The classes....

Before I'm telling about the party - this week classes:

Monday

I came to the studio of Mijal almost at the last moment. Girls from her company were dancing as a practice, but not a real class. Not many girls accept them. I asked Ayelet why does it so empty. She said that there wasn't their class this time. Ilan didn't come yet. So, as usual in cases like this I called him. He said that he's still on the bus and will come in few more minutes. I changed. Mijal came that time. We were only 5 girls this time at class. OK, she also started to ask if anyone knows about some girls. About some - no one could say a thing. Where is Ilan? I could say that he's about to come. Mijal said few times that he's on the way.. Oh, what about the others? 

We started warming our castanets. In a little brake after the first drill Ilan came in. I signed him for hello. Mijal noticed it. I was amazed that a little thing like this could make a little drama. He stopped for a moment near the door. Mijal and all girls stopped and looked at him. We went on for another drill while Ilan went to change. He came in the middle after. Another brake. Mijal remind that we'll have a party at Friday noon. She thinks it's at 2 o'clock, but she doesn't remember. Ilan said "Orna probably remember. Orna - is it at 2 o'clock?" Six pairs of eyes on me. I whispered that yes, 2 o'clock. I signed at my head. Fine, let's go on. 

The warming and drills finished fast. We made a lot of practice on the dance itself of escuela bolera. First water brake I asked Ilan why did he asked me about the hour. He answered that I'm good in remembering the technique things. Dancing a lot. Mijal asked if all of us come to the party. All of us said we will. She said that she isn't sure who will come accept us from this group. So she made a try to make a half standing for the escuela bolera with the people who came. Mijal asked if we mind to try to do it at the opposite sides. Three girls (including me) were afraid. Two trios. I was with Ayelet and another girl. Ilan with Hadas and another girl. Our trio made it as usual. The other trio made a try to do it at the opposite. Hadas made it. It still confused. Mijal gave up and said that only Hadas will go on at the opposite, all of us accept her go on as usual. 

And we worked for a moment about the entrance. About the finale - we had few choices we could choose one. Each one of us could take whatever we wanted. I made a try. Mijal said the way I made it was pretty, but I need to move my body a bit in a way it will look more baroque, more authentic. Second try after that I made the as she said in my way. This time it was good. Pull down the castanets.

The nice one of this studio and the friend of the happy one joined us for the buleria as they did recently. We had some time for only 3-4 times to repeat the buleria. My friend came at the end. 

From men's group the men came Ilan and another guy who joined recently. All rest were women. I was talking a bit with Ilan and some more with my friend. I went to change when their class has started.

Tuesday

Again - almost the last moment. This time at the studio of Neta. The entrance to the studio I hate was locked. No sign. I went to the old studio which I love at the school. I opened my phone and called Ilan. I asked him if he's there and if I do well that I'm coming. He was there, at the studio I love and he asked me too many times to come. Only after I came I noticed that Neta did sent a text message to phones that it will be there. I went to pull down my stuff and went to the loo. Got back. I changed. Andreu was there. I asked NOT to start without me. 

The class has started with a party. We still didn't celebrate Andrue's birthday, and this time - also 5 years that he's in Israel. We celebrated it with wine that Andreu brought and with a cake that Neta was baking. She gave a bigger piece of cake, more than I asked for. 

I went to wash my hands (too sticky from the cake). They were nice and this time they were waiting for me. We started the tango - the parts we do together at our places. It went on pretty well. 

Solos. I was second. One of the new letras we started to learn. Seemed like again I've been asked to dance rough. I was too busy in a try to fit myself to it, I probably missed something. I noticed that Neta started to sing to me the salida. She pushed me out! I ran to do my salida before I finished what I meant to do. At the moment I got back my place - my friend asked Neta what happened. Neta said that I took too much time to myself, the letra has finished and we suppose to do only one letra. My friend was shocked from my respond. She said I was jumping. What was meant to be? Was I right or could I do something else? Neta said it's possible to do as I do, but it's also possible to push some legs' work if we really want to and go out. Let's see Ilan. He was good. The bata girl was last. She didn't know what to do with herself and went on and on much after we finished to sing her the letra. Instead of pushing her out - Neta started to sing her another letra. The bata girl made a mistake with the salida. Neta made her try again because she loves her (she said so). The bata girl made another try. This time it went out well. Neta asked her to do it again for being sure that the bata girl remember what did she do. She did.

