So, I was trying to go to Marrakesh for a festival/dance/music tour in July, but I just couldn’t pull the funds together. I was super bummed, but now I’ve made a bunch of new plans that I’m excited about. I’ve decided to take a break from teaching bellydance classes so I could take some classes and focus on myself and my dance troupe, Bahar.

FIRST UP: NYC
I’ll admit it, I’ve NEVER been to New York. Cleveland is the farthest East I’ve been (in the U.S). My man, a DJ at KEXP (and their sister station in New York), has been planning a trip to the Latin Alternative Music Conference at the beginning of July. And since my trip to Marrakesh fell threw, I’m going to go with him. We just booked our place at the Pod Hotel yesterday!

My friend, Trisha, suggested that I take some dance classes while I was there. She sent me Lotus Music and Dance Studio‘s site to check out. I was impressed with all the different classes they offer, but then my jaw dropped when I saw that they have a Dancehall Fusion Class. What?! I LOVE DANCEHALL, there’s a dance class for this?! I love NYC already. So my new mission is to hook up some private lessons or take a class with Hannah Herbertson. Check out one of her videos:

NEXT UP: STRICTLY SEATTLE
Once I get back from a music and sweat indulgence in NYC. I’m going to be diving into Velocity Dance Center’s Strictly Seattle dance intensive. 3 weeks of dance technique and choreography from 6-9pm, Mon-Fri. With a show the last weekend of July. I’ve always wanted to do this, but I’ve never had 3 weeks of week nights open. I’m kinda nervous, and super excited. I think I’m going to learn a lot and hopefully get back into shape and strengthen my knee up some more.