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Hi all, just want to say it was worth the expense and preparation to attend the BOCA fest. It was more than I expected. I will start off with saying how convenient it was to get to and from the airport to the location of the festival which was the Inn & Conference Center etc. The hotel was a very very good choice for the festival and I hope they continue to have it there, the auditorium was a good size and the atmosphere was great. The vendors were great and they were proud to be there and served us well. They were very friendly and organized.
Ok, now on with the show. Love it, Loved it, Loved it. Saturday performances were great with variety and different acts. The Sunday student showcase was no amature show, although amature is good we were all one at one time (Smile). However, the show was super, from costumes to talent. I was sooooooooo proud to see so many of us attending and especially performing. The show had a lot going on and a lot of different dances, I must say we are such talented and creative people. I missed a few acts because I was back stage getting myself together (Smile) but saw quite a bit.
D'Zyre you looked adorable and can play those zills and dance, I loved it, Abiola and troupe, I loved the drum solo performance and dresses they were hot, Meghan you did it, loved the tribal fusion, Yanna I saw a little bit of your troupe back stage but missed a lot of it. All I can say is my family kept talking about the troupe and the challenge performance, cant wait to see the tape. I do know yall looked hot as we all got dressed in the same place and I loved what everyone was wearing. the California girls were adorable and I loved their ending. Everybody was soooooooo good as I cant remember all the names I wish there was a program for the show. The workshops were fantastic and I learned aot.
All I can say is my 26 yr old daughter has been to many of my shows in Orlando and she kept saying that was the best show she ever saw me in, she loved, loved, loved the Student showcase show on Sunday.
I was a little surpirsed I didnt see Dr. Sunyatta Saturday or Sunday make any announement or introduction of BOCA since she is the founder, I would have loved to have seen her, she's so beautiful.and I'm proud of her vision etc. On the other hand I was in Maryland and people do things different in other places. Loved it!
Ok, now on with the show. Love it, Loved it, Loved it. Saturday performances were great with variety and different acts. The Sunday student showcase was no amature show, although amature is good we were all one at one time (Smile). However, the show was super, from costumes to talent. I was sooooooooo proud to see so many of us attending and especially performing. The show had a lot going on and a lot of different dances, I must say we are such talented and creative people. I missed a few acts because I was back stage getting myself together (Smile) but saw quite a bit.
D'Zyre you looked adorable and can play those zills and dance, I loved it, Abiola and troupe, I loved the drum solo performance and dresses they were hot, Meghan you did it, loved the tribal fusion, Yanna I saw a little bit of your troupe back stage but missed a lot of it. All I can say is my family kept talking about the troupe and the challenge performance, cant wait to see the tape. I do know yall looked hot as we all got dressed in the same place and I loved what everyone was wearing. the California girls were adorable and I loved their ending. Everybody was soooooooo good as I cant remember all the names I wish there was a program for the show. The workshops were fantastic and I learned aot.
All I can say is my 26 yr old daughter has been to many of my shows in Orlando and she kept saying that was the best show she ever saw me in, she loved, loved, loved the Student showcase show on Sunday.
I was a little surpirsed I didnt see Dr. Sunyatta Saturday or Sunday make any announement or introduction of BOCA since she is the founder, I would have loved to have seen her, she's so beautiful.and I'm proud of her vision etc. On the other hand I was in Maryland and people do things different in other places. Loved it!
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Orlando
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Sparkle, your performance was beautiful, loved the veil so graceful. I agree that everyone was just awesome on Sunday. This was my first year too. My classes were fun, especially Venezia Hip Hop Belly Dance class. The location was great. The only thing that could have been added would have been a meet & greet event on Friday night. Running from class to class, I felt that I didn't have enough time to meet all the wonderful dancers on tribe.
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BOCA was Hot!!!!! Sparkle, it was so wonderful to meet you! You are a big dancer in a tiny package :) I loved your performance. Meghan it was so good meeting you. Did you perform? If so, I missed it :( Aneaj, girl, you worked that sword!!!! I didnt get a chance to introduce myself to you but I was back stage with my girls and we gave you a wicked zaghareet when you returned back stage.
I cant wait for BOCA 08!! -
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Yes, that was nice Aneaj. I especially loved the way you tamed the sword (smile). And yes having a meet and greet session would have been an excellent part of the show., nice idea Aneaj. Yanna, perhaps that's something that could be suggested.
