Wiggles of the West Belly Dance Competition
LAS VEGAS, NV * Produced by The Two Old Bags
Section 1: List
of Winners and Review
By Zaina Hart
List of 2009 Wiggles of the West Winners
Namira
Entertainer of the Year 2009 - Namira
2nd - Sedona
3rd - Isis San Miguel
Kelli Marie
Headliner of the Year 2009 - Kelli Marie
2nd - Iman
3rd - Devi Safir
Lisa Zahiya
Alternative Wiggles 2009 - Lisa Zahiya
2nd – Miriam (Wonder Woman)
3rd - Roxana
Isis San Miguel and Yvonne
Mini Ensemble of the Year 2009 - Isis San Miguel & Yvonne
2nd - Tirza & Jamileh
3rd - Angelina & Leyla
Troupe Amara
Ensemble of the Year 2009 - Troupe Amara of the Midnight Mirage School of Dance
2nd place - Perizada Dance Company
3rd - Raks A'Diva
Orchid Belly Dance
Tribal Fusion Ensemble of the Year 2009 - Orchid Belly Dance
2nd - Jouahir Tahoe
3rd - Maha Dansari
Reema
Rising Star 2009 - Reema
2nd - Zondra Mele
3rd - Sara Graves
Samarra
Hobbyist 2009 - Samarra
2nd - Zara
3rd - Cygnus
2009 WOW Judges: Amira of Las Vegas; Aneena (CA); Aradia of
Las Vegas; Gaylene (OR); Jamileh (UT); Jasmine Gamal of Las Vegas; Nabela el
Shalimar (now of Calif); Nemra Khan (OR); Oberon (OR); Rachel George (CA); Saqra
(WA); Shadia of Las Vegas; Sidonia om Dunia (ID); Thia (UT); Tori King of Las
Vegas; and Zaina Hart (WA)
Judges Panel
As I begin writing this, I am reminded of a conversation I
had a year or two ago with Miss Janie about producing Wiggles in Las
Vegas. I had wanted to bring the
Double Crown to Vegas a number of years ago, but for my staff and me it would
have been a logistical nightmare.
So, with Janie and Bill now living in Vegas, I eagerly awaited news they
would produce Wiggles in “Sin City” (and you know I would be game for that and
not be square, but for sure be there!).
When the announcement came I was so excited. I think I have missed only one year of
Wiggles in its 13-year duration.
As a multi-award “Wiggles Veteran” (giggle) I am clearly a die hard
attendee. When Janie extended the
invitation to teach, well, the sweet, butter cream icing was now on the cake
for me. With Oberon also teaching,
it was clear where we would be spending a week in July.
So, let me cover first the differences in the Reno Wiggles
and the Vegas Wiggles. LOCATION – LOCATION – LOCATION! First the obvious; a
much bigger city with a lot more casinos – of all sizes and shapes (can I just
say “Pyramid and Camels”?).
Second, it is hot – and I mean that in more ways than
one. (Giggling again).
Third, there are a lot of places for your significant other
and family to play (roller coasters, pirate ships, dolphins, huge fountains,
only to name a few). So while
dancers are competing, dancing, taking workshops and hobnobbing with friends
they don’t get to see often enough at Wiggles, their families have lots of
choices in alternative activities.
Score!
Now that said, for me, staying with a seasoned Las Vegas-ite
(Oberon used to live in Vegas) has a side benefit – she knows the best shopping
places to haunt and haunt we did.
I came home with wonderful little gifties for family and lots of
rhinestones for me. And along with
my shoe addiction – well can someone please build me that walk in closet I
need, I still managed a pair of shoes.
Well, rhinestone earring in the shape of shoes anyway.
It isn’t that I didn’t like Reno, actually I loved going
to Reno. It is just the right size
and just enough excitement for me.
But Vegas having the stigma it has (both good and bad) it was fun to
step up to the wild side.
