Veil work

Last Saturday night, we were all over at Roger’s to watch some more of Season 1 Heroes. I joked that although there was an awesome “80’s versus 90’s” music battle going on at Club Majestic, I wouldn’t be going because I was an old fogie who didn’t boogie down anymore. To which Andy astutely replied: “yeah right, and just how many bellydance events are you going to tomorrow?”

Two. And I couldn’t be happier about that! Actually, one was just a council meeting, but the second was our first practice of the club advanced piece for the spring show in April. I’ve been practically gasping to get this started, because I get to dance with veil and I’m so excited to learn it.

My mom has pointed out that I was actually in my first dance performance around age 3, and it was with scarves. I don’t remember that, but I DO remember trying to make a ribbon stick—like the rhythmic gymnasts use—out of a twig and toilet paper. TP can’t withstand high velocities, it turns out: it kept breaking every time I’d flick it around.

The point here is, I’ve always loved dancing, even though I forgot I did for most of my adult life. It brings me such absolute joy, and I’m so happy to have an activity that counters the stress and challenge of grad school. And I definitely felt bellydance withdrawl over the weeks when no classes had started up, and practices had yet to begin. And now here we are! I was wiped out by studio practice on Thursday, and after last night my shoulders are a little funky, and my right hamstring just continues to be cranky despite stretching. It’s all awesome. I like hearing what my body has to say, because when I get stressed I feel like a kite floating miles above my body.

Veil work is challenging. I mean, at first blush it seems like it should be easier: a light, floating piece of silk that is much flashier than anything you can do with your body. But I’ve heard the phrase “the veil never lies” before, and I get it. If your posture and arm carriage is bad: it highlights it. If your movement of the veil is off, it looks awkward. Not to mention that dancing with any prop adds probability for error in your performance.

But heck, it’s so darn pretty!

Here's a link to my **FAVORITE** dancer, doing amazing veil work (as always)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx2MxOVp1Rk

In other news: I dreamt that I went to Washington D.C. and was sitting at a kitchen table with President Barack Obama. There were lots of people at the table and we were sharing jokes and laughing. I’ve never really dreamed of a president before, and I had this weird sense of knowing him really well even though I’ve never met him. It’s probably just media over-exposure and celebrity. But it was a cool dream nonetheless!