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Competition Mania - 2009 Wiggles of the West BDC * Section 1 * Winners Zaina's Review


by: Zaina Hart (Oct 02 2009)

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.

This dynamic duo packed a lot into this weekend; 26 workshops, taught by 22 World Class teachers, (even "what's her name" was there (a private joke of sorts, but Zaina happens to be said person and is still giggling about it).  Three workshops going on at the same time, various styles and approaches offered.  The only issue I have had with this, which has been a trend across country and beyond for ten-fifteen years now (as an example the Ahlan Wa Sahlan festival in Egypt), is sometimes it is really, REALLY hard to choose between the workshops.  But the up side is that various styles being taught at the same time provides for a wider audience of attendees – covering something for everyone.  Janie and Chris have already started to line up the teachers for next year, yours truly is teaching Stage Makeup 101 and Z-amba, Oberon, Saqra and her band and well, the rest of the lineup is “stellar” and in full view at the Wiggles Web Site.

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