IN THIS ISSUE
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Pomegranate Update
Myra's Trip to Egypt Part 2
SEEDs in Texas
Testimonials
Class of 2008
Easy Donate Options
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| Upcoming Events |
Body Inc.
Monday
February 2
&
Monday
March 2
$5 suggested donation
7pm
Student Salon
Sunday February 22
Railyard Performacnce Space
$5 Suggested Donation
7 pm
Veil Workshop with Myra!
Sunday March 22
11-2pm @ the Railyard Performance space
Invaders Of the Heart 2009
Friday April 23 & Saturday April 24
James A. Little Theater
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OUR SPONSORS
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SEEDs Board of Directors:
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Jodi Balsamo
President
Catherine Clemens Vice President
Linda Tetrault
Secretary
Jason Voss
Treasurer
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SEEDs
Fundraising Guild |
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Oakley Blasdel
Courtney Kelledes Bill Peterson
Laura MagiGrace Weisman |
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Pomegranate SEEDs sends our warmest thanks to our generous photographers.
Lloyd Thrap
Morgan Smith
Rich Petronio
Louis Leray
Amber Wallace
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ISSUE #6
FEBRUARY 2009
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| Letter from the Director:
2008 has been a year in which we have seen the fulfillment of life-long dreams, a year of great growth and a year in which the studio has planted many seeds. In May, myself ans many other studio members took the trip of a lifetime to Egypt, danced with famous dancers, visited antiquities and drank in the history and culture of this ancient land. The summer was also filled with teaching and performing nationally. I truly enjoyed sharing the work I do here with people from all over the country and beyond. 2009 already promises more travel to Florida, California, and Canada!
SEEDS( Self-esteem, Empowerment and Education through Dance), our youth mentorship program for SOCIAL CHANGE, was trademarked and certified this year. After our second National Teacher Training for our SEEDS program in June '08 we saw the fruition of even more programs started. There are now SEEDS programs in Oregon, California, Arizona, Texas and Mexico! Congratulations to all those hard working and courageous women!
2008 also saw the completion of our T-shirt line, available on www.mosaicdance.net, and the beginning of our DVD series! The first two videos are class companions ans look out, now that I'm started I hope to produce a definitive series of DVDs to rock the belly dance community. Wish me luck!
As always, but especially this year, we look forward with great HOPE in our hearts to the New Year. WE pledge our support and love to the arts community, to its elderly and its youth, and to our form. I am so grateful to this community for supporting all that we do...the school, SEEDS, the dance companies, our performances at Body, the Railyard Performance center and all the many other venues and community events we attend. We are proud to be part of this magnanimous and magnificent city. And, truly, we couldn't do it without YOU! Thank you for your support this year and I look forward to seeing you all.
Love from all of us at
Pomegranate Studios
Myra Krien, Director
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"Let's Go to Egypt"
by Myra Krien
Part 2
Back to Egypt! When we last left this article we were in Cairo at the Khan Khalili Bazaar. The Bazaar was filled with perfumes, colorful antique glass lanterns, clothes, shoes, tooled leather goods, music shops, instruments, jewelry, and, of course belly dance costumes! I must admit I was most entertained by the vendors and their inexhaustible attention getting techniques, just hilarious and haggling was a new fun game to play. But back to the important things...ahhhhhh...four stories of belly dance costumes. Yes, indeed, this gorgeous marble and wood building housed four stories of costumes. Everything a dancing girl (or boy) could possibly want - a fantasy come true. One story had props, belts, jewelry, another skirts in every imaginable fabric and color with every conceivable bedla and endless costumes everywhere! Now, I ask you, what's a girl to do? Shop! As fantastic as this all was, I must admit to a personal preference, several blocks away at Yasser's Belly Dance Costumes. Yasser's shop, while smaller, held hip wraps, costumes, jewelry, etc from floor to ceiling of two stories and boasted, in my humble opinion, the better quality, taste and style. I was an instant convert and ordered costumes for my entire company!
