Performance, Audition, Audition, New Job, Interview, Audition

Attended Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition and while I didn't win I took some great classes, saw the cutest little 10 year old belly dancer (she was amazing), met lots of beautiful belly dancers, and got to perform!

Last week I auditioned for a sort of reality TV show about Burlesque dancers. As soon as I got there I was pulled in to learn about four 8's of choreography and we were told we would have at least a minute or two to free-style afterward. "Show us what you got!" They said. "Show us your flexibility, special talents, leaps, turns, anything!" And I was #45 so I had a while to work on what I would do impress them with. Now, when we went into the taping room there was about 10 of us and I was last to go. They played the same music we had been practicing for and one at a time we "showed them what we got". I watched each of the girls put forth valiant effort in remembering the steps then doing their own thing. There wasn't any of them that could finish the routine, and I don't blame them, it was nerve racking! However, for what ever reason (maybe because I was last and had time to calm down in front of the bright lights) I remembered every step! And as I came to the end few counts feeling proud of myself and getting ready to move on to my own stuff...they shut of the music. And I thought "cutting me off is either a good thing, or a bad thing". Guess it was a bad thing. They only had one girl from our group to call backs, and while she was a bit awkward with the movements and didn't remember all the steps she did some mad tricks with a hoola-hoop.

Then I had an audition at a big Mexican restaurant called Pink Taco. They were looking for variety acts and had me come in as a belly dancer. While it was a waste of a few hours because at the end they said "oh, our owner came in and said he's going to for-go the circus act thing but maybe when we open our new place on Sunset strip. We'll call you!", I had fun performing, got some free drinks, and an amazing burrito. Hopefully they will call for their new place.

Then last Saturday I had my first night as a shot girl. They sent me to a club in Long Beach and I sold shots to the patrons. It was fun, I made good money, got to dance to the 80's cover band that rocked, and again got some free shots. I'll be working as a shot girl again for St. Patty's day, and the Friday and Saturday after.

Yesterday I went with my friend Jackie, also a dancer, to an open interview for a new place called Beacher's Madhouse at the Roosevelt Hotel. We walked in and instantly new we HAD to work there. It's a huge variety show with every kind of, in their words, "freak". In addition to bartenders, servers etc, the ad called for burlesque and go-go dancers who had "bar-tending or serving capabilities". We walked in and they were on #4 and we were #49 and #50. It took almost two hours and when they called us up they said "oh thats nice but there is an audition on Thursday. You should contact this other guy and make an appointment because we don't handle that part of things." Oh great. So, again, unknowingly waisted some time but we had auditions set up for the day after tomorrow.
http://www.beachersmadhouse.com/

In other news, Erik was hired for a show called "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant". A sort of reality/documentary show where women, for whatever reason, come in and talk about how they didn't know they were pregnant. But they use actors to portray key family members when they talk about "and then this happened". So, Erik was a boyfriend of the women who didn't know she was pregnant. A show we've never watched before, seems pretty silly, BUT Erik got PAID acting TV work! Holla! http://health.discovery.com/tv/i-didnt-know-i-was-pregnant/

A Rare Commodity

                                                  Bulgar. Human's earliest recorded use of wheat.

                                                  Possibly unobtainable in Koreatown, Los Angeles. That or I've gone crazy and am making up random foods.

The recipe for meatloaf I'm making tonight called for it. So, Erik and I head  to our neighborhood Vons (Safeway for those of you in the Northwest) and search up and down various isles to no avail. Finally, I find a Vons worker, a Mexican looking female with a hairnet. "What?" She exclaims. I repeat myself.
 "What is it?"
"Well," I explain "it's a grain. A wheat." And after hesitating she replies "let me find someone else". Erik and I wait.

Another worker comes over to us, this time a large male also Mexican looking. "What are you looking for?"
"Bulgar."
"Bugger?!"
"No...BULGAR"
"What is it?"
"A grain"
"Let me find someone better for this." He says.

We wait.

Another guy comes over and says "what are you looking for?"
"Bulgar."
"Burger?"
"No..BULGAR."
"What is it?"
"A grain!" (I'm getting a little tired of repeating myself)
"I dunno.." He says and wanders off.

The original guy comes over.
"...uh...would it be in a can?"
"Shouldn't be. Probably a container like a bag or box."

So we follow him up and down some appropriate isles...to no avail.

Erik finally looks up on his phone that Cous Cous is sometimes used in place of bulgar so...we're giving that a try...

Obsessing of Belly Dancing

Here it is. What has inspired this constant obsessing. Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition in February. And, quite frankly, I don't even know if it will be good. Seems like it will...but I don't know. And another thing, I'm not big on dance competitions. However, this one has workshops and a big cash prize.

And what exactly have I been obsessing over? Costumes, technique, costumes,the workshops, costumes and the competition. Yeah, a lot about the costumes. I keep having this re-occurring, unrealistic worry, like a child going into Jr. High for the first time, that everyone will laugh at my costume for whatever reason. Oh, and in this worry, they don't laugh right to my face but rather behind my back secretively like "oooh...what's that she's wearing? How horrid!" Or that others will have the same costume if I buy it online, or that it won't be good enough if I make it myself. Sheesh.

The problem is I have never been to anything like this for Belly Dance before. Modern dance? Sure...but not Belly. Around so many Belly Dancers...and very possibly many excellent ones. What is considered a good costume? What's paying too much? Is this move acceptable? Do I need more than one costume? What do we wear to classes? Oh..THIS is Tribal and THIS is Egyptian? What if I look TOO different? Or worse TOO the same! Okay, well now that's out, don't worry it will not keep me from going.

With that aside, I am equally as excited! To talk and meet with so many Belly Dancers! Have classes, compare costumes, make friends, learn more technique! SO freaking excited! I've spent hours on YouTube watching videos of both good and bad dancers. And that is to say what I consider good and bad. And searched for hours all over the web looking at costumes and accessories, and there is still so much to look at!

AND I've been searching all over LA for different classes to take. Again, there are SO many!

So, I finally decided to use what I have, get a little extra, and make the costume(s) myself! I perused what I have, decided what I needed and searched the web for a fabric and craft store. JO-ANN'S? Really? MICHAELS? Yuck! And I told the computer "Come on! I live in FREAKING LA! Find something INTERESTING like I know there has to be tons of here!" Ask and ye shall receive. I found the International Silks and Woolens. To ANYONE who does sewing, costuming, furniture, or even just enjoys fabrics..RUN! Don't walk. 'Cus it was cool...way way WAY cool. http://www.internationalsilks.com/International_Silks_and_Woolens/Home.html

Update's and probably pictures will come of the costume(s) in question. Wish me luck!