There are a few awesome things on the horizon for 2012….I am guest dancing in a troupe at Rakkasah- (more on who and where later….waiting for the official announcement!) Helping a friend organize what is looking to be an AMAZING show for the end of March in Los Angeles (again, more on that later), substitute teaching for one of my FAVORITE dancers ever (The Lady Fred), choreographing a piece for Cosmik Casbah – Tribal Fest Afterparty (I get to perform with one of my best friend EVER, the gal I credit for getting me into this dance life!!), and on top of all of that- I turn 30 in April! (trying to figure out if I actually want a party or just a gathering of friends…….)

Calamitous Costuming had to take a forced hiatus while I organized travel and home life, so hopefully that will be back on track within the next month or so. Look out for more jewelry and costuming creation from your truly!

I am so thankful for all of the challenges and adventures I had in 2011, all the friends I made all over the world, and can’t wait to see what 2012 brings! Happy new year, y’all!!

Double PLus AWESOME!!

All Photos by: Lee Corkett

Europe? Amazing.

I have been revamping both of our websites to suit a larger audience, and be more user friendly!!! I’ve seen WAY too many websites lately that are very confusing when you’re trying to find quick information. So to that end, we have the new site for:

DJ Amar/Solunmar Productions: www.solunamar.com
&
Electric Vardo electricvardo.wordpress.com

I’ll also be working on websites for a few friends and family soon. So much to do before we leave!

Dance wise I’ll be at LoveEvolution this Saturday doing Improv to Rob Garza’s (Theivery Corp.) set, going to class like a fiend, and getting my workshop material and choreography together for Europe!!

Thanks to all!

My necklaces are all cobbled together from various bits and sparkle I have accumulated over the years. Each as a little bit of something special, and are just waiting to make your ensemble sing!

And for all you Los Angeles people! I’m teaching at the end of the month!
April 30th, and Luna Dance Center- hosted by B.F.L.A.!!!

Click on these words to REGISTER!!!!

DJ Amar and Calamity Sam are a dynamic artistic duo from the vibrant Bay Area tribal fusion bellydance scene. Don’t miss this rare chance to study with these talented and generous artists!

Sunday March 13th from 12-4pm
Mastering Your Mix: A music mixing workshop for dancers with DJ Amar (12-1:30pm)
Get Strong’n'Sassy with Calamitous Drills and Combos! with Calamity Sam (2-4pm)
440 Studios, room 4A at 440 Lafayette between Astor Place and 4th Street
advance: $65 for both workshops, $35 for one / at the door: $80 for both, $45 for one
To register or for more information please contact Sarah@alchemyperformance.com
For more info about Amar and Sam, please visit solunamar.com
and thecalamitysam.com

Mastering Your Mix: A music mixing workshop for dancers
DJ Amar (12-1:30pm)
Learn how to make an impressive sounding mix for your next performance using software that you can download for free. With a few simple steps you can adjust bass, midrange, and treble frequencies; cross-fade one track into the next; edit a track down to just the portions you need; adjust the volume of a song; and add layers using beats and ambient melodies from other songs. With my laptop and a projector, I will give an overview of key features and shortcuts to show you how to edit a track, use the fade in and out feature, add a second track, and make a mix using 3 songs. You’ll come away from the workshop knowing how to mix a continuous “Mastered” set with smooth transitions.

Get Strong’n'Sassy with Calamitous Drills and Combos!
Calamity Sam (2-4pm)
Come and learn the breakdown of some of Calamity Sam’s typical dance combinations while drilling to strengthen your body. Sassy, funny, and a little goofy- these combos can be used to add fun and comedic relief to your dance. Move from serpentine and slow to quick and isolated. The juxtaposition of these two elements can make a more dynamic dance- listening to the music for what it needs, we will apply these ideas and drill sections of Calamity’s signature style, linking them together to create combinations that can be easily inserted into your own dance. Isolations, pops, locks, and serpentine movement will be implemented, and we will be drilling level changes and arm patterns.

