Belly dancers and Snake priestesses on Wife Swap

Serpentessa · 06-23-2008, 02:03 AM

Hello,

I would like to invite you to watch next Wed 6/25/08 episode of Wife Swap - Channel 7 as myself and Jehan Kamal (as well as some other dancers I've just heard) are featured. Here is my press release and below that are my reasons for choosing to take this opportunity. I hope you will wish us well whether you agree with our choice or not.

Belated Solstice blessingssss to all,
Serpentessa

BELLY DANCERS TO APPEAR ON ABC’S POPULAR REALITY SHOW, WIFE SWAP
Serpentessa will belly dance with her snakes on the Wed. 6/25 episode airing at 8pm

ROSENDALE – Every snake has its day…. For local belly dancer and “snake priestess” Serpentessa, two of her red tail boa constrictors will see their 15 minutes of fame while slithering over her on an upcoming “Wife Swap” on ABC TV.

On Wife Swap, two families, often from vastly different lifestyles and social classes, swap wives/mothers for two weeks. During week one, the old house rules apply; in week two the “new” wife gets to make the rules.

On the June 25th episode, the wife subject to swapping is Jehan Kamal, of Sunnyside Queens in NYC. Mom to 10-year old Serena, Jehan is an international belly dance star, plus singer and songwriter of Arabesque world fusion music. She trades lives with Brandy, mom of three pre-teens and a pig farmer from Reno, Nevada, who clearly doesn’t think too highly of the belly dancing lifestyle. In the show, Serpentessa is teaching Serena some of the techniques of dancing with her gentle boa constrictors, which weigh anywhere from 12 to 60 pounds.

“Without giving away too much, I think people will learn from the surprising outcome of this Wife Swap,” said Serpentessa. “I enjoyed participating and am delighted to spotlight the wonderful healing and transformative power I believe my snakes can impart.”

“Physical inter-species communication with snakes is a rare and unforgettable experience that is very empowering,” explains Serpentessa. Since this is not widely known or understood, and to help people appreciate and understand the unique benefits this can create in one’s life, Serpentessa recently produced an instructional and educational DVD, Belly Dance with Snakes: Embody Your Inner Serpent, available at Amazon.com.

Serpentessa, a Hudson Valley resident and 21st century Snake Priestess and belly dancer, has cared for snakes for nearly 30 years. As a priestess and dancer she says she considers her snakes “an equal – albeit silent – partner and collaborator,” adding that, “working with and performing with snakes is a privilege and responsibility I take very seriously. They have never been a prop and never will be!” Serpentessa has taught over 15,000 people through her national network of workshops, classes and ceremonial rituals with, and without, the snakes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have a passionate dream as a 21st century Snake Priestess. I have a path to that dream that I remain firm to while allowing the form to be flexible and open to all possibilities. I take chances that my intuition trusts and infuse them with prayer to the universe.

This is who I am: Intro excerpt from my Dvd.

This is what I want: To empower others to become Snake Priestesses like Serena here.

Here is a powerful song written by Jehan and sung by Alice Ridley from the Off/Bdway show, Goddessdance.
"The Goddess Blues" sung by Alice Ridley

And yes, our collective prayer is that the episode was edited to reflect the positives of both lifestyles for in the big picture of Life, we are all aspects of the One. Here is what Wife Swap says: wife swap episode listing

"A woman dedicated to raising pigs and sheltering her children swaps lives with a belly dancing Bohemian who believes in the power of the feminine."

Serpentessa · 06-23-2008, 02:19 AM

Jehan will be teaching at the Ahlan festival in Cairo as she has for several years now.

www.jehanarts.com

I hope to join her at the Nov Ahlan fest. As for snake dancing in Cairo, well it's a still a dream at this point because the travel logistics are quite tough. Hint- hint- I'm looking for people who would want to adopt a snake as a shared animal companion in Europe or Egypt. Hey, it doesn't hurt to inqure, eh!

