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This month has been a time of deep reflection and striving to stay vibrant and grounded in these crazy times. Trying to take on less so I’m able to go deeper into my current practices and projects.  Sugar Shakers are getting into the nitty gritty of our new number for the Followlogie competition in January. We shook some serious sugar at Swing Out To Victory last Saturday, alongside other local vintage dance talent. Pics on location at the Hamilton War Museum…

And a video of all of the dancers:

Serpentina North Ensemble is preparing for the upcoming Twilight Mirage show as well as developing and refining choreography. Although shows are exciting, I think all of us look forward to a winter of studying together and collaborating on new ideas.

At Om Laila  I’m learning a new veil choreography and also continue to study singing, drumming and zylling from Roula. Its always meditative, grounding and healing. Not to mention just good old fun singing gorgeous Arabic songs.

This weekend I will be in two separate workshops: Saturday its Work Hard, Play Hard  with Heather Labonte at Dark Side Studio and Sunday a sword workshop with the oh so talented Zahira at Dragonfly Studios.  The first got sold out so fast she had to  set up another date right away! I don’t have a sword yet but a friend offered so kindly to lend me hers. I’m sure I will be inspired to get my own after this weekend.

Coming up later this month is the Toronto Lindy Hop Cabaret (see upcoming shows page for details) where the Sugar Shakers will perform and I’m also doing a solo  bellydance number. Its the first time I’ve ever done bellydance at a swing type event and I’m pretty excited! The next day I will sit back and enjoy being an audience member at Mayada’s Fierce Showcase, so looking forward to that.

As with all of the beauty and excitement of life, so has there been incredible tragedy as the local community mourns the death of  an inexhaustible soul, Jenna Morrison. Healer, mother, lover, yoga therapist, dancer. So many of us were lucky to have known her. When she opened Pure Intent with her friend and fellow healer, they offered bellydance classes (with a teacher named Malinka who stopped teaching shortly after). I had not done a class since I was a teenager and it was in their space that I began a serious practice of bellydance as therapy, mediation and self-expression. Six years have passed, with about five years with the teacher I found shortly afterward (Roula of course!) but I never forget those early days and the sacred atmosphere in Pure Intent which drew me back to a dance I had only partially forgotten about. Jenna was always a dancer, and moved her body like a sacred object.

Here I am at a time when dancing and movement are central to my identity and wellbeing, and I am filled with sorrow that Jenna’s life has been cut too short. Her memorial this week was one of the most heart-wrenching yet inspiring and beautiful ceremonies I’ve been a part of. As the church darkened and we all lit candles, this song resonated through the space.

Then her partner and young son danced in front of her picture to one of her favourite songs. Others joined, moving for Jenna and with Jenna in the candlelight. An amazing sendoff to a very special soul, indeed

Please friends, never take your lives, your loves, your abilities and your communities for granted. Each moment, each word, each gesture and each shimmy (!) counts.

 

Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos is a holiday I feel connected to. Its healthy and fun to have a celebration of the people in our lives who have moved beyond this physical realm. I randomly found the above artist online, he has a great Muertos gallery.I kind of feel like I rolled out of a grave myself today, but not for lack of fun this weekend. Halloween is usually almost a week-long event for me and even though this year I didn’t perform at any Halloween shows, I had some good times around town.

Friday I performed with Jaash and Victoria at a fundraiser for St. Mikes hospital, and it was in the grandiose Arcadian Court.  It was a pleasure to perform and help raise money for their Urban Angels project. Sunday I had planned to go support my fellow bellydancers at the last PS Kensington instead I supported my pillow at home in bed. I did however make it for the parade, culminating in the back alley garbage stage for a bangin’ Lemon Bucket Orkestra show. Uninhibited dancing ensued.

Since I last posted, Serpentina performed our newest choreography at the Johnny Hollow show at Lula Lounge. Here’s a little clip, for your viewing pleasure.

It was a great event and I was particularly loving Dr. Draw as well as the ever lovely dancers of Dragonfly Studios dancing a duet to Johnny Hollow live. There was also a sneak preview  a of a movie that had stunning animation, although I was too focused on preparing for our set to give it the attention it warranted. A couple of days later I was setting up our Strange Dames (handmade wares by Laura and myself) table at Bazaar of the Bizarrewhen I realized the guy next to me was the artist who made that movie  –who’s also in Johnny Hollow. Check out the beautiful melancholy art and animation by Vincent Marcone. Other favourites for me were Peculiar Potions, Auxiliary Magazine, and Vintage Love. And of course the ever creative and inspiring people at Plastik Wrap.

