Last year Marjhani suggested, on the last day of the Irwindale Renaissance Faire in 2006, that I go to something called Cairo Carnivale. She said I'd like it. I almost didn't take her advice because I had no idea what to expect, and truthfully, I was a little afraid of it all. But I decided I needed to experience new things, gathered up my courage, and spent the day doing something totally new for me.
That was last year, and that day changed my life. You see, Cairo is one of the larger belly dance events, and this was my first exposure to the art outside of Renaissance Faire.
I didn't know anyone, I was shy as shy can be, and I had no idea who was doing what or what was happening.
Nonetheless, I fell in love with the art of bellydance and since that day I've been going to more and more events, until now I go to every showcase or show that I can find.
It's hard for me to believe it's only been a year since that life-changing event.
This year Cairo was totally different for me. First of all, now I know many of the dancers and they know me. I'm no longer the shy photographer who doesn't know anyone, has no idea what to say or what's going on.
Second, Bellydancer Magazine used one of my photographs of Zoe Jakes that I took while at Tribal Caravan. Not only did they feature it in their magazine (page 22), but they created a huge poster which was on display at their tent. I got to keep the poster, which I've got hanging in a place of pride on my wall at home.
Third, I must say there were some incredible performances. I enjoyed every single act, and my only regret was since there were two stages that I couldn't see all of them!
What ocurred to me as I watched one of the final acts, The Daughters of Durga, was that I've found a community full of good people, very creative and full of energy. I'm having a heck of a good time meeting new people, discovering new things and just observing what's going on.
One dancer suggested that I take a few workshops and learn how to bellydance myself. She said it would help me learn more what to photograph, and, she added, who knows, I might actually become a dancer myself. Later, as I watched Jim Boz dance, I thought that might not be as unthinkable a concept as it first appeared....
Now that would be something ... me, the shy, introverted computer geek who's never danced in his life getting up on stage and doing a performance. Hmmm. Nah, it'll never happen...
In other notes, I took over 10,000 pictures this weekend, a new record for me by far (my previous record was around 5,000 pictures in a weekend). I'm going through them now and will post them over the next few days.
