Belly Dance in July!

Belly Dance Classes/ Shows in July;

Tuesdays 6:00PM - 7:00PM AdeebA's Home Studio (Peoria, AZ)

Wednesdays 6:30PM - 7:30PM Rio Vista Community Center (Peoria, AZ)

Fridays 5:30-6:30PM Foothills Aquatics Center (Glendale, AZ)

July 22nd, 6:00PM - 9:00PM Next Coffee (Glendale, AZ). Free. All ages.

July 28th, 7:00PM - 11:00PM Revolver Records (Phoneix, AZ) Pirate Mud Wrestling 18+ Only $15

Where I Will Be: February

In case you miss seeing me in person, here are a list of events I am attending in February. I love to chat with fellow writers, performers, dancers, pirates and sword fighters.

PIRATES & BELLYDANCERS CHARITY FUNDRAISER
February 18th, 10:00AM - 4:00PM
Sam's Club
(83rd Ave & Bell Rd., PHX.)

All Ages Welcome! Donations to aid MS research! This event has pirates, sword fights, rapier demos, pirate dancing, belly dancing, and Blackstrap's Ecstasy books for sale!

TOVREA CASTLE FUNDRAISER/ WOW SHOW
February 18th, 6:00PM - 9:00PM
Next Coffee Co.
(59th Ave. & Utopia, Peoria)

All Ages welcome! Donations help fund reconstruction for Tovrea Castle and Carraro Gardens. The show is free though we are collecting donations this time around. See bint Hazine and many other stunning dance troupes and soloists as they wow you with belly dance skillz!

AZ RENIASSANCE FAIRE
February 25th & 26th, 10:00AM - 6:00PM
Festival Grounds
(12601 East Highway 60, Apache Junction)
http://royalfaires.com/arizona/

I will have books to sign and sell on both days of Pirate weekend. I love when fans and friends visit in costume! Stop by for a copy of Blackstrap's Ecstasy, show me your stunning pirate attire, chat, or just take pictures.

Don't forget to drop by Twig The Faerie's booth too to see Tiwg and Moon Mermaid!

Upcoming Events in October and Beyond!

Since August I do not feel like I have had a chance to slow down for a moment, but I am always excited to announce all the exciting events that are happening in Phoenix! It is especially exciting now that the weather is beginning to cool down.

BUCCANEERS PIRATE SHOW
October 15th, 6PM - 2AM
Sail Inn
(Tempe, AZ)
+21
Check out azcorsair.ning.com for more information!

PIRATE FEAST
*ONLY ONE MORE WEEK TO PURCHASE TICKETS*
October 16th, 5PM - 10PM
The Everhart's
(Chandler, AZ)
All Ages Welcome
$20 Meal + Entertainment + Bar (Only 75 Available)
$15 Meal + Entertainment
$10 Entertainment + Non-Alcoholic Beverages + Tournament Entry
$5 Entertainment + Non-Alcoholic Beverages
$5 Tournament Only
*All Ticket Sales are Presale Online Only*
http://piratefeast.info

BOO AT THE ZOO
October 28th - 29th, 6:00PM - 11:00PM
Phoenix Zoo
( )
All Ages
http://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/Howl-O-Ween/

DANCERS OF DENILE W/ BINT HAZINE
November 5th, 11AM
Arizona State Fairgrounds
(Phoenix)
All Ages

LIVING CHESS MATCH
November 19th - 20th
Phoenix Faerie Festival
( )
All Ages
http://www.westerngatesfaerierealms.com/PhoenixFaerieFestival.htm

Fighters and performers needed for the Living Chess Match! This is essentially a battle between the magically enhanced, deadly ship Delirium and the confused but confident ship Ecstasy, with Max and Dirk as the kings on the board!

Also, keep up on all the adventures by following these pages on Ning.com and Facebook!

http://azcorsair.ning.com/
http://www.facebook.com/bint.hazine
http://www.facebook.com/czep.blackstrapbook
http://www.facebook.com/jjmczep
http://www.facebook.com/BlackstrapGennie
http://www.facebook.com/czeps.just.write
http://www.facebook.com/tlapdaz

A-Muse

What would the world be, if we all told our favorite television program, video game, radio station, book, magazine, or other consuming rather than creating pass time to shove it. For a day, a week, until that mind numbing, time killer was no longer a habit, but a seldom desired treat.