Your friendly neighborhood snake priestess,
Serpentessa

www.serpentessa.com

Shanazel · 06-23-2008, 06:54 PM

Sometimes there is not a whole lot of difference between raising children and herding snakes, so the swap may work out better than one thinks at first.

I don't have a television so will miss this show, but if this is a facet of your passion and your bliss, Serpentessa, I wish you well.

karena · 06-23-2008, 08:06 PM

As much as I don't like to admit it, I love Wifeswap! But I just can't get on with the american version. I think the combination of the different culture and different approach to TV removes whatever it is that appeals to me. I guess I just can't relate, and the presentation gives me another barrier. Sounds interesting though.

Serpentessa · 06-24-2008, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Sometimes there is not a whole lot of difference between raising children and herding snakes,

You got that right, Shanazel! Tho I don't have kids, I am the oldest of 7 kids in close age order and was my mother's obedient helper.

Quote:

I don't have a television so will miss this show, but this is a facet of your passion and your bliss, Serpentessa, I wish you well.

Very much appreciated. I think you're the dancer who enjoys learning about snakes, yes? If so, I hope we get a chance to chat or acquaint sometime.

Sssssss,
Serpentessa

Babylonia · 06-24-2008, 01:04 AM

I love Wifeswap!!! Can't wait!

Reen.Blom · 06-24-2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanazel

Sometimes there is not a whole lot of difference between raising children and herding snakes, so the swap may work out better than one thinks at first.

I don't have a television so will miss this show, but this is a facet of your passion and your bliss, Serpentessa, I wish you well.

hehehehhehehehehehe

Darbla · 06-24-2008, 01:52 PM

Ok, I'm confused. It says Jehan and Brandy swap, so what does Serpentessa have to do with it?

Shanazel · 06-24-2008, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serpentessa

Very much appreciated. I think you're the dancer who enjoys learning about snakes, yes? If so, I hope we get a chance to chat or acquaint sometime.

Sssssss,
Serpentessa

Actually, there are several snake people on the forum. I am indeed one of them, though I admit I am not a fan of using snakes in dance. I grew up in serious snake country (south Texas and southwestern Arkansas) and had the choice of being terrified of or intensely interested in snakes.

Serpentessa · 06-24-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darbla

Ok, I'm confused. It says Jehan and Brandy swap, so what does Serpentessa have to do with it?

I am one of Jehan's daughter Serena's teachers in real life and hence the show. I have been teaching Serena about snake wisdom and dancing since she was 5.

I posted this info for both Jehan and I, but as she has a publicist thru Wife Swap, I was told to focus on my small role in the show.

