Pebbles' Blog

Belly Dance Class with Anam Cara

2012-01-09T02:30:00.002-05:00

Belly Dance Class:

The next 8-Week Session of

Belly Dance with Anam Cara

will begin on

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012.

Class run time: 7:10pm-8:10pm.

Class will be held in the Cafeteria of

Agnes T little Elementary School

60 South Bend Street

Pawtucket, RI 02860

This class is part of the

Pawtucket Parks and Recreations Program

Cost for 8-Week Session:

$35 for Pawtucket Residents

$40 for Non-Residents

To Register, or

For More Information,

Contact: PP&R Director

@ 401-728-0500, ext: 253

For more information, contact me @

ri.bellydancer@gmail.com

I have supplies both for sale and for in-class loan.

Opportunities exist for performance slots in local student shows.

2012-01-09T02:25:00.002-05:00

"Brenda Cotnoir's Charitable Life on Crowdrise" (That's one of the search results that comes up if you Google my name :))

What is Crowdrise?

Crowdrise is an online social network, much like Facebook or MySpace, that specifically focuses on fundraising. It is very new (2010) and was launched by Actor Ed Norton and a "boatload of other prominent names". It is legit, and has recently made CNN news.
(http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/06/08/ed.norton.online/index.html)

My profile page and projects can be found here:

http://www.crowdrise.com/brendacotnoir

2012-01-09T01:54:00.001-05:00

If you are getting this but do not live in Rhode Island, keep in mind, this is an INTERNATIONAL EVENT, and you can still find useful information here if you are interested in the concept.

The 2012 Shimmy Mob:

Invitation and FAQs

Happy New Year! Some of you know me, some of you don't...So...Hello! My name is Brenda, maybe you recognize me by my dance name, which is Anam Cara. I am a local belly dancer and instructor in Rhode Island. I am sending you this message to invite you to participate in the 2012 Shimmy Mob on May 12th, 2012, World Belly Dance Day.

On this day, the 2nd annual Shimmy Mob will be held in various cities around the world. This is the brain child of Francesca 'Sabeya' Anastasi of Vancouver, British Columbia. It is a fundraiser for women's shelters. Last year, the Shimmy Mob was new, many people had never heard of it, and, as many new projects go, there were some things to work through, though, over all, its organization was well planned. It was meant to be a one-time event. However, many of the participants enjoyed the experience, thought it a great cause, and asked to do it again. Sabeya sent out a survey to get some imput about what people liked, didn't like, felt worked, felt needed change, and took all the information to use for this year. We are hoping for a bigger event, and a greater turnout.

I am inviting you to take part.

I am reaching out to the belly dance community first as that is where the greatest amount of the interest would be. However, the invitation is open to anyone, whether a dancer, of any style, or not. We have a little over three months to learn the choreography, which should give most people plenty of time.

I am one of two team leads here in Rhode Island: Barbara Derecktor Donahue is the team lead for Tiverton; I am the team lead in Providence.

My part as the Providence team lead involves the following: Once the ball is rolling, I will be planning where, when and how people can get together for practice sessions. It is my responsibility to make sure that the event goes according to the guidelines. It is also my responsibility to get the conversation moving with regards to where we want to perform, how many performances do we want to do on May 12th, and which shelter(s) will our team's earnings support. That being said, I want to stress that I would really like this to be a community event. I am not doing this for the sake of my reputation or ego. I am doing this because, ever since I started dancing in the belly dance community, the one thing that always impressed me is the selfless community spirit of so many of our local dancers. I am honored to know and be associated with so many wonderful people who find the time, money and energy to do as many charity shows and events as there are done here in Little Rhody and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut.

I am hoping you will accept.

Invite your colleagues, students, peers, friends.

I am also looking for some help. Sometime in the first half of February, I would like to start setting up rehearsals to continue though until the week before the event. I am looking for someone to donate some space for rehearsal classes. If I can't find a place that is donated, I will pay for a space, but that will offer limited time, as I have limited funds and I do not want to have to charge participants, since they have already paid for the kit. Rehearsal classes are to be free for all paid registrants.

