Professionals in the City, Washington DC's topics - tribe.net

New Tribe - Washington DC Bites!

Dillo — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:59:50 GMT

Hey! I've started a new tribe: Washington DC Bites! It's all about eating out in DC!

Come one over and let's talk about restaurants - the good, the bad and the ICK!

http://tribes.tribe.net/washingtondcbites

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Photo Shoots in Washington DC! :)

pixievision — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:00:46 GMT

My traveling studio is coming from Los Angeles to Washington DC soon….

Friday 4/11 - 4:30pm until 10pm
Saturday 4/12 - 10am until 12:30pm
Sunday 4/13 - 2:30pm until 10pm

I specialize in musicians, fire performance and belly dance photography but I also love to shoot families, all forms of dance, fashion, weddings and all kinds of events.

See my website for examples of my work~ www.PixieVisionProductions.com

My rate for shooting is $250 per hour. Please email pixie@pixievisionproductions.com for more info~ :)

~Pixie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
pixie@pixievisionproductions.com
www.pixievisionproductions.com
studio: 818.484.5173
cell: 818.512.8474
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
http://tribes.tribe.net/pixievision
http://www.myspace.com/pixieglittermeow
http://modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=97528
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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DC: saturday bellydance workshop series

ebyland — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:22:30 GMT

these are drop in workshops. it's a different dance topic every week!

http://saharadance.com/workshops/

here's what's coming up:

Undulations and Swirly Movements
Explore the slow and sensual side of belly dance. Guaranteed to be a deeply muscular, core workout! Learn taqsim combinations to put movements into musical context. Taqsim refers to a solo, instrumental piece or section of music, often improvised. Hypnotic and introspective, some believe the soul or essence of a dancer is revealed while performing to a taqsim. Learn to recognize the instruments most often used in a taqsim, and how to reflect the music in your dance.
Date(s): Saturday, January 26, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Laura Kelch
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Arabic Rhythm Review and Drum Solo
Open to all levels! Review the basic Arabic Rhythms and learn a vibrant and upbeat drum solo choreography, full of accents and shimmies. Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.
Date(s): Saturday, February 2, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Yvette
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Egyptian Dance Intensive: Yousry and Nourhan Sharif
Egyptian Dance Intensive with Yousry Sharif and Nourhan Sharif.
12 hours of Egyptian dance!
Friday, February 1
7:30 - 9:30 pm: Nourhan Sharif
Discussion, Q & A, and Dance Workshop: Dance stylizations: Understanding the difference between Lebanese, Turkish and Egyptian Belly Dance
Saturday, February 2
2:30 - 7:00 pm: Yoursy Sharif
Oriental Choreography (30 minute break at 4:30—bring light snacks)
Sunday, February 3
1:00 - 5:30 pm - Yoursy Sharif
Oriental Choreography (30 minute break at 3:00—bring light snacks)
5 :30 - 7:30 pm - Nourhan Sharif
Discussion, Q & A, and Dance Workshop: Understanding and creating a traditional 5-part cabaret set
Location: Sahara Dance Silver Spring
(Metro Accessible)

Egyptian Dance Intensive: 12 Hours of Egyptian Dance
(includes all 4 workshops)
Cost: $225 before January 11 / $250 thereafter

Single Workshop Registrations
Yousry Workshops
One Day: $90 before January 11/ $110 thereafter

Both Days: $160 before January 11 / $180 thereafter

Nourhan Workshops
One Day: $40 before January 11 / $55 thereafter

Both Days: $70 before January 11 / $100 thereafter

Jazz-Belly Fusion!
Join Colleen in discovering a creative new way to expand your belly dance. Learn dance combinations inspired by “old-school” jazz style, 80’s Flashdance fun, and traditional raqs sharqi movement. Be prepared to step out of your self and electrify your dance. Choreography is structured to be accessible to beginner students, offering modifications to challenge advanced dancers.
Date(s): Saturday, February 9, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Colleen
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Introduction to Belly Dance
Discover the timeless beauty and joy of this organic dance. Students will learn basic technique including lifted stance and posture, shimmies, isolations, undulations and traveling steps. Class will include a brief introduction to the history, context and philosophy of belly dance. Come celebrate femininity through an ancient, life-embracing art!
No prior experience necessary.
Date(s): Saturday, February 16, 2008
Time(s): 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Teacher(s): Rachel Kay Brookmire
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $20 in advance / $30 at door

Arms, Breath and Upper Body Movement
Infuse your dance with subtlety and grace. Experience how attention to breath can open movement, creating fluidity and connection. Specific focus will be on elegant arm and upper body carriage. Open to all levels! Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.
Date(s): Saturday, February 16, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Rachel Kay Brookmire
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Oriental Turns and Traveling Steps
Add dynamism to your dance with spins, turns and floor patterns. Learn combinations of traveling steps and turns most frequently used belly dance. Specific attention will be given to spotting, turn technique and Oriental stylization. Open to all levels! Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.
Date(s): Saturday, February 23, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Elysa
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Introduction to Zills (Finger Cymbals)
Learn introductory finger cymbal technique, patterns and movement combinations. Designed and highly recommended to prepare students for the Low Intermediate II Sahara Dance technique class, this workshop is a great way to begin developing technical proficiency with finger cymbals. No previous finger cymbal experience is required.
Prerequisite: Completion of Sahara Dance Beginner II technique or permission of teacher
Date(s): Saturday, March 1, 2008
Time(s): 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Teacher(s): Melissa
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Live Drum Solo Performance Workshop
Perform a live drum solo with Karim Nagi of Turbo Tabla! Karim will teach the basic principles of improvising to a live drum solo, including entrances, endings, dancer-drummer communication, common rhythms and corresponding movements. Participants will have the opportunity to perform an informal, 2 minute drum solo with Karim at the Sahara Dance Hafla that same evening (no costumes, just party clothes and a hip scarf ;)).
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the thrill of performing to live percussion! Limited space available.
Prerequisite: 1 year of study in belly dance.
Date(s): Saturday, March 8, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $50

Egyptian Cane Combinations
Raqs Al Assaya, a cheerful dance from the Sa’id (Upper Egypt), the dancer twirls a cane in playful imitation of the men’s regional martial art. (The men’s version, Tahtihb, is performed with heavy staffs.) Raqs Al Assaya may be presented as folkloric dance, or elements of this dance may be adapted for cabaret-style Oriental dance. Elysa will teach basic cane vocabulary, fun combinations and a short Sa’idi choreography. Students need to provide canes for class. A few canes will be available for purchase at the studio.
Prerequisite: Competency with basic cane technique required.
Date(s): Saturday, March 15, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Elysa
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Urban Tribal Fusion
Join Ebony in exploring a fun and unique spin on contemporary belly dance. Learn dance combinations which fuse modern urban styles and the ancient art of raqs sharqi. Build coordination, work on isolating movements, and expand your dance style with locks and waves. This class will be high energy, prepare to sweat and have fun. Choreography is structured to be accessible to beginner students, offering modifications to challenge advanced dancers.
Date(s): Saturday, March 22, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Ebony
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

A Fancy Weekend Spectacular
Starring live, in person, The Indigo…
Rachel Brice
Mardi Love
Zoe Jakes

Two studios, three days, 12 workshops, 1 show
Details coming soon
Date(s): March 28, 29, 30
Location: Sahara Dance Silver Spring
(Metro Accessible)
Shimmies!
An Afternoon of Coin Jingling, Fringe Flying Fun! Can you count them all? Come and review what you already know or learn a new way to jiggle. Guaranteed to be a great workout. Open to all levels! Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.
Date(s): Saturday, March 29, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Allyson
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Introduction to Tribal Belly Dance
This workshop will introduce the fundamentals of Sahara Style Tribal, characterized by rhythm-based combinations, structured improvisation and folkloric fusions. Ideal for those curious about tribal belly dance and/or interested in joining Raqs Caravan West. Tribal dancers share basic movement vocabulary, standard dance formations, improvisational cues and transitions to create pieces improvisationally as a tribe. Tribal dance often fosters friendships; a strong sense of community can evolve from improvising as a group.
Prerequisite: Beginner II Belly Dance and above.
Date(s): Saturday, April 5, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Ami
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Veil Choreography
Drawing from modern Egyptian-style entrances, dance elegant traveling combinations and incorporate seamless veil transitions, turns and wafting, as you learn a complete veil choreography. Veils will be available for purchase in class.
Prerequisite: Some previous belly dance experience.
Date(s): Saturday, April 12, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Jennifer
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Layering
Layered movements can add intricacy and depth to your dance. Learn techniques and combinations to effortlessly combine two or more belly dance movements. Open to all levels! Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.
Date(s): Saturday, April 19, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Jennifer
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Introduction to Belly Dance
Discover the timeless beauty and joy of this organic dance. Students will learn basic technique including lifted stance and posture, shimmies, isolations, undulations and traveling steps. Class will include a brief introduction to the history, context and philosophy of belly dance. Come celebrate femininity through an ancient, life-embracing art!
No prior experience necessary.
Date(s): Saturday, April 26, 2008
Time(s): 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Teacher(s): Rachel Kay Brookmire
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $20 in advance / $30 at door

