New York, New York. Only my second time in this fabled metropolis, and I could once again enthusiastically affirm: xxxxI xLOVE NEW YORK! I love it all – the streets, the subway, the food, the people – yes, New Yorkers are nice people! When the corner deli guy learns your name and greets you warmly each day, when complete strangers stop you on the street to turn your map of Manhattan right-side up, and a couple with a thick Slavic accent helps you drag your bags up the subway steps, you could hardly find yourself in a more genuine place. At least I've been lucky that way.
The whole world lives in New York; every color and descent, cuisine of every variety, every language in the world mixes there in a glorious pageant of internationalism. Imagine my surprise when I walked past the restaurant “Penang” on the Upper East Side and noticed Nasi Lemak and Laksa curry noodle soup on the menu, and then a few steps away a pub full of Brazilians shouted Portuguese expletives at the soccer match on the widescreen!
I was filled with a strange nostalgia for the present moment; savoring each day as a golden memory in the making, and marveling at the power of place – where the lines and stories of my life converged in almost mystical coincidence. Where old and new friends met on my birthday, where faces popped out of the past and future as if somehow planned that way…
One stunning coincidence came in the meeting of my two loves: Middle Eastern and Duncan Dance. I had come to New York precisely to take Lori Belilove and Company’s weeklong intensive course, but of course I wanted to survey the MED landscape while I was there. I had wondered if I could somehow find a way to meet Morocco or see her show while I was there, having already heard so much about her from dancer friends around the world. Well, I didn't have far to look, as the Duncan classes were held in Morocco’s studio in Chelsea! I went to her studio practically every day, and not only did I get to know her, but caught her show at the Lafayette Grill. She will now be a guest of my own studio in KL in May of 2007.
I also got a chance to spend a day with the lovely and gracious Kaeshi Chai of Bellydance Superstars and Bellyqueen. We started with lunch in Lower Manhattan and then headed down to Brooklyn to take a Dumbek class with Raquy Danziger of Raquy and the Cavemen. WOW!! An unassuming hippie girl, Raquy comes to powerful life once she gets that drum in her hands! She’s an awesome player and teacher, and a really cool person.
with Raquy Danziger
Kaeshi and I then made our way to 440 studios where Bellyqueen holds classes. I was treated to a Tribal class with one of BQ’s Tribal teachers and then a belly-popping class with Kaeshi. Always the great teacher, Kaeshi showed some beautiful moves and accents. She then asked me if I would give a Duncan presentation to the PURE meeting after class, and I was delighted to do so.
I decided to show them the Tanagra Figures moving meditation that I had learned with Belilove and Company, and they loved it. More than ever I was convinced that I had to work to bring the grace, intelligence, and expressive majesty of Duncan to MED, and left the meeting filled with the inspiration that comes with the birth of a new project.
Since this was also my last day in New York, I left with a sense of a mission accomplished. In two weeks, I was able to spend quality time with old friends, make great new friends, immerse myself in the beauty of Dance through Isadora Duncan, Morocco, and Bellyqueen, take a Dumbek class, navigate the Puerto Rican Day parade, pet Chihuahuas in handbags on the subway, watch breakdancing on the streets, eat street hotdogs with sauerkraut, marvel at the Greco-Roman Room at the Met, and last but not least, watch TEVO while drinking wine with Elsie and Trina!
Until next time brings me to NYC – a big kiss for the Big Apple!
