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Dear Dancers
I want to share a bit about my creative process in regard to a recent belly dance event. I know it's long. If you have time and interest then I hope you find it interesting. I'm sharing it as part of my dedication to teaching woman about dance as well as empowerment.
W.O.W.
I gotta say, I have had a secret longing of performing in the main sanctuary of Unity Church from the very beginning of the founding of the Woman of Wisdom (W.O.W.) organization in 1992. I remember seeing Elizabeth Denis and a few others get the opportunity over the years. I have been a guest in the basement space a few times. However to me performing in the main hall of the church is so symbolic. It represents the notion that belly dance has arrived to be seen for the true beauty and sacredness it deserves in this day and age.
The dream was there but put on hold for other projects. My connection with W.O.W dissolved over the past 7 years as it did for many women. But surprise, I was invited last fall to perform for the opening of Starhawk's talk at the annual women of Wisdom conference in February. In the fall I felt a lot of new energy beginning to collect. Now I see the cosmos reserved this date especially for me a long time ago. Because now the organization is being reborn again. I think we are entering into very hopeful times. For if you didn't already know. . . Feb 14th was the dawning of Aquarius! (40 years since that famous song)
When the Moon is in the seventh house And Jupiter aligns with Mars. Then peace will guide the planets And love will steer the stars.
Obama is our 44th president and that I am told in numerological order is suppose to be an angelic number.
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Magic crystal revelation
And the minds true liberation
Aquarius!
Aquarius!
So here is this wonderful opportunity set before me. What was I going do since I wouldn't have the live band with me. What to wear? What would I dance to and how would I plan my dance. The room is huge...I think I need a prop. Ugh. My worst skill is choosing recorded music (I admit I am a bit spoiled when it comes to music).
The creative process begins...
I pulled my Ancient Egyptian Goddess costumes from the wardrobe. Beautiful, but hard to spin in. The room is large I need to think big. I contemplated my pink and green dervish rose dance costume I recently wore for Gigi’s Tito show.. Hmmm? This needs to be specific and inspired uniquely for the Woman of Wisdom conference.
I think the song Ya Aziz Aini from the new H.O.T Cd would be appropriate. It has a deeply spiritual dynamic quality but it falls short of my 10 min time slot. What music would work together with it, and in what order? So scrap that. How many steps will it take to reach the alter. I don’t know the logistics and there is no rehearsal. I was stressing. Finally I turned the whole thing over in my mind to a higher power. Obviously, I was given this opportunity after much visualization, so the perfect answer is already waiting up ahead in time and space. I took a deep breath and smiled, because, how well do I know this process? It will be reveled if I just stay rooted in the present moment. Isn’t that what I learned from Starhawk along time ago.
Next, I went into the studio and turned on the stereo. “Ahsas”, by Solace started to play. I listened, “Cool. That works. Next track, Ok ! 3rd track, done ...” It was that simple. Then this old staff I made for a production in 1991 came in to my mind. It had a big roof top owl on the top. Perfect I thought! But where is it, I wondered? After searching 2 basements and one attic, I found it in the back yard under 2 years of heavy ivy. The coper lumme, gauze and yarn wrappings that bound the top of the staff were wet and mossy. The yarn binding at it’s hand hold were soggy and ivy had worked its little clinging parts into the actual threads of fabrics. It had great patina. It just needed to dry out and maybe add a few things. The garden smell was interesting. Shells, indian bells and charms were still bound to it. It was kind of like the collection one might find in a birds nest. Great! “What do you think?” I asked Christine and Brigitte. “It works Delilah.” They smiled in amazement.
This made the costume question easier. The owl is more Roman/Greek looking so I finally I landed on my famous white on white, made of layers of gauze, full skirts and spiral motifs. A few dark green tassel accents had been added a few years back for a past parade theme. The accents tied the staff in perfectly. As a last accent I made a scrappy hair ornament of ribbons and torn gauze to pull it further together. Laura Rose said wrap your self in a white cloak or ton of fabric and come in the character of an old crone come to address the assembly of wise women and remind them of their omnipresent beauty and power.
I listened to the music twice and knew it was perfect. I did not memorize it or even block out the dance. If I did, I could become too attached to doing certain things at certain points in the music but with out rehearsal I was unfamiliar with the intricacies of the venue and obstacles that may present them selves. So I felt it was best to be adventurous rather than attached to plans. I just knew it would work if I made myself totally available and grounded to the present moment.
Routine as it unfolded...