Stage Make Up, Costuming and Presentation
Perform with professional, polished and stunning stage presentation! Learn the basics of theatrical make up application and belly dance costuming for stage. Designed to help dancers look their best under bright lights, learn contouring, accessorizing, common mistakes, flattering fits, eyelash application and other tricks of the trade. Dancers are encouraged to bring their own make up collections and/or costumes for experimentation.
Date(s): Saturday, April 26, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Rachel Kay Brookmire
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Latin-Belly Fusion
Expand your dance repertoire with Latin-belly fusion! Learn fun dance combinations that fuse salsa, bachata, and other Latin styles with the ancient art of raqs sharqi. Open to all levels! Choreography is structured to be accessible to beginner students, offering modifications to challenge advanced dancers.
Date(s): Saturday, May 3, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Melissa
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

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Sat Jan 26 is Yoga Day - come celebrate at the MAYA Yogathon - Columbia Heights metro area

Edwina — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:39:49 GMT

MAYA, the Mid Atlantic Yoga Association, is sponsoring
their annual
Yogathon for Yoga Day. It's at the Josephine Butler
Parks Center, in
a beautiful gold mansion across the st. from Meridian
Hill (Malcolm
X) Park. Partial registrations may be available.

01/26/2008
MAYA Yogathon
In celebration of Yoga Day USA, Maya is presenting its
Annual
Yogathon on Saturday, January 26, 2008, at the
Josephine Butler Parks
Center, 2437 15th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009.
Nearest Metro:
Columbia Heights (Green Line).

Schedule
9 AM - 11 AM - Margaret Townsend, RYT 500 -
Architecture of the Asana*
11:05 - 12:05 - Kimberly Wilson - Hip Hips
12:10 PM - 1:40 PM - Nanda Bondade eRYT 500 - Downward
facing What??

Learning
Sanskrit names of Asanas* (lunch time special lecture
class)

1:45 - 2:45 - Jill Abelson and Agatha Glowacki RYT 200
-Jivamukti
Yoga
2:50 - 3.50 - Matt Fritts- Welcoming your Sacred
Healing Wisdom
4:00 - 5:00 Chanting with Shobha

* Classes qualify for CEU Credit from Yoga Alliance.
Please bring your own yoga mats and any other props
you may need.
Hot tea will be available. Please bring your own
lunch.

Cost: $50 (MAYA members), $60 (Non-Members)

MAYA teacher members are welcome to display or sell
yoga related
promotional material (class schedules, mats, books
etc.). To register
or for further information, call Nanda Bondade at
(703) 822-9642 or
email yoginanda@...

MAYA is an official sponsor of the Yoga Alliance Yoga
Day USA.

For further information on MAYA, see:
http://www.mayayoga.org/about/index.php

For directions to & information about the Josephine
Butler Parks
Center & associated other groups, please see:

http://www.washingtonparks.net/parkscenter.html

Please do not reply to this message. Information is
available from:

Nanda Bondade at (703) 822-9642 or email yoginanda@...

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tons of DROP IN bellydance workshops this week

ebyland — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:26:30 GMT

saharadance.com/workshops/

All this week! Take your pick from the drop in workshops listed below. There's something for everyone and they're all around 20-30 bucks.

Introduction to Belly Dance
Introduction to American Tribal Belly Dance
Introduction to Tribal Sword
Egyptian Cane Combinations
Introduction to Zills (Finger Cymbals)
Zills (Brush-Up!) Choreography
Intermediate Brush-Up
Intermediate / Advanced Zills Workshop
Beginner II Brush-Up
Low Intermediate Brush-Up
Beginner I Brush-Up

Other upcoming workshops:

Urban Tribal Fusion
Undulations and Swirly Movements
Arabic Rhythm Review and Drum Solo
Egyptian Dance Intensive: Yousry and Nourhan Sharif
Jazz-Belly Fusion!
Arms, Breath and Upper Body Movement
Oriental Turns and Traveling Steps
The Indigo: A Fancy Weekend Spectacular
Shimmies!
Introduction to Tribal Belly Dance
Veil Choreography
Layering
Stage Make Up, Costuming and Presentation
Latin-Belly Fusion
Live Drum Solo Performance Workshop
Egyptian Cane Combinations

...that's alot of dancing...

saharadance.com/workshops/

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Happy New Year

Sizzle — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 03:07:07 GMT

hope you all have a safe, fun, eve.
and a most peaceful prosperous year in 2008!
blessed be

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Santarchy time!

goddesscomedia — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 00:05:48 GMT

*DC Santarchy
December 8
Website: http://www.santarchydc.com

*Baltimore Santarchy
December 15
Website: http://tinyurl.com/2nuqw8

We will enjoy "Tuba Christmas" at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater first and cheer them on!
Then, get on our merry way to get our Ho on.

Tuba Christmas?
http://www.tubachristmas.com/
http://www.harborplace.com/html/EventDetail.asp?ecd=133191

*Philadelphia Santacon
December 22
Website/evite: http://www.evite.com/pages/gt/events/viewPub.jsp?eventID=TCHTMGHTQLZGEJKUFEIT&src=email

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NCEF! Media sabotaged! Hijacked by lone wingnut! Accused of fraud and embezzlement!

White Rabbit — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 04:07:52 GMT

NCEF! Media in Humboldt County, Ca. is accused of fraud and donation embezzlement. Caution! Do not support this lone wingnut's scam! Other legitamate groups exist in the area. Caution! Do not be fooled by NCEF! Media and his fraudulent outreach. Shunka Wakan exists completely seperate from any active affinity group. Read about how he perpetuated a lawsuit under the guise of EF! against a legitamate environmental nonprofit:

Dog Days
From: http://northcoastjournal.com/100407/cover1004.html
October 4, 2007
Money On Trees

Big cash nearly fell into Shunka Wakan's lap. Other Earth First!ers are kinda happy it didn't.

by Heidi Walters

As the jury trial for the civil suit Kathryn Miller v. the Trees Foundation puttered to a start last week inside Courtroom 3 at the Humboldt County Courthouse, Shunka Wakan — a key witness for the plaintiff — spent mornings sitting on the hard wooden benches in the long hallway outside the courtroom. During breaks, Miller's attorney Linda Mitlyng, would come out of the courtroom to join him. But otherwise, as other people and their legal affairs swirled around him in a warm, odiferous bath of humanity, Shunka sat alone. Or, sometimes, he stood alone, straight-spined, his small, stocky body swallowed by the huge, stiff blue suit out of which his newly shorn, razor-scraped bald head poked vulnerably — as if, at any moment, the suit could gulp once more and he'd disappear completely. Always, he clutched a paper folder with a wolf's face on its cover.

The North Coast Earth First! Media guru had shaved off his woolly rust-tinged brown hair and beard the night before jury selection started, after discussing it with attorney Mitlyng. Now, it took an uncertain moment to recognize him. Then, of course: Shunka's light blue eyes in the pink-pale face, Shunka's closed-lip smile, Shunka's trademark husky murmur, "Mm-hmm, for sure," in response to a comment.

In Courtroom 3, the amiable but no-nonsense Judge Christopher Wilson's domain, the fate of a $185,000 donation dangled. Would the plaintiff, donor Kathryn Miller, prevail in her claim that the defendant, the Trees Foundation, was not in fact the intended recipient of her generous gift? That Shunka Wakan's NCEF! Media Center and the treesitters were? Or would the Trees Foundation convince the jury that, in fact, the money was intended all along for Trees, with no instructions attached for funneling it elsewhere?

