Wiggle Hips
Publish This! Segment 6
http://www.twooldbags.net/
* Two_Old_Bags@hotmail.com
Publishers:
Two Old Bags, Jenee and T’Murr
No Longer in Publication
Cover from the first year in publication
When did
you begin publishing your magazine/newsletter?
Wiggle Hips Magazine was published for 10 years, from 1994
to 2004.
Why did
you do it?
Our motto said it all, "Dedicated to the joy of Belly
Dancing and the joy it brings to others".
What do
you want to accomplish with your publication?
We wanted to have fun and not be stuffy. We chose the
name "Wiggle Hips" for just that reason. We had a blast
publishing our magazine and it is still remembered fondly by its readers.
What do
you feel is the criteria for a publisher in our business and what are your own
credentials?
I feel that a publisher of a Belly Dance magazine should
know Belly Dance. It sounds
simple, but there is a lot to learn. I started dancing in 1973, so I had
seen and done a lot. Chris was the best fan a dancer could have.
Why did
you continue year after year – or in other words, what is it that motivated you
to continue?
Pure fun! We met a lot of people, got to know others
better, and found out where all the bodies were buried. LOL, Oh,
could we tell stories. LOL
Are you a
Local Publication? Regional? National? International?
Because our publication was small in size and not fancy, we
were thought of by some to be only local. The truth is we were
International from the first year.
Zaina
on the Cover
Were you
a dancer prior to your publication? How long and what was/is your involvement
in ME Dance Arts?
I was a dancer my whole life. I started Belly Dancing
in 1973. I danced at parties for friends and family primarily. I
danced for fun; it wasn't my profession. I made more money making
costumes than I ever did dancing.
Our involvement in Belly Dance continues in producing
Wiggles of the West Belly Dance Competition, which includes over 20 workshops.
Did you
have previous publishing experience before your publication?
I had done a couple of newsletters back in the literal 'cut
and paste' days. We learned as we went a long. On-the-job training
to the max.
How did
you pick your staff writers?
We picked staff writers who were knowledgeable and who had
a positive attitude.
What do
you feel was the “highlight” of your publication?
FUN! With a positive and informative attitude
What
special features did you offer in your magazine?
We always had a featured dancer, but they weren't always
famous. We like to think we helped some become famous or more famous.
What do
you see as the main difference between a few page newsletter and a magazine?
Size. I'm not wise cracking. No matter what the size
they all take a lot of work, commitment, and dedication.
Were you
always been in print? Do you offer the same information online? Have you considered going to an online
publication?
Wiggle Hips was always in print. I did produce an online
newsletter for my costuming business for 5 years, called "Janie's
Oasis". It has also been retired.
What was
the cost for your publication’s subscription and how many issues did you print
throughout the year? Did you have specialty issues?
We started out free to subscribers. We were supported
completely by advertising. As printing costs and mailing costs went up we
had to charge subscribers. I think it was $12.00 for our last year.
We had 6 issues a year and ended with a quarterly the last
year. Our only specialty issues were costuming issues once a year.
Is there
anything else you would like to add that hasn’t been covered - - anything else
that you feel is relevant?
I also would like to add that people in this industry need
to learn to advertise. People don't know you are there, unless you tell
them. You need to promote yourself and not wait for someone to do it for
you.
Bios for
the Two Old Bags
The Bags
Two Old Bags: Some people say to us "We can't call you
old bags,” but really we don't mind. It is better than where we started. Long
time ago not in a galaxy far, far, away... but in Reno we became friends. We
were both working as Dealers at a local Casino and found we had similar
interests (like Star Trek and shopping), so we started hanging around together.
Bill, Janie's darling husband, always said, "What are you old broads up to
today?” When we decided to start a business, he said, "Well you are
already the two old broads.” We decided to clean it up a bit, while keeping our
quirky natures in mind and The Two Old Bags was born. But as to what we wanted
to do with it we had not a single clue.
The local Belly Dance guild was just forming and Janie was
Newsletter Editor. She wanted to do a magazine too, but the guild couldn't
afford it. So one day she was home
whining to her darling husband about wanting to do the magazine and he said,
"So - do it yourself.” She said, "Do you realize how much time that
will take?" He said, "So what!" And added, "Get Chris to
help.” Chris said yes and we now
had a purpose for our business, we would be publishers.
