la_belle_laide: (Default)
[personal profile] la_belle_laide



myspace hit counter


Last night was The Big Show, the one I like to have every year where we get to do all the dances; the entire set, audience participation, and a huge sound system. My friend and old training sister Merrie Laugh got the job for us. Even better, she asked if the Gold Dragon could come down and demo some Kung Fu between our Hula sets, which he did.

Originally they wanted us to light the fire pit, and I was more than willing. I was even going to do a live chant with my ipu, just make something up in Hawaiian, something about lighting the fire in the pit, asking Pele to be present or something like that. After all, Pele is ka wahina o ka lua o ke ahi: the woman of the fire pit. I thought it would be appropriate. But in the end, they decided to light it later at night after we had already finished dancing.

So I got there with my flowers in my hair and my red lava-lava and I saw Merrie Laugh, and at first she didn't seem to recognize me. Then she found the perfect place for Kamila and I to set up our gear and stuff: in the apparatus room in the fire house. We were able to hang all of our huge costumes up among the fireman coats and stuff; our implements were on the back of a fire truck. Bear in mind that fire trucks are my first phobia. They scare me just a little bit more than zombies.) But it was an awesome set up because there was a door from there that went right to where we were dancing on the grass. (Oddly, neither Gold Dragon nor Kamila seemed to recognize me right away last night either. In both of them, as in Merrie Laugh, I saw that fleeting moment of "Who is that girl and why is she walking towards me?" Weird.)

The sound system ROCKED. I brought my iPod and was able to hook it up to their speakers which were massive. They had a mic set up so I could introduce each song and read the translation.

The Hula itself went off without a hitch. Well, with one minor hitch as I called out the wrong kahea during Waikiki Hula, but that was about it.

We did a fantastic show. Too bad that most people there didn't really want to see it. I get that; seriously I do. When people go to a hula show, they want to see Hula. That's why they're there. When they go to a party, they want to party, and if a show is going on, sometimes that's neat, but most of the time they'd just rather go about their business. This is why it's so hard to do parties, especially where drunk people are involved.

Interspersed among our set, the Gold Dragon came on and did three forms. At the end, he did broad sword, but he didn't have his sword; luckily I had mine in my car and he used that one.

The whole show was over by around 6:45.

Afterwards, I gave out the leis that I had made for people. I only had nine of them so I gave one to the Gold Dragon, one to Merrie Laugh, a few to the kids (who enjoyed it more than the adults,) and some to the older people in the audience who seemed really into it. But most of the folks there seemed uninterested. They didn't even really watch the sword form and even though they'd been asked to hang onto their kids, because it is, you know, a real sword? There were still kids and even adults wandering around close to him, as if he wasn't even there. As Gold Dragon put it as he was helping me put my stuff in the car, "God...tough crowd."

Kamila had to leave directly after dancing, but they invited Gold Dragon and I to stay and eat. The food was yummy so we both took them up on it. We took seats by the now-lit firepit and ate and talked probably until around 9. The music was terrible (mostly country and some crappy old 80's metal, liek the worst they could find,) and we were right under the speakers, but that's where we ended up so that's where we stayed. It was goddamn cold last night--as it has been this entire summer--and the fire was really nice.

A few people came up to us and said, "you guys did a wonderful job," and one lady apologized for some of the other people there. I told her, "Look, it's a party; people are here to party, not to watch a show that they don't really get. This happens a lot so we're kind of used to it. And at any rate, it's so much better than a handful of shows where people are too into it and get inappropriate."

Another woman came up to me and said, "I know it looked like no one was paying attention, but a few of us were and I have to tell you: Girl, you can move." Then, like I said, there were some older people there who seemed really involved in it. And there was this one little chick around 13 or so who followed us around chatting to us. She asked me to tie her lava-lava on her the way I was wearing mine (as a dress instead of a pareu) and I did, and after that we were like besties. It was really cute.

If even a few people get it, then it's worth it.

But even more than that, last night I got it. I was right down in it with Real Hula; not backyard party Hula, but really doing my thing like I know how to do it. Performance-wise, I think it was one of my best. I did it for Pele and Laka, and I was really happy with it. I think maybe it even shows in the photos. It's weird to me how I look like a totally different person when I'm dancing; like even my face looks different to me. I don't look at those pictures and cringe.