Some shots the Strange Dames table:

     

If you missed Bazaar the Bizarre, stay tuned for Frostbite, the holiday edition on December 11th…more details to come!

As winter approaches I am attempting to reign in the flurry of activity and build a warm creative cocoon for the cold months to come. Easier said than done, November brings tons of creative events! To name but a few coming up in next two weeks.

This Thursday –ATS with Orkideh

This Sunday – Dia de los Muertos Festival  of Art and Cabaret

Thurs Nov 10 – Plaid at Wrongbar

Sat Nov 12- Swing out to Victory – Sugar Shakers will be performing!

If I held your attention and you’re still reading, thanks 🙂 There’s so much more to come this month…

Crisp air, Apple season, gratitude, reflection, samhain. And this October there’s more:

Funkabelly Picante! at Lula Lounge this Thursday. In between checking out the amazing dancers and gypsy band Nomadica, come visit the marketplace in the glass room. Photobooth, tarot readings, handmade drums and one of a kind jewelry by Twisted Jewels…see you there!

 

Serpentina at the Johnny Hollow show                  

     

Bazaar of the Bizarre

Amon Tobin concert. Its hard to believe that I’ve never seen this guy live. Now I will.

St Mikes fundraiser. Victoria and I will dance, accompanied by Jaash on drums for this event that raises money to send doctors and surgeons to the Phillipines to provide free medical care.

Zombie Walk is October 22nd…anyone up for a zombie bellydancer contingent??

Suma Break N Enter Halloween (Oct 29th) party. I’ll be at the door, come say hi.

The last PS Kensington is on Sunday October 30th. Im going to watch this time and celebrate being one day away from Halloween

Dance expeditions Sunday October 16th will feature some of our lovely local bellydance talnet. Expect fusion.

Sugar Shakers Halloween dance sessions: October 31st, join Sugar Shakers for a night of solo jazz class, partner dance then a field trip to share our Halloween sweetness with the city

Oh I can’t forget to mention that Moonlight Tribe during Nuit Blanche had a great turnout. Featuring lots of local troupes, soloists and musical guest Amy’s Arms, it was the bellydance hot spot of the night. I particularly enjoyed being reminded how much I love Murcof, thanks to the musical tastes of Lavish.

If I had been out and about that night I would have checked out the Soul Train room at the Gladstone…as soon as you walk trough the door everyone cheered and you found yourself in the soul train line. Do you close the door and run away or take your spot on the dancefloor? I know what I would do!

I hope that everyone is enjoying this harvest time of year with abundant love of family and friends. I leave you with some awesome sixties bollywood…thanks to Juvia!

     

Hey, Happy Equinox! For the end of September it was blazing hot dancing out there in Kensington Market today. It was the second last Pedestrian Sundays in the market and the last one Serpentina will be performing at until next summer rolls around. There was a good crowd as usual and a warm response  to the variety of our local bellydance talent. Thank you to the people who said such nice things about our performance — we always enjoy ourselves dancing in the streets! After the shows and a little freestyle session afterward, a few of us made our routine stop at Hot Beans for vegan burritos. Then wandering the market taking in the capoiera, garage sales (new white flapper dress for $5, yea!), soundsystems and spontaneous art until we beached in the park. After being up late last night at the Mad Professor show, then performing, I was ready for some downtime.

Thanks to Suma for bringing in the Mad Professor from London. I needed a good dose of that soul-quenching dubby goodness…

With this weekend barely done, I’m already looking forward to the next. Friday night, Dunkelbunt will be playing as part of the Small World Music Festival …and this time he’s not just DJing, but playing as a part of a full band, the Secret Swing Society.

I’m anticipating an impressive event as Cirqlar knows how to throw a serious carnivalesque party experience. They’re the company that first brought Beats Antique to Toronto in the summer of 2010 (which I had the pleasure of performing at) and if you know what’s what about electronic-balkan-middle eastern-swing vibes, you’ll know this is not to be missed! Of course as you already know, next weekend is Nuit Blanche, the all night art festival…be sure to make Moonlight Tribe one of your destinations. See upcoming events section for details.

Oh and I think that Orkideh just talked me into –twisted my rubber arm — going to Seattle for Cues and Tattoos 2012.

