Belly Dance Blessings: When “Me” Gets Lost in “We”

So, you may have gathered by now, after Belly Dance Beginnings and then showing pictures from my crazy zombie belly dance performance at Café Aroma, that I’m deeply committed to and enamored of belly dancing.  If anyone had told me three years ago that I would not only start baring my midriff in class, but would unabashedly shimmy, shake and undulate half nekkit in front of an audience, I would have laughed them out of the room! But now, after becoming a BD addict, I look back at an entire year of performances, not only in the supportive, encouraging ATS (American Tribal Style) community, but in parades (I’ve become a spectacle!), for holidays, and also at my favorite bistro in the world, Café Aroma.

I am so regal...NOT! But I'm having a blast, at Cafe Aroma

Run by Frank Ferro, a man I think of as a modern renaissance man, a true patron of the arts in many forms, this intimate social club and delectable eatery has become a haven for my mid-life cris-….errr…self expression.  The owner, Hubert, is a retired French math professor who also supports the arts in many forms.  This dynamic environment creates an opportunity for me to join my amazingly lovely and talented instructor and troupe leader Rachael on the stage, or often, in the midst of the diners as we dance and zill to the music and deftly dodge plate-bearing servers – a veritable talent in and of itself!

Hamming it up, vintage style, in the July 4th parade

Because we are not choreographed, but yet flow almost magically from move to move, coordinated by subtle cues we give and receive, I barely realize I am “performing”…it’s more like I’m grooving-lol!  My co-dancers and I exchange smiles as often as we exchange the lead, and we gloss over any missteps with a silent giggle or raised eyebrow.  We are connected co-conspirators in a blissful dance of total improvisation, and our best compliments come when our adoring public (heehee snort) comment on our “seamless choreography” ☺

Speaking of seamless…I’d like to share: Something to aspire to. This is a clip of the amazing troupe The Indigo, featuring Rachel Brice, a dancer who inspires many a clod to persevere toward grace! And yes! I’m going again to Tribal Fest this year for a dazzling dose of dance.

I owe a debt of gratitude to so many who have contributed to this amazing experience…where, because we dance as a group (usually a trio), I tend to completely remove myself from the “me” and focus on the “we” and I know I’m having a fabulous time…the cheeky grin I can’t seem to subdue tells me and my audience.