Gold Dragon made a comment too. We were talking about confidence for some reason and he said to me, "The girl you are tonight, when you're out there dancing? That's how you should always feel about yourself."

Anyway, so those pictures!

These are the leis that I made.
Photobucket


The Gold Dragon does his thing.
Photobucket

Photobucket



The Gold Dragon does my thing.
Photobucket

LOL, okay!

Na Wahine O Ka Mokupuni Lo'ihi do their thing.
Hula

Hula

Hula

Hula

Tahitian

Tahitian



This is my favorite picture!
Hula

That's one of my favorite sections to that Hula, which is my absolute favorite Hula. It's called O Keahi A Lonomakua and tells the story of Kamapua'a's reaction to the destruction that Pele caused after he insulted her. It's a very feminist chant (Pele is a massively feminist icon,) and I get so much out of performing it. I even chanted it last night too. Anyway, this is the part that says, "Kei ki'i mai nei Hawai'i," or, "Hawai'i is summoning me."

These are all after the show.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket


When I came home, I still wanted to feel like I was Pele. I wasn't ready to give that person up yet. :)
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket


It is traditional, after Hula, to dispose of live flowers at the beach, or by burying them.
Photobucket

So I took Sano on a walk to the beach today and threw my haku lei, a maile, and my flowers into the bay.

And that was that!

More, locked!

Date: 2009-07-12 07:18 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
shit you have beautiful skin and what color are your eyes??

Date: 2009-07-12 07:35 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shonagonchan.livejournal.com
Thank you; they're like hazel-ish or some crap. :)

My legs look like two flourescent light bulbs, but thank you! ^_^

Date: 2009-07-12 07:54 pm (UTC)
ext_112014: (Default)
From: [identity profile] skitty-kitty.livejournal.com
My legs look like two flourescent light bulbs

Omg I lol'd so hard at this. I'm pretty sure mine are 1000 watt and that I should chose carefully when and where I expose them so nobody suffers from snow blindness.

You and Mr Dragon are cute together, and I'm glad you got a lot out of the dance and reached some people. Sorry the drunken idiots had to be there.

Date: 2009-07-12 08:00 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shonagonchan.livejournal.com
Haha, and when you're tall like we are, there's more leg to blind people!

Man, drunk fools are just about everywhere. I'm trying to get into a mindset where I do what I do regardless of whether anyone else gets it or not. That goes for all aspects of life. That's harder than it sounds though, at least for me. ^_^

Oh, the Dragon; we're just friends is all. I squeeze all of my friends. ;D He is seriously a cutie though and everyone who knows him says so.

Date: 2009-07-12 08:21 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] phdeath.wordpress.com (from livejournal.com)
Damn - you can see the power (of the hula and the kung fu) just by looking at these pictures. I'd get goosebumps for sure if I were there in person.

And light bulb legs? Right here! The vast majority of the time I spend out in the sun is while I'm training horses. Thus: tank top = the brownest my arms can get; breeches = ivory legs. It's sparked comments at the boxing gym.

And might I add it's freaking awesome that you're a woman who happens to have a spare broad sword in her car in case someone needs a loaner.

Date: 2009-07-12 08:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shonagonchan.livejournal.com
Man, thanks so much for that comment re: the Hula and the Kung Fu. Hula used to be a martial art before it became interpretive, so when someone can see how powerful it is, that means a lot. And many of the kahiko ones are about fighting. The Pele one is about a physical battle.

Yep, same thing with Kung Fu; we train outside in tank tops and long black pants. Brown arms, blinding legs!

Heh, I take the broadsword with me everywhere; the staff too. The staff takes up a lot of room and annoys whoever has to go in the car with me.

Date: 2009-07-15 01:39 am (UTC)
ext_112014: (Default)
From: [identity profile] skitty-kitty.livejournal.com
*Random drive-by horse rider high five!*

Breeches are the reason my legs haven't seen the sun for years.

Date: 2009-07-12 08:31 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Hi K!

That looked so cool. One of the kids there looked like my daughter! How did she get there?
You are beautiful, I know you don't think you are, but you have elegance, poise and grace. I loved the blue/green dress you wore. And your eyes are like mine, hazel/green. Also Gold Dragon is pretty tall isn't he?

Thanks for sharing, glad you had a fab day.

FASC
xo

Date: 2009-07-12 08:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shonagonchan.livejournal.com
FASC, thank you so much, you sweetie. I happen to think that you are peaches-and-cream gorgeous yourself.

