bint Hazine Auditions Beginning Soon!

As we continue to grow and change as a troupe and as members of the Phoenix bellydance community there are always new things to discover. bint Hazine will be opening auditions this Fall for the 2015 dance year! We will be seeking dancers willing to work as hard as they play, who understand that a troupe is more than learning a choreography in a group. bint Hazine is a sisterhood and with that comes a closeness that requires empathy and support for one another. We welcome women of all ages though our current members are in their 30’s and 40’s. Mature youths, as well as the young at heart are welcome.

Auditions will be Monday evenings and hosted in the home studio of AbeebA Korsana, in Glendale. Current and former students of AbeebA who have completed at least three sessions are invited to audition. A showcase of your talents will include; a one minute freestyle dance with music of troupe’s choice, demonstration of three of the five core bint Hazine songs, and a brief and fun interview by some of the current troupe members.

If you have been a member of the troupe before, please feel free to audition at this time as well! We miss you!

Troupe requirements for 2015 will be explained during the audition process. For more information on bint Hazine, classes with AdeebA Korsana, or belly dance in general please follow us on Youtube.com/easalle or Facebook.com/bint.hazine

Shimmy on!

Rio Vista: Week One

Thank you to the six stunning students signed up for the Fall 2012 session at Rio Vista Recreation Center! I am excited to have three returning dancers as well as some new faces. Interested students are still welcome to join us in week two; we have nine open spaces.

This session is all about fun and high energy! Daler Mendhi’s Tunak Tunak Tun is a Punjabi pop sensation that gained a following in the United States through its inclusion in the video game World of Warcraft. The length of the song – five minutes - does make it rather daunting to dance to, especially at the high velocity tempo.

Belly dance takes many forms as it crosses many borders, within the lines of India it is more about the shoulders than the shimmies. Hops and shoulder drops are prominent with accents through wrist and head movements. A blending of sharp and fluid combinations make dances from India fun and energetic.

I wrote the choreography for Tunak Tunak Tun to test my skills as a dancer. It was my first choreography and still one of my favorites. It does have a few glitches, or unique qualities. Foremost, the steps are left, rather than right dominant. It is written as a troupe dance, to include groups of three to five.

I am very excited to be teaching this dance once again and thrilled to have some great students! Thank you so much! See you soon!

While you wait for class:

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Nomday: Shout Out

Typically I offer up a quick and easy slow cook or no cook recipe that will get the reader through the week. This week I want to offer up my awe toward those who do so much more!

I had the privilege over the weekend of dining at Danielle’s home in Tempe. It is always well worth the drive. The company and conversation are always wonderful and enlightening, and the food, spectacular. The basics of comfort food can be counted upon, this time turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pie. But, she goes the next step by including something new and interesting, or a twist on a classic. This turn, the new and interesting, a watermelon, feta, and mint salad. Odd, yes. Amazing, good gods yes! 

Unless it is a holiday or something amazing, there is little in me that will make a several course spread of all day creation proportions. Even with a reason I will make effort to find excuse. Danielle is the contrary, she makes excuse to put forth so much effort. 

So, to Danielle and all the other real cooks out there who truly enjoy the work of cooking for others for pleasure rather than necessity, thank you!

Digging Personal History instead of the Garden

01.10.2012

I am not going to promise to do this every day, but I am sick and that makes my brain sort of melted. I needed some inspiration so I went back on this date in my personal history to see what happened. Things have changed, which is good, but some things have become more relevant. These are not all of the posts, but it is a fun start and an interesting spectrum.

01/10/2006

A full day today! I walked Jonathan to school. I got several pages of work done with respect to pulling penny books. I cleaned more of the closet out. I caught up on my e-mail and journal. I practiced for a half hour. Less than what I aimed for, but I got once through all of the songs. The house looks a bit lived in but clean. There are only a few dishes in the sink. Now, I am writing and I will put my mind to rest with a book. Add to all the accomplishment a nice visit with Bethany and Jonathan wanting to read at bedtime. Life is good today. Hell's Belles are pricking at my brain.

Jonathan prefers to go by JD today. He walks himself to and from school every morning. Most mornings I am not even awake, and if I am I am likely not at home. He reads to himself at night or we watch a movie together on Netflix. Maybe I will suggest reading time. We could read news articles or non-fiction, or our own work instead.