06-23-2008, 02:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
Serpentessa Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rifton, NY Posts: 12	Belly dancers and Snake priestesses on Wife Swap Hello, I would like to invite you to watch next Wed 6/25/08 episode of Wife Swap - Channel 7 as myself and Jehan Kamal (as well as some other dancers I've just heard) are featured. Here is my press release and below that are my reasons for choosing to take this opportunity. I hope you will wish us well whether you agree with our choice or not. Belated Solstice blessingssss to all, Serpentessa BELLY DANCERS TO APPEAR ON ABC’S POPULAR REALITY SHOW, WIFE SWAP Serpentessa will belly dance with her snakes on the Wed. 6/25 episode airing at 8pm ROSENDALE – Every snake has its day…. For local belly dancer and “snake priestess” Serpentessa, two of her red tail boa constrictors will see their 15 minutes of fame while slithering over her on an upcoming “Wife Swap” on ABC TV. On Wife Swap, two families, often from vastly different lifestyles and social classes, swap wives/mothers for two weeks. During week one, the old house rules apply; in week two the “new” wife gets to make the rules. On the June 25th episode, the wife subject to swapping is Jehan Kamal, of Sunnyside Queens in NYC. Mom to 10-year old Serena, Jehan is an international belly dance star, plus singer and songwriter of Arabesque world fusion music. She trades lives with Brandy, mom of three pre-teens and a pig farmer from Reno, Nevada, who clearly doesn’t think too highly of the belly dancing lifestyle. In the show, Serpentessa is teaching Serena some of the techniques of dancing with her gentle boa constrictors, which weigh anywhere from 12 to 60 pounds. “Without giving away too much, I think people will learn from the surprising outcome of this Wife Swap,” said Serpentessa. “I enjoyed participating and am delighted to spotlight the wonderful healing and transformative power I believe my snakes can impart.” “Physical inter-species communication with snakes is a rare and unforgettable experience that is very empowering,” explains Serpentessa. Since this is not widely known or understood, and to help people appreciate and understand the unique benefits this can create in one’s life, Serpentessa recently produced an instructional and educational DVD, Belly Dance with Snakes: Embody Your Inner Serpent, available at Amazon.com. Serpentessa, a Hudson Valley resident and 21st century Snake Priestess and belly dancer, has cared for snakes for nearly 30 years. As a priestess and dancer she says she considers her snakes “an equal – albeit silent – partner and collaborator,” adding that, “working with and performing with snakes is a privilege and responsibility I take very seriously. They have never been a prop and never will be!” Serpentessa has taught over 15,000 people through her national network of workshops, classes and ceremonial rituals with, and without, the snakes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I have a passionate dream as a 21st century Snake Priestess. I have a path to that dream that I remain firm to while allowing the form to be flexible and open to all possibilities. I take chances that my intuition trusts and infuse them with prayer to the universe. This is who I am: Intro excerpt from my Dvd. This is what I want: To empower others to become Snake Priestesses like Serena here. Here is a powerful song written by Jehan and sung by Alice Ridley from the Off/Bdway show, Goddessdance. "The Goddess Blues" sung by Alice Ridley And yes, our collective prayer is that the episode was edited to reflect the positives of both lifestyles for in the big picture of Life, we are all aspects of the One. Here is what Wife Swap says: wife swap episode listing "A woman dedicated to raising pigs and sheltering her children swaps lives with a belly dancing Bohemian who believes in the power of the feminine." Last edited by Serpentessa; 06-23-2008 at 02:07 AM. Reason: not finished

06-23-2008, 02:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Serpentessa Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rifton, NY Posts: 12	PS to Wife Swap Jehan will be teaching at the Ahlan festival in Cairo as she has for several years now. www.jehanarts.com I hope to join her at the Nov Ahlan fest. As for snake dancing in Cairo, well it's a still a dream at this point because the travel logistics are quite tough. Hint- hint- I'm looking for people who would want to adopt a snake as a shared animal companion in Europe or Egypt. Hey, it doesn't hurt to inqure, eh! Your friendly neighborhood snake priestess, Serpentessa www.serpentessa.com

06-23-2008, 06:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Shanazel Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rocky Mountains USA Posts: 4,060	Sometimes there is not a whole lot of difference between raising children and herding snakes, so the swap may work out better than one thinks at first. I don't have a television so will miss this show, but if this is a facet of your passion and your bliss, Serpentessa, I wish you well. Last edited by Shanazel; 06-24-2008 at 02:24 PM.

06-23-2008, 08:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
karena Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The North, UK Posts: 597	As much as I don't like to admit it, I love Wifeswap! But I just can't get on with the american version. I think the combination of the different culture and different approach to TV removes whatever it is that appeals to me. I guess I just can't relate, and the presentation gives me another barrier. Sounds interesting though. __________________ "Nothing is black and white, it's all shades of grey" Me

06-24-2008, 01:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
Babylonia Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 384	I love Wifeswap!!! Can't wait!

06-24-2008, 01:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
Darbla Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: south Mississippi Posts: 62	Ok, I'm confused. It says Jehan and Brandy swap, so what does Serpentessa have to do with it?