Funny, one of the girls there looked almost exactly like the other dancer's daughter; for a second I thought she'd brought her there. It was a night of clone kids! Spooky.

I'm 5'9" so yeah, he's pretty tall; I think he's 6'1" or maybe 6'2". O_O

Date: 2009-07-12 11:14 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
You are so pretty and I miss you! Awesome pics and I glad you had such a good time!

By the way, I think The Gold Dragon is cute and and that was such a sweet thing he said. Can I have a Gold Dragon, too? ^_^

~Smoke~

Date: 2009-07-13 05:17 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shonagonchan.livejournal.com
Thank you ever so, Princess. And having met you, I can tell you that you are just fully gorgeous in person. I miss you, too!

Everyone should have a friend like the Dragon, amirite? :)

From Cloud

Date: 2009-07-12 11:58 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
I love the photo of you looking to the right. You have an awesome profile. Do you ever check your g2g mail?

Re: From Cloud

Date: 2009-07-13 05:16 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shonagonchan.livejournal.com
"I WHIP MY HEAD TO THE RIGHT!" Sorry, reference joke. Seriously, thanks. :D

Cloud? As in? ;)

I forgot all about that mail. I'll go check, eh? ^_^
Edited Date: 2009-07-13 05:41 am (UTC)

Gold Dragon is right!

Date: 2009-07-13 12:53 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
To me, you are that dancing girl all the time! You're beautiful and I love you to pieces.

Love,
Solly

Re: Gold Dragon is right!

Date: 2009-07-13 05:18 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shonagonchan.livejournal.com
Solly, thank you so much. You always see the best in everyone. That's because the best lives in you.

Date: 2009-07-13 08:39 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
It sounded like a tough crowd but those children took some good memories home. That really counts. As for Gold Dragon - gifted with sword AND words. Wow! =)
BTW, you should print a copy of the third photo from the bottom for your family. It's lovely.
And a sword in your boot?! *very impressed - only has sand and indescribeable debris*
- PP
xoxo

Date: 2009-07-13 04:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shonagonchan.livejournal.com
PP, thank you!

You know it's funny, when you said "a sword in your boot" my first thought, for about ten minutes, was, "But it wasn't in my boot, it was in my car. Besides, I was wearing slippers (thongs, flip-flops...)"

It took me that long to remember that in England you guys don't have a "trunk," you have a "boot!" LOL!

I keep my sword in the back seat. In my trunk, or boot, is a blanket, dirt, and currently an extra sound system in a suitcase, on the off chance of a surprise Hula show. O_o

I ♥ you PP!

Date: 2009-07-13 01:31 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Hiya, MissT here. Wow, these pics are amazing. It looks like you had a great day. The outfits are amazing and get you being such a poser hee hee! I think you look great in the 4th pic from the bottom. Gorgeous hair, I am totally jealous.

Date: 2009-07-13 04:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shonagonchan.livejournal.com
Hiya Misty girl! Thank you ever so. You are a darling in every way.

The Hula and Tahitian costumes are so much fun. They really change one's entire outlook. :D

Date: 2009-07-13 05:18 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
The definition of angel eyes.

Date: 2009-07-14 01:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shonagonchan.livejournal.com
You're teasing me. :)

My journal is so weird sometimes. ^)^

Date: 2009-07-13 10:46 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Ua Keu a ka u’i ‘oe

Date: 2009-07-14 01:39 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shonagonchan.livejournal.com
Mahalo nui e ku'u malihini kolohe. No laila, o wai 'oe, hoaloha?

Date: 2009-07-14 11:47 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
O wai kino mua? Hou hoa pili? Au Mana'olana.
Me ke aloha,
AO

Date: 2009-07-15 12:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shonagonchan.livejournal.com
- - -
'Ae, aloha kaua, pela paha... aka... hou hoa? 'Oia? Hui'ana, o kaua?
_
Aiwawa 'oe.
Edited Date: 2009-07-15 12:15 am (UTC)

Date: 2009-07-15 12:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shonagonchan.livejournal.com
Okay, I can't make the kahako stay where I want it. Mihi!

Maika'i kou 'olelo o Hawai'i.

Ao? 'A'UME'UME? LOL. :)
Edited Date: 2009-07-15 12:30 am (UTC)

Date: 2009-07-15 02:28 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Ae. A me kau pili hu'oi poi po ko'u hope loa moemea .... henoheno lkaika akua whine.
Moe me malu. Adieu.

