Wedding dance

Next Sunday will be my first wedding dance! Actually, I don't know the bride and groom. The dancer who asked to dance with her knows them. I'm hoping it'll be ok! I'm not to worried about it.

We practiced last night and we were good until the ending... So I'm at the studio now to test out the costume and practice timing. Also I want to practice the choreography for tonight's class.

This last week was awfully stressful and several events occurred that really make me feel scared for the world. Maybe even scarf OF the world. It's saddening that our world is so different now but I'm really grateful that I grew up in a time I did. Maybe it was a little dangerous but we didn't have a threat at our schools.

But I'm feeling a bit down and even though I live in a relatively safe country, I feel nervous. I'm hoping that dancing today helps me feel the world is good. It is a good place but recently it seems there's so much bad happening but I'm sure more good is happening too. So I've decided to turn off the news or stop going to CNN.

Everyone stay safe and give love and a smile this holiday season!

Level up!

First, I got a bad cold last week. With my luck, I got sick the day before my test and I usually have a bad first 3 days. But with a small fever (37C), coughing, and flushed skin, I danced Arabawy with choreography by the amazing Tito (taught to me by my teacher Miharu). I also did a technique test and I thought they would test me again on the things I failed on last time (arabesque, shimmy, and maya) but I got much easier technique. It was vibration shimmy (which amazingly came out), chest and stomach undulations and turning across the room.

I took the test last time with a much more elegant oriental song and since I was first, I got super nervous and blew it. I did make it in support dancer but I failed the advanced part. So this time, I decided that I was going to use a song that was fun and I was much more familiar with.

And I passed!!!!! Thank you Tito!! And Miharu!!!!!

Now I'm on to learning more difficult things!

Why?

So I wrote on my FB that my resolution for next year is to work towards pro. And I always hate being asked this question in general....

Why?

Why do I want to be pro? Well, it's easier to talk about the wrong reasons I am doing it. I'm not an attention whore, well, every girl likes attention and I do care how my hard work (or lack there of) comes out on stage. I'm not doing it to feel beautiful because I feel that anyways.

Can anyone really answer why? If we don't, does that mean our reason for doing something looks meaningless to others or it shows we lack reason? Does that show we don't care for the dance and are willy-nillying through it?

No. At least, that's my opinion.

When people ask me "why did you move to Japan?" The main base reason was "it was my dream". That was it. It was my dream and I'm still here in Japan. Of course I thought I could easily do music here and I tried but I ran into a lot of problems with that. In the end, I DID do music for 2 years and performed on stage. So I did achieve that dream.

As for belly dance. I'm making that dream up as I go. Someone told me I have to pay my dues but to that person, "paying your dues" applied to HER timeline. And her timeline did not work for me. I may have been learning for 2.5 years but I was doing basics for several years before.

Of course everyone has to and I feel I'm in that part of my dance life now. But I feel it's time for me to be serious. If I want to be pro in the future, why not start learning and training now?

I'm getting off track... Why? Why do I want to be pro? Because I do. I guarantee it's the same reason as every other professional. This is what I love to do. I love music, I love dancing, and I love entertaining people. My greatest joy is putting a smile on anyone's face.

I'm sure there's gonna be some commenter out there saying "what if no one smiles??? What then???" Well, sh*t happens and not everyone is gonna be into it. Also, if I could inspire someone to start belly dancing, that's great too.

When I was teaching English to 5th and 6th graders, my purpose was not to get them all to be BFF with English. If just one student came up to me and said "I want to learn English and be fluent!", then my job was done. I make things fun, entertain, and teach and if that inspires someone to do something (good of course), than that's my purpose for dancing.

So that's my why, I guess. To have fun, do what I love, and inspire someone to dance or do something that will bring them equal happiness.

If that's not a good enough why, then I don't know what is.

Hafla Lulu vol.3 in Shin-Okubo!

November 25th was Hafla Lulu at Okubo Sports Center.  I decided to dance Talisman and I re-worked the drum solo (choreography by Gamila!).   It was really fun and I was well-received! 

I decided to wear my pink and blue butterfly costume which is pretty and light-weight.  I managed to put the skirt on backwards!  But, I fixed it before my turn. 

The Saturday before, I managed to pinch a nerve in my back while stretching in class.  Go figure!  I woke up with some moderate back pain...  Enough that made me worry about dancing but I'm the type of person who will plow through that.  Maybe it wasn't safe but I wasn't going to cancel.

In the end, my back actually felt better after dancing!  I LOVE performing!  I'm not an attention whore but my happiest moment is making people smile or enjoy their time with me.  So when people really liked it, I felt really happy. 

Today, I took the advanced level test and I decided to go with a choreography I knew very well and my body knew very well.  I chose "Arabawy" because it's fun and I love anything from Tito!!  It was a good thing that I practiced the whole song and not just 3 minutes because they stopped my song four and a half minutes in!  The song is 5:30 long! 

Technique wasn't too hard but I hope I passed.  I was a little nervous but I think I danced fairly well.  I'll find out on Monday!  I forgot about being sick but sure as hell felt it AFTER...  I'm glad my nose stopped running during that time and I didn't sneeze!