Neta wanted to finish and send out all those who don't do the siguiryia. What?? Is it really the end? I said it's time for siguiryia. Some said that they want another round of the tango. We did. Another round for the part we all dance together. And solos. The snobbish woman first as she did before. Few told her how beautiful it looks like that she always do the salida so fast and energetic. Who was after her at the first round? Oh, it was me... I made it without a will. This time one of the ordinary letras. This time I made it as I wanted and it felt better. And the salida... I wanted to finish. And Neta probably hates me, at least the way I'm dancing. And whatever they say about the salida of the snobbish woman! I started my salida energetic and fast than my usual without to notice. At the middle I noticed it and made it faster and faster just because I thought it will be right. My friend was shocked again. She claimed it was jumping again. Neta said that it was me this time, I made it. Yeah, I did. She went on and said that this time she let me do what I wanted. Gee.... Thanks! Oh, who,s next? Ilan, but he didn't want to. He's been pushed to dance. It didn't went out well and he asked for a moment. The friend of the assistant made a try. Ilan made another try after that. He made it, but he could do better. The assistant was the only one who didn't make another try. At my turn she went to sit down and didn't try to say anything this time. 

Well, what's the time? 5 more minutes and class is over. Who didn't dance yet? After a while Ilan said that I didn't dance yet. He was smiling. I was dancing. After the bata girl it was over. I went to take my water, whatever left of it. Ilan was on my way. By the way - recently he helped me with a technical thing for the blog and I promised him coffee for that. At Israel there is a thing called "Third time ice cream". I asked Ilan if he knows what does it mean if I was dancing again. He that no. I didn't blink when I said it means that he needed to invite me for ice cream. He said that I'm wrong. I needed invite him for ice cream cause he gave me a chance to dance again. I said that I already owe him a cup of coffee. He said that I would still ow him the ice cream - with the coffee. I was waiting for him. We went out together with the snobbish woman and my friend. 

Wednesday

I didn't mean to, but third day in a row that I'm coming in a run to class and comes at the last moment. This time at the studio of Mijal and the only class at week that I'm taking and Ilan isn't there. Mijal said that we may repeat at the liviana at the end of class, it dependent if we'll have some time. Some girls said we won't. 

We didn't have any warming this time. The solea from the start from the moment this class has started. And a lot braking it to parts for making in better. Once at the start Mijal stopped us and was angry. The guitar player did something else. He wasn't the problem this time. The problem was that all of us accept Ayelet didn't know what to do and stopped dancing. Mijal said it's impossible to do so in any kind of dance. We don't know what to do? Anything will be good accept stopping and staring. 

Go on again and again and again. And we learned few more new steps for the solea. We didn't have time for the liviana. The class was over. 

And till the party.... I'll go on telling about the party at another time

First class of solea

Yeah, less and less hours of sleeping, but this time I was waiting more as a try to go to bed early. Didn't work out and today is a crazy day. Most of day didn't have a connection to flamenco (does anyone want to know about the bath my dog had today?), but this evening starts the party. Not really I thought it will happen, but...

So last night I had a weird ride to the studio of Mijal. Doesn't matter. I came early enough to change slowly, see peaceful the end of class before mine, look at the notice board, see that there are dates for workshops of Miguel Angel in Tel Aviv... DATES FOR THE WORKSHOPS OF MIGUEL ANGEL IN TEL AVIV! I gotta go! So it's on 6 and 7 to June at the studio of Mijal. Each day has two hours for advanced and two hours for medium level (of a workshop with a dancer from Spain). It cost 400 NIS. On third June it will be two hours for beginners for 200 NIS. If you wanna come - you can write to Keren at keren@flamenco.co.il I still don't have a flyer to show, at least not in a way which is make it easier to me. You can ask Keren by the way on the shows. He will perform this June with Mijal and her company at Suzanne Dellal, Tel Aviv. He will be a guest star at Quince (the newest show of Compas Company) and again - David and Bat Sheva. Recommended! 

Between classes I told Mijal that I was talking with Keren and I will come to the shows, one of the shows is needed to be invited through Keren, so I told Mijal I will bring her the money soon. By the way - do I need to talk with her about the workshops? Mijal said that I do. Poor thing... I think I freaked her out last days about the tickets to the shows... Mijal said that she's sure I didn't. Whatever...  By the way she called all to look on the notice board "as they always do" for they will know about the workshops of Miguel. 

First class of solea has started. The girl from the men's class joined our group. So did a girl who took the very advanced groups at the studio of Mijal. Although it looked at the start like we have only few - the studio got fill fast. Only the nice one didn't come from a reason that I do not know. We started the ordinary short legs' warming. After that we started a new technique drill for the legs on compas of solea. Some it looked a bit like the technique we had so far, but most was new. When we finished it - a girl which I still don't know how to describe asked what is it. 

