December coming at Ya! And a Little Word about Supporting each other.

So Life has been busy in Missoula!
No time to slack that's for sure....I have had the pleasure of starting up a new class session at the Barn Movement studio. We have three Wednesday classes left before the new year!!! I will continue to teach however it may be on a different day of the week due to scheduling issues.

I am also pleased to announce I have joined a troupe here in town - RAQS ALMA - as directed by Madrona. She has a great dance background and is very musically talented. It is a more traditional Oriental style troupe with an emphasis on folkloric as well. And I am Excited TO LEARN!!!

We as a troupe were invited to perform at a great fundraising event. Allison the third member of Raqs Alma will be traveling to India along with other Journalism students, and this event will help get them there!! We are going Bollywood for the night but may sneak in some Improv too.
I have to give all my Bollywood credit to Samantha Riggs of course! And there will be a dash of Portico Dance Company Bhangra at the very end:) It has been a pleasure for me to revisit this style of dance and I must say it makes me miss my Bellingham ladies.
An Evening Escape to India Dec 8th starts at 5:30-10:00pm and is $20 for food, entertainment, and raffle items..at Sean Kelly's Downtown Missoula. We will perform the set twice!

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AND THE HAFLA!!!
December 15th doors at 5:30 dancing to start at 6:00 at the Strensrude Event Center (which is a gorgeous old building)
$3 at the door....There will be lots of festive dancing, potluck goodies and hopefully a few vendors, and some live drumming in there somewhere too.
I am beyond excited to meet the other dancers in the area and am so hoping to make this a regular event.
Haflas are the perfect place to practice your performance skills in a comfortable friendly environment.
It is a time to try something new, go outside your box, or simply have fun. We all benefit from dancing, watching and supporting one another.
https://www.facebook.com/events/508394599257426/

.....
I have always been beyond impressed by Professional Dancers that sit in the audience and watch.
I have seen Rachel Brice sit on the side of the stage and watch every performance, Dahlia Moon clapping along, Amy Sigil of Unmata sit in the audience and cheer louder than anyone else - This is what it means to be an active participant in Dance...We were all beginners at some point, we all get nervous on stage, and we are all in this for similar reasons no matter what "Style" of Belly Dancer you are. If you expect people to watch you, then you should watch them.....it takes a lot of courage to get on stage.
 (don't get me wrong we all need time to focus before we perform but then you better be watching when you're done:)
Ha! There is a little rant for you..I have to say it sticks with you the professional you see- show up to a gig, perform and then leave with little to no interaction with the other dancers. It's Rude........

OKAY TIME TO PRACTICE .....

Jewelry, Sewing, Classes,Hafla!?!

So I am back in the Studio making pretty little bits and bobbles. Making jewelry (mostly necklaces) helps my brain take a break from painting And gives me an outlet to use up all the extra dance pieces I have collected over the years. Etsy is a great online spot to purchase one, however I hope to build up a good sized inventory to regularly vend at dance events.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/KatGoatDesigns?ref=search_shop_redirect

This link should take you there if your interested KatGoat Designs and Custom Jewelry.. Mary from Magpie Urban Designs also carries some of the pieces when she vends her amazing upcycled fashion.

I have recently gotten inspired to work on new costumes and have become addicted to Ebay..I really have to keep myself in check and not spend all my money on vintage buttons, beads, and appliques.

These costumes for the last (but not final) duet we did were so fun to make - assuit pieces, tribal coins, chains, gold tones, silver tones and the likes...skirts over bleached harem pants...I some how have managed to always make my costumes with no sewing machine! Lots of patience hand stitching and antique/thrift store finds! One of  my favorite aspects of being a tribal dancer is the costuming - I am also a jewelry whore.

So Missoula has been going well!! I have taken some great classes from Madrona Dances -  a challenge working on Egyptian stylings - and Aniysa who had us do a fun cane dance in her beginning level class.. I am going to try and take classes from a few of the other instructors in town as well.
I am planning a winter hafla in hopes to connect with the community and see all the dancers! And then I am going to get a monthly gig going at a venue or restaurant with several performers..one must keep on dancing, performing, and growing!

Stay Tuned for Info and Events listings!

Oh yeah and come November I am going to start teaching at the Barn Movement Studio -just settling on days and times!! I will start with a 4 week session.

go go go go go go!

A Change.. A Challenge...and the Dance

Well here I am in Montana.... but first- Thank You to the NW!

I have spent the last six years in the Northwest, living in Bellingham WA and traveling often to Seattle and the surrounding areas. An enormous amount of growth has happened in my art and dance in that time.
I have taught, performed, studied, traveled, struggled, and developed. This part of the country is home to truly gifted dancers. Seattle, Bellingham and Vancouver BC are full of gracious ladies who sponsor workshops, shows, and classes in every style of Belly dance imaginable....I am so great full to all that have invited me to perform in and take part in these awesome events.

As a Painter and for a Change I moved....

I am a wildlife painter specializing in Oil. A large majority of why I moved was to further this career.
Once a month for the last six months I have traveled to MT or WY for my art. After much thought we (Corey and I) decided being closer to these areas including ID and CO could only benefit, save on gas, travel expenses, time, and room to network with other painters.