I caught a cold on Wednesday and cut practice short because I felt ill and looked mighty pale... Still feeling icky but my nose will not stop running!

Hafla Lulu photos

 My teacher, Gamila, and me.  She's so elegant and I'm so glad she's my main teacher!

After the hafla.  I won a choli!  Great background and thanks to Kiki for taking the pictures!

My thoughts on dancing in Japan

I was talking to a friend last week about dance professionally. I'm sure every dancer in ever country has this same thought...

Too many dancers. And when you have too many dancers, the price that is paid can be really low. I know some dancers, who are pro, stick to their price because they work really hard and deserve that amount of pay. I totally defend talented dancers to charge what they are worth.

Even though I'm American, I can't speak for the dance scene over there. Here in Japan, it feels like there is a lot of undercutting and talented women who should charge what they are worth are being paid very little. It's really troubling for me. I've only been dancing for two and a half years and I'm a long way from pro but I'm not going to charge a restaurant $60 for me to dance. With the studio rentals, costumes, workshops, lessons, etc. I, and other dancers, deserve no less than $100.

Even if I charge what I'm worth, building up a relationship with clientele is really important in the beginning. But here, I feel it's all undercutting...

I guess I can't say I'm too surprised by it but I'm glad I discovered it before I was pro. At a hafla, I expect that I must pay my way to do it. However, at a restaurant or event, I expect to be paid for whatever I may do, solo show or with some groups. To be paid so little makes me feel I don't have to dance or practice that well. I don't have to try hard to look nice.

These are just my feelings but I feel there are just too many dancers now... It's over saturation... and eventually I need to set myself apart from the rest.

Virginia in Japan!

I just came back from Virginia's show in Tokyo. It was amazing!

Last year, I took her workshop for oriental choreography. It was really fun! She was really sweet and talked to me even though she was getting ready to leave. I remember that while all the other belly dancers scheduled to come to Japan cancelled because of the earthquake, Virginia came as scheduled. It really moved me that she came to help us dance and feel happy again.

I couldn't see her show last year because I was working so I decided to go this year and I'm so glad I did! I love watching my favorite dancers because I learn so much. I love Virginia's energy and showmanship. It's so fun to watch her. I got a couple of good small ideas for when I'm pro one day that I hope she doesn't mind me borrowing :) (with credit of course!)

I ended buying her DVDs for asaya and sagat. Those are two props I enjoy and since I couldn't afford the workshops this time around. I'm really excited to work with them!

Another dancer who was really great was Zizi. She has great musicality and emotion. It was a real joy watching her and I'd like to take a workshop with her someday.

All in all in was a great night! I even got front row seats :) That's because I ordered tickets super early.

My belly dance life until now

I said I would talk about my time with belly dance in the next post so I will start!

In 2004, I took a year off from college and was exercising to various DVDs and TV programs.  I worked at a library around this time and found some belly dance DVDs, particularly Veena and Neena's series.

Around 2005, I started using most of their series to keep fit but it never really occurred to me to actually take belly dance lessons, even at my new university.  I eventually got pretty good at them since I did them almost every day.  I moved to Tsuchiura, Ibaraki and my dad bought me the actual DVDs as a gift.  So I continued practicing. 

After seeing a someone I knew dance at their own hafla, it hit me that I could do lessons and not just stay with video.   However, I didn't get into lessons quickly because my first "love" was singing (and it will always be singing) but I was struggling to start a band in Tokyo.  After about a year or so of members quitting, troubles, love triangles and such, I decided to get into belly dance at a studio my boyfriend's sister recommended. 

A year after that, I scheduled my first trial lesson in an open level class with Chiako.  I realized how hard it really was but now, I'm glad I had a basis to work off from.

The next week, I went to Tuesday classes taught by Gamila.  I joined the high beginner class.  At first it was just a hobby I was starting so I didn't go very much and only once a week.  After several months, I was getting better at choreography but my biggest weakness was shimmying.  The teachers were having a dance party (hafla) and I asked my teacher if I could try.  I did a very simple veil choreography (I requested a short, simple one because I was so nervous).  I think I practiced for several months, in my tiny 1 room + kitchen apartment.  I bought a costume from China since they were cheap (at that time I never thought I would be buying much more expensive costumes 2 years later).  I was so nervous, especially with my shimmy since it was nothing but a tiny vibration.  I did pretty well for my first performance and also my first belly dance friend came and cheered me on.

November 2010

After my first Hafla, I started to feel more for belly dance.  I worked harder at the choreography, going to studios with more room to practice and I moved up to beginning intermediate.  

 I signed up for another hafla for March 20th, 2011.  I practiced really hard and got a great lavender Egyptian costume.  Then, March 11th happened...  Probably one of the scariest days of my life or more like, the scariest month of my life.  I was really sick for one week before which was really odd for me to not get well.  I went to work on Friday, March 11th but got a fever.  I ended leaving early and just before getting to Roppongi Station I noticed the lamp posts on the high bridge were shaking violently and I thought "Wow, the wind is really strong..."  then, I started stumbling but I thought I was just really dizzy from being sick but then I realized everyone was panicking and it was an earthquake.  I ran into a small hotel and calming said "Anyone here....?  Hello?" and no one was at the front desk.  I sat next to a chair and seriously thought it was the one that would hit Tokyo.  I called my boyfriend as it happened crying and wondering what was happening.

