What Do Beads, the Blues, and Birthdays Have In Common?

What do Beads, the Blues, and Birthdays have in common? Oh, me! Come on down to Redwood City Friday evening and Saturday and experience the annual Blues Festival. I will be selling my jewelry there in a booth. Look for me. My birthday is Saturday so if you say "Happy Birthday" I will give you 10% off any jewelry purchases from Beadcentric Jewelry. My tent will be located at Broadway and Hamilton Streets close to the music at the Courthouse Square.

July 23rd and July 24th, PAL Blues Festival and Art on the Square. Live entertainment and vendor booths open Friday night 5-8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 11:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Bring a folding chair and sunscreen and enjoy the music, food, and festivities. Otherwise, I'll be blue without you!

My First Belly Dance Show -Part Two- What Does Chocolate Fantasy Have To Do With It?

First, there I am in motion. Second photo, photojournalistic style, from top to bottom: April (me), Nicole, Gloria, Malia, and Monica. Malia's hubby sitting near the stairs with video camera.

I ended up doing well and no one could tell it was my first Belly Dance performance. I knew that I knew the choreography with my eyes closed. Practice! Practice! Practice!

Other comments to me earlier that day about how to calm my nerves:

"Find a space where you can close your eyes and relax your body totally at the performance venue."

"Wear a special amulet that is your "grounding stone" Focus on the stability of this amulet."

"Visualize flowing water - hear it smell it let it wash your nervousness away"

"If you know Yoga "Sun Salutation" do it five times before the dance. This will not only help you stretch - It will help you "breathe" Bring Lavendar essential oil or a sprig of Lavendar from your garden. Lavendar has calming properties."

"Today before the show - Google "overcoming stage fright" there are soo many articles online about this topic."

"One thing that trips me up is my tummy tensing up before a show.
It always helps to take big belly breaths ; )"

"What works for me is to stop fighting the anxiety....and just use it as excitement for the performance....!! Plus a nice margarita :)

"And if none of the above works take a Xanax and think about baseball."

I will perform again. And I will reference these notes and follow some of this advice. Well, except for the Xanax and baseball part. Isn't that from a movie? One thing I kept my focus on was that dessert drink at the end of the night "Chocolate Fantasy". Two scoops of chocolate gelato and Graham's Port poured on top. That was my Xanax and keeping my eye on the ball- or scoops rather- that was my relaxation technique. My reward for being brave. Lead me to the dance floor!

My First Belly Dance Show - How to Calm My Nerves?

First, pictured all of the New Moon Belly Dance Ensemble dancers, guests, and Jill Parker and the Fox Glove Sweethearts. Second Picture, the Bedouin Dancers (the first dance number): back row- Sarah, Basha,Regina, front row-Laura, April (me), Debra

I was more nervous in the days leading up to my bellydance performance then I was on the actual day.

By then I knew the choreography and I had practiced every day without fail and I even went through the steps in my mind as I slept. Some of the other dancers said they listened to the song and went through the steps in their minds as they drove in their cars. I could not do that without crashing I am sure! I e-mailed everyone asking what I could do to manage my nerves. Some said to use lavender. Brilliant! I have so much lavender already because I inhale natural lavendar for headaches. The day of the show I went to my jewelry studio for 4 hours (short day) then I went home, practiced the routine once flawlessly, then plugged in the diffuser and filled it with Lavender essential oil (Young Living). I watched it mist and hiss, I lay down for 20 minutes and slept for about 10 minutes, I think. With a lavender aroma filled room and bathroom, I got up and took a shower, got dressed, ate a small cheese sandwhich on wheat bread, drank water, and put on tons of make up. Apparently, not enough. They added more to my eyes when I got to Angelica's Bistro. Some of the other things people said to do to to calm my nerves:

Our fearless leader, Malia: Try to find my space of "Calm" and "Silence" before you dance.

Practice finding that space everytime you run through the dance in class and at home. That way you are conditioning yourself and you are comfortable with this routine when it's performance time.
Deep Breathe.

She said so much more... as did others... to be continued!

Red Hot Cabaret Night

An evening of sizzling Belly Dance

Featuring Malia and the New Moon Belly Dance Ensemble.

Special Guests are Jill Parker and

the FoxGlove Sweethearts.

Saturday, March 6th
Dinner starts at 7:00pm. Showtime at 8:00pm

Angelica's Bistro 863 Main Street, Redwood City, CA 94063
$10.00 Cover Charge

Order from the Full Menu - Dinner Reservations a Must (650)-365-3226. Book early, it will sell out!
www.angelicasbistro.com
Visit Malia on the web: www.bellydancer.net

www.jillparkerbellydance.com

Hot Fun! Hope to see you there!

Outstanding Dance Teachers Advance Outstanding Performers

There is no mystery as to why Malia DeFelice and her belly dance troupe draw large and loyal crowds to their performances. I had Malia and her New Moon Belly Dance Ensemble perform at an art reception in Redwood City in October 2007. We ran out of standing room and people’s eyes were glued to the windows outside of this gallery to get at least a glimpse. I gave up my inside spot and joined the onlookers outside. I had never seen so many people attend a function at that gallery. Eight months later Malia and her dancers performed at the grand opening of my new Jewelry Studio in San Carlos. Passersby were not only on the sidewalk with the invited guests at this cozy outdoor performance but people came out of their homes across the street and set up their chairs on their porches to take it all in. I have also seen Malia and the New Moon Belly Dance Ensemble perform in restaurants and they are sold out every time with people peering into the windows for a view. Not just because they are a spectacle with their bright flashy costumes and adornments but also because they are elegant and highly skilled as they grace the room with energy and purpose. Urns and swords are in balance. Music and undulations are in harmony. Smiles and flirtatious grins abound. Malia works with purpose and you can see this in her abilities as a teacher and performer. As a teacher, Malia emphasizes the importance of mastering basic steps. She then builds on those basic steps with more advanced techniques. Malia is good with people and has a watchful eye to make sure she understands the concerns that individuals have in her classes and makes an effort to address those concerns. Then the real fun begins with the dance choreography. Outstanding! If you are interested in taking classes with Malia DeFelice, and a schedule of performances by Malia and the New Moon Belly Dance Ensemble, please visit her website for more information. She also performs at private parties. Her next performance is Saturday, March 6th, 8:00 p.m. at Angelica’s Bistro in Redwood City. Make reservations now. Don’t miss another outstanding performance!

http://www.bellydancer.net

http://www.angelicasbistro.com/home.htm