I am having a funny peculiar couple of weeks where I'm cheerful and happy one day then down and almost out the next. It's partly to do with having severe financial diffculties, and partly because I'm having a bit of a work related crisis. Like many people at the moment, I'm suffering for lack of new students, and this has had a knock on effect with my earnings and having enough people to help organise and attend events. I'm trying to decide if I need to get active and creative, or look for some supplementary work, or even change directon (really don't want that option), and I really don't like being in this state of limbo. I'm trying to sit here patiently, but I'm used to acting on my gut feelings, and I'm not getting a clear mesage at the moment. Grumpyfying!
I've got lots of things I should be getting on with, but not much motivation... and damn Facebook is getting in the way, enticing me to play games and waste time! Don't do discipline very well, so I'm fighting with myself to get to grips with work.
On the plus side, I have more time to do creative things that I DO enjoy, like creating jewellery, fascinators, and costumes, and choreographing dances for next term, so all is not doom and gloom!
And I'm pleased to announce that after our techincally inept attempt at broadcasting our first independant Alternative Show last week, we are ready to unleash oursleves onto an unsuspecting world! Peter has been working away tirelessly to improve what we are doing on the technical side of things, and we are confident that we can run a show properly this Friday. In fact we are SO confident that we have invited a bunch of friends of the show around to have a mince pie or two and be interviewed...could be chaos, but a lot of fun! And the new streaming site has all sorts of interesting applications we can use, like a kind of uploaded playlist facility, a webcam, an instant chat line, and the ability to record and store programmes for listening later. All very exciting! So if you get a chance, listen in to the mayhem and chaos on Friday 2-4pm on http://www.ustream.tv/
Feels like that's all for now....to continue would be to waffle for the sake of it...and we can't have that can we?
Tuesday 14 December 2010
Sunday 5 December 2010
Late night musings
Have had a tiring and odd couple of days. I'm a bit of a control freak and don't like change at short notice...it's like I'm just one of those people who take a long time to make a 'U' turn, and then get back up to speed. So having to let go of the hafla and all the organising took a while, as well as having to justify my actions...mostly to myself!
Went to a hafla on Satruday where I had hoped to sell quite a bit of stuff but was sorely dissapointed in that I only sold just enough to cover costs. It was otherwise a fab hafla with lots of care and attention put into the decor of the room, and the organisation, but not as well attended as expected, and frankly there were too many of us traders (three crammed into a small space). It was an interesting evening of lots of highs and a few lows...I performed my baladi adequately and although I got lots of applause I wasn't sure if the audience really liked or rated it (I must admit to having a bit of a downer on my own performances at the moment, though!). There were good performances and fabulous performances. I have to admit to being slightly jealous of Claire who is obviously a wonderful teacher whose students adore her, and her dancing is very good too..damn! But she is so nice and caring it's hard to stay envious for long. And Ozgen performed. I've seen him dance before, and fankly didn't like much what I saw, but last night I was very impressed. Not only had his dancing developed dramatically, but he really entertained with drama and humour..and appeared to be a very nice person off stage to boot! Pleasantly surprised! Claire also had a young lad in her troupe called Joe who bravely performed a solo...which was really good- and all the more impressive when we later found out he has dispraxia and Aspergers. Brought a tear to my eye... and I wasn't the only one! Lynne Chapman also performed a new dance to a FABULOUS version of the Pink Panther . She was fab as usual and I had to go on after her....eeeurgh!
Anyway, spent today doing a little Christmas shopping and doing odd jobs around the house (yuk!), and am now feeling rather tired and down. But now my classes have finished I can enjoy evenings in...well after the next week or so, as I have various social engagements and Belly Dance related events coming up in the next two weeks. Some, I'm glad to say are money earners, thank God! But I have to plan already for next term and the major events like the Belly |Dance Spectacular, my 10th Anniversary hafla and Le Petit Souk.
AND it looks as if we are ready to start broadcasting The Alternative Show again on a streaming site we have found on the internet- yipeee! Watch this space!
