Masha Archer and the San Francisco Classic Dance Troupe

Masha Archer's daughter, Larissa, has been taking classes with FatChance Bellydance! And what's more, she has become more active in discussion groups around the web, answering questions, and SHARING PHOTOS from her mother's collection. She has given me permission to post them to be linked at the TribalBellydance.org website. The DRD site will host the gallery, but you can find more resources, galleries, articles, and tutorials at TribalBellydance.org. Thanks to Larissa, we can enjoy these blasts from the past on our tribal family tree!

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Bellydance Troupe Games - A Humorous Quiz

Love this hilarious "Troupe Games" post from Raqs.co.nz, in which you can answer a simple fashion mag-type quiz to see what your troupe style is like!
 
 Sample questions:

"
You decide the troupe is going in a different direction from where you want to be, you
a: Explain the problem and give notice of your resignation
b: Say nothing because you don't want to hurt their feelings, but miss most of the practices and find reasons why you cannot perform at gigs
c: Say nothing but feel out possible like minded dancers in the troupe for one of your own then set up in opposition using the old troupe's choreographie"

AND

"
Your troupe has organized a show but has refused to give you star billing, you:
a: Realistically appraise your position and decide either to work harder to get the skill and presence you need or, if it seems unreasonable, leave.
b: Fume but perform even though you haven't put in much practice - because that's all they expect don't they.
c: Have a grandmother die on the day of the performance - that will teach them - then organize your own show with people who recognize your talent."

I'd almost laugh out loud, but then I realize...some of these alternatives are plucked straight from reality. !!! Say NO to BellyDance Drama!








Visit http://www.raqs.co.nz/humour/troupe_games.html for the rull quiz!

Mm Mm Monday - Dave Grohl

Dave Grohl was the keynote speaker at SXSW this year. I shared Bruce Springteen's moving keynote last year, and this year Dave's is just as important and beautiful for artists of all stripes. He poetically details a life of inspiration, creation, collaboration, and hones in on those key moments when we are moved in...new directions. *chuckle*

"Guilt. Guilt is cancer. It will confine you, torture you, destroy you as a musician. It is a wall. It is a black hole. It is a thief. It will keep you from YOU. Remember learning your first song, or riff, or writing your first lyric? There was no guilt then. Remember when there WAS no right or wrong? Remember the simple reward of just . . . playing music? You are still, and will always be that person at your core. The musician. And, The musician comes first.

Fuck guilty pleasure. How about . . . just pleasure?"

Read full transcript at: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/dave-grohls-sxsw-keynote-speech-
And see the video below:

Student Spotlight - Megan Romano

Name: Megan Romano
Age: 32
Profession: Epidemiologist/PhD student (I study the determinants of disease)
Hobbies: Knitting, baking, reading, hiking, swing dancing
How long have you been studying bellydance? About 4 years total - 1 1/2 years of cabaret, about 6 months of Egyptian, and the rest ATS with Shay

When did you first see bellydance? What were your first impressions?
I remember being completely mesmerized by a woman doing bellydance during a talent show in college. At the time I wasn't able to identify it as bellydance specifically, but I was fascinated by the contrast of fluid and percussive movements she used in her performance. I distinctly remember the first time that I saw improv tribal style bellydance. I had been dancing for about a year with the Goddess Dancing in Boston and was participating in their student showcase with the rest of my cabaret class. I had never seen tribal bellydance before, so I watched Tassellations dress rehearsal and was in total awe of how powerful and graceful their movements were and how much fun they seemed to be having dancing together. I must have asked Zia about a million questions afterwards -- "You make it up? Seriously, every time it is different? You use cues to choreograph as you go? Does that really work?" It pretty well blew my mind, and I knew I'd have to try it for myself.

What motivated you to finally take your first bellydance class?
My roommate practically dragged me to my first class, and I've been hooked ever since.

Mm Mm Monday - Students of Deep Roots Dance Featuring Nomaditude

I interrupt this regularly scheduled Mm Mm Monday to bring you my beloved students. They performed at Serpent's Muse at Cues & Tattoos over the weekend, and I am a proud momma. They worked hard and climbed over stumbling blocks to create this performance together. They come from various dance backgrounds to find a common dance language and share it in joy.

I am so warm and fuzzy after a family reunion of my tribal sisters and brothers. I am thrilled my little family got to be a part of it. I hope you enjoy their performance!