oo.. I've safely returned from my very fist Hawaiian dance adventure, Aloha! Still fully jet-lagged but thankfully a few days of calm are ahead.
I will be posting a blog post on practice soon, but first I'd like to share some gorgeous picture views and lovely memories from the past week in Kauai with you.
My first lei
I was invited by Dixie, Nelleke and Krystal Marie (also known as the Garden Nile Bellydancers) to teach and perform in Kauai, Hawaii last weekend, and I had been looking forward to the event for many months.
The GNBD gang picking me up at the airport
We had a show on Friday in a small church building (with a stage!), and even though the weather had been a bit fickle (rain, wind, sun and cloudy) that day, as you can hear in the video of my first performance, the audience was simply unstoppable :)
The event had almost sold out in presales, but tickets kept flying out the door, even continuing during the show until well into the second half. By break time there were people lining up outside and/or standing in the back to be able to catch a glimpse of the performances, so I guess we can say the show was a big succes!
Backstage with Krystal and Nelleke, just before the show madness
The week leading up to the event the local newspaper ran a front-page story about the event, so great to see that the arts are being supported.
Front page of Kaua'i times, baby!
On Saturday and Sunday we had 2 full days of workshops, held at the 'Joy of Movement studio' in Kapaa.
Pre-coffee, yet ready to rumble!
The themes for Saturday were 'A dancers' workout' and a high energy drum solo (with music from the Shimmies DVD with Issam) It was a high-energy day! Or at least it started out as one. The result:
Got work?!
On Sunday we did 'B is for belly - abdominal movements' as well as a small 3-hour masterclass on the topics 'making dances' and 'dance with attitude'.
Say my name.. All along the beach was calling me..
I really had a blast teaching (kicked my own butt a bit in the workout though - lordy lord) and one of the highlights of the week for me was getting to know the participants, many of whom had traveled from outside to attend, in sharing our hopes/dreams during the MC and classes.
The Hawaiian Masterclass - For Serious Dancers(TM)
Costume inspiration
Speaking of highlights :) The 'garden island' as Kauai is often called really, really is as beautiful as everyone (read: the internet!) says. Want picture proof? Be warned!
Visiting Secrets Beach at sunrise with Krystal Marie
Hard, hard life!
The only way to survive
I had a couple of days after the workshops to visit the sights, the beaches and a luau..
Yellow hibiscus, not for eating..
Hanalei lookout
View.
Red Hibiscus, also not for eating.
Luau-ing with Nelleke and Dixie
And if that is just not enough.. more (MOAR!) pictures can be found on my Instagram page!
So... what is next? A full week of Easter holiday family visits and practice/preparations for the upcoming events, which are quite a few. Aloha and hope to see you there, too!
So.. in awaitance of the next blog post (which is scheduled to be written next week.. from HAWAII!! :) ..Aloha!) I give you some highlights of the past dancetravaganza-weekend in Würselen.
A big big thank you to the lovely Bozenka, who's surprise visit to the Netherlands made it possible for Queenie and me to host her under the QooKay Productions flag (check out the new website!) for an amazing Masterclass day at the studio in Würselen.
K, B and Q
Also thank you to all of the dancers who were able to join us on such short notice. We're definitely feeling the Bozenka love!
The full picture album of the day can be found here.
Also: Behold the Brave Ones who survived a full day of K-workshops the following day, some of whom signed up for ALL THE THINGS including the intensive Bozenka masterclass, plus, in some cases, did even more dancing in between ;)
Respect!
K-day peeps, after the combos class
After the choreo workshop at the end of the day, slightly more tired, but fully Khalida-fied
End-of-day group pic, 2 seconds before complete collapsation
So.. now on to groceries, more dance practice and finalizing future (as in next week's) event preparations!
So... what is next? A full week of Easter holiday family visits and practice/preparations for the upcoming events, which are quite a few. Aloha and hope to see you there, too!
