You know how sometimes people choose a single word to describe the year ahead of them? Is June too late to choose your word? Because I’m realizing that my word for 2015 is growth. I’ve made a semi-conscious decision to force myself to grow as a dancer, and do things I wouldn’t normally do.
I’m working on three of those things right now. First, although I’ve danced with a sword in a group setting, I’ve never done a sword solo, so I’m doing one tonight at Open Stage. It was a pretty spontaneous decision a few days ago, so it’s not going to be a very fancy solo, but I felt like it was time to do it. My other two things are entwined as one. I’m taking private Skype lessons with Amanda Rose to develop a drum solo choreography. It’s a two-fer because I’ve never choreographed anything, and I’ve never performed a drum solo by myself either. In fact, until last month’s Open Stage I’d never done a drum solo at all, but Ashley and I did a short duet to a drum solo.
I felt like I needed to do these things because they’re all good skills for a dancer to have, especially if I want to be a professional. Sword is, admittedly, not my favorite prop. I prefer things made of silk! But many audiences enjoy it so it’s important for me to be well-versed in it. Drum solos are also a huge crowd-pleaser, and they’re highly technical so it’s a good way to check in on my skills and see what needs worked out. And while I could probably get by without knowing how to choreograph, I feel like I should be contributing material to Fire & Gold’s repertoire. Plus if I ever want to teach, it will be good to know how to construct choreography for my students.
So that’s what I’m up to this month. Growth and change and hard work!
Picking out a good costume is just so overwhelming! Excuse me while I swoon!
I just realized today that I hadn’t done an “Anatomy of a Costume” post since September! It’s definitely time to bring those back. Let’s start by talking about what I wore for my photo shoot with Kyle Cassidy earlier this month.
I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do for this. I knew I wanted to wear something other than a super bootie skirt, because I tend to hit those pretty hard. Since I knew the shoot would be outdoors, I eventually decided on a more tribal look, but then I had to narrow it down from there. After playing with various skirts, I finally settled on two that looked awesome together. Added benefits were the fact that one of the skirts had a matching top, and I hadn’t worn either skirt for photos before.
The base skirt and matching top are really special, made out of a heavier woven material and stamped with block-print pattern that is accented with lots of metallic gold. I fell in love with it at the Magical Fashions booth at Tribal Fest last year, and it was the only one, so I had to have it. I really want to perform in this set someday! Unfortunately, the halter top needed some darts added, and one of my hastily-sewn darts popped during the shoot. We scrounged up a safety pin, but you can see the awkwardness of the repair in some of the photos. I definitely need to sit down and do a better job of adjusting this top.
The over skirt is another 25 yarder from Magical Fashions, one of her popular Aishwarya skirts which is made out of a shimmering duo-chrome fabric with a wide sari ribbon border. I stepped out of my usual box when I ordered this one and chose a peachy orange one, as I thought it would make a nice contrast with the green skirts I already had.
Underneath, I’m wearing a pair of below-the-knee bloomers in brown, I think they’re from Mishu? I’ve had them forever.
To top it off, I’m wearing a brown tribal belt with teal accents that I purchased at the African Village show a couple of years ago. The African Village is part of the gem show and features vendors from Africa, selling gems and jewelry and art and more. It’s a great place to get a basket, or a djembe, or a giant beaded throne (someday!). I’m also wearing the cool hinged bracelet that I picked up from Silk Road Tribal at Tribal Fest, peacock fake gauge earrings and a beaded necklace that I made with a double-sided scarab bead by Margaret Zinser.
Because I was rushed on time, I kept the hair and makeup simple. I really like the more natural look I ended up with. Not as glamorous as I would normally be on stage, I think these photos show a softer side of me — well, except for the ones where I’ve got a sword and my face seems to say “I am going to murder you.”
This is my murdering face.
My sword is a Kult of Athena Balady scimitar. I really like it, the size and weight is ideal for balancing and it looks very impressive. The other prop that I brought was a cute parasol that I picked up from Woman Shops World at the bead show. I’ve wanted one of these besequined parasols forever, and an outdoor photo shoot was the perfect excuse to buy one. I choose one in nice warm coppery and gold colors, because it really complimented this costume, and will also look great for many of my other costumes, especially steampunk looks.
Just out for a stroll.
I’m really happy with this costume. It was fun to go back to my tribal roots and layer on the big fluffy skirts!
Usually if I’m getting photos taken, I prefer to work with a photographer who is a belly dancer or regularly works with belly dancers, like my awesome pal Liora K, or the professional photographers at dance events, like Lee Corkett and Carrie Mayer. But when my beading friend Kate McKinnon said she was bringing Kyle Cassidy out to photograph beadwork again, and people could sign up for portrait sessions, I had to jump on it. Kyle’s kind of a big deal, and the photos he’s taken at Kate’s previous shindigs have been really awesome, so I thought it would be a lot of fun to work with him and see what a non-bellydance-photographer would do with a belly dancer.
As it turns out, it WAS a lot of fun! I have to admit, since I was caught up in Gem Show Madness I didn’t give as much thought and preparation to this photo shoot as I should have. I think I did my makeup in about 20 minutes, so it ended up being a lot simpler than I normally do, but I felt like it suited my costume and the outdoor lighting.
Many cool photos were taken. I posed in front of an Airstream trailer with my sword. I draped myself artfully on an outdoor bed. And I put on one of Kate’s vintage ball gowns and twirled around in the park. In some of the pictures, I look fierce. Others are quite playful.
I’m really looking forward to getting my images and sharing them all over the internet. I’m already making plans for which ones will be used for new blog features, or new FB profile pictures.
If you get a chance to work with Kyle, I definitely recommend it. He has a great eye for framing and an active imagination for poses, paired with a warm personality and a clear way of communicating his ideas. I hope that someday I’ll get to work with him again, during a less hectic time so I can come up with some really wild costuming, makeup and props!
