Hi from Michelle in Michigan!

[Mikky]

Ahem (steps up to the podium): My name is Michelle and I am a Belly Dance student. I have been shimmy-ing for about 450 days now. It took me a while to admit that I am an addict. Friends and family have tried make me understand but to no avail. "It's just a hobby, I can quit whenever I want!" would always be my reply. It was when my always supportive boyfriend finally had to hold an intervention to stop me from buying fabric ("But it was on sale!"), and ebay items from Turkey ("but it is perfect for the new costume I am making out of that fabric I just bought"), that I finally had to admit I have a problem....

Sorry, couldn't resist that....
I've posted a few things on Bhuz so figured I should probably introduce myself.
I live just outside of Detroit (like 4 blocks), in the cute little burb of Ferndale. I am 3/4 Armenian and 1/4 Scot-Irish which means that while talent for them needs to be brought out, music and dance are part of my blood. So is food, unfortunately - I get THAT part strictly from the Armenian side! And yes, I love a drink as well :). I grew up knowing what Belly Dancing was and wanted nothing more than to be one of those beautiful, exotic women my Grandfather held in such high regard. Maybe some day I will get there! My Father played in an Armenian band for over 30 years and has played with the best of the best. Though never a pro, I remember playing with my Mothers Zills when I was little. Now they are mine as is her Doumbeg. My Father helps me with my drumming. It's all a circle.....

I take classes with Aida Al-Adawi (Jamila Salimpour's protégé for many years) and Lana Mini (of Detroit Bellydance), though I have been sorely absent from Lana's classes :(. I consider both Aida and Lana family and love them both dearly.

I do perform (dance/drum) with Aida's troupe, The Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble, and feel extremely privileged to do so. Please come out to visit us at the Michigan Renaissance festival this summer!

In addition I have 2 Great Pyrenees named George & Mocha, a cat with a million names, a frog named Opal and a few other little monsters.

I hope you all have a lovely day!
Michelle

Ps. I should also add that I am completely ADDICTED to the swap meet here. The costumes blow my mind! I have decided that if I ever get fit enough a Pharonics will be mine. If I never develop the talent to perform in it, well, I'll just wear it to the grocery store! :)

[ohio_laura]

Hi Michelle,
You've made me want to introduce myself as well. I also lived outside Detroit (about 10 blocks) in Dearborn - lots of good music in the air! Now I live in Columbus and take classes at Habeeba's.
Is Ferndale still a fun berg with the great and independent fabric shops?

Laura

[Taj]

Hi, there!

I am also a Mikky/Michelle (although mine are spelled Micky/Michele)! What's that all about, anyway? :-) Welcome to Bhuz!

[Michelle75]

Hi,
I'm a Michelle too. Never have gone by Micky or Mikky. Hmmm, now I feel left out. Anyways, welcome to Bhuz.

[gypsydanse]

hi, welcome!

[Mikky]

Originally Posted by ohio_laura

Is Ferndale still a fun berg with the great and independent fabric shops?

Hi Laura! Ferndale is still funky and fun but no fabric shops :( Habermans is still in Royal Oak but they are soooo expensive! Still, I do love to shop there when I can!

[Mikky]

Originally Posted by Taj

Hi, there!

I am also a Mikky/Michelle (although mine are spelled Micky/Michele)! What's that all about, anyway? :-) Welcome to Bhuz!

Hee hee! That is too funny!

[Mikky]

Originally Posted by gypsydanse

hi, welcome!

Thank you!

[Mikky]

Originally Posted by Michelle75

Hi,
I'm a Michelle too. Never have gone by Micky or Mikky. Hmmm, now I feel left out. Anyways, welcome to Bhuz.

Awww - well only a couple people have called me Mikky so don't feel too left out!

[Amber_moon]

Hi Michelle!

Im also from MI, Im from Sterling Heights (few miles outside Detroit) I also have studied with Aida (shes one of my favs!)

Right now Im currently studying under Princess Madiha, who teaches out of Northville.

I definitely plan on seeing you guys at the Ren Faire this year and cant wait!

Welcome and nice to meet you!

[Mikky]

Originally Posted by Amber_moon

Hi Michelle!

Im also from MI, Im from Sterling Heights (few miles outside Detroit) I also have studied with Aida (shes one of my favs!)