We started a new dance. Then came one of the men of Mijal's company. Mijal told him we started now the solea itself. He changed his shoes, kissed the cheeks of Ayelet and Moran and didn't stop chewing his gum till end of class. Few stops cause of Mijal needed to refresh her memory about what did she want to teach us, some of brakes happened because of the guitar player who didn't play as Mijal wanted or forgot basic stuff. We had many new steps and already a serious start. One thing there, a very challenging circle Mijal showed us, looked at me and I'm sure she saw my fear. Fine, I will try. After a while of practice and many trying - I still don't do it well as I should, but it feels like that I will be able after a long practice. Anyway, I do this class for challenging myself no less than learning new things. Oh, it's the same thing, isn't? Not much after - more circles on place. Those circles feels more basic to me, but it's a challenge cause it means 4 in a row and hurry up with it. Mijal looked at me when she said that if it's too hard for someone it's possible to do two slow instead. I rather take the challenge and try the faster thing. Few times it felt well, after that I started to lose my balance it became hard to stay at the same place. I won't brake up because of it. I want to know that I can do it. At the end it was the men who dance pro that cried because of it. 

Now we have a lot at one class. I remember some of things but it's fuzzy in my head. At least we will return to it next week. We had ten minutes more. Mijal asked us to dance the liviana. The girl from the men's class asked me what did Mijal asked for. I said "the liviana". She stepped aside, so did the men and the girl who usually do the very advanced. I was sorry that now no one takes a video. Not all was perfect, but I didn't do many mistakes this time. Never mind, we didn't have time to dance it to the end. The men said it looked great. He asked Mijal why does it looks so good at the studio but so bad on stage.

About tonight... One show near the sea at Tel Aviv. At another part of the city - the festival starts at Suzanne Dellal. I thought I may go to the show on beach but wasn't sure. About the festival - I start celebrating it tomorrow and will finish on Saturday. I still have a bit my flamenco side through my friend from Jerusalem. She comes this evening to the main show of the festival. She said that she and her husband do their best to come early, so we're about to meet each other before show. I'll be back home after they will get in to the hall. Till tomorrow.... 

To finish the liviana

It happen to me too many times that I come at last moment to classes. Happened me once. This time after I didn't sleep much at the night before, made a try to sleep a siesta which didn't work out well, I had no idea how will I dance now... Between classes Moran asked me how am I doing. It took me a little while till I could give her an answer. Too fuzzy. I got down to the studio with my camera. A brake between classes. The guitar player made his lists about parts of music. Ayelet didn't come this time. Weird...

Our class has stared. Mijal said that this time we'll finish the liviana, we just work on the final steps and dance all of it to the very end. She looked at me and said "and then you'll take a video". I smiled.

We started with the drill of legs' technique. And working on the three parts. I usually take the part which I love the most, but 4 girls on it, 3 on another part, I was at the side of the third part which is the hardest and the only one on it was the friend of the happy one. I was sorry for her for she will do it alone, and anyway - it won't hurt if I will practice it. It's pretty as well. All girls of the part I love the most made it well. At the second part which is the "opening part" in the liviana... The little girls made it pretty well (there are two of them now) and the nice one couldn't handle it. She said it herself when it was over. Third part. We both didn't make it well, but Mijal pointed more on the friend of the happy one. A long practice with Mijal. Didn't take long till she asked all to join us. 

We got our last moves and steps to the liviana. It took Mijal a bit time to remember what did she wanted to teach us for that. Something that Moran did remind her.  I took this time to remember to prepare my camera (taking it for the video thing, deleting old videos which are not needed any longer...). We learned something which is simple for our level but looks great from the side. 

We danced all from the start. By parts - this time the little girls made their part alone, the nice one joined us. We worked a bit on some parts. Girls from the next class started to come. OK. Last time from start to end. Whoever wants to take a video - this is the time. I took my camera and moved to the best location at the studio for that. Mijal asked me if I'm sure that I want to do this video and not dancing. I said that I want to remember. Mijal offered that someone from the class after us will take this video and I'll dance. Before I could respond - one of our class asked loud for the girls on the balcony if anyone care to take a video, The girl from men's class who takes the escuela bolera takes the next class as well. She came and took my camera for that. I told her how to use it. She started, but Mijal had something to tell. And we started to dance. I was far from my best. Too tired, end of class, my head was if this girl really take the video and not only show like she does... I made some mistakes. Yeah, she made the video and at the parts which no one hides me my mistakes are recorded. When someone was between me and the camera were the parts which I felt I'm doing well for a change. This time I went to do the part which I love the most, but I didn't practice it now, so it didn't work out as good as I can. At the ending part which I made earlier didn't work out well again and Mijal did it with the girls. And she stopped to say something. The girl who took the video stopped the video and gave me back my camera. She went away. The end of dance... I missed few seconds but I made the video myself. I was sorry that I couldn't dance it, but I wanted the video for I could remember it.

