Bollywood Dance
Bollywood dancing can be defined as the commercial name for modern Indian dancing. It’s a combination of classical Indian dance (which is the base), folk dancing such as Bhangra and sometimes has Arabic or Latino influences. It is fun and very expressive with meaning behind music. The meaning of the music is expressed through the graceful movements of the body. Dancers will  often lip-synch the words while dancing.

Indian Dance

Bharatnatyam: Bharat Natyam is the most widely known and exalted of the classical Indian dances. It has a strong presence throughout India and the majority of schools that teach Indian dance, even outside of India, teach this style.

Kathakali: Kathakali is the most well known dance drama from the south Indian state of Kerala and is known for its large, elaborate costumes and makeup.. Kathakali literally means “Story-Play”.

Kuchipudi: Kuchipudi is the classical dance form from the South-East Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It derives its name from the village of Kuchelapuram, a small village about 65 kms from Vijaywada. It is characterized by graceful movements and strong narrative/dramatics.

Orissi: The Odissi (Orissi) dance is the Indian classical dance from the Eastern state of Odissa with a long, yet broken tradition. Although dance in Odissa may be traced back more than 2000 years, it was brought to near extinction during the colonial period. As a result, modern Odissi dance is a reconstruction.

Kathak: Kathak, which means “to tell a story”, is the major classical dance form of northern India. It is derived from the dance dramas of ancient India. When the patronage shifted from the temples to the royal court, there was a change in the overall emphasis from the telling of religious stories to one of entertainment. Today, the story-telling aspect has lessened and the dance is primarily an abstract exploration of movement and rhythm.

1. Ivory Brocade Skirt and Blouse Ensemble - Size 7/8 - $15 (Austin - San Antonio) pic
2. Gothic Black Pane Velvet Dress w/Bell Sleeves - Medium - $15 (Austin - San Antonio) pic
3. Gothic Dress - Black Pane Velvet w/Burgundy Panel- Medium - $15 (Austin - San Antonio) pic
4. Brown Velvet Evening Dress - Size 10 - $15 (Austin - San Antonio) pic
5. Black Beaded Evening Dress - Size 6 - $20 (Austin - San Antonio) pic
6. Black Stretch Velvet Dress w/Cut Out - Small - $5 (Austin - San Antonio) pic
7. Black Form Fitting Long Dress w/Flames - Small - $15 (Austin - San Antonio) pic
8. Gothic Black Pleather Overcoat/Dress - Small - $15 (Austin-San Antonio) pic
9. Gothic - Industrial Black Skirt w/Rivet Detailing - Small - $25 (Austin - San Antonio) pic
10. Black Lace Long Skirt w/Burgundy Underskirt - $10 (Austin-San Antonio) pic
11. Black w/sequins form fitting short dress - $10 (Austin-San Antonio) pic
12. Hair Falls - Orange, Red, Yellow, Black Yarn - $10 (Austin-San Antonio) pic
13. Doc Marten 8 Hole Boots - 1 Cherry & 1 Plaid Pair - $30 (Austin-San Antonio) pic

I have traveled quite a bit within the US and some outside of the US (there will be much more of that in my future!) and I must say that Austin, TX is an awesome place to live. It’s no wonder everyone is moving here from Cali - haha. As an Austin Realtor, and having lived/stayed in so many other locations, I truly believe this is the place to keep permanent residence. The weather, the lakes, the nightlife, the people, the unique stores and attitudes, the preservation of a historical feel in more than one area of town, the quirks and diversity, I can go on and on. I have not found another city where so many different lifestyles fit so gorgeously in one place. Don’t believe me? Come see it for yourself - and contact me before you do - I’ll be glad to give you tips and information!

www.LiveGreenInAustin.com

I am truly humbled by this review, spoken by a dancer with true beauty and soul …. and a wonderful way with words.

Dance Review - July 2006
Angela was very intense, powerful and flowed with the grace of the universe in her solo. Rachel Brice, eat your heart out. I think June said it all when she said (she was MC) “I dance like (Angela) in my dreams…” Angela fused yoga, Eastern Indian poses, mudras, fusion tribal, ATS and cabaret into something so moving I forgot to breathe. Her eye contact was like an electric magnetic force. She really channeled the warrior/maiden/ goddess/priestess.
Her costuming was perfection in that it showed off her moves without getting into her way. The colors were glorious and her hair lit up like a smoldering fire under the lights. I’d say I could have watched her all night, except I don’t think I can hold my breath that long!
She said something to me after the show that really inspired me. I can’t remember exactly what the wording was but the meaning I took away with me was that we all have something to give and receive from this dance. We are all at different levels and each level has it’s challenges and it’s gifts (I’m betting they are usually one and the same when all is said and done). -Andrea Wagnon (ATS Yahoo Group Moderator)
View this group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Austin_ATS_Bellydance/

It’s not often that you meet a Hawk. Dustin and I recently had the pleasure of meeting Hawk (real name) - a native Austinite (most of us are transplants to this fine city). As such, he has decided to check out some new scenery for awhile - in Seattle. We tried to talk him out of it, but no such luck.

Anyhoo, tonight is his going away party - guaranteed to be quite a gathering, complete with a keg of Fat Tire - my fave! We’ll be in attendance of course!

Wishing him well and hoping we cross paths again.
Cheers Hawk!

www.hawkinseattle.com

I just turned in my resignation at Cox Radio after 7 1/2 years. It has been the best job I’ve ever had, and after that many years, my co-workers are more like family members. That’s what I’ll really miss. Yes, I’ll keep in touch, but I worked in one city and now I live in another. But, I love my new city and my new life here. The dancing opportunities continue to grow and that is most rewarding.

