This is what I did on my Vacation!

I have been absent on the blog for the last month (did ya miss me?) as I was away in The States for Dance training and a holiday. Here is a sneak peek at some of the things I was up to. Look out for some future posts on some of the exhibits and creative stuff that happened while over there.

So I went to Las Vegas primarily for dancing, but had some fun too!

Visited the strip:

We saw some great exhibitions:

My Dance Wife and I danced on a Vegas stage for the Massive Showcase!

We were in Vegas to do The Tribal Massive advanced/professional workshops. 49 hours in 8 days, and here is my certificate to prove it!

We then went to New York for 4 days to site see, and for Benni to meet her friends and family.

 

It got cold...

I also hung out with some famous paintings:

 Was a great trip and this is only a snippet of what I did and saw and experienced. Keep an eye on the blog for some more detailed posts.


shimmies

While I am away!

Hey There everyone....
There will be a hiatus on the blog for the next few weeks while I am away in America learning tons of amazing dance things at The Tribal Massive in Las Vegas , and having a blast with my Dance Wife Benni. We will be doing workshops, performing, exploring and getting to visit New York for a couple days before I fly home. I leave today (EXCITEMENT)!

I will try to maybe post a few teaser shots and posts while I am there, but look out for some fun posts when I get back.

In the meantime have a check at the snazzy new outfit and look our Dance Tribe Mascot "Carmella" is sporting! All ready to meet her new (and old) fans from across the world.

much love and shimmies

The Meeting Tree Market- Feb 2014

This week's blog post is about a little market I vended at this past weekend.The Meeting Tree Market says its the Upper Highway Area's "best kept secret", and I tend to agree.
It is an amazing little gem of a market, harking back to days gone by of the way craft markets used to be. Hand- crafted goodies on sale, artisan food and drinks to consume, a beautiful view, tables and benches to sit at and usually they have a really chilled jazz band called "5th Season Jazz Band" playing live. It is just the most chilled spot for a Sunday afternoon, and perfect for the family as kids can play there, dogs are welcome too. I just love the community vibe they have there and look forward to being involved more with the market!

But of course I cannot blog about the market without showing you some pics.

Of course I was there with Magpie Calls ;)

We were really worried about the Weather, and even though it was raining in Hillcrest and Kloof the rain stayed away from the market (unfortunately it did mean some people thought it had been cancelled (vendors and customers alike) so it wasn't quite as busy as it usually is. )

the above pics were taken just as the market was starting.

Even the dogs were blissed out by the chilled vibe;)

The next pics are from some of the vendors. I have tried to name the ones I could link to, but apologise if I get any wrong (please check bottom of blog post for contact info of the vendors).

THE cutest handmade bears by " Bears and Bears ". I am seriously looking for kids to buy them for... such personality in each one! MUCH better than build-a-bear.

Beautiful wooden toys and other items by "Pen Turnings"

Yummy condiments and cordials by "Kish Mish".

My lovely Neighbour "Honey Dog" makes pretty and quirky glass jewellery. Love the cute cake testers... would be great for kitchen teas.

"CJ's Deli" along with Carole had lovely olives, chicken burgers and fresh ice tea for sale. mmmmmm!

"Cupcake Mom" had loads of different flavoured cupcakes... I seriously need to try the beer batter one (it has bacon flakes!!!!), only saw it when I was editing pics. They look delicious, and from amount of people walking around with them they obviously taste delicious too! 

I love the Chainmaille Jewellery by John Scott. It's beautifully intricate and hardcore at the same time!

I can't remember who ran this store(so if you are reading this and know please let me know so I can credit) The cocktails looked so summery!

Pretty necklaces by "Imp Art".

Cute handmade dolls (which would be perfect for kids who take their dolls EVERYWHERE with them) by L'Ethix".

Deliciousness! Tarts and brownies from "Liquorice Gourmet".

Craft Beer was also available to buy. What a great place to drink it at!

Last but not least the wonderful "Rondavel Soaps" was there. Their soaps are amazing, they have the most interesting and awesome smelling combos.

Lovely hey?

Last year My Dance partner Benni and I did a little tribute to Madiba at the market.
here is our performance:

Well here is all the vendor info I hope you support them as well as Magpie Calls.

