My first experience dancing in a restaurant. by Giselle

We arrived in costume with our matching cover-ups that Nancy generously fashioned for us. The dressing room was a small but thankfully air-conditioned walk-in closet of sorts near the kitchen, barely large enough for three or four of us to squeeze in and check hair, make-up, and costume particulars. Poor little Suhaila Aurora (Nancy's nearly-six-year-old daughter) injured her finger right before we were to appear, but she was a trooper and sucked it up to do just fine for her performance, which opened the show. Just moments prior to that, Nancy paraded us all out front and center for surprise gifts each of a perfect pink rose.

Nancy danced after little Suhaila, and Terry after her. Suhaila flashed her beautiful golden Isis Wings (which Nancy also made). Nancy wowed everyone with a sword routine. Terry, tall and composed, danced in her confident and serene style. Next was the beautiful Ain-Tei (pronounced aye-EN-tay), but I was "backstage" preparing for my routine so I missed her show-stopping dancer's back bend and long hair flipping that played out very impressively in dress rehearsal, but I could certainly hear the audience whooping and hollering for her!

We could barely hear Yosifah announce the dancers over the sounds of the audience because that place was packed. Someone had reserved for a party of 35, and the place itself probably only seats maybe double that. It was literally standing room only. It's a good thing I was lurking nearby in the wings because I would've missed my call! Waiting out the 20-second intro to Alf Layla Wah Layla, I strolled in, my L. Rose Designs
three-yard Andromeda dyed silk veil (http://www.lrosedesigns.com/products/0-veils.html) floating behind me. There was just enough room to do my routine, but not quite enough to be able to move around
the restaurant and visit the audience members at the other end.  After the first song, I did a two-minute Maqsoum drum solo to Mark Bell of Helm tabla work (woohoo!) (http://www.helmmusic.com/mark-bell.htm) and with very little playful coaxing, got the whole audience clapping. That was fun. I'd guess I danced for about 7-8 minutes total. I even garnered a few tips! Afterward, I noticed someone had picked up my veil and with a smile, handed it back to me on my way out, saying "great job." (Well, thank you very much!) Turns out it was the gracious Aisha, another seasoned guest dancer in yet another beautiful costume.

Meanwhile, sweating buckets and still recuperating from my short but taxing solo, I trotted back to the changing room and unfortunately had to miss most of Paris's performance. I'm sure it was wonderful. She's a lovely young lady with a fantastic smile and gobs of talent. :)

Did I mention it was really hot in the restaurant?  It was. Very hot. Lots of bodies and it was already warm and muggy outside. They ended up opening the front and back doors to get more air in even though I'm sure the A/C was already blowing full blast. There wasn't enough ice water in the world that night. Sweating ... buckets.

After I cooled off, dried off, and breathed my face back to a more normal pallor, I rejoined our group at the tables in the back and was at last able to relax and watch the remaining dancers. There was guest dancer Mielle, house dancer Khalilah, and then the band took a break. Perfect timing for my meal to arrive, and it was delicious.

Our Featured Instructor Nancy (Najmes) did a veil routine + drum solo after the break, and she did a great job. Then came the lovely Edibel in her stunning emerald green and gold costume. Edibel is Venezuelan and has a grace and friendliness about her. We got to meet her husband and two adorable children again, too. After Edibel was the final student dancer of the night, our own hot tamale from Mexico, Erica: A charming and energetic little spitfire; a piece of dancing dynamite. Erica had a big fan base in the way of family she brought with her, and she did great!

Everyone did great. It all worked. And the costume I made worked. At one point I almost muttered to myself as Han Solo did in "Star Wars", quietly pleading to his Millenium Falcon, "ya hear me baby? Hold together."  It held together. Even the veil survived.

I survived. I'd like to do it again someday! It was great fun, and good experience.