For people who decide to accept the invitation, here are a few things to think about...We will be taking a vote on the following details in late February, early March:

1) How many performances do we want to do on May 12th? Some teams did just one, others did two, a few did more.

2) Where do we want to perform? It should be somewhat centralized in Rhode Island to accommodate everyone. It should be some place where we will not get in trouble (or arrested). It should be a public place, as we want a lot of people to see us. Keep in mind, we have to play music. Will we need a special set up? Will we need permission? If you have ideas, please present to me, either in person or via email, the place (address and all) and a short blurb why you think this will be a good place to perform.

3) What organization(s) will be chosen for the donations? The more participants, the more likely we are to be able to donate to more than one. Again, if you have ideas, please present to me, either in person or via email the organization and a short blurb why you think we should donate to that particular one.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is it, this Shimmy Mob thing?

It is an International event that will be held on May 12th, 2012 in various cities around the world. It is a flash-style mob, meaning we will show up at some predesignated time and place, usually unannounced (at least to the public), does our thing (in our case, a belly dance choreography), and disappear. Our Shimmy Mob is actually also a fundraiser for women and children's shelters.

Who can join?

Anyone who is willing to register and wants to learn the choreography. While this is a 'Shimmy Mob' with an emphasis on belly dance, the choreography is available to its paid registrants as early as the second half of January (giving a little over 3 full months to learn), and there will be practice sessions, so one does not need to be a belly dancer to learn it.

What if I am not a dancer, and don't think I can learn solely off of a video?

There will be practice sessions and rehearsals available.

How can I join?

Visit www.shimmymob.com , choose a city in your area, and register. Here in Rhode Island, there is the Providence team and the Tiverton team. If you got this email, but do not live in RI, look for a registered city near you. If there is none, you can sign up to be a team lead.

How much is the kit?

The kit is $35 CAD plus shipping and handling, if paid before March 21st, 2012. The price then goes up to $50 CAD, plus shipping and handling. Registration Deadline is April 5th, 2012.

Why is the total registration fee, with shipping and handling, slightly different today than on previous day?

There is a very slight difference between the Canadian dollar and the American dollar. The currency exchange is variable according to the market.

Why do we have to pay to be in the Shimmy Mob?

The Shimmy Mob is a fundraiser. Many of us are used to performing for free, and donating our time and talent, with an audience paying the admission that goes to the charity. In this case, it is compared more to going to a charity race or dinner...You pay to participate.

Where does the money go?

The registration money pays for your participation shirts, whatever this year's hip wear is, and whatever is left goes to a shelter which each separate group chooses. Obviously, the more participants we get involved, the more money goes to the charities, since buying the supplies always cost less per unit when bought in higher bulk numbers.

What comprises the 'kit'?

The shirt, the hip wear, both of which will be shipped to your team leader about a week before the event (to prevent knock-offs and those trying to 'piggy back' on a charity), the link to the instructional videos for the choreography, and the name and artist for the music, in case you want to purchase off of iTunes, which go to your email address.

Why do we have to pay the .99 for the music after paying for the kit?

Because there are various laws covering artists in most countries, and those artists need to eat and pay their bills too. If one does not have access to a computer or doesn't know how to get music from iTunes, there are some exceptions that can be made, as instructors in many areas are allowed to make limited numbers of copies for instructional purposes. Keep in mind, you do not need to get the music separately if you are practicing to the videos.

Why do we have to wear the team shirts?

As this is an international event, there are two things that will identify us as part of the bigger picture: 1) the shirt, and 2) the choreography. Everyone in every registered city will be receiving the same shirt and doing the same choreography.

Why do we have to learn someone else's choreography?

For the same reason why we will wear the shirts; and, this choreography was created specifically for this event (there was actually a contest to pick the music and choreography).

What style is the choreography?

It is a mix of cabaret, and tribal fusion.

Is the choreography the same as last year's?

No...This year's choreography is different from last year's.

What if there are some moves in the choreography I can't do?

We will find a suitable, closely associated move that you are comfortable doing.

What if I want to be part of this event, but for some reason, I know I won't be able to dance?

