#showcase 2015

I’ve decided to share a lot of videos I recorded off of my show dvd because my friends are incredibly talented and I just want to share with you guys how talented they are

This first video is my friend Coco singing On the Steps of the Palace from Into the Woods during this year’s showcase.

Wow what a great night I had on the Fusion Fantasy show on Saturday..I am still buzzing at how well it all came together.

From the beginning I wanted this show to be my biggest and best yet. In previous years it has been more like a small belly dance party which was fun but I wanted to put on an actual show. This is why I went searching for a venue with stage lights and performance space rather than just a room. You can read all about my search on a previous blog post.

When the performers dance forms started coming in I got even more excited. Not only were we celebrating Belly Dance but also lots of other forms as well. So many dancers got in touch and had great fusion ideas that I couldn’t wait to put it all together.

I was even more excited at the fact that this would be the first show my parents would be coming to see. I wanted to show them what I do and how I have been able to put the whole event together. They saw my dancing at the beginning of my belly dance career but my technique and artistry has developed since then.

So I got all of my students working hard, put together a very exciting set list and organised what we would wear. Music was sorted, the dances were ready and the show began.

The fact that this time I had a lighting/sound technician made my life a lot easier for both myself and my partner (who usually has to do the music but was on video cam duty this night instead). It felt a lot nicer walking onto and off stage in the dark with the lights coming up when on stage. It kind of takes you to dream land where you can fade everyday life into the background for a few hours and enjoy dancing and music.

All of the dancers did such a fantastic job and the fact that a few of my students got up and perform (some only started dancing 10 weeks ago) made me very proud. One of my students when coming back stage after performing our class routine said to me “Even though I was nervous I actually had fun” which is such a great thing to hear.

All of our guest dancers took the time to come along and put on some wonderful and interesting dances and I am so grateful that they wanted to come to a show put on by little me.

My parents loved the show and were amazed at what I had put together. My Dad told me afterwards that although he was there to support me he had thought he would be bored. In fact he loved it and found it really interesting so I am glad i was able to change the mind of Belly dancing towards both my parents.

In my finale speech I was very surprised when my troupe member and friend Rosie came onto the stage and began say how much all my students are thankful for all the hard work I do. When students from both my Folkestone and Ashford classes came onto the stage with a big bouquet of flowers and a brand new suitcase (since my old one had just recently lost a wheel). I couldn’t help but shed a few tears since it makes me so happy that people love what I do and I am able to bring joy into others lives and my own.

Of course after all of my shows there are things I would do differently next time. I would probably get an assistant, just someone who can help with help with answering dancers questions, sort things out on the night and give me some time to focus on getting myself ready without people coming up to me all the time.

I may look into another venue since it would be better at a venue that has some sort of curtains on stage for a nicer backdrop. If I don’t find one though then I can always use this one since I know it works.

It is always surprising how fast a show goes after all the months of preparation. Sometimes it can feel a bit sad when it’s over but then I get over that and think about ideas for the future and I soon perk up.

Folkestone Students - Bollywood Fusion

Ann Hall

Eastern Delights Troupe

Joanne - Drum Solo

Ashford Students - Flamenco Fusion

Lia Devincenzi - Tribal Fusion