Springfest pics

There is a very large bellydance community here in Utah. Most of the performances that happen are either A) restaurant gigs, B) student recitals put on by individual dance companies, or C) big shows with headliners brought in from out of state. There are very few festivals that welcome dancers from throughout the community, including beginners through professional level dancers. One of these festivals is Thia's Springfest. Registration is first-come first-serve, and as long as you get your form in early you get a five minute time slot in which to perform. It's really a great opportunity for dancers throughout Utah.

I've performed at Springfest since 2007, after I joined the student troupe here. Every year I've gone and danced with my troupe, then stuck around to see the huge variety in bellydance styles. This year, however, I stepped it up a notch.

I did a solo.

It actually went pretty well. I know I wasn't as relaxed and comfortable on stage as I could have been, but really, I did well. I didn't drop my sword, I didn't run off stage crying. I completed my dance, and am now a little more comfortable being the ONLY ONE ON STAGE (yes, it's so intimidating it warrants all caps).

Luckily, there was a photographer in the audience who took a ton of pictures at Springfest, then posted them online for the bellydance community to enjoy. Here are a few of my favorites from Springfest. The pink and silver costume with silver wings was from my troupe performance. The sword: my solo.