7-11-inspired movie night?

23 Nov 2011 2 Comments

by Lara Adrienne in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , ,

Perusing the DVD selection late night at the Petworth area 7-11 convenience store, these are some of the titles I saw:

Swagger Ladies

About Swagger Ladies. . .

“They were very old enough to be mothers to these young ladies.  Instead of them concentrating on their respectable marriages, they want to compete with these young ladies in prostitution.  The question is would they have the strength and as fit as these young ladies.  Watch it.”

No Apologies

"The secret is the answer. . . "

About No Apologies. . .

“Patrick Phillips is a brother to Barbara they lived happily and love each other.  Later in their lives, their love turned romantic and Barbara got pregnant.  Why would a brother and a sister decide to get married?  Watch this movie if there are any justification on their actions.”

Holy Mountain

This movie looks dramatic, emotional, and maybe even heart-wrenching.  I did not get a chance to photograph the back cover, as I was distracted by the expression on the guy’s face in the “O” of “HOLY” on the front cover.

Lastly, we have BlackBerry Babes

I think the BlackBerry Babe at the top center is also a Swagger Lady, but I can’t tell.  What do you think?

Your aura is transparent.

17 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment

by Lara Adrienne in Uncategorized Tags: , , ,

Alternative spiritual paths are acceptable and respectable–but phony spiritual guy, I don’t buy your act.  Honestly, I don’t think you buy it, either.

Your motley collection of “spiritual guy buzzwords”–yoga, meditation, prayer, God, tithing, vibrations, chakras, reflexology–sounds like a list of terms you’ve learned by spending an afternoon skimming a bunch of articles on the web.

My drinking water gives off a good energy?  Come on, I got it from the refrigerator dispenser.

The interest in–without any knowledge of–”body work” and the massage table cast a thin veil over your real goal of reeling in someone naive.

You are so insincere!  What Spiritual Guy recoils with disgust upon learning someone is vegetarian?

And please don’t tell me I feel this way because my heart is closed.

Dear Big Time Music Producer/Star Maker:

10 Nov 2011 4 Comments

by Lara Adrienne in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , ,

I am flattered that you’ve invited me to perform in the music video you’re producing.

I appreciate that you have “no budget” and are “relying on favors” to make it happen.

I truly believe that your video is going to “go viral” on Youtube.

I understand that you have a “pro group of dancers” (pro·fes·sion·al [adj.] following an occupation as a means of livelihood or for gain) that “always comes out to the shows to dance for free”.

Thank you so much for the “opportunity”, but you’re going to have to count me out this time.

-Lara, the artist who “makes a big deal” out of being paid for her time

What to do? Where to go?

08 Nov 2011 4 Comments

by Lara Adrienne in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , ,

Every time I think I’m going to yerleşmek (settle down) for awhile in one place, something changes.

My glorious three month stay in the US ends in just three weeks!  Eight weeks ago, I was eager to return to Istanbul, find my Dream Apartment, and get back to gigging in Turkey.

Since then, however, I’ve been offered a three-month contract to perform in Italy!  Should I take it?  What about my Dream Apartment in Istanbul?  Do I even need it?  Then today, one of my agents in Turkey informed me of work in Cyprus.  Having a place in Istanbul and flying to Cyprus for work sounds mighty glamorous. Meanwhile, I will find out soon about a possible working vacation in China and Hong Kong.  I hope that comes through, too.

I want to do everything!

Five Minute Stage Makeup ;o)

03 Nov 2011 4 Comments

by Lara Adrienne in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , ,

As a belly dancer, most of your gigs are planned days, weeks, months, even up to a year or more in advance. Generally speaking, the more time you have to prepare, the better the gig. You can introduce new music or material into your show, make sure a favorite costume is in good repair (or have a new one made), look up directions to the venue and calculate how long it’ll take to get there, do elaborate make-up, fluff out your hair (or secure your wig), get to the gig early, and warm up in the back before showtime.

Sometimes, though, you don’t have the luxury of time. You might be wrapping up dinner with a few friends on a Monday at a little cafe on Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul when your friend Ebru calls you to say there is a last minute show for a group of VIPs in Beyoğlu and can you please be there in 15 minutes?

It’s times like this when the ability to do 5 minute stage makeup comes in handy. Below is a tutorial on how to do exactly that.

A dance coach is like a mirror. . .

01 Nov 2011 4 Comments

by Lara Adrienne in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , ,

A good dance coach is invaluable.  She’s like your mirror–always giving honest feedback–only wiser, and more talented.

She’ll tell you how wonderful you are, and the ways in which you are not wonderful–and it’s necessary to hear both.

You go to the coach because you want to get better.  There’s a special show you’re working on, or a competition, and you want her guidance and input.  Or, you feel you’ve reached a plateau in your dancing, or you are not progressing at a rate that pleases you.  Perhaps you want to transition from advanced student to professional performer, but you’re not sure what that means or where to begin.  There are many reasons to go to a master teacher for private lessons/coaching, but they all stem from one thing–you want enormously to improve.

A coach will watch a performance where you thought you did “pretty okay”, and let you know that you were actually “just” okay, remarking that your arm work was weak in places, or your timing was off, or that jazzy kick in your routine looked corny.

A coach will also let you know that the skeletal choreography you’ve been working on has some really excellent parts in it, and NO, you don’t need to change the music because you’re doing a great job.

I have several mentors that I’ve visited for such coaching.  Here are some of the things they’ve said:

“Don’t do that ugly thing with your arms when you turn!”

“Stop complaining about what you need to improve.  That’s my job.”

“You’re a diamond in the rough.  You need polish.  But it’s better to be a diamond in the rough.  Some dancers are like quartz, and no matter how much you polish ‘em, [they're still just quartz]” (E. A. M.)

My mother is not a dance coach, but sometimes she fills in as one in a pinch–

“Lara, it’s time to retire that costume.”

“Lara, the general public will find this song boring.”

“Lara, that was fantastic!  I’m so proud of you!”

I would like to thank a few of my most recent and most influential coaches: Artemis Mourat, Lotus Niraja,  Faten Salama, and Mom!

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