End of class. The guitar player went away. We started a conversation about next week. We will be able to have the liviana for a practice one more week or two while starting something new. At the start it meant to be a farruca as next dance, the same farruca that the men danced till recently. Now Mijal said that some fellows wants to join our class and but they had this farruca already, so we'll have another palo for now and the farruca will wait till we finish our next dance. She's been asked which palo does she offer. She said that although it will be jondo one by one she thought of doing a solea. Another offer. Can't remember which, but it's a palo which I didn't learn yet anyway, so it's another thing which I can't say "no" to. Mijal said it will be a problem cause she can't sing and our guitar player don't sing it well. Without the sinning it won't be the same. An alegria has been offered as well. Mijal said we won't do an alegria cause I don't like it. All girls looked at me amazed. Moran asked me if it's true. I nodded my head for yes. The nice one made a try that maybe an alegria after all. She said again that no because I don't like it, and by the way they already had an alegria before. It will be better to have something which will be new to all of us. There was an offer to bring Ofir to play and sing for us. He can do both well and he can do this palo too.   Mijal said that maybe we'll do it once in two weeks. She doesn't want to insult our guitar player although she wants to to through a rock on his head. Also a thought about at the weeks that Ofir won't come and our ordinary guitar player will be a buleria. Or did I just made it up and a solea will be that weeks?

I thanked that girl from men's class on the video that she took. Still it was most of dance and she stopped in a brake. She didn't have to do it from the first place anyway. On the way out - Mijal was talking with the girls from the class that I take and learn from her more time than I do. Someone hurted her. I guess that she didn't want me to hear that. I stopped. It didn't take much till she finished her story and ran back to the studio. For me.. Mostly wanted to sleep 

Working out the liviana

I came fine with time but tired like hell after a crazy day and not enough sleeping hours. I saw Ayelet outside with two of the girls. I asked her why doesn't she dance. She said that Mijal didn't came, the class of very advanced has been cancel and she will teach at our class this this time instead. I asked her if we're about to finish the liviana. She said that we will do it with Mijal next week or in another two weeks, now we're about to work of fixing it. I told her the reason for the question (a video). Inside the studio... The girl from men's class was there, made up the music system, put on some classic music and made a practice with it. At the start it was possible she practice something with castanets although she didn't have any. Later on she did something which it was hard for me to figure out what does it mean, but after a while I understood that she do like she have a manton at her hands even though she was holding air. The nice one joined her a moment after I got it. The guitar player organized his guitar and other stuff.

We thought the class has started but Ayelet made this warming mostly for herself. When the guitar player was ready we made the ordinary hands' warming of this class. After  that - the legs' drill of technique. Twice. And we got back on the other parts, all of us made all over and over and getting into little details. I was happy to go back to it. The girl from men's class already looked confused. 

After a long warming - we received a water  brake and we've been asked to dance all the liviana from start to end. We started dance. After all this time it still was a bit mixed at my head and even the llamada which was easy to me and difficult to all others didn't come perfect. Ayelet stopped us and worked hard with us on this llamada cause all of us didn't do it well. And so on. Going on, stop for fixing, working on little details and go on. The girls from the class after us has came and looked like they's surprised. 

Our class has finished before we worked out on all the liviana but we worked on most. Although I didn't get my video yet, but I did agree with the other girls who said it loud that this class was needed and good

Yesterday's classes

My apology again. I went last night for two classes and because all I had this morning - I made a try to go to sleep early. Today was crazy without much sleep again. Only this evening I could write about it and took me some time to have the patience for it. The craziness of today has nothing to do with flamenco but it affected my ability to write... I hope it won't be too weird (my eyes are still burning and my soul isn't relax yet). 


Last night I came very at the last moment. It took me some time between classes to talk with Mijal. Someone else took her for a long talk. Till I finally had a moment I asked her if this time we finish the liviana. She said we would. I asked her if in the end of class I would be able to take a video. She said that I can. I remind her that we talked before that this time I will stay also to the next class because of last week (I missed one class). Class has started one moment after that. 

