Interview with Bex

April 3, 2009 11:23 AM

Name: Bex

What is your role within the Sahara Dance community? Studio Assistant & Student

Childhood ambition: I wanted to bag groceries at Acme. I was only half-joking when I would tell my mom that was what I wanted to do. Looking back, it probably was my overly organized and puzzle-solving nature coming out. :-)

First job: Retail Associate at Strawbridge’s back home in Philly. My mom didn’t want me to get a job at all, let alone one doing retail since she’d done it for so many years. My first day was working the perfume counter on Mother’s Day, absolutely baptism by fire. After 8 hours in heels, smelling a ridonkulous amount of perfume, and running around like a maniac, all I wanted to do was cry. As soon as I got home, I flopped on the living room floor, and tried to act like it was the awesomest day ever. She didn’t believe me…wise woman.

What’s playing on your iPod or CD player? Right now, the music for Colleen’s LI performance class, Sheherezade. I try to visualize the steps as I hear the music.

If you were to look at my iPod, you’d think it was crazy with the random music that is on there. Everything from Journey to Chicharones to Ozzy Osbourne to Kenny Rogers to Tiesto to Samira Said to…I think you get the point. :-)

Indulgence: My motorcycle…I love love love it. The only thing that bums me out about winter is that I can’t ride. And buying new jackets, boots, and gloves becomes addictive.

Oh, another thing is kabob. My friend Karli introduced me to it a little while ago, and I want to eat it all of the time…no joke, breakfast, lunch, and dinner kabob would make me very happy. Mmmmm naan.

What’s your favorite belly dance moment or experience? So far, it’s been working backstage at Source Theater for the Raqs Caravan Showcase this past December. It was amazing to see what goes into making the show.

Also, I love being a Studio Assistant and sitting in with different teachers. Watching the different styles of teaching is great…and so is filling my iPod with their various music. :-)

Current inspirations: Our teachers at Sahara continue to inspire me. Watching them perform really inspires me to keep on track, to keep taking workshops, and to keep practicing. I still get the cheesy “that is/was my teacher” smile when I watch them perform.

What is your dance background? When I was a wee tike, momma put me in ballet and tap. I still remember the ballet recital…well, I remember having to hold hands with the girl that constantly sucked on her thumb.

I’ve been known to dance to Apache at my favorite watering hole (or whenever it comes on, even if I’m riding), but I’m not sure that counts. ;-)

How did you get interested in belly dance? Belly dance was floating in the outskirts of my life for a little while…

My friend Mirelli took classes at Sahara Dance for a while, and mentioned it to me a few times, but I never really looked into it. It wasn’t until she and her husband, Dan, had a few of her friends/fellow dancers from Sahara perform at their wedding reception, that I contemplated it, but didn’t think it was for me. I didn’t think I could be in class and learn to dance…and in front of other people.

In the coming months, my friend Tanya found out about some belly dance shows at Palace of Wonders, so we checked them out and were floored by the different styles of dance, music, and costumes.

Then came the Raqs Caravan Showcase in December 2007 at Casablanca. The four of us were there together and I was amazed that the dancers were students. After seeing “Din Daa Daa” performed, I felt the fun, forgot any fear, and wanted to sign up immediately. All I did was mention my interest when Tanya, Mirelli, and Dan jumped on me to do it. They all really encouraged me, so I signed up for class in January 2008 and have loved it ever since.

Finally, what do you love most about Sahara Dance (other than Hip Talk, of course!)? It’s been said time and time again, but it can never be said enough: the Sahara Dance community is phenomenal. The teachers really spend time to help you through a certain movement if you don’t get it and encourage you to keep on truckin’. The students support and encourage one another. Everyone is great to dance, sweat, chat, and joke with.

Where else can one call a vertical figure 8 “the Axl Rose” and be understood? Only Sahara Dance. :-D

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