Richard Idell, left, who is defending the Trees Foundation against a lawsuit filed by Kathryn Miller, confers with Doug Wallace, community support coordinator for Trees. Photo by David Lawlor.

In her opening arguments, Miller's attorney, Mitlyng, said the case came down to "fraud and broken promises." "She believed [Trees] would hold [the money] in trust, for the benefit of North Coast Earth First!" said Mitlyng. The defense's attorney, Richard Idell, countered in his opening argument that the donation was an unconditional gift and Miller never wrote letters of instruction — as Miller claims she did. "Ms. Miller ... didn't do anything. She took the check [from her mother's estate] and flipped it over and wrote on the back, 'Payable to the Trees Foundation,'" said Idell.

Miller's claim sought the return of her $185,000, plus interest.

Out in the hallway, Shunka waited to tell his side of the story. Maybe he thought about the magical donation that never materialized, and now probably never would. Maybe he thought about the other times he'd been in this courthouse — dozens of times, along with other activists, often before Judge Wilson, answering to charges of trespassing and other forms of civil disobedience in the woods. Likely, he wondered when they were finally going to call him in to testify — it was taking forever in there. He'd even sent out an e-mail prematurely to the several hundred subscribers to his NCEF! online group erroneously announcing he would be first up to testify.

By the end of Friday's court session, Miller was still on the stand. Perhaps Monday it would be Shunka's turn. Whenever it was, he would be testifying on Miller's behalf; but he wasn't a party to the lawsuit. And in the end, after hearing all of the evidence, the jury would be determining who was telling the truth about intentions and letters of instructions. Shunka was just there to provide context and evidence in a contract dispute.

But to a number of forest activists, including a half dozen or so who appeared in the audience last Friday to watch the trial unfold, that context matters more to them than the legal questions. They say this lawsuit has placed a strain on the environmental community that could do as much damage as an ill-felled redwood that takes down other giants in its descent. They disapprove of the lawsuit, and they blame Shunka for it. And, they say, it's just another example of how Shunka has commandeered the North Coast Earth First! identity and used it for purposes that nobody else in the amorphous but consensus-driven local Earth First! movement has agreed to.

"For a lot of us, when we read about the lawsuit, this is kind of like Shunka on trial," said long-time forest activist Deane Rimerman last Friday, calling from Olympia, Wash. "And, to what extent is he worthy of that money?"

Kathryn Miller wanted her money to go toward saving trees, she said on the witness stand last Thursday. The slender 59-year-old was dressed in a pink print skirt and white sweater, with her gray-streaked dark hair pulled back into a neat, thin braid tinted slightly green. (Little did the jury know that Miller had spent the night in jail, in blue jail duds, and then had been "dressed out," in court lingo, in her street clothes before being escorted into the court by the bailiff. Miller had been arrested the week before, on Sept. 17, when she arrived in civil court for the pre-trial readiness hearing; according to the misdemeanor criminal charges filed against her, Miller allegedly had made annoying phonecalls to Barbara Ristow of the Trees Foundation all hours of the day and night.)

On the stand, Miller described how she became an activist. She remembered how, when she was a child in Orinda, her mother decided to stop spraying the beautiful oak trees on their property after reading Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. "And then, when my son was 9, we were watching the news on TV about the Chernobyl nuclear power plant meltdown. And my son said to me, 'I wish I'd never been born. I don't think I'll get to live a full life.'"

She protested the building of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. She started a peace action group in the late 1980s in San Jose. She did nonviolent protests at the Nevada Test Site. And in 1990, she came up with some of her fellow protestors to help set up the camp for Redwood Summer, and to take part in demonstrations. She's been on and off involved in Earth First! actions in Humboldt ever since, she said, including huffing in supplies for treesitters and huffing out their garbage. She'd also, at one point, bought a condo in Arcata.

In 2004, Miller sold her condo and bought an acre of farmland, already planted with coffee, in Guatemala. She put in fruit trees to shade the coffee. That same year, her mother, who lived in Sonoma, died. "The last time I saw her was in 2003," said Miller. "She told me when she died, she was going to leave me some money. I told her I'd use it to further my work for the forest. And she was pleased, because she loved the treesitters and the forest."

Shortly after learning of her mother's death, Kathryn Miller sought out Shunka Wakan in front of the food co-op in Arcata, where he "tabled" to raise funds for the North Coast Earth First! Media office — selling T-shirts, and stickers, offering pamphlets, accepting donations. She'd known Shunka for about five years, she said.

"I said to him, I was going to inherit some money: What was the best way to get that to the North Coast Earth First!?"

In the spring of 2005, Shunka Wakan was floating above the treetops. "I was so excited," the 32-year-old said in an interview a few weeks ago, sitting inside his tiny but colorful North Coast Earth First! Media office in Arcata, walls covered in art and topo maps — including one of Buckeye Mountain, where in 2000-2001, during the "Mattole Free State" action, Shunka and others hiked 14 miles through waist-high snowdrifts to save trees.

Kathryn Miller, he recalled, had come up to him excitedly as he walked along the sidewalk outside the Arcata Co-op and said, "I just donated $185,000 to North Coast Earth First!'"

She'd talked to him the year before about making the donation — she'd said she was anticipating an inheritance from her mother's estate, and she wanted to make a big donation to his group. He'd told her to make it through the Trees Foundation, which handled the NCEF! Media office's finances through an arrangement that had been established years ago. (The Trees Foundation is an umbrella organization formed in 1991 to assist smaller environmental groups. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, it can accept large, tax-deductible donations on behalf of affiliates, and provide professional resources. And it can lead large campaigns, like the one to save the Headwaters Forest back in the '90s.)

Well, now she'd finally done it.

Miller and Shunka agreed to meet at Fiesta Café in Sunny Brae, so she could tell him how she wanted the money spent: She wanted, straight away, for someone to organize a mediated workshop for the local Earth First! activists on ageism and sexism, issues she thought were fracturing the movement. And, she wanted the bulk of the donation to help support the forest activists who blockade logging roads and hunker up in ancient redwoods to fend off loggers' saws.

Not long after, Shunka was on his way to have lunch with some folks from the Trees Foundation, where they'd talk about Miller's wishes.

"Our media outreach was going to get a big boost," Shunka said. "The donation would keep the EF! office going for many years. So I walked into the Wildflower Café feeling elated, thinking we got all this money."

Barbara Ristow and Doug Wallace of the Trees Foundation were there. "I was super excited," Shunka said, "and I said, 'This is great, this big donation. Isn't it wonderful?' We ordered food, and still I'm all excited, talking about the money, but I notice they're looking nervously at each other. [Finally], they said, 'Well, we're just shocked that you think this money was for you.' And I was like, 'I just met with the donor, and that's what she said.' And they're like, 'Well, let's go ahead and plan the workshop and deal with that later.' I remember that, because it put me at ease."

After that, Shunka said he gave Trees a list of people he thought might benefit from the mediator-run workshop. "Some were people I knew had beefs with me, but I was willing to bring 'em into the circle and talk about it."

According to some vague accounts, the workshop was a disaster. One person who was there claims that Shunka, at one point, pounded his fists on the floor, blustered, then got up and stormed out, yelling as he walked away. Shunka says that's overblown.

"The letter from Kathryn Miller to Barbara Bristow said she wanted the mediation to be a safe place, safe to be emotional," he said. "And I think people are saying 'I freaked out.' The freak-out reports are exaggerated. It's just part of this ongoing character assassination. People say I was 'red-faced.' But my face is naturally red."

In late 2005, while Shunka was in Seattle, a friend called him from Arcata to say a woman had come by asking for the office key. She had a list of equipment she wanted to take away. The friend didn't give her the key.

When Shunka got back from Seattle, he discovered his reimbursement funds from Trees had been "frozen." He also learned about a letter someone in the NCEF! movement had circulated for signatures and then sent to Mark Knipper, who handled the Trees Foundation transactions for the NCEF! Media office. It said, in essence, "We don't want Shunka running EF!"

