WW and Stitch does Hula.

[kistha]

Writer's weekend went pretty well, and many people have summed it up (with pictures in places) better than I. I did earn quite the reputation by defusing a conflict that went from talk to scream and threats in under 30 seconds.

My disguise panel also went quite well (thanks twilight2000 for the easel and white-board). I left for an appointment at 11AM ( had to run home and get contacts because I'm an idiot and returned without being seen) and after two hours of make-up came down and registered as "Suzie Kain". I went to two panels, and wandered the halls. I then went to my panel, and sat down away from all my friends. I went completely undiscovered, and when Sharon my straight-woman picked me out of the crowd to be analyzed, people asked her to let me sit down after three minutes or so since I was so embarrassed, and 'subconsciously' backing away.

Everyone was very surprised and the rest of the panel went just fine. It took me over 9 Bioré cloths, both sides to get most of the foundation off later. Whoo. People want me to do it again next year, but much like that Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny cartoon - "I can only do it once".

Hula went well, and the Lilo hula went off with only one serious flub on my part. It was very popular, and I felt very good about my performance. trenchwench, cheriezel,xlana,animegothgrrl,argentyne, dthon and Dr J came as well as the surprise visit by shellyinseattle. I got many, many flowers and Dr J also got me some Ranier Cherries. Sadly shellyinseattle arrived just as we came off from Lilo, and even sadder the husband didn't get a video of the Lilo hula, but H did, so I'll just have to copy hers. She probably also has all the other hulas as well - so that may be better in the long run.

While all of this was very lovely, just before we started the program I asked the instructor if I could move up to the advanced class.

She said (and I literally quote) "No, the advanced class has been doing hula for five years, so you'll have to wait." I squashed the urge to scream like a banshee and asked "Then what is the requirements for the Intermediate class?" "Oh a couple of quarters in beginning, you can only teach the Kâholo for so long."

I wanted to scream and cry and throw shit. Don't need to be well grounded in the basics, which means that every quarter some fresh and shiny barely taught hula dancer/s will be moved up to Intermediate, which will be learning the implements and harder dances. Starting over with new people every quarter who don't know more than two, maybe four hulas. Plus, the no rules has just become stupid rules. If she had said she didn't think I was ready it would have been one thing, but to just decide that five years (in Intermediate with a six months in beginning) is required to move up, can I stand it and put in the time? Basics, while not as 'cool' as the advanced work, are the basis of any dance. Unless you can do, and know the basics you have no ground on which to build the more complex structure. Add into that the myrad forms of word-sign that you also must perform, it makes it even more ridiculous that you only need a brief introduction.

I've been working with the advanced class for rehearsals, and they all want me to stay. When I said I had problems with the intermediate class, they said, "come join us!" When they heard the five year thing one of them said, "I think we've been dancing for three years...maybe she thinks it's five." Which I'm sorry to say, doesn't make me feel any better. And they still think I should stay. I would miss them all SO much.

Class starts tomorrow, and I still have no idea what to do...

The instructor was supposed to bring leis for the Intermediate and Beginner class members since the Advanced Class have matching yarn leis.

Ironically I was also the only dancer who did not get a lei - the unwelcome dancer.

Funny huh? I'm not laughing though.

Comments

[xlana.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed the recital very much. Watching the dancers, I was wondering who was the advanced students and who were intermediate or beginners. Who were those three (the two girls and the guy) who wore different costumes? And the ones who came out all in black? (Didn't you say she said you never perform in black?)

Granted, I am biased; I think you're awfully talented. But I honestly think you could fit in great with the advanced group. There were a couple of dancers who did not finish a single dance without looking like they forgot the routines. And your hand placements were more precise and fluid than quite a few of the other dancers.

[kistha.livejournal.com]

The two girls and the guy were the Intermediate class. They were performing a Kahiko so they couldn't have any flowers, only greens. The guy can't wear a pau skirt, and since the Beginning and Intermediate classes are not (so far) required to have any kind of matching attire, it's pau skirt loans all around. The two in black with the girl in the (way too tight to hula in) dress were the Beginning class. The Beginning class didn't even have anyone to get a pau skirt loan from (Intermediate got all that was available from the Advanced class) and, yes, the instructor has said that we don't wear black, but I guess it was push come to shove for the Beginner class. Or it was a vote by the Advanced class, that the T-shirts would be in yellow not black. I hear red lost by a landslide. I don't know enough about hula to know if black is a cultural no-no or not.

Anyone in the red and yellow outfits (except for me, ironically) were the advanced class. Remember, they also only had two weeks to prepare for this "performance". Toko (the very tall Japanese lady) gets super flustered when performing, and she's normally much more fluid. And Teri, the slightly round soft looking blond, I thought was going to pass out during the gourd piece - her smile started to look hysterical and she was as white as paper. I don't think that they perform a lot.

Plus - most people find it harder to perform for friends and family than for strangers. I just have had more practice performing than they have, I'm pretty sure. A good part of it may also be that it's apparently time spent, not ability or skill level. But that's assuming there's a rhyme or reason to the instructor's decisions from day to day.

I'm probably skipping summer quarter at this time - and may see if I can arrange to talk to the instructor separately. Thanks for the vote of confidence. He Mele No Lilo is absolutely my best hula. I still don't feel all that fluid or good at it (comparatively speaking anyway) so it means a lot that you think I don't suck. I'd be happy to stay in the Intermediate class if it was an Intermediate class and that the skill level would be in the same general area code.