Faridha

If you are relatively new to dance, or simply have not have the inclination to dance in a situation where live music is provided for you, you will find it challenging to apply your dance skills and your knowledge of entertainment to the strains of live music!

Live musicians, whether hot or just luke warm, always confront the dancer with a set of variables.

The unexpected can range from musical arrangements that are different from what one might expect because it was different in a recording, to a surprise drum solo, to the rapport between the dancer and the musicians, or the chemistry between the musicians themselves on any given occasion. 

On December 21, 2003, I had the delightful experience of dancing to the music of Light Rain at the El Morocco Restaurant in Pleasant Hill, California.  The owner, Mr. Fadil Shaheen, sponsors a variety of

live musicians playing for several volunteer dancers on the third Sunday of each month.  The able hand of Yasmine of the Troupe "Sirens In Sanity" organizes these evenings at the El Morocco.

Here I am, dancing my entrance dance near a table of people, some of whom were the dance students of Jizan from the South Bay of San Francisco.  I imagine that she had encouraged a field trip to the El Morocco in order to entice some of her own students to try their skills with the live music at a later date.

I am wearing a costume of seafoam green with white iris iridescent sparkles; it is very feminine and soft.

In a restaurant setting, dancers learn very quickly that the audience divides its attention between watching the entertainment and their dinner plates.  The experience is quite different from dancing a solo on a stage with a formal audience facing the stage! Actually, sometimes it is a challenge of the dancer's personal charisma to see how long she can keep audience members away from their food.

Even at these semi-amateur nights, audience members like to tip some of the dancers though we don't expect it.  Below you will see some dollar bills that have fallen near my feet as I dance.

When you dance in a restaurant, you have to be very aware of your surroundings at all times.

Dancers need to be careful because the waiters and waitresses are serving hot food even while we dancers perform.  They move quickly, so it is wise to look back before moving into any space.

I hope to see you here, on some live music night soon!
Faridha of Danville, California

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