Tribe.net. Local Connections Dancing Critic http://tribes.tribe.net/thedancingcritic/thread/4358fd2a-f04b-493d-b7b0-c87bc259a69f 2007-12-12T18:42:11Z 2007-12-04T00:36:34Z

<div>Most of us have reveled in the selection of a dance name – such a feather in the turban of our dance personas. Many of us have been part of that more difficult choice – a troupe name. Finding that unique moniker that says who and what we are and do is no small undertaking. And then the joy of finding one that all can agree upon is quite the adventure. <br/> <br/>Anything with Jewels is popular: Desert Jewels, Jewels of the Nile, Arabian Jewels, or just plain Jewels. And Gypsy is well-liked and adorns some great troupes like Urban Gypsy and Gypsy Caravan. Many like the desert: Desert Sun, Desert Moon, Desert Dancers, and I think I saw Dancers of the Desert Moon. <br/> <br/>So, let’s talk about favorite troupe names. I’ll lay out some of mine and perhaps you’ll input some of yours. <br/> <br/>First and Foremost: <br/> <br/> Fat Chance Belly Dance. Does anyone besides me envy that they thought of it first? <br/> Fat Chance you could ever forget this troupe, especially once you’ve seen them dance. <br/> Love to know the story behind how they selected this my most favorite troupe name. <br/> <br/>All about the Hips: <br/> <br/> Hiplash – Absolutely love this troupe name (in fact their name is what inspired this post) <br/> and they are fabulous as well. <br/> <br/> Hipnosis – Tribal Troupe out of Philadelphia <br/> <br/> Troupe ‘Hip’notic – Clever name from Maryland <br/> <br/> Hippy Chix Belly Dance Troupe – Another Maryland band. Maryland obviously <br/> loves hips and so do I! <br/> <br/>While I’m on the subject of hips, the award for Best Ever Slogans goes to (drum roll please)…. JIM BOZ for his “Got Hips” and his Halloween version “Goth Hips!” Your marketing genius is only surpassed by your dancing genius! <br/> <br/>Standing out in a crowd: <br/> <br/> Midriff Crisis – an Arizona troupe <br/> <br/> Twisted Tassels – out of New York <br/> <br/> Black Sheep Belly Dance – right here in California <br/> <br/>Tell me your favorites and tell me why if you feel so inclined. Your feedback will be appreciated and enjoyed! <br/> <br/>DC</div> <div> posted in <a href="http://tribes.tribe.net/thedancingcritic">The Dancing Critic</a> - 1 reply </div>

Dancing Critic 2007-12-04T00:36:34Z Dancing Critic http://tribes.tribe.net/thedancingcritic/thread/12e2116b-3a73-4f83-9996-b3d03d74aa16 2007-11-14T19:31:35Z 2007-11-14T17:42:29Z

<div>I know there are some events coming down the pike - any suggestions on where in the Northern California area I should go to see and review some dancing? </div> <div> posted in <a href="http://tribes.tribe.net/thedancingcritic">The Dancing Critic</a> - 2 replies </div>

Dancing Critic 2007-11-14T17:42:29Z Dancing Critic http://tribes.tribe.net/thedancingcritic/thread/11cda0dd-0e22-421a-84ae-c1c74e4a2bdf 2007-11-14T19:25:04Z 2007-11-12T19:59:06Z

<div>SHADOWDANCE 2007 <br/>Oakland, CA <br/> <br/>Much enjoyed Dan Cantrel's - sweet set. <br/> <br/>Not sure if I should comment on Aixela, the opening "act" for fear of losing my tongue. I wasn't the only in the audience puzzled and heard at least a dozen versions of "what the f**k was that?" There was a sea of confused faces and it made me nervous about what was to come. <br/> <br/>Thank goodness Mitara turned it around with her elegant presence. Loved the music! <br/> <br/>FAVS: <br/> <br/>She danced in the air with the greatest of ease!! Okay, she made it look easy, smooth and beautiful but I know it wasn't. What a great surprise!! A trapeze act and an elegant one at that - Spendabulous!! <br/> <br/>Electric Vardo was an eclectic band and thorougly enjoyable. <br/> <br/>Surprise guest was Shahlah and I am happy to report she found the balance between dance and drama. Nice to see your lovely face, too. Great job, Shahlah! <br/> <br/>Sashi wins hands down on entrance! Of course her performance alone was fabulous but being carried on and out in that black coffin by the hood and robed men in black - YAAAAA. I have to give kudos for the two men for remaining so perfectly still throughout her performance - living statues. <br/> <br/>Freyja: Twice you showed us your talents and twice I thank you! <br/> <br/>Ariellah: Outstanding!! It was worth standing for two hours to see your super magnificent performance! <br/> <br/>ABSOLUTE FAVORITE: <br/> <br/>Romka! Here was the perfect blend: Sumptuous costumes, slick choreography, splendidly executed -powerful, strong and pretty! <br/> <br/>CATEGORY BY THEMSELVES: <br/> <br/>Unmata! What will you come up with next?? From the creative minds of Unmata yet another artistic performance. You continue to surprise and entertain us with your unique vision and solid talent! <br/> <br/>BARES MENTIONING: <br/> <br/>Serpentine: Beautiful ladies and beautiful costumes. Mostly drama and very little dance but still visually interesting. <br/> <br/>Nice outfit, Raven - loved the suspenders! <br/> <br/>HIPS UP: <br/> <br/>Eight and a Half out of ten hips ups for the evening! </div> <div> posted in <a href="http://tribes.tribe.net/thedancingcritic">The Dancing Critic</a> - 5 replies </div>

