Hello from Alaina in Michigan!

purplesage · 03-20-2008, 04:30 AM

Hello!!

I just wanted to say a quick hello and introduce myself. My name is Alaina and I just joined bhuz recently. I live in Holly, Michigan, about 50 miles from Detroit, with my husband and five children. (Yes you read that right...ages 10, 9, almost 7 and almost 2 year old twins!)

I have a confession to make and that is that I am not a dancer.

I have been intrigued with belly dance for such a long time, though, but have always been a bit on the shy side and I guess a bit afraid to take a class! last year I started dyeing silk veils which has turned out to be a passion for me. I have a goal of actually starting to take classes this year, but it is hard to find something that works for me because of the children and my husband's work schedule and long commute! In the meantime, I've been watching a lot of u-tube videos and trying to teach myself a little bit.

I sell my line of silk veils, Purple Sage Silks, through my ebay store which can be found by going to the-farmhouse-boutique.com or this link (eBay Store - the farmhouse boutique: tie dye t-shirts, waldorf play silk, playsilk) and through my etsy store (soon to grow...thefarmhouseboutique.etsy.com). I recently started working for Jes at A'Kai so you can find most of her amazing silk veils through my eBay store, too! I am currently accepting custom orders and have a variety of auctions and store items running all the time at the ebay store.

Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and nice to meet y'all!

Alaina

suzyq52 · 03-20-2008, 07:41 AM

Welcome to bhuz! And, yes, you really should try to take a bellydance class - I'm sure you will love it! I've only been dancing about four and a half years but I so wish I had discovered this beautiful art form sooner in my life. It has brought me much happiness and many new friends!

gypsydanse · 03-20-2008, 08:02 AM

hi, welcome to the rest of the bhuz addicts........

lallakahina · 03-20-2008, 03:41 PM

Welcome from a fellow Michiganer!

I think there's a Ren Faire in Holly, isn't there? I've never been to it, since I've only been in the area for less than a year. I bet they have some great belly dance there!

purplesage · 03-21-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzyq52

Welcome to bhuz! And, yes, you really should try to take a bellydance class - I'm sure you will love it! I've only been dancing about four and a half years but I so wish I had discovered this beautiful art form sooner in my life. It has brought me much happiness and many new friends!

Thank you for the welcome and yes, I really do hope to find something that works with our schedule soon!

purplesage · 03-23-2008, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lallakahina

Welcome from a fellow Michiganer!

I think there's a Ren Faire in Holly, isn't there? I've never been to it, since I've only been in the area for less than a year. I bet they have some great belly dance there!

Hi!

Yes, Holly has a big Renaissance Festival. The twins were still little babies last year during it so we weren't able to attend, but we plan on checking it out this year! (We've only lived here about a year and a half.)

I think I saw on your profile that you are from Ann Arbor? You are so lucky...it seems like such a cool town. I am hoping to start going down there a more frequently, as it is only about 45 minutes from where we live during non-peak traffic. My husband works in downtown Detroit, which is also only about 45 minutes if it isn't rush hour...we do lots of stuff down that way and are used to having to drive about 45 minutes to get anywhere good!

Alaina

purplesage · 03-23-2008, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsydanse

hi, welcome to the rest of the bhuz addicts........

Thank you for the welcome!

If someone could tell me what some of the rules are here I'd appreciate it! For example, if I am putting some new veils that I've made up for sale, can I tell the group about it or is that not allowed? I don't want to step on any toes!

Also, is there a separate forum for trying to find classes or an instructor? For some reason this site and my computer are not totally cooperating with each other and sometimes it is running so slow I have to abandon ship before I get the info I'm looking for.

Thanks!

Alaina

purplesage · 03-23-2008, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suzyq52

Welcome to bhuz! And, yes, you really should try to take a bellydance class - I'm sure you will love it! I've only been dancing about four and a half years but I so wish I had discovered this beautiful art form sooner in my life. It has brought me much happiness and many new friends!

Thank you so much for the kind welcome. Yes, I know I will love it! It is so beautiful. Sometimes if I get a minute to unwind I like to just watch a video of some dancing. And I am having fun as I begin to learn about the origins and the different types of belly dance.

My ten year old daughter is very interested in it all, too! She is so sweet...she got all dolled up in a fancy dress and hair ribbons (closest she has to a costume, I suppose) and asked if she could dance and model veils for pictures for me. (Of course, it was about 20 degrees out so I said we'll have to do it the next sunny day when I have things to photograph!) I don't know if there are many classes offered for children or if this is something reserved for learning in the teen years or adulthood? I met one lady with a young daughter who does belly dance but I haven't met anyone else. My daughter could certainly use the confidence I'm sure dance will bring it it is an appropriate thing for her to learn now!

Alaina

angelique2 · 03-27-2008, 11:35 AM

to bhuz!

nakiajizeem · 03-27-2008, 12:11 PM

Hello! Welcome to Bhuz!

lallakahina · 03-27-2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplesage

Hi!