I CAN NOT speak for any other team on this matter except mine. I will have a handful (literally, 4-6) of non-dance positions that will need to be filled: a couple of people, good with a camera, to get lots of shots, and get them on disk and to me ASAP after the event; a few more who can do video and get the video to me in an uploadable format for the official site; and depending on where we decide to do our performance(s), possibly a sound person. These people would still need to register, still dress like the rest of us, and still be part of our team, even if they are not dancing.

If this is a flash mob, and we are not supposed to tell others about it, does this mean we can't invite people?

No...You can invite people once we are closer to the event, but be discrete as to the specifics.

Can we perform the choreography for a show or other event before the May 12th Shimmy Mob?

No...Plain and simple.

Can we perform the choreography for a show or other event after the May 12th Shimmy Mob?

Yes, as long as you credit it to the 2012 Shimmy Mob and the actual choreographers.

Where can I go for more information?

The main site, with the most information, is www.shimmymob.com . There is also a Facebook page:http://www.facebook.com/?sk=h_chr#!/ShimmyMob to 'Like' for updates. And at any point in time, you may contact me @ ri.bellydancer@gmail.com, or on my Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/BellyDancingwithAnamCara There is also Barbara's (Tiverton Team lead) Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/?sk=h_chr#!/Barbara.thedancingspirit

Thank you for your time and consideration!

I hope to see

YOU

at the

2012 SHIMMY MOB!

After a Looonnnggg Hiatus, I'm Back to Writing and Blogging...

2009-07-07T22:11:00.001-04:00

My Articles on Associated Content:

Newport's Cliff Walk: More than an Indian's Trail or Old Fisherman's Path

What Do You Really Know About Antioxidants and Free Radicals?

Welcome to the Rejection Line!

The Miss America Pageant - An Institution of Hypocrisy

A Parent's View of Reality Television

What Is Associated Content?

Associated Content (AC), started in January 2005 by Luke Beatty, is an online publisher and distributor of original content. Associated Content enables anyone to publish their content on any topic, pays them for their work, and distributes that content through its website and content partners.

Since writing is a hobby for me, I took an interest in this site a couple of years ago. However, I didn't really do anything with it due to time restraints. I have recently decided to pick it up again. I have a handful of articles now, with a few other submissions waiting approval. My goal is to submit one article a week. A submission takes one to two weeks to be accepted and appear on the submitter's source page.

Click Here to visit Pebbles' Source Page on Associated Content

Here's How It Works:

People are able to submit written material, as well as video and pictures, on just about any topic. Payment can be offered based on it's value to the readers, in both upfront payments and long term pay per view earnings, which is based on how many other people click to view the material.

Leave Your Feedback:

Anyone can view any material on the AC site, leave a comment (at the very bottom of each page), or recommend the article (at the top of each page), even if the reader is not a member.

"Thank you" to those who take the time to read my stuff.

2007-07-14T16:20:00.000-04:00

Nickelback/Staind/DaughtryConcert

Friday the 13th

Excellent concert @ the Tweeter Center. The rain actually held off until about 1am. Daughtry was good, Nickelback was great, but I think I liked Staind the best.Great to hang out with part of the CVS group again; I miss you guys!

2007-06-13T17:37:00.000-04:00

"The speed of light travels faster than the speed of sound, which must be why most of the men I meet appear bright until they open their mouths to speak!"

You know, I really love going out on the weekends with my friends and all, but the single scene is making me absolutely crazy. I graduated from high school...I went to college for 8 years...I have had my fill of the natural sciences. So why is it that all my social interactions with men are like lessons in the laws of the universe?

2007-06-01T20:43:00.001-04:00

I write here for fun...

This is an easy way to keep in touch

with friends and communicate

about what's going on.

I write more serious articles on the following two sites:

_________________________________________

____________________________________________

2007-06-01T17:49:00.000-04:00

Keep in Touch!

You may notice that your comments do not appear as soon as you enter them. All comments have to be approved by me before showing up under their related posts.

All comments go directly to my email address.

If you send a comment that you prefer not be shared, please let me know.

Also, please note that future plans USUALLY float back and stay on the top of the list even though other posts are added, so always scroll down if you are looking for the most recent ones.
:)