I was fortunate enought to find a very part time job in Austin that will help pay some of the basic necessities and allow me more time to pursue dance and other personal endeavors. But when I calculated it, I hope there’s enough $$ for food after I give all of my money to the banks and government. It’s scary, but I am sooo excited. I did just get my real estate license as well, so anyone looking to move to Austin, TX or sell a house here and move somewhere else - you now know who to call! (hint, hint) I will pay a referral fee for any leads that result in a sale!

I definitely feel liberated, but it’s going to be a bit of a starving artist gig too. Will belly dance to buy food - hehe. All kidding aside, the timing just finally felt right - things are falling into place and I have faith that I am on a great new path.

So my boyfriend takes our little meow Bee to the vet for a check-up and runs into this older man who strikes up a conversation. In the course of talking about their cats, the man points to a picture on the wall of a cat that he had owned which lived for 34 years! Talk about nine lives. Turns out he fed his lucky lil’ meow eggs, bacon, and broccoli for breakfast and red wine in the evenings. So I’m thinking this sounds like a pretty good plan to me, minus the bacon. I had eggs this am some broccoli for dinner and am currently enjoying a healthy (and delicious) glass of red wine. Cheers to my health and yours!

Saturday evening I had my first performance in a tribal turban. I didn’t do too bad of a job at wrapping it, but could definitely use some work on my decorations. This was the first Austin belly dance show I have attended. Everyone was very supportive of the varying styles and performances, which was refreshing. I met Sage - she is a dancer/poi artist who Manny, from Brotherhood of the Flame in San Antonio, had told me about before I moved to Austin. She was awesome with a wonderful personality. It was very cool, since I have been wanting to meet her for some time. I am hoping we can do some duet work in the near future. We both happened to be performing later that night at another venue. When I got there, she showed me a dressing room area and her and Arashi (a male belly dancer/poi artist) let me use their ’stage space’ for my performance. The show was at Skate World - an adult skating party if you will, with DJs spinning and everyone dressed in expressive outfits. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but had the best time! I performed with Govinda and then danced to the DJ who followed - I didn’t want to go home, but after realizing it was 3am, decided I better get some sleep since I had to work for a few hours the next day. A very exciting evening overall.

Friday evening, Samantha, my sis Andraya, Kerri, and I departed Austin, TX (ATX) to invade NYC. Airfare was only $185 round trip!! My sis and I chatted with our seating partner, Jimmy from Brooklyn, who now lives in Dallas, and he bought us a round of drinks and gave us some good NYC tips. Then the flight attendant gave us all a free round of drinks. The trip was off to a great start. Got settled in at the hotel around 3 am - we got a sweet hook-up at the Four Seasons Hotel thanks to Samantha and Kerri and a big thanks to my boyfriend Dustin for covering the first night. I am so spoiled after staying there - awesome ‘waterfall’ shower and I took advantage of the sauna and steam room on more than one occasion.

Saturday, we walked through Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and to the Empire State Building. Saturday night was our big night out and we went all out. It started with reservations at Il Cortile in Little Italy. Samantha’s outgoing personality made us some new friends: Sammy the waiter and Michael the chef and they treated us to a wonderful evening. Dinner was delicious with drinks and desserts - I think we must have been at the restaurant for three hours drinking and visiting and of course taking a million photos! Then we went to a Hotel Bar - waited outside in the cold and once we got in had idiots ‘crawling’ all over us - it was the worst time I have had at a bar to date. We didn’t stay long, though and it didn’t cloud the overall fabulous evening. We met up with Christine and Kristen at the KGB bar - a cool little Austin type bar, then Michael and Sammy met us out and we went to Niagara for a few drinks before heading to this Arabic nightclub – Le Souk - that was a retarded good time! Drinks and dancing until we couldn’t dance anymore! We all paid for it the next day, with hangovers in various forms.

Sunday was shopping in SOHO, though not with much energy then to the hotel to refresh. That night was Lombardi’s NY pizza then back to Il Cortile for more delicious desserts. That was it for that night and we all went back to the hotel to recover.

Monday, we all grabbed a bite at The Soup Man - you know, Soup Nazi from Jerry Seinfeld. It is damned good soup! Sam, my sis, and I went out to Battery Park to take a quick look at the Statue of Liberty (too cold to go over), then took a somber moment at Ground Zero. After a little more shopping, we headed back to the hotel and got dressed for our last night out. For dinner, PJ Clarke’s was on the agenda and I had the best corned beef Rueben sandwich ever – yum – and some Bass ale at Austin prices (as opposed to NYC prices)! Afterwards we hit a few pubs, ending up at the Red Lion where we enjoyed some a great band and some ‘laugh so hard you cry’ moments together.

Tuesday closed our trip with a long day of travel home - had a great time, but soooo glad to be home and see my dear Dustin and kitty. Ahhhhhhh.

Valentine’s Day this year was quite a work out. After working all day, I bellydanced at Papouli’s, a Greek Restaurant in San Antonio. I was supposed to be running that gig, but only one other girl showed up, so I had to dance more than I had planned to there. Then it was off to Austin for my next gig - bellydancing at the Tainted Love Party which was presented by 512 Magazine and Absolut at Cuba Libre. It was a cool - two good DJ’s spinning and everyone was feeling good by the time I got there. No stage, so I performed in the center with the crowd around me in a circle. That was fun and I took the close up opportunity to really connect with people - getting right in their personal space with an intense stare or just brushing by with the wave of the veil. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it and I think there were many people who hadn’t seen bellydancing before - so that was cool too - spreading the bellydance love! My sweetheart, sister, Samantha and some other friends were there also, so I still got to spend time with the ones I love! Happy Valentine’s Day indeed!