some reason.

Among the wines served at the party was my favorite “Roaring Red,” from upstate NY. Food highlights included lovely miniature sandwiches, gigantic strawberries, and CUPCAKES that had a magnetic appeal to the more care-free souls amongst us.

FANTASY BELLYDANCE (PERFORMANCES) DVD:: neon

2008-06-22T20:23:29-04:00

After a hectic week and a whirlwind of video shoots, we (at World Dance New York) have finished (almost!) filming the segments for the "Fantasy Bellydance" DVD - a compilation of bellydance and fusion performances exploring universal archetypes and story telling through dance at a fantasy, myth or fairy tale angle. Here is a sampling of images and characters from the upcoming project...

"Moon Dance" by Anasma

Fayzah as Barbarella

Kittarina

Kittarina and Elisheva, pirate wenches!

Blanca as Persephone

Anasma

Ayshe - FireBird

Zobeida and Ayshe, "Emergent"

Irina, "Call of the Amazon Warrior"

Zobeida in "Emergent"

Atlantis - Autumn Ward and group (Amantha, Danyel Jones, Erica Young, Melissa Voodoo, Victoria LaCerra)

Zobeida and Ayshe, "Emergent"

"Atlantis"

Tanna Valentine as Fantasy Geisha

"Aphrodite" - choreography: Ayshe, soloist: Rayhana; group: Sirrah Nur, Elena Kirsanova, Miyoko Satoh, Nana Masuda, Kai Wen, Tanya Michaca, Jennifer Bowen, Patricia Delgado, Enzina

The cast of "Aphrodite"

Fayzah as Octopus

Blanca as Persephone

Anasma as Prince Charming

Sira as Mermaid

Autumn Ward

COSTUMED FUN :: neon

2008-06-16T16:02:50-04:00

The soon-to-be-published photo / graphic novel "Dance of Mind" by Venus Uprising is moving quickly through the final stages of production. Only a couple photoshoots left and a handful pages to finish. In the course of the two and a half years that it's taken us to complete this project (at a leisurely pace!), we grew from clueless NYC bohemians to skilled photonovel actors deeply in touch with the internal architecture of the superheros, villains and victims we portray.
A couple of recent photoshoots involved fun costume play as we fleshed out the "past life" subplot. Here are a few images from the upcoming book with our period-costumed characters.

Blanca, Carmine, Neon

Neon, Sarah Skinner

Carmine, Ayshe

On the set:

COURT OF LAZARUS :: tanna

2008-06-03T22:16:12-04:00

When NYC goth icon Baron Misuraca invited me to participate in this gig, my first question was "What exactly is the Court of Lazarus?" As it turns out, the Court is a Metropolitan Vampire Society, and Baron was to be one of the featured performers at their May Masquerade, to be held at the (in)famous Slipper Room. I freely admit to feeling a little intimidated. Not only was this a group of people whose customs and tastes were completely unknown to me, I was also stymied by the "gothic formal dress required" stipulation. Baron's reassurances that I could "just wear black" did little to calm me. Exhibiting appropriate dress and appropriate behavior is very important to me, probably because my formative years were spent in Catholic school.

As is often the case, (thank goodness!) my pre-show anxieties were totally for naught. This was one of the most interesting, welcoming and totally fun crowds of people I have ever danced for. Really, it was like being in some sort of surreal European film. I won't even attempt to describe the cast of characters - there were just too many of them, all mingling in the tawdry yet charming glamour of the burlesque-oriented Slipper Room. Baron was performing as a soloist, and he threw a few surprises into his set. While changing in the dressing room after my second number I could not believe my ears when Baron launched into a very faithful rendition of Frank Sinatra's "My Way. Talk about surreal! And the crowd ate it up!

It truly was with many regrets that I had to play Cinderella and leave at the stroke of midnight. Otherwise, I would most certainly have stayed to party all night long with these excellent goth citizens!

ARUBA SNORKELING TRIP :: neon

2008-05-29T23:49:51-04:00

My boyfriend Scott and I have just returned from a few days on Aruba (a Dutch Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela). For me the greatest attraction was the opportunity to snorkel - I am a passionate fan of coral reef life, and a compulsive swimmer. I can swim for hours and from time to time I feel a powerful physical urge to do this: I suspect that my body needs some kind of adjustment that only swimming can give it.

Aruban reefs have a much lower density and variety of live coral and fish population than do the Red Sea or Hawaii, but they are still worthy of attention. The waters are blue and very clear, the fish are colorful, busy and friendly. Sea turtle nests are found up and down the sandy beaches of the southern coast of Aruba where we were, but we didn't see the turtles while snorkeling.

The most amazing experience was snorkeling the shipwreck of the Antilla, a World War II German ship. It is lying in 60' of water, but one of its sides comes really close to the surface. The entire ship is lime green from the corals covering it like a coat, some parts of its body have rusted off and vanished, the masts are reaching into the blue vastness of the ocean and schools of strikingly colorful fish, big and small, are swirling over it. I'd never seen a shipwreck before and didn't realize what a moving sight a dead ship could be.

I skipped dinner every day to indulge guilt-free in tropical cocktails, especially at a nearby bar featuring beds for two on the beach. The best local cocktails are quite creamy and heavy, with lavish amounts of Baileys, Ponche Caribe (milk and egg liqueur), Creme de Banana and the actual pureed bananas. In other words, they are your liquid dinner. It was fun, although the bar life survival was not easy: Many a bartender seeks to please your boyfriend by making your drinks strong enough to drop you off your feet (and into the boyfriend's eager hands) asap. So drinking required application of survival strategy.

While I love snorkeling, Scott's interest is mostly in exploring the land, especially driving in the "hinterland" observing the local economy, geography, and native vegetation. So our time was divided between snorkeling trips and traversing the dirt (or, rather, dust) roads of the northern, less developed and rugged coast of Aruba. While the southern coast is all white sand beaches, hotels, malls and casinos, the northern coast is barren reef rock cliffs, desert, and forests made of tall cacti and brush. The ocean eats into the coast made of ancient petrified reefs creating whimsical pits, caves and bridges.

A cashmere cardigan is the most important element of my snorkeling gear.

Snorkeling off the Brazilian-made wooden sail yachts is a great experience.

Aruba's endless wind forces trees into bizzarre flat shapes: The wind stops briefly only in September.

Coral rock pebbles

Northern coast of Aruba

Gold smelter ruins - northern coast

Salt crystallizes on the reef rock cliffs

Cactus thickets

CANDLELIGHT :: neon

2008-05-21T22:22:57-04:00

My boyfriend Scott decided that he wants to enjoy his evenings by candle light. Fortunately, our household has vast deposits of candles, because performing with a candle tray and candelabrum are among my bellydance specialties.
So now many of our evenings are bathed in candlelight, with electricity making only vignette appearances inside the refrigerator and in other godforsaken places.

This is a striking change from our usual lighting which is a fleet of 26 high-wattage 5000k "daylight" spiral fluorescent bulbs, which are whiter than white, and, combined with our stainless steel furniture and kitchen, give our place a cold and sterile look that belies the hot-blooded humans that dwell therein.

Below: Candlelight rules... Scott in the kitchen: a rare sighting of electricity.

The candlelight idea was prompted by three large candelabra which used to grace the shop windows of Escada. Upon the window redesign they were captured by World Dance New York and used as props in the production of "Seven Veils - Romantic Bellydance" by Sarah Skinner.
We have other video production props that linger with us: bright red- and green-painted bistro-style chairs from "The Exotic Dance Workout" and "Exotic Dance - The Irresistible Art" with Lady Morrighan can occasionally be observed on the roof deck of our building; a skeleton from two "Yoga Inside Out" videos lives in my closet. "Yoga Inside Out" instructor, Paula Tursi, named him "Elvis."
But none of these props has affected our current lifestyle to the degree of the "Seven Veils" candelabra.

Below: Sarah Skinner in "Seven Veils"

Candlelight is a life enhancement, but to me it is neither soothing nor relaxing. It provokes in me an existential anxiety and a thirst for instant creative gratification (which is not easy to achieve if you don't have a dance gig that night).

Ironically, since we live in Midtown Manhattan, the street and car lights, the blaze of the shop windows, and the million candle power of light flooding down on us from the top of the Empire State Building one block to the south, are so powerful that in the depths of the night you can read a book standing in the street for blocks in any direction from our home. On Scott's candlelit evenings there is more light outside than in.

Midnight view from our window:

Candles are oblivious to the crushing noise of traffic and the vocal presence of the crowd at the doors of the nightclub across the street. Candles behave as if it's still the 19th century. Their flame is composed. They are waiting for something.

BAND MEMBER COMING SOON :: sarah

2008-05-20T11:15:35-04:00

So many people in the belly dance world are pregnant right now! I had the opportunity to photograph the drumming trio Sedio, Kazuki and the soon to be announced member. I photographed Neon in her swan costume earlier this year. She left behind this gorgeous huge piece of coco brown silk. So when Kazuki showed up in her favorite color: pumpkin spice, the coco silk was an instant thought. I dragged it out and we had a blast. Even the comedy hound that Sedio is, was in awe of how pretty she looked and he got right into the moment.

Capturing the character of the couple was a great deal of fun too!

SARAH SKINNER, THE SEDUCTRESS :: neon

2008-05-17T23:26:12-04:00

The first dance number filmed for the upcoming "Fantasy Bellydance" performance DVD (World Dance New York, September 08) was "Salome," starring Sarah Skinner, Kazja, Tava, Sherene Vismaya, Patricia Delgado, Kelly Wasilishen, Tanya Michaca, Melissa Voodoo. "Salome" is a series of solos (Sarah Skinner, Kazja, Tava) and group compositions based on the story of Salome and the dance of 7 veils.

First presented at the Venus Uprising's "Cult of Myth" spring show, "Salome" was conceptualized by Sarah Skinner: it's a second installment in her "Femmes Fatales" series, the first being Mata Hari from the "Gothic Bellydance - Revelations DVD. "Salome" features diverse choreographies (by Sarah Skinner and Kazja), spectacular costuming and fine acting.

"Salome" will also be included in Sarah Skinner's upcoming "Seven Veils - Romantic Bellydance" instructional DVD (World Dance New York, July 08).

Here are a few screen shots from the "Salome"video. For more images, visit the "Salome" Flickr set.

Veil dance from "Salome"

Sarah Skinner - Dance of 7 Veils

The last veil off, Sarah delves into the depths of passion, seducing King Herod

Transition to the zar number that closes "Salome"

Final pose: Melissa Voodoo as Death, Sarah Skinner - Salome

"Seven Veils - Romantic Bellydance" - instructional DVD by Sarah Skinner

OBSERVING AND DOING GOOD WORKS :: sarah

2008-05-11T14:15:32-04:00

I was sitting and having a in depth conversation with a friend about life and relationships. My friend talked of coming to a peaceful place about others wrong doings and that Aristotle talked about the recipe for a balanced life must include observing and doing good works. The realization that forgiveness and charity are necessary concepts in everyday life regardless of the search for religious faith. I woke up yesterday with renewed energy to let go of my irritations with people and search for good works.

I went into the studio to photograph a client that wanted a photoshoot while she was pregnant. It is mothers day weekend to boot! I didn't expect to be so profoundly affected by this womans joy and emotion about being pregnant and capturing it in combination with dance. Dance having been a life altering thing in her life. I became very thankful that I had the honor of doing that for her. It was great to see yet another case of how much dance affects peoples lives. It is so easy for me to take it for granted, since I barely know life without dance. It was refreshing to see someone so full of joy. Having this experience with her gave me a rush of uplifted energy.

Though I did engage in a sin: envy. She dyes silk and she created this stunning earth goddess veil with little leaves adorning the edge. I just had to share the joy, a photo of Shaula with her coin costume, created copper pants and stunning veil.

MOTHER'S DAY :: sherene

2008-05-10T06:00:02-04:00

In honor of Mother's Day, I want to dedicate a blog to my beautiful Venus rising (Taurus rising, like Blanx) mama--Zarifa, who gave me my first bellydancing lesson at the age of 4 back in the 70's when bellydancing was still a truly underground scene. Back in the midwest, it was considered a great workout and way to revive bored suburban housewives' sex lives. My mother was a brazen pioneer and true artist who brought culture to an otherwise sleepy midwest town. Of course our suburban neighbors were horrified by the strange arabic sounds competing with their Billy Joel records, but my mother never let the judgments stop her from doing her thing. She taught lessons to women who would drive from miles away in the tiny basement of our duplex apartment with royal blue indoor/outdoor carpet--(sooo 70's! )Eventually she formed a troupe that would perform in hotels around the Detroit area with either my father or her Greek boyfriend, Neo as the MC. Greektown in downtown Detroit was the hub for the bellydance scene. I have wonderful memories of eating Saganaki and watching my mother perform in those nightclubs (think Lafayette grill but darker and fabulously more seedy) when I was just a wee bit of a gal. During my rebellious angst-ridden, punk rock adolescent years I swore off bellydancing in favor of gymnastics and slam dancing, but now I am eternally grateful for my roots. I tortured my poor mother with my displays of horror and typical teen embarrassment when I realized our Egyptian-inspired decor was nothing like the whales, polo horses and plaid wallpaper of the other suburban brats. I also owe her for all of the costumes I ruined when my friends and I would rollerskate around my basement to disco tunes and inadvertently ruin the sequin when our blades would get tear the hell out of the poor hems. But mostly I owe my beautiful mother the gift of inspiring and encouraging me to develop my own artistic longings. I was never inculcated with silly notions of trying to be something I'm not, or living by the norms or expectations of mainstream society. I praise my mother's true renegade spirit. And of course, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her.

My mother was often asked to perform in the local malls (in the 70's malls were still glamorous)--I love the look of judgment and envy from the woman on the far right.
Bellydancing was a scandalous enterprise to many God-fearing suburbanites.

The second picture shows my mom and me dancing.

AYSHE'S FIREBIRD WINGS WORKSHOP :: ayshe

2008-05-08T03:35:35-04:00

Well, today I got the photos back from this past Sunday's Firebird workshop. Sorry, they did not come out that well, but I hope it is fair to say that the workshop was far more successful! This time we had such a beautiful studio- clean, high ceilings, beautiful wood floors, lovely setting and plenty of space for wings. I felt that this created just the perfect, comfortable climate for learning. There was such a nice turnout and everyone was so pleasant and enthusiastic that I in turn felt quite motivated and inspired to teach. The choreography was hard I felt, but I think I was able to modify all the movements so that all the different levels of students could learn something usable for their routines. It was a rewarding day for me, and I was so happy to see and teach all of you who came. Now, I must get to work on getting the choreography footage out to all!

Good luck in your dance endeavors!!

RHODE ISLAND WORKSHOP :: blanca

2008-05-07T01:19:02-04:00

As Neon mentioned earlier, after enjoying an hour of Djinn and Pete List's music on television, Carmine and I hit the road to The Dancing Spirit in Tiverton, Rhode Island.

We had a full day of workshops, 5 hours total, and had a great time. We started the day with a Sensual Bellydance workshop, followed by Rhythms and Drum Solo workshops. Carmine also gave a zill workshop.

At the end of the day Barb and her students performed a routine that became increasingly complex. As they danced, Barbara gave meaning to each movement, it was very sweet with interesting symbolism that, like the dance, became more and more comprehensive.

...................

Next came the show and party. We had the best time! Barb introduced us to her musician friends. The band leader, Charlie, used to live here in New York and played for bellydancers.

Barbara opened the show with a beautiful dance to Balinese music. She truly is a dancing spirit! Throughout the night we enjoyed a great mix of styles from some of the dancers who took our workshop.

After the performances we danced for who knows how many hours! There were no clocks, no one cared, all that mattered was the music, the dance and the people. I overheard Barbara's friend telling her: "Barb, I never had so much fun in my entire life!"

Thank you Barbara and all the wonderful Rhode Islanders for this wonderful experience!

..................

photos above by Omar Bradley

photos below by Izabelle Varanga Donahiue

CULT OF MYTH - PHOTOS! :: neon

2008-05-05T14:52:15-04:00

Dear friends, thanks to each of you who joined us for the CULT OF MYTH - A Fantasy Bellydance Concert NYC April 25 & 26!! And MUCH LOVE AND GRATTITUDE TO ALL ARTISTS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE SHOW!!!! The house was sold out on both days. Thank you for helping us make this event such a success!

Here is a link to a collection of photos from THE CULT OF MYTH - A Fantasy Bellydance Concert - enjoy!
All photos are by Kevin Fox.

And this link will take you to a collection of photos from the Venus Uprising Saturday's reception that followed the show.

Zobeida in "Emergent" - choreography, costumes: Ayshe

Rayhana as Aphrodite, with Sirrah Nur, Elena Kirsanova, Miyoko Satoh, Nana Masuda, Kai Wen, Tanya Michaca, Jennifer Bowen, Patricia Delgado, Enzina (choreography, costumes: Ayshe)

Sarah Skinner as Salome, Tava, Kazja, Kelly, Sherene, Patrica, Tanya, Melissa- perform "Salome's Sin". More info on this performance at www.matahariunveiled.com

Melissa, Sarah Skinner, Sira - curtain call for the CULT OF MYTH

Blanca as Persephone

Neon & Sean Adair

Jeniviva & friend

Blanca & Andrea Anwar

Reception - Saturday

MUSIC BY DJINN ON ABC :: neon

2008-05-03T12:00:21-04:00

Yesterday ABC broadcast the "Secrets of the Sistine Chapel" - a program exploring the possibility that Michelangelo embedded powerful and dangerous messages in the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. The soudtrack for the "Secrets" incorporated a few tracks from Djinn's album "Djinn" and from "Songs for Kassar" by Pete List. "Jimmy Hafla" ("Djinn") and "Nuevinda" ("Songs fro Kassar" - the Kassar's performance music) played again and again and a few other familiar tracks faded in and out. Djinn's music seemed to be used mostly at the moments portraying passion, intense emotions and drama, while Pete List's music appeared in more serene moments.
I don't have TV and never watch it (I love it, but don't have time!), same with Blanca - she doesn't have TV -- so we converged on Carmine's couch to watch, or, rather, listen to the "Secrets." Remarkably delicious Turkish food was provided by the host and we watched with major enthusiasm everything - the program itself and the cute commercials (you may be sick of commercials, but for someone who never has a chance to see them, like myself, they are intense entertainment!). We recited the titles of the Djinn and Pete List tracks as they appeared in the "Secrets" soundtrack and had a blast. Our celebration didn't extend till the morning only because Blanca and Carmine were leaving that night for Rhode Island to teach a drum solo workshop.

SALOME'S SINS :: sarah

2008-04-24T18:06:18-04:00

We filmed Salome's Sin for the upcoming Fantasy Belly Dance DVD earlier this week. We are also about to perform this piece in the sold out show CULT OF MYTH. Here are some sneak previews!

Neon talking to the lighting crew

Sarah Skinner getting makeup by Anica of Sassafrass Make-up Artistry

Sarah getting dressed in (just finished sewing it) pearl costume!

Kelly, Sherene, Tava, Tanya, Patricia, Kazja - getting there veils on

Girls arriving to the victorian tea party

Tava welcoming Tanya to the party

Kazja dances for King Herod

FLUSHING LIBRARY CONCERT :: tanna

2008-04-22T23:05:44-04:00

Last summer after a show with the live band at Mezzo Mezzo, I was approached by a woman who wanted to know if I was available to perform an hour-long concert at the Flushing Library. After some conversation, I explained to her that my dancing for an hour was really not a viable option, but that I could contact other dancers and put together an hour-long concert format show for her. While I knew this would be a lot of work and stress, it was a very inviting opportunity for me to expand my nightclub format, multi-dancer shows to a much larger stage and venue. The Flushing Library Auditorium is a great space with a large raised wooden stage, theater lighting, sound booth, green room and 223 seats. Ultimately I undertook the challenge, and the project came to fruition last Saturday afternoon.

When I realized that last Saturday was the first day of Passover I had some concerns about attendance, but the library program director Gina assured me that all the promotional materials for the concert had been taken within the first week or so of being placed out for the public, which apparently was a very good sign. She was proved quite right! Since the concert was free I guess it can't be termed a sell-out, but maximum capacity was quickly reached and people were turned away at the door. Unfortunately, the success of the show did lead to some unintended drama when one woman refused to accept her dismissal and decided to strike the security guard and enter anyway! The performers were unaware of this until our emcee, Andy Troy, came backstage to tell us that two police officers had entered the auditorium and were trying to remove this woman. Well, the show must go on and that is exactly what we did. New York's Finest sometimes get a bad rap, but I must say these were two of the nicest, most patient and diplomatic officers I have ever encountered (not to mention young and extremely good-looking!). They kept the situation as unobtrusive as possible, and the woman, plus the officers, remained in the auditorium until well after we finished the concert.

The feedback from the audience was really great, and I was not surprised because I had hand-picked some top notch dancers to participate in the concert. My goal was to showcase the varied styles that co-exist under the heading of "bellydance", and we definitely succeeded. Shahira, one of my most favorite NYC dancers, did a very varied set that incorporated classical and modern Egyptian music plus wings and sword. As an additional surprise, her lovely little daughter Athena joined her onstage, and was a huge hit with the audience. Another of my favorites, Rayhana, exemplified the classic American Cabaret style of dance complete with her signature floorwork and veilwork. Her sultry "come hither" projected easily to the back of the auditorium! For the final big number of the show I was so fortunate as to have Manhattan Tribal . Co-directed by Mimi Fontana, these girls are NYC's first American Tribal Style bellydance company. Swirling and swaying in their bright, full-skirted costumes they made full use of the stage as they performed pieces from their new repetoire. Last, but certainly not least, our emcee Andy Troy was a great help to the smooth running of the show, and another big hit with the audience. Drawing on his background as a stand-up comic, he quickly had the audience eating out of his hand with his quips and asides. One of my hugest pre-show stresses was finding someone to run the sound booth, so I must give a very special thanks to my co-worker Angela who volunteered to handle this.

At the end of the show the performers were slightly mobbed by the crowd, asking questions, wanting literature, and wanting to take pictures of and with the dancers. It was fun, but a little overwhelming. The most frequent question was "When are you doing this show again?", and we could not seem to make it clear that this was a one-time joining of artists, and not an ongoing revue. Still, it bodes well for the future, and I am hopeful this was just the first concert that I will be organizing for the library system.

The Queens Botanical Garden is about 12 blocks from the Flushing Library and I had promised myself that if I survived this concert (did I mention there was a great deal of pre-show stress?!) I would reward myself by taking pictures of the beautiful blossoming trees. So, since I do not yet have any photos from the concert itself, I am posting instead a picture of my slightly exhausted and very relieved self under such a tree. Brace yourselves, because you know in the near future I will be posting a selection from the dozens of close-up flower shots that I took at the same time!

CULT OF MYTH IS COMING :: blanca

2008-04-18T17:02:58-04:00

It's one week before the opening of our show CULT OF MYTH and all I can say is "WOW!"

The amount of talent and creativity—not to mention fun and enthusiasm—is nothing short of amazing! It's so inspiring to see what everybody is manifesting and to see individual artists teaming up to create a whole bigger that its parts.

Just take a look at this program:

AUTUMN WARD - "Atlantis! A one-act belly dance ballet" (Amantha, Danyel Jones, Erica Young, Melissa Voodoo, Victoria LaCerra)
SIRA - "The Mermaid's Tears"
TANNA VALENTINE - "Amaterasu"
BLANCA - "Persephone", "Nymph"
SHERENE VISMAYA - "Tzigane"
SARAH SKINNER - "Salome's Sin" (Kazja, Tava, Sherene Vismaya, Patricia Delgado, Kelly Wasilishen, Tanya Michaca, Melissa Voodoo)
TEMPEST- "Cthulhu Waits Dreaming...No More"
LaUra - "Mona LaUra"
AYSHE - "Firebird"
RAYHANA - "Aphrodite, Born of the Sea" (Sirrah Nur, Elena Kirsanova, Miyoko Satoh, Nana Masuda, Kai Wen, Tanya Michaca, Jennifer Bowen, Patricia Delgado, Enzina)
NEON - "Swan Maiden"
JENIVIVA - "Bastet"
ANDREA ANWAR - "Enchantress of Bioluminosity"
IRINA- "The Call of an Amazon Warrior"
LaUra and BELLYTRANCE - "Deja Vu" (Susanna, Zobeida, Indira and Fatima)
BELLYTRANCE - "Mantis Speculum" (LaUra, Zobeida)
DARSHAN - "Narcisse"
AYSHE and ZOBEIDA - "Emergent"
SIRA and SARAH SKINNER - "Spring Flower and Butterfly Sprite"

CULT OF MYTH
a Fantasy Bellydance Concert
April 25-26, 2008 ::: 8 PM
TICKETS NOW ON SALE @ SMARTTIX.COM

Reception immediately following show
$25 adv | $35 door

DNA Theater
280 Broadway, 2nd fl NYC
4/5/6/R/W to City Hall
1/2/3/A/C/E/J/M/Z to Chambers

VenusUprising.com
http://venusuprising.com/events/cult_of_myth.htm

DIPPED TO PERFECTION:: sarah

2008-04-12T19:10:10-04:00

I have been working on my performance for the upcoming Venus Uprising show: Cult of Myth, April 25-26. I love participating in big theater shows like this one. It provides a play space to create something really special. I jumped into this show with both feet in - lots of big exciting ideas. I remind myself that with all the effort and creative ideas, granted, there is no guarantee that it will be a “hit”. That is the risk any artist takes. That risk opens the door for a flop and for unequaled greatness to occur. I am happy to take that challenge.

I acquired white veils. Seeing the white white next to the opalescent color of the rich creamy pearls of my Salome costume, I could not bear it. I became determined that I needed off white veils. I went on the message boards and sent emails to dye companies asking how does one dye off white. Many responded by saying I needed to do a complicated mix of different dye color chemicals that would then vary on how much I was dying to achieve an off white color. Somehow, I got the idea to use tea. What better way to bring my costume back in time by using a natural old school way of dyeing. I spent the other day dyeing my veils as well as another skirt option for the costume. As I sat there for hours steeping and dipping my silk to just the right color I questioned my sanity. Who cares what color white my veil is? Is it really worth hours and hours of my time? And I suppose if I purely looked at the project as cost and effect, the hours devoted to the perfect shade of silk would not be economical. But as an artist, the perfect candle light cream veil will compliment the glory of my pearl encrusted costume.

The next day I drove for miles to meet up with Pete Auslan who is a sound engineer for many famous stars. He had just completed a 52 hour hellish work binder yet opened his door to me with a smile. I plopped down my little pieces of music from here and there and he chopped and hacked away with the ease of an ice skater. I wanted a knock at the door and was stressed about how to achieve that. As the words of what I wanted came out of my mouth, he pulled out a microphone and put it next to a door and said "knock". And moments later, my piece had a knock at the door added on. I also needed to add on a percussion piece of music that Kazuki created just for this piece among other things.

I had always known that Kozuru-Salifoska was a talented drummer. I worked on her new CD cover with her. I was so excited by her music and enthusiasm for recording that I asked her if she would work on this project with me. I learned that among her many positive attributes she is also an absolute joy to work on a project with.

As I work on this Salome project, fussing with perfection, I realize once again, how much time everything takes. And that big things can never get done alone. Being that things take so much- it is amazing that anything gets off the ground. But I suppose that once it goes gloriously live, that all the exhaustion of creating it will pale away and be forgotten. And the next project will be begun before the realization that once again there is a pile of things to be dipped to perfection before one can go to sleep for the night.

Send luck to complete the remaining details for the show next week.