Theme Song: "Ojos Así (Eyes Like Yours)" - Shakira
Which Started the Whole World Laughing
But I Didn't See
That the Joke was on Me...
Smack dab in the middle of the week, my fellow dancers and I are summoned to the Fall Dance Ensemble meeting in the CUB. Here's how these things go: the Executive Board announces the Performance dates, the choreographers "sell" their dance classes in the hopes of coercing students to join, and sign-up sheets are distributed. Today, however, Dianna strays from the script and announces that the one and only James Burkhalter will be filming the show and making the DVDs because "he always does an amazing job." Awww, I'm genuinely touched because although I've produced DVDs for the past 2 years, I always fell into the job (i.e. the original videographer screwed up the video and I always had to swoop in and save the day). It's always nice to get some unsolicited praise... I can really use it!
After the choreographers are done with their schpeel, I jokingly turn to Kat and say:
James: "Oh Kat, I'm SO tempted to join your bellydance, I love that Shakira song!"...Shit. What did I talk myself into THIS TIME?! Now I feel bad 'cause I just got Kat all excited because I said I'd join her bellydancing class when I actually have NO desire to bellydance.
Ambika: YES, you totally should!
Kat: That would be AMAZING!
James: (skeptical) ...Really? ...Guys can do that?
Kat: WOOOO!
Hell, I don't even have a belly to dance with! Plus, both of Kat's besties and bellydancing co-horts, Becky and Gwen, are studying overseas while she's stuck here in Gettysburg. But I wasn't joking about one thing: I've always LOVED that Shakira song!On my way home, I tell myself, "I'm actually doing this." If there's one thing I don't like, it's when unreliable friends flake out on me at the last minute. For that reason, I always try my best to be true to my word and honor my commitments... whether I like it or not. Although it would be easy, and I'm sure she'd understand my insecurities, I am not gonna abandon my girl, Kat.
As with every dance performance, I decide that if I'm going to do this, I'm gonna do it right. Translation: Time for YOUTube! Over the weekend, Kat and I huddle around her laptop monitor and watch several videos featuring male bellydancers, so I can watch their movements and pick up some tips. Monkey See/Monkey Do, if you will. ;-)
Comforted by the idea that bellydancing won't be completely emasculating, I saunter into the dance studio, ready to shake my money maker. My female counterparts, on the other hand, aren't nearly as eager. Every week, Kat encourages the dancers to actually bare their stomachs while practicing the routine... I know, THE NERVE of some people! *gasp* Without a second thought, I embrace her suggestion and toss my shirt on the ground, where it would stay until Show Day. That's right, I'm practicing and performing TOPLESS. Skin to the Wind, as I always say!
Week after week, more and more girls follow Kat's and my lead, letting loose, rolling up their shirts, letting it ALL hang out. It's a beautiful thing. But seriously, I've been dancing/performing for quite some time and if there's one thing I've learned it's this: You do it in a rehearsal the same way you'll do it in a performance. Honestly, dancing around shirtless in a COLD room full of women made me uncomfortable... and that's WITHOUT an audience! Whenever I take the stage, I always have that wonderful feeling of nausea, and that's because when you're performing, you make yourself vulnerable and it feels like everyone's watching you and judging you... BECAUSE THEY ARE!
After a few classes, I'm becoming more and more comfortable with being the only guy around. It turns out, being pursued like the star of an AXE commercial ain't half bad! It's kinda funny.
One Friday evening, the Renny Train (Renny, Morgan, Adam, Shane, Angie) pulls into ALLiES House unexpectedly. Angie also happens to be in the class, so we strike up a conversation in the common room. Eventually, we wander over to my bedroom, where we perform the entire bellydancing routine with the guys swarming around us... But at times I have to wonder, which one of us are they watching? ~_@
After roughly 8 weeks of rehearsal, the moment of truth has finally arrived. Waiting in the wings of the ballroom stage, FREEZING OUR ASSES OFF (bare foot/bare midriff), we pump each other up. We're all exposed and For better or worse, we're all in this together. So let's NAIL THIS SHIT!
And that's what we did. For the most part, everybody hits the choreography and the group's fairly in unison. After months of wearing down their resolve, all but one of us (*cough-cough* Sara) decides to bare her stomach. Our dance number ends to thunderous applause and plenty of FaceBook praise. No fruit was hurled at us, so all in all, it couldn't have been too bad.
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