It is not only food, clothing, gadgets, cheap plastic jewelry and dust collections that we over indulge on today. Entertainment is worse than bad food with even less nutritional value. Why are we doing this? Why are we wasting precious mental resources on nonsense that does not nourish us? Why are we so content to binge on empty calories of brain candy?

Instead, a challenge; find a partner, because no addict does it alone, someone you trust and who trusts you. Tell this partner that for one month you are going off the grid, no device beyond necessity. If you need music while you work on projects; attend a band practice, park concert, or karaoke night, or pair with a partner with musical aspirations. He could work on his creativity while you work on yours. Support the creativity of others close to you rather than some plastic disc from an equally plastic performer. Need a break from your creative work, ask if you can watch, edit, assist your partner in crime.

In honor of all month long challenges, I place this one. Be someone’s muse, ask that they be yours, for thirty days. Keep one another on task, having fun and off the entertainment drug. I think of this because I do not think my students and creative friends realize, when they tell me I motivate them, I am equally motivated, by them. If not for students, I would not dance as much. If not for writer friends, I would not drive to make that next chapter on time. If not for weekly practices, I would not know what I know with respect to a blade.

Thank you and good luck all!

Arizona Corsairs Raid the Arizona Renaissance Faire

Ecstasy, what is your profession!

Arr! Arr! Arr!*

The Arizona Corsairs raided Pirate Weekend at the Arizona Renaissance Faire. Ship Ecstasy made a grand showing as usual, but then, I am bias. Some memorable moment, in quotes.

The weather is just menopausal. – Sharon

This was in response to the flashes of warmth and sunshine between the freezing bouts of hail, sleet and snow, a bit strange for Arizona weather? Yes. We thought so too. Sharon is from AdeebA Korsana’s Sunnyslope classes and a new member to ship Ecstasy.

I think I got somethin’ in my teeth, could ya get it out for me? THATS F*CKIN TEAAMM WOORRK!!! – Casey

Yes. Ecstasy’s carpenter/ Kaylee, did in fact pick gunk out of her captain’s teeth. Now that is loyal crew, right there.

I have never been with a captain before. – The Prince (kissing Blackstrap’s hand)

That is probably why you are still alive, boy. – Blackstrap (in retort)

Not the first royal to meet with Blackstrap’s wit in response to advances. It really is not wise to charm a pirate, even less so a captain, least of all Blackstrap.

*Of course, it is the quote at the top of this post that made the biggest impression. Several members of the AZ Corsairs entered the Pirate costume contest. Only one placed, Captain Blackstrap, with the stunning aid of her crew. In the “Best Arr!” portion of the event instead of being the typical lone pirate and saying arr on her own, she summoned the immortal words of Leonides. The return call from at least a dozen loyal pirates came with as much vigor to make any troupe of Spartans or pirates proud. That is how a captain says arr!

So much of Ecstasy is about teamwork, loyalty, friends, and fun! Ecstasy is the brightest, sexiest, most talented ship in all the Arizona Corsairs, but then, again I may be bias.

Huge thanks to Commodore Max for gifting Blackstrap a beautiful pirate compass. The gesture was both sweet and sarcastic, and always much appreciated.

Blaze, nice try on sneaking through the city gates with the royal procession.

J.J.M. Czep and the crew of Ecstasy are excited to announce that on Saturday, April 2^nd, the last weekend of the Arizona Renaissance Faire, Blackstrap’s Ecstasy books will be available for signing and purchase at The Book Shop. At this point, there may only be ten copies available! Czep will sign pre-purchased copies.

Thunder Stump at Donna Jean's

Another astounding performance by Thunder Stump at Donna Jean's Libations last Friday night. It may be one of their last shows for a while, as they go on hiatus to improve their style and grow from garage band to Punk Rock Super Stars.

