Sami and Robin...dot com

Samia and Sabah!!!

My first youtube video post is a song performed by legends Sabah and Samia Gamal. In the film, they play rivals, that's probably obvious in the clip! It's a quirky song, but I love Sabah's voice!!! Enjoy.

baby, i'm a star!

look! i'm famous! (at least on tribe)...
but just when am going to get the fortune?
DAMESHE

naima raqs my world...

Bloggin' Aint Easy...

You know when I first created this blog page, I really really thought I would have the time and energy to keep it up. Well I do, but not nearly as often as I initially thought. After reading my friend Leela's blog, I got inspired and decided to give it a go again. I thoroughly enjoy writing, so if I'm able to keep up with it, this blog should be a great outlet for my commentarial whims, whining and moaning.

~~~
So what's new?

Back in May I got a freelance job at Random House. Basically it's doing the same type of boring crap that I was doing at Atkins (web content stuff), but the circumstances (at least at first) were so much better. Just to run down a list of the perks:

1. No mice in the office.
On top of everything else, Atkins offices were infested with mice. Andrea found one dead one morning under her desk; One of the publicity guys had one scurry ACROSS his desk; I saw one zip by my desk at least once or twice. What's worse is that this was the SECOND time I encountered this problem at my workplace. We also had a mouse problem at bigchalk--my job before Atkins. The great thing about Random House is that the offices are new and oh-so-squeaky clean. They may develop a mouse problem here, but it might take awhile.

2. Nice boss.
My boss is great. I will never undervalue how wonderful it is to finally have a good boss. One that doesn't micro-manage you or work you to death. One who is actually intelligent and can answer a question when you ask it. One who can actually handle one or two things for you when you are out so that you won't come back to a heaping pile of work on your desk. One who isn't condescending, a smark ass, a control freak, or a maniac who screams, slams doors or throws furniture. (I've worked for all of those types at one point or another, this isn't a joke.) Ahhh, this is the life. My boss is really nice, smart, simplistic, normal human being with a soul and I appreciate that. It's a shame that more bosses aren't like her. It's also a shame that this is just a temp job for now.

3. The cafeteria rocks...
The best part is that we have one. and Mmmmmmm, the food is pretty damn good!

4. Location, location, location
I'm literally a 8 minute train ride away from home...

and last but not least:

5. Mula
Getting paid decently for once, you can't beat that. I love it!

But alas, as I said, it's not totally perfect. I was very satisfied with the situation here UNTIL they put me in the closet. That's right, they ran out of office space and I am literally working from one of the storage rooms that houses all the books. The first few days I was really REALLY annoyed, but in a wierd way I'm getting used to it. But I guess you can't have it all.

Other than that things are great. Sami and I just came back from Lark Camp where we taught for the second year in a row. I was very nervous this time around. Not being a camper I was taken back a bit by the experience last year, mostly by the fact that it was sooooo COLLLLD. We were just not prepared for the weather. Plus, being the new NYC bellydance teacher wasn't easy. Cali is a different scene and I'm a straight up East-Coast, New York, yo, yo, yo, girl to the bone. It took a few days to start to feel accepted. I wasn't sure what this year would bring, but it went MUCH better.

For starters, my class was in the morning this time and Sami and Mark (Bell) played for me. That was awesome and was a great way to wake up. That also freed up my day to spend the afternoon as I pleased.

The ladies who took my class were fun and incredibly eager to learn and that made a huge difference. Sami and I tried a preliminary version of the class we are going to teach here in NY in the Fall, and it went over really well. Our current mission is to educate everyone about the old Egyptian films--their music and the stars, so that's basically what our class covered. Each morning we'd introduce a new piece, talk about the film, the composer and/or dancer. Sami would play the maqam and have them sing the notes and phrases, and we'd talk about lazma's, musical structure and things you should highlight as a dancer to show that you really know the music. I worked on a short choreography with them and for the second half we'd clean things up with a run-down on technique.

They really absorbed what we offered and by the end of the week I was drained but rather proud. I also had one of the best performance of my life!!!! I still have some polishing up to do with my teaching, but I am happy that the students were so into it.

Now that we are back we are trying to piece together our next steps for the band (Zikrayat) and our schedule for the fall. We have a million things going on, and they all seem to overlap. The biggest thing is that we are putting together a CD. I think it's going to be awesome, but there is a ton of work ahead of us to pull it together. Sami and I totally inspire each other which only makes us stronger in our endeavors and I feel really lucky. I wouldn't ever get ANYthing done with out his help and encouragement (usually in the form of "no 'fraids Gators, you can do it.") ;D

~~~~

sheeshhh, There is much more to tell and talk about, but I'm blogged out. My fingers hurt.

Later,
Gators

Zikrayat - Live at the MET!!! and hanging with Falu...

