As a Dance Studio my Ladies and I celebrated today a little early, on the 30th July, with a special Women's Day Hafla in Rustenburg. It is the first time that we as a Studio have held a Hafla or event that has been open to the Public, albeit a Ladies Only audience.
The show was our way of introducing ourselves to the Ladies of Rustenburg as we have discovered that we are not really 'known' in our small town and as the studio offers 'Belly Dance' that we have gain a 'not so cool' reputation with some of the ladies that have heard of us. So we decided to set the record straight. Addressing our lovely ladies I explained to them the origins of 'Raks Sharqi' and 'Raks Baladi' and that we belong to a Sisterhood of Women from all over the World that celebrate being Woman.....Being mother, wife, lover, homemaker, peacekeeper, nurse, taxi driver, teacher, counselor, chef, maid, Jill of all trades without complaint (okay we do complain - but we still love it). Being strong, being fearless, being courageous. That we celebrate how we learnt to love ourselves again, accept who we are and love the way we look, found time for Us, without losing all the other things that we loved about being a Woman. We accept all Women, no matter what your age, color, circumstance, religion, body shape, fitness level or experience. We dance because it speaks to our Souls, the one's that we have lost in the chaos of everyday life and it brings joy and light back into our lives.We are in fact the absolute opposite of everything that is ever said about Belly Dancers in hushed tones behind our backs.
After a slow start with ticket sales and some hiccups with our posters (businesses not displaying them when saying they will) and some awe inspiring sponsorship's (which included our lighting and sound by Sound Motion Professionals courtesy of a Fairy God person) we eventually had 80 Ladies from all walks of life join us at our favourite Hafla venue in Rustenburg for a Show and a light lunch.
Friday night was spent placing tables and hanging backdrops etc, with lots of giggles and chuckles - when your other half is delegated to holding the ladder so that you can hang the drapings just so...love you my lief....Saturday was a mad rush to finish the table decor (courtesy of Studio Mom & Costume Guru, Tannie Susan Ferreira), organise Lighting guys and then dash home to finish make-up and hair....chaos, need to I say more.
The Show was a roaring success..... almost everyone that was asked how they found the Show was amazed. They had no idea that this is what Belly Dance is. It was called beautiful, stunning, incredible.....so I think we set the record straight. Hopefully our new converts will go out into the world (our small town) and spread the word and the love for our Dance.
Maybe.....just maybe.....we might make this a Annual thing.....will keep you all posted on that one....lol!
Here are a couple of images taken by one of our Dancers - Rene Schoombee....
Jacqui
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