We ate out every night, but there were certain places that left indelible memories and most of them were on the Nile. After living in Cairo for so long Astryd knows all the best places, the hot spots, the tourist musts and of course a few out-of-the-way, no tourist would know about this "finds". As much as I adore mezza and grilled kabobs, sometimes the palate calls for a change, Astryd always knew just the right restaurant. My first memory takes me to a balmy evening, a soft breeze blew over the Nile (unusual) and by the end of the evening a few warm rain drops (highly unusual), as we sat on white cushions at large tables outside, looking over the Nile. Palm trees gently swayed, white sheets of fabric moved sensuously with the wind and the food was incredible. Another favorite evening we ate on a boat with an exquisitely carved wood exterior in the art deco style. The boat was beautiful and the food was delicious as we floated down the Nile and were entertained by an excellent band of musicians, Sufi dancers, folkloric dancers and a star belly dancer. This was such a fun experience we had to do it twice. Each evening we saw a different group of dancers. The first night the belly dancer was a Lebanese dancer Bassima and on the other evening the famous Ronda Kamel!
These dinner shows lead to two other amazing evenings. One cannot visit Cairo without seeing King Faruk's Palace. Now a Marriott Hotel, the palace façade is gorgeous in its gold leaf exterior and the interior marble floors, paintings and other richly textured touches remember one to a different time in Egypt's history. Drinks on the back patio were followed by a dinner show. The usual fare, but a fantastic dancer.
All my life I have dreamed of visiting Egypt. All my life I have belly danced and at 45 years of age had never gone. I have studied Egypt's extraordinary ancient civilization; her antiquities, the pyramids, temples, sites, mythologies. Nothing could have prepared me for the awe I so deeply experienced.
Since belly dance is my profession I have often been asked if I had visited Egypt and throughout my career many fabulous dancers, musicians and academicians have offered to take me. Many years ago I met Astryd de Michele at Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp. She had visited Cairo and fallen in love. She was trying to decide how to be there more often and continue her work here in the United States. Soon after Astryd was living six months out of every year in Cairo, as she has done for the last 10 years. So when she called me to let me know she was now leading tours, I was very interested. After hearing the itinerary I knew this trip was the one I had waited all these years to take.
I began asking students and friends that I would like to travel with if they wanted to go. Soon we had a group of 7 from Santa Fe and two more that Astryd added. After settling on the ten day tour of Cairo with Astryd we also opted for two excursions, the first being a cruise from Luxor to Aswan on the Nile to visit temples, the second to Sharm el Sheik on the Red Sea for R&R and the snorkeling. With our itinerary set and our airline tickets bought we were on our way!
It seems on every trip these days there is a lay-over, ours was in Brussels, Belgium. We took the six-hour opportunity to leave the airport and take a direct bus into the heart of the city. Belgium is a classic European architectural treat. The downtown area with its huge facades and tiny brick streets features shops of the old trade specializing in chocolates, lace, beer, and of course, waffles. We had to try them all. It was a lovely way to begin our adventure. Back on the plane!
I should pause a moment here to say that this ten-day trip to Cairo was a jam-packed, sensory loaded experience. Every minute was filled until we needed a break and then Astryd had the perfect antidote. She was a perfect guide by exciting us, resting us and generally anticipating our needs and desires.
Cairo airport was crowded, but we were met by Astryd and effortlessly whisked away by her driver to the heart of Zamalek. The first thing I noticed was the way people drive. It is like being in the ocean with many schools of fish. Rarely do people obey the traffic signals, horns are the main form of communication, rarely is there an accident, but no one talks on their cell phones because it takes their undivided and constant attention to drive. We stayed our ten days at an inexpensive and lovely hotel with plenty of charm in the heart of what was clearly an older part of Cairo. Beautiful, grand trees and parks, old houses and neighborhood shops gave a warm feeling to what is otherwise one of the largest and dirtiest cities in the world. The pollution is bad, but perhaps my excitement overwhelmed the assault upon my senses. I could only see this trip as a grand adventure and nothing could spoil my good time. It was a very special part of our trip to stay in Zamalek because we experienced Cairo as it is every day, its culture, its people. I shopped at the neighborhood shops and local grocery, used the Internet café, ate at nearby restaurants, etc., and was able to comfortably meet my everyday needs.
