March 21, 2008
Born into the world of art and dance in El Paso, Texas, I was constantly surrounded by philosophers, artists, performers, writers and people of inspiration and passion. They taught me Middle Eastern Dance, the steps and showmanship, not in a class setting, but in a life setting. I learned through watching, playing and appreciating. It was a terrific fantasyland of preparation, performance and creation. It was a dream of mystical colors constantly shifting and entertaining. It was my life.
I know this is not the typical story coming from El Paso, but I truly thought this was how everyone grew up: with a loving, inventive family that cultivated the imagination at every moment possible. I really didn’t realize the uniqueness of my situation until I moved from El Paso to San Diego, Calif., in my early 20’s.
When I moved the realization hit that I didn’t know anything else other than the art world. So I went searching for a new reality. I didn’t dance for two years. In that time there was much confusion, frustration and simple sadness. Finally a musician friend invited me to explore dance again in his showcase. So I pulled out the costume my mother had made me and performed my debut in San Diego. It was amazing. I came back to the dance with an entirely new depth. The dance just sprung from my inner core and exploded into a beautiful composition. Instantly I was hired for many more events and asked to teach classes. I then began to realize that my spirit of dance is unique because of the story I harbor within.
Raised in an artistic family, I was born with the rhythm of Middle Eastern dance and music within me. I've been dancing since I was in my mother’s womb and it continues to be a necessity in my life. In the early 70's my mother, Judith Ann Marcus, began adding Belly Dance to her array of dance knowledge. At that time she was a dance major in college. She studied oriental dance and quickly became an accomplished dancer and still is today. My father, Hal Marcus, was and is an accomplished artist and Middle Eastern drummer. My mother had a belly dance troupe of about eight women who always performed to live musicians: Hal Marcus, renowned composer Doug Adamz of Light Rain, and who ever else was around that day. I would watch them dance their goddess dance, but I never made the connection from what they were doing to the steps I was taught. I was a child, performing child’s play. I was a sponge soaking up every ounce of artistic and philosophic truths that came my way in an unfiltered and unbiased way. All of the women in the dance troupe were amazing, spiritual and creative creatures. I wanted to be like them: graceful, feminine and soft with the strong, powerful soul of a warrior.
I watched as these wonderful creators told their stories through art. I was young and had no story of my own. I had no inner trauma, turmoil, love or loss and had no formulated truths. I was simply a goddess in training. My mother would take me with her to yoga, African dance, Middle Eastern dance, ballet, modern and flamenco classes. I thought this was the common life.
My parents instilled in all their children a passion for the arts. My brother, Marco, is an amazing jewelry maker, musician and traveler. My sister, Nicole Adelaide, is co-creater of The Shimmy Sisters and is choreographer, professional dancer and plans to obtain a degree psychology. I am a producer, business owner and professional dancer who has been dancing professionally long enough to experience its ups and downs and realize it is not something I just do, it is who I am. As I grew I learned through the uniqueness of my upbringing and nourished it. I am trained in Cabaret, Gypsy, Fusion, Egyptian and Turkish Belly Dance. I have studied and given workshops in Texas, New Mexico, New York , Mexico and California. My performances include veils, live snakes, swords and Isis wings. Through dancing I express my natural excitement for life. It is a dream of mystical colors constantly shifting and entertaining. It is my life.
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Adelaide and I started The Shimmy Sisters three years ago. Since we have won “Ultimate Troupe Hips Of Fury 2006” and “People's Choice Bellydancer of the Universe Troupe 2007.” We teach bellydance in San Diego and perform more than three times a week for private parties, corporate events and artistic ventures.
Join us Saturday (March 29) as my sister and I return to the Sun City to perform and teach at the intimate setting of the UTEP Dinner Theater. We invite you to embark on a cultural journey through dance, music, and the mystique of the belly dance style we term Cabaret Collage.
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Event Info:
Arabian Nights: Featuring The Shimmy Sisters
When: Saturday, March 29, 2008
Where: UTEP Dinner Theatre
Time: 7:30pm
Admission: $15 plus svc charge for performance, $25 per workshop
Tickets for performance as well as workshops are available at UTEP Box Office or at any Ticket Master location: 915-747-5234 www.ticketmaster.com
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Learn from the Shimmy Sisters (90 Min Workshops)
Workshops:
9:45a-11:15a-Yoga for Dancers- All levels
11:30a-1:00p-Bellydance taught by Leilainia- “Using the dance to get into your body”- All levels
1:15p-2: 45p- Belly dance Combos taught by The Shimmy Sisters- Level 2
3:00p-4: 30p- Fiery Flamenco taught by Linda Gallegos- All levels
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Special Guests:
El Paso/Juarez friends-- Lorriane from Dance Alive, Flamenco by Linda Gallegos y Baile Flamenco, Kareesha Willow and the Divine Desert Dancers, Bella Fusion, Anala, Saz’hrah: Gypsy Fire Fusion, Bellydance from Juarez: The Bellydance Institute, and many more, for a night of enchanting dance.
Please go to www.TheShimmySisters.com for details.