Rakstar!

I would be remiss, dance enthusiasts, if I did not post about the astounding offerings coming this fall to Miami. It's a drive, I know, but some things are worth it:
Rakstar 2011 with Yousry Sharif and Virginia! It's not too early to start planning. In fact, I recommend it - this series of workshops and shows sells out quick. More info to come!

Anniversary party!

Greetings! Last month's Harem Hafla, put on by Angelina and Omaris of Hipnotic Movements, was so inspiring I'm actually dusting off my sequins for the second time in three (gasp!) months and I have been granted a spot in this month's lineup. So yes, I'll be dancing at the 3rd Anniversary Party of the Harem Hafla at Mythos in Clearwater on July 27th. We've got a table for eight at 7 p.m. - who's in?

FIELD TRIP!

The lovely Angelina and Omaris, our sisters to the north, put on a hafla the last Wednesday of every month at Mythos Taverna in Clearwater. Time for a field trip! We'll see professionals as well as dedicated amateurs, eat yummy Greek delicacies and shop the glitter at the bazaar tables. Cover charge is $5 per person, and a reserved table is an absolute must because this show sells out every time. Dinner is at 7 and the show is at 8, so we should plan to leave Sarasota for Clearwater around 5: 30 pr 5:45 on Wednesday the 29th. I'm driving - who's in? Let me know if you're coming and I'll reserve a table just for us. See you in class!

Ping me!

Hi! I've just posted a playlist of 13 songs for class: easy beats for practice, songs we use for class choreographies, and a few standards every dancer should know. If you've got iTunes, jump on Ping and download it - it's filed under "Alyssa's class mix." See you Saturday!

Photographic proof

It's been so long since I've been spotted onstage in an actual performance, I thought I'd better prove it! The video is probably even more incontrovertible, but I just don't have the tech chops to cut the clip out of the DVD and post it here. Alas . . . anyway, here's a shot of me from the school talent show, with many thanks to all the hardworking students who practiced for several weeks to provide me with live music. Looking forward to seeing everybody in Lakewood Ranch on the 11th!

Belly dance in Lakewood Ranch!

Hello, dance fans. It's been too long, but as you know, my belly has been busy with Baby #2. Nevertheless, I am fresh from a wonderful experience with some very talented music students, and I am full of dance spirit just ready to burst forth.

Saturday night I had the pleasure of appearing at Thunderpalooza V, the Out-of-Door Academy's annual talent show. To my great honor, I was accompanied by Upper School music students, including some dazzling string players, very enthusiastic drummers, and amazingly enough, an accordion! The whole show was full of all kinds of remarkable talent - gifted singers, an adorable juggler, a hilarious comedy routine - and people were very kind and generous with their interest and compliments regarding my own performance.

Which brings me to my next point: enough people have expressed interest in learning Middle Eastern dance that I have put together a class that will meet in Lakewood Ranch. Starting June 11, we will dance every Saturday from 11:30-12:30 at the Arthur Murray Studio at Crowder Plaza, 2531 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. Cost is $35 per month, or $90 for 12 consecutive weeks. Students should be attired in yoga pants or leggings and a snug-fitting T-shirt or tank top, with dark socks or ballet slippers on the feet, and should bring something to tie around the hips, like a large scarf. Eventually students should expect to purchase a decorated Egyptian-style hip scarf. I had given up hope that the durable, beautiful glass-bead crochet ones would ever return, having been supplanted by cheaper plastic-beaded models in recent years, but I was very happy to discover that Sharifwear is selling my old favorite in several shapes and sizes for about $54. Cheaper version are available through many vendors, but I bought my first glass-beaded hip scarf more than 13 years ago, and it still looks great and hasn't lost a stitch, so I really do swear by their quality. (And no, Nourhan Sharif does not give me a cut for saying that - it's straight from my heart. Hips. Whatever.)

Email for more info - hope to see you there!

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