Punk RAQs

Sun, June 25, 2006 - 6:34 AM

I've been keeping my eye open to try new things. I know this will come as a shock to everyone, but I've been a computer nerd most of my life. In years past, my existence consisted of work, some work and more work, plus hobbies which didn't require lots of human interaction. These included stamp collecting, painting fantasy miniatures and so forth.

When I got married in 1994, this didn't change, and then when Claudia became ill, work and taking care of her become my life. Thus, I focused on work and hobbies which, again, I could do at home so I could watch over her.

Well, as Claudia became gravely ill and then passed away, I realized how briefly we are all here.

I changed my life and began getting out more, trying new things and experiencing life. I didn't have any desire to get too wild, I just wanted to explore the world in person instead of through books and the internet. This behavior was reinforced when I overheard a conversation between two best friends, both in their eighties. They were talking about all of the places they could have gone, what they might have seen and what they wish they had experienced. I don't want to be eighty, looking back at an empty and unfulfilling life!

When I read on Oojam RAQs that there was a "punk/gothic belly dancing" show in Redlands, I was determined to check it out. Since I enjoyed renaissance faire so much these past two years, I've been branching out into related areas, such as reenactments, belly dancing and so on.

I do go through an interesting phenomenon, however, as I explore the world and experience these types of things. I try to talk myself out of it. In the past, i used to find hundreds of reasons not to go, but in these last few years I've been ignoring all of those reasons and thus have been actually doing lots of things.

I spent all day long thinking of why I shouldn't go. I came up with some pretty good excuses too! Nonetheless, as is my habit of late, I ignored all that and went anyway.

And I had a blast. This was a fun little show.

It was an hour and a half drive to Redlands, and it took me another fifteen minutes to find the place, then another few minutes to find a place to park. But it was worth the trouble.

I'd say there were over a hundred people in attendance, but less than two hundred. There were the vendors scattered around the hall against the walls, and the stage was on one side.

The belly dancing was interesting. Different, definitely a gothic/punk slant, but not really all that different after all. I think I'd characterize this as belly dancing with a stress on black and red costumes and to punk or hard rock music.

What was very different was the audience. They were definitely more in the punk and gothic scene than your average audience, including a lady with gorgeous pink hair.

I was delighted with the performances of the Oojam ladies, including Tamara, Najila and Marjahani. It was great seeing all three of these awesome performers in shows and acts with no relation to the renaissance faire.

Naturally, I took lots of pictures (with my new camera) and even half a dozen videos of the Oojam performances.

www.renaissancefaire.net/punk-raq.htm

Now to find some more things to do which expand my horizons even further.

Richard Lowe

---

Comments

---

Vernon "Rhythm Genie" Lewis (Sun, June 25, 2006 - 11:33 AM)

Thanks for sharing this...

Hi Richard, There's definitely more in store...keep checkin' on Oojam and Village Mandala for updates! -V

Elizabeth Mahina (Sun, June 25, 2006 - 12:39 PM)

I was there too Richard!!! But I couldn't dance I was knitting in the audience the whole time. Were you right in front of me taking pictures?

It's great that you are getting out and doing things and taking such nice pictures! wow!

Marjhani was so amazing I love to watch her dance and that hat was so cute!

Richard Lowe Jr (Sun, June 25, 2006 - 1:56 PM)

Hi Elizabeth. I was right in front of you in the first row. I remember looking right at you and had this thought, "I know this lady". But I couldn't put a name to the face. So now I can!

And Tamara, it was a great show. I loved your dance! Quite different from the Renaissance Faire style, eh? I'll be at the Laguna faire at least once, more depending upon how large it is.

Elizabeth Mahina (Sun, June 25, 2006 - 7:27 PM)

LOL!! I wish you had said something! I am still recovering from surgery and not thinking as clearly as usual...

Richard Lowe Jr (Sun, June 25, 2006 - 7:48 PM)

Ah, well, this is all so new to me, I was feeling a little bit shy, I guess. I looked right at you and saw you knitting something, blue I think, and you looked at me. Sigh.

Well, I will see you soon, I am sure. I'll be going to the Tribal Cafe on August 20th. I'm still looking over my calender, and I might go to the history of belly dancing show in Victorville on the 9th, but that's going to take some doing.

Elizabeth Mahina (Mon, June 26, 2006 - 9:38 AM)

that's even funnier! We actually looked at each other! I have to say it never even registered in my mind at all, except that I noticed two men in front of me taking a lot of pictures!

---