Aria

I study with Isis and I attended 4 days of Yaa Halla; it took me 3 days to recouperate! Issam has become the new household name...along with Isis and Aziza and Amir.

Two years ago while looking for a Halloween costume, I and came into Isis' Studio...I joined beginner classes that day! I am working my way up to Adv. II and just choreographed by first drum solo performance. Still a baby dancer. I have danced on the stage in Grapevine 3 times now in just under 2 years.

Isis doesn't have to put on Yaa Halla, she does it for all of us, all of us dancers, young and old, thin or thick, clumsy or graceful, beginner and professional, who dream to be a beautiful dancer, or just be a part of something so awe-inspiring, the music bonding us for life as sisters and brothers.

Granted Grapevine Convention Center is not Caesar's Palace, and we don't have the best lighting, PA system, or theatre seating...those newspaper people are spoiled with cushy, leather recliners. I was in my own dream world! I had a beautiful costume. I was going to dance on stage with my best friend, like we planned for years, and I was able to dance with Isis, Aziza, Virginia, and Amir.

I attended workshops Fri., Sat., and Sun. with a weekend pass for all the workshops and shows. The venue Isis provides for dancers around the U.S. is invaluable to the experience all of us need to "strive to amaze." I highly recommend it for next year - even with its quirks. Where else can you get so much for so little!

All we want is for everyone to enjoy - we don't want your criticisms, we don't belly dance because it is easy; we do it because it is hard!

For those newspapers people who criticized the Show, send someone next year who is interested in more than what was wrong, but how amazing these women are to dazzle the audience over and over. I applaud all of us who were there!

Go Isis!

Norma

Someone criticized Yaa Halla? In a newspaper?!!

They have no idea what they're talking about. I had the pleasure of meeting Isis while I was there and got a big hug from her--she knows my teacher from way back in the day. The first thing I did when I got home was send her an email thanking her for a good time and for putting on the event. I also complimented all the staff and volunteers that worked the weekend--if you were one of them, kudos to you, too!!!

I hope I wasn't the only dancer to give positive feedback. Maybe that will make up in some small measure for whatever the reporter said. I had a fabulous time and I plan to attend every year, for as long as it continues.

Viv

Of course the seating was a bit butt numbing at times, but with the dancing that was on the stage, who cared!! Part of the fun of the workshops and weekend is all the little things that are quirky, little tecnical issues, and the giggles and jokes that went along with them. I thought everything, including any little oopses were part of what made the weekend so enjoyable.
I'll second Norma in that all the people running the weekend worked tirelessly and all their hard work made the weekend very enjoyable for everyone who attended. I made a point of telling Isis when I managed to catch her that out here we don't tell each other "good luck" or "break a leg" before peroforming. we say "Make Magic" and she and her folks most certainly did!!!!!!!!