Interview with Isabel

July 28, 2009 12:55 PM

Name: Isabel

What is your role within the Sahara Dance community? Raqs Caravan East Company Member

Childhood ambition: I wanted to be an Olympic gymnast! Time revealed that that’s not what my body was built for. I’m really glad I eventually discovered dance instead. I love movement that is not just athletic and graceful, but expressive too, and really responds to the music. Plus the costumes are much more fun than gymnastics leotards!

First job: I babysat a lot, and I also painted houses and did construction with my dad every summer since I was a kid.

What’s playing on your iPod or CD player? I’m addicted to Rachid Taha right now. I love Gogol Bordello and DeVotchka as well. And of course, my Raqs East performance songs are always on a loop.

Indulgence: I don’t know that I can pick just one - sleeping late, home beauty treatments, almond M&M’s, cheese, wine…those are the staples!

What’s your favorite belly dance moment or experience? I love the feeling of completing really solid performance of a group piece on stage. There’s so much build-up and practice and nerves, and when it goes great it’s really satisfying. I also really love dancing an improvised solo in a restaurant or club when there’s an enthusiastic audience. I think that’s when my best and most authentic dancing comes out.

Current inspirations: I get a lot of inspiration from watching dancers I come across on youtube. My new favorite is a dancer named Anaisis from Portugal. Workshops inspire me too - I just took a veil workshop with Mariyah from New York and it was amazing. I can’t wait to put together a new veil piece using some of the really creative moves she taught us. And I have a new floorwork video I’m looking forward to practicing with.

What is your dance background? I took some ballet growing up, and we learned a basic dance repertoire in gymnastics. And I’ve always loved freestyle dancing to live music or a really great DJ. I didn’t discover belly dance until after college.

How did you get interested in belly dance? A friend’s band was playing at my favorite bar, the Dragon’s Den in New Orleans. I got there early and caught the act before them - it was n.o.madic tribal belly dance company. I was completely mesmerized and I started taking classes with them right away. The same year, a great dancer named Layla moved into my apartment building and I began taking cabaret style classes with her. Within a matter of months, belly dance became a huge part of my life. I landed with Sahara Dance when I moved to DC after Hurricane Katrina and I’ve since discovered a real love for Egyptian Raqs Sharqi and for solo performance. I’m so glad I found this group.

Finally, what do you love most about Sahara Dance (other than Hip Talk, of course!)? Sahara Dance provides a lot of quality performance opportunities, and the support and encouragement to help each dancer achieve her own goals and find her own style.

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