Elizabeth arrived on friday at Calexico around 4:30 pm, I was still at work so my boyfriend went to pick her up, it is kinda sad, because I would've loved to meet Dan. Anyway, when my boyfriend call me and told me they were coming already I heard Elizabeth's background voice saying 'hi!', and my heart start running faster!!
It sounds ridiculous, but to me meeting someone I admire that much, is SO exciting! I have seen Liz before, but didn't approach her.
So, waiting from 4:30 until 5:30 that I go out of work, was AWFUL! And then, I needed to go to meet this girl who was paying me for the workshop! Oh god!! It felt like forever!! Driving alone to my house at last, I was screaming, and similing, and singing, and so nervous! So when I finally arrived, I was thinking to myself 'Ok Ale, behave, don't scare Liz, she'll think that you are crazy'. I saw her through the window first, and there I was trying to act cool, when in reality I was screaming and jumping inside me!
She is soooo sweet, one of the sweetest persons I've ever met. I never felt uncomfortable around her, she is a super nice guest to have, always honest and straight forward, not picky at anything, and she smiles all the time, we laugh a lot! She seems like a very happy person, who really lives for the moment, and takes all the good she can from any situation.
I was so stressed out the whole weekend, and didn't want to pass that vibe to her, but instead, she pass me her serenity and good thoughts. I had an amazing time hanging out with her. I wish to do it again!
We go out on friday, to a relaxed place I like to go, she loved it, we got back on saturday after the show. We talked a lot, and I really, really can see the nice person she is, with everyone around her, family, friends and boyfriend. My family loved her too, there is just no way don't like her, nor as a dancer or as a person.
About her classes, I can write for days and not finishing! Is like great!, I mean, her warm ups are perfect, and kinda though, and the turkish rom style is SO HARD, so new to me! Nothing that resembles a bit of anything I've done before; that 9/8 killed me minds!!
She definetly shares her experience, and that is something that I appreciate more in workshops or classes, even more than technique itself, experience is not comparable, no one can teach you the same and is only gained with facts, time and actions, not buyable!, as opposite of technique. An instructor that just stands up and starts telling you the mechanics of dance, and not open to say what they feel, what they've lived, is just not going to catch your eye nor your heart!
Another thing to admire about Liz' classes, is her charisma and humbleness, she is always happy to teach, and very willing to help you. I recommend every bellydancer of any style, to look for her, is one of those instructors YOU MUST take classes with, her experience is really something, and she dances like no one else does.
About the show, well, you can imagine, with her on it, there is no way to fail! She had the audience just mute; she told me "is weird, 'cause the audience is SO INTO IT, they don't move, don't scream, anything". I told her, it is because she is so good, and they've never seen something like this. In my town bellydance is "the dance that shakira does" (really), and this was the first time a show with a bellydance artist of this caliber was ever presented, is something so new and so amazing to them, that people was just in shock. Elizabeth has this huge stage presence, that just hynotize you and dazzle you like anything else. An student who witnessed the show told me "She dances with this big smile, like she is extremely happy, that makes you think that most of all she is dancing for herself, and that makes her performance the best". I understand what she means, and I know all you dancers out there understand it too, Elizabeth enjoyed so much dancing, that it just captures you, and that is something I admire too, and I think I do it, or at least try to.
Besides being that dancer I admire so much, she is, one the sweetest, happiest, most relaxed persons I ever met. I enjoyed her classes and sharing stage with her so much, but above all, I am so glad I got to meet this amazing ladie, that is not afraid to show herself to the world, and give everything she can in what she does. I just can't wait to have her again!
I really thank god for allowing me lived this experience, my students who support me by dancing in the show, all my friends who attend the show, the people who attend the workshops, my mom for helping all the way in this, my brother, my dad, ICBC & CEART for giving this amazing service and support to the event, and of course Elizabeth for being an amazing instructor, a beautiful dancer, and a lovely person. Thanks to all, I got to realize the beggining of my dream, one of my most important goals, and from now, I shall only go forward! Without all this people, I would not be able to fulfill this.Thank you all for this great succes, the first of many I wish!
**Just as a recommendation, look in her website for the DVD's "Tales of Desire" I & II, there are live performances of lots of good dancers, elizabeth, mira, unmata, atash maya, cera, and much more. DO NOT buy them on AMAZON please! Support the artist! If you buy them at amazon the artists don't see a penny. strongdancer.com