Yes, Holly has a big Renaissance Festival. The twins were still little babies last year during it so we weren't able to attend, but we plan on checking it out this year! (We've only lived here about a year and a half.)

I think I saw on your profile that you are from Ann Arbor? You are so lucky...it seems like such a cool town. I am hoping to start going down there a more frequently, as it is only about 45 minutes from where we live during non-peak traffic. My husband works in downtown Detroit, which is also only about 45 minutes if it isn't rush hour...we do lots of stuff down that way and are used to having to drive about 45 minutes to get anywhere good!

Alaina

I've only been here for a year, but Ann Arbor is a pretty town. It seems like it must be the gem of Michigan, since its crowded with pedestrians all year round...

Uulady · 03-28-2008, 09:30 AM

Hi from an Alana who is sometimes called Alaina. ;) Welcome to Bhuz!

norma · 03-28-2008, 12:16 PM

Hi Alaina. Welcome to the addiction called Bhuz. I'm from Detroit too. Last year I was one of the judges for the belly dance competition at the Holly Rennaissance fair. My good friend Aida of San Franscisco is one of the organizers of the fair. Aida was an original member of Jamila Salimpour's troupe back in the day.

Mikky · 03-28-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norma

fair. My good friend Aida of San Franscisco is one of the organizers of the fair. Aida was an original member of Jamila Salimpour's troupe back in the day.

Hi Alaina! I am with Aida's troupe - please join us in class! Aida's site is aidaofsanfrancisco.com. Aida teaches out of her home studio in Pontiac during the week and at Okland University on Sundays. Not a far drive at all! You will be very hard pressed to find a teacher that is warmer and more fun that Aida. A truly unique individual with more knowledge of music and dancing than I could ever absorb. She is very serious about technique but we have sooooo much fun. I adore Aida and all of the women in the troupe. The ever expanding group of troupe members extremely diversre and all egos are left at the door. We would welcome you with open arms!

Norma - I was at the St. Jude Bene - your workshop killed me - I LOVED it!

Hugs to all,
Michelle

norma · 04-02-2008, 04:25 PM

Killed you? I almost died! That shimmying on the back leg is a killer. Why do you think I let you break early! LOL!

I'm teaching a workshop in Chicago in June 21, 22. Try to make it.

Mikky · 04-03-2008, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norma

Killed you? I almost died! That shimmying on the back leg is a killer. Why do you think I let you break early! LOL!

I'm teaching a workshop in Chicago in June 21, 22. Try to make it.

It was a killer but sooo fun! Everytime I am on the leg machines at the gym I think about that shimmy - for real!

Ooh! This must be what Lana mentioned to me last week. All I got was Chicago/June/details to come. I'll have to try and make it!!

norma · 04-03-2008, 08:42 AM

From a previous post:
Angelina (Dahlena's daughter) and Alexandria are sponsoring Mohammed Shahin weekend of June 21-22. On Saturday, he will teach a MASTER CLASS at Belle Plaine Studio. Prior to this, several out-of-state dancers who have specialties OTHER than Egyptian-style dance will be conducting TECHNIQUE CLINICS

Natasha of Portland is definately doing "Chiftitelli with Attitude" which will focus on turkish technique. I am doing American Greek Style Caberet. Shadiah from Detroit is doing khaleegy and finger cymbals.

The Sunday workshops will be held at another studio-Visceral Dance on Elston by Western and Diversey. Mohamed will be teaching Folkloric styles-Saidi with cane and another stunning Raqs Sharqi classic egyptian routine. Both workshops, as well as Saturday's Master Class, will be 2 hrs in length. All 3 clinics will be 90 minutes each and are priced separately from Mo's workshops. Of course you will all save if you pre-pay before June 1 and also if you " buy in bulk!'

The showcase concert will be at Al Hambra Palace on Sunday at 8pm....this is your chance to see quality dancers in a truly gorgeous, unparalleled setting! Following our showcase, Detroit star Tony Bahu will rock the stage-bring your dancing shoes cuz you have never heard such an innovative, irresistable, dancable fusion of western and middle-eastern music!!! Show Tickets are $20 prior to June 1, $25 after, menu is completely separate (but delicious)!

More details to follow soon.

Mikky · 04-03-2008, 09:38 AM

Ooohh! Sounds dreamy!! And Chicago is a favorite city!

ohio_laura · 04-07-2008, 04:20 PM

Welcome to Bhuz - I used to live near Detroit but now live near Columbus. I'm also relatively new and am figuring out the rules too. I think reading the sticky notes at the top of the forums helps.

Laura

purplesage · 04-14-2008, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uulady

Hi from an Alana who is sometimes called Alaina. ;) Welcome to Bhuz!

Thank you! And *I* am often called Alana!

Alaina

Hello from Alaina in Michigan!

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