Still a Newbie After Everything

This week marks one year since I became inducted into the world of belly dance. I say inducted because even though it is categorized as a hobby, belly dance is more of a lifestyle, a club even.

After being in the world for what feels like forever, I am still reminded every now and again that for the time being I am only a visitor to the world of belly dance. I don't take regular lessons, I don't own a costume, and I still haven't set goals to my life in dance. While I'm passionate about the art form, I haven't been bitten by the bug, so to speak. Even so, I'm constantly inspired by the women and men of belly dance.

Today, my lesson came in the form of a new word: tribaret. Clearly I can discern what it means, but I guess it took me off guard that I'd never heard or considered such a term. Maybe because it seems repetitive - isn't tribal already derived from cabaret? The performance labeled as such is what appears to be a relatively traditional cabaret dance, only performed to a modern song (Amy Winehouse, in this case).

Here's the video:

What do you guys think?

Drinking the Koolaid

So, for a few months now I've been meaning to "get back" to belly dance class.

Ok in the spirit of honesty, I have only taken a few classes.

Ah! I know! I know, I work for HipMix and I've taken one class. I'm a horrible person. Somehow, between watching belly dance, reading about belly dance, and interacting with belly dancers, I thought I was one. Not true. I feel like a band groupie. I'm in with the crowd, but I can't really relate, you know?

They talk about shimmies, hip drops, performances, and the troubles of breaking the stereotype. I'm the eager puppy, nodding my head and pretending to understand. They just sort of smile and pat me on the shoulder. "As if you know..."

But belly dancers are a lot nicer than that. They've been very helpful. And what have I done? I'm mixing the koolaid but I don't drink it*.

Well, I am finally giving back to the community. Not only am I FINALLY taking a belly dance class tomorrow, I've recruited two partners in crime: my coworkers Kaitlyn and Haley!

Plus by putting this in writing, they can't back out. Hear that? YOU CAN'T BACK OUT!

More details coming soon!

*no belly dancers were poisoned in the making of this blog post