Or better yet, we can have our own meet and greet at a specific location next time, maybe in a designated area of the festival or hotel room, either way it should be easy to arrange. Have to remember that next time and for any other time we meet up, like Rakkash etc. Let's keep in touch and if we're ever in each others cities, we can look each other up etc. Happy Shimmies and keep dancing.
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I really enjoyed BOCA as well. All the performances were great, great, great. It was well worth the expense and something I would attend again. My family drove down from Connecticut and they enjoyed the Sunday show as well.
I do have to agree with both you ladies in regards to some words from Dr. Sunyatta as well as a meet and great. Besides that I loved it.
Sparkle- you definetly sparkled.
Aneaj- I loved your sword act as well as the costume.
D'Zyre- girl I don't know what you were nervous about you raqed it!
Mamasita's troupe wow a great theme!
Raks Africa- what can I say a great way to end the show.
All those I missed because I was backstage my family told me were great as well.
What more can I say truly a memorable experience and I cannot wait to buy the video!
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Meghan thanks for the shout out and I have to say, that it was a pleasure to finally meet you and to see you perform. In fact, seeing other women of color perform is always the highlight of BOCA for me. You know read about sisters out there doing their thing all across the country on this and a couple of other tribes and message boards, but when you see them all on one stage it's truly something to behold. Keep dancing yall!
Much love,
Tammy
Raks Africa
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Sparkle your performance was really good. I really liked the way you can out on stage covered and then reveal your self. It was really neat. Thanks for the great performance.
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Sparkle girl, Yanna hit it on the nose! You are definitely a big dancer in a small package. You were so graceful and a pleasure to watch.
I enjoyed the show on Sunday from the beginning to the end. To see all those beautiful women of color on that stage doing their thing was something to truly experience. As nervous as I was, I really enjoyed watching everyone.
Aneaj, that sword solo totally rocked! I enjoyed your friend too, the other girl with the sword. You two were HOT TO DEATH!!
Sparkle & Meghan, thank you for your kind words you are too genrous.
I recall last year I got there late, but there had seemed to be some sort of get together going on when we go there. They were all dancing and enjoying themselves having one big party, yound and old. I did stop by the after party for a few minutes, but knew I couldn't stay too long cause I needed to get some rest. But on the way back to our room we stopped to talk to Khalidah and we were standing there for at least an hour. She is such a beautiful person and a wealth of knowledge. Too bad BOCA is only once a year.
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I have to agree with everything said so far. It was an absolute pleasure to meet everyone I had the opportunity to and to finally put some faces with names I've come across on the internet. This year was also my first and the whole weekend was quite an experience. Everyone was amazingly talented and gifted and the atmosphere was awesome. Definitely worth the trip and more!!! Since I've been back here in the A-T-L, I've already started talking it up back here as a 2008 must-do !
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Sha'ni,
You're performanced we beautiful as well. My girlfriends really enjoyed it. But yes BOCA 2008 is definitely a must do.
Nandi and I was talking about how a bunch of us need to go as a big group to Rakkasah West next year as well. I think I may try next year. -
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Hey if a group of you do come to Rakkasah West next year, let us know! Raks Africa would love to host a reception for our shimmying sisters!
Tammy -
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Tammy, that would be such a hot idea. We need to put this into motion, definitely. It's June so it gives us more than enough time to try to plan for this. I'll have to let Nandi know.
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Sounds great, I heard about Rakkash east and west. How does this works in reference to performances/workshops etc. I saw a little bit on line and it look like lots and lots of people attending and peforming, it almost looks as if there are 2-3 separate rooms of performances etc. Would love to go.
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I would love to plan a trip to the west coast to attend Rakkasah west. I've been pondering it, lately especially since I missed BOCA Fest. I hope we can get registration/date info. as soon as possible so that I can start planning my trip. This will give me a chance to meet you all! What a wonderful gesture from Raks Africa! It makes it even more tempting......
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There are several stages to perform on and it works by call in. go on line and get the information. There are days given when potential performers can call in and it is first come first serve. if you go on line or get the brochure it will explain everything
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Rakkasah West is usually held in March. Here is the website. Check it out.
Rakkasah East only has performances on one stage ang it's back-to-back dancing Friday night, all day Saturday and Sunday. Being that I'm right here, I always go and have a good time.
Here's the link: www.rakkasah.com/
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