From there we ventured out to site see, dine, take class, shop at costume designer ateliers, see the shows and visit nightclubs. Of course, we did many of the usual places; the Pyramids at Giza, complete with camel ride, the Cairo Museum, a Papyrus factory and a Carpet school, Mosques. These were very educational and fascinating. Our guide, Nasser, was warm and funny in addition to being very informative. He actually reads hieroglyphs and was able to interpret for us. The most colorful of all these experiences was the Khan Khaligi Bazaar. This overwhelming, psychedelic kaleidasope of color, sound, taste and smell was simply dazzling. We visited two significant shops for belly dance costumes and could have spent the entire day there, but there was so much to see!
Stay tuned for the next installment of "Let's Go to Egypt"!
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More from our Sister Seeds in Texas!
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 Windflower Seeds
Well, my toe troubles kept me from doing any portriats this weekend, but I did have the opportunity to visit a wonderful group of ladies today. A few months ago a lady named Bonnie Cowley contacted me about speaking to a group of girls called the Windflower Seeds.
It's a teen program that is aimed at building strong, confident young women through Tribal style dance, journal writing and talking circles. Bonnie asked me to come speak to the girls about being a photographer, so I said okay.
My intial thoughts were 1) One of my biggest phobias is public speaking so I'm going to look like a dork in front of these girls. 2)This was like the girl scouts, only a little less merit badgey.
Well, for one thing, this group of girls blew the girl scouts out of the water. I arrived to find the girls dancing to this awesome music. It souned like a mix between techno and middle eastern music. They were awesome and so was the music!
When it was time to talk, we sat in a circle and just chatted really informally, which made me feel sooooo much better. I talked about how I got where I was and what I would suggest to these girls if they were interested in starting their own business.
All in all, I left having a great time, I met some wonderful girls (one of which might be joining me for a few weddings in the near future) and I left with a cd of that awesome music!!!!!!
BTW, These girls are trying to raise funds to purchase costumes in order for them to perform at local venues. After the holidays are finished, I'll be having a portrait weekend where all sitting fees are donated to the Windflower seeds. So, mark your calendars and if you're interested in more information, please visit their website at http://www.windflowerseeds.com/ or give Bonnie Cowley a call at 678-2047
Amber Wallace
Bonnie Cowley also shared this heartfelt letter from one of her Seeds girls, Phoenix, with us!
Hi Bonnie! I hope you have a nice Christmas!
I have a lot to be thankful for this
year, and I hope you do too. One of those
things is definitely going to SEEDs. I wake up every Sunday and I just
can't wait for the next Saturday! SEEDs has really helped me get in touch
with my body, which I can't say I liked too much before. In a society where
only the "perfect" girls or the girls who can afford nice clothes get
compliments or attention,
it's nice to have a strong woman like you for
support. Not only do I feel better about my body, but I actually feel stronger
and I've lost a little weight. It may sound like a stretch, but now
I've got something to live for. Something to look forward to.
SEEDs has given me so much--confidence, happiness, a stronger bond with my
friends, a brighter outlook on life--and I wouldn't trade it for all the
presents in the world. Thank you so much! You are a beautiful person, a
wonderful teacher, and a great role model. Because of you, I'm confident in
who I am.
Thank you.
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Testimonials from past SEEDs Graduates:
My name is Angelique Roybal. I am a native of Santa Fe and a dancer of two years. I am in love with dance and the person I have become through it. I would like to tell you about my experience with the SEEDs program and how it has changed my life.
