About LadyMe
Entertainer's Resume at bottom of page
Peace & lalaLoVe!
Salutations dahlin'
I started dancing at the awkward age of 15 after discovering a dog eared copy of "The Compleat Belly Dancer" inside a box of old costumes, and have loved it so much, that I have tirelessly pursued the art since my first class (back in 1993). I take every opportunity to study with talented professionals. For nearly two decades, my focus has been on dances from the Middle-East and parts of North Africa (commonly referred to as Oriental Dance). While I have attended a vast variety of workshops, I have also been blessed to have had two talented and radically different principle teachers.
My first teacher, Suzanna Armetta, was an Oriental Dancer (peace be upon her). I feel fortunate to have been influenced by her grace and passion for Egyptian dance. She taught me zils, veils, and the importance of sequins. She was such an elegant woman. My second instructor, Teresa Tomb of Rakadu Gypsy, is always changing. She is earthy and raw, and it was with her that I began learning American Tribal Style. She dances from her heart, and that inspired me to move from mine. All-the-while, the regional dance community organized fantastic workshops with Master Instructors. At these same events, I was exposed to dance workshops that explored South African, Hula, Indian, and Flamenco steps.
Dance is a form of self-expression, and to fully experience this, I have been open to experimenting. I "discovered" erotic dance in my 20's after entering a local gentlemen's club. I watched the ladies on stage and I was completely transfixed by their movements and confident attitudes. They were women like I had never witnessed before. I realized I wanted to learn how move and feel like them. I started buying the ladies drinks, then one thing led to the other, and it wasn't long before I was welcome in the dressing room where the girls would show me how to do their moves. I also got to stay after and practice pole tricks with a few of my favorite cats while the bartender closed out. In 2007, I got a deal with World Dance New York to create 2 programs in the art of exotic dance, and a 3rd program released this year!!
Recently, my studies have included Ballet and Modern. These styles are radically different from folk dances that I generally study, but I am finding the movement vocabulary is very benefical. These styles have improved my arm carriage, foot work, and my ability to exicute spins and hold poses. These days you might spot me riding my bike around campus where I am pursuing a BA in Psychology and Modern dance. My future plans are to obtain a Masters in Dance Therapy. Below you will find my entertainment resume. I have excluded various performances and events due to the excessive nature of the list it would create. lol!
| Performance/Theatre | ||
| LA Tribal Happenings (troupe) Belly Room Studio Egyptian: Resturant Showcases LA: New Orleans/Baton Rouge/Hammond GA: Truva Raqs LA Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition An Evening w/ the Sisters of Salome Offical Ann Rice Fan Club Ball MEDA-LA Showcases Middle Eastern Dance Artist of Louisiana Biloxi International Dance Festival Babal Con, Sci-Fi Festival Southeastern LA University: Modern Dance Louisiana Renaissance Festival Hustler Club National Showgirl Competition 06 |
Choreographer, 06+ Instructor, 06+ Principle, 05-11 Principle, 11+ Featured, 10 Trophied in Fusion Principle, 06 Principle, 09 Featured, 05-10 Instructor/Principle 07,08,09 Orion Dancer, 07 Principle 09, 10 Headline Show, 10 Guest Choreographer - 2nd Place |
Hammond LA Owner Sisters of Salome BD Alience Atlanta, GA Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA One-Eyed Jack's, Nola Rosy's Jazz Hall, Nola Nola/Lafayette/BRouge Ocean Springs, MS Baton Rouge, LA Southeastern LA University Painted Badger Pub Deja Vu New Orleans |
| Film & TV | ||
| Exotic Dance "Private Dancer" The Bacchae The Exotic Dance Workout The Irresistible Art True Voodoo Bridezilla's: Season 5, episode 21 Louisiana Renaissance Fair Documentary |
Principle/Program Developer Bacchae Leader/Choreographer Principle/Program Developer Principle/Program Developer Client, Cemetary Love Ritual Pole Dance Instructor Featured, Folkloric Belly Dance |
World Dance New York MacMillian Films World Dance New York World Dance New York Blank Paige Productions Director: Edward Paige PBS Presentation |
| Lectures/Articles/Print | ||
| Cultural Impact of Dance Maghrebi of North Africa To Zil or not to Zil The Art of Showmanship Picture of Health Local News Papers |
Lecture Lecture Article Article Photo Featured, Times Square NY 04,08(BR),09(NOLA),10(Hammond) |
SELUniversity SELUUniverstiy The Hip Circle The Hip Circle General Electric BR/Nola/Hammond/SELU |
| Education & Training | ||
| Tribal: Rakadu Gypsy Dance Egyptian: By the Sea Belly Dance |
Principle Troupe Dancer, 97-04 Principle Troupe Dancer, 93-96 |
Teresa Tomb, Mecca KY Suzanne Armetta PBUH |
| Workshops Attended: Urban Gypsy, Ghawazee Troupe, Megha, Ariellah, Khafif, Aisha Ali, Amel Tafsout**, Elizabeth Artemis Mourat, Shamsi, Morocco "Aunt Rocky"***, Blue Damsel, Amaya, Hadia (20 hour Teacher Training Program), Ruby Jazayre, Sahra Saeeda***(20 Hour Dance History of Egypt JtE1), Cheryl Bushey, Rachel George, Conchi**, Zoe Jakes, Petite Jamilla Rhythm/Drum Workshops Attended: Helm, Hadia, Jeremiah Soto (Solace)**, Shelly Plaisance Jr. |
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| Movement: Ebeth Feldman (Aerial Silks), Raven "Whirly Bones" (Aerial Silks), Dana Brewer Plazinic (Modern Dance/Yoga, SELU), Janet Butler Neyrey (Ballet, SELU), Becky Gellet (Yoga School), Victoria Lore (Pole), Pantera Blacksmith (Pole) Acting/Voice/Speech: Rusty Tennant (SELU), Acclaim Talent Agency. |
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| Special Skills Dancing Props: zils, skirt, cane, veil/double, balance: sword, basket, fire tray. Other: Massage Therapy (800 hrs), funny, pulbic speaking, writing/research, teaching large workshops, drum solos, improvisation, solo/group choreography, costume making, hair extentions & stage make-up |
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A Lady and her BeLLy
Style: Folk Fusion
Music: Blue Lotus Society