" At Oriental Potpurri"

As a Belly Dancer, performing in public is something that brings it all together. There are many types of performing and many different venues and stage performing is very much different then other types of performing.

I love stage performing.

Stage performing is a venue that allows for a the most amount of creative freedom and the opportunity to perform with much fewer restrictions.

You can work out most any type of choreography without having to worry about the space considerations or restrictions that say, restaurant performing imposes (no tables or chairs).

The energy level is so different as well. It's just a whole different universe of dancing and performing - especially in contrast to restaurant performing.

1. People aren't doing other things like eating, or drinking.

2. Waiters, or wait staff aren't walking by.

3. There's not audible distractions (the clickty, clank of dishes)

The absolute best thing about stage performing is the audience. They are there to see Belly Dancing and to see you perform. They aren't there to eat, drink, or socialize. They are fans of Belly Dancing and they are every bit as focused on you and your dancing as you are.

(This performance is from my Body of Work DVD.

Belly Dancing is life flowing through you. It is your connection to spirit; your spirit and the spirit that underlies your spirit. Your best and most fulfilling enjoyable performance will always have as it's main component the powerful element of spirit and you don't want to do anything (if possible) to block the movement and flowing of that spirit through you and your body.

Practicing and practicing and practicing before your performance has to result in your body being the vessel that retains the feeling of the movement. Practicing takes your conscious (self talking) brain out of the equation which leaves you free to not think and enjoy your performance and be in a state of bliss that is almost euphoric.