Tribal Happenings at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival: Looking back at 2014

Special thanks to Shella La Bella

Once again, our troupe Tribal Happenings graced the LARF stage of the Painted Badgers Pub with our favorite numbers during the Thanksgiving Holiday.

It's always a treat to be a performing at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival.  I know that once I leave the fairground, I will leave more inspired to improve my dancing.

This year, however, is a little different. For a while, Tribal Happenings was mostly active during LARF, but with the help of the founder, Lady Morrighan, Tribal Happenings will be running as a full time troupe with me as co-troupe leader. This. is. EXCITING!

With that being said, I hope to stay active on The Ferris Wheels also as we go on this journey. I'm lucky to work with a great team of women and hope to share that experience in 2015.

So, did you miss the show? Don't be alarmed. We have video!

Special thanks to Craig for video

If you want to check out more, like us on Facebook! 

Merry Christmas!

We're back! Meet us at the Pub!

From left to right: Lady Sherry, Lady April, Lady Morrighan, and Lady Paige
Special thanks to Shella La Bella for her amazing photography.

We ladies of Tribal Happenings are back again to dance Thanksgiving weekend (Nov.28-30) at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival . This will be my fifth year on the fairground (Yay!) and it's starting to hit me that in two and a half weeks, we'll be shimmying across the stage at the Painted Badgers Pub.

What we have planned? Well...I can't say too much, but I can give you hints...

What to expect from a Tribal Happenings show

1. Expect to be welcomed by this woman, Shella La Bella. If you see her and she is making an announcement, listen!

2. Expect our show times to be the following: 11:00 am, 1:30 pm, and 3:00 pm. You'll know we're getting ready when the below happens. 

So many pillows!

  

3. Expect to be greeted with a big smile and a zaghareet from the stage. We're always happy to see new faces, so get comfortable.

Founder and troupe leader of Tribal Happenings, Lady Morrighan,

4. Expect to see new faces and the return of familiar ones. This year, we're welcoming Lady Kaela and Lady Katie, and welcoming back Lady Tara! 

From Left to Right: (Front) Lady Sherry, Lady Morrighan, and Lady Dawn; (Back) Lady Jennifer and Lady April

5. Expect colorful skirts in action

From left to right: Lady Lindory (Me), Lady Morrighan, Lady Sherry, Lady April, and Lady Paige (seated) 

And I mean LOTS of it...

And lastly...

6. Expect to see a group of dancers having the time of their lives as they leave a part of themselves on the stage.

Number 6 really hits home. *cue warm/uplifting music*

We're getting closer, and I'm excited to see who we run into this year. Let the Tribal Happenings adventures commence!

My List of Favorites: YouTube Belly Dance Videos

"Show Alquimia Kahina Bellydance" Image by Andre Santos.
Source:https://www.flickr.com/photos/alas20000/5688618165/in/photostream
License

I have something to admit: I love YouTube belly dance videos!

Sometimes, there is nothing better than just sitting back and surfing for amazing dancers perform various styles .

So now I'm thinking, why not share my favorites with you?

In no order, I will share a short selection of dances separated by categories. Every one of these performances have something I hope to take back with me for my own studies.

Kahina 

How amazing is it when a dancer looks like she's having fun? The first time I saw this video, all I could do was smile. Kahina's energy and appearance of true enjoyment really makes this performance. Source

Sharon Cohen

Another dancer who performs like the life of the party. Sharon Cohen doesn't just appear as if she's enjoying herself, she demands the dance floor. Source

Esmerelda 

Talk about personality! Esmerelda dances with confidence and poise. The power in her arms, isolations, and facial expressions are eye-catching moments from beginning to end. Source

Enjoyed these performances? There are more to come!

Easy Tortilla Wraps

This was a quick recipe I discovered through my best friend's mother right before our summer river trip. The simple tortilla rolls wrapped in cream cheese, green onions, and pepper jelly were addictive from the first time I tried them, so I had to attempt to recreate the appetizer.

