And I’ll say this right now: I’m a soloist at heart. The last time I had performed with a dance company was back in 2005 with Martiya Possession, and I had never really worked with performers outside of my own discipline before joining Alternacirque. For the past year, I’ve been working with Natalie Brown and her two performance companies: Delirium Tribal Belly Dance Company, and her alternative performance arts company, Alternacirque. Being removed from a larger dance community was really wonderful for me as I have been rebuilding my life. And I’ll never stop wearing black.Īsharah: Being in Columbia, SC, gave me a great deal of time and space to reflect on my art and my dancing. But what better time to rebuild and start anew? One of my biggest inspirations, Neil Peart (drummer of the band Rush) says, “All of us get lost in the darkness dreamers learn to steer by the stars.” I think that sums it up nicely.Īlthough, I have to note that I’ve been listening to quite a bit of metal lately. Everything that you think was solid and secure in your life is suddenly gone, crumbled, and dead. For those who haven’t been through a divorce (and it’s something I don’t wish upon anyone), it’s a bit like living the Tower card in the major arcana of the Tarot. Part of the reason I’ve been more joyful in my performances lately is because I had been in such a dark state for so long, so I can appreciate the wonderful things that I have in my life now so much more than I could if I hadn’t lived through the darkness. I don’t think I’ll ever completely leave my darker side behind in a creative or personal sense. (For those who don’t know, in 2009 I left my day job and my husband, which sent my life into a bit of a whirlwind, but now I am in a much better place emotionally.) However, I’ve also had recent times of great joy and triumph that I want to express through my dance. I’ve been through some very dark times in the past few years, and dance has been a way for me to work through them. As far as the “dark fusion” movement, I have most definitely stepped away from it artistically, but I haven’t abandoned it. I’m honored that anyone wants to listen to me babble on about myself. My absolute Favorite is the Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp in the Mendocino Woodlands, California.Īsharah: First of all, thank you for asking me a series of really insightful questions. There's also Tribal Fest 12 Sebastopol California. Jill: Well, there's the Tribal Massive: Las Vegas, Brazil and Taiwan. Onça: What are some of the bigger events are you doing on the national and international circuits in the next 6 months? I sill do a lot of that and it feeds my soul, and I especially love working with live music: that's where it's really at for me creatively! I love working in group, collaborating with musicians, artists and dancers. Dancing alone lately I have been exploring more and more my connection to belly dance roots. I find my work is more narrative when I dance with others. There are some very lovely and exciting aspects to working alone and it has its challenges. Jill: I am focusing a lot more on my own solo dancing while I travel and tour. Onça: Can you describe how your art has evolved as you transitioning from a troupe focus in UltraGypsy, FoxGloveSweetHearts, and into the present?
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