Living in Phoenix Arizona is living in an ever changing gallery of emerging artists, performers, and musicians. I am always grateful to count among my friends and acquaintances, many of these creative people. Thunder Stump being top in the class and plans are they will only get better.

If you have not had the pleasure of hearing the "Punk. Comedy. Genius!" (- Thunder Stump Blog title and Myspace site) you are missing out on some of the geekiest, and we mean that in a good way, punk rock ever to be conceived. These nerds with instruments "that are embarrassed to be seen with them" (- TS Myspace profile), claim to be the "funniest comedic punk band in the 85014 zip code" (- TS Myspace Profile). They are not kidding around! Lead singer and lyricist Brenden Tuerff, with his brother Adam Tuerff, write about their love of video games, fears of zombie outbreaks, hopes for an apocalypse (to improve the pitiful state of the global economy), and all that connects with the soul of their geek fan base.

Reading the official Thunder Stump blog it looks like Keytarist, David Roberts will be moving to Bass Guitar when the band returns to the stage. No word, to my knowledge, who the new keytarist might be, but knowing the guys of TS he is sure to be the creme d' la creme of geek musical artists.

While on hiatus officially, the boys have assured me that they will appear at any Arizona Corsair or Ship Ecstasy event that Captain Blackstrap invites them to play, including the July Mud Wrestling event. So, big time TS fans, it may be time to go pirate. That does not mean pirate TS's recently released album, Punk. Comedy. Album. That you can buy at bandcamp.com.

Follow Thunder Stump:

http://www.Thunderstump.com

http://www.thunderstump.bandcamp.com

http://www.myspace.com/thunderstumpband

and on Facebook.

A Weekend of Belly Dance

Monday, Monday. It is a day to decompress from the always busy weekends. This weekend was a big one. Qadesh Tribal hosted their monthly Belly dance event at Ground Control coffee house in Goodyear.

Ground Control is an interesting venue, a cross between an upscale coffee house, winery and local hangout. The writer in me adores this location. The belly dancer, she hates the miniscule stage area we are expected to perform on.

Qadesh always impresses me as a Tribal group. These women are beautiful, dedicated, and so sweet to be around. It is no wonder really, they are the product of Anaya Tribal, another stunning Tribal group in the East valley. On the Fusion edge of the spectrum, Jae and Vorpal Shimmy also impressed.

Of course, I cannot go without saying how stunning Dancers of DeNile performed. I am most proud of Majnouna and Sumomo for the beautiful work they did reloading Aiwa Aiwa and adding some hat tricks to the dance.

Certainly not least, I am bubbling with pride! Zafirah and Has’na, two of my favorite students, just blew me away with their stage presence.

Sunday, Sumomo and I took a drive out to Chandler to attend a Bollywood class with Kriti. We were both thrilled! So much joy and energy! I wish Kriti was not all the way out in Chandler.

Belly dance is work, fun work, no doubt, but it is work. With a show on Saturday and a free demo class at the Studio of Ocotillo in Chandler on Sunday, Monday is a welcome break.

Dance is key

I am proud to be a belly dance instructor. I am proud of my studio. I love seeing the smiles and hearing the giggles of mothers and daughters, of sisters, and of friends. What I want to teach and learn more than anything is how to move the spirit to joy, through dance. There are many instructors in the valley. I have met very few who I would consider poor instructors in the execution of of movement. How many touch the soul of the movement?

That is my goal. As with making wings, every person has something different inside that needs to escape in a visual way. Dance is the same. Writing is the same. This is what I love. I love giving people the key to allow their soul to escape.

AdeebA Korsana

Those who read this blog might be curious to know a bit more about the personalities that run the show in this performance that is my life. And, because I have no idea what to write about. Here is a brief look into who, AdeebA Korsana is.

