News
Northeast Belly Dance Competition -August 29-30, 2009
On March 6, 2009, I was a car accident on my way to my doctor’s office. I suffered multiple injuries that required multiple surgeries, months of physical therapy, 3 months of on disability and no physical activities outside of therapy (that includes belly dancing). I was told that I wouldn’t be able to dance till late fall because there wasn’t any way I would be dancing by September. It was a miserable 3 months, but I worked hard and was given the clearance to drive in June, and do some light exercises in July. The first thing I did was sign up for lessons again with my instructor Fatima (who is also the webmaster for this site), and checked the events section of the site. I saw the listing for the Northeast Belly Dance Competition and discussed the possibility of entering the contest with Fatima. She said I should enter and that it would be fun-which is what I was thinking but I needed some assurance. So with discussing things with my boyfriend, my surgeon, and my neurologist, I registered to compete. It has been 10 years since I’ve competed in a dance competition and I was so nervous. I went back and forth about my routine and my costume. But I had committed to entering and I changed it a few times. Nonetheless, I was amped. I had very modest expectations for the weekend: (1) I wanted to prove to myself that I was healthy enough to dance again, (2) I wanted to see how my style and skill level compared to other dancers, and (3) I wanted to make friends with artists from the NJ/PA/DE area, a task I hoped would be accomplished thru volunteering to help out. I’ve been living in southern NJ for a few years; still I do not know many people outside of my day job as a biochemist or school. For me, belly dancing is also a social link in addition to being my primary source of exercise and a profitable venture as well. From the very beginning, my second expectation was fulfilled after I introduced myself to Khaleela-the event organizer and Kalaa, who is one of my belly dance idols, who was also volunteering. [Side note: I was proud of myself for not running up to her like a crazed teenager screaming ‘Oh my God-its really you.] I met up with my good friend and dance partner Zahirah (who was volunteering as a judges liaison for the Headliner and Rising Star contests).
I was the stage manager for the troupe competition. My responsibilities included having the correct pronunciation of names, having the next group ready to go on, and to handle last minute line up changes. As the stage manager, I had access to each group before and after they performed. Despite being busy, I was able to jot down notes, exchange business cards, and just enjoy the show. As a dancer, instructor, and spectator, I was really impressed with the caliber of all the groups that performed and that I wish there could have been prizes and trophies for everyone. Choreographing a solo can be stressful enough-but things instantly become more complicated when a group is involved. You have to consider, dance formations, props, cues and so on.
Spotlight
I would to shine MiaNaja’s troupe-MODE displayed some excellent formations during their routine. Somehow they adapted to the small stage and made use of 3 different props. Jilliana was a duo fusion duo that danced great together. I noted that the music, costumes, and movements were very well coordinated. I placed them in my top 2, along with the first place winner-Troupe Hayati. I thought their routine was vibrant, energetic, and well choreographed. Congratulation goes out to all of the groups that perform.
Gala Show
Day 1 concluded with the Gala show, which featured several of the most amazing professionals. I worked the door during for most of the first half of the show selling tickets. I tried to find seats for my boyfriend, Zahirah, and myself, but there were none. Instead, we stood in the corner next to a rack of beautiful costumes and watched the show. The first half performers included 2008 Jewel of the Nile winner-Amartia (who I am a big fan of), troupes Abzahrah and Embers and Emeralds. The multi champion dancer extraordinaire Azhia brought down the house and made my boyfriend’s heart flutter.
I personally was looking forward to seeing Kalaa and Tanna Valentine (who’s DVDs I own, but refuse to lend out for fear that I will never get them back) perform. I spent time with both ladies earlier in the day and I felt honored. They were very laid back and nice. My instructor Fatima looked very regal during her performance, which is one of the reasons I like her so much as an instructor and dancer. I hope to be able to look that natural someday. My favorite performance of the evening was that of Hipnosis. Despite having only 2 of the 6 members present and an issue with their CD, the ladies closed the show in style. As an improve dancer, I was beyond impressed with the fact that they did such a killer job improvising to a piece that they had not heard previously. Their dynamics were right on and it was obvious that they have been dancing together for quite some time.
Time for a Spotlight
There were so many performances that I enjoyed during the gala, but I can only pick a few so: I would like to shine a light onto the ladies of Hipnosis for doing an incredible job in spite of their musical challenge. I gave my boyfriend permission to spotlight Lotus Niraja for her lively routine (I know he thinks she’s hot). I am spotlighting her performance as well. I would also like to spotlight Kalaa for her inspiring performance. It was very beautiful.
