I am substitute teaching dance classes everyday for the next 2 weeks. Its been 2 days.... this is the only thing I want to do. Ever.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Por Viiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiida!!
I am substitute teaching dance classes everyday for the next 2 weeks. Its been 2 days.... this is the only thing I want to do. Ever.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Documental!!!!!!
Its gettin' Hot Hot Hot here in Xalapa. En serio.
Last Wednesday, the group I dance with, Ashe-Olorun, had a last minute chance to be in a documentary on the African influence in Mexico. The project is based in el D.F., but the film crew came out for the day to shoot us. Its was a loooooong day, but so rad! We had a.m. rehearsal, then went straight to the location in Coatepec. It was shot on a historical hacienda- Soooooo freakin' beautiful! Everything was classic- from the furniture, to the architecture. We got there, searched for a good spot to dance (dancing barefoot on dirt and rocks... not too easy), rehearsed until it got dark, then started recording with torches, etc instead of lights. Ya know... to keep it all raizes and stuff. All good work, followed but yummmmmmmy food and beer. I LOVE mexican hopsitality! I ended up chatting with the woman that lives on and cares for the land. She was born in Xalapa, but lived in California most of life, a lot of it in the bay area. Theeeeeeeen, I met a sweet older woman who was from West Portal (SF), and had been living in Mexico for the past 40-something years. Small freakin' world, no? Again... me being LAME with a dead camera battery... didnt get to take photos, but i stole a couple from my friend Karime!!
Last night, I went to a Fandango (por fiiiiiiiiiin) with a couple of friends... Didn't quite work up the nerve to dance, but did play the quijada for awhile. This is an instrument made from the jawbone of a donkey or horse... You play the teeth, then hit the side to make it rattle- one of my favorite instruments (weird, coming from a veggie... huh?). Its really big in Afro-Peruvian music, but also used in Son Jarocho music. Photos to come...
Homesick from time to time... and it suuuuuuuuuuuucks. a lot. Its a feeling that I can't explain... I physically feel it in my throat and chest. With time, I know. But, still.... there's not place like home.
and totally unrealted, Bumpin' this song like wooooooah!!
Hasta Luego!
Last Wednesday, the group I dance with, Ashe-Olorun, had a last minute chance to be in a documentary on the African influence in Mexico. The project is based in el D.F., but the film crew came out for the day to shoot us. Its was a loooooong day, but so rad! We had a.m. rehearsal, then went straight to the location in Coatepec. It was shot on a historical hacienda- Soooooo freakin' beautiful! Everything was classic- from the furniture, to the architecture. We got there, searched for a good spot to dance (dancing barefoot on dirt and rocks... not too easy), rehearsed until it got dark, then started recording with torches, etc instead of lights. Ya know... to keep it all raizes and stuff. All good work, followed but yummmmmmmy food and beer. I LOVE mexican hopsitality! I ended up chatting with the woman that lives on and cares for the land. She was born in Xalapa, but lived in California most of life, a lot of it in the bay area. Theeeeeeeen, I met a sweet older woman who was from West Portal (SF), and had been living in Mexico for the past 40-something years. Small freakin' world, no? Again... me being LAME with a dead camera battery... didnt get to take photos, but i stole a couple from my friend Karime!!
Last night, I went to a Fandango (por fiiiiiiiiiin) with a couple of friends... Didn't quite work up the nerve to dance, but did play the quijada for awhile. This is an instrument made from the jawbone of a donkey or horse... You play the teeth, then hit the side to make it rattle- one of my favorite instruments (weird, coming from a veggie... huh?). Its really big in Afro-Peruvian music, but also used in Son Jarocho music. Photos to come...
Homesick from time to time... and it suuuuuuuuuuuucks. a lot. Its a feeling that I can't explain... I physically feel it in my throat and chest. With time, I know. But, still.... there's not place like home.
and totally unrealted, Bumpin' this song like wooooooah!!
Hasta Luego!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
"Its all just a movie- make your own life."