AdeebA (AdibA) is a female name of Arabic origin, it means literary, noble, proud woman. When I first began dancing with Lori Hunt (Badrea Talua) at Shirley’ Delhi (43^rd Ave & Cactus), she recommended that I choose a stage name. So many ideas ran through my head. I could take the easy way out, Easalle. It sounds exotic if not Middle Eastern, it was a name no one else shared. It spoke to me. But, Easalle did not dance. Czep was also pretty exotic, but not the look I was going for.

Lori offered a book of approved dance names. Some of the names in her pamphlet sized book had little stars beside them, to indicate another of her students had taken the name already. I looked into the meaning of my given name and the possible angles I could take on that. Nothing jumped out at me. Lori suggested Mish Mish. At my age though I was looking for something a bit more mature, something I could grow into, not out of.

At the same time, I was getting more and more into the social side of writing, meeting with other female would-be authors at the Fresh Start Women’s Center in Phoenix. I realized I had two separate lives that needed connection. I needed a name to reflect that. I began looking for names that meant poet, writer, words, anything that could coincide with my being a writer and a dancer.

I also needed a name that was visually appealing. Words have a beauty to them, and much like Anne of Green Gables, who demanded an “e” at the end of her name, I wanted people to see the name and find beauty in it. AdeebA had balance. Libras like balance.

AdeebA was perfect, and, it wasn’t taken. Then the pirates came.

One year into playing pirate with the Arizona Corsairs told me I would not be rid of the pirate portion of my personality any time soon. Here was a third slice of the pie that is my life that needed to be added into the name.

Korsana is the feminine for pirate in Arabic. I considered changing the name altogether. Drop AdeebA, go full pirate. I was, and always will be a woman of words first though and AdeebA was just too fitting. I asked Badrea what the rule for having two names was, if any. Blessedly, it is all up to the dancer. I do find it suiting though that Badrea, being the instructor of troupe Dancers of DeNile, and I, with the aspirations to teach one day, both took two names.

Shirley’s Delhi is closed, Badrea Talua recently retired, but the name stuck, the dancer grew, AdeebA Korsana is teaching, and I think she is here to stay. Even if this body stops shimmying, AdeebA Korsana will continue in fiction. She did find a place in the story line of Captain Blackstrap. It is not quite the same as the true story.

There is another part to the name, recently surfaced, due to a need to conjure a name for the students AdeebA Korsana is gathering – bint Hazine. Daughters of Treasure. On the surface, it adds to the pirate side of the name, The noble pirate woman, daughter of treasure. But, there is a back story too. Hazine was the name of my first Arizona belly dance instructor. When I was awkward, chubby, and shy, the Fresh Start Women’s Center, in downtown Phoenix, that played host to the writing group also held a weekly belly dance class. If anyone knows what happen to Hazine, please, let me know. I have since lost all track of her. I would like to tell her where I am now.

All of this brings me to want to discuss the origins of other members of Dancers of DeNile and their names. That is better suited for the troupe page. The name Mish Mish did not go away completely.

The New Year's Resolution 2011

There is nothing here yet, but there will be! For so many reasons, I need to get back into steady writing habits. Three of those reasons are my classes at Desert West Community Center and Sunnyslope Community Center in Phoenix. Would it really be fair to expect daily writing practice from my students if I cannot be expected to do the same? Another reason, I am ashamed to admit it but I have strayed from my one true love, the written word. Too long have I allowed myself to be pulled into the glamour of pirates, belly dance, costuming, and other business. I need to return to the mighty pen, and set aside all other passions. Okay, I may not go quite that far, but the idea is to write more, goof around less. Then, there is my goal for 2011. I quit the dead end day job at Smoke'M the day after Christmas. I am [inaudible mumbling] years old, my son is at an age where he needs less 'mommy' time, I am doing pretty well as a belly dancer and looking forward to the re-release of Blackstrap's Ecstasy, along with the release of a few other novels that I have been sitting on. 2011 is the year I say, I can fully support life's needs (and live comfortably) on my writing, and dance for a little extra play cash. No more working for "The Man". Teaching nearly ten classes per week, between writing and dance, busting some editing butt, and writing my little fingers off, it is not a lofty goal.

I am not a workaholic, I am driven! So, be prepared for many more words from Czep in 2011!