I almost didn't do it. Belly dancing was the last thing I could ever see myself doing. Maybe someone thinner, taller more confident, but never me. That's the way I used to think. I signed up and meant to go but didn't show for the first day. I didn't intend on ever showing. I was very insecure about myself and would run from all that would test me. Luckily, I ran into three girls who were also doing the program the very day I ditched. They had just left the studio and told me I should do it; just feeling the comradery of three girls supporting me was why I went the next day. Those three girls are now some of my best friends
I found SEEDs to be alien. It was alien to feel comradery around other girls. It was alien to show my stomach. It was alien to feel great about my body and myself. Unfortunately, this is the case for almost every girl at sometime or another. Girls in this age group are at risk because of attitudes of this sort.
· New Mexico teen suicide rate is nearly twice the national average, (UNM Today, 12/7/04).
· New Mexico has the 4th highest teen birth rate in the nation with almost 4 in 10 teen girls become pregnant before age 20, (Teen Pregnancy Coalition, 2003 Report, www.nmtpc.org).
· New Mexico ranked last on a scale that measured how well states prepared students academically and professionally, (Education Week, 1/3/07, www.edweek.org/ew/toc/2007/01/04/index.html ).
· Nationwide, 54% of high school seniors have experimented with illegal drugs, (The Drug Policy Alliance, 2003 Report, www.drugpolicy.org).
Quicker than I had expected or even saw coming I was feeling more alive than I ever have in my life. I was filled with inspiration for every
thing I will do in my life and who I would become. I learned to be with my sisters and to love and respect them, instead of feeling fear and envy for them. The talking circles exposed me to the other girls and helped to show me that I wasn't alone in my insecurities and problems. I was also exposed to successful women in my community, who came to speak in the circle, inspiring us all to accomplish our goals despite our own circumstances. I felt that every day I went to dance was a success in itself. Every time I loved my chubby belly more was a protest to the image the world imposed on me as a woman. Every time I danced with all the girls I felt that I had a community and a place in the world.
The SEEDs program comes from the heart. It is a gift and a privilege to have been a part of it. I have grown more in these last two years than in my whole life. I now have the strength and confidence to make myself a success. All of my inspiration comes from the warmth of the form.
Since I have been in SEEDs I found the strength to obtain my GED and move out on my own. I am now in Almaaz Assahara the pre-professional student company specializing in oriental style belly dance, and Mosaic professional dance company. I have found a calling and an arena in which to bloom. I am so thankful for the risks I've taken to bring me here. The SEEDs program made me blossom into the most beautiful flower I can be. After going through the program I have seen all of my SEED peers go through the same metamorphosis as I have, we have all become a garden of mature self-confident young women. Now when I meet young girls reminiscent of the old me I encourage them to enroll because I know it will change them too.
Thank you so very much for being instrumental in helping the continuation of this very special program. We all appreciate your contributions. By helping this program you are in reality healing and strengthening the young women in your community. Such a gift is rare and incomparable to all the riches in the world. From the bottom of my dancing heart, thank you.
Sincerely,
Angelique Roybal
SEEDS Graduate
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Helping us raise money for SEEDs is so easy. Here are two options that require no financial committment on your part:
The Pink House (consignment shop, Santa Fe)
We now have an account at the fabulous and funky Pink House (Cerrillos and Guadalupe/Don Diego). Bring your gently used women's clothing to Pam England and use our account #425. This is a fabulous way to raise money with no out of pocket expense from you. Seeds will recieve 50% of the sale price of your items!
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GOODSEARCH (Internet search engine)
Go to www.goodsearch.com,
choose Pomegranate Seeds as your recipient, and money from Yahoo
advertisers will go to the Seeds program without you spending a dime!
GoodSearch.com
is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising
revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users
designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality
search results from Yahoo, and help the SEEDs program with every click.
GoodShop.com
is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37 percent of each
purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you¢ll be supporting the Seeds program.
Just go to www.goodsearch.com
and be sure to enter Pomegranate Seeds as the charity you want to
support. Please tell your friends and family as well so we can get
everyone involved! Thanks!! |
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