Looking for a name that would convey what the magazine was
about without getting too stuffy, Janie's husband suggested the nickname he had
given one of the local dancers, "wiggle hips." So the magazine, Wiggle Hips was born
and that local dancer became the first cover dancer. Wiggles, as it became
known to people who loved it, was published for ten years. We retired it,
because we could not sell our baby.
When the local guild went into dormancy, our area needed
workshops so Two Old Bags picked up the ball and ran with it. Workshops grew
into a festival and High Desert Hip Fest was born. Hip Fest (was Spring
Festival) boasted workshops with two top name instructors and a Gala Show all
held in May. It is now retired.
Along the way we also started Wiggles of the West Belly
Dance Contest, which has grown a lot in its 14 years. It has grown from 2
days to 4, 6 workshops to 24, and from 4 categories to 9. Plus last year
it moved from Reno to Las Vegas, Nevada where it was welcomed with open arms!
Janie
Janie
"Jenee" Midgley: I have
been performing this wonderful art form of ours for a little over
35 years. I started Belly Dancing, Middle Eastern Dance to
be more proper, back in my college days while studying for my Bachelor of
Science in Criminal Justice Administration at San Jose State University, CA. I
have been dancing, since I could walk - I figure it was a past life thing. I
started formal dance training with Tap and Ballroom and
later ventured out into Modern Dance and Hula. But my passion is and will
always be Belly Dance.
I have always done all my own costuming. Being 5'8"
and no runway model, if I wanted it I had to make it. Now I am a professional
Costume Designer and make my living creating beautiful things. My business is
Designs By Janie. I design and make 'one of a kind' costumes and costume
pieces, plus silk veils and fashions. I specialize in my Comfortable Body
Stockings. Everything is made right here in Las Vegas, we do not out source.
Besides being a Costume Designer, I also write books. “Dancer's Notebook” for dancers that
want to be more organized. "How
to Put on a Belly Dance Workshop... Without Going Crazy."
"Building a Belly Dance Wardrobe" designed to
answer the questions of beginners.
I also wrote the first booklet ever written that is completely about
body stockings, “Comfortable Body Stockings: How to Use, Dye, and Embellish Them.”
.. more books to come
I am have been very happily married for 35 years (to the
same man). He is my partner, my nag, my advisor, and my manager. He is also our
"Cheap Labor" and Sound and Lights man at the Competition.
Chris
"T'Murr" Kelly: I used to
be a quiet, rather shy person who had the time to read a lot of
Science Fiction, watch storms from my deck, and play with
my cats, at that time I had 11 of them. Then I met Janie... and my life has
never been the same. The truth of this statement you can only begin to imagine.
I started in this art form as the best audience a dancer
could have, I called myself a Belly Dance Groupie and I was happy with that.
Janie decided she wanted to write a Belly Dance magazine and needed help with computer
part. I became Wiggle Hips chief Computer Wiz (short for Wizard) and
Co-publisher.
Next I was dragged to Rakkasah. My eyes glazed over, my
heart started racing, and I began to shop (oh, that is one of my passions too).
Since I now owned veils, beaded sashes, and a coin belt it was time to start learning
to dance. Janie was my first teacher. She got frustrated with my
body, since it all wanted to move at the same time
(couldn't isolate to save myself) and said, "I was doing Too Much Rock 'n'
Roll.” That's how I found my dance name, T'Murr, and being a Star Trek nut, it
fit in with some of the names they used in the series.
I was happy doing Wiggle Hips, dancing a little in open
floors, and going to Festivals. Then Janie got an idea, (now, to say Janie is
driven is an understatement). I said yes, not really knowing what was in store
for me, and Wiggles of the West was born and then High Desert Hip Fest. I hung
on for the ride of my life. I have never had more fun.
Belly Dance has changed my life. I perform now at Fairs and
Nursing homes, and for a while hostessed a bi-monthly ’Open Floor,’ half my
closet is dance stuff, and I'll talk to anyone about my dance passion. Shy
little wall flower... not any more. What an invigorating experience to be
around all the wonderful people associated with this art form. I have made friends with people from all
over the world and hope to go to visit some of them one of these days.
In 2006 I met Craig and we married in 2008. He is fast
becoming a Belly Dance husband, doing sound duties for Wiggles of the West in
2007.
Janie has a new book coming out which will be reviewed here on iShimmy. For information: janie@designsbyjanie.com and will be offering articles on costuming in the next few months.