PEN TURNINGS: www.penturnings.co.za
KISH MISH: www.kishmish.co.za
IMP ART: 0833361407
BEARS AND BEARS: 0827779020
CJ'S DELI: 0824668676
HONEY DOG: www.honeydog.co.za
LIQUORICE GOURMET: kilfoil@vodamail.co.za
JOHN SCOTT: scottj@telkomsa.net
THE CUPCAKE MOM: www.cupcakemom.co.za
RONDAVEL SOAPS: www.facebook.com/rondavelsoaps

Please check the Meeting Tree Facebook page here for more vendors and to keep updated about the market and future plans!

Have a lovely week everyone!

love and shimmies

Sani Pass and Lesotho trip 2013

Hi All.

Today I do a photo essay on our bellydance trip into the Drakensberg Mountains, up Sani Pass and into Lesotho last year.

As hosts of Kristine Adams' Durban Leg of her SA portion of her world tour, Ioleen and I , together with our Durban Tribal Collective cohorts Benni and Sam, and fellow dancer from Joburg Heather, decided to show Kristine some of KZN and Lesotho.

Sani Pass is only a few hours away from where we stay, so we woke up really early to drive up and be ready for our tour which started at 9am.

I love the Berg and we had a great Guide Matthew...such a funny guy, slightly strange,but really informative and I give him kudos for putting up with 6 Bellydancers for a day.

Our Ride for the day- let me tell you Landy's are NOT the most comfy car to ride in up a bumpy , windy mountain pass  hehe.

All of us (including Ioleen just peeking on the edge) ready for our trip. L-R: Benni , Sam, Me, Kristine, Heather, Ioleen.

Here is some info on Sani Pass, so you can see what I mean by bumpy and windy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sani_Pass

The first part of the trip happens in The Drakensberg Mountains (Tolkien's original inspiration for the hobbit and Lord of The Rings scenery). It is one of my favourite places, so serene, beautiful and majestic.

 You can see the road we were driving up just peeking from between  the mountain.

 A viewsite on the way up.

Loving the girls trip and the sisterhood of dance :D

 As we got closer to the top the mist came rolling down... at the lesotho border it was thick.

We made it to the top of the Pass. That is pretty flippin high!

Part of the tour was going further into Lesotho into the Maluti Mountains. It was like being in another world... so stark, and barren compared to the greenery of The Berg on the other side. It was Beautiful. 

At one stage it felt like we were on the moon. (That's our vehicle in the distance).

 We visted a local Basotho lady in her home.

 She made THE most delicious beer bread (made from local maize beer), and we bought some for our journey home.

The kids came to say hi, all warmly and brightly dressed.

We then had one of THE most special experiences ever!

As part of her tour Kristine is documenting ATS™ around the world by taking videos of dancers in their local places. We decided this trip would be a great video op, and boy were we right! We saw some local muscians playing and decided we had to accompany them.

This we got on video and you can find it here
Makes me smile whenever I watch it.

 All the Muscians and kids watching the video of themselves.

Our wonderful collaborators- The Basotho people!

On the way back we saw this guy- a shepherd in a typical Basotho blanket.

 

  Our last stop on the way back down was at the Sani-Top Pub. The highest pub in Africa.

 Enjoying our beverages on a mountain.

 Since the last time I was there in 2011 the pub has allowed patrons to make their mark on the walls of the establishment. Here Kristine marks her Africa stop of her world tour!

 Me trying to find  a clear spot to make my mark!

Here we go... for prosperity!

We stayed overnight at the bottom of the pass at the Sani  Lodge Backpackers. A place I would recommend to anyone looking for reasonable accommodation for Sani. I have stayed there twice now and have been happy both times. It is well-run, comfortable and clean. www.sanilodge.co.za .

Was an amazing trip (and will blog more about our trip back home via the Buddhist retreat centre in Ixopo soon). I really loved bonding with everyone and our Durban Tribal Collective is such a special group to me. Was lovely to really get to know Heather from Joburg as well.. a kindred spirit in Dance. Kristine taught us so much on her trip and I look forward to seeing all the adventures she gets up to.

Thanks for joining me on our adventure up a mountain.

love and shimmies