OMG Huell Howser

If you live in California and watched PBS than you should know who Huell Howser is, for sure! I do. I have spent countless hours watching his show. Of course, not without adding many of my own comments to Huell's interesting interview style and approach to situations. Come on...how innocent do you need to be at Folsom prison and ask if all the men in blue shirts with numbers on them are inmates..Good grief. This goes somewhere so don't drift....

This Saturday was our belly dance troupes appearance at Raqs LA. This was the big belly dance event I spoke about in my last blog...It was at the Glendale Civic Auditorium. My group went on at 3:40. As we all stood in the wings waiting to the MC to announce us (by the way, this was one of the first times anyone has ever gotten the name of our troupe correctly..and our music cue was right on the money)..I felt very calm. The crowd was hardy and accepting so I knew no matter what happened we would be well received. Our entrance was a rainbow of colorful gypsy skirts and flying hair. We enter and then turned upstage to the audience and with a flurry of skirts turned to face the crowd. As I am turning I see a gray haired man in a familiar blue shirt (I think it is his trademark) right up against the foot of the stage. Along side him is a TV camera operator. As I am dancing I think to myself...gosh, that looks like Huell Howser...low and behold it was ole' Huell. Dozens of bizarre thoughts raced through my mind...which should have been occupied with choreography ....and I couldn't help but giggle to myself that my husband was going to have a fit that he wasn't there to see Huell.
They filmed our whole 8 minute number, which turns into 14 girls all dress in nothing more than belly dance bras, belts, fishnets, heels and fabulous feathers, flashing boobs everywhere. Immediately after we danced, we were commanded by Mr. Howser to join him in the center of the auditorium for a lengthy interview...with Huell asking us questions like "So you all are belly dancers?" DUH!! Did you not just watch us dance....We had pictures and video and interviews and it was all very fun. Huell is actually very charming and holds a certain child like quality that you cannot help but like.
It sure made our day more fun and I could not WAIT to get home and tell Chuck.....he was green with envy, well maybe not but he was adequately impressed....Look for us in about two months on "Visiting with Huell Howser"..I will post pictures as soon as I get them...

Flamingo Pink

So my life is always busy and never boring but things are starting to get a little out of hand. My work as a private practice nurse always gets busy right before summer and this years is no different. Weight Watchers is busy too as bathing suit season is approaching. I am sure you have all tried on this seasons bathing suit in complete horror..I have!! Then there is "Dance Season". Yes, we seem to have one of those too. This Saturday is a much anticipated performance in Raqs LA. This is a new gala, belly dance weekend sponsored by the infamous Miles Copeland and the lovely Marta Schell. We have been rehearsing this 8 minute number for what seems like an eternity. I got lucky with this one. I did not need to make an single costume. This is rare for me. I usually costume the entire troupe but we pulled all our existing resourses and I all I had to do was learn and remember complicate staging. The dancing part was not too hard..but getting my butt to where I am supposed to be at any given time proved to be tricky.
The next show June 7 at the Belly dance Carnivale...This one requires I pull out all my sewing talents. I need to create, design, construct, fit and sew 34 costumes by the end of next week...EEEECK
After Leela and I both ventured downtown to buy various shade of velvet, lycra and sequins dot fabric, my dining room table looks like Mardi Gras....including flamingo pink sequins dot. Now this is NOT to be confuse with light pink, hot pink, magenta or peach...It is the color of a flamingo. This is a very important factor in costuming a particular section of the number....Heaven forbid part of the costume would clash with a flamingo on a stick.....long story, wait until you see the show. Not only do I need to sew costume, I need to make props. I love all of this activity. I can't wait to get my arms elbow deep in papier mache!!!
Top this all off with me dancing at Moun of Tunis tomorrow night. I don't usually dance in restaraunt venues but I love Moun and this time it is special. It is my Mom's 83rd birthday and I am bringing her, her friend Mickie and an assortment of family and friends. My Mom has never seen me dance before, at least not in person. She has watched the DVD's of our shows but on them I am a tiny speck among a crowd of girls...this time it is just me. She may finally find out my back is heavily tattoo'd. I am more nervous having my Mom see me than performing in front of 800 strangers......So think of me when you are relaxing, watching Dancing with the Stars....and yes...wearing flamingo pink.