Musings of the 2006 Double Crown Belly Dance Competition Participant
by Nizana
image2 Ok, so I started off wondering, can I get that Fri off, do I have enough time and money with everything else going on, can I really pack all that dance stuff on a plane and haul it around, can I get anyone to come with me? Well, unfortunately, no to the last one, but I decided to give it a go even with all the other stall tactics I was giving myself. I had been wanting to make this event for some time, but September has always been a busy time for me, as it is again this year, and it just hadn't worked out yet. I booked my hotel room, and decided to make a weekend out of it where I could relax, have fun, and also work hard at something I love over the course of three days.
All right, more stall tactics, this time on whether to compete. I was thinking, ok be an attendee, take a couple of workshops, and enjoy the shows, but that "Gypsy Stylist" category was sure looking inviting. I have competed once before, at the first Emerald Rain Competition, and with duet partner, Djimmah Karena, took second place in the duet/troupe category. Prior to that, I had no experience with competitions, and have in fact, shied away from them for one reason or another. Those I had danced or studied with, for the most part, were not into competitions, and there were none in our geographical area (within at least a five or more hour drive,) so I just never got around to going to any. I gave it a lot of thought as to whether I should go for it or not, why should I go for it, what to wear, what to dance to, how to prepare, and all those things. I decided there were many benefits I could derive from this experience, and one week before the deadline, I took the plunge and mailed in my packet. That seemed to be a little work in itself as just having moved again for the fourth time in a year due to job changes, finding mailing envelopes and a promo picture was challenging. Then, there was finding a good airfare, (thanks for the tip, Zaina, I did find a decent rate!) seeing if the hotel had airport shuttle service (ooh, it did!) having to go luggage shopping as my best suitcase is not cooperating as the handle is stuck in the "pulled all the way out" position…and more decisions about costuming, preparing and packing.
Imagine the thrill I felt when Zaina asked me to be a competition judge! I was so honored! I so appreciate the recognition for my contributions to the belly dance community. I know I'm not the best dancer in the world, but I have immersed myself in the ME dance world, know I am excellent instructor, and have been very involved in multiple capacities. To be selected as a judge in a prestigious competition such as this really made me proud and happy! So now, I would be working even harder at this art form that I love for the next month, as I had back to back upcoming performances and workshops before and after this event. Wow, what had I got myself in to? Like many dancers, I work full time at something completely unrelated, and there is a lot of prep that goes in to each of these things. Husband and dogs were pretty patient, overall… even with hubby having pneumonia and our Malltese going through major surgery….
I practiced, and played dress up to determine what was working and what was not. I wanted to be sure the accessories were good to go with the costume. I had to go out and replace my blue eye shadow for the one I dropped and broke, and I got a new gold necklace, as the one I had is getting kinda worn...this is a competition after all!
Packing proved to be a bear, especially with the new travel restrictions, and with how much I could actually manage to pack around. I managed to get everything in two carry on size bags that I checked, and a little one I carried on. Not bad! I With what little time I had with everything else in the game of life, along with health limitations, I practiced some more, and then some more, but still not near enough. I decided in the essence of time, I would go with a routine that was against my better judgment, as it wasn't particularly strong, but it was a routine I was familiar with, was still fun, and met the requirements. I typically improvise my solos, but ended up deciding I better go with something a little more structured.
Here it was, the big weekend. I flew over and settled in so I could freshen up before the Friday Night Gala Show of Stars, and get my things unpacked and organized, and ironed and…...man, the ironing! As pretty as it is, remind me not to get another multi-yard skirt with ruffles of that material again!
This was going to be a big weekend, packed with all sorts of wonderful dance happenings. The Friday night event followed Pepper Von's Hip Hop Workshop and Motivational Lecture sponsored by the Jeweled Scarab Dance Co. Sounded like a very cool workshop, but unfortunately, I wasn't able to make that one. The show was an array of fabulous performers. Wow! It was actually a dinner show, and performers included our wonderful hostess, Zaina, Jim Boz, Jeweled Scarab Dance Company, Delilah, Oberon, Rachel, Nadira (the 2005 Double Crown winner), Miss Washington Teen Co-ed Kovi Ashley, Jaleh, Ayesha, and Nemra Kahn. Pangia and Eric Brown provided live music, which was absolutely marvelous. Most of the dancers took advantage of the opportunity, and performed live to some of Pangia's fantastic lineup of songs. Zaina and the Z-Ladies (myself included) performed as Wings of the Phoenix, a beautiful arms and hands number (while seated on ottomans on stage) to a Josh Groban song, while it was being signed to the audience, and then Jim and Jaleh cameoed a dance spot at the end of it. Very powerful. The night ended with open dance.image4
A workshop with Jim Boz was first on the agenda for me on Saturday morning. This is the second time I've taken a workshop from Jim Boz, and I enjoy his instruction style. The topic was "Arabic Dance to Techno and Pop Music" and was a lot of fun, and we learned some cool combinations. (He also taught a workshop Sun morning on Style and Presentation, which I'm sure was just as fabulous!)
Judging was next on my agenda. There were many different categories, and multiple participants and judges were made up of ME dancers and instructors from all over the country and Canada. In all categories except the Performing Belly Dance Artist Award where there was eleven, there were eight judges assigned. I reviewed my score sheets, honed my observation skills, and prepared to take my role very seriously. It was a tough job with so many wonderful performances to watch. A dancer thanked me the next day for smiling at her when she danced. By offering friendly eye contact and a few smiles as a Judge, I tried to be supportive and calming for all of the competitors, those brave and lovely souls who are striving to improve their dance. The categories I assisted in judging were Isis (Beginning Dancers) Phoenix (Intermediate) Gemini (Duets) and Scarab (Alternative) that took place on Sat. The Masters (45 and over professional) closed out the competitions for the night. Well, except there was the Big Hair Pose Down, which Nabeela won, and my face hurt from laughing so hard. Last year's winner, Fatima, showed them how to do it. Pat and Eric and Delilah were among the "hair-posers" and everyone did a great job at this feat! But Nabeela was absolutely hysterical! I thought I (and others) would fall out of our chairs rolling in gales of laughter! What a great night!
Sunday was the day I was to compete, check out of my hotel, and fly back to Spokane that night. Since I had to work Mon morning and evening flights were limited, even though I wanted to, I couldn't stay until the very end of the Sun evening. So I took the morning to try and sleep in, do some last minute preparations, apply makeup, and get ready to get to the event area on time. I enjoyed hanging out with the Gypsy Stylist competitors in the dressing room and vendors area. (Wow, speaking of which, great lineup of vendors, and I got my ankle henna tattoed by Joumana; very nice work!) First competition category on Sunday was the Nile, or troupe category, and there was some fabulous troupe work on the stage! Then the Gypsy Stylists (Gypsy or Tribal, zils required) were next, all great dancers, followed by the Camel's Hump (Comedy) which I had to miss in order to make a mad rush to check out on time.
There were many great guest dancers throughout the event, leading up to the final group of competitors in the evening show for the BD Performing Artist. There was some seriously outstanding dancing going on here, twenty-two competitors in this category! And I had to miss a lot of it! (I've been with my current job I'm at now for going on eight months and don't have the vacation built up I had before, bummer!)
Overall, it was a great weekend, and I know now what I've been missing all these years! It was a wonderful set up that had everything a dancer could need. I got to see some old friends, and make some new ones. Congratulations to all of the winners and competitors! A big thanks to Zaina and her family and friends for all the hard work and fun that they provided at the Double Crown!
For Info:
www.zainahart.com
Go to the Competition Pages