Right now Im currently studying under Princess Madiha, who teaches out of Northville.

I definitely plan on seeing you guys at the Ren Faire this year and cant wait!

Welcome and nice to meet you!

Hey Amber! I work in Mad-heights (yo) so am right by you. Small world!! Princess Madiha is SUCH an amazing woman, you must love studying with her. When I was looking for a teacher I found her first but was WAY too intimidated. Then I found Aida and again, WAY too intimidated (living legends, both!) so I went with one of Aida's students, Lana. I was still intimidated, but not so bad :). Knowing both Aida and Princess Madiha (and if you know Lana), you must be laughing your butt off at my saying I was intimidated! I know thinking about it makes me laugh! They are such kind, genuine women!! I have only met Princess Madiha on a few occasions but she came across both warm and generous. Watching her dance at the St. Jude workshop brought tears to my eyes.

Keep in touch and let me know when you are coming out to festival!

[norma]

Hi Michelle. I live in Fraser, north of Detroit. Aida is a dear friend of mine and Princess Madiha was my teacher for years and years. I hope you get to study with her one day.

[Mikky]

Originally Posted by norma

Hi Michelle. I live in Fraser, north of Detroit. Aida is a dear friend of mine and Princess Madiha was my teacher for years and years. I hope you get to study with her one day.

Hi Norma - I really admire your dancing love to read your posts (I'm a lurker on Tribe as well). I believe we met breifly out at Fest last summer and again at the St. Jude benefit. You know, I wouldn't give Aida up for the world but would love to take classes with Princess Madiha one day as well. It's always in the back of my mind. Who knows, maybe towards the end of this year!

[Amber_moon]

OMG! Thats not too far at all! Imagine that!

Im cracking up right now because I was very intimidated when I first met the two of them as well, but I knew they were the best so I took some classes and boy am I glad I did!

They are so sweet and so kind (and sometimes so HONEST) that its disarming and I totally forgot why I was ever intimidated in the first place!

Im so glad to see another MI dancer here!

Last night at Princess Madihas class I DID find myself tearing up, because of the way she expressed the music, and how much it shows, that she feels it.

Anyway yes please keep in touch and I will definitely drop you a line and let you know when we will be at the fair.

Originally Posted by Mikky

Hey Amber! I work in Mad-heights (yo) so am right by you. Small world!! Princess Madiha is SUCH an amazing woman, you must love studying with her. When I was looking for a teacher I found her first but was WAY too intimidated. Then I found Aida and again, WAY too intimidated (living legends, both!) so I went with one of Aida's students, Lana. I was still intimidated, but not so bad :). Knowing both Aida and Princess Madiha (and if you know Lana), you must be laughing your butt off at my saying I was intimidated! I know thinking about it makes me laugh! They are such kind, genuine women!! I have only met Princess Madiha on a few occasions but she came across both warm and generous. Watching her dance at the St. Jude workshop brought tears to my eyes.

Keep in touch and let me know when you are coming out to festival!

[angelique2]

Hi Michelle,

[norma]

Were you in the competition? I think I remember talking to you. Definitely try to take from Madiha. It's a lot of work but she's the best!

[Mikky]

Originally Posted by norma

Were you in the competition? I think I remember talking to you. Definitely try to take from Madiha. It's a lot of work but she's the best!

Nooo, no competitions for me! I dance/drum in Aidas troupe and was also in 2 numbers at the benefit, one with just our troupe and also the Khaleeji with The Habibi's.

I love to work hard and be challenged! I really do think I will try and get into a class by the end of the year. The lovely thing is, there is no animosity within a certain group of instructors in the area. No offence is taken if a student wants to also learn from another teacher. It is very comforting.

[Mikky]

[quote=Amber_moon;149432]
They are so sweet and so kind (and sometimes so HONEST) that its disarming and I totally why I was ever intimidated in the first place!
QUOTE]

Oh ya... Aida is certainly honest! and you know - she treats us all like family so it's no holds barred! But in a good way, you know?

I'd love to meet up with you! Let me know when you will be coming out! Are you going to The Habibi's show/workshops in lansing on the 19th? I don't think I am going to do the workshops but will be doing 1 number in the show with the troupe. At least that's the plan for now.

[Mikky]

Thanks to all who sent greetings and welcomes!!

[norma]

I'll probably be at the show.