Said to be THE largest Middle Eastern Folk Festival in the WORLD, Rakkasah is a weeklong celebration of Middle Eastern dance & music. With workshops taught from MED professionals from all over the globe as well as 3 full days of non-stop bellydance performances (on various stages!), this event is sure to please. In just reading the list of workshop teachers & the dancer line-up gives me goose-bumps...many of them are legendary. Ironically, I haven't seen them dance in person at this point but I know their names.This will be my first trip, with the troupe I am a member of, to Richmond, California where the festival is held yearly....and my first time performing in front of such a huge audience and distiquished MED personalities. I'll be honest & say that I am a little nervous about performing, not so much in front of such a enormous Auditorium but more so because of the perfectionist in me. And this will be Jordan's first major performance with the troupe. She's excited because of getting to dress up like the rest of us but also because this is her very first plane ride. I'm looking forward to seeing the many dancers perform, to hearing the beautiful music and who can't love the SHOPPING! No bellydance festival is complete without SOME sort of costume or new music purchase!
The troupe I'm in,, has worked hard on our 15 minute/four-number dance set.We are incorporating a cane routine as well as a veil number into our performance. I hope the audience enjoys our performance & hard work.
As I count down to when we leave for our trip later this week, as with all performances, I must remember several things: to smile, to relax and have fun! Oh...and to pack my costume & my piece parts!!
California, here I come!