So, big points for this new city and now the specific event
location – Sam’s Town!
Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino. I remember years ago, (won’t say how many) when I was living
in Phoenix we often drove up to Vegas for dance events, and just for fun. At that time Sam’s Town, was simply
“out of town”. Well Vegas has
grown so much Sam’s is now “in town” and my, has it ever changed and grown
up. You have multiple choices in
restaurants from very nice to okay at a food court type area. The “inner sanctum” as I called it (the
covered inside outdoors) complete with roaring bears and cougars is just a hoot
(there was an owl?) oh my and a wonderful waterfall with an evening lightshow –
lots of fun for the kiddies (the adult ones too). The hotel rooms are comfy (not the Ritz but far and above
that chain with the number) and fairly well sized. Getting around in the Casino was easy and often provided
lots of giggles. As an example: I walked out of the ladies room on the
casino floor to the site of a darling and very affectionate elderly couple
sitting close together almost snuggling but at their own slot machines. Him with his arm around the back of her
shoulders, cigarette in hand (lit) and her with, umm, what is that? An Oxygen tank complete with tubes in
her nose? Oh my. Only in Vegas right?!
The Real Wiggles!
This event has really not changed as to organization and
excellent content. There are new
vendors as well as those we have grown to count on at a Wiggles event – aka: the extended Wiggles family all well
placed into a very large room.
Janie and Chris pride themselves in being well organized and
truly the competition does run like clockwork. In all my years of attendance, they have never started late,
well, until this year. I was
completely stunned, but will say it was good to see not everyone is
perfect. Ahahahahaha - - actually,
the Friday show was not that late (20 minutes or so), but I have to have something
to “rib” Janie and Chris about and visa versa.
The Two and Only, Two Old Bags
Chris and Janie
There was also a minor issue in that there was no dressing
room for those of us performing in the Friday afternoon opening show and
competition. Staff had vacated and
locked up the banquet hall, which held the dressing room for competitors and
guest dancers, so they could attend the luncheon and would not be returning
until a half hour before the show to open the dressing room. So, the bathroom around the corner was
flooded with competitors, taking up most of the counter space. You can imagine the pandemonium that
set in when the casino customers came in.
It was a mixture of fascination at the wild makeup and costuming, and
frustration at having only one sink they had to get in line for hand washing. The performers were all very gracious,
assuring customers they would make space for them, but grumpy old women (now
come on, them not us) was frustrating.
Janie has assured this won’t happen next year, and was not even aware it
would be a problem until it happened.
The first year in a new space always brings challenges. Having a great staff is what makes the
challenges bearable for the promoters as well as attendees. This year having Amaryllis as the
“energetic and capable” stage manager and her husband the videographer was a
special treat. Mike’s escapades
the entire weekend (like stepping up and challenging Janie laughing
hysterically the whole time) had me laughing so hard that by the end of the
weekend the muscles in my jaw and stomach hurt from it all. In all the years I have attended
Wiggles, I have never seen Janie and Chris so relaxed and calm. This alone made the couple a priceless
addition.
Wiggles INCREDIBLE Volunteers
Add to that Bill’s constant ribbing and his relaxed demeanor
(even the occasional CD glitches didn’t affect him) and with Chris at the front
desk and the new and wonderful staff not only at the scoring table but all
around the room, completed a dynamite team.
And for the record, whether I am teaching or not, this is an
event I don’t ever want to miss. I
will “Wiggle to It” every year.
Zaina, Friends and Students
Wings of the Phoenix
Thanks Janie, Chris and all the Wiggles Wiggling staff for
another outstanding event.
Photo Credits: Cheesy Photos, Connie Palen, Yasmina, and Shalini.
For Next Year's Information: (And don't forget to check deadline dates for full package discounts)
2010 Wiggles of the West Belly Dance Competition
July 22-25, 2010 at Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall
http://www.samstownlv.com
http://www.wigglesofthewestlv.com