Bethany and most of the other girls are busy with their own lives now. I am proud of all of them. Bethany is an accomplished horse rider/ trainer with aspirations to become an equine doctor. I know she will make it too!

I no longer work for The Kat’s Meow, but the business still exists. If you are ever looking for used books please check them out on Amazon.com.

I am still working on Hell’s Belles, it will eventually come to fruition. One of the biggest hang-ups is the search for an artist.

01-10-2007

Question 429 asks: What would happen if there were no cars, buses, trains, boats, or planes? How would this change your life?

I would likely be in far better shape physically. Getting to work would take a lot longer. Hell, I may not have a job. Kathy's (The Kat’s Meow) business relies on transportation in a big way. Cost of living would shift. No one paying thirty dollars or more to fuel their vehicles. Also, no way to transport goods rapidly.

How would my life change? Forget that. How would the world change? We would become a tribal society again. Growing food locally would be a must. Small farms, local medical assistance, fire and policing would have to be erected. Living close to a grocery store is meaningless when there is no food in it. The city would die, or go mad, in days. This is what we have to look forward to if we do run out of oil. I do not know that I want to stay here, in a city, with those thoughts in mind.

What can be done here? There must be some small things. I could not eat my cats, but could I defend them from those that would? Could they be taught to hunt? We are, the lot of us, far too domesticated. We are spoilt. Could I grow enough food on the balcony to support us? In a desert climate, how reasonable is that to ask? Maybe I should try? Small things. Survival things. I need to do small things that Shaun will not notice. He thinks I am crazy. I may well be crazy. I may well always have been, or I was pushed by recent events. Does it matter? Who could I count on in a crisis? Very few here. Power is first to go. Do we have batteries, and back-up batteries enough for those that cannot be charged? I have candles. Do we have water? Do we have a way to cook? So many small things. Things not considered day to day. Food, water, shelter. The basics. We do have those things, but we have so many other things as well. I must pare down more non-essentials and stock up on more essentials. What good will knowledge of cars and computers do when we need food? I need to be able to take care of myself, of Shaun, Jonathan and the cats. They are most important. I know this. Can we hole up here though? In some ways, yes, and more so, in other ways, not so well. Time to clean house again. I feel another shift on the way. I need to commit more of my old writing to my pen drive. If all goes haywire I will still have it all. Pictures, writings, drawings. Our family history. Even Jonathan's school work. Nonsense. Excess, but not worthless. Priceless. I will know it is there. I need to gather my most important jewelry and mementos too. Scan our identification too. I should begin to trade my cash in for fine jewelry, not meant for everyday wear now, that is less obvious now. It will be easier to carry too. Precious stones and metals will always have some value. Yes. It is not normal to think this way. It is good though. I will to survive, and to assist others to do the same. That has to be more noble than begging to be cared for. It must be. It is. I have to live by my own wits or die. I must start now. With the money from this paycheck. Budget. Squirrel away. Plan. Save. Think. Why do I feel it is too late? As if there is so little time left? There is time. I must use it to its fullest however. This question put my mind on so many tracks. All to the same end thought. The feeling that the end, and new beginnings are about to meet. I find I am thinking of those lost to me, cut off for good reason. People I never really got along with, but that taught me the traits that needed to be set aside. Should I thank them for that much? Sure, why not. Is there anyone out here that is really useful in a pinch? I have to be honest.

In 2007, I was still very much recovering from a mental breakdown. Over thinking is probably a fair cause and effect of that breakdown. Do I still feel I need to do some of the things listed in this post? Yes.

I think it is always important to prepare for disaster. Disaster does not have to be a full tilt Zombie Apocalypse, but any sort of power outage, flood, draught, strike of any sort. Did I step away from people who I knew would drag down society if we had to all share limited goods? Yes. The reason was more personal though. People who I could honestly say served little purpose in an emergency situation also were the people who were dragging emotionally and in day to day life. I have grown so much since letting them go.

So, was I crazy in 2007 or was I just clearing the dross in my own special way?

01.10.2008

Saturday, 6PM - 9PM
Over Coffee, 303 Greenway
Free as always! See you there!

The Over Coffee no longer exists, it closed due to the poor economy, and poor location. The free Way Out West Bellydance Shows continue, at a new location. Next Coffee Company (59^th Ave. & Utopia, Peoria) hosts dancers of all levels every third Saturday, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

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.