To really get a better sense of this story go now to this web page and you can hear the music I used for this dance Solitude, Khatar, Circle as you continue reading.
www.magnatune.com/artists/a...ace-ahsas/
Part I Solitude
Wrapped in a long white silk veil, I enter from the back of the cathedral with slow measured steps carrying the 6 1/2 foot all owl staff. As I approached the alter I briefly bowed. Then I accented 3 purple carpeted steps and began to pace out a circle floor design, making a stop to salute to each of the four direction along my way. I could feel the owls far reaching wise eyes looking out to the infinite potential in the east, south, west, and north. I end by raising the staff very high toward the audience. Then posed with my familiar at my side. My owl looked at the left side of the congregation and I looked out at the right assembly with the gaze of a seasoned temple priestess. Then I descend 3 steps toward the audience and hand the staff to the founder of Woman of Wisdom, Kris Steinnes sitting next to the famous honored guest of the evening author, writer and political activist, Starhawk. I turned and walked slowly back up to the dais, dropping my white silk veil that covered me on the purple stairs. Hands free now I begin by drawing into my solar plexus the energy of the night with my arms and hands. I marked my territory by pacing the circle once again and spiraled in to the center with dervish turning. I breathed deeply into my core. The spins serve to ground and center myself and part the curtains of time so I may enter my trance. I bring the dance internal and burst out with dynamic vibrations, undulations, and belly rolls of empowerment! Arms and hands strong as they remember sacred rites and blessings from the eons of time immemorial! Then the strong parts of the music grab my body in a cathartic zahr! I end with arms up stretched!
Part 2 Khatar
From the ending pose I slowly melt down to find my footing. Now I enter into a different character. Hip shakes, mix with tiny runs, leaps, pelvic drops, accents, locks, triple steps. I remove a hip scarf revealing my spiral girdle and dance like a matador. Later I begin to hike up my skirts, revealing my feet pounding against the earth and teasingly raise my skirts higher in a ancient ritual moment acknowledging the bawdy, earthiness and feminine power that shall be claimed. This is the sacred intention behind my dance.
Part 3 Circle
This piece is heavy with dynamic and daunting rhythm changes. At this point I need something to hold on to. I pick up my veil from its nest on the carpet and work very earthy counter-balanced spins and flourishes with the veil. The white smooth silk become my wings! The veil would seem to stand still in mid air at my command. What is this? Pure magic! Eventually I’m drawn into the audience and into majestic white owl flight down the main isle!
• Totally a scene from Harry Potter.
Applause! Next they introduce Starhawk. It took seven minutes to read her introduction. She has accomplished so much in her life. Her books are in 25 different languages and in print for over 25 years.
I can't tell you how happy and blessed I felt to be able to open for Starhawk she has been a huge influence on my life.
Her talk was amazing. Very synchronistic to many events in my life lately and the world. I am interested in how to work with community. How to change the paradigm of thoughts that keep us fighting. To save this planet, we have to change. One of her stories was about our reaction to pests in the garden is to kill em, poison them! She talked about Israel/Palestine. She spoke to the unconscious lack of acknowledgment to the long lasting negative repercussions of that poison. Instead of war and killing we need to ask what can I do to I make the garden grow better. We all need the garden. What do I need ? What does the garden need? I thought of our dance community.
Take these thoughts into any conflict, personal or global..
We all must take time to envision the future result we want or we may be headlong into a disastrous result as a direct cause to any immoral action.
My only regret last night was that no one from our belly dance circle was there that I recognized. later it did come to my attention that a couple were there that I didn’t know. My dream is for belly dancers to use the power they find within themselves out in the world. For dance, femininity and the body to regain its rightful place in our culture and traditions. This event could have been great inspiration and resource to those ends.
NOTE
www.womenofwisdom.org.
A quote from their site.
Who are we at Woman of Wisdom?
We are an internationally recognized organization that provides diverse and innovative programs offering women opportunities for personal growth and transformation. We are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where all will feel welcome to pursue healing and growth. By deepening spiritual awareness, Women of Wisdom serves to empower the lives of others.
PS. As the weekend has unfolded I taught a teens all day class with 4 other women of different practices. We did belly dance, Chi gun, journal writing, acupressure, art, personal growth psychology work, poetry. I participated as part of the team of instructors but really that all day workshop was a huge value to me. I learned so much from what every teacher brought. It was really wonderful to hang with 7th and 8th grade girls. They were such hopeful inspirations in the new age of Aquarius.
Thank You Solace!
Delilah
PS If you like this sort of bend, then start planning on coming to my my retreat in January 2010
"Neighborhood Temple Priestess "
www.delilahs-belly-dance-retreat.com
Details and discounts are up now.
