Belly Dancing Class

Today I wanted to tell you about an activity on Ocracoke that many of you might have missed when you were here this summer. Among the normal swimming, kayaking, beach-combing, biking, moon watching...there is (well has been) belly dancing.
I saw the homemade sign at the Community Store in the middle of June announcing free belly dancing classes at the Community Center. This seductive poster featured art caricatures of two belly dancers that looked well...that looked great! I have been wanting to get my waist back to 17 inches (OK, just kidding) so I thought it would be a great idea. I called Lida Jones and talked her into taking the class as well.

I immediately became enamored with this ancient art of belly dancing. Our teacher, Katja, a student from Asheville was gentle and encouraging as well as very talented. (How did she do that?)

Our small group grew every week, until I knew we had enough for our first dancing troupe which we named Lola's Ladies.

For the past few weeks we have rehearsed and researched (looking for our great coin wraps on-line) until we were ready for the Women's Opry.

Today was the last class and I took Philip's granddaughter and her friend with me. I bought them belly dancing wraps and we all danced together. Katja is leaving to go back to school so it was a sad farewell.

I do love the fact that we now have added one more activity to our summer schedule. So, if you are around next summer, look for the posters; then you too can have 17 inch waists (or really just have a lot of fun!)

Lou Ann

Blogging for Philip

Philip hurt his back and has been in bed for a couple of days, therefore, I have taken over his blog. Yesterday I copied it on to mine, today you get to find it yourself. It is a great blog with photos from my early morning walk to Springer's Point. Thanks for letting me re-direct. (Opry tonight with stories to prepare!)  http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/

Moon Over Ocracoke

Dear Folks,

For the past week Philip's son and his family have been visiting from the mountains of North Carolina. It is so lovely where they live, but every summer (almost) they bring all their summer gear to Ocracoke to share in the fun and beauty here.


The children are active with bike riding and beach going and playing with their cousin, Lachlan, who lives here full time.

Yesterday afternoon I announced that there would be a full moon. (I guess I should have announced it to all of you as well!) We made a family plan to meet on the beach at 8:00 to just sit and stare at the deepening dusk with the sun going down on the Sound and the moon coming up over the Atlantic. I got there early with towels and a flashlight and spent some time alone just sighing at the beauty. It wasn't long before the whole entourage came running!

The kids were happy to just walk on the shoreline as veils of darkness began to hover over us. The grown ups all sat on the towels and chairs waiting for the magical sphere to rise out of the water. (OK, I know realistically how it all works, but play with me here!)

The July moon did not fail us. It rose magnificently up over the water and we caught our breath. We did, indeed, hollar down at the kids and they glanced at the moon, but continued to play in the moon shadows as they appeared on the empty beach.

Once they found out I had a flashlight, they began looking for ghost crabs. We, the grown ups, counted the shadows of the children once in a while, but knew they were fine and having a great time.

Finally it was time to leave. Of course, they did not want to go until I mentioned ice cream. Back into the village we all had ice cream, letting it drip down our chins and onto our day-old shirts.
It was a wonderful memory builder for all of us.
Lou Ann

P.S. The moon will rise again tonight...8:58 here on Ocracoke
P.S.S. I wrote this for Philip's blog as well!

The 4th Annual Women's Opry on Ocracoke

Our new belly dancing troupe, Lola's Ladies!

One small glimpse into the green room! (So much more!)

Post Show Appreciation!

This weekend was the 4th Annual Women's Opry on Ocracoke, and we did not leave anyone disappointed. Sometimes words actually fail me on describing the work that went into the production (unless you do theatre yourself), the performers, rehearsals, costumes, and, in working with all women, well, you can get that picture yourself.

We had a wonderful time putting on the show 'Way Off Broadway,' and indeed it was. Here are just a few words to describe the show:

Dazzling

Beautiful

Professional

Funny

Sexy

Spontaneous

Full of light and life!

We performed for a sold out crowd on Saturday night and a full house for the Sunday Matinee. If you missed it folks, all I can say is that I am really sorry.

Once over, once over. Just a few photos, some are taken by Brian Carter! Video to follow one of these days!

The cast of the 4th Annual Women's Opry on Ocracoke!!

My Birthday (sigh)

Yesterday was my birthday. It was a wonderful day. Philip actually got up and went to the beach with me to watch the sun rise. It was spectacular, as always, and this is the photo from the morning. We climbed up into the lifeguard chair to watch morning unfold just sitting quietly letting the waves roll over our thoughts. We finally decided to move on to our day and had breakfast at our local Pony Island on Ocracoke. The day was filled with rehearsals for the show...more belly dancing rehearsals and shopping for the perfect gaudy, jingly necklace, of which we found.

Amy (Philip's daughter) hosted a family, birthday potluck. Her yard was filled with family, friends and lots of kids. The hit of the evening was the roof beer floats that Philip made. No one was left out of that for sure!

Birthdays come and go, and mine was fun and happy. Last year I was getting my purple cast on my birthday. So far this year (well, just one day!), all is well!

Lou Ann

Mad Mag's Studio

As I promised, I have taken an early morning photo of my new writing studio!
This wonderful old wash house has probably seen more laundry on this island than I would care to do! I also know how hard it was to keep clothes laundered with the primitive facilities of the hand pump, homemade detergents, wash boards, and the heat of the summer, as well. I often think about the smell of clothes in days gone by here on the island, the clothes must have been scented with fish and stale cigarettes!

So, as I use this newly restored space, I have already christened it this summer with many writing projects, singing and dancing as well.

Thank you Philip for this wonderful gift!

4th Annual Women's Opry!

Just finished Sunday afternoon rehearsal for the 4th Annual Women's Opry.
It promises to be just as wonderful as the other three, but with a different twist! This year the Women of Ocracoke are going Way Off Broadway!
 
There are 18 pieces in our two act variety show all focusing on songs from Broadway. There are singles, duets, chorus numbers...there are monologues and belly dancing as well! It will definitely be talked about for a long time on Ocracoke as one of the highlights of the 2010 summer!
 
It, again, has been my great honor to produce the show and bring it to the stage due only to the number of creative and willing women to work hard just because they want to!
 
Please join us on Saturday, July 24 at 8:00 or Sunday, July 25 for a 2:00 matinee at the Deep Water Theatre for as we all say..."There's no business like show business!"