Interview with Sandra

February 16, 2010 05:45 PM

Name: Sandra

What is your role within the Sahara Dance community? Student, Fan, Member of Raquettes Badia Central, Court Jester

Childhood ambition: To be a rock star and go to Australia, but I became a technical writer and came to America. I may still make it to Australia?

First job: Selling ice cream at the beach in Scarborough, England during the summer holidays.

What’s playing on your iPod or CD player? Performance music for Bollywood and Raquettes Badia; Elvis Golden Records Vol I; Blue Hawaii; Exile on Main Street; and John Longbottom. OK, so you’ve never heard of John Longbottom, but he plays and sings Irish music and I went to high school with him in England in the 60s. If you want to check him out he’ll be at Troy’s in Alexandria during St.Patrick’s week. If I had an iPod and could have gazillions of songs, they’d be mostly 60s rock and pop — the Rolling Stones, Beatles, The Who, Chuck Berry, ad nauseum. And Melissa Etheridge and Cheryl Crow and Oasis. Oh, and some Strauss waltzes just to show that my head is not a total cultural wasteland.

Indulgence: Right this moment it’s Jamaican ginger beer. The label says it contains 56g of sugar so I think that qualifies. Otherwise, I like to have a bottle of single malt on hand.

What’s your favorite belly dance moment or experience? Well, not strictly belly dance, but my first performance — Hula/Belly fusion — just blew me away. I never in my wildest dreams imagined I would perform in public. But as someone who shall remain anonymous was heard to remark, “It’s better than coke.” I wouldn’t know whether or not that’s true.

Current inspirations: My teachers inspire me. Do you want me to name names? Colleen, who taught my first class and gave me the bug… as long as I live I’ll try to always do ‘big knees.’ Lo, for her patience and support and unfailing encouragement in getting me on the stage. Melissa, who is going to need those same qualities in the weeks ahead (!). Ebony, because she has more energy than the Energizer Bunny. Jennifer… well, just because she’s Jennifer! And Rachel who makes it all possible. Thanks ladies!

What is your dance background? No structured dance background at all.

How did you get interested in belly dance? I was actually looking for tap classes but I couldn’t find anything at a time and place that suited me. But in the course of my surfing I stumbled upon Sahara Dance, and here I am.

Finally, what do you love most about Sahara Dance (other than Hip Talk, of course!)? Well I could just ditto my answer to the previous question and add that I’ve made some really… r-e-a-l-l-y, nice friends. Oh, and I live for Marianne’s Facebook posts and pics ;)

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