Skirt Full of Fire | Tucson-based Tribal Fusion Belly Dance Instruction & Performance

Hello and hi. It’s been a while, so this is gonna be a longer blog entry. Cozy up to your computer and read the hell out of it.

I am finally going full speed ahead in Tucson. Classes, performances, and family matters are all coming along nicely. While it’s a little stressful to move a business halfway across the country, I am happy to have the continued support of the dance community here. I have been lucky enough to be welcomed into the best dance studios in the city and, as of December, will be teaching six classes a week.

Fall Intensive @ Plaza de Anaya

I’ve been performing a great deal at local belly dance events, which is a big change for me. In Chicago, I really didn’t put myself out there much in the belly dance scene. It wasn’t an intentional thing, I just migrated more to club events and entertainment. I am quite pleased to be involved in the scene here, even working on group meetings for the professionals in Tucson. It’s a wonderful thing to have something to share for the greater good of the community in which you are involved, and I’m definitely interested in continuing these meetings during my stay. The local dancers are bright and capable of great things, so watch out, world.

Me + gun = ... O_O

Hitwomen is coming along swimmingly! We have one more looooong weekend of filming, then we edit. It will be bittersweet completing this project, even though it almost destroyed my body last time we filmed (fight sequences are rough). I truly believe that this series has the potential to move forward and receive more funding. The writing is there, the talent is there (you know, from everyone, not just me), and the passion is definitely there. It’s such good energy all around, even during the long hours. I can’t wait to show it off to everyone.

That’s all for now, lovies! I am going to start posting more fun stuff on a weekly basis, but this’ll do it for this week.

You read it, Hitwomen was fully funded!!!  A huge, massive, hugs-and-sloppy-kisses thank you to all the people who donated their hard-earned cash to see this project go through.  I hope it’s not weird to say we’d probably drunkenly make out with each and every one of you and regret it in the morning, that’s how much it means to us to have your money.

The Hitwomen comic!!!

We want to start this thing up, like, now-ish, but the director, Chris Sato, is currently finishing his epic film “Heaven is Hell” so we’ll have to wait a couple of months.  In the meantime, you should check out the photos and videos from that FB page and get all twitterpated about it…I know I am.  Also, you *might* get to see me get shot in the face (I hope…chest is kinda lame) in “Heaven is Hell” during one of the fight scenes.  It’s worth a watch for that alone, I think.  ;)

We did a little fundraiser to try to get the rest of the money we needed for the show, and Bob of Nichnet was nice enough to give us some of the footage from the show!  If you didn’t come out during that perilous (tornado and golf-ball sized hail filled) night, put a drink in your hand, sit down in an uncomfortable wooden chair, watch this video and pretend you were there.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Th4vZ8srjQ

All has been quiet on the homefront, with good reason! I’ve started up a new Combinations & Choreography class on Tuesday evenings from 8:30-9:30.  The class will focus on creating and adapting fresh combinations, stylizations, and moves into one’s vocabulary. We focus on techniques found in other dance forms (such as ballet, jazz, hip-hop, modern, and ballroom) that will allow you to explore and heighten your personal style while improving technique in bellydance vocabulary. It’s appropriate for all levels and is only $9 for a single class or $40 for a five-class card.

In addition to that, I’ve been lining up photoshoots with some of the most talented photographers Chicago has to offer.  I currently have the set I did with Chris Nightengale, but you can look forward to more sets from Ipaghost and Revealed Boudoir within the month!   As always, if you like what  you see, I highly recommend booking with the photographers I use!  Most of them are available for live entertainment events, studio sessions, and special occasions.

Below you can take a peek at the shoot I did with Chris Nightengale.

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Until next time!