Workshop & Farewell Hafla on 10 & 11 July 2010

I just got back from Paola Blanton workshop! Another holiday weekend caught up with everyone I know on workshop and hafla! Some of the dancers I hadn't seen in ages, I am thankful finally get to dance together with my friends.

I performed my solo shaabi dance - liked the round of applause at the end of the performance. It was warm and heartfelt…I liked it because it told me that the audience got what the piece was about, that they appreciated the performance and that they’d enjoyed my dance.

Well... I’ve enjoyed the new experiment. Hang on, before I go on I need to say; Paola is amaaaazing! Each workshop had been packed with fun even though without choreography. It really inspired me. I can now appreciate the amount of effort Paola put in to made it so memorable and I’ve learning some useful information and gaining experience from the workshop – definitely it will enrich my dancing. I'll explain it later. now get back to work!

Well, I am not going to upload all the photos here, hmmm….as I'm mostly upload on facebook now. Do click (http://www.facebook.com/?tid=415578703723&sk=messages#!/annie.arbq) to find the photos. Thanks !

Performance at Safari Country Club

Sunday night we drove to Sumy’s hafla at Safari Country Club. It is located in the heart of Seberang Jaya, Penang. Sumy graciously invited us, and we gladly accept. This was 1^st time we participated in Sumy’s hafla, a lot of her supporters have shown up, most of them were all unfamiliar faces for us. We watch Sumy’s student performances, and there is a nice variety in costuming, they are all good and beautiful performers in their own right, the evening is deemed a success.

Grace did a solo performance to "Shaabi" with a very chicky and playful move. Unfortunately, she paused for a second when she forgot the choreography.... she laughs at me saying she didnt mean it that way. Hohoho...she improvised a bit and get some nice move reactions. It comes out nicely and she get audience applause! My mom told me she enjoyed her dance with such a fun music! I'm happy!

We didn’t take a lot of pictures, the quality of the photo is poor when the position in the audience with non-zoom lens. But Grace/Joey performances and some of our nice shots at the back stage came out well. See some selected picture upload here.

Another hectic but energy filled weekend!

The gathering night , less than 20 peoples show up. Look likes only those well known belly dancers gather to share the same passion and interest. I had a great time and got to know the members of dancing community very well and made some great connections with them. I am so glad I got into dancing this community rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Arrived home after the belly dance gathering and Angeles workshop at 10pm. I tossed all my dirty clothes on the floor and fall straight to pack for tonight performance at Safari Country Club. Bad news that Angeline called me, she got chickenpox and cannot perform. Hoho… Things happen in the last minutes and I get my mom to replace for the dinner. So kids belly dance only perform by Grace and Joey. Me, Carolyn and Irene will perform a group dance.

Angeles Workshop on 3rd Saturday - I'm amazed being able to attend her workshop. Angeles can't speak fluent English, luckily Karen Madrid was there to help to translate. I love her style when watching she dance in studio. And I missed her performance on Saturday hafla night. She really dances from her very beautiful heart - she is truly one of my "Great Inspiration”. I definitely will write to the organizer to bring Angeles back!