Went to a hafla on Satruday where I had hoped to sell quite a bit of stuff but was sorely dissapointed in that I only sold just enough to cover costs. It was otherwise a fab hafla with lots of care and attention put into the decor of the room, and the organisation, but not as well attended as expected, and frankly there were too many of us traders (three crammed into a small space). It was an interesting evening of lots of highs and a few lows...I performed my baladi adequately and although I got lots of applause I wasn't sure if the audience really liked or rated it (I must admit to having a bit of a downer on my own performances at the moment, though!). There were good performances and fabulous performances. I have to admit to being slightly jealous of Claire who is obviously a wonderful teacher whose students adore her, and her dancing is very good too..damn! But she is so nice and caring it's hard to stay envious for long. And Ozgen performed. I've seen him dance before, and fankly didn't like much what I saw, but last night I was very impressed. Not only had his dancing developed dramatically, but he really entertained with drama and humour..and appeared to be a very nice person off stage to boot! Pleasantly surprised! Claire also had a young lad in her troupe called Joe who bravely performed a solo...which was really good- and all the more impressive when we later found out he has dispraxia and Aspergers. Brought a tear to my eye... and I wasn't the only one! Lynne Chapman also performed a new dance to a FABULOUS version of the Pink Panther . She was fab as usual and I had to go on after her....eeeurgh!
Anyway, spent today doing a little Christmas shopping and doing odd jobs around the house (yuk!), and am now feeling rather tired and down. But now my classes have finished I can enjoy evenings in...well after the next week or so, as I have various social engagements and Belly Dance related events coming up in the next two weeks. Some, I'm glad to say are money earners, thank God! But I have to plan already for next term and the major events like the Belly |Dance Spectacular, my 10th Anniversary hafla and Le Petit Souk.
AND it looks as if we are ready to start broadcasting The Alternative Show again on a streaming site we have found on the internet- yipeee! Watch this space!
Friday 3 December 2010
My Funny Friday
Now by funny I don't mean haha, but a bit strange.
And the reason for that is that I had to cancel the hafla we had planned for tonight. Well, we've had some snow and the organisers of the hall had to have a decision by Thursday morning, so I decided to cancel. Looking out of the window today I feel a bit of a wimp as the roads look clear and the sun is shining, but yeaterday it didn't look so good. Funnily enough the planning for this event hadn't gone quite as smoothly as before- we'd had a couple of performer cancellations, not so many people could attend as usual, and I struggled to find enough helpers..odd. And now I'm sitting here feeling a bit strange as I should be rushing around worriting about the event and getting things organised. I feel slightly guilty as if I'd done something wrong! But anyway every cloud has a silver lining as I have decided to re-schedule it on Feb 5th, and turn it into my 10th Anniversary Hafla. Oh Yes...even I am amazed that I have been teaching for TEN years next year! So I thought it would be great to invite any of my ex-students who'd like to come and do a couple of 'mass' performances of two old dances that are still popular. To make it extra special I'd also like to have some other kinds of diversion, maybe a tarot card reader or similar.
But the time off I've suddenly acquired can now be put to practical use....I can now go and do a test broadcast of The Alternative Show with Peter this afternoon on the live streaming site we've found on the internet. And.. I can go and get some display boards for my jewellery stall for tomorrows Birmingham event.
But for those of you who are new to this blog, for the last (almost) two years I have been presenting a community radio show on Stratford Community Radio, but since the end of October the station has had to temporarily go into mothballs. So Peter and I decided we wanted to carry on with our show, and have found that there are websites that host radio shows for free! It's taken a while to set up but with a bit of luck we may be ready to do our first 'independent' show next week! Yipeee! I've really missed it...looking forward to getting back behind the mike.
