Wiggles of the West 2010 (July 22nd - 25th) * Sam's Town, Las Vegas
As written
and shared from my “shoes”, weather permitting
By Zaina Hart
Let me start
first with “WOW” - - the initials of Wiggles of the West, but as well, the
exclamation you will breathe after attending this event.
The 2010 Wiggles of the West Belly Dance Competition and other stuff, was
absolutely a SCREAM from start to finish.
With a few “extra” things planned for the 2010 event – from the WOW crew
as well as the Z-crew, we hit the ground running and did not stop until we hit
our beds at home some four days later.
So, in order of appearance (with head still a bit in the clouds) - J
Shopping Pawns: This year I bunked in with Nafiah Uz and Nora who picked me up at the
airport. They whisked me to the
Monte Carlo to drop luggage and then we went over the game plan for the day. We had talked prior to arrival about
going to the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop from TV, (Pawn Stars) just to see what
it was all about. I had intended
to “sell” the ring from my last marriage (a long 16 years ago – the one I had
made into a pinky ring to remind me of that last husband – the ring annoys me –
enuff said). So, once inside, I
sauntered up to the counter and handed it over for an estimate (Vancouver
jeweler said 1k ish of course never what the pawn shop says) and to my horror I
was offered $60.00 - - rrrrright.
Oh well – so much for finding a new costume this year.
Nora had been telling us she didn’t really have much to sell but added
“oh well, we will just see” what her bits of gold were worth. So, as Nafiah and I stood by to watch
her pull bit after bit of gold (necklaces, chain, etc.) out of her purse - - we
just giggled. Her haul was worth
the trip to the shop – around $300 with all those bits and since we hadn’t
hauled in a penny, she graciously paid for our breakfast.
With fuel (lots of coffee and a pancake or two) in our tanks, we headed
to a local “showgirls” boutique - - Nafiah needed some false eyelashes for the
weekend and was hoping to find the kind that would knock the people in the
front row of the theater out of their chairs, as she put it. And she did in fact find just such
lashes as well as some shoes that made those new lashes pale in comparison.
Not done with shopping yet, we then headed to a local “outlet mall” and
began our trek, in and out of store after store after store - - I of course got
hung up at the Swarovsky Crystal shop.
Then it was time to head back to the hotel and get ready for the
evening’s opening Hafla where Nafiah would be performing.
Nafiah Uz performing at the Hafla
Opening Night Hafla: I love this part of the event – the
precursor to a weekend packed full of fun and frivolity along with serious
competition and amazing performances.
The hafla gives everyone an opportunity to meet – greet – dance – shop –
catch up with each other – shop and in general have a grand time. Did I mention “shopping”? The vendors this year were superb, with
every corner of the room full of sparkles and STUFF. There is not much left to want: full costumes, to rhinestone
jewelry, hair bobs, veils, music, fabric, and as always those blinky things
that Gaylene always brings. There
was dancing in the aisles and the kind of silliness that relieves the stresses
of day-to-day life back home. Oh, and then there is the food that goes along
with the evening’s festivities - - and a lot of it (can you say yummy). Belly Dancers and Buffet – has a nice
little ring to it right? Saqra and
her Raqsband provided the music and along with the dancers (including our
Nafiah) it was truly a fun filled evening.
Lori Showing off some of
Shiny Sparky Things "wears"
in a way that only "Lori" can get away with
Workshops: The workshops start in all seriousness
on Thursday and continue through Sunday morning. This year there were 25 workshops taught by 18 separate
instructors. Each year there is even more of the “truly something for everyone”
at Wiggles in the workshop arena.
Samba, Tribal, Egyptian, Fusion, Makeup, and so much more designed for
the soloist and troupe of every level and clearly style. It is wonderful to see the teachers
standing next to students taking classes from other teachers - - camaraderie
and proof none of us knows it all and there is always so much more to
learn.
This year I taught twice and at the last minute had the opportunity to
fill in for another teacher whose plane and flight were being extremely
uncooperative. It was a full
class, and I am so excited to have had this additional opportunity to share
information with a grand group of ladies – in all three of my sessions. Teaching is one of my favorite things
about our dance – sharing information, watching lights go on in dancer’s eyes
(my own included) – so incredibly rewarding.
Emcee and Judge: That’s right, Janie and
Chris actually turned the microphone over to me this year (not sure what they
were thinking really) and since I had lots to talk about (like the weather
) a good time seemed to be had
by all. There were silly antics – over and over and over and as I have done
since the first time someone handed me a microphone, I became a commercial for
the vendors – over and over and over again - - I tried to keep track of how
many items actually sold after we waltzed them across the stage or simply
hooked them on to our clothing (see example here). Yah – it was in fact like that.
