Well, the new year is off to a bang! I'm booked from January 17th to the end of February and March and April are already starting to book - be careful what you ask for - you just might get it!!
A new restaurant opened in the local Old Town area of Conyers (Borage Grill). Mediterranean is how they are billed - what that boils down to is a mix of Indian, Lebanese, and Greek food. I was thrilled that I might not have to drive into Atlanta to get Middle Eastern and Indian food - so a couple of friends and I tried them yesterday for lunch. Good Food! Awesome bonus - not just OK, but GOOD. Certainly not the best Mediterranean food I've every had but good solid food. YEAH! While I was attempting to order - I got into a conversation with the waitress about being the local belly dance teacher and the owner overheard. Wow, was he excited! He wants dancers every Friday and Saturday night and I want to do some student showcases with the "dinner and a show" format. Also I'm considering doing some full stage shows in the local black box theatre right down the street - not even a block away and his restaurant would make a wonderful after show location. Plus it's not far from the dance studio - so dinner or dessert after classes just got easier! I have a meeting set up with him for today to discuss all the possibilities, hopefully this will go well. Boy Howdy did life just get more interesting!
I'm not a big fan of restaurant dancing, so I may not take him up on that aspect and just give him some recommendations for folks to contact on this side of town who do that sort of thing. I haven't decided and to be honest the bottom line will probably be what he's willing to pay me. Money is tight for many of us in this economy and I don't know that I'll turn down the job if the money is good. So my quiet last day of vacation just got hot with too much stuff to decide!
In addition to the bomb that went off yesterday, I was already booked hot and heavy for January and February.
January 17th is my yearly student hafla. Doors will open at 7:00pm. Entry Fee is to bring a munchie to share. Daughter's of Djinn and the Performance class will do a few performances and then the floor is open to everyone to dance and visit. Lots of fun!
January 24th I'm teaching workshops (Hair, Make-up and Costuming)
January 31st I'm participating in a friend's Graduation.
February 7th is a personal retreat.
February 14th I'm teaching workshops (dance).
February 19th - 22nd I'm attending Tribalcon to take workshops and network - It's sort of a working vacation and dance renewal weekend for me! I just really enjoy the event and this year there are some awesome folks teaching so I'm really looking forward to learning new stuff!
In March I get a short break after which I'm preparing for performing at the Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival - this will be a new one if I get in. The jury process is pretty intense - but I'm planning for a positive outcome! And if negotiations go well with the Borage Grill mentioned above, I will be prepping for my first Student Showcase Dinner and a Show! March is also when I start rehearsing my students for recitals. We usually spend about 12 - 14 weeks working on this one hour a week.
In April, I'm hoping to offer my Hair and Make-up workshop that was so popular last year. I'm also hoping to make a Morocco workshop in South Georgia to do some Guedra training with the best!
May starts to slow down on the calendar - but to be honest I know it won't be slow by the time I get there! It's the month before recitals, so we're usually in the middle of costume craziness and I'm sure some other performances and teaching opportunities will show up!
June is recitals at both schools - two weekends of mass craziness and lots of nerves!!! And hopefully my second Dinner and a Show!
Yep, the new year is off with a BANG! Hope yours is going as well!
Halleyah :)
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