🙂

s

 

 

As the autumn leaves fall, I’m fortunate to have some time to stop and decompress. Time has gotten slower with such a long exhale: bike riding by the lake, outdoor meditation sessions, vegan bake sales, gardening, sewing, creating, writing and catching up with long-lost friends. And of course, dancing. These are the things I do more of when time slows down. Having said that, there are many things I am looking forward to and am anticipating with the fervent energy of autumn. Be sure to check the Upcoming Shows section for updates, but the most recently announced not to be missed event is Moonlight Tribe, a bellydance event for Nuit Blanche (Oct 1st all night!). Come out and see some of our very talented local bellydancers shimmy into the night.

A couple of weeks ago I attended a short workshop by Danielle Lotteridge, hosted by Dragonfly Studio where we worked to reflect on our personal styles of dance, unique flares and building combinations that reflect our own approach to the dance. Danielle is a stunning dancer and I hope to learn more from her in another one of her visits back to Toronto from San Francisco.  Another local event was Mayada’s Fierce Fitness open house last weekend, where we got a bunch of demo classes and performances…I really got into the classic combo’s class where Mayada taught us some moves in the classic style of Nagwa Fouad.

After a short break in August, Om Laila is open again and classes are back in full effect. I am particularly pleased about the direction of the advanced class and the comeback of the drums, songs and zylls class and looking forward to a winter of intense musical and dance study. Over at Serpentina North Ensemble we are preparing
for a few shows but also looking forward to cocooning into the winter to work on new ideas and pieces. Sugar Shakers are starting to really focus on the piece for our competition in January, learning and working out the new choreography.

Recently I met with a photographer new to the city from the US named Annie Killam, who has a love of capturing the body in movement and has done some beautiful work with yoga and circus people. I’m excited to work with her on some of the ideas she has brewing, as I don’t have much experience working one to one with photographers and have so many ideas for shoots!

On another creative vein, I am working on an etsy shop (finally) for my fascinators and by request also making some of my fancy hand spats for the shop. Stay tuned for details! Oh and you will want to know about a new project I have on the go if you like to search out (and buy) vintage things as much as I do. Start saving your pennies kids. I’ll let the suspense build a bit…

Til next time, I leave you with a tip of the hat to our autumn leaves or les feuilles mortes…

New ideas and creative projects are overflowing this month, fall is always my most inspiring season. There’s nothing quite like the energy that flows this time of year. I’ve recently come across some old photos from my trip to San Fransisco for Mecca Immersion in 2009 and thought I would share them with you:

With Zoe Jakes after her workshop

With Fat Chance dancers after SF Mecca Revue

With Jamila and Suhaila Salimpour  after a CRAZY zylls workshop taught by Jamila

I have tons more pics and video from both times I attended SF Mecca Immersion –first for the 3 day track then the 6 day intermediate/advanced track, which seriously propelled me into new terrain with my dancing and how I thought about myself as a performer, entertainer and general vehicle of expression through physical movement.

But lets step away from my reverie and general  longing to be in San Fransisco…into this long weekend that just passed here in Toronto. I worked the door at Salon Noir for Laura and I have to give kudos to Laura and Justin for doing a smashing event once again –this night is starting to get a little following going on and they’re already planning the next one in February. The crowd  was dressed to the nine and with the taste of absinthe on everyone’s  tongues, a rip roaring good time was had by all. Here’s a a couple photos someone snapped of me chatting away in the vendors area.

        

It was back to the grind on Tuesday but the new Sugar Shakers sessions started up for both solo charleston and partner lindy hop. Feel free to come join next week, details  at www.SugarShakers.ca

Sugar Shakers are currently gearing up for Followlogie in Montreal (Jan 2012) where we will be competing and attending workshops. Last year was my first time at the event –and first time ever competing in dance! I took an amazing can-can workshop with Jo Hoffberg …check out the can-can mix from the event. I’m at the end of the video on the right hand side of the chorus line, kicking up a storm with a maniacal grin on my face. Nice.

I had a fabulous time though I felt a bit shy being  new to the lindy hop scene, around all these badass dancers. But this year I’m ready to leave that shyness behind, so look out leaders, someone else will have to step on your toes this time!

 

 

 

Here are some of the lovely photos taken by Ken Dobb last weekend..I love outdoor dance photos, especially with all the colourful background in the market. It was really an amazing show, where people can check out a variety of bellydance styles from the most traditional to the most abstract. And lovely costumes, many of them made by the dancers themselves. Talented women abound in this city, I tell you! Earlier in the day Sugar Shakers performed at Good Egg but I haven’t gotten any photos from that yet….so if you were there and took any please share!