Date: 2009-07-15 03:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shonagonchan.livejournal.com
_
A'ole "adieu," aka "a hui hou," 'ae? Ko'u huoi? *henehene* Ho'ohuoi, ua lolo au! "Poi po," maopopo ia'u 'ole.

"Ikaika," pela paha. Henoheno... 'ano. Akua wahine? A'ole. :)

Moe hoihoi! E ho'i mai koke, awehewehe mana'o?

A word of warning: A friend of mine was trying to teach me Hawaiian many years ago. In the process of trying to tell him that he was "very patient," I used the wrong "patient" (ma'i, which I'm sure you know what else that means,) and the wrong "very," (nui, which I'm sure you also know.) It didn't go too well, so if I'm screwing this up, you may laugh. ^_^

But you're fluent, aren't you? You're not even looking this up?

Date: 2009-07-16 12:34 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Au ho'ohawai'i me puke wehewehe olelo ho'olilo hola kakau ma'alahi leka mani Au makemake lawe mai 'Oe le'ale'a. 'Oe a me Au ola mamao kau'oko'a. Au ho'omana 'Oe mai Manhattan. Au ua 'ike au, Au heluhelu, Au hokeo, Au ho'oipo.
Haimoe loa,
AO - g2g :)

Date: 2009-07-16 07:14 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shonagonchan.livejournal.com
Aloha; I'm sorry I can't answer in Hawaiian, that takes me some time and I just got back from class and am getting ready to go teach a different class (hula, actually.) :) But I wanted to thank you as always for your very kind words. Yes, it is quite a distance, isn't it?

Also I got your message, but the blasted site won't let me write back without paying. Which I think is new because I always was able to write emails before?

I'm interested in which book you use because you're definitely speaking Hawaiian worlds better than I ever could! I just have the dictionary and lessons from about seven years ago to go on. I need to brush up. :)

But thank you again!

Date: 2009-07-16 11:10 pm (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Hi Kapunau; it took me hours and hours to write those few little lines. I wasn't getting your attention any other way (not even with FFVII on my psp!) so I thought, 'Maybe if I write to her in Hawaiian. How hard can it be?' not realizing at the time how many ways one can arrange 12 letters! I meant every word.

Yes, they let you search but if you want to communicate they charge, and I paid for one reason - kakau 'Oe.

Hele mai ke nui kulanakauhale! Au ana hanai 'ai hale 'aina. :)
pili mele ho'pipoipo maluna ko'u lehe
AO

p.s. Enjoy giving the hula lesson and thanks for writing back -
'OE AU LUA 'OLE WAHINE! And always will be, I'm sure.

Date: 2009-07-17 02:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shonagonchan.livejournal.com
Well you do a very fine job of writing Hawaiian; much better than I do!

I thank you so much but you've got a very idealized vision of me. I'm wrought with flaws; and not cute or endearing ones either. ;)

I do think it's cool you've got the original game there. What drew you to it?

Also, how did you manage to find my LJ? It's pretty obscure. ^_^

Date: 2009-07-17 11:37 am (UTC)
From: (Anonymous)
Thank you, but I'm sure a native speaker would snicker at my efforts or maybe just smile politely and nod. We're all flawed, even the best of us. At one time or other everyone gets cranky or bored or snaps at somebody who's just trying to help them out. I know. When the game first came out it was such a huge, gigantic success I couldn't help but be curious. Why did I spend so much time putting it on a psp? My geekdom quotient was getting low, so I thought I needed to boost it. :) How did I find this LJ? Well let's see if I can remember. When you seemed to be not active on g2g I thought, 'Maybe she's on some other site similar to this site, but how to find out? I know. I'll google "KFHG"' - spelled out of course.' That brought me to ... Myspace or Facebook? One of those, and this blog was linked from it.

What's up with your class? Did they pay but they don't show up? That's weird. And as for the six year old, the whole experience must have been like a scene in some surreal independent movie. Was everything grainy and in black and white by any chance? :) May you have a better day today!

Profile

la_belle_laide: (Default)
la_belle_laide

January 2023

S M T W T F S
123456 7
89 10 11 12 1314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031    

Most Popular Tags

Page Summary

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jul. 20th, 2025 12:45 am
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios