Souhail Show at Tuscana Cuisine, July 7, 2007 Sun, July 8, 2007 - 10:06 AM

This was the coolest event I have performed in! I had my doubts about the dance area but I am happy to say they were totally unfounded. It was arranged & presented by 1001dance.com, headed up by Sylvana. They did an excellent job - the performances were paced really well & there was a good mix of styles. The sound system was in good working order, the area was clean, there was lots of space in the dressing room... I could go on but I won't :-)

I hated to miss the workshops, but I just did not feel I had improved enough from the last one to show my face. I told Souhail at the previous workshop (a few months ago) that next time I saw him I would be much better. I am sure he wouldn't recall that but I sure do! I have been working on dancing to drumming, but I am having difficulty with it. I also got a doumbek for my birthday which I am working on, but I did not think I should go to the drumming workshop either, since I can hardly do a basic beat & my left hand is essentially useless. I am going to take lessons from Omid

I was able to dance with both Carmen's student group, Karmic Repercussions, and my own troupe, Torque. Both performances went went well. The only bad thing that happened is that Lori couldn't make it. She is such a great dancer & love to perform more than anyone I know (except maybe Xavier!). Jonna & Faun performed a really nifty choreography that they had only been working on for 2 weeks - very impressive. I loved the choreo. It was a very enjoyable performance.

We (Torque) had some problems dancing in an area we had never been in or seen before, mainly because of spacing & orientation issues and entry/exit plans. This was only our 3rd performance, so I believe as we get more experience we will be able to handle things like this better.

I did get a good tip from another dancer: if anyone says that our dance was good or that they enjoyed it, just accept the compliment & do not say that we sucked or that we messed up or whatever. I will follow that advice from now on because she is right. I'll just note the things I think I messed up on & we can discuss them at our next group meeting or class.

My husband took pictures & got some video of us. Most of the pictures did not come out, I am sad to say. The video came out OK. I am going to get it on my PC so I can make a DVD for us to pass around. He got all 3 Studio 318 pieces and the cane dance - I am so embarrassed that I can not recall the performers name - and I got some footage of Sylvana & the band. I was hoping for footage of the other performers, but oh well.

I saw in the video where I still need major work - posture & arms - still. Come on Rachel video! Where the heck is that thing??? I just got my sword, which I am certain will help with posture. I also know I need to work on my attitude. I started freaking out around noon & was just klutzy and forgetful after that. It will take some serious meditation & visualization work for that. I should have taken my Bach flower emergency remedy but I forgot about it! I ALSO need to lose about 20 lbs. Perhaps a photo posted where i can see it every day will be a good incentive :-) I believe I am going to try that. OK, and isolations - I thought I was doing pretty good with that but I am still needing significant work. SO much to do & none of it happens fast enough for me. Argh!

Anyway - the night was grand. I made some new friends, had fun with old friends, and had a great time - could anything be better than that? Whee!


1 comment from Indira:

Sun, July 8, 2007 - 12:57 PM

I agree.

I had a great time last night. I have to admit I was really nervous performing with Souhail after taking his workshop (which pretty much puts you back to square one with your dancing). But once I got out there I was fine. The crowd had a great energy which makes you dance even better. It is so nice to be involved in a community that supports one another and has such a good time expressing themselves. I can't wait for the next one!

BTW, I loved your hair falls. I can't wait to get back into our tribal piece later this summer so I can start adding all the fun stuff on my head.