Ever since July I’ve been fantasizing about going back to New York. I feel like our time together was just too short and there are still so many things that I didn’t get a chance to do or see. I’m hoping to be able to make a 1-3 month stay and turn it into a Northeast Coast Dance Tour : ) I think things are starting to fall into place and my hopes are high that this is gonna work out. Hopefully this blog post doesn’t jinx it!

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!

OUR SHOW WAS A SUCCESS! First of all, thanks to everyone who came out to Une Soirée de Danse on Wednesday. I think it was one of the best times I’ve had performing! A great group of performers. And the audience was so full of energy. Also, thanks to everyone who helped make it this show possible. You can find some video clips on Bahar’s Facebook page.

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!

Just a heads up that my next class session at the Ballard Health Center is full. No drop-ins will be accepted for this 5-week series. I am still available for private and semi-private lessons, contact jalene@jalenedance.com if you are interested in setting something up.

And a big thank you to those of you who registered for class! This will be fun. I am feeling extra energized after having summer off from teaching.