Phoenix · Avathar

So I'm signed up for Katia's retreat for the first time this year. I've been bellydancing for 10 years and have never been to it. I've been dying to dive back into traditional bellydance so as to refine technique - as tribal is such a different animal altogether. I've decided to take the challenge of dancing to the band at the show...but I have NO idea what music to choose. Do any more traditional dancers out there have any good suggestions???

OK...I'm petrified of this whole Swine Flu scare. Someone make me feel better. Every time my allergies start to act up and I get a little congested, I get freaked out. Talk some sense into me please! I have MAJOR anxiety!

With Katie Bertsche
American Tribal Style Foundation Details
May 17, 2009
12:30-2:00 PM
Salem's Old Town Hall - just before Hips for Hope fundraiser show. Proceeds to goto the Relay for Life
$30
Please contact Phoenix at phoenixavathar@gmail.com to register or for more details.
http://www.geocities.com/hipsforhope/workshop.html

WORKSHOP DETAILS:
American Tribal Style was originally created by Fat Chance Bellydance of San Francisco, and has inspired numerous dancers throughout the world to create their own improvisational and tribal fusion styles. The "Always imitated, never duplicated!" orignal ATS format has over the years been refined and distilled to it's pure essence by Carolena Nericcio and her company who are the epitome of tribal style bellydance. In this workshop, we will examine the philosophy and focus behind characteristic and classic American Tribal Style movements, study the timing of movement cueing for group improvisation and refine performance angles and group formation. Refinement of movement and timing allows for greater unity and freedom in group improvisation. This workshop will be appropriate for both dancers who have no experience with tribal style dance, and for tribal-style dancers.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Katie B. has been studying tribal-style bellydance for almost 9 years. Although she has always done theater productions, bellydance was the first form of dance she studied and it has stuck! She recently completed the General Skills Certification with Carolena Nericcio of Fat Chance Bellydance and looks forward to completing her teacher training course in 2009. Katie has performed around New England and the Northeast in troupe Azar Maya and as part of the duo Chrysaora, and is a promoter of workshops, haflas and drum circles. Katie currently teaches American Tribal Style bellydance at the Dragon's Egg in Ledyard, CT. and Lily Pad Kidz Family Enrichment Center in Pawcatuck, CT. Visit her web site at http://www.wanderingfalcon.com.

Italian kids vs. American kids

American kids: Move out when they're 18 with the full support of their
parents.
Italian kids: Move out when they're 28, having saved enough money for a
house, and are two weeks away from getting married....unless there's
room
in the basement for the newlyweds.



American kids: When their Mom visits them, she brings a Bundt cake, and
you sip coffee and chat.
Italian kids: When their Mom visits them, she brings 3 days worth of
food, begins to tidy up, dust, do the laundry, and rearrange the
furniture.

American kids: Their dads always call before they come over to visit
them, and it's usually only on special occasions.
Italian kids: Are not at all fazed when their dads show up, unannounced,
on a Saturday morning at 8:00 , and starts pruning the fruit trees. If
there are no fruit trees, he'll plant some.

American kids: Always pay retail, and look in the Yellow Pages when they
need to have something done.
Italian kids: Call their dad or uncle, and ask for another dad's or
uncle's phone number to get it done...cash deal. Know what I mean??

American kids: Will come over for cake and coffee, and get only cake and
coffee. No more.
Italian kids: Will come over for cake and coffee, and get antipasto,
wine, a pasta dish, a choice of two meats, salad , bread, a cannoli,
fruit, espresso, and a few after dinner drinks.

American kids: Will greet you with 'Hello' or 'Hi'.
Italian kids: Will give you a big hug, a kiss on your cheek, and a pat
on
your back.

American kids: Call your parents Mr.. and Mrs.
Italian kids: Call your parents Mom and Dad.

American kids: Have never seen you cry.
Italian kids: Cry with you.

American kids: Borrow your stuff for a few days and then return it.
Italian kids: Keep your stuff so long, they forget it's yours.

American kids: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.
Italian kids: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing, and just being
together.



American kids: Know few things about you.
Italian kids: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

American kids: Eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on soft t mushy
white bread.
Italian kids: Eat Genoa Salami and Provolone sandwiches, Rabe sandwiches
and Meatball and pepper sandwiches on crusty Italian bread.

American kids: Will leave you behind if that's what the crowd is doing.
Italian kids: Will kick the whole crowds' ass who left you behind.

American kids: Are Friends for a while.
Italian kids: Are Friends for life.