I want to share a bit about my creative process in regard to a recent belly dance event. I know it's long. If you have time and interest then I hope you find it interesting. I'm sharing it as part of my dedication to teaching woman about dance as well as empowerment.
W.O.W.
I gotta say, I have had a secret longing of performing in the main sanctuary of Unity Church from the very beginning of the founding of the Woman of Wisdom (W.O.W.) organization in 1992. I remember seeing Elizabeth Denis and a few others get the opportunity over the years. I have been a guest in the basement space a few times. However to me performing in the main hall of the church is so symbolic. It represents the notion that belly dance has arrived to be seen for the true beauty and sacredness it deserves in this day and age.
The dream was there but put on hold for other projects. My connection with W.O.W dissolved over the past 7 years as it did for many women. But surprise, I was invited last fall to perform for the opening of Starhawk's talk at the annual women of Wisdom conference in February. In the fall I felt a lot of new energy beginning to collect. Now I see the cosmos reserved this date especially for me a long time ago. Because now the organization is being reborn again. I think we are entering into very hopeful times. For if you didn't already know. . . Feb 14th was the dawning of Aquarius! (40 years since that famous song)
When the Moon is in the seventh house And Jupiter aligns with Mars. Then peace will guide the planets And love will steer the stars.
Obama is our 44th president and that I am told in numerological order is suppose to be an angelic number.
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Magic crystal revelation
And the minds true liberation
Aquarius!
Aquarius!
So here is this wonderful opportunity set before me. What was I going do since I wouldn't have the live band with me. What to wear? What would I dance to and how would I plan my dance. The room is huge...I think I need a prop. Ugh. My worst skill is choosing recorded music (I admit I am a bit spoiled when it comes to music).
The creative process begins...
I pulled my Ancient Egyptian Goddess costumes from the wardrobe. Beautiful, but hard to spin in. The room is large I need to think big. I contemplated my pink and green dervish rose dance costume I recently wore for Gigi’s Tito show.. Hmmm? This needs to be specific and inspired uniquely for the Woman of Wisdom conference.
I think the song Ya Aziz Aini from the new H.O.T Cd would be appropriate. It has a deeply spiritual dynamic quality but it falls short of my 10 min time slot. What music would work together with it, and in what order? So scrap that. How many steps will it take to reach the alter. I don’t know the logistics and there is no rehearsal. I was stressing. Finally I turned the whole thing over in my mind to a higher power. Obviously, I was given this opportunity after much visualization, so the perfect answer is already waiting up ahead in time and space. I took a deep breath and smiled, because, how well do I know this process? It will be reveled if I just stay rooted in the present moment. Isn’t that what I learned from Starhawk along time ago.
Next, I went into the studio and turned on the stereo. “Ahsas”, by Solace started to play. I listened, “Cool. That works. Next track, Ok ! 3rd track, done ...” It was that simple. Then this old staff I made for a production in 1991 came in to my mind. It had a big roof top owl on the top. Perfect I thought! But where is it, I wondered? After searching 2 basements and one attic, I found it in the back yard under 2 years of heavy ivy. The coper lumme, gauze and yarn wrappings that bound the top of the staff were wet and mossy. The yarn binding at it’s hand hold were soggy and ivy had worked its little clinging parts into the actual threads of fabrics. It had great patina. It just needed to dry out and maybe add a few things. The garden smell was interesting. Shells, indian bells and charms were still bound to it. It was kind of like the collection one might find in a birds nest. Great! “What do you think?” I asked Christine and Brigitte. “It works Delilah.” They smiled in amazement.
This made the costume question easier. The owl is more Roman/Greek looking so I finally I landed on my famous white on white, made of layers of gauze, full skirts and spiral motifs. A few dark green tassel accents had been added a few years back for a past parade theme. The accents tied the staff in perfectly. As a last accent I made a scrappy hair ornament of ribbons and torn gauze to pull it further together. Laura Rose said wrap your self in a white cloak or ton of fabric and come in the character of an old crone come to address the assembly of wise women and remind them of their omnipresent beauty and power.
I listened to the music twice and knew it was perfect. I did not memorize it or even block out the dance. If I did, I could become too attached to doing certain things at certain points in the music but with out rehearsal I was unfamiliar with the intricacies of the venue and obstacles that may present them selves. So I felt it was best to be adventurous rather than attached to plans. I just knew it would work if I made myself totally available and grounded to the present moment.
Routine as it unfolded...