And the SHOW:

Sarah Johansson Locke and Alchemy Performance present

HYBRID: the Weaving
Saturday March 12th at 8:00pm
University Settlement, 184 Eldridge Street (corner of Rivington), NYC
…
Featuring:
Alchemy Dance Theater
Alchemy Tribal Collective
Alchemy students

Special guests:
Donna Mejia (MA)
DJ Amar and Calamity Sam of Electric Vardo (CA)
Mavi (DC)

The Alchemy community has many threads. The central fabric of Alchemy Dance Theater, Alchemy Tribal Collective, and Sarah Johansson Locke’s students is supported and extended by our colleagues and collaborators as well as our audience, friends, and family. Our dance itself is a tapestry of tradition, reinvention, lineage, and creativity. Come join us as we gather together to celebrate the richness of this weaving in a new installment of the innovative HYBRID performance series, which Sarah founded in 1996 as a forum for new evolutions in contemporary global performance. HYBRID: the Weaving features core Alchemy dancers along with a crew of talented guest artists from across the country – all unique and inspiring threads, interwoven here to create a compelling evening of music and dance.

Advance tickets available from https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/156569
General admission $20 in advance, $25 at the door (pending availability)
Artist/Student discount $15.00 (for those who can’t afford general admission)
VIP reserved seats $40 (support the artists and get the best seats in the house reserved for you – all proceeds go towards making this production happen: rehearsals, costumes, and more)

Amar and Sam will be teaching workshops on Sunday March 13th at 440 Studios. Don’t miss a rare chance to study with these inspiring and generous artists! Amar will teach you valuable new skills with Mastering Your Mix – A music mixing workshop for dancers, and Sam will share some of her unique style with Get Strong’n'Sassy with Calamitous Drills and Combos! Visit the Alchemy website to learn more and to register.

For more info:
www.alchemyperformance.com
www.solunamar.com
www.thecalamitysam.com
www.donnamejiadance.com
www.mavibellydance.com

It’s been a great experience so far. I mean, I’d love to have a day off now and then, but being able to sustain ourselves with freelance work, sound, dance, and DJ gigs- is really great. I just didn’t realize how much WORK goes into planning out all the details, making sure things are scheduled correctly, etc.

Oakland is an amazing place, and the Bay Area at large is very comfortable to me. I’m still building the map in my head and finding my way around- but I really am enjoying being out of LA right now. Don’t get me wrong. I still love LA- I’ve been trying to visit at least monthly to stay in touch with my LA family– friends and co-workers I’ve come to love as family over the 6-7 years that I called Los Angeles home. But, it was time for a change.

I’m hoping that 2011 will be a year of growth for me- in terms of my dance, and my visual art. So far, I’ve got 3 workshops booked for this year- which isn’t that many, but it’s my first real year getting out there and teaching. (Thanks to all of you that are having me! I can’t wait!)

We’ll be heading to the East Coast and Europe in March- Amar and I will BOTH be teaching along the way- he with his music mixing workshop, and me with the Calamitous combos and such. Heehee.

We JUST got back from Los Angeles where we performed in Zulu Lounge- an amazing night of dance, music, and fun! Elizabeth Strong was the headliner, and she never stops wowing me. I stare- slack jawed- at her strength and grace every time I see her perform. THEN! Her workshops! WHEW! Totally kicked my ass. But in a good way! I’m still sore, and actually liking that. hahahaha

February is shaping up to be a busy month of getting ready to leave the country- packing up not only our backpacks and case, but all of our stuff- we’ll be getting a new place once we get back, so our lives here in the US will go into storage while we’re gone. We’ll be homeless travelers for the month, and I’m perfectly fine with that!

See where we’ll be and when:
http://calamitydances.wordpress.com/upcoming-events/

So! Here’s the super short version:

TribalRendezvous: freaking awesome

Zulu Lounge: always rules. Great night.

Bloodmoon Regale: now THAT was fun. And crazy. And crazyfun.

MOVE TO OAKLAND: wow. WOW. Still settling in, figuring things out, making it happen. Will let u know when I get to that point.

***FACEBOOK SUCKS. they deleted my account. DOH!

Things to look for: more streamlined web design, more updates, and HOPEFULLY, I’ll be teaching again soon!