So true. One of the best things anyone has ever said to me. My Uncle is awesome. Would you enjoy watching YOUR movie....? :)
My Camera battery is dead, and I can't find the charger anywhere. Boooooo. It really would've been nice to have it last week when I performed for a Retirements Club's Anniversary Party and the crowning of the queen. Cheesy salsa dance, the queen in 6 inch silver heels and the brightest, poofiest pink dress I've ever seen, and a conga line with a group of retired women. How do I get myself into these situations you ask... I wish I knew. I'll try to track down something- its not everyday I get to have a dance party to the sounds of a smooth jazz band in a ballroom in downtown Xalapa.
I spent the weekend in Puebla... and ended up at a house party that made me feel like i was back in the Hills if ESSJ. Ja. Serious Techno DJ and drinks in plastic cups. Also... something I'm sure a lot of people don't know, but hidden away in Puebla, there is a small Italian town, called Chipilo. Its small, uneventful, but filled with Italians, good wine, good bread, and is known for its delicious dairy products. Yummmmmmmmmmmy.
ch-ch-check it!
Hmmmmm.... I need to get this camera situation fixed asap! Pictures make everything SOOOO much better! On a different note- As soon as I got home today, I had to head straight to rehearsal. Long story short, we're being filmed for a documentary on the African Influence in Mexico. Yep, yep. A group of guys and their film crew are coming out tomorrow night... Lots of last minute rehearsal today and tomorrow. Photos and more info to come!!
Goals for the week:
Attend 1 Zapateado class
Cook Cheesy Mashed potatoes (I miss cooking dates with my Katie Baby)
Do something new everyday (ongoing)
I leave you with this amazing video... hehehe. Rudi y Cursi. Watch it. Love it.
<3 <3- V
So true. One of the best things anyone has ever said to me. My Uncle is awesome. Would you enjoy watching YOUR movie....? :)
My Camera battery is dead, and I can't find the charger anywhere. Boooooo. It really would've been nice to have it last week when I performed for a Retirements Club's Anniversary Party and the crowning of the queen. Cheesy salsa dance, the queen in 6 inch silver heels and the brightest, poofiest pink dress I've ever seen, and a conga line with a group of retired women. How do I get myself into these situations you ask... I wish I knew. I'll try to track down something- its not everyday I get to have a dance party to the sounds of a smooth jazz band in a ballroom in downtown Xalapa.
I spent the weekend in Puebla... and ended up at a house party that made me feel like i was back in the Hills if ESSJ. Ja. Serious Techno DJ and drinks in plastic cups. Also... something I'm sure a lot of people don't know, but hidden away in Puebla, there is a small Italian town, called Chipilo. Its small, uneventful, but filled with Italians, good wine, good bread, and is known for its delicious dairy products. Yummmmmmmmmmmy.
ch-ch-check it!
Hmmmmm.... I need to get this camera situation fixed asap! Pictures make everything SOOOO much better! On a different note- As soon as I got home today, I had to head straight to rehearsal. Long story short, we're being filmed for a documentary on the African Influence in Mexico. Yep, yep. A group of guys and their film crew are coming out tomorrow night... Lots of last minute rehearsal today and tomorrow. Photos and more info to come!!
Goals for the week:
Attend 1 Zapateado class
Cook Cheesy Mashed potatoes (I miss cooking dates with my Katie Baby)
Do something new everyday (ongoing)
I leave you with this amazing video... hehehe. Rudi y Cursi. Watch it. Love it.
<3 <3- V
Monday, March 7, 2011
Catemaco y Nanciyaga.... Que hermosa!
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La Rhuuuuuuuuuuuuuumba!!
The past weekend was.... amazing. The Afro cuban company I dance with, Grupo Ashe-Olorun, got invited to perform at 2 festivals in Catemaco, Veracruz (where the above song was sooooo beautifully performed by the lovely Marianna!). After being driven 5 hours in a tour bus with the rest of the performers, we arrived at an amazing ecological reservation in la jungla de Veracruz, called Nanciyaga. Our 8 person cabin was surrounded by trees, lakes, islands, and monkeys that were not afraid to yell whenever they wanted. It was so freakin' crazy beautiful... I'll let the photos speak for themselves.