"I called the Trees Foundation," Shunka recalled. "I was sick, it was the middle of the winter, I'm trying to table, it's raining, it's cold. And Barbara Ristow told me, 'You just need to have a meeting [with the other Earth First!ers] and come to a group consensus on what the Trees Foundation funding should be used for."

The meeting never happened — nobody could agree to meet, said Mark Knipper, also in an interview last week. Knipper is a social worker and a long-time activist who had been the contact person between Trees and NCEF! Media. "So it ate itself," Knipper said. "And although I'm former Navy, a mariner, I said I'm not going down with this ship. So I divorced myself from it ... and signed it all back to Trees."

The NCEF! Media office was dropped from the Trees Foundation altogether.

Shunka and the NCEF! Media office never did see any of the big donation. Miller didn't even know that, he said, until she phoned him up in the summer of 2006, more than a year after she made the donation, to ask about a guy named "Jungle," who had been reported as missing on the NCEF! hotline. Miller was spending much of her time in Guatemala now, where she was raising fruit trees; after she'd made her big donation, Hurricane Stan had struck — she spent the ensuing year mopping up the mess.

First, Shunka told her Jungle was still missing. Then he told her about the money.

"I said, 'Yeah, they told me it wasn't for us,'" said Shunka. "And she said, 'I meant for all of it to go to you guys.' She sounded real upset. And I was like, 'I knew it! I knew it!'"

Shunka tried to sue Trees in small claims court, but it went nowhere.

Miller filed a claim against the Trees Foundation on Oct. 5, 2006, in Humboldt County Superior Court, seeking the return of the $185,000 plus interest so she could distribute the money herself.

And if she wins? "She may just spread it out more," said Shunka. "She's got tree planting ideas. Maybe she could buy a grove. She'd maybe not give it all to Earth First! this time. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Trees blew for us."

On an uncomfortably hot afternoon last week, four forest activists who'd agreed to an interview for this story — Jeff, Shaggy, Sparrow and Farmer — sat on the ground at the Arcata Marsh next to a log bench on which a teeming crew of red ants worked a splintered notch. Someone had come along here in 1999 and carved a grouping of faces — bearded, grimacing, possibly mourning faces — onto the log and signed it Daniel. The carving had been drenched in red paint, and burnished by years of sitters.

"It kind of reminds me of the memorial for Gypsy," said one of them. "With the red paint."

Gypsy was the forest name of David Nathan Chain, who in September 1998, during an Earth First! action at Grizzly Creek, was crushed to death by a tree felled by an enraged logger. Farmer, actually, was there — he was just 16, but had a year of activism already under his belt. And Shunka was there — it was Shunka's first forest action.

Farmer, Shag, Sparrow and Jeff first made it clear that they spoke for themselves alone, although they participate in various forest defense affinity groups: Farmer works for the Mattole Wildlands Defense Group now, watchdogging the California Department of Forestry for new timber harvest plans, and keeping an eye on a Pacific Lumber Co. watershed analysis. Shag, who saw his first redwood about five years ago, helps keep the Fern Gully treesit village in Freshwater functioning. Jeff, who grew up in the high desert, and fell in love with the woods, works with the Nanning Creek treesit just outside of Scotia, as well as other groups. Sparrow, who was drawn to forest action because the cultural landscape was "like a folktale" he couldn't resist, is with the Fern Gully affinity group. These groups are all part of the Humboldt Forest Defense Association, a collective with a website but no formal structure.

The HFDA sprang into being six years ago — about the time the entity called North Coast Earth First! had essentially dissolved. It would take a book to describe that drawn-out dissolution — a book of lost causes, won causes, waning media interest, Judi Bari's death, Gypsy's death, ego-spurred squabbles, interpersonal catastrophes, a war overseas, hurricanes. And while the HFDA activists might still cherish the Earth First! name — the movement — in their hearts, it's now been further complicated by what you might call the Shunka effect.

"I still feel in many ways solidarity with the greater Earth First! movement abroad," said Farmer. "But in this county, in this climate, if you say you're with the North Coast Earth First!, many people associate you with North Coast Earth First! Media."

Shunka revived the North Coast Earth First! office around 2002. And he did what previous office managers had done — tabled, put out news releases, wrote articles for other publications. But it wasn't like the old days, in the '90s, when hundreds of people were getting arrested in forest actions and the jail support phone and legal resources were in constant use.

Shunka first worked in an office in Eureka, then later moved to Arcata. He called his outfit the NCEF! Media Center. For a time, he and other "affinity groups" tried to work together. But he alienated some people. He took over the North Coast Earth First! website. He controlled the North Coast Earth First! email list of 300 or more subscribers to the news alerts. He sent out press releases on his own.

"I felt the North Coast Earth First! Media Center was a unilateral effort on Shunka's part," said Farmer. Whereas, in the old days, "spokespeople were decided on by the group. And if you wrote an article it was passed by everyone. I feel Shunka appointed himself spokesperson at some point."

Many also claim they've been subject to a lashing anger from Shunka.

"I won't work with him because I pledge nonviolence in my actions," said Shag. "I don't believe he pledges the same thing. He has exhibited violent behavior towards me and towards other activists in my presence."

"He's a bear," said Jeff, making claw-fists with his hands.

But the sad thing is, all of this infighting probably has done nothing to help the actual trees. And the mediation workshop Kathryn Miller wanted didn't fix matters. Now, there was her lawsuit.

"When I heard about this lawsuit, I thought, the Trees Foundation does not deserve to be attacked in that way," said Farmer. "There's much bigger issues that need to be dealt with — with Maxxam and old-growth logging. ...If you look at Fern Gully and Nanning Creek (the Bonanza timber harvest plan), there's hundreds of old growth acres still standing whose fate is unclear."

Shag put it more bluntly: "If [Miller] knew Shunka and wanted to get the money to North Coast Earth First! Media, she should've given it to Shunka. But if she was trying to get it to treesits and forest defense, then the money went to the right place.

"My problem is this whole representation thing. There's people in the trees — how do you know who to get the money to, to help them?"

Shunka knows that a lot of fellow activists aren't happy with his role in the donation dispute. He also knows how some people talk about him and say he's hard to get along with. "I'm just standing up for the truth," he said. "And people don't like it. To me, it feels like a small clique of people who don't like me. I feel a lot of love and support in this community."

He certainly doesn't come off right away as someone who's angry, or who lashes out, or who locks the office and doesn't let people in. Why, recently, he helped a young woman hook up with the treesitters so she could learn the ropes. (Shaggy said that's proof Shunka doesn't have direct connections with the people doing direct action; but you can't deny it's a connection.)

It's probably a bad idea to ask Darryl Cherney, one of the founders of the local Earth First! movement, what he thinks of Shunka Wakan, whose real name is Jason Wilson. (Shunka tells a story of how he was named by a Lakota medicine man on the banks of the Cheyenne River in South Dakota in 1995. "Shunka Wakan," meaning "great dog," is only part of it. There's a secret part after that — altogether, his name means "the humble man called horse.")

"Shunka's a wingnut," Cherney said over the phone last Friday, sounding cheerfully vitriolic. "I have a 10-verse song about Shunka."

Here are the last few verses:

Who's at the co-op spanging a donation
Shunka, Shunka
Who's got a lawsuit 'gainst the Trees Foundation
Shunka, Shunka
Shunka, Shunka
Who's gonna keep on fighting the fight
Shunka, Shunka
With four of his friends at swimmers delight
Shunka, Shunka
Shunka, Shunka (Shunka voice: It's the last of the revolution)

There's no other word for it but "mean." But Cherney and Shunka have history — not all of it sour. Cherney said Shunka laughed when he heard the song, at least the first time.

"I met Shunka in 1998," Cherney said. "And I know he knew Julia ["Butterfly" Hill, whom Shunka had come west to find]. That was a good thing, helping Julia. That was good Shunka."

Cherney had even pushed for Shunka to go to Houston to talk with Charles Hurwitz, whose Maxxam Corp. bought out the old Pacific Lumber company back in 1985 and quickly became the forest activists' number one villain. Shunka went.

But now? "The current status of Shunka and me," Cherney said, "is that Shunka has sent me five or eight or nine e-mails threatening to sue me. Shunka is a joke."

Cherney can talk for hours about the problems he's had with Shunka over the years. His main point, though, is what has Shunka done for the trees lately?