Wearing two hats this year, well four if you count performing and
workshop instructor was energizing.
As an Emcee it was fun to be heckled and even more fun to heckle “back
at em”. As a Judge – at moments I
was in awe at the magic the dancers created on stage. I would not have wanted to be a competitor along side these
amazing dancers. There were
moments I couldn’t look at the judges sheet for watching every second of the
performance – truly a remarkable year of competitors/performers.
Zaina, Nadira, Oberon and Nemira
Backstage Antics at
Sam's Town Live Theater
Sam's Town Live Show: Now this was
some serious fun. From being back
stage to stepping out front for that awesome lunch buffet. Oberon, Nadira, Nemira and I shared a
dressing room – again more time to catch up on what everyone is doing while out
in the hallway, Yvonne and Isis were running through their routine. Performing on this magnificent
stage is such a treat. The sound
is fabulous, the lighting amazing - - just the feel of a real stage is so
different from anywhere else we land our dance shoes. Each of us were oohing and awing back stage as we prepared
for our performances. Of the
performances I was able to see, Oberon’s Hawaiian themed performance brought
tears to the eyes of the audience, Namira and Nadira’s solos lit the room with
their flawless technique and megawatt personas, Yvonne and Isis as always sat
the audience on the edges of their seats – precision and grace at its best. I brought “Whatever Lola Wants” Arabic
version out of my little bag of fun and just had so much fun with the
audience.
Zaina (channeling "Lola")
Sam's Town Theater
The room is set up with large rounds - lovely table settings – so
elegant, giving the room a lounge feel – but at large. So as the audience watched the show,
they were as well enjoying a wonderful array of food. I think of the weekend this was my favorite piece - -
between the grand theater and stage, the food, and the grand feel of the room -
- what more can you ask for?
In closing, I have to say “thank you” to Janie, Chris and Bill for moving
WOW to such a WOW city and location.
I love the lights and sounds of Las Vegas and the WOW team assures each
year enough time at the end of the evening to step out to the strip and enjoy
some of the excitement of “Vegas”.
We hit a number of the casinos, and as big as the Vegas strip is, we
still ran into dancers and friends from the event at several of the
casinos.
Extras: Nadira, Nora,
Nafiah and I headed to the Sahara – wanting our pix with the camels out front
(which sadly have been removed) but we happily settled for a statue
inside. We had our Starbucks in
our hotel and there was plenty of room on our floor’s lobby area for Nafiah to
run through her routine - - the only problem with that is the young men coming
off the elevator seeing her practice – were sure she was an important Vegas
entertainer and one actually wanted her autograph. Our side trip to the Thunder from Down Under Show was of
course fulfilling, as a dancer myself of course – the main reason for going – um,
right.
So, once again the year was rich with fun and friends, exciting with the
lights of the theater and stages, and the talent of the
competitors/performers. I eagerly
look forward to the 2011 event - - when I will no doubt need to search out the
weather and talent of the city.
The End of the WOW Event Dinner with Friends
Nafiah, Nora, Zaina, Maia, Leyla and Merilyn
at Sam's Town
The 2010 Wiggles of the West Belly Dance Competition Winners
Isis San Miguel
Entertainer of the Year, is Isis San Miquel
(FL)
2nd Dilek (CA)
3rd Maia Alexander (OR)
Cassiopeia (OR) is Headliner
2nd Devi Safir (OR)
3rd Bibi (CA)
Mini Ensemble is Star Dancers
(TX)
2nd Sassafras
3rd Imajin (CA)
Hobbyist is Michelle
2nd Ivania
3rd Athena (NV)
Tribal Fusion Soloist is Frank
(CO)
2nd Namira (CA)
3rd Makara (HI)
Ensemble is Arabina Dance Co
(CA)
2nd Raqs A Diva (CA)
3rd Ayesha's Oasis (OR)
Alternative Wiggles is Frank
(CO)
2nd Isis San Miquel (FL)
3rd Makara (HI)
Ekaja
Rising Star is Ekaja AZ)
2nd Heaven Mousalem (CA)
3rd Ilonka (NV)
Tribal Fusion Ensemble is Dea
(NV)
2nd Ayesha's Oasis (OR)
3rd Osiris
UNTIL NEXT YEAR!
JUL 21st - 24th, 2011 * Las Vegas, NV
www.wigglesofthewestlv.com