And the reason for that is that I had to cancel the hafla we had planned for tonight. Well, we've had some snow and the organisers of the hall had to have a decision by Thursday morning, so I decided to cancel. Looking out of the window today I feel a bit of a wimp as the roads look clear and the sun is shining, but yeaterday it didn't look so good. Funnily enough the planning for this event hadn't gone quite as smoothly as before- we'd had a couple of performer cancellations, not so many people could attend as usual, and I struggled to find enough helpers..odd. And now I'm sitting here feeling a bit strange as I should be rushing around worriting about the event and getting things organised. I feel slightly guilty as if I'd done something wrong! But anyway every cloud has a silver lining as I have decided to re-schedule it on Feb 5th, and turn it into my 10th Anniversary Hafla. Oh Yes...even I am amazed that I have been teaching for TEN years next year! So I thought it would be great to invite any of my ex-students who'd like to come and do a couple of 'mass' performances of two old dances that are still popular. To make it extra special I'd also like to have some other kinds of diversion, maybe a tarot card reader or similar.
But the time off I've suddenly acquired can now be put to practical use....I can now go and do a test broadcast of The Alternative Show with Peter this afternoon on the live streaming site we've found on the internet. And.. I can go and get some display boards for my jewellery stall for tomorrows Birmingham event.
But for those of you who are new to this blog, for the last (almost) two years I have been presenting a community radio show on Stratford Community Radio, but since the end of October the station has had to temporarily go into mothballs. So Peter and I decided we wanted to carry on with our show, and have found that there are websites that host radio shows for free! It's taken a while to set up but with a bit of luck we may be ready to do our first 'independent' show next week! Yipeee! I've really missed it...looking forward to getting back behind the mike.
Saturday 27 November 2010
Earning a Crust or two.
Amazingly I have had all of Friday off, half of Saturday and all of Sunday- Wow! And for those of you for whom the weekend is usually an oasis of calm, lucky you! Most weekends I am doing something belly dance related- either performing, rehearsing, teaching, going to an event to trade, perform or teach, organising my own event or shopping for work related stuff. And don't get me wrong...I love it...but occaisionally it's nice to have a bit of work-free time off...lovely! But if you are self employed (like moi) then you are never truly off duty...and, especially at the moment when everyone is struggling to make a few bob, you can't afford to turn down any opportunity. I guess you could well now be saying how on earth does a belly dancer make money anyway? Weeelll, there are all sorts of ways and means, but it all largely depends on whether you already have another job or not. Many teachers and performers I know have part-time or full time jobs (as well as having a family), so belly dance is a 'paying hobby', but for a few of us, belly dance is our only source of income...and although earning your living dancing is hugely satisfying, it can also be very tough. So, as I had to cancel a workshop I had planned for today (not enough participants), I started tlooking around for another opportunity and found a Christmas Fayre in Shipston. I make and sell my own belly dance related jewellery (mostly to the dancing sorority), but I've recently started making stuff that is more mainstream and suitable (I hope) to the general public. Well, I'll soon find out if that's true, as I'm displaying my wares today between 2-4pm at the Townsend Hall , Shipston on Stour.
But back to earning a living....most belly dance teachers have classes, teach workshops and perform for money, but unless you are able to work all the hours God sends, it's often not enough. Some teachers are also traders, that is, they sell costumes, jewellery and accessories, and organise events...so I guess we have to be Jills of all trades, good at spotting up and coming trends, and very adaptable. Mind you, having been self employed most of my life, I've found that adaptability is the name of the game, and to keep going you have to be prepared to change direction or grab an idea or opportunity when it comes your way. But more of this another day- it feels as if it's about time I went as I'm even beggining to bore myself! *sigh*! Ta taaaa.
But back to earning a living....most belly dance teachers have classes, teach workshops and perform for money, but unless you are able to work all the hours God sends, it's often not enough. Some teachers are also traders, that is, they sell costumes, jewellery and accessories, and organise events...so I guess we have to be Jills of all trades, good at spotting up and coming trends, and very adaptable. Mind you, having been self employed most of my life, I've found that adaptability is the name of the game, and to keep going you have to be prepared to change direction or grab an idea or opportunity when it comes your way. But more of this another day- it feels as if it's about time I went as I'm even beggining to bore myself! *sigh*! Ta taaaa.
