Friday 27 June 2014

Gothla Preparations

It's that time of year again already, and Women of Mass Distraction are elbows deep in preparation for the dance highlight of our year, Gothla!

I'm particularly excited about my workshop with Michelle Manx. I really love her fusion of pin-up style and vintage glamour, as I am a dancer who likes a bit of cheek in her shimmy. And really, who wouldn't want to take a class with someone who dresses like this?


At the very least I intend to reap some costume inspiration!

The highlight for us at Gothla is performing at the open stage on Saturday night, and this year is no exception. It's just C and I, as R is thoroughly tied up with her baby twins (rumours that she is already training them to play zills and doumbek respectively are wholly unfounded) and will be a spectator this year.

The choreography we've put together is, though I says it as shouldn't, flipping awesome. The chosen track is sleazy, steamy, Southern style rock with a supernatural twist, and we have had a whole lot of fun making the moves match.

We're mid-costuming at the moment, and my house is full of fabric in tones of mud and swamp, cowries, disassembled jewellery and Jack Daniels miniatures. Fortunately no chicken feet. Those are C's problem!

I'm also richer to the tune of one wig, bought for about as much as it's worth (ie not much) and dubbed Cousin It because of how much it freaks out the dog. It's in need of a lot of work before it can hit the stage!
Apparently it looks like I stole it from Tina Turner's dressing room...



Saturday 21 June 2014

Happy New Year?

Oh man, where has this year gone?

I went from no real bellydance news at all to dancing so much that I haven't had time to blog!

So, a brief catch up:- 

I finally found a new class within a sensible distance from my house. It's Oriental, which makes a nice change as the last couple of years have been very heavy on the tribal, and I'm a girl who likes her glitter.

My teacher Tahirah is a very light, balletic dancer, which makes for some tricky times when you're more like the hippo out of Fantasia, but the challenge is fun. It's an intermediate class, and I'm really enjoying the feeling of being stretched in my dancing, tackling more complex choreographies and performing as a troupe.

And in other news, this happened...


No, I haven't taken Britney Spears for a style guide. This was to raise cash for Macmillan, and it succeeded to the tune of over £1000, which is almost enough to console me for the fact I won't be doing any khaleegy for a long while.

I don't actually like it, regardless of how many people have told me it 'really suits you', I could never carry it off', 'you're so brave' and 'maybe it will grow back curly'. 


I've become an expert in head scarves and hair wraps - this style is my favourite as it's idiot-proof. I have had a lot of colleagues asking me if I do tarot readings!


I also appear to have forgotten how to smile in photos. May have to relearn that before I perform again!