She wasn’t certain but we applied for a slot anyway and
got a spot in between her two Saturday workshops! So, we
buckled down and got to work on our dance, and just in
time completed it, and felt really good about presenting it at
the Austin Bellydance Convention 2019!
With the collaborative duet choreography completed, I
would now have an additional chance to perform with my
dance sister as the Wildlings!
Come Saturday afternoon, we were both pretty nervous, but
were quickly calmed by the perfect improvised introduction
by one of my all-time favorite Wildlings, Z-Helene!
Both of these experiences were very different.
One performance involved opening the Friday night
show and dancing with nearly my whole troupe on a stage
illuminated with special lighting and a darkness where the
audience should have been and knowing I was sharing the
evening’s stage with incredible performers, such as Michelle
Sorenson (Utah), Devin Alfather, Bahaia, Athena Najat
(Turkey), and Stacey Lizette.
The Afternoon Showcase was a bit more vulnerable due to
the brightened ballroom and smaller audience. However,
both were met with hoots and cheers of support that made
it all feel worth it.
These performance opportunities made an extremely fun
addition to my weekend at ABDC, but they were challenging.
I had to make time for practice, as well as costume, makeup
and hair prep, while also continuing to check in vendors and
collect raffle items and make raffle bags.
Collecting the raffle items is an important aspect to my
volunteer position. See...each night we sell raffle tickets with
the chance to win 1 of 4 bags. Now these are no ordinary
raffle bags-these bags are filled with several wonderful items
and many of them are hand-crafted. Items and services
are donated by generous ABDC vendors such as Gitane’s
Treasures, Irie Tribal, Beaver Creek Design, Gilded Gypsy,
Sweet Sparrow Studio, Liora Designs, Love Lipstick &
Lashes and Austin Bellydance Studio to name a few, as
well as our headlining instructors, Michelle Sorenson and
Vanessa Raqs of Cairo. Each of these raffle bags are valued
at $80 - $150, and the money raised by ticket sales goes to
60
The Belly Dance Chronicles
January 2020
Vendors
Photo by Daniel Kelch
Athena Najat
Photo by Joe Spitler