Simple Tortilla Wraps

Photos by Mo Prevost

Ingredients:

1 package flour tortillas
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1 jar of pepper jelly (I used Tabasco)
Green onions , chopped

Directions:

1. Spread cream cheese on tortilla.
2. Coat the cream cheese with a spoonful of pepper jelly.
3. Sprinkle chopped green onions evenly.
4. Fold the tortilla into a wrap and use a knife to divide it into three to four sections.
5. Refrigerate until ready to serve!

Photos by Mo Prevost

Troupe Blocking with Nail Polish- Success!

Hammond Horror Festival 2013
Photo by: Lady April

It's been awhile since I gave an update on the choreography I was working on using nail polish. Now, after we were able to practice and perform it, I want to give a analysis on the advantages and disadvantages of this unique method.

 Advantages:
- Visually beneficial- It was difficult to picture all 8 dancers (including myself) in the choreography together. By using a small, mobile visual to take the place of the dancers, I was able to capture a better idea of who was going to be where during a specific place in the music.

Hammond Horror Festival Performance 2013

Music by: Solace "Naga" Choreography by Lindory

Music by: Inkkubus Succubus Choreography by Lady April  

- Three dimensional- Before using nail polish, I attempted to form the choreography first through drawings and moving PowerPoint images. Neither methods captured the transitions of each dancer clearly while the choreography was in its developmental stage.
- Easy to Distinguish- As said in the earlier post, I used a different color for each element the dancers portrayed. When a transition did not work for me, it was easy to remember where each bottle was before the last decision.

Disadvantages:
- Only does so much- The nail polish could only work as placeholders. So if a dance move did not work, I usually found out in person with the dancers themselves.

This was the first fully choreographed group dance I ever taught (big thanks to La La Tribal teacher, Lady April!) so with this idea, I saved myself plenty of confusion and headaches. Take the time to watch our video from the Hammond Horror Festival and see the "nail polish method" at work.

Happy Holidays!

End of the College Road (What I have learned from being a college student)

        It's almost that time. I have bought my cap and gown, I have spoken to officers of organizations on what they should prepare for next semester, and I have sent some goodbye emails. Maybe it's too early to reflect, but I want to, just for the fun of it all. If anything, I know I am not the same freshman that walked into Southeastern years ago. With that being said, I thought it would be interesting to write an open letter to the 18-year-old me advising her of what I wish someone could have told me in order to survive college.

Dear 18 year-old Lindory,

Congratulations! You've survived high school! Although you're not going to believe me when I say this, I’ll tell you anyway. Forget last year, it gets better! You may experience a few issues adjusting to this new view the first year, but everything you go through is necessary. Here is a list that will help ease your mind before you start college:

1. Math will not be a strength for a while. Accept it so you can improve.

There’s nothing worse than denial. Once you know you can’t understand something, find out why. You will be your only cheerleader. After your hard work, you will leave algebra and statistic invincible.

2. Schedule everything.

You will no longer be reminded of homework assignments like in high school. If something sounds important, write it down. If there is a due date, write it in red, circle it, make it stand out.

3. Do not procrastinate!

This point will be difficult. If you need to do it, do it now. Once you get over this heap, you’ll feel accomplished.

4. An envelope will come in the mail soon with an invitation to a leadership organization. Accept it!

You’ll love the experience and you’ll gain experience. A big plus!

5. Write as a much as you can. 

This is detrimental. Journalists is only as good as their writing, so get to work. 

5. Lastly, your senior year will be amazing!

I’m not going to give too much away, but you’re going to love every bit of it.

If you had a chance to give your younger self advice, what would it be?

Covington Celebration of African American Heritage (Video Included)

        I mentioned earlier I would publish more posts involving the community. This is one of those posts.

        I attended a presentation by Dr. Eva Baham on June 23 about the African American heritage in Covington at the Greater Covington Center.The event caught my eye early June and I knew I wanted share this on my blog if I had the chance. I found the information helped me better understand the details of American slavery and the occupations of black citizens. I had a chance to speak to Dr. Baham about researching the past and felt encouraged to look into my own heritage. She gave me great advice on how to find information on the past (which is included in the video below). If you are interested in the black heritage in St. Tammany parish, here is a look into the presentation and interview by Dr. Baham.