parasitegirl | Much love for Mika.

I went to Legend tonight to see Mika perform in a restaurant for the first time. Legend sets are pretty short, about 3 songs and then get everyone up. Starter-sets....and the audience was perfect: bellydancer support crowd (one of which brought friends and a child...can't beat a 5 year old girl for BD audience) a birthday party, and another (unknown) party....I really should ask Nourah to put me in every once in a while, I've passed on it because of my Friday night gig, but this is lotsa love gig-lite for the right rate!

Mika looked 100% better than I ever could have in my (former) black/gold/bling/sparklecrotch Turkish costume. Where I looked tiny and corpsey, she looked formidable and voluptuous. She has two lovely Bellas in pastels...but Legend is more of an old-school bling and super fringe place.

Are there things she can work on? Yeah. I see some of my own weaknesses in her. Did she need more make-up? Well, she had on more make-up than I used to have...but...needed more.

But, she had the right entertaining attitude and that attitude filled the room. She projected, kept attention, and worked the crowd. Her basic dance skills were solid, so she wasn't just attitude. She also rocked out with her zills, and she's been working so hard on that...this is the girl who cried when I gave her crochetted zill cozies to help with that... She had fun with her drum solo, it was a very promising first time.

I was so glad I made it, and tipped her, as was she. After she changed and was hugged and given flowered she kneeled down by my chair and rested her head on my shoulder and asked me if she was really ok...because we've been working towards this. Of course!...we got a little teary-eyed thanking and praising. If I ever agree to teaching and take on an official private student, it will be Mika... but for now I am happy with her as my "kohai"

Mika, if you're reading, much love.