Friday 26 November 2010
New Girl on the Blog!
Well I'm not exactly a virgin blogger having cut my teeeth on MySpace, but am new to here...and it's feeling a bit like the first day at school, with so many new things, instructions, and ways of doing it! Phew!
Anyway, to introduce myself...I am a Belly Dance teacher and performer, occaisional radio presenter, and lover of all things purple. I've had a rather eclectic career path jumping around from theatre to having my own business, dabbling in carework, training to be a clown and now, Belly Dancing. I guess part of the reason for all this moving around is that I believe in synchronicity and the more esoteric explanations of co-incidence, so I've made my career choices based mainly on what has presented itself, if I feel excited and inspired by it, and whether I can help other people at the same time. But I do admit to having a life long fascination and flirtation with theatre, so I always seem to gravitate around performance and staging theatrical events. And I've always LOVED to dance! Although I once thought acting was for me, I quickly realised that I struggled to remember lines, and spent many nights having 'worry dreams' about messing up one way or another, so discovering dance as a career was a great relief and delight...I didn't have to remember lines, and movement seemed so much easier to retain. So...here I am.
As a teacher I teach regular classes around Stratford on Avon, and we are fast approaching the end of term, and the Christmas Hafla. For the uninitiated, a hafla is a Middle Eastern dance party/performance, which can take a variety of forms. I hold two a year, for my students to show off what they've learnt, and see other dancers perform, and of course there is plenty of eating, drinking, chatting..and a bit of shopping, too. Usually other local teachers come along with their students, and we all have a jolly nice time! Unfortunately our guest dancer has had to suddenly go into hospital so I have to hurriedly juggle the performance schedule around, but as we originally had 18 acts lined up, it might be better for a few gaps, anyway. But when creating a programme I have to consider what style or type of dance, alternate groups with duos and soloists, if someone in more than one dance has time to change, and also the various requests for later/earlier slots, plus fitting in three intervals and a raffle. Sometimes it doesn't get finalised until the day before, but hey ho C'est La Vie...imrpovisation is my middle name!
Right, think that's enough for now...gotta go do some WORK now!
Anyway, to introduce myself...I am a Belly Dance teacher and performer, occaisional radio presenter, and lover of all things purple. I've had a rather eclectic career path jumping around from theatre to having my own business, dabbling in carework, training to be a clown and now, Belly Dancing. I guess part of the reason for all this moving around is that I believe in synchronicity and the more esoteric explanations of co-incidence, so I've made my career choices based mainly on what has presented itself, if I feel excited and inspired by it, and whether I can help other people at the same time. But I do admit to having a life long fascination and flirtation with theatre, so I always seem to gravitate around performance and staging theatrical events. And I've always LOVED to dance! Although I once thought acting was for me, I quickly realised that I struggled to remember lines, and spent many nights having 'worry dreams' about messing up one way or another, so discovering dance as a career was a great relief and delight...I didn't have to remember lines, and movement seemed so much easier to retain. So...here I am.
As a teacher I teach regular classes around Stratford on Avon, and we are fast approaching the end of term, and the Christmas Hafla. For the uninitiated, a hafla is a Middle Eastern dance party/performance, which can take a variety of forms. I hold two a year, for my students to show off what they've learnt, and see other dancers perform, and of course there is plenty of eating, drinking, chatting..and a bit of shopping, too. Usually other local teachers come along with their students, and we all have a jolly nice time! Unfortunately our guest dancer has had to suddenly go into hospital so I have to hurriedly juggle the performance schedule around, but as we originally had 18 acts lined up, it might be better for a few gaps, anyway. But when creating a programme I have to consider what style or type of dance, alternate groups with duos and soloists, if someone in more than one dance has time to change, and also the various requests for later/earlier slots, plus fitting in three intervals and a raffle. Sometimes it doesn't get finalised until the day before, but hey ho C'est La Vie...imrpovisation is my middle name!
Right, think that's enough for now...gotta go do some WORK now!
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