Quarter 2/2006
Festival on the Nile XXX (30)
October 7-9th, 2005
with Jim Boz, Sandstorm and Zaina Hart
If you have not heard of this event - - HEAR ME NOW! <grin> I am honored to have been invited to teach and perform at this wonderful event and want to say a public thank you to our wonderful hostess (Shari) and Host (Bob).
Jim Boz, Bambi and Heather flew in a few days early so they could visit “Walt Disney World”. And visit they did, but I think that is a story for another day. <giggle>
Between the two of us over the two and a half days, we taught 10 hours of workshops - - and with some of the most fabulous workshop students anywhere. They are attentive and respectful and THEY WORKED THEIR BACKSIDES OFF.
Shari has set up two nights of spectacular shows, one with a live band.
Jim had prepared a half hour segment of back to back performances featuring himself, Sandstorm, and me. He asked for my music the day I arrived and next thing you know, he had organized our entire set onto one CD, specifically timed so that as one dancer was leaving the stage, the music for the next set was beginning with the next dancer/s intro. This was marvelous for the dancers, and exciting for the audience as there truly was never a dull moment. Jim is a master at this kind of set up.
The excitement backstage however, wellllllll - - imagine dancers running behind the curtain, leaping chairs, and running through the kitchen to get to the changing room - - where Julie our wonderful costume Goddess, ran us through our paces - out of one costume and into the next. WHAT FUN! When you think you have 6 minutes to change, and find that the run to the dressing room took nearly a minute, and then the run back is going to take another minute - - - hmmmmm, can I really get that body stocking hooked in ample time? ahahahahahahaaa
Jim had even included me in the last piece of choreography with him and Sandstorm. I was nervous, not wanting to mess up their choreography, but it really was only 80 counts of music, and come on “Z”, you can’t screw it up. Well, I guess the picture shows, I managed to stay on the mark (all except that my hand is turned in the wrong direction darn it all). <giggle>.
Saturday night’s performance was with a wonderful band, “The Mike Gregian Ensemble”, who I have been watching on the Festival on the Nile Videos for years. It was a true honor to perform with them, and even better to get to know Mike a little bit.
This event has just the right amount of vendors, and is in a great facility. The details are what really makes an event shine. And speaking of details, Bob and the crew put up their own stage (opting not to use the Hotel's stage), complete with wood floor that even has "marks" for dancers to find. What a treat this was.
Shari also hosts a dinner and lunch buffet. The dinner buffet had the musicians "sitting in", playing music giving us even more opportunity to dance and have fun. This particular dinner is where I learned some fabulous "Samba" moves from my new friends who have challenged me to incorporate those moves into my choreography when I go back for my next visit. <giggle> Can hardly wait. Thanks to the East Coast “Z” - Zizi, Tamara, (WOW, can this girl move), and Kamileh, (a truly kind lady) for my new moves.
Now, as a last little piece, some of you may remember that I do reptile rescue and up until a few years ago, had quite the little menagerie of snakes. During the Friday night show, a darling young lady - Snake Charmer Extraordinairre - debuted with a cute little Corn Snake (wrapped around her neck in the photo here) in a performance that was fun and oh so exciting for the audience. I do hope she has since been able to locate a "baby" for herself as she is just a natural at handling these incredible creatures.
I look forward to returning to Orlando soon and thanks to everyone who participated and made this one of the best events of my dance lifetime. Hugs to you all.
After Orlando, it was back to Vancouver - re-pack and pick up Oberon at the Airport for our flight to New Jersey and on to RAKKASAH EAST, by way of New York for some power shopping. <giggle>
NEXT STOP - - NEW JERSEY and RAKKASAH EAST!
That’s right, we met up with Gaylene and Cheryl at the hotel, and then headed for the Train Station and on to New York. Gaylene and Cheryl had fabric and garment district on their minds, and of course, SHOES were on mine - - Oberon, always happy and so easy to please - - just wanted to shop! We had a blast at Toys R Us! Oberon running up to the pink Barbie Castle! Wheeeeeeeee.
Now, we hit New Jersey in the middle of the Fall Floods. We had decided, flooded or no, we were going to New York and it was well worth the trip. We walked through water logged streets, with our umbrellas, carting our wears with us. We were wet, exhausted, and could barely carry our “bags o’ stuff”, but still excited when we hit Penn Station for our ride back to Jersey. We all chuckled when we saw the bags in the lounge area; sure that Gaylene and Cheryl were under there somewhere. Then we had to figure a way to get “all that” on the train. Well - - see for yourselves!
I also made out fabulously at the local K-mart. <snicker> Rhinestone encrusted jeans, zebra rhinestone belt - - heh- “What’s not to love at K-mart?”
Then it was time for Rakkasah. The performances this year were spectacular and the vending just over the top. And honestly, I don’t know how the OZ team manages it, but we always seem to be there just at the right time. Like when Andre stepped in as bartender (heh, what were we supposed to do, it had been a long day, we were tired, we needed beverage - - thank GODDESS Andre was there to save us all!) This year the after parties with Pangia, and all the other fabulous musicians and dancers were UNBELIEVABLY FUN. The restaurant and lounge are NEVER ready for this and I am sure they never forget us. We even had a wedding party, complete with the bride and groom join in the fun.
I am so glad we have these wonderful dance opportunities. But equally, I am thrilled to get to spend time with good friends, in a wonderful environment, fabulous music, incredible dancers, etc. etc. etc. etc. We are already planning this year’s trek to R-East, can hardly wait. Until next time - - Happy Dancing,
. . . . Zaina