"My question is, where's your topo maps?" he asked. "Where's your wilderness preservation proposal? Where's your lobbyist team in Sacramento?"

It has to be that, on some level, even the people in the movement who don't like Shunka understand somewhat where he's coming from. So he's emotional. Passionate. Perhaps he's caught up so completely in the cause he can't let go. Or, who knows — maybe he's a phony, like he accused Knipper of being back in 2005.

But being a forest activist comes with perils beyond the obvious physical ones.

"I'm really trying to have compassion for Shunka, even though he's kind of attacked us," said Susy Barsotti by phone from Laytonville a couple of weeks ago. Barsotti is president of the Trees Foundation board, and she says the lawsuit has held Trees hostage, unable to function fully. "I've been mystified and dismayed that he's participated like this in the suit. But Shunka witnessed Gypsy's death. And I think he may have post-traumatic stress syndrome. I don't think he's recovered from it. And that can affect your behavior."

A number of people mentioned this, actually, about Shunka. And he often refers to Gypsy's death himself. In an article titled "What Luna has taught me," posted on the website of Julia "Butterfly" Hill's organization, Circle of Life, Shunka writes: "I decided to commit to doing ground support after witnessing the death of David Nathan "Gypsy" Chain on September 17, 1998 ... I remember looking across the valley as we hiked up that day, seeing the rolling hills of forests and clear-cuts, and thinking out loud, "That's why we're here!" Seeing Gypsy's life taken from him, and then seeing the corruption and lies of the Humboldt County Sheriffs ... really opened my eyes to the situation our old-growth forests face."

Later, he did ground support for Hill in her second year in Luna. And in the same article on her website, something else Shunka writes indicates how ready he was to devote himself to a cause: "Being on the support team was the top priority in my life, and I was happy knowing that everything else revolved around when I'd be needed for the next supply run. I never felt lost because I knew what I was doing. That was a feeling I had not felt in years, between feeling dissatisfaction with life in college, and then more dissatisfaction with life as a minimum-wage worker after college. Before joining Julia's ground support team I was unhappy, even to the point of tears, wondering if my entire life was going to be a minimum-wage nightmare ...."

Pure devotion, without benefit of a little hypocrisy, could drive anyone batty. Deane Rimerman, the activist from Olympia who said it is Shunka who is on trial, said it's not uncommon for intense, stressful movements like Earth First! to produce an army of walking wounded. And he's been around, in forest actions up and down the coast, for long enough to know; he was the one, in fact, who "got the maps and led the first hikers up to the hill" to the Gypsy Mountain campaign and Luna treesit.

"In the forest activist movement, there's very little that's rewarding," Rimerman said. "There's a lot of post traumatic stress syndrome. All of us get it. Once you've been through the court process, and the jail process, and seen 1,000-year-old trees get cut down that you really cared about and thought you could save — it's devastating."

That alone, setting aside the troubles with Shunka, could explain the many rifts that have occurred within the local EF! ranks over the years. Josh Brown, who moved to Humboldt in 1995 right before the peak of the Headwaters campaign, said one of the unique qualities of Earth First! is that it "is primarily a youth movement."

"A lot of people that come through are young, are passionate — and it's a wonderful thing," he said. They get thrown into leadership positions quickly — and then they get burned out. Many move quickly on to other things. Brown stayed in longer than most. "When I left [in 2001], I was 30 years old. And I'd been a full-time activist since I was 18."

Paradoxically, said Brown, the youthful draw and the departure of seasoned activists leaves the movement with "no elders to kind of sit around and coach the [new kids]."

The movement also draws strong personalities, he said. Tenacious ones, too, like Shunka's.

"Shunka, I think he really does have a big heart," said Brown. "And I think he does care for the forest."

Last Friday, following the morning session of Miller v. Trees, a group of the Humboldt Forest Defense Association activists stood on the courthouse steps talking. The door opened, and Shunka walked out and down the steps toward the group. They didn't greet him. After a time, he tried to talk to one of them, Jeff. Jeff walked away. Shunka followed him, then stopped and talked to another guy. Then he stood alone again.

From: http://northcoastjournal.com/101107/news1011.html

Trees Foundation Wins

October 11th, 2007

The jury in the civil case Kathryn Miller v. the Trees Foundation decided in favor of Trees, after deliberating all day Tuesday. (See "Money on Trees," Oct. 4).

Miller is the long-time forest activist who inherited a bundle from her mother and then signed $185,000 over to the Trees Foundation. In her lawsuit, she claimed she had intended the money to be passed through Trees to one of its affiliates, North Coast Earth First! Media, run by Shunka Wakan. She claimed she had made her intentions clear, verbally and in writing, and that Trees had agreed to the conditions, then broken its promise and kept the money. Trees denied making such promises, and said it had never seen any letters or heard of instructions to give the money to NCEF! Media. (Also, somewhat relatedly, in criminal court on Tuesday Miller pleaded no contest to charges that she had made annoying phonecalls to Barbara Ristow of the Trees Foundation.)

So, that's that. Now, there are only the pieces to pick up.

For Shunka Wakan — featured in last week's Journal as a central figure in a messy nest of infighting that has fractured the current ranks of local Earth First!ians — it could be a long, lonely patching together of lost friends and broken alliances. Not only did he and Miller lose their attempt to retrieve her donation, but now he's been banned from the North Coast Co-op.

Yes, that happened last week. It was Thursday, around 4:15 in the evening, and two activists with the Humboldt Forest Defense Association were tabling — hawking brochures and such — outside the Co-op. It's an activity Shunka himself has spent many a day doing in that very same spot, raising cash to pay for his NCEF!Media outreach work and other causes. And, well, these two fellows, Jeff and Farmer, were on Shunka's shit list, now. They'd spoken gently, but unfavorably, about Shunka's doings in the North Coast Earth First! arena — said he lashed out at people, said he commandeered NCEF! resources, and so forth. Here's a snippet of Jeff's account of what happened, which he sent to the NCJ in an e-mail on Friday:

"Shunka was removed from the Arcata Co-op yesterday after a scuffle with myself and another activist around 5 p.m. Well, he wasn't exactly removed, but APD was called. He was asked to leave after threatening to flip over the HFD donation table while stating he was 'like Jesus in the marketplace ...'"

Sue Coulter, manager of the Arcata Co-op, recounted on Friday how an employee walking by heard the argument and went inside to get her. "So I went out to talk to [Shunka], because it's not the first time we've had problems," she said. "Most of the time, he's fine. Most of the time, I stick up for him." One time, she said, she even called the police to protect Shunka after someone had threatened him. "But he gets into arguments. I tried to talk to him. I told him to leave. ... He was causing a scene, right by the door, and I can't have it. He refused to leave. ... I said, fine. I went into the store. He followed me into the store, and he was still yelling at me, 'Oh, now you're going to call the police on me.'" Coulter called the police, but Shunka left before they arrived.

Shunka, waiting in the courthouse for the jury verdict Tuesday, said Coulter did indeed ask him to leave and he did, indeed, refuse to. As for the HFD tablers, he said he merely asked them why they had Trees Foundation literature on their table. "I said, 'Why do you want to represent these people?'" And then, he said, "Jeff accused me of embezzling — he said this in public. He said, 'You've embezzled thousands of dollars from the Earth First! movement through the years.' And I complained to one of the employees who was walking by. Because that's serious, accusing someone of embezzling."

But Shunka said the whole thing's yet another attack on him. "I don't consider I was yelling. We were talking. I'm an emotional person, I concede to that. I speak from my heart. I don't scream at people. I would love to — but I don't."

In his email, Jeff with HFD predicted Shunka would leave town within weeks, if not sooner. But at the courthouse, even before the verdict, Shunka said he wasn't going anywhere.

"I'm just going to continue to run the Earth First! office and continue to call Humboldt County home," he said. He's also going to write a letter to the Co-op, complaining about how he gets scapegoated and booted out of there even when other people, he says, are the culprits. And, as for the Miller v. Trees case, he said, he and Miller may now take their complaint to another venue.

-- Heidi Walters

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U.B.U. 80's Dance Party celebrates the Día de los Muertos....

Mel — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 02:29:23 GMT

The U.B.U. crew is celebrating the Día de los Muertos....Day of the Dead. Join us this month as we honor the dead, and they return to visit to drink, dance with us.

