News From the Hip

Five years ago this week...

The Inaugural Issue Celebration, November 2012 starring Sedona Soulfire

From the Editor:

It’s been six months since the last show and issue of From the Hip, and yeah, I do really, really miss it and the bellydance community. I’m still working on different directions/ideas to take what I made/learned from the magazine whilst getting more info under my belt about publishing (via the M.S. Book Publishing program at Portland State University--I should graduate this time next year).

An interview I wrote a couple years back about Lucine Dance Company (Janelle Jackson, Brittney and Tabra Bay) was workshopped in my editing class and one of the comments was “I was so interested to find out more about bellydance and these ladies that I looked them up on Youtube.” That pretty much sums up what I want to do in a future project—expose people who have never encountered all the ways bellydance has manifested itself in the current era and be struck by its beauty, strength and grace.

In the meantime, if you miss the show too, I did upload (finally) videos from the last showcase in December: http://www.newsfromthehip.com/from-the-hip-showcases-957742.html). You’ll find some gorgeous performances here by Alexis Reale, Colleen, Jodi Waseca, Elise, Erika Ryn, Gypsy Heart Tribal, Souzana, Martina Crowe Hewett and live music by Al-Farasha. There’s also videos of the December 2015 showcase and a sprinkling of some older ones that are on Youtube (Danielle Smith, Ruby Beh, Scarlet Thistle Dance Company and Aubre Hill). I wish I had a “greatest hits” video of Karissa Lowe M.C’ing. She really “pulled the room together” as the Dude would say, and I still think she’s a fine entertainer and stellar M.C.

If you don’t see a video of yourself up there and you think it should be, probably the video doesn’t exist, or, you didn’t give me permission to post it. Ask nicely and I’ll look into it  .

From the Hip Showcases in Portland, Oregon From the Hip Showcases

Thanks so much, Amy Salisbury, for your very funny, witty and relevant reads over the last several years! This last article in the Winter 2016 issue is awesome! This article (and all of From the Hip's issues) are available at: www.newsfromthehip.com/subscribe.

Did you know that each issue of the journal has a spread of photographs from the previous From the Hip Showcase? These photos were taken by photographer extraordinaire, Dennis Glisson of Glisson Imaging.

This particular spread features Sharon Kihara and the Catharsis Project from the Fall showcase! Single issues are available for purchase at: www.newsfromthehip.com.

The Winter 2016 (Final) Issue of From the Hip featuring Sedona Soulfire! Single issues available for $10 at: www.newsfromthehip.com.

Erika Ryn has done SO MUCH for From the Hip over the last four years. Almost all 16 of the covers were designed by her and ALL of the promo materials (those extra purty posters you've seen about).

To boot, she's an incredible performer. You'll agree with us when you see her on Saturday. Tickets to the show are available at: https://cstpdx-com.seatengine.com/shows/47534

Erika Ryn has been studying world fusion dance since 2004, developing a unique style focused on theatricality and creative movement. She draws heavily from tribal fusion bellydance, modern and contemporary dance, yoga, as well as a multitude of other dance forms and circus arts. She believes that DANCE IS AN ART FORM WHICH PLANTS ROOTS IN OUR CORE AND BLOSSOMS OUT OUR FINGERTIPS.

We're so very pleased that Gypsy Heart will be gracing the stage this Saturday-- they performed at a From the Hip showcase a couple of years ago and were a delightful whirl of color and synchronicity. And their music selection for their performance is AWESOME! Tickets to the show are on sale now at: https://cstpdx.com/…/portland-bellydance-journal-hip-presen…

About Gypsy Heart Tribal:
Performing throughout the Northwest and beyond, and teaching weekly classes in Portland, they combine dancers who have been dancing with each other for over 20 years with new members, all adding their unique energies and abilities to the whole troupe. In their 20's to 60's, from many backgrounds and all walks of life, they celebrate diversity as they come together in the unity and synergy of their dance, which has it's roots in cultures throughout the world, and times from ancient to present.
Their sincere hope is that with their dance they further the sense of community, of light and life; adding to what uplifts and rejuvenates.

Joining us from Eugene, this Saturday, introducing the fabulous Souzana! Tickets to the show available at: https://cstpdx-com.seatengine.com/shows/47534.

In the late 90s, Souzana began her belly dance training at Kismet in Salt Lake City under the direction of Yasamina. Since then, she has studied with many renowned instructors such as Aunt Rocky, Sahra Saeeda, Saqra, Hadia, Eva Cernik and more. Most recently, Souzana has been coaching with Ruby Beh one-on-one and as a company member. Three years ago, Souzana moved to Eugene, Oregon from Fairbanks, Alaska where studied, taught dance classes and performed for almost 13 years. In 2001 while living in Fairbanks, Souzana helped form Tundra Caravan and led as co-artistic director and president from 2005 to 2013. In her new community, Souzana is serving as president of the Middle Eastern Dance Guild of Eugene, teaches weekly classes, and performs as a soloist and with her troupe, Benu Rising. www.souzanabellydance.com.

So excited to see what Alexis has in store for us this Saturday! Tickets available at: https://cstpdx.com/show/portland-bellydance-journal-hip-presents-art-bellydance

Alexis is a lifelong dancer who began dancing at the age of three. Alexis continued to pursue dance throughout her teens and in college, and started teaching at the age of 14. Two years after moving to Portland, in 2012, Alexis was introduced to bellydance as a member of Sundari Dance Company. Alexis has since transitioned to a solo dancer and continues to study with Ruby and other local instructors and is in her second year of Doumbek classes. In addition to feeling a deep connection to the movements and the music, Alexis loves finding ways to fuse her new dance love with her years of western dance training.

Advance Ticket Link is Up for the Show on December 3rd! Last one folks...don't miss it! https://cstpdx-com.seatengine.com/shows/47534