Exhausted, but so Inspired

I'm back from the weekend-long Yousry Sharif workshop in Mansfield, MA – with two new music CDs and a head full of beautiful choreography. It is the first time that I have enjoyed the choreography from a workshop enough to want to memorize it and keep it forever. I noticed that several others felt the same way. We learned seven and a half minutes of choreography in total, to the adorably named "Raqset Kitty!". It included everything from latin-inspired steps to khaleegy to the Robot. Yousry was a kind and clear instructor, who did not live up to his reputation of sternness. In fact, he smiled quite a bit and was fun. Don't get me wrong – it was a serious workshop – and serious hard work. I was thoroughly beat by the end and could barely lift a hip.

My friends and I also had the pleasure of going to the World Dance and Music Center in Pawtucket RI for a post-workshop show (not connected to the workshop). Lola put together a beautiful evening with four dancers (Ok, I was one of them) and the highlight for me was the band. George Rizk is an expert drummer, and I already knew that I enjoyed Mitchell Kaltsunas' ensemble. They played the most gorgeous version of Leilet Hob for me, and the drum solo was the best drum solo I've had live. There was none of the usual muddiness, only clear and crisp Dums and Taks.

Both events were significantly far from my house, but I would drive that far again for either experience. For now though, I am going to rest my tired body.