Of course all the resident DJs will be there maken a mess, getting into trouble and have a blast! Come out and listen to DJs Mellie Mel, Miss Guided, Dribble and our guest Prophet spin 80's Alternative-New Wave-Goth-Industrial-Punk-Post-Punk-Metal-Whatever!!

U.B.U. Dance Party
Nov. 13
Red and Black
1212 H St. NE
10 pm $5
www.myspace.com/ubu_dc

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U.B.U.- Zombie Dance Party

Mel — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 21:49:30 GMT

U.B.U. is one the of best new dance parties in the city!
And surely oneof the best parties in the H St Corridor!

This month we are having the great ZOMBIE DANCE PARTY: party
favors, drink special, great Djs and best of all YOU.

please note it is not a requirement to come as a zombie-it is required
for you to attend. Here is the skinny

U.B.U. Dance Party
80's music and beyond
New Wave-Alternative-Post-Punk-Industrial-Whatever

with Djs Mellie Mel, Miss Guided, Dribble (Black Cat Arnold) and
guest Dj Trancept

Oct. 6th
The Red & Black
1212 H Street NE
9:30p-2am $5 21+
www.myspace.com/ubu_dc

There is alot of excitement brewing around U.B.U. It is growing into
a fantastic party with a great mix of our lovely resident Djs and our
special guests. We have some wonderful surprises in store for everyone
in the next few months. Keep coming back...cause it only works if you
work it.

C u all then,

Dj Mellie Mel

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies

zombies take over the white house!!!!! announcement! call for zombies!!!

sass-a-frass — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 20:55:15 GMT

k everyone...this is my master plan (i'll let you all call me a genius later)

on Oct. 31 2007, a massive zombie walk will occur in DC. a zombie walk? whats that liz? i'm glad you asked...it orginiated in Canada (hey they have to be good for something) where zombies walk for a cause (typically a blood drive).

the massive army will take over DC and claw down the white house gates...at least a 1000+ zombies...plus a few good zombie killers thrown in the mix toting riffles.

all of the zombies will be zombified up to the max and all wear hand-made zombiefied t-shirts stating: zombies support bush and his slaughter (this works on so many levels)

let me know if you want to join in...plus help me spread the word...i have a total of 10 people...still need 990...hey it can happen and it will

^_^

//liz

please let me know if you are down and check out the tribe: world peace...through zombie exploitation

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies

Dance, drum, and play TONIGHT

Sibylla — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 18:40:51 GMT

Tonight we're playing together in a sacred indoor circle for Soul Fire Inside.
Come out and play with us!

Drum ~ Dance ~ Song ~ Art ~ Improv ~ Spoken Word

SoulFire Inside RETURNS to DC!
TODAY, Saturday Sept. 8th, 2007

SoulFire Inside, 8pm - 11pm, $10., kids and elders by donation
Taking down the Temple, till about 12:30am

LOCATION:

Seeker's Church
276 Carroll Street, NW Washington
DCMetro and Handicap accessible.
Entrance around back

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DC/VA/MD:: U.B.U. Dance Party @ the Red & the Black is this Saturday

Mel — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 14:19:55 GMT

Favorite music of the 80's and beyond: * New Wave * Alternative * Goth * Industrial * Electronic * Punk * whatever fits the mood!!

U.B.U. Dance Party!!!
Sept, 1st 2007 - First Saturday of the month

The return of DJ Mellie Mel & DJ Miss Guided
$5 Admission
21+ To Enter

The Red and The Black
1212 H Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002

Atlas Courtesy Shuttle
Available FREE every Friday & Saturday, 10 PM - 2:30 AM from H Street to Union Station. Please call: (202) 906-0697 for pick up!

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could you be a bellydancer?

ebyland — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:26:44 GMT

classes start sept 4th, check it out:

http://saharadance.com/classes/

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Hoop Dance Jams and Teacher Training

LoveStar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 03:02:24 GMT

Betty Hoops Dance Therapy Teacher Training Levels I & II
Sunday, September 16, 2007 - Saturday, September 22, 2007 - Alexandria, VA
September Hoop Dance Jams in DC-VA-MD. Visit www.lovemovementhealingarts.com for more information.

* Feel like a kid again with Betty Hoops Dance Therapy!
* Learn to inspire others to live joyously in their bodies!
* Facilitate fun and functional Hoop Dance classes and one - on - one sessions!
* Learn how to infuse your current skill set - pilates, yoga, dance, reiki, counseling - into the fabulous new fitness therapy of Hoop Dance!

Betty Hoops Dance Therapy incorporates Yoga, Pilates, Strength training & Dance techniques to give you a fun workout for your body, mind & soul. Certified instructors will understand:

* The Anatomy of a Spin - How to become the hoop
* How to set class pace through voice, music & intention
* The 4 Elements - Earth, Water, Fire and Air - in exercise, emotion and rhythm
* How to blend principals from Kundalini & Iyengar yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates
* And so much more!

Visit this link for a visual: http://bettyhoops.com/video/quicktimesmall.htm

Questions? Send them to Jocelyn at info@lovemovementhealingarts.com

More details / Ready to register? Visit www.bettyhoops.com/workshop...gn_up.php

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fall belly dance class schedule with Belladonna

belladonnadancer — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 03:26:27 GMT

Believe it or not it is that time again, Time for a new session of Belly Dance classes!!

The summer/ fall session begins Tuesday August 14 & Wednesday Aug. 15th!
There is currently room in all of the classes! Please email me with questions, more information on upcoming workshops
at
http://www.belladonnadance.net/id2.html

Tuesdays

6-7:15pm Tribal combos:
Class focused on learning short choreographed combinations of technical movements and saucy style for tribal improv dancing. This is a blend of traditional belly dance moves with a modern hip hop flavor.

7:30-8:30 pm Strength training and drills:
Having trouble with your isolations? Need to build quad strength for floor work? Then this is the class for you!
One hour of butt kicking, body movements and exercises to build strength and flexibility specifically for tribal fusion belly dance.

8:45- 10pm BellaTrix student troupe rehearsal

Wednesdays

6:00- 7:15pm Tribal & fusion belly dance:
This is an introduction to the vocabulary & technique of American Tribal Style, and tribal fusion choreography. This class's purpose is to give you a strong foundation of the movements & technique of Tribal and fusion styles of belly dance.

7:30-8:45 Isolate and flow:
Beyond the introduction to belly dance, this class will help you further your ability to isolate. As well as introduce layering and combining movements enabling you to better express the music through your dance.

9:00-10:00
private classes per request.

class space is limited so register asap.

you can register by email
send your name, phone number & the class you are interested in taking. payment is due in full at the first class.

location is centreville VA, near hwy 28 & 29.

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Last Change to see Lincoln and God @ NYAPC

Sizzle — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 02:28:18 GMT

The New York Avenue Presbyterian Church proudly presents

Lincoln and God

A Play by Anthony Gallo / Directed by Mathew Weitz

Last performance:Sunday June 24th at 2:00 p.m.

Peter Marshall Hall in The New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
1313 New York Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20005

To purchase tickets, 202-966-4719
nyapc_lincoln@yahoo.com

adults $12
children (16 and under) $8
tickets will also be available at performance while quantities last.

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 1 reply

Drum, dance, and fire near DC -- Watch on YouTube

Sibylla — Mon, 14 May 2007 23:26:31 GMT

Greetings Friends!

We're thrilled to let you know that a great video has been posted to YouTube showing the Alchemical Fire Circle, with voiceover by Jeff McBride explaining how the dancing is analogous to the orbits of the planets.

If you've been wondering about what we'll be doing at Fires Rising at Four Quarters Farm in a few weeks, take a look at this, and then pass the word! The video is from a documentary produced by Vision TV about Jeff's magic profession and his work with alchemical fire circle with Abbi. You'll see many familiar faces here.... We hope you will enjoy and want to put out huge thanks to the Four Quarters office guy Micheal for putting this together!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSjnq_ALNVY

Please, tell your friends about it! If any of you have a YouTube account, we'd
appreciate you linking/favoriting it.

Once you've seen the video, you can go to
http://www.4qf.org/_FiresRising/index.htm
and register online for an incredible and magickal gathering!

