I'm back - Lunch Walks
10 years ago
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Blanca - Sensual Belly Dance DVD
Mini review:
A lovely experienced beginner to intermediate plus DVD which is 120 minutes long. I had avoided this one for a while due to it's title - fearing that it was yet another 'amateur, dance a sexy dance for your boyfriend' DVD. On the contrary - this focuses how how to be 'in' your body and to move with grace and ease. The dancing and teaching is high quality. It has a breakdown of the movement vocabulary followed by a 40 minute 'sensual belly dance' flow designed to drill movements then a step by step break down and demonstration of a modern american style choreography with a slight 'new age flavour'. The flow can also be used with just music - no voice over. This is a well thought out DVD. The camera work is excellent. There are sections that focus on refining the upper body and lower body movements, one that tells the 'story' of the choreography, one that looks at sensual movements. Music is fully credited. Two performances are included. Great value for money - excellent for refining your approach to taxim. (Don't let the slight new age flavour of the choreography put you off - it is really only evident in the 'story' section. I have a very low tolerance for such things and I didn't find it at all irritating. Having said that, this may not be the best DVD for the modern Egyptian purist who is not interested in other styles!) Highly recommended. Great for teachers too - lots of ideas for drills and choreographic elements. Another great production from World Dance New York!
Friday, March 07, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Sorry
I don't tend to post personal stuff or political stuff on this blog, but this issue means so much to me for a wide variety of reasons.
Today Australia's new Prime Minister Mr Kevin Rudd and Australia's 42nd Parliament moved:
"That today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.
We reflect on their past mistreatment.
We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations—this blemished chapter in our nation’s history.
The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia’s history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.
We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.
We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.
For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.
To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.
And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.
We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation.
For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.
We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.
A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again.
A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.
A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed.
A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.
A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia. "
You can read the full text here: PM's speech
My heart goes out to all those who suffer. I am sorry.
Reconciliation involves justice, recognition and healing.
Reconciliation involves recognition of the history and culture of the first Australians, as well as practical measures to address the disadvantage experienced by Indigenous people in health, employment, education and general opportunity.
For more information please see Reconciliation Australia and the
Bringing Them Home Report
I'm sorry that it took us so long as a country. Thank you Mr Rudd. Bravo. I wish my mother had lived to see this day, She would be proud. And I hope that the families that she helped to reunite find healing.
Today Australia's new Prime Minister Mr Kevin Rudd and Australia's 42nd Parliament moved:
"That today we honour the Indigenous peoples of this land, the oldest continuing cultures in human history.
We reflect on their past mistreatment.
We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were Stolen Generations—this blemished chapter in our nation’s history.
The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia’s history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.
We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.
We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.
For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.
To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.
And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry.
We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation.
For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written.
We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians.
A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again.
A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.
A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed.
A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility.
A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia. "
You can read the full text here: PM's speech
My heart goes out to all those who suffer. I am sorry.
Reconciliation involves justice, recognition and healing.
Reconciliation involves recognition of the history and culture of the first Australians, as well as practical measures to address the disadvantage experienced by Indigenous people in health, employment, education and general opportunity.
For more information please see Reconciliation Australia and the
Bringing Them Home Report
I'm sorry that it took us so long as a country. Thank you Mr Rudd. Bravo. I wish my mother had lived to see this day, She would be proud. And I hope that the families that she helped to reunite find healing.
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