The Belly Dance Chronicles Jan/Feb/Mar 2020 Volume 18, Issue 1 | Page 59

• You may return to your hometown to share stories, and then • Plan your next dance adventure with friends. This year I added a bit to my usual grind and applied for 2 performance opportunities. I was not 100% sure I would be able to wing it since my job is pretty consuming. In previous years I have barely been able to break away for my discounted workshops (The ABDC is very generous when it comes to volunteer compensation), but I figured I would try. So, I sent in the application for my troupe and we were invited to perform in the Friday Gala; I now had the opportunity to perform with my troupe, Gypsy Roulette! Our hotel room was booked, all the stage info was sent in, and now we just needed to pick a routine and practice! We were all super excited to have this opportunity, so as our director, I made sure everyone had purchased their classes and all the info they needed ahead of time, for I knew I would not be available for extra questions once I arrived at the Holiday Inn on Thursday, June 27 th . As the event grew closer, I became aware that the Saturday Showcase was still looking for performances. As it so happened, my friend Cindy and I were in the process of creating a new duet, so I asked her if she thought we could finish it in time for ABDC. Gypsy Roulette Photo by Joe Spitler