We started with the drill of technique. Damn, I didn't do it for too long and so many things happened since last time... It took me too long to remind what goes on with it. And I love it more than I knew. I just found out how much did I miss it. It didn't work out for any of us, so we did it again. Cool. I rather do it again. Second time was easier and relaxed me. 

Mijal said that we'll start now to work on finishing the liviana. Some new steps which do the job. She said that in the end we would be able to take videos, whoever want to. After that - we'll talk about next palo to learn since next week. We learned some new steps. Not too hard, but many of them. And few brakes of working on it with the guitar player. When we worked on the new steps with the guitar player Mijal brought a broom and started to clean the floor of the studio next to the mirror. She was amazed from the amount of dust there. One of the girls said it's probably because of 3 days of storm that were. Go on with a practice. The nice one brought a dustpan to throw away the dust which was collecting. 

We worked on some connections. Dancing once all the liviana since the start to end with the new steps. I saw what's the time and I was wondering if I should dance it for the last time or take the video. I danced. Few things weren't clear to me. The time blurred my memory and made the liviana a bit hard for me. I made some stupid mistakes which didn't fit me. Well, again - I worry too much. I was too busy in thinking how hard it's for me and didn't notice that others had their own problems as well. Some asked to go on with it. Fine. Mijal said that we don't have a deadline, so next week we will go on with the liviana and only then we'll finish with it. After that each one of us who would like to have a video will take it. She looked at me while saying it. Probably I was the only one who asked for it...

Between this class and next - Mijal got back cleaning. Ayelet started to teach. Some hands' warming and stretching. Legs' warming and some steps. She moved between us. About me she said twice she said it well. What a surprise... This class isn't at my level and not a real challenge for me. One of the steps became a child's game for me a long time ago (even I know the soniquete and remember it better than I thought), the other steps is a practice with going back to things I didn't do for a while. The nice one and the friend of the happy one joined. Now I know they always stay for this class. 

I wanted to do this class as taking a class instead of one class I missed. I freaked out. What a luck it's only for once. Not only it isn't a challenge (boring....) - the girls in this class! One of them is a bimbo who was wearing pants seemed like she trying to stand between me and Ayelet, so I needed see mostly through the mirror what Ayelet do. Later on we made a practice on steps which can be markajes Ayelet asked us to hold our skirts (my case it's a dress, but...). the bimbo at pants asked what to do if we don't have skirts. You still have your hands, stupid! I was amazed how much patience Ayelet had for those kind of questions all along this class. 

OK. dancing. They have solea por bileria. I made a try to dance with them. Not all worked out for me cause I didn't see this dance before. At least after that we made a long practice on small parts of it. Still few problems. Ayelet didn't know all this dance well enough and the girls at my level told he about little things that goes a bit different. Mijal was there at her office and went out twice to see what's the problem. The girls were right. Ayelet Said she's sorry. We went on. Second time dancing. This time it was easier but still not all got connected to me, I still didn't know well the order of steps.

Class was over. Heavy rain outside. A bus got into a puddle too close to me and too fast...... Great!

Last class before Mijal takes Japan

A day late for stories and now it looks to me shorter than it looked at night...

I came walking this time, nervous and tired from too many reasons. Enough on time. I already prepared a payment for February. I wanted one less thing on my head. 

The class started hard. the only warming was a the technique drill of legs. Twice. And work. Many new steps for the liviana. A lot of practice. The happy one hardly stopped to ask questions which seemed like she's looking for attention. Once she had a mistake. When Mijal fixed her - the happy one said that it happened because she looked at her friend. Mijal asked her what will happen if her friend will jump from the roof. After a long while Ayelet asked Mijal a question. Some of the steps reminded her a taranto they had and she wanted to know the difference. The happy one asked what is taranto. Seemed like Mijal gave up. She answered her "when you will grow up you'll know". I know what it is all the situation made me laugh. 

Some more new steps, more work and more practice. Dance all the liviana. We had time for only once. This time none of us made it with zero mistakes. Mijal said it's after a long time... It's true. Fine, we'll work on it when she will come back from Japan. If will be any problem - we can still contact with her from e-mails and Facebook. 

Before anyone really went away I came to her and wished her luck. She hugged me in the front of all. I wasn't sure if it was a complement or unneeded drama, but I didn't really care. I asked her to send "hello" to Miguel (she will join his tour as a part of his company). On the way out - Nijal was there at the door with some of the girls. She hugged someone else. Before I really went away and she got in again for the next class - she hugged me again.

Back home walking...