Lorica & Holly's EXCELLENT ADVENTURE

  Sunday October 19, 2008

Lorica and Holly’s EXCELLENT ADVENTURE started at 2:15pm when we met up with each other at Shear Body Hair Studio & Spa in Brunswick (just a little plug for my business). We weren’t sure if there were going to be 4 or 5 of us going so just in case we needed the room, we would leave Lorica’s car there and take Holly’s, seeing how Jeff had done such a great job of cleaning it inside and out. We were going to Cambridge MA to support Emma as she performed for the first time at the Middle East, a restaurant /club on Massachusetts Ave.

When we got to Emma’s in Portland, we decided to take her car. It was just the three of us going down, and Melissa would meet up with us, and ride back. Melissa had taken the bus down to Boston that morning to visit with some friends.

The trip down was nice, we got a chance to talk and get to know each other a little better. We made one stop at Trader Joe’s; rice milk, rice cakes, goat cheese…(not for me).

After making contact with Melissa, we were able to park in front of Alex’s building a couple of blocks away from the Middle East. Alex is a good friend of Emma’s, he’s cute, and a very nice guy! Once we put Melissa’s bag in the car, we headed out on foot to find an Indian restaurant Emma had eaten at before. Lorica and I were game to anything, as this was our EXCELLENT ADVENTURE! Should I mention neither one of us had ever eaten Indian food? After walking for what seemed like a long time (for Lorica, it felt even longer), we found it. Thank you Emma and Melissa for helping us order something we liked.  Our meals were all different so we shared and got to taste a little bit of everything. Thanks to the nice girl who took our picture.

We had some time to kill before Emma was to perform, so we left the restaurant and continued to walk. First stop was the car to get rid of Lorica’s bag (remember the long walk?). We continued on Mass Ave?, turning around a couple of blocks from Harvard Square. Maybe next time we’ll make it all the way. It was around 9:30 when we got back to the Middle East, Adira was set to perform second, at 10:00. Alex joined us, and together we ate some more and watched the dancers. The first was Sabrina, then Adira, then Tracy. What a treat to see three very different performances.  As students, Lorica, Melissa and I watched the other two dancers closely, there would be a lot to talk about on the ride home.

I’m not even sure what time we left the Boston area, but we got into Portland around 2:30am. Melissa’s car was at the bus station so we stopped there first. Only problem was, she had left her lights on and her battery was dead! Emma was not about to leave her there by herself, even if she did have AAA. For one reason or another, they were unable to jump her car. (yes each of them had a set of cables, yes, they also knew how to use them, where were Lorica and I ? In the car, cold, tired and wired. Wa-wa).  Any way, Emma does the right thing; she brings Melissa home, across town to Westbrook. This in and of itself was not a big deal, but it added to the hilarity Lorica and I would later experience. Note that by the time we got back to my car it was 3:00 in the morning. That’s when we (Lorica and I, however, I was driving) did the most ridiculous thing, but at the time it was hysterical! We left Emma at her car three blocks away from her home (this was the closest parking spot)! Not only did we leave her and drive off, we left her with her groceries! When we realized what we did, we got laughing so hard we just kept going. We drove right past Emma’s street! The further we went, the funnier it got, the more we laughed! I totally missed the turn on to Forest Ave. which would put me right on the highway. I ended up going around the block. Of course we got laughing even harder thinking about passing her and waving to her. By this time we thought the whole thing was absolutely hysterical. It was so funny, we were crying. As we headed out of Portland (I finally found my way to the highway), we decided to call Emma to make sure she was OK. I’d forgotten she had turned her phone off earlier, so I left a message. Well… sort of. We got laughing all over again. I could barely talk. By the time Lorica and I settled down, we had missed our exit for Brunswick. We had to go through Topsham! There’s no need to tell you what happened then!

You know the saying “you should have been there”? Well this was one of those times!

I got home that morning at 3:37, it was 31degrees out.

I sent Emma an email in the morning apologizing for the absurdity. 

MIRAGE ~  August 23, 2008

When I arrived at The Saint Lawrence Arts Center at 76 Congress Street in Portland Maine, I was met by three lovely women who were waiting for the doors to open. They were the first to buy tickets at one of the area music stores. That’s great, but wait a minute; it was only 6:30, were they early or me late? Being familiar with the venue, I went inside and found one of the dancers from Naya’s Trance, and was assured the show started at 8:00, not 7:00. I went back outside to let the women know. It seems there was a mistake made on the first tickets that were printed, and not all of them had been destroyed. True to the attitude of those who love the performing arts, especially Belly Dance, this wasn’t a problem. It was a nice night for a walk. Just two blocks away is the Eastern Prom, a beautiful park over looking Casco Bay.

It was a real pleasure for me to interview the dancers, all of whom I’ve seen perform. Not only are they talented dancers, they are warm, friendly, open and trusting, and they love to talk about “the dance”. Being backstage, in this case downstairs, wasn’t that much different from the few student showcases I’ve been in. Lots of makeup and hair stuff, bling, snacks (chocolate), last minute costume alterations, and dancers practicing certain moves and steps quietly. What was different though was the lack of nervousesness. There was a maturity and calmness amongst them, a confidence each of them held whether they’ve been dancing a short time or many years. A confidence that is gained by the loving support and encouragement they give each other. Perhaps that’s why I love this community so much!

Before the show began, you could get a good feel for who Naya’s Trance was. There was a very nice poster board in the lobby with good pictures of each of the troupe’s dancers. The programs were well done with each of the pieces naming the dancers, artist and choreographer. A short bio was included on the special guests for the evening. Several of whom danced solos, as well as improvisational pieces with Okbari.

Okbari, who are well known and loved were there as the special musical guests. It’s always great to see them perform. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen two musicians so engaged with one another and the dancer(s). We also had the opportunity to purchase one of their CDs, including their newest release Raqs al shavarsh. From where I was sitting (center stage 4 rows back) it was difficult to see Amos and Eric completely because they were seated off to the side of the stage behind a lolly column. During a solo by Jamileh they got up and followed her to the middle of the stage where an electrifying improv session took place. Everyone got excited!

The Saint Lawrence for now, is an intimate 100 seat theater with good lighting and comfortable stadium seating. The theater is inside a Congregational Church built in 1854. In 1979 it was listed as a national landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.

Since that time repair and now restoration have been under way, through grassroots efforts. The goal is to rebuild the original sanctuary to a 400-500 seat auditorium. To learn more go to www.stlawrencearts.org

The show started on time and Jessica Means, artistic director, began the show as she always does, with a humble introduction and welcome.  Her invitation to the audience to participate in the show by clapping along and doing the zaghareet call put them at ease and in the mood for a fun and energetic show. “If you see something you like, let the dancer know.”

There were a few changes as some of the dancers scheduled to perform were unable to due to injury or family emergency. Jessica herself was unable to dance, as she was recovering from a recent surgery.

What ever disappointment there was didn’t last long. Mirage had something for every one. This year’s show focused on traditional Belly Dance. It was great to see all the various props used; canes, swords, veils, sticks and a beautiful costume with Isis Wings.

There were 13 pieces, all of which were captivating. I can not review this show for technicality, as I’ve only been dancing for 2 ½ years, but I do know what I like, and whether or not an audience is enjoying themselves. They did! Each of the dancers brought something different to the stage. From an intense meditative solo where you could hear a pin drop to a rousing group piece by Naya’s Trance, I and audience were impressed. I have seen many performances, and knowing how difficult this dance is to do, I’d say they “nailed it”!