Videos of My Belly Dance Troupe: Tribal Fire

Tribal Fire dancing our little hearts out at Qaina this year. The song is Filii Neidhardi by Corvis Corax. Choreography is by Shanrae, our troupe leader, teacher, and all-around cool person.

And at theMedina Goth show last year.

And a totally bitchin video collage of our perfornances of Maduro's Dark Stars music.

I Just Like This Picture Is All

Shanrae and Ahmi

Buds Forever

Spirit in Motion, Ass on Couch

Anyway...I started sorting through my packed items, unloading baskets and bins, organizing some of my doodads and whatnots. I haven't even got everything moved out of the house yet, but what I do have moved is stacked all over hell's half acre. I tried to reduce before I packed, but I finally gave up and just threw it all in the car.

This has been an emotional, mixed up, overwhelming, sad, giddy, silly, busy Fall and Winter. Hopefully things have settled down a bit and I can shake this non-mono, non-strep, whateverthehellitis that's making mytonsils into giant strawberries. Thanks to some fine, fine modern chemical intervention, the tonsils are shrinking a little. I can swallow now. (Don't get all excited, fellahs. That's not what I meant, you pervs.)

I am getting a look at the pictures from the Spirit in Motion bellydance benefit over on tribe.net. (Thanks, Cheryl and Nicole!) My friends all look so happy and beautiful. Tribal Fire's Pirate number looks like it was a hoot! Thanks to Shanrae's hard work, and the work of many other people, but mostly Shanrae's drive and determination, the benefit raised over $2,100.00 this year for Akron Children's Hospital. I can't say I had much to do with that amazing feat this year, I was a lot out of it over here on Planet Pam. What I can say is that I am so proud of the company I keep and the friends I have made in the wonderful world of bellydance. They never give up, they always come through, and they a fun as heck!

Someone Bring Me Chlorosceptic, Please.

It's my tonsils: they are brightly colored and busting out all over. Its not strep, but it feels like it. The antibiotics are not doing anything yet. It's hurtie. Which, if you know me, you know makes me a whiney baby.

I'll tell you what. You can leave the Chlorosceptic on my stoop and run away before I answer the doorbell. That way you won't have to listen to me moan in agony or see my fabulous couch-pillow hairdo.

I am sad because I am missing our annual Tribal Fire belly dance show to benefit Akron Children's Hospital. They will be starting in a few minutes. Break a leg, ladies! I love you! I Miss you! I know you will do a beautiful job. What a bunch of special women I get to hang out with. :)

Miscellaneous Mischief

Sorry I Neglected You For So Long!

Tribal Fire ladies caught in the act of being silly!

(Ellway, Ahmi (me), and Habibi)

Here we are dancing are hearts out.
(L to R: Ahmi (me), Shakaya, Shanrae, Habibi)

Tribal Fire looking HOT!
(L to R: Ellway, Habibi, Brodan, Shanrae, Ahmi)

Ahmi (that's me) doing my first solo at the Spirit in Motion Show in Wooster Jan 26th, 2008. We raised a total of $1,435.00 for the Have-a-Heart, Do-Your-Part WKDD radiothon to raise money for Akron Chrildrens' Hospital. (Matt Patrick and Angela, we love you to pieces!)

Life is just so full and busy. I have found this new internet place called Tribe.net. Well, it's new to me anyway. I love brousing tribe and reading all about the different things there are to learn about belly dancing and tribal fusion. I have recently become obsessed with SCA - the Society for Creative Anachronism - because they let belly dancers swarm at their gatherings. SCA events are way more abundant than just plain old haflas or belly-dance gatherings. It looks a lot like a big ole party waiting to happen on tribe.net. There are just so many groups to choose from, connections to be made, events happening, dancers to keep in touch with. I've been sort of glued to the tribe.net during my sparsely allotted computer time every other day or so instead of creating posts and documenting my goings on here on my blog. I guess you could say I have a crush on tribe.net. *gasp! and clutch the pearls!*

Tribal Fire presented Spirit in Motion Show!!!!!

Our big belly-dance show held at Wooster High School was this past Saturday evening. It went great! I didn't get very many pictures because I had to run around a lot and boss people around. :) Here are my photos of the evening.

Here's my baby Anna and her friend Hillary. Anna is on the left. Both girls belong to Bahiya Almaz Troupe.

Britney of Bahiya Almaz and her mom.

Kelli Belly - troup eleader of Bahiya Almaz and professional belly dancer. She is Anna's belly-dance teacher.

Here is Shanrae, my teacher and troupe leader of Tribal Fire.

Shanrae again.


Gypsy Soul. I have a severe non-lesbian lady crush on these women. They totally rock!

We raised over a thousand dollars for Akron Children's Hospital. It was a group effort, and a LOT of work to pull off a big show like this, but it was all worth it. Things I would do differently next year: start sooner, practice harder, invite more dancers but have them do fewer acts each, feed the audience as well as the dancers and backstage crew, charge more per ticket, charge the same same at the door as ahead of time, charge twice as much for reserved seating, rent a venue closer to home (that's a selfish change), advertise more, call more newspapers, have a website set up well in advance, designate someone in the troupe as the final word on all decisions. (Group decision making can take for friggin' EVER!)

Things I would not change: Brodan's fundraising and marketing skills - That girl could squeeze blood from a turnip. Habibi Elise's mom's cooking - the food was fantastic, and there was so much of it! thank-you! Ellway's BF's talent at running the sound for the show: Adam, you are incredible. My hubby's lighting talent - all the cues went off without a hitch. Shannon's organizational skills and artistic talent in choreography, teaching, and drawing: she's a fabulous troupe leader, a great teacher, and a very talented artist. The programs were just lovely.

