So busy and yet look at all the posting I’m doing! So busy because of all that sewing, climbing, gardening, and now also because, surprise, I joined a dance troupe.
The Whip City Witches, based out of Westfield, or “Whip City” Mass, is a group of adult women who share the common practice of belly dance and witchcraft.
We meet once a week to practice, and because I’m new, I had a lot of existing steps to learn. I’ve been dancing for about six years, so fortunately I knew how to do all of the moves, but memorizing so much choreography in a few weeks was a new challenge for me.
In the past I’ve always taken dance classes, mostly from the wonderful Johara of Boston. Being in a troupe is a wonderful opportunity to take what I know and expand my creative involvement in the dances I perform. After I learn all the existing choreography of course.
My understanding is that most of our gigs will be at town fairs, and arts & culture exhibitions. I’ve performed with the troupe twice now. These photos are from a Fairie May Day Festival in CT.
We play up the witch theme in costume and prop, and dance to both witchy-classic rock and tradition belly dance music.
Yes, I did make some of my costume myself! You may have seen me complaining about hemming this 25-yard skirt on twitter. That’s 75-feet of hem!