 I went back to work after a very stupid hotel worker took me outside...  in Roppongi...  with a ton of signs hanging over our heads.  I asked her "Isn't this dangerous?"  and she said "I don't know..."  I stayed at work and no one knew what was going on but amazingly, I felt 100% better (good ol' adrenaline).  We all decided to walk home.  I lived the farthest away.   I thought I could walk it once I said good bye to my co-worker at Yoyogi...  Then as I walked, I saw nothing but hundreds of people walking...  I suddenly thought that was not a good idea so I stayed in Yoyogi with no way to contact anyone.  Luckily, the subways started running around 9:30pm and I went to my boyfriends place.

After all that, the hafla was cancelled (good thing because the restaurant is on the 9th floor...) and rescheduled.  The aftershocks were too much so I went back to the States to rest.  After I came back, I was ready to dance again and start getting life going.

April 2011

I started going to workshops around this time.  My first one was Virginia.  Three months later, my teacher asked me if I wanted to dance at an event.  It would be my first show solo.  She taught me a Meleya Dance, which was really cute.  I worked really hard because there was a lot of repeating moves.  It was my first time to use a huge, heavy veil and dance in heels...  My veil got caught on my dress at practice and the dress ended up being too short and I had to hurry to find something to cover my butt...  I performed in Aoyama at Cays Grill.  I danced awesomely until the final spins where I almost tripped on my own feet!  I didn't fall down but I think people thought it was part of the dance.  It was my first experience in acting like I meant that to happen.

I was really happy my teacher thought I was good enough to dance there.  Around this time, I tested for Intermediate classes and passed! 

July 2011

In December, my other teacher, Miharu, asked me to dance with her at a show for the Russian dancer Oya-Man (who lives in Turkey).  It was my first group dance which I was nervous about actually.  Luckily, I danced with my belly dance friend, Monica, another friend Deema, and Hiromi.  We danced Tito's choreography to Arabawy, which was a REALLY fun dance.  Miharu has a lot of energy and putting in all the time and hard work made it so much easier.

We did really well and everyone said the group formation was really great.  We all felt really good afterwards!

 December 2011

 After this show, I had another one later in December 2011 at a jazz live house with my teachers Miharu and Gamila and dancing with my friend Deema and Hiromi again.

In February 2012, I had another group dance at Mandir in Hamamatsucho with Gamila which was a bit frustrating but we got through it.  It was a very good experience.  I was glad we used choreography I was very familiar with so practicing was more like fine tuning.

February 2012

There weren't many shows after this.  I started band activities with my boyfriend, his friend, and someone from a cover band I worked with.  We did several charity shows between August 2011 - February 2012 for the Tohoku area.  I sang and danced at the shows.

Gamila had started a event planning company and was bringing over Dina and Sahar Okasha from Egypt.  First, I was already going to work at the show as an MC but Miharu posted an audition to be in the fashion show.  I auditioned with about 60 girls with Arabawy.  I was chosen!!!  I was placed in the oriental group.  We practiced so hard and speculated about what our costumes might look like.  

July 26th was the fitting and it turned out that we had to weed through and try on everything in the new collection, which took 3 hours.  Sahar helped us with costumes and Dina popped her head in while we were changing.  I had to do a lot of translating between Sahar and the other girls who couldn't speak English but it was fun.  We also were able to pre-purchase our costumes before everyone else!

July 27th was the show.  It was amazing!  I had a lot of fun!  Usually I'm really nervous before going on stage but after doing the MC, I was all nervous-ed out!  I had the best time on stage!  We were really happy with the show and went home happy and with a new costume.  When it ended, I was really sad to not be going to practice anymore with this awesome group of ladies...

After the show was the test for advanced and for support dancer (meaning I could chose the restaurants I want to dance at as long as I had another dancer to do a duet with).  I was so nervous because I chose number 1...  with everyone watching me...  I passed support dancer but not advanced.  So to this day, I'm still in intermediate (better at shimmying), a support dancer, and practicing as much as I can.

This is my belly dance life until now!  Hope it was enjoyable!

Teachers I have studied with...
Virginia
Hadia
Tito
Camelia (egypt)
Wael
Mercedes Nieto
Oya-man
Dr. Gamal Seif
Aida Nour
Artemis
Dina
Fifi Abdou
Suhaila Salimpor

Welcome to the Jelly Tree!

Welcome to my blog! I've been learning belly dance (Oriental Dance) for about 2.5 years now and dance in restaurants and events! I started belly dancing to DVDs (Veena and Neena) around 2004 as a way to get in shape. It didn't hit me until I moved to Japan that Hey! I should take actual lessons!

If you'd like to come see me dance, please check out the dates here! I also hope to write about my journey in belly dance from now. The next blog post will about my journey until now. Hope you enjoy!