A little aside about my husband: Dan was roped into running lights for the belly-dance show. He was gracious enough to give in quietly when I asked him to please, please, please run lights. Once he got through the technical rehearsal on the afternoon of the show, he settled in at the light board for the actual curtain time. The show ran like clockwork: no light cues were mssed, it was just great.

After the show I asked him how he thought I did ( I had done my first solo dance that evening). He said, "I don't know I wasn't watching." What? Not watching?? He said he had started to watch the show, but when Shanrae made her speech about the history and traditions of belly dance, all he heard was the part about belly dance being created "by women, for women," so he felt like he wasn't supposed to watch. He read a book during the show and didn't even look at it unless he had lighting cues somewhere.

Silly man. He has his own unique take on life. That's why I love him so.

Shanrae goes all R to the B!

I put my belly-dance instructor's face all over the souvenier Rachel Brice playing card that I got when the Belly Dance Super Stars were in Cleveland. Below is the real RB card. I think both are gorgeous.

Presenting Tribal Fire!

They shortened it by about 2/3, but here it is: Tribal Fire's performance at the Timken's Got Talent - United Way talent show. Here we are representing or target support area: Early Childhood Care and Education. Timken employees vote with dollars to maybe put us in the top three acts from our facility. If we place in the top three, we will be dancing on October 21 at the Canton Palace Theatre in the "Timken's Got Talent" finale. Shannon (center) and Brooke (left) and I will dance our BUTTS off if we win, and even if we don't win, because bellydance RULES!
I am hoping we get big bucks from our fellow associates to help kids five years old and younger get the help and care their families need. We have a chance to make an impact on the lives of tiny little precious people, and make everyday life for families in need of child care a little easier.
Enjoy!

Belly Cuteness

Anna is growing up to be such a beautiful young lady. She is a talented belly dancer too. Here she is modeling her new costume. She picked the colors and some of the fabric. I made the costume and did all the beading. The pattern is a mish-mash of ideas and copies of other costumes she owns. Below is a close up of the halter. Look how tiny her waist is!

Recent Totally Bitchin' Finds

See that really cool border fabric? The Blue crissy-crossy stuff? I got that at the flea market. I LOVE it.

Wal-Mart Has many lovelies for a buck a yard. The whole top row here was a buck a yard!! A BUCK! The pink, the tan/blue/circles, and the orange/red zinnia were a little more from Joann's.


This is one of my favorite finds from Joann's. Manly, yes. But I like it too.

View B gored skirt for bellydance class - way tribal.

Absolutely HUGE pants also for bellydance class. I think these are so cute, but I will proabably look like a hot-air balloon.

Most excellent cheapie-cheap brown brocade for a short vest, and fetchingly flowie chiffon-like stuff for a short peasant blouse.

A closer look.

See that long-sleeved sexy number with the flowing sleeves? Momma's gonna let it all hang out!

Domestic Exotic Dancer

I love, love, love the idea for this bellydance costume. She truly is a goddess.

(Found on Flickr under search for "bellydance".)

Tribal Fire Lights Up Country Fair!

We, "Tribal Fire", belly-danced our first recital at the Orange Jubilee Fair in Pepper Pike, Ohio Saturday. I thought I would love being on stage in front of all the kids. I HATED it. I could not wait for it to be over. I am a 43-year-old woman who does not need that kind of attention. I just like to dance and sweat, have these wonderful girlfriends, laugh and cry with them, and be a part of something special. I do not like to put myself out there in front of a crowd of strangers shaking my goodies. Despite my reservations, it went off well. There were a few ooops's, but nothing major, and the kids seemed to enjoy the novelty of bellydance. Here is a shot of the five of us posing in our tribal finery. Back L to R: Shannon K., Brook W., Pam P. (Me). Center: Shannon R. Front: Ellway H.

This is our fabulous teacher Shannon R.

She is very talented, a complete joy to watch. She's also very open, welcoming, patient, and fun! She took a clutz like me and made me feel graceful. Thank you, Shannon.

Gimme Some Shimmy

Our youngest daughter has been doing bellydance since she was 12. She really loves it, and has gotten quite good. It is fun to watch her and hear the music she dances to. It makes me want to leap up and wiggle my bits all over the place. Finally, after a year and a half of thinking I was too fat and too old, I convinced my friend Kimmie to sign up for a bellydancing class with me. Once we started, we found out that bellydance is for ANY size, shape, or age of woman. We've been taking belly dancing class for the past 8 weeks from our darling teacher, Shannon, who is an art therapist during the day. Man, is it fun. My body hurts every Friday morning. We must have jiggled something loose this past Thursday evening because I am still sore today. It's a good sore, though.
I started taking Yoga class too in order to get in touch with my own body. For so long I've ignored everything below my neck. I've lived inside my head and my hands since going through major depression several years ago. All I did was listen to books on CD and sew or journal. I would walk sometimes, but not very often.
Little by little, I am noticing that I can move more easily. I can actually tie my shoes and breathe at the same time again. It may not sound like much, but for me it's huge.
Another great thing about taking the classes is spending time outside of work with my friend Kimmie. I also find that I enjoy being around other women. I didn't used to like it. I always felt more in competition with other women than like bonding with them. Maybe I am finally developing a comfort with my self, some self confidence. Enough so that I can find joy in others instead of worrying about whether or not they are "better" than me.