Helloooo out there, hope some of you are still with me even though its been so long since my last post. The fall was a dance whirlwind, with shows and rehearsals and late nights at the sewing machine in my mad scientess creative lair. I’ll keep this short, the photos speak for themselves. As usual, gratitude overflows for all of the enchantment (and disclipline) of my dance adventures.
For this years Nuit Blanche, the place to be for dancers was the second annual Moonlight tribe, hosted by Orkideh of Serpentina. It was a full line-up of bellydance (of course!), flapper (Sugar Shakers), kathak, drumming, and live music. It was great to have an event where all the dancers come together across styles and schools to dance til all hours…we took lots of photos:
Serpentina performed at the Bellydance Bazaar for the annual Halloween themed show in Kitchener. Check the snouts, completely ridiclous and loads of fun
The Funkabelly 5 year anniversary happened in the fall and returned to Lula Lounge for the celebration. I did a duet with the lovely Saba to a live number by Nomadica. For those of you who love the vibe of Funkabelly and the sounds of world mashup bands like Nomadica, be sure to check out Handmade Entertainment, a new venture that creates customized events based on world music/dance/performance. Both Sugar Shakers and Funkabelly Allstars are connected to Handmade and we are all looking forward to collaborations with all of the other artists on the roster for some really eclectic events.
Serpentina danced at the Darkside Studio’s six year anniversary party, and welcomed a new troupe member Kelly for her tribal debut! Always a good time at Darkside events, here’s Elana and Sarah enjoying tea in the salon…
Toronto Lindy Hop Cabaret happened again this year and I’m happy to have been asked back for another bellydance number. The cabaret is a venue for lindy hoppers to showcase their other talents. Now I dont know that my partner dance is refined enough to call myself a lindy hopper but I’m connected to the community through dancing Charleston and other solo vintage jazz styles with the Sugar Shakers. I had a wonderful time at the event and had the rare pleasure of being an audience member for a Sugar Shakers performance…and shake their sugar they did. I must also mention Susie Vavoom with her fan dance…whoa mama! After the show, some live music by Combo Royale hit the spot.
And last but none the less, I danced my ass off at the last Electro Swing Club event of the year. It was at the Gladstone so closed up at 2am (what kind of speak closes at 2 i ask ya?!)…by then I was tired and sweaty anyhow. Live music by Terra Hazelton and as always great electroswing by Medicine Man and Foxtrot Holmes.
Of course you likely already know this but next Saturday is the holiday edition of Bazaar of the Bizarre: FROSTBITE.
If you’re a holiday season shopper, remember to buy local as much as possible. There will be so many awesome local hand made products there, come support your creative community. Strange Dames will be there and we hope YOU will be too!
Sandy Watters 