Last week, Naraya called us and said she had a contact at the MET that wanted us to put together a package (including a demo) to submit for an event involving the re-opening of the Egyptian exhibit. This of course was Monday, and she needed it by the end of the week, giving us only 3 or 4 days to prepare. It's a good thing Sami and I are obsessive compulsive perfectionists!

The first thing we had to do was organize what was going to go in the package. Sami created a neat write-up about the band and selected the repertory for the demo CD. I immediately ordered prints of the pictures that Lina took, and on Thursday I picked them up and then went out to my favorite store Paper Presentation (where I got our wedding papers) to get supplies.

Most of the pics were sepia tone, so I bought several fancy pearlized envelopes  for both the photos and the write-up, and a chocolate colored envelope for the demo CD. The colors worked perfectly with the images. I even got these really cool metal photo corners for the cover photo.

Sami got all of the guys together on Thursday night and in about 5 hours they recorded four songs and he spent the rest of the night tweaking and making minor edits and adding effects to the songs. (If you'd like to hear them, they are now up on the zikrayatmusic.com website.) That next morning, Sami met Naraya and gave her the package. We waited with baited breath! She called us a day or so later and said...they LOVED it! So, now, on April 20th, Zikrayat has it's first private high-profile gig at the MET. How cool is that?!? I told Naraya that between the three of us we make a pretty cool team!

~~~

Our next show after that is May 23rd. Wesley has hooked us up with the Clinton Cove Concert Series at Hudson River Park. Naraya and I will be dancing. I will keep you posted about that!

~~~

FALU

I got to see one of my best friends yesterday, Falu. I met Falu about two years ago when Sami and I went to an Indian and Arabic fusion concert at Alwan in lower Manhattan. I was absolutely blown away by her voice. I told Sami that I wanted to take lessons from her, but I was too scared to ask. After alot of prodding by him, I sheepishly went up to her and asked her for singing lessons and she said yes, though I had to wait until she moved to NY from Boston. I think we finally started lessons about 2 months later. I still have the recording of our first lesson somewhere. I giggled the entire time I was so nervous.

I haven't had a lesson in forever. I really love Indian classical singing and I miss it, and I've missed Falu so much! Since I first began taking lessons with her, we've become close friends, and I enjoyed my lessons not only because of the music, but because we usually get to hang out afterwards (and gossip during! :D) Falu would have been my third bridemaid but she was in India at the time. If you were at our wedding, you may remember her hubby (and one of Sami's best pals), Garauv, who is also an AMAZING singer and musician sang and played harmonium for us. I think it was one of the highlights of the day!

Anywho, she and Garauv were recording an album at the same time we were doing the Lafayette shows so we hadn't seen each other in like 2 months. Sami and I took a yoga class about 3 blocks from their place so I called to say hi and she asked us to come over to meet her mom who is visiting from India for a few weeks. (Her mom is reallllly cute by the way. She has the tinest feet I've ever seen. How lucky!) She is going to sing at Falu's next show. I'm going to try to go and see them. That should be fun.

