Mona N'wal profile picture

Mona N'wal

I am here for Friends and Networking

About Me

I've been involved in dance since I was 8 years old. But the one that stuck was Middle Eastern (yes, "Belly") Dance. This summer I'll be celebrating my 30th year in ME dance! Other than MED I've had training/performed in ballet, Javanese Court Style, Eastern European Folkdance and theatre.I teach and coach at all levels and perform for any occassion at just about any location (ask me about some of the more interesting "bellygram" moments I've had!). I've been an assistant director or director of several dance troups, guest choreographer for MED troupes and several local youth dance groups, taught seminars and workshops and worked in clubs and restaurants.For those of you who want to know - Turkish, Egyptian, Greek, modern fusion and theatrical styles and props of every sort. ATS isn't for me (been there, did that 30 years ago).

My Interests

Besides ethnic dance and music? Ethnic food, clothing, cultures... Antiques, museums, vintage clothes. Rehabbing my old farmhouse. I guess you could say if it has "history", I'm interested. Recently added Harleys and vintage cars to the list (there's the history thing again)

I'd like to meet:

Dancers, musicians, afficianados of all kinds of ethnic/world dance and music.

Music:

Just about anything, from anywhere, from any time period, except rap and most hip-hop.

Movies:

Don't get out to them as much as I'd like to. Mostly I'm going to them as stress relief, so enjoy lighter fair like sci-fi, romantic comedy, history. Will watch the heavy/serious stuff at home so I can do them in chunks, if necessary.

Television:

Don't have time for much with my teaching schedule. Liked "Queer Eye" in the first two seasons, not so much now. HGTV, SciFi, Biography and History channels when I get time. Can't stand all the reality and contest show. What a waste of time. Give them bread and circuses and they won't care what the government does - it worked for the Roman Cesars and seems to be working for the current administrations.

Books:

Don't get as much time for this as I'd like. Mysteries (esp Sue Grafton's), sci-fi and fantasy. Reading is my escape from reality.

Heroes:

The everyday hereos: anyone who goes to work for 8 hours/day, 40 hours/wk or more. The person who lives within their means, who stands on their own and pulls their own weight, who use their own brain rather than following the crowd or media hype.