With each passing year, I discover an incredible overlap between bellydance and geekitude. This pleaseth me greatly. :) So I am confident that a large cross section of you who visit this blog will appreciate the following video. It was sent to me via various methods earlier this year, and I have had it stuck in my head and heart ever since. It's autotuned Carl Sagan (feat. Stephen Hawking, even...
My senior high school English teacher, arguably one of the most influential teachers of my life, passed away last night of bone cancer. Thanks to old friends and acquaintances from school, via Facebook I was aware of his illness many weeks ago, but was still knocked down by the news given just moments ago. I had the pleasure of not only being his student at John F. Kennedy High School, but also w...
Once upon a time there was a character named Jack Skellington.Jack was very very good at Halloween. Everyone looked to him for leadership because he was so good at it.As time went on, Jack became bored of Halloween. He kinda felt like everything that could be done had been done, and he really wanted to try something new to spice things up.He stumbled upon a town which celebrated something called C...
Today I stumbled across a tribal discussion on Bhuz from back in June which I missed (I was on vacation for my anniversary around that time), in which my co-director Renee was making some observations about tribal bellydance in the context of a discussion where another dancer asked about the difference between cabaret and tribal. I really enjoyed her perspective, and she is such an eloquent writer...
All the way back in May, I was pondering the collision of modern media and the organic process of artistic creation. In that post I wrote:"A sculpture or a painting--even a piece of music or a video--is not expected to change, and is appreciated for its unchanging beauty. It is it's solidity that is part of its appeal, in a way. We see the same piece over time, and instead of expecting it to chang...
Last night was our "Elf Virgin Party", which sounds kinky, but is actually just an excuse to get some friends to watch the fabulously hilarious film. Really, if you haven't seen it, you must.My friend Michelle brought a bonus DVD for us to watch after: "Emmet the Otter's Jug Band Christmas". If you haven't seen it, and love Jim Henson's work as I do, you will love it. And do NOT miss the outtakes...
Zen Habits really just has some of the best articles! Here is an excerpt, and I encourage you to pop over and read the rest for yourself:"How often are you driving while talking on a cell phone, or thinking about work problems, or the errands you have to do? How often do you eat without thinking about the food you’re eating? How often do you drift off while doing other things, thinking about somet...
What Do You Want to Be Known For?, a post by Jonathan Fields over on his blog "Awake @ the Wheel"."It’s a question most of never really think about…Or, if we do, we think about it fleetingly, then tuck it away for some time down the road…when we’ll be able to finally do something about it.Then, we go about the business of more or less responding to life, just doing what’s in front of us every day...
On a local discussion group, the topic of "Best Advice and Lesssons" came up--people started sharing some of the key lessons they have learned from their teachers over the years.There are so many pieces of advice that I have received over the years, but I think the most important lessons weren't put into words, but put into practice and learned by example.Like how on the technique side, some of my...
One of my newer students, the lovely Kelly, gave me some wonderful food-for-thought today via her blog. From her very first class, I could see Kelly was a thoughtful student--she asked excellent questions, and gave good feedback verbally and physically when spoken to. So it didn't surprise me when she later told me she was herself a teacher; she teaches yoga. While I have heard nightmare stories f...
Today I am thankful for computers. My computer is not only a tool for communication and creativity, it is a conduit to information and greater understanding of the world outside my front door, and far beyond my front door, via the internet. I love learning new things I can do with it, especially when it involves Photoshop, Illustrator, iMovie/Final Cut, or HTML/CSS/PHP; with which any small projec...
An online friend, dear Leslie-Jean (Miss Boo, to those on tribe) remarked the other day on her Facebook status that she was exhausted by debates and discussions about ATS/tribal. And frankly, it is genuinely tiresome, and not for the faint of heart to leap into these topics of discussion in any medium. My latest was a discussion on one board about Tribal Fusion, and some misunderstanding that Rac...
Today I am thankful for my students. They have no idea how proud I am of them every second (I can say it every day, but they can't know how deeply in my heart I mean it!), and how honored I am to help guide them on their dance journey. I know "dance journey" sounds like a lot of hippie-hooey to those who aren't into dance, but I can tell you, it is a very accurate visual for what it means to be mo...
I have students who drive quite a distance to study with me--a fact I find speaks more to their dedication to the dance than any special skill I have in my teaching bag of tricks. A handful drive as much as an hour and a half to come to class every week, and I just want to squeeze the bejeezus out of them for their commitment and enthusiasm! Kat is one such student, and is even more remarkable tha...
Today I am thankful for the rain. Yes, rain, even you I am thankful for. They grey days can sometimes get me down, but at the same time, I am grateful for the water that makes things so beautifully green in my city. And I adore the sights, sounds, and smells of the rain! Oh yes, especially that crisp, clean smell. I love the sound of heavy rain pelting its rugged pitter-pat on the roof; and a stor...
Today I am thankful for my mind. Another thing we take for granted: our ability to process information, to parse data, to analyze details, to visualize, to question, to imagine. I feel like I got lucky, and got the best of both my parents: my mother's powerfully creative and artistic right brain, and my father's extraordinary logical and analytical left brain. I am not as strong as either of them ...
What are your favorite alternative tunes for class drills? Let's exchange some ideas for fun music which gets you moving and breaks you out of the usual!Right now, I am loving:Fast drills: "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" by Daft Punk, "Tickle It" and "Shake Ya Boogie" by Mocean Worker, and "Blues for Brother George Jackson" from the Verve Remixed album (which has some great slow breaks in it t...
