It's Time to Get Moving

Do you love to dance but you're a little shy? Have you ever told yourself that you would try a dance class but have never gotten around to it? Well, I've decided that I'm not going to put it off anymore. I'm going to take a variety of classes with just some of Victoria's many dance companies. This experiment may come at the price of my pride, but I'm sure I'll have a few more snazzy steps by the end.

Just so that everyone understands, I am not a professional dancer. I've always loved to dance (especially any sort of spinning in circles) but it is purely for my enjoyment and hopefully my audience's as well. I started dance when I was four, but quit when I was 15 because I never seemed to excel. As my ballet teacher told me when I was nine, "You have a wonderful point, but no self-discipline!"

For the last four years I've been taking classes and dancing with Asmira's School of Oriental Dance. I had briefly studied belly dance as a teenager in Tofino and I knew that I wanted to try it again. But I put it off for years. Finally, I got sick of saying 'I should' and just signed up.


This is a video of Asmira's Spring Fling last year.



During the summers I dance at a number of local festivals with Asmira's school. This allowed me to watch countless performances by a variety of dance companies from Victoria and abroad. I'd watch Flamenco, African and Polynesian dance, thinking "I'll take a class in that someday." Well, once again it's time for me to act!

Not only will I be throwing myself into the Victoria dance scene, I will also profile the interesting individuals that keep this city hoppin' and shakin'.
So, dance with me, Victoria!

Since I'm starting with who I know, this next video is At the Gates of the Citadel performed by Laura Wirtanen and Laura Scotten of Laura Belly Dance. They are both in Asmira's troupe, and perform solo or with other troupes around Victoria.