Podcast, Choreography Book, Dance Classes and more

This New Year is going to be a full one with our new podcast show, a choreography book and studio classes starting in March. The podcast will be something new for me and since I like to talk (according to Daniel) so it should be a lot of fun. The podcast will be comparative to an audio blog that is connected to iTunes and will be apart of our app. We’ll let everyone know the title of the show and when to expect the first broadcast. I have ideas in my head of what I want to talk about but if any of you have ideas, send them to me and maybe your idea will be used in up coming shows. I’m not going to stick to just dance because there is so much life that is experienced outside of dance which includes economy, health, weight, people psychology, family issues and values and the list goes on. The podcasts will be anywhere from 10 minutes to possibly two hours, it just depends on the topic of the day.

I have Sakti Rinek coming up for the bellydancevillage video interview. Sakti has been dancing for almost 40 years. I think you will find her life exciting because Sakti lived the belly dance dream. She traveled all over the world performing in top hotels and nightclubs besides creating a wonderful belly dance costume business. BDV members expect the video coming up by the end of this month. Its one interview you won’t want to miss! But remember there are awesome and amazing women who I have already interviewed so check out the videos and sit back and enjoy their stories, philosophy on life and much more!

The choreography book will be a compilation of combinations and drills for intermediate to advanced dancers and teachers. We are doing something different with the book, I am including some of my instructional videos to accompany it. It’s almost done since I already had most of my combinations in text so it’s just a matter of me finishing up the chapter details and organizing the combinations in a way that is understandable. I’m excited and feel that my combinations including traveling steps will be an added spice (chili pepper hot) for solo dancers or troupes.

On another note, my book “The Divine Unrest-My Stories and Personal Views on Belly Dance” is doing great and we want to thank all the well wishers and those of you who did reviews on my book. We really appreciate it and I hope that as the word gets out, dancers will be able to relate it with their own dance journeys.

In some ways I feel a little lost  because editing and re-editing my book was such a major part of my days and long nights. The night owl in me had a great time working on the book but the morning zombie part of me could never get up. And did I mention, I looked like a zombie? My daughter says the book had nothing to do with it…I look that way every morning. But I’ll choose to ignore her comment!

On the class home front, I will be teaching a dance course at UNM Continuing Education starting 3/5/2013-4/9/2013 here in Albuquerque. My dance class will be  based on my curriculum, Hip Phylosophy. For those of you who are here in my area, it will be beginner combos and drills but class time includes  intermediate tid bits plus it goes fast so each class is a good work out. Call me for more info: 505-459-8015 or write me at [email protected] if you have any questions. We’ll focus on mirror opposite combos and layering besides some cool traveling steps to really mix the brain up! It will be fun so remember to bring your sense of humor besides your hip scarf.

Update! For local students convenience:

I’m adding in additional info for my classes at Continuing Ed/UNM. If you are a local student or dancer you can register online at http://dce.unm.edu and go to the search button and type in my class number 12788 or my class name Hip Phylosophy to register. The easiest way is to phone in for class and the number is 505-277-0077. Just give them my class name or number.

Embracing the Divine Feminine

Calling all Goddesses, Sprites and women of belly dance, Mezdulene, publisher of Jareeda (the oldest running belly dance magazine today) is offering classes called, “Embracing the Divine Feminine.”

1. Connect to your personal Divine Feminine.

2. Learn how to stay conscious and aware of your Divine Feminine.

3. Learn how to put this aspect into action to create a better life for yourself, for others and ultimately humanity.

4. Become empowered as we learn how to change the world.

5. Experience joy!

Mezdulene’s intent is to help you become a woman of true power, to accept your ability to birth the changes you want in your life, and to support you in this sacred work. These classes will be interactive and will give time for questions and answers.

This would be a great time to bring in this kind of class especially for those dancers who want to give more to their communities and I must say give back to themselves a gift of self love. The best way to dance is from a place of love and light and I feel Mezdulene’s classes would make our dance world and community a better place. For more info contact Mezdulene at: [email protected]

Let’s create a more peaceful, beautiful and prosperous year and one where I get to meet some of the amazing women who are apart of our dance world. This year, I’m heading out and ready to dance with you and enjoy the creative world of belly dance!

Photo by the amazing Vivien Skrupskis