Falu gave me some pictures that we took in November when we did a Pooja for Karva Chauth. Karva Chath is a holiday where a woman fasts in reverance to her husband. At the end of the day you break the fast when the moon appears and you do a pooja and your husband feeds you. It was really sweet. She says none of her Indian friends were that interested in doing it with her so she asked me. I thought it was very nice and I intend on doing it again next year. She took several pictures that she showed me yesterday, I forgot them and left them at her house. :( I will try to get them and scan them in. They were really cute, us dressed up in our Sari's. Now if I could just get her to take us to India with her!

~~~

I'm temping this week. It's SOoooo boring. Oh well, at least it's money. I can get paid to drink free coffee, blog, and surf the net. Can't beat that! ;D

~Robin

The last show at Lafayette Grill

Thursday night was our last show at Lafayette Grill. To tell you the truth, I'm a bit relieved! We have been saying lately how this time last year, when we were finishing up the house and working on the wedding at the same time how incredibly stressed out we were. That pales in comparison to the last few weeks. Putting on a completely different show every other week, (which meant choosing new repertory, coordinating everyone's schedules to rehearse, etc) was ALOT of work. We're beat. Also, the situation at Lafayette, which I mentioned before was not exactly optimal. The owner Dino, was really great, but in general they weren't doing much to promote the show. We were doing most of the promotion too!

We have been asked to perform at the  Hudson River Park Concert Series on May 9th. In the meantime there is working on the demo, putting together the press pak, and developing the show a bit more.

...Still looking for a job. One of the agencies has sent my stuff out to a few companies for some things for the next week or so, so maybe I will get lucky. In some ways Sami would prefer that I stay home and work on the Zikrayat stuff, which I don't mind actually, but I just don't want us to totally run out of cash, so I'm torn.

The weather is getting warmer. Ahhh, I love spring. My favorite time of year. Spring offers so much promise. I love it. In another week or so the flowers in the yard will start to bloom I think, I can't wait!

~Robin

Amir

Boy am I sleepy today!
Right now I am in my Flash class on a break, and I can barely keep my eyes open. Last night Sami and I along with our friend Aaron and Sami's student Danielle went to Philly to see Amir (that's Amir ElSaffar, our good friend, and Sami's best man at our wedding) perform at a Arts foundation called the Painted Bride. We got back to New York around 1:30am but then went and had Sheesha (my favorite passtime at any hour) in Astoria with one of Danielle's friends.

Amir's show was a mix of Jazz and Iraqi Maqam that the foundation commisioned him to compose. Amir started his music career as a Jazz trumpter and later got deeply immersed in the music of Iraq which has a distinct sound, different from alot of Arabic music from other regions. It was a great show and really exciting to see Amir perform the two genre's together. He's been at our house feverishly (and that's literally as he was sick last week) composing for the show. He did a great job. I also just finished his website: www.amirelsaffar.com so check it out! Amir also performed with us at the last Zikrayat show. He's an amazing musician and such a great friend and inspiration to Sami!

S.T.R.E.S.S

Wheww!!! What a crazy couple of weeks. We have been so incredibly busy with so many things!
I have been looking for a job and have actually landed a few minor freelance gigs, but they were short lived, so I am a little frustrated. Looking for a job is my least favorite task of all. I hate selling myself and I often feel sort of rejected when nothing happens.

Zikrayat. Zikrayat. Zikrayat. That's been a popular word around these parts lately. Managing a band is so much tougher than Sami would have ever imagined. He has been completely stressed out by the many issues that have arisen (issues of the legitimacy of Middle Eastern dance as art for one) and basically he wants to make everyone happy and that's hard to do with so many people. I feel for him, and I see how hard he's trying. But he's a sensitive little bear so I worry about him. I find that all I can do is encourage conversations that don't include mention of the band!

There have been a few shifts within Zikrayat that I think will make for a better working relationship. We have decided to also find other venues for the show.  I think in a few weeks we will be in a good place. Basically Sami is going to record a demo and we are going to put together a package to shop around. More on that later...

At the last Zikrayat show, my friend Lina came and took pictures. She's so awesome. She was also our wedding photographer...

Here are a few of her pics...That's her in the middle with us.

What we really need is a good vacation! I know, I know, we traveled for two months last year, but I think it's time for another trip, hehehe. Our housemates Virgie and Marie are traveling to Costa Rica tomorrow, and I  have to admit I'm a little jealous. I told them to go to the Sano Banano in Montezuma! I didn't like Costa Rica that much when I was actually there, but now I kinda miss it and look forward to going back. I think we were just there at the wrong time of year...NEVER GO DURING RAINY SEASON.

PRINCE....Ahhhhhhh...what can I say? Prince just released his latest album 3121. In case you weren't aware, I was a die-hard life long Prince fan in my former life before Sami. Prince hasn't released anything in the last 5 or 6 years that has really moved me, but I'm really digging this new album. It's not completely old 80's Prince, but it's the closest return to form than he has done in YEARS. This album makes me feel all sunny. Makes me wanna party like it's 1985!

Later,
Gator (Robin that is...)

Welcome!

...Hi there! We know everyone is wondering what happened to us, and we're sorry it's taken us forever to do all the things required of a newlywed couple...send thank you notes, share honeymoon pics etc...SO...if you think we've fallen off the planet and forgotten about you, we haven't, and you will definitely be hearing from us personally very soon.

Since we've been back from our honeymoon we've been terribly busy working on a myriad of creative projects (for me, it was designing Sami's website, Adam's website, this website, and various others), and for both of us, our prized accomplishment Zikrayat a new music and dance ensemble. We've taken old forgotten songs of the Egyptian film era and created new dance pieces and revived versions of them. Most importantly, we now have a regular gig at Lafayette Grill! We are really excited about that. Come and see us if you are in town! Oh, I also designed the website for the band.

What about the honeymoon you ask?

Well we visited Miami, Costa Rica, Egypt and California. Miami was fun, Costa Rica was rainy. Egypt by far was my favorite. I made lots of new friends there and I miss them immensly. California (Lark Camp) was a learning experience for me as both a dancer and teacher...We have decided to return again this summer!

If you’d like to see pictures of our honeymoon go to the "our honeymoon" page. We have also included wedding pictures here, but for all of our guests, I've put together a neat slideshow for you all that you should be receiving soon!

Anywho, we’d just like to thank everyone who came to our wedding and for all of the love you showered us with that day. We worked very hard to convey the idea and the theme of community and sharing our happiness with everyone. We hope we were successful at making everyone feel apart of our day.

Speaking of which, I’d like to say a special thank you to Paulette Robinson and Marlene Prophete – our wedding planner and decorator. They were so amazing. We have been told that the wedding was “stunningly beautiful” and the “event of the year” and “the most beautiful wedding I’ve ever been to” and we know that we couldn’t have done it without their knowledge, skill and patience (especially with my numerous requests and questions.) Thanks you guys! We miss you!!!

~Robin