Rhea’s Story. Part 20.

“Belly dance was not only a transformative experience for me, but a lot of people have told me that belly dancing has changed their lives in one way or another, whether they became a public performer as I did or not.

And to do something that you could get dressed up in some sort of a costume and dance, even for women, because the big idea was not to dance for men - that was a mistake. The idea is to dance for other women or for yourself.

But it is nice to dance for others where they see you and they like it. We used to dance for the senior citizens, the children’s hospital...we used to do a lot of free gigs for people who couldn’t afford it, and those people of course would really appreciate it. I believe in doing that - it’s supposed to be something you do for the community as well.”

Excerpted from an interview with Amy Smith / Alizah Afet, first printed in the great Belly Dance New England magazine, print edition! in 2003. Thank you @alizahafet for reminding me about this one!

Also - Mom called me from a taverna yesterday - sitting outside in the sun after walking 3 times around the acropolis - and read me the first paragraph of a new essay about her love affair with Greece. So the energy of this enterprise and all of your words of feedback has inspired her to take up the pen once more🙏🏼🤗.

Side note - I’m having a great time studying astrology with @theenergeticalchemist - ur chart can be a wonderful wise (even mind blowing!) tool if you keep an open mind - and with this post I suddenly got a better understanding of what mom’s Venus in Aquarius in the first house is all about! She is idealistic - has a great love for community - the placement supports Immediate connection between art & self-expression - revolutionary outlook - impulsive & enthusiastic love energy!