I loved taking dancehall fusion with Hanna Herbertson, and am definitely going back for more. She’s my main inspiration for going back.

I’m also thinking that while I’m all the way over there I should try and make it to DC and get a Turkish fix from Artemis Mourat. It’s been a few years since I last studied with her.

As far as new teachers I’m thinking of checking out:
• Dalia Carella
• Elena Lentini
• Jessaiah Zure (if she’s still in NY, I’m not sure)
• and probably checking out Fazil’s Dance Studio

AND HERE’S WHERE I’D LIKE YOUR HELP…

Does anyone have any other dance recommendations? I’d prefer Turkish Oriental, Turkish Folk, Turkish Roman, Greek, Vintage Bellydance (60-70s style), Modern/Global Fusion Bellydance.

Or if you know of any Turkish clarinet players that are willing to give lessons, that might be something cool to do. Currently my Turkish G-Clarinet is buried in a pile of costumes and dust in the corner. It would be good to break it out.

I’d also love any Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Greek, Turkish, North African club and restaurant recommendations for live music and/or bellydance. Not for me to perform in, but just for me to go out : )  Well, maybe I could perform if it was something casual/fun or with LIVE musicians. I love live music and wouldn’t pass up that opportunity.

Thanks, everyone. You can send your info and recommendations to my email. I look forward to hearing from you!

FALL CLASSES start next week, another thank you to everyone for helping me fill up the class! I’m excited to start teaching again after taking the summer off.

I’M GOING TO BE A BACKUP DANCER for Nalini & The Blue Lotus Dance Co. on Thursday. I’m pretty excited to be able to do this. I’ve always wanted to be a backup dancer and I love how it looks when a bunch of people are doing the same movements. I have less than a week to learn the choreography, which is something I’m not used to doing. It will be a fun lil’ challenge.

TURKISH TIME Ruby is coming to Seattle October 16 to teach a Turkish Bellydance workshop at Visionary Dance. Ruby is an awesome teacher and I loved her last workshop I took in Tacoma. I’m really looking forward to this one.

GOING TO MEXICO… with all the show planning madness I haven’t really had time to think about my upcoming trip to Mexico to study with the amazing Mira Betz. It just hit me this week! Wow! I am beyond excited! She is one of my favorite dancers, performers, costumers. I had a chance to take a couple of classes with her in CA and since then I’ve been craving more lessons with her but just haven’t been able to swing it. Did I mention that I’m super excited!

This is going to be a fun one. We have Dirty Bird Cabaret coming down from Bellingham and 3 Seattle guest artists too! We originally thought the show date would be closer to Halloween, so we have some crazy acts in this one. It does land on the Autumn Equinox so it will be a good way to kick off the Fall season. This will be our last big show of the year, our next one will probably be in Spring, so be sure to come check out what we’ve been working on. We have all new pieces for ya.

Tickets and details are available at Brown Paper Tickets. At this point we are over half way sold out!

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.

Students in this Spring’s Beg/Int Class can also choose to participate in a group performance at the end of the 8-week session. They will perform the choreography they learn in class during Bahar‘s Bellydance Showcase and Fundraiser on April 25 at Rendezvous’ Jewel Box Theater.

Be sure to register in advance to save your space in class. Plus, you’ll save some $$$ if you register before February 11.