Hello all! Here is the November Newsletter:NO CLASS NEXT WEEK, THANKSGIVING WEEKThat goes for Monday and Thursday. Have a great Turkey Day!WINTERFEST DECEMBER 5thNote to all Level 2 and 3 dancers who might be interested: Winterfest is coming! Are you interested in performing at Winterfest this year? Get in touch with me right away! We need to work out a rehearsal time for everyone to put the show...
Q. "I took ATS from another local teacher for 6 months, and have been taking cabaret for about 2.5 years from Teacher X and Teacher Y, and also had workshops with Zoe, Rachel Brice, Ariellah, Suhaila Salimpour, and Caroleena (sic) in San Francisco. Though you would not believe it from watching me. I took a hiatus since feeling that I wasn't where I should be after 3 years. But I love bellydance, s...
Today I am thankful for music. I have music playing most of the time in my world, whether I am home working on computer tasks, or at work (class or performing) dancing to it. I am grateful I have two ears to hear it with, and a mind and heart which appreciates it on so many levels. It can pick me up and drive me forward, help me relax, set the mood for a party with friends, or be the reason for t...
From http://clicks.robertgenn.com/personal-trainer.phpAdvice to artists from a personal trainer, taking skills from workout training and applying them to being an artist: * Find a sanctuary where you can comfortably work. * Dedicate at least two hours a day to your art. * Have more than enough equipment and supplies. * Set short- and long-term goals and keep track of progress. * Thi...
Okay, late on the stick by 10 days, but a Facebook meme is going around that I really like, and would like to do here on my blog. Would you like to join me? Then blog, Tweet, Facebook, LiveJournal, or however!"Every day this month until Thanksgiving, think of one thing that you are thankful for and post it as your status. "Today I am thankful for..." The longer you do it, the harder it gets! Now i...
I was perusing some very old tribe topics of discussion (and enjoying it immensely I might add--tribe is like an archive of the evolution of tribal bellydance in so many ways), and came across a thread about chorus. Specifically about students who don't "get" the idea of chorus, and feel "left out" if they are "stuck" in chorus a lot and aren't in the "spotlight". Molly had this astute observatio...
TONIGHT!The next new session of Tribal Bellydance with Sharon Moore begins tonight at 7:30pm.First it's Level 1 Foundations!Get your groove on learning the movements which comprise the basis of tribal bellydance. Feel stronger, more flexible, and have FUN! If you haven't registered yet, never fear, there is room! Or register online right now at http://www.mandalatribal.com/classes/registerThen at ...
Here is a simple baby hat pattern I adapted from Emma Waller's Quick & Easy Baby Hat. Hers is done flat and then seamed up the side, and I wanted to do mine in the round. So I adapted her pattern for circular knitting.I love the spiral decreases at the top, and think it comes out a bit more polished done in the round than with a stitched seam up one side. For my knitting friends, enjoy! I hope to...
Tribal Belly Dance Classes in Seattlewith Sharon "Shay" Moore!NEW SIX WEEK SESSIONS BEGIN:Monday November 2ndThursday November 5thPhinney Neighborhood Center6532 Phinney Ave N Room 7http://www.seattletribal.com/classesClick on "Schedule" at the left to learn more about times, directions, and more.See you in class!-Sharonhttp://www.seattletribal.comABOUT CLASSESSeattle Tribal Bellydance classes are...
For some reason, this quoted section below made me think of a lot of people I know in the dance community. I seem to run into a lot of what I would term "overly generous" souls in the dance community. That sounds wrong, doesn't it? How can one be overly generous? I define it as when people are not firm about their boundaries and limits, and as such their lives are partially or largely made up of p...
A quote about yoga practice, but really about any classroom..."When you're burdened with a million errands and anxieties, what your well-being requires is an exercise regime that, first and foremost, leaves no room for mental wandering."This is exactly why you students must challenge yourselves in class. When it's easy, your mind wanders right out the door into the past, into the future. When you ...
Dance Shay or Personal Shay? Or Both?Hello lovelies!Okay, I could use a little feedback here!Starting this journal, my intent was to keep it strictly dance and art related, with a few sillies thrown in here and there for fun. I have a separate personal journal that hasn't seen much action as of late, except to put up some of my knitting and crocheting patterns and projects, and recipes I have bee...
Q. Slow Songs? Fast Songs? Folkloric Songs? Techno? Can we dance to anything with tribal bellydance?A. While yes, you can step to the beat of any song and dance tribal style movement, some music is better suited to a more powerful overall look and feel of tribal bellydance. Having some funky modern music in your practice, jamming with friends, and even in some appropriate performances, is a lot of...
Hello lovely dancers!
I am so excited to be back teaching this week! Being sick sucks, and I have missed you all so very much. Looking forward to seeing everyone and jamming together!
Here are some announcements:
THIS WEEKEND - JOIN THE CIRCUS! INFUSION TRIBAL FOR BOOBIES!!!
PHINNEY WINTERFEST, DEC 5th
NEXT SESSION, THEN GOOD BYE 2009!
LEVEL 2B NEXT SESSION
THIS WEEKEND - JOIN THE CIRCUS!
INF...
I have often been asked by dancers in small towns or remote areas about the dilemma of not having a teacher in their area, and what they can do to learn and dance with others as they would like. Particularly for us ATS/Tribal dancers, you can't really dance without a group to dance WITH, so it can be frustrating to be stuck without a community to draw from. Many times they think their only option ...
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)
