Thank you, everyone. You helped me win the People’s Choice Award - the solo in The Belly Bellydance Evolution’s Boston show. The lovely Kareemah Bellydance from Argentina brought in 565 votes from her amazing fan base. You pushed me over that hurdle by 18 nail-biting votes. It was a really exciting race. Your congratulations beginning at 3am and all day today are flooding my heart. I am so blessed to be the recipient of all of your enthusiasm and positive energy. Being in a show directed by Jillina is a privilege in itself. Now, having a solo in her show – what an honor! With your belief in me, your time spent voting and spreading the news, and pumping me up, I have a full tank of energy. I am ready to give it my all. Thank you for this opportunity - YAY!!!! I am also fascinated and appreciative that this competition connected many people to the ever-developing belly dance art form. Jillinas show site, BellyDanceEvolution got over 1000 clicks due to Kareemah and I scrapping it out. The other fine dancers also contributed to connecting the public to this art form. That’s so wonderful! Then, within the belly dance community connections were happening between various genres and geographical locations as we pulled together around the lead contestant (which was me, then it was not me, then it was me again, then it was not me : ). This situation sure has opened my eyes to the massive good will, the wonderful artists, and the appreciation of artistry that exists all around me. I even connected to my family, friends, teachers, and students in a way I am not very accustomed to - I asked them for help. They helped with astounding generosity and persistence. The whole experience has shown the connectivity that we can access if we put ourselves out there. Please allow me one more comment about goodness: In contrast to this uplifting dance-related experience a dear friend to the New England dance community, Amity Alize, just suffered a life changing tragic loss when her soulmate Roger passed suddenly. It was challenging for me to engage in this competition when I just wanted to dedicate all my energy to Amity, to raising funds, driving to NH for the wake and funeral, or helping out in some way. But I felt I had to respect those who were pulling for me to have this dance opportunity. I had to honor the skills I’ve been developing - much of it due to Amity’s inspiration. Some wise folks reminded me that hardship is always with us. The upside is that hardship shows the goodness in people. And as we came through the week I saw that even as folks were voting for me, these same folks were donating funds to Amity and helping her in this time of loss. So, yes, there are a lot of negative energies to dodge, try to be tolerant of, dismiss, endure, or try to make peace with. Amitys situation is unbearable for us to imagine. Yet in all of this there is still so much good out there in this world. If you voted for me or told your friends to vote for me, you did something far greater than a social media thing, you are a part of the good energy. And, of course, your effort paid off - bonus - I won and some art can be made by a local artist! If you gave to Amity, prayed, sent a note, or offered to help her team finish their newly gutted studio, you are part of the good energy of empathizing and helping lessen someone’s suffering. We cannot erase the bad but we can try to balance it out and from what I’ve seen this week there are a lot of people on the positive team. If you have not given to Amity you can help her by donating some funds so she can have some relief from this trauma of suddenly losing her love of 14 years. If you are in NH you can help with the painting or other work in Amity’s shell of a new studio by contacting Abi Marsh. Or donate towards the studio work via paypal raqondonations@aliathabit. A different paypal fund is also dedicated to Amity’s rest, food, and recuperation through Amy E Smith helade@gmail. Indicate “For Amity.” And in honor of all things good in this fascinating world, I have to shut this computer off for a while. As I plan when I will practice for this upcoming show and others I am blessed to have this holiday season, I will enjoy a heart full of gratitude. Thank you, everyone, for the encouragement, the congratulatory notes, and the chance to be a relevant entertainer in this world. I am giving it my all. Jillina’s Belly Dance Evolution Show is Wednesday, Jan 7th @ Regent Theater, Arlington, MA. The story of Alice in Wonderland never looked like this before. Hip hop, belly dance, costumes, music. This show will sell out. Get tix asap. Let’s do this! — with Kareemah Bellydance, Abi Marsh, Bellydance Evolution, Amity Alize, Amy E Smith, Alia Thabit and Jillina Carlano.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 23:23:35 +0000
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