Lots of work, and not a lot of time to enjoy all that Nanciyago had to offer, but an amazing experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. Our first show, on the reservation, was to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Putting on makeup by lamp light (no electricity) wasn't all that easy, nor was dancing on sand, but hot damn was it fun. It was the first time anyone had ever Tap danced in the outdoor theater (wooden board provided, ofcourse), and it seemed to go over really well. Plus, dancing Ogun and Vudu in the jungle... heck yeah! Some of the crew from Xalapa made a last minute trek out, which was an awesome surprise... Luego, Una fiesta!! Tamales, Vino, Cerveza, Musica, Son Jarocho.... fue una gran noche!
Sleep at 5 am, and another show the next day... maybe the last 3 glasses of wine weren't the BEST ideas... but, a boat ride along all the islands and a nap lake side before the show were. the Islands surrouding Nanciyaga are the home to monkeys from Thailand... It was a trip to see them, and in Mexico. Ja! Our Second performance was in the city of Catemaco... about 15 minutes away. El primer viernes de Marzo is a big festival de los brujos en Catemaco- It is a place known for its traditions in brujeria. We performed on the cities main stage, outdoors, with a full audience. We KILLLLLLED it, again... especially with our famous Reggaton piece. Fishnets, bootie shorts, leg warmers, and lots of head whipping moves... whats not to love?! The show was a HIT, and left us like zombies that night. All worth it. En serio. We returned to Nanciyaga late that night. And left the following afternoon. If you ever get a chance... Go to Nanciyago! Pinche Hermosa!!!
Without a doubt, one of my best experiences in Mexico, by far! It reminded me of my reasons for coming out here... and made me happy to know that I'm actually following through with them! Next on the list... Teaching Tap classes, and actually going to Son Jarocho classes!! This week, I swear!
XOXO- V
La Rhuuuuuuuuuuuuuumba!!
The past weekend was.... amazing. The Afro cuban company I dance with, Grupo Ashe-Olorun, got invited to perform at 2 festivals in Catemaco, Veracruz (where the above song was sooooo beautifully performed by the lovely Marianna!). After being driven 5 hours in a tour bus with the rest of the performers, we arrived at an amazing ecological reservation in la jungla de Veracruz, called Nanciyaga. Our 8 person cabin was surrounded by trees, lakes, islands, and monkeys that were not afraid to yell whenever they wanted. It was so freakin' crazy beautiful... I'll let the photos speak for themselves.
Lots of work, and not a lot of time to enjoy all that Nanciyago had to offer, but an amazing experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. Our first show, on the reservation, was to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Putting on makeup by lamp light (no electricity) wasn't all that easy, nor was dancing on sand, but hot damn was it fun. It was the first time anyone had ever Tap danced in the outdoor theater (wooden board provided, ofcourse), and it seemed to go over really well. Plus, dancing Ogun and Vudu in the jungle... heck yeah! Some of the crew from Xalapa made a last minute trek out, which was an awesome surprise... Luego, Una fiesta!! Tamales, Vino, Cerveza, Musica, Son Jarocho.... fue una gran noche!
Sleep at 5 am, and another show the next day... maybe the last 3 glasses of wine weren't the BEST ideas... but, a boat ride along all the islands and a nap lake side before the show were. the Islands surrouding Nanciyaga are the home to monkeys from Thailand... It was a trip to see them, and in Mexico. Ja! Our Second performance was in the city of Catemaco... about 15 minutes away. El primer viernes de Marzo is a big festival de los brujos en Catemaco- It is a place known for its traditions in brujeria. We performed on the cities main stage, outdoors, with a full audience. We KILLLLLLED it, again... especially with our famous Reggaton piece. Fishnets, bootie shorts, leg warmers, and lots of head whipping moves... whats not to love?! The show was a HIT, and left us like zombies that night. All worth it. En serio. We returned to Nanciyaga late that night. And left the following afternoon. If you ever get a chance... Go to Nanciyago! Pinche Hermosa!!!
Without a doubt, one of my best experiences in Mexico, by far! It reminded me of my reasons for coming out here... and made me happy to know that I'm actually following through with them! Next on the list... Teaching Tap classes, and actually going to Son Jarocho classes!! This week, I swear!
XOXO- V
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