We hope to see you there!

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Larry Harvey Appearing at the DC/VA Burning Man Film Festival!

Dillo — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 13:13:11 GMT

Saturday, April 28th, 2007 at 2pm - 8:30 pm
Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafthouse
2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington VA
703 486-2345
www.arlingtondrafthouse.com/

Price: $20 in advance, $25 at the door (Nonrefundable)
Proceeds will go to the Playa del Fuego Art Grant fund

THEATER ADMISSION IS 21 AND OVER - PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE- THIS EVENT WILL SELL OUT.

Trying to explain what Burning Man is to someone who has never been to the event is a bit like trying to explain what a particular color looks like to someone who is blind.

Each year over 40,000 people travel to Black Rock City in the Nevada desert to participate in an experience that is wholly unlike any found in modern society. For one week in late August they become part of an experimental temporary community, one which challenges its members to express themselves and rely on themselves to a degree that is not normally encountered in day-to-day life. The result of this experiment is Black Rock City, home to the Burning Man event. (www.burningman.com/)

A few simple rules allow this festival to flourish with creativity, and joy. Participants are entrusted to have personal responsibility for themselves and provide for their own needs in a sometimes harsh desert environment. There is no money exchanged at the event, rather the economy is built around each participant gifting his/her abilities to help and entertain others. There are few rules about how one must behave or express oneself at this event (save the rules that serve to protect the health, safety, and the experience of others); rather, it is up to each participant to decide how they will contribute and what they will give to this community. Creativity rather than money is valued at the event.

The event takes place on an ancient lakebed, known as the Playa, a place that starts as a blank canvas where the participants can create the community as they desire. Participants are encouraged to live in the present; in a week's time everything created in the community with disappear except for memories of each participant. By the time the event is completed and the volunteers leave, sometimes nearly a month after the event has ended, there will be no trace of the city that was, for a short time during the event, the most populous town in the entire county. Art is an unavoidable part of this experience.

The DC/VA Burning Man Film Festival is an amazing collection of work in the spirit of the radical self-expression of Burning Man. The films and shorts included in this festival pan seven years of the event, starting in 1997 through 2003. The culmination of the festival will be a talk and Q&A session with Larry Harvey, founder and Executive Director of the Burning Man Project. Films will include: "Juicy Danger Meets Burning Man", "Gifting It", and "Beyond Black Rock"

Free shuttle bus to and from the Courthouse Metro Station (1:30-4:30pm & 7:00-9:00pm).

Bring a can of food to be donated to Capital Area Food Bank and receive a raffle ticket for fabulous prizes!

Dress in your most Playa Fabulous outfit and enter the costume contest!

Enjoy Art exhibits by local Burning Man artists and performances by: The Capital Fire Arts; Kaihea: Liquid Tribal Fusion Bellydance; and Interpretive Dance and Drumming by Nola Slag and Bubbles Huck!

Have your picture taken in the Phlaming Photo Booth! Music provided by DJ Dustin and others.

AFTER PARTY AT DR. DREMO'S!
8:30pm to ?
2001 Clarendon Blvd.
Arlington , VA 22201
703-528-4660
www.drdremo.com

After the movies, join us at Dr. Dremo's for the After Party! Wear your Film Festival wrist band for $3 pints of Yuengling! DJ's! Dancing! Fire spinning!

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies

Monthly U.B.U. Dance Party!

Mel — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 22:15:04 GMT

Thats right the first Saturday of the Month is coming up...get your
freak @ the best new dance night in DC at one of the best new clubs-
The Monthly U.B.U. Dance Party

April 7th
U.B.U. Dance Party!!!
Hosted by the beloved Dj Mellie Mel and Dj Misguided
Favorite music of the 80's and beyond:
* New Wave * Alternative * Goth * Industrial * Electronic * Punk *
whatever fits the mood!!
This is gonna be hell of a party- brought to you by two small women who do amazing things.

For more details:
www.myspace.com/ubu_dc

@ The Red and The Black Bar
9:30 PM - 2:00 AM
EVERY First Saturday of the month | $5 COVER | 21+
1212 H Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202)399-3201
www.redandblackbar.com

Atlas Courtesy Shuttle
Available FREE every Friday & Saturday, 10 PM - 2:30 AM from H Street
to Union Station. Please call: (202) 906-0697 for pick up!

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies

DC/VA Burning Man Film Festival and After Party! April 28th!

Dillo — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 16:21:08 GMT

DC/VA Burning Man Film Festival!
When: Saturday, April 28th, 2007 2:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafthouse
2903 Columbia Pike
Arlington , VA 22204
703 486-2345
www.arlingtondrafthouse.com
Price: $20 in advance, $25 at the door (Nonrefundable)
Proceeds to the Playa del Fuego Art Grant
THEATER ADMISSION IS 21 AND OVER - PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCED - THIS EVENT WILL SELL OUT.

Ask the 40,000 participants of Burning Man 2006 what it means to them and you'll likely to get 50,000 different answers. It's a celebration of art. A gift economy. A big party. Or, as one participant said, "It doesn't show people how to live outside the box, it just shows that there is a box."

The films and shorts included in this festival pan seven years of the event, starting in 1997 through 2003.

Free shuttle bus to and from the Courthouse Metro Station!

Bring a can of food to be donated to Capital Area Food Bank and receive a raffle ticket for fabulous prizes!

Dress in your most Playa Fabulous outfit and enter the costume contest!

During the intermissions, enjoy performances and art exhibits by local Burning Man artists. Have your picture taken in the Phlaming Photo Booth! Music provided by DJ Dustin.

Buy your tickets in advance at http://www.arlingtondrafthouse.com/?page=event&eid=395. This will sell out!

Schedule (subject to change):

2:00 - "Juicy Danger Goes to Burning Man" 1997

3:45 - "Aqua Burn" 2002

4:25 - "Gifting It" 2001

5:55 - "Burn Baby Burn" 2001

7:05 - "Beyond Black Rock" 2003

AFTER PARTY AT DR. DREMO'S!
8:30pm to ?
2001 Clarendon Blvd.
Arlington , VA 22201
703-528-4660
www.drdremo.com

After the movies, join us at Dr. Dremo's for the After Party! Wear your Film Festival wrist band for $3 pints of Yuengling! DJ's! Dancing! Fire spinning!

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies

SheE-Bop dance party is back

Mel — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 23:04:08 GMT

ShEe-Bop

An Alternative 80's Dance Party w/ DJ Mellie Mel

New Wave, Alternative, Post punk, whatever.....
Dance you hearts content (or bop your head) to Depeche Mode, Nitzer Ebb, Echo, Tone Loc, of course Cyndi Lauper and more

March 23rd
The Black Cat Backstage
9:30 $5

Djmelliemel@gmail.com
www.myspace.com/sheebopdc
www.blackcatdc.com

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies

Women in Rock Dance Party-This Saturday

Mel — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 20:24:40 GMT

SATURDAY MARCH 10 -- Hey Ladies!!! Dance Night. A night of women in music with DJ's Mellie Mel, BKay, Lil' e, & Dean, playing all genres of ladies for you to dance to.

at Black Cat Backstage
1811 14th street, Washington DC, Washington DC 20008
Cost : Free
percentage of the proceeds from the bar will goto the documentary film "From the Back of the Room"-- Drink some alcohol or a coca cola.
Here is the Line up:

10-11- Mellie Mel
11-12- BK
12-1- Lil e'
1-2- Dean

The documentary is about women in the punk scene post riot grrrl. We hope to allow women a voice they may not otherwise have. We plan on travelling the country for interviews and hope to make the film accesible upon completion. To make this dream a
reality we have been holding benefits and events to raise awareness.

for more info on the project visit:
www.myspace.com/fromthebackoftheroom

Come out to celebrate and support women in the arts and tip your bartendar generously!

Mellie

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies

DC Cupid Cacophony Sat Feb 17

goddesscomedia — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 03:17:48 GMT

DC CUPID CACOPHONY

Join the Eros Army on Feb 17 in Washington DC
2 pm - ?
Meeting spot: National Gallery of Art
Event is Rain, Snow, Sleet, or Shine! So dress for it dammit!