American kids: Like Rod Stewart, and Steve Tyrell.
Italian kids: Worship Tony Bennett, and Sinatra

American kids: Will ignore this.
Italian kids: Will forward it.

I got the Old Town Hall for Saturday, May 9th for "Hips for Hope"! For non-profits they charge $35/hour...not bad. So I reserved it. Now to find dancers! And consider getting a workshop teacher...maybe Sabrina :-). Maybe peregrinkt :-)? Hmmmmmmmmmm...

I'm so excited. I can't wait to start working on this. I really need a creative outlet!

Hi all
I figured I would post what you do to join the PURE Relay for Life team:

Goto: http://www.relayforlife.org/peabodyma
Click on the Sign Up button
Then click on "Join a team"
Enter: New England P.U.R.E. into the Team name box
Then click on the link to the New England P.U.R.E. relay website that comes up and follow the "Join our Team" links

I hope that helps! And I hope to have a PURE practice/Relay meeting soon (probably early February!) (in Salem)

See you soon!

My baby is sick.
He's so miserable. He's snotty...congested...and has really crappy post-nasal drip that just made him throw up his tortellini that we had for dinner :-(. My poor little guy.
I think I'm going to end up getting this cold too.
Oooh, he's crying again...ugh!

Just a reminder.
Registration for beginner traditional bellydance and beginner improvisational tribal style classes ends January 4th!!! Sign up now :-).

All classes will be held at 181 Essex St, Salem, MA above Signature's Boutique. $50/month (4 classes). To register, contact Phoenix at phoenixavathar@gmail.com or for more information goto www.phoenixfirebellydance.com

Beginner Bellydance: Thursdays 5:30-6:30PM: Learn the basics of bellydance including posture, movement, and choreography. No experience necessary!!

Beginner Tribal Improv Bellydance: Saturdays: 10:30-11:30AM: Learn the basics of how to improvise in a group setting. This class will focus on tribal style movement vocabulary, cues, and understanding improv technique. All dance levels welcome!

About the instructor: Phoenix Avathar has been bellydancing for about 10 years and teaching for about 8 years. She has trained with numerous instructors throughout New England and beyond in a variety of styles, including American Cabaret, Tribal Improvisation, and Gothic Fusion styles. By learning and adapting technique and vocabulary from such troupes as FatChance Bellydance, Gypsy Caravan, Unmata, and other wonderful tribal troupes, Phoenix has developed a distinct fusion style of tribal improvisation. She has been choreographer for Kadira Noor Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble (directed by Nerine Avital), and director/choreographer of Primal Redemption, Flames of Pele, Moirae, and currently, Moriquendi Fusion Bellydance.

Now that the craziness of October in Salem has calmed down, I am ready to begin teaching bellydance once again in Salem. I'm in the process of looking for space (and interested students) and will be compiling a mailing list for those interested in (for now) Improvisational Tribal Style Bellydance classes. If you are interested, email me with your email address as well as what day/time you are available for classes while I work on creating my class schedule.
My email is phoenixavathar@gmail.com

And if you're not sure what Improvisational Tribal Style is...this is a sample of me and my good friend Baseeema performing an tribal improv at a recent hafla (remember...all improvisation...not choreography)

Yesterday, Heather (Qamar) - dancer and photographer - trekked all the way up to Salem to do a photoshoot of me for her photography class (and as a huge favor to me since I need pics and she's AWESOME at it). We went to Forest River Park first and took some great pics on the rocks and around the water. SHe almost fell in once...VERY scary. Then we decided to go to downtown Salem to try to get some pics on the Friendship (the tall ship in Salem). Unfortunately, we got there 45 minutes after they had already closed :-(. Fortunately, though, on the way back to the car we spotted Capt. Jack Sparrow roaming around...so the last pic of the day was with him (behind the cut) ( Read more... )

Checked the mail today...got a letter from unemployment saying Jay was denied. His fucking company stood in the way - even though they said they wouldn't.
I don't know how we're going to live.
I don't make enough to pay our bills...I don't get enough in my next paycheck to may our rent. I only took this fucking job to SUPPLEMENT our income. Not to mention that I hate it.

I wish I could turn the clock back 4 months and start over. I wouldn't have closed the studio, I wouldn't have left the shithole of Worcester...even though I hated living there. I wouldn't have taken this job and caused Jay to get fired. And at least we'd be paying for our basic necessities.

This is completely my fault. I fucked up and now my entire family is paying for it. I have a feeling they would've been a whole lot better off without me.

I really don't feel like dancing today.