galadhir

Finally danced my dance, and indeed I danced it three times - first in front of my other belly dance class, as a 'lets watch M do her dance while we take a water break,' thing. In which Louise gave me the idea to turn to the side so the mermaid arms on the camels could be seen better, and the whole class went 'oooh' when I did the deep dip with the sword on my head.

That was done in exercise gear. It felt okay despite the fact that I did lose my place at one point and find myself coming back to myself, thinking 'where am I? What am I supposed to be doing here?' Nobody seemed to notice, so it was fine.

Then I did it in full memento mori skirt get up in front of Elizabeth's beginners class. I don't think I forgot anything there, but I don't think there was a lot of enjoyment or engaging with the audience. I was too busy trying to remember how it went.

Then I did it again in front of a paying audience at the Buckleton Christmas hafla. This had a Christmas theme, so I wore a red 24 yard skirt, a green top, green and gold coin belt and a tinsel crown (was told I looked like the Ghost of Christmas Present, which I think is a complement.) This time it felt really good, and I was able to remember to make eye contact with members of the audience and smile.

Later my teacher who was also there emailed me to say it was a good performance, so I think that one went well.

I came away feeling buoyed up, and am still feeling oddly more solid for it, even a week later. I definitely enjoy going to a hafla and performing for one. Time to start on a new, better choreography for Shimmyfest next year.