Wiggles of the West Belly Dance Competition
LAS VEGAS, NV * Produced by The Two Old Bags
Section 2: A
Vegas Veteran’s Virginal Venue
By Oberon
Yes – that’s right – this Aussie is a Vegas Veteran having lived there for some years and visiting remaining family on a continuing basis. Alternatively, (I love that word), I was a virgin princess joining Chris and Janie’s family at “Wiggles of the West” competition as Workshop Instructor and judge for the very first time for them. For those of you who are pondering joining us for the heat of this Vegas Dance Competition next year here are some of the experiences I managed to cram into this visit!
- Retuning to my, “home away from home”, the Hilton Club on the Fabulous Las Vegas Strip.
- Catching up with my “sister/friend”, Carolee.
- Shopping the acres of bags and clothes and jewels at the best flea market on the planet – twice – with my home girls Nemra, JoAnne, Sharhzad and of course my other half of “oz”, my darling Zaina.
- Bringing back acres of silver and rhinestone jewelry, sexy little rags and daring strappy shoes ranging in price from $1.00 to $17.00 – Oh you heard me right!
- Eating and laughing at the acres of food representing a
plethora of different countries - in the many hotel buffets that ranged from
OMG to spectacular.
- Shopping for Beads and Sparkles in the best undiscovered
costume shop ever –buying crystals of orange fire, unbelievable $5.00 rings,
affordable tiaras (oh, I had to have one for my collection) and giggling as we
stood with our faces mostly covered by a mask of a thousand feathers.
- Rambling the dry riverbeds and ogling the amazing colors of Red Rock Canyon in the cleansing noonday heat.
- Watching the “Kitchy, yet “I-can’t – turn – away” mechanized wild-life show in the enormous atrium at Sam’s Town while shopping the boutiques that surrounded the plaza lit by hundreds of twinkle lights.
- Trying the staggering array of slots at Sam’s Town – which is locally preferred – watching Nabieela, not two feet away “cleaning all our clocks”. (Tried Mega Bucks for my hubby in EVERY hotel we visited – sorry Baby – but I brought you home an awesome cap)!
- Watching my friend’s faces while I drove them around Vegas
in a car I was just then getting to know – Oh yeah – the legend lives on!
- Huge hugs from Chris and Janie and the juicy Masala – hugs from Gaylene from Magidah and Aneena and Sidonia and Rachel, Amarylis, Sedona, Jules, Nafiah, Cindy and a hundred more –this is a huge dancer perk!
- Wonderful workshops full of eager, engaging women – I so
thank-you Janie and Chris for asking me back in 2010!
- Performing with Zaina for our fabulous dancer friends, my
teacher Nemra and her daughter Tammy before the contest, (they said it brought
tears to their eyes – that made me smile).
- Watching my “Rising Star” student, Sharhazad compete.
- Sitting on the venerable judges panel through days of color and music and “wicked” talent – (really, every contestant was admired for their heartfelt contributions)!
- Not to mention Aradia’s never-ending candy-bowl!
- New friends like Kelli Marie, Angela, Isis and many more … O.K. – I’m addicted – how about you Wonder Woman?
I’ll see you all at Wiggles of the West - 2010 – Janie says she and Chris have some surprises planned – OZ will be there – I say “BRING IT ON”!
Photo Credit: Connie Pallen