Jaash rocking an acoustic version of Raquay and the Caveman’s “Nubian.”  Why yes it is a doumbek AND djembe strapped on him. Love it!

 

     

After a record breaking costume change, I danced my second ever performance with Serpentina North Ensemble, and we did two improv numbers which were super fun. Beautiful music, stunning costumes (I love these giant circle skirts!) and hey even some tips in the hat. Remember to show some monetary love to your local street artists and as Orkideh always says: especially the kind that folds! Thank you PS Kensington crowd for your love…

     

Once our performances were done and the entire bellydance show finished, I wandered through the streets to see what else was up. I saw the best bucket drummer I’ve ever personally witnessed –a guy from New York who was so incredible and after playing the buckets made his way through the crowd to drum on anything he coudl find: fruit boxes, water bottles, backpacks… he was really great. Then a few members of Lemon Bucket Orchestra played in front of Moonbean, so I sat on a bench with some friends to take in the show.  Food, more friends, drinks, more music…just another summertime Sunday.

Monday brought the Sugar Shakers first annual open house, where there were some performances and free classes to find out what we’re all about. It was a good turnout for a Monday night and a couple of my bellydance friends won free classes in the raffle. After all of these shows I got my performance fill and look forward to more intensive practice as we move out of the summer show blitz. However you can catch me again in the market next month for Pedestrian Sundays and there are some interesting events coming up in October that I will be dancing at with my various groups. Check in the Upcoming section for details. Oh and not to be missed this long weekend Salon Noir, start planning your costume now…

Szia ! <—bye in Hungarian

🙂

Sandy

I’ve been working on cooking up a set for the next Pedestrian Sundays in the market…this month is a triple threat: all three of the groups I dance with –Sugar Shakers, Serpentina North Ensemble and Om Laila –will be throwing down! I’m looking forward to it, hoping it’ll be as much fun as our last show in the market, check the ‘Upcoming’ section for all the show locations.  Also, in  you haven’t heard about it,  this Wednesday (august 17th) is Roula Said’s dance, drums, zylls workshop, check here for details. If you’re at all interested in Arabic percussion, whether it be to enhance your dancing or develop drumming or zylling skills, you will not want to miss this. I know I’ll be there!

With September right around the corner I’m excited to get into the hustle and bustle of fall. That means all classes are in full swing again and I can get back to my regular dance practice. I must also mention some events and classes around town that I’ll definitely be checking out.

Salon Noir 

Vegetarian Food Fair

Compelling Creative Combos with Danielle Lotteridge

ATS and Beyond – Classes with Orkideh Serpentina

I leave you with a quirky little song that I must thank Rachel Brice for introducing me to –and of course her fabulous choreography to go along with it. I vow to you and the world to work on this choreography this fall! Can I get a witness?!

Bon nuit mes amis!

🙂

s

I’m quite excited about seeing my pic and bio up  the Serpentina North Ensemble site  http://www.serpentinatribal.com/about.html. If you didn’t catch our show in the market last month, you can catch us the last Sunday of this month in the bellydance show at Kensington Ave and Dundas (2-4pm). Prior to that don’t miss the Sugar Shakers dancing at Good Egg  http://www.goodegg.ca. Stay tuned into the Upcoming section for details. I will keep this entry short and sweet but check back on the weekend, I’ll be posting some classes, workshops and events I’m excited to attend at the end of the summer and this upcoming fall (my favourite season!).

 

<–Photo by Dylan

Pedestrian Sundays in the market was really a good time. After watching some of Toronto’s local bellydance talent, Serpentina North Ensemble stepped into the blistering sun to perform two improv numbers. It was a nice size crowd and definitely appreciative. Next was the show at Akram’s Shoppe with Victoria and Jaash on drums. This show was a little more on the traditional side of bellydance with a bit of a tribal fusion feel. Onour accoustic number Jaash drummed on doumbek and djembe and it sounded amazing –there’s nothing quite like live sound for street performance! After the shows it was all wandering around drinking sangria at Embassy, vegan icecream at Sadies, hanging out front of Playdead and finally lounging in the grass at the park until dusk for fire spinning. Its days like this that get me through the cold Toronto winters –I do love summer in this city. If you missed all the dancing this time, come back the last Sunday in August when we’ll do it over again. See you there…

 

<– Photo by Ken Dobb