Day 2
Day 2 began with the Fantasy Fusion category, which was the group I was competing in. I was so nervous the night before I had to take Ambien just to go to sleep. I woke up at 7 and began to prepare for the show. I practiced my routine mentally, and then physically and then I started getting ready. For my entry, I decided to go with the theme of Las Vegas showgirl. My costume was a fusion of Tribal (bra and belt were made of cowrie shell necklaces and yarn) and Cabaret (the Bra was covered with over 50 Ostrich plumes and 75 rhinestones, while the belt contained 30 plumes). There were two surprise accessories for my performance and I kept them hidden until it was time perform. I picked my favorite dance song to be the sexy cabaret piece and I picked one of my favorite Middle Eastern songs to round out my piece. I checked my music CD and then went downstairs to meet up with Zahirah and my good friend Orathay. I checked in with Khaleela, gave my music to Kalaa, and then I lined up to go on stage.
I was extremely nervous waiting back stage because I was first and I would have wanted to be 2nd or 3rd. I took my Las Vegas headpiece out of the bag and I wrapped my matching feather boa around my arms. When I heard Khaleela announced my name, I took a long deep breath, exhaled, and then I waited for my song to start. It didn’t start. Then the 2nd song came on and that’s when I stopped smiling for a bit. That wasn’t supposed to happen. I motioned to Kalaa to go to the previous song and she did. I smiled and walked on-stage. I felt like I was floating and I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that I was here. I was dancing again. There was a collective gasp from the audience when I emerged. There were lots of ohs and ahs. It went thru a lot to make sure my costume was original in every way. The lights were bright, but I could make out my boyfriend’s face as well as the faces of my friends and Fatima. She was glowing and to my left, I could see Kalaa who was smiling and clapping and that took away all of my jitters. That meant so much to me. I danced and grinned like I was performing in front of my family (who couldn’t make it). My blood was pumping and I was excited for the next song to start. It didn’t start. My boyfriend said that it was a second or two, but it felt like it was 20-30 seconds. I kept smiling and waited for it to start and then I danced my heart out. When I was finished, I received a hug from Kenya (the winner of the contest) and from Khiyatta (side note: My hair got attached to her headpiece and so the hug lasted a lot longer than it should have, but it was funny). I dashed to my room to changed and while there, I stopped smiling and started crying. At first, it was more emotional because it had been a very couple of months dating back to March. It quick became sad because I was un-happy with my performance. As I sat there, I thought about all the changes I made to comply with the scoring system, how my music didn’t work which would cost me points and that I forgot my other prop. I didn’t get to perform as me and I convinced myself that I had no shot of winning. As a former competitive dancer, I always want to win. My boyfriend repeatedly expressed the fact that he was so proud of me and I received a lot of nice compliments from those who saw my performance. I perked up some and went back to work.
I went downstairs and watched the other contestants. I was impressed. I liked Khiyatta’s performance the best and thought she would take home first place. Again, what I thought and what the judges thought we two different points of view. From my perspective, I don’t think that there were very clear guidelines of fusion. I had fun, but I don’t know if I would enter this category again.
The Grand Champion category featured 13 incredible dancers from 7 different states. Between taking notes, collecting business cards, and checking out of my hotel room, somehow I was able to see all 13 competitors. I couldn’t decide whom I wanted to win. I loved the creativity of Deidre’s (from North Carolina), routine with the wine goblets and the gracefulness of Ayperi, (from Maine) who performed last, but was listed as one of the top 3 in my notes. New York was well represented by dancers Trinity (side note: loved her costume) and Elena, who was working the zills. I liked the People’s Choice winner Helena Zahra and runner-up Kenya. I saw Kenya compete in Jewel of the Nile last year. I liked her so much I took her business card and gave it to my Aunt, who wanted a belly dancer for a surprise party. I thought she was good then, but I could see that she stepped up the difficulty of her routine this time around.
Spotlight
Before the bulb burns out, I would like to spotlight of some other performers. In the Grand Champion group, I would like to spotlight Sherry (who’s routine was so lively and fun), from Pennsylvania, Ayperi, Mariah from Ohio, and to Helena Zahra from Pennsylvania. I want to spotlight all of the volunteers who helped with this event because it was a lot of work. And to Khaleela,for putting together a great event-a big spotlight shines on you. I enjoyed participating and volunteering. I would be happy to help out next year.
top