Dancing Critic 2007-11-12T19:59:06Z Dancing Critic http://tribes.tribe.net/thedancingcritic/thread/5f9c3d51-9ed6-4e61-9cce-6b97896c5e7a 2007-11-14T19:16:57Z 2007-11-12T20:17:03Z

<div>The Haunted Oasis <br/>October 20, 2007h <br/>Java Café, Fair Oaks, CA <br/> <br/>Frighteningly Fun! Thank you Mina and the Dalloua Dance Company. The event was well-organized a must for the space! I think everyone should dance at this venue at least once. How often can you choreograph around a couple of huge boulders. The floor is great to look at but definitely not dancer friendly with it’s uneven and rough stone floor. Gratefully, Mina sent out information about this venue before hand. By the way, I saw the flyer made Katie for this event after this event – Nice job! There was a great variety of dancing and most of them entertaining. <br/> <br/>FAVORITES: <br/> <br/>Folk Infusion: Costuming, choreography and execution – Yes, yes and yes. Love watching them dance! <br/> <br/>Najway &amp; Mystic Caravan: Professionally done, well-executed and performed. <br/> <br/>Arabian Jewels: Loving the girls from Lodi, two members of the Arabian Jewels, Kelian &amp; Nara. Concise set - best music choice, nicely executed, great costumes and shiny personalities! Gems! <br/> <br/>So embarassing when you don't know someone's name! So, whoever you were in the gorgeous green outfit dancing to "It's not easy being green" among other similar pieces -THANK YOU!! Technique, talent, personality - you got it going on!! <br/> <br/>Boom, boom, bring down the house, Dalloua Dames! No wonder you love those girls, Mina! And ten hips up for you, Mina! <br/> <br/>JIM BOZ!!! Oh yeah - As always, he brought it!! I almost died when he jumped up on one of the boulders! He has to be one of the most talented and entertaining dancers in the belly dance community! I love Jim Boz!! <br/> <br/>NOT MY BAD: <br/> <br/>Vahana and Jewels of the North: While you are all attractive ladies, your performances was sloppy. It was rather painful to watch. Classic faux paus: Stay in character, remain the dancer until you exit the stage. <br/> <br/>FINAL COMMENT: <br/> <br/>This reporter enjoyed the evening enormously and the coffee was good, too! <br/> <br/>Nine out of ten hips up!</div> <div> posted in <a href="http://tribes.tribe.net/thedancingcritic">The Dancing Critic</a> - 2 replies </div>

Dancing Critic 2007-11-12T20:17:03Z Dancing Critic http://tribes.tribe.net/thedancingcritic/thread/4c257412-9f5a-459d-bdc0-292f76bc2f70 2007-11-12T20:11:30Z 2007-11-12T20:11:30Z

<div> <br/>Jim Boz Workshop <br/>October 20 &amp; 21, 2007 <br/>Ovation Dance Studio, Fair Oaks, CA <br/> <br/>Fabulicious!! He actually came to Sacramento!! Big kudos to Mina for bringing Jim Boz to our neighborhood. The workshops were gloriously fun and even if you couldn’t keep up, well, there was all that Jim Boz eye candy! All saucy remarks aside, he is an amazing teacher – fun, sharp, patient and shockingly humble. I love his choreography! <br/> <br/></div> <div> posted in <a href="http://tribes.tribe.net/thedancingcritic">The Dancing Critic</a> - 0 replies </div>

Dancing Critic 2007-11-12T20:11:30Z Dancing Critic http://tribes.tribe.net/thedancingcritic/thread/2922f163-7db0-4497-b126-895930f1abcb 2007-11-12T20:09:16Z 2007-11-12T20:09:16Z