Activities: FREE HUGS, Gifting, Cupid battle, pub crawl

CAMERAS WANTED for documentation! Please bring digital still and/or video cams for sharing with other cupids. Email pics/video to cupidcacophony@yahoo.com

COSTUMES are a must! Wear read and use duct tape to create wings if you have to. Or cut out a giant Heart and tape it to yourself.
Bring soft weaponry for the BATTLE!
Bring gifts - chocolate, condoms, etc....

Ultimate destination: Cupids will invade Club Chaos for the Drag Show.

LOCATION , RULES, and more details are at www.geocities.com/cupidcacophony/home

Questions? email cupid directly at cupidcacophony@yahoo.com

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies

FREE DJ Mellie Mel event-The Collage Party 2/10

Mel — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 18:08:12 GMT

The Collage Party is "an assemblage of diverse elements" to always
bring you variety of styles and genres of music. Each party will
display a mix of DJ's so that life never gets redunant.

the debut COLLAGE PARTY will feature

DJ Arcane (brit-pop and indie)
DJ Mellie Mel (doin' my 80's stuff)

SAT FEB 10 9:30 FREE

Black Cat -backstage
1811 14th St. NW WDC 20009
202.667.7960
www.blaccatdc.com

To contact Mel: DJmelliemel@gmail.com or
http://www.myspace.com/sheebopdc

Come out, support your local Dj's, dance, have a good time and tip
your bartendar generously---

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies

Any Pics from the New Year's Eve event (French Embassy)?

Dave — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 01:40:39 GMT

Mine came out horribly. Thanks!

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies

i am new to tribe and possible to DC

Dierdre — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 02:44:48 GMT

Hello. I am relativly new to tribe and may be new to DC in a few months. I have been offered a Job in DC but would need to find a baby sitter for a 11 yer old boy. As a nurse I wuld only work 3 days a week, but dont know which as of yet :) Where would I look to find a good sitter. He is home schooled so would need for the full time.

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 3 replies

learn to bellydance?

ebyland — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 14:30:47 GMT

we are a community of diverse and supportive women dedicated to celebrating the joy and beauty of this art.

Sahara Dance is a boutique belly dance studio.

come and try out a trial class. (you don't have to have dance experience)

http://saharadance.com/about/

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies

Dj Mellie Mel events in January

Mel — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 23:51:26 GMT

Happy New Year

Here is a quick reminder about upcoming events where I will be Djing. Ahead of time....THANK YOU

JAN 6th
U.B.U. Dance Party!!!
Favorite music of the 80's and beyond:
* New Wave * Alternative * Goth * Industrial * Electronic * Punk * whatever fits the mood!!

DJ Mellie Mel and DJ Miss Guided with Special Guests

@ The Red and The Black Bar
9:30 PM - 2:00 AM
EVERY First Saturday of the month | $5 COVER | 21+
1212 H Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202)399-3201
www.redandblackbar.com

Atlas Courtesy Shuttle
Available FREE every Friday & Saturday, 10 PM - 2:30 AM from H Street to Union Station. Please call: (202) 906-0697 for pick up!

___________________________________________________

Jan 28th

D.C. TRIBAL CAFE' a great opportunity to see and meet the top tribal/ fusion & experimantal Belly dancers in the D.C. area!!! Plus enjoy great food and drinks at Adams Moragan's own Asylum!!
DJ Mellie Mel spinning tunes in between sets.

Come out and join us for lots of fun and great performances!!!!
6pm $10 admission.
http://www.romkadance.com

Asylum Bar
2471 18th STREET, NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20009
(202) 319.9353
http://www.asylumdc.com

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies

Professionals Alert!!

soundtrick — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 22:39:08 GMT

A new party is about to start very soon. "Phat Tuesdays" is an afterwork professionals party, gathering and meet & greet. The actual opening date is tentative because there is major beautiful modifications at the the club: Bar Nun 1326 U Street NW, DC There will be more information by staying tuned into: www.allindc.com, www.myspace.com/djhollywood, and my tribe.
thank you in advance and tell your friends.

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies

DCTribal Cafe this Sunday! Belly Dance @ Asylum!

mavi — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 06:40:13 GMT

Join us for the last DCTribal Café of 2006! Spend some time with the DCTribal Café family this weekend….we promise…no turkey!

You never know what 2007 will bring, so let’s all do it again one last time in 2006. We’re extremely honored to host miss Mab, yes MAB as one of our performers this month – and trust me…you don’t want to miss out on one of her rare belly dance performances! Kallistri Tribal will be making the trip from Baltimore to grace the DCTribal Café stage, and Romka’s own Belladonna will be pulling out new tricks! As always, DJ Mellie Mel will be spinning your favorite tunes in between the sets!

Sunday, November 26, 2006
Asylum Bar & Lounge
2471 18th Street, NW
Washington DC 20009
$10
6-9pm (show starts at 7pm!)
PICTURES and More info at: groups.myspace.com/DCTribalCafe
DCTribal Cafe sponsored by www.DCTribal.com
Asylum's awesome vegan and vegetarian menu can be found at www.asylumdc.com!

Easy to access, paid parking is available 1/2 way down the block on 18th Street (on the same side as asylum)! There is another lot near the corner of 18th and Columbia in between the gas station and Adam's Mill Bar.

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies

Spend Thanksgiving Weekend w/ DJ Mellie Mel!

Mel — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 22:25:20 GMT

If you find youself needing to escape from the family, dance off the calories from
all that food or just need something to do, well here you go:

Friday Nov. 24th: ShEe-BoP: 80's Alternative dance Party w/ DJ Mellie Mel @ the Black Cat (backstage) 9:30 pm $5 1811 14th St. NW WDC 20009 | 202.667.7960

Sunday Nov. 26th: DC Tribal Cafe @Asylum Bar & Lounge $10 6-9pm (show starts
at 7pm!) 2471 18th Street, NW
This is the chance to watch amazing art of Fusion Tribal BellyDancing. And DJ Mellie Mel gets to spin music in between sets. Come support the arts, get good food and beverages. Goto http://www.dctribal.com

And always tip your bartenders generously!

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies

Halloween dinner & a show.....

mavi — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 23:47:08 GMT

Want to celebrate Halloween weekend in style?
What better way to impress your date by bringing her to the special Halloween edition of Tribal Cafe? Great music, Fantastic food, and three belly dance performances by the area's hottest dancers!

We’ll have candy for all the good little girls and boys….okay, and maybe the bad ones too….and the performers are pulling out extra surprises for the night’s entertainment! Got some friends who want to live dangerously on Halloween weekend?

We have special performances by Caleena (MD), Asharah (MD) and Romka (VA). DJ Mellie Mel will be spinning your favorite tunes in between the sets! We’ll announce this month’s drink and dinner specials soon!

Sunday, October 29th, 2006
Asylum Bar & Lounge
2471 18th Street, NW
Washington DC 20009
$10
6-9pm (show starts at 7pm!)
PICTURES and More info at: groups.myspace.com/DCTribalCafe
DCTribal Cafe sponsored by www.DCTribal.com
Asylum's awesome vegan and vegetarian menu can be found at www.asylumdc.com!

Easy to access, paid parking is available 1/2 way down the block on 18th Street (on the same side as asylum)! There is another lot near the corner of 18th and Columbia in between the gas station and Adam's Mill Bar.

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies

Shee-Bop -an 80's Alternative Dance Party with DJ Mellie Mel -THIS FRIDAY- in DC

Mel — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 03:17:31 GMT

Start your weekend planning early...

Come out and bop you head or even dance to the great 80's Progressive/New Wave classics....Bauhaus, The Smiths, Gary Numan, Duran Duran, New Order, Flock of Seagulls, Front242, Shriekback, and some of the rarities you don't get to here often....

Its always a little bit of this and whole lot of that...
Shee -Bop with DJ Mellie Mel
An 80's Alternative Dance Party
September 15th 9:30pm $5
@Black Cat -backstage
1811 14th St. NW WDC 20009 | 202.667.7960

Pass on the knowledge often and frequently

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 1 reply

Hello.

Mike — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 02:05:16 GMT

I hardly consider myself a professional. I work as a handyman at an office building downtown. Which doesn't necessarily mean I'm bereft of etiquette, just under appreciated. :D

posted in Professionals in the City, Washington DC - 0 replies