Now About Dancing and what must be done....

Honestly the most difficult aspect of moving was leaving the Dance Community - My students, friends, dance partners, and fellow troupe members....Seriously.......(there will be visits soon!)

 My Partner in Crime, Nancy Peirce, I will miss endlessly - we have plans for skpe sessions and long distance choreos...Maggie Rose and of course Sam Riggs and Portico.... It is my mission to hang with these ladies at TF and any other dance festivals I can attend.

I know as dancers there are times we must sacrifice for other priorities, we are mothers, wives, students, working folk, family members and real people. Sometimes we can't afford to give it all to dance.... 

Okay so now that I am here in Missoula MT it is time to focus have daily practice and work hard on my personal dance. I hope to start up classes soon, and connect with the dance community. We are planning trips already for dance study and connecting.

Oh Hey- and you all better come visit! 

2013 whoa!

Last year was a great and busy year. December saw three very different and dynamic shows. Another Redlight Event,  A Tom Waits inspired dance event at the Shakedown, and The Silk Road Showcase put on my Maggie Rose and Alyssa Springs. My students performed a 4 min set and rocked it - plus myself and Nancy Pierce started a vending business! I am making unique custom necklaces and headpieces.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/KatGoatDesigns

Nancy has mirror belts, and kuchi jewely, and rumor has it she is making some great hair flowers for the tribal dancers!

Also we will be featuring clothing and dance wear designed and made by Mary Powell.
She is an old dear friend from my days in Montana - a wonderful lady, dancer and artists.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MagpieUrbanDesigns

The next Vending Event will be the Northwest Hafla here in Bellingham WA at the Belltower studios. February 9th

And possibly Reigning Down on Oregon!! Feb 21st -24th.

This has already been a busy year!
I performed at Indian Flavors along with the lovely Lisa, and Anya. Did a fun sword piece that I really enjoyed and must revisit. Donated and supported and danced at an event in Arlington WA a fundraiser for the Emerald Sanctuary Retreat that happens in August.
Up next a Portico Performance in Vancouver TOMORROW - Samantha Riggs newest Choreos are Rad and love working with a 10 yard skirt! The show features April Rose, Lucitera, Scarlet Thistle and more!

Feb 6th I will be headed to Seattle for the monthly Skinny Dip show at the High Dive Lounge the Theme is Dangerous Liaisons!

And Feb 22nd at the Reigning Down on Oregon I was asked to Perform at the After Party!

http://www.zephyrbellydance.com/reigningdownonoregon.htm

There is much more to come this year! Including a Vancouver Show Featuring Sharon Kihara!
2013 is shaping up to be one hell of a year!!

Amazing shows 29th & 30th

The Red Light in Bellingham WA is a Great venue that offers beer, wine and an assortment of delicious food!! June 29th will be an amazing show of belly dance performances from local Bellingham Dancers!! to start the evening we will dance to canned music and then to end the evening "Bar Tabac" will grace us with Live music and performances.
Doors open at 9pm
come early for a good seat!!
check out the facebook event!
http://www.facebook.com/events/146999172097802/

Also June 30th will be a incredible professional theater show!!
Featuring
Delshodeh Dance Co., Portico Dance Co. Mahala Dancers, and Banat Shahar!!
an evening of multi cultural dance at the Whatcom community college, Heiner Theater
7-9pm
DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW!
check out the beautiful poster.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150890251883381&set=a.35384053380.45626.641533380&type=1&theater

THIS SUNDAY! 6/3

SILK ROAD SHOWCASE -
This Sunday at the Leopold Ballroom in Downtown Bellingham!

So excited, And can not believe it is June! Where did the month go? Excited for my students and fellow dancers to perform. For one of my students it will be her first time performing. How exciting!!! I remember my first group dance, it was a face veil dance performed in Bozeman MT. It was a show with the featured guest dancer Suhalia Salimpour. Crazy - that was in 2005...Anyways
GO TO THIS SHOW - support our local and regional dancers here in the north west!

http://www.facebook.com/events/364076526980420/

A Whirlwind of Dance

May is almost over and boy was that an amazing month. The Indian Flavors show was fun and I danced to some Egyptian music, as well as a song from way back in the days of "Lotus Fire" the first troupe I ever performed with back in Bozeman MT. The Vancouver Show and Performance was top notch - Scarlet Lux really organized a fine event - featuring a wide range of styles and performances including an amazing magician. Martina back from Germany killed it of course! I was truly thrilled to perform, and hope to revisit that dance piece in the future.
And TRIBAL FEST  was fantastic, took several workshops from Mardi Love and Heather Stants. Watched inspiring performances from all over the world and shopped till my pockets were empty. Myself and Nancy graced the stage Sat evening. There were moments of joy, tears, panic, and pure love for all things dance.
Can not wait until next year!!

The Month Of June is shaping up to be busy as well!
First up
Bellingham's Silk Road Showcase - featuring students, instructors, and local performers!!
Don't miss it!
JUNE 3rd  Doors at 6pm
@ the Leopold Crystal Ballroom in Bellingham


http://www.facebook.com/events/114518518685295/

Stay Tuned for more posts on the awesome shows happening at the end of the month!