<div>Blood Moon 2007 <br/> <br/>Being an old school theater person, I still have a difficult time with performers visible prior and directly after a show. Somehow, it seems to destroy the illusion you want to create during a performance. However, I must admit it made me smile to watch Amy in the crowd before the show. She is amazingly humble, loving and kind, with her frequent smile and warm hugs. <br/> <br/>On with the show: <br/> <br/>FAVORITES: <br/> <br/>The Elephants. If I had to chose one group performance out of the evening, this would be it! The costumes were absolute genius! The music was perfect! Fabulous choreography and ass-kicking dance! I know elephants never forget and I certainly won’t forget this outstanding performance! <br/> <br/>The Zoo Staff – great choreography with a perfect balance of drama and dance! Yes, this was a novice group but they were committed! <br/> <br/>The Tour Guide – added a fun dimension to the show and helped stitch all the parts together. Jolly Good Job, Sooz. <br/> <br/>Ostriches - Ooh La La indeed! Talk about shaking the tail feathers. Saucy choreography and saucy costumes. Shabnam and the girls were outstanding! <br/> <br/>****** <br/> <br/>Best Costumes: <br/>Elephants - Bears repeating: GENIUS! <br/>Jelly Fish - Elegant <br/>Giraffe - Clever <br/> <br/>***** <br/> <br/>Most Powerful Performance: <br/>Suhaila - Words are not worthy <br/> <br/>***** <br/> <br/>Belly Dance the Next Generation: <br/>These two made hyenas seem adorable. Looking forward to watching them in the future! <br/> <br/>****** <br/> <br/>LOST IN TRANSLATION: <br/> <br/>Luna’s amazing talents were lost in the distraction of the cumbersome seahorse “leg.” It looked great in repose but in motion was rather like an over-sized walking cast making movements restricted and downright “clunky.” The concept was good but the engineering was dead in the water. <br/> <br/>The wolf was portrayed as fierce and aggressive and in that regard, well done. Visually beautiful and two thumbs on your technique, Ariellah. However, it was more werewolf than wolf. Wolves are not mean! Yes, I confess to belonging to a wolf rescue group, so I am rather jaded when it comes to this amazing creature! <br/> <br/>Must boycott the signs! Too much slamming of the signs and too much posturing! The point would have been made quite easily with much less of that allowing more time for dance. Want more Lapsus dance! <br/> <br/>***** <br/> <br/>THE AFTER PARTY: <br/> <br/>Given the choice (and what a horrible choice it would have been to make – After Party – Show, After Party – Show), I would have chosen the after party! Of course, I would have had to bring the Elephants! Fortunately, I didn’t have to make that choice. <br/> <br/>The After Party was like icing on the cake, whipped cream on hot chocolate, suede on shoes…. <br/> <br/>Fanspecialabulous! <br/> <br/>Yummy food, good friends and dance, dance and more dance! Many hats off to the effort by one and all putting it together! <br/> <br/>The only bad – start time. Must work on getting doors open and shows started in a more timely manner! Call me impatient about punctuality. <br/> <br/>FAVORITES: <br/> <br/>Old Lady Tribal: Could watch this a hundred times and it would never get old! <br/> <br/>Lady in Red: Sorry to say I lost my “program.” So, whoever you were with your amazingly long blonde hair in the stunning red costume – you were great. Your friend accompanying you on the drum kicked some accoustic butt, too! Well done. <br/> <br/>Fuzzy Monkies: Lucky Seattle to have this wacky and talented bunch! Entertaining and a half! <br/> <br/>Mina and Friend: Who was that tall dapper man with you Mina? As always, Mina is well-prepared, adorable, technically strong, and entertaining. Loved the costuming! <br/> <br/>Classically Tribal: Tribal Moon looked, moved and entertained with their classically tribal set. Beautifully done. <br/> <br/>Black Sheep Belly Dance: Tribal Titans! Ever so nicely done. <br/> <br/>Unmata &amp; Verbatim: How did you so thoroughly put on such a kick-ass performance after everything else?? Once again, you brought it and left nothing behind! Ten hips up!! <br/> <br/>ALSO WORTHY OF NOTE: <br/> <br/>Raven's impromptu cane dance - Yay girl!! <br/> <br/>HO-HUM <br/> <br/>So sorry Shahlah but bored after 30 seconds. Seemed to be more about costume and dramatic poses than dance. Your talent for costuming is apparent but would like to see more dance and far less of the posturing. Curious as to why you were hiding your handsome face behind the hair. So us what you got, sister! <br/> <br/>***** <br/> <br/>LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR <br/></div> <div> posted in <a href="http://tribes.tribe.net/thedancingcritic">The Dancing Critic</a> - 0 replies </div>

Dancing Critic 2007-11-12T20:09:16Z