To really get a better sense of this story go now to this web page and you can hear the music I used for this dance Solitude, Khatar, Circle as you continue reading.
www.magnatune.com/artists/a...ace-ahsas/
Part I Solitude
Wrapped in a long white silk veil, I enter from the back of the cathedral with slow measured steps carrying the 6 1/2 foot all owl staff. As I approached the alter I briefly bowed. Then I accented 3 purple carpeted steps and began to pace out a circle floor design, making a stop to salute to each of the four direction along my way. I could feel the owls far reaching wise eyes looking out to the infinite potential in the east, south, west, and north. I end by raising the staff very high toward the audience. Then posed with my familiar at my side. My owl looked at the left side of the congregation and I looked out at the right assembly with the gaze of a seasoned temple priestess. Then I descend 3 steps toward the audience and hand the staff to the founder of Woman of Wisdom, Kris Steinnes sitting next to the famous honored guest of the evening author, writer and political activist, Starhawk. I turned and walked slowly back up to the dais, dropping my white silk veil that covered me on the purple stairs. Hands free now I begin by drawing into my solar plexus the energy of the night with my arms and hands. I marked my territory by pacing the circle once again and spiraled in to the center with dervish turning. I breathed deeply into my core. The spins serve to ground and center myself and part the curtains of time so I may enter my trance. I bring the dance internal and burst out with dynamic vibrations, undulations, and belly rolls of empowerment! Arms and hands strong as they remember sacred rites and blessings from the eons of time immemorial! Then the strong parts of the music grab my body in a cathartic zahr! I end with arms up stretched!
Part 2 Khatar
From the ending pose I slowly melt down to find my footing. Now I enter into a different character. Hip shakes, mix with tiny runs, leaps, pelvic drops, accents, locks, triple steps. I remove a hip scarf revealing my spiral girdle and dance like a matador. Later I begin to hike up my skirts, revealing my feet pounding against the earth and teasingly raise my skirts higher in a ancient ritual moment acknowledging the bawdy, earthiness and feminine power that shall be claimed. This is the sacred intention behind my dance.
Part 3 Circle
This piece is heavy with dynamic and daunting rhythm changes. At this point I need something to hold on to. I pick up my veil from its nest on the carpet and work very earthy counter-balanced spins and flourishes with the veil. The white smooth silk become my wings! The veil would seem to stand still in mid air at my command. What is this? Pure magic! Eventually I’m drawn into the audience and into majestic white owl flight down the main isle!
• Totally a scene from Harry Potter.
Applause! Next they introduce Starhawk. It took seven minutes to read her introduction. She has accomplished so much in her life. Her books are in 25 different languages and in print for over 25 years.
I can't tell you how happy and blessed I felt to be able to open for Starhawk she has been a huge influence on my life.
Her talk was amazing. Very synchronistic to many events in my life lately and the world. I am interested in how to work with community. How to change the paradigm of thoughts that keep us fighting. To save this planet, we have to change. One of her stories was about our reaction to pests in the garden is to kill em, poison them! She talked about Israel/Palestine. She spoke to the unconscious lack of acknowledgment to the long lasting negative repercussions of that poison. Instead of war and killing we need to ask what can I do to I make the garden grow better. We all need the garden. What do I need ? What does the garden need? I thought of our dance community.
Take these thoughts into any conflict, personal or global..
We all must take time to envision the future result we want or we may be headlong into a disastrous result as a direct cause to any immoral action.
My only regret last night was that no one from our belly dance circle was there that I recognized. later it did come to my attention that a couple were there that I didn’t know. My dream is for belly dancers to use the power they find within themselves out in the world. For dance, femininity and the body to regain its rightful place in our culture and traditions. This event could have been great inspiration and resource to those ends.
NOTE
www.womenofwisdom.org.
A quote from their site.
Who are we at Woman of Wisdom?
We are an internationally recognized organization that provides diverse and innovative programs offering women opportunities for personal growth and transformation. We are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where all will feel welcome to pursue healing and growth. By deepening spiritual awareness, Women of Wisdom serves to empower the lives of others.
PS. As the weekend has unfolded I taught a teens all day class with 4 other women of different practices. We did belly dance, Chi gun, journal writing, acupressure, art, personal growth psychology work, poetry. I participated as part of the team of instructors but really that all day workshop was a huge value to me. I learned so much from what every teacher brought. It was really wonderful to hang with 7th and 8th grade girls. They were such hopeful inspirations in the new age of Aquarius.
Thank You Solace!
Delilah
PS If you like this sort of bend, then start planning on coming to my my retreat in January 2010
"Neighborhood Temple Priestess "
www.delilahs-belly-dance-retreat.com
Details and discounts are up now.
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