Fall apart, fall together.

Creative grounds are shifting. Leaving space for new things to percolate. Stretching out time by not packing the schedule is my new fascination. And while at first it can make one feel like they are missing out on something — when projects or collaborations go on hiatus, shapeshift or drift– it ultimately creates the kind of space and time of which new possibilities are born.

This is why I love fall: fall apart, fall together. Winds of change are blowing strong. And this has everything to do with my adventures in movement.

The spring brought with it studies with some truly inspiring people at Cues and Tattoos. This being my second year attending with Orkideh –one of my troupemates in Serpentina North Ensemble — the excitement of the new instructors mixed with being more familiar with the event made for particularly enjoyable anticipation. There I studied in three workshops with Rachel Brice, two workshops with Mira Betz and one with floorwork workshop with FatChance Bellydance.

with Mira Betz and son

with Rachel Brice

with Carolena Nericcio, grandmother of American Tribal Style (ATS) bellydance

While there wasn’t much time to explore Seattle, we took a bus to Portland when the conference finished. There we danced with a large group of Gyspy Caravan ladies and took some classes at Datura with Colette Todorov and Ashley Lopez.

Being silly in Portland

           

We capped it all off with a much needed restorative yoga class at a studio I can’t remember and spent the last few days vintage shopping and eating our way through a most vegan-friendly city.

The next major dance happening that I was looking forward to was the Kami Liddle intensive at the Darkside Studio. It was two days of really great drills, combos and group exercise. I was so excited be invited to perform at the gala show. I performed a vintage flapper fusion piece to Charleston Butterfly by Parov Stelar, as well as some straight up flapper goodness, ala Sugar Shakers. Thanks to PDV Photography for the lovely shots!

    

Summer in this city is never complete without performing in the Pedestrian Sundays in Kensington Market. Serpentina did three editions of Bellydance Revolution, with two more to come.  Always a  relaxed festival atmosphere dancing in the streets alongside other local talent.

  

 

This summer I had an opportunity to work on a shoot with local visual artist/VJ Jax-A-Muse, as she gathered dance footage for prepared for a big show at the Royal Ontario Museum. I had a great time working on the green screen for video as Jax got footage of various tribal bellydance movement. And lucky me, Adriana of Plastik Wrap just happened to drop in, and between her and Jax a great set of still photos were born. Looking forward to working with these creatrixes again, that’s for sure!

 

Last but not least, here are a few shots from the last couple of Sugar Shakers shows as well as my performance at Bellydancers with Pride with Undine Dance Co. and Serpentina (pride pics by PDV photography)…

    

 

Savouring the sun as the nights get crisper, the dance schedule is about to pick up again. In a couple of weeks there will be workshops with Paulette Rees-Denis of Gypsy Caravan. Details on the Serpentina site. Be sure to check the Upcoming Shows section!