Yes, another late intro. I think I remember when BHUZ first started. I came here, nothing much of interest, and haven't been back since. WHOA! What a community you gals have built. What started as interest in the costume swap meet has turned into a full blown BHUZ addiction, so I might as well just introduce myself.
My name is Lisa Mandin and I am from Seattle, WA. I started dancing as a slightly shy and withdrawn 14 year old with absoutely no expectations of EVER performing. Well, one thing led to another and with the push of a very encouraging teacher I was doing troup shows after a year and in restaurants at 16. Viola! My dance career was born. I make no claim that these early shows were any good, but they certainly were a learning experience for me.
Actually, my first solo show was at a small restaurant in Mukilteo, WA as a guest dancer. It was such a seedy joint. They only had I think 2 tables and no space. I brought a CD, but they couldn't play CD and I had to borrow a tape from none other than the artist formerly known as Lila of Ellensburg (now Leila of Cairo). She was fabulous and she was very nice to me as a bellybunny whose show was probably aweful. I am glad she made it big and wish her the best.
So I'm 23 now and have gotten much better over the years. I perform in restaurants on the weekend (One is the same restaurant as 7 years ago- talk about repetition!) and that is about it. I've been lapsing on the workshops due to finances and time constraints, but I hope to pick up again and start learning some new stuff. I have no plans to try and make a full-time career out of belly dance, but you never know; I didn't think I'd ever perform either. I'll just see where it takes me. After having a summer mostly free of work, I have recently re-discovered how much I like belly dance and I do plan to stretch my wings a little bit by participating in more local events, haflas, competitions and the like in the coming years. I sometimes fantasize about traveling for this dance, but doubt I ever will. I admire the women who have the guts to do it.
Anyways, see you around BHUZ!
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