The Texas Hula Honeys

24 06 2010

TxHulaHoneys2

Aloha and Howdy is the greeting most often heard with our dance troupe the “Texas Hula Honeys”.  I can see the curious expression on your face now…How did you come up with that?  Well, it was easy really.  We are all Texas women that love and study Hula.  Our troupe name used to be Hawaiian at heart, but it did not capture our Texas spirit. We have had too much fun with the name of our group and merging the Texas and Hawaii spirits.  The soft beautiful Hawaiian essence married to the spicy Texas charm…well it is just a great fit for us.  We make our audiences laugh, and they travel with us to other places all while staying in our own great state.  We get silly, serious and pull our knowledge of Hawaii and Polynesia contrasting and comparing it to the lone star state.  Texas is number 28 and Hawaii is 50 in our United States…but even though they might have come to the table late…we love them just the same.  Yee Haw!

To hire our troupe for your next event…visit:

http://www.odysseytheatrical.com/dancers/hula/hula.htm

Mahalo Nui Loa





Why can’t you start a dance class at any time?

30 03 2010
belly dance class, nacheska teaching

Nacheska teaching

As a former teacher of ballet, modern, jazz, and tap and a current teacher of Belly Dance, Hula, and Childrens theater, I get a lot of “interested in signing up” calls.  Often you will find that a studio cannot take you straight away.  This is for several reasons.  Dance is like building something…the teacher will give you the foundation (which is called technique) and then build on it piece by piece (making single moves or techniques into combinations) and finally you have a completed structure…(a dance or series of dances)  When there is an established class over two months old, they are a bit ahead of you so the teacher/instructor may feel that you would be behind (left out) of the growing process….

Some of my classes can be attended by someone new at any time if they are very beginning…but at the end of a season, the dancers in the beginning class are ahead of any basic beginner and to keep them back at the expense of a new beginner is just not fair.  They also may be working on a dance which takes up a large chunk of class time so a new student would just have to watch or “fake it”…

Usually I only have one month a season where I do not take new students…just before the show and promotion of the dancers to the next level…so if you call a dance school and they cannot welcome you right away, then mark your calendar for the next season or call another school that may be on a different schedule…you will love dancing and the performance arts…dance is life at it’s best.





Is it just me….or????

30 03 2010

When I was a little girl, I dreamed of far away places and when I turned 12 my dad was stationed in Germany…wow, what an adventure for a little girl in an upper lower class neighborhood in El Paso!  I looked forward to the plane ride…I had never been on a plane before and knew it was something luxurious that only special people got to do…most of us just rode around in cars for the small adventures that life afforded us.  The plane ride was all that I had hoped for…nice flight attendants, good food and lots of it…and movies and comfortable seats…it was fun (probably not for my mom with 4 children but I loved it)…later in my life as a struggling performance artist and teacher, plane rides were few and far between but still held that same joy and thrill for me…and then came September 11th, the sad fateful day that too many tragedies happened…the one I want to speak about is how the airlines changed on that day, now terrorizing us passengers.  http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-03-18-airplanestranded18_ST_N.htm

Another article is :

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-11-24-dot-minnesota-stranding-fine_N.htm

Of course I could go on and on and on and on…but I still would not equal the length of time that airlines are holding passengers hostage with their lack of common courtesy and inhumane treatment…I have personally found the only airline I currently trust is Southwest…but even so, they do not fly everywhere  and if I can drive to my destination …I do.

Why must we stay on a tarmac with no food or water for 1, 2, 3, 4, up to 8 hours…???  Maybe we should put a few of the airline’s owners or the head of the FAA in such horrific circumstances and then watch how quickly laws are enacted to give us rights…http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17173370/

But really why do we have to enact laws for us to treat each other like human beings who matter???  Why would anyone think it is ok to keep perfectly nice human beings…neighbors, friends, you and me hostage in a plane for hours?…ouch!  This is a sad day and I am not a little girl anymore and I don’t want to go on a plane adventure anymore…because staying on a plane sitting still heading nowhere being treated badly…that is not my idea of fun or even decent transportation.  What has air travel come to???  It is going into the gutter…oh wait, I mean the tarmac…

plane





Life is like a small business

21 03 2010
Odyssey Costume Shop
Picture of the Shop from the doorway

Alrighty then, I was being interviewed by the author Marilyn Sweet who wrote the book “Profitable 5K Business” on her internet radio show.  Marilyn asked me how I started in the Costume Shop business…well I didn’t actually know I was going in the Costume Shop business, it just evolved…like my life. (and this question made me realize it)

 Now anyone who owns a small business knows that what we first thought our business was going to do and be is not precisely what it turned out like.  Actually, that is a lot like us…the way our life starting out, our hopes and dreams and direction may not have evolved exactly how we thought.  I opened my little Shoppe to be a dancewear store…as a dance teacher for 22 years, it was a natural evolution from wearing dancewear all day and night to selling it, since I knew a lot about it.  Several times a year, my students and I would do shows and utilize costumes but I did not give them much thought.  However, much to my surprise, when I opened my little Shoppe, folks were more interested in the few costumes I carried than the leotards, tights, skirts and shoes.  That business was being focused inside the new dance schools themselves as they internalized the dancewear business and did sales right inside the studio.  I did not know a lot about costumes outside the dance performance arena but I soon did some research and learned what my customers wanted and where I could get it…but there were some expensive mistakes along the way since this was not initially my area of expertise.

When I was a little girl I knew I wanted to be a dance teacher…as a young woman I wanted to be a college professor of the dance.  But as a child of the 50′s I wanted the wife mother to be in the equasion too.  Whew, boy was I wanting it all.  I married a stranger, divorced with a young child, worked 4 jobs, went to college 3-7 hours a semester and finally graduated 10 years later….hmmm, not what I envisioned in the beginning…and I was no closer to that college job as I was still working on the degree to get me there…then I remarried, opened a studio, had another baby and tried to make it all work.  This was not my original plan but as anyone would, I went with it.

In business, my first little shop just about broke even in 3 years…but something came up…a career in acting.  Since I was still performing a little in the dance arena, I stumbled on an opportunity to impersonate Marilyn Monroe and it bloomed into a better business than the Shop…so I closed the shop and went on tour for a year or so. (what happened to selling dancewear?)  But the glamour of being Ms. Monroe soon waned and I settle back in Texas looking for another opportunity while temping in an office.  It was handed to me in the form of teaching/training folks in the Web computer arena in a specialize medical field. (not the professor job but maybe I was getting closer?)  The corporate environment was hard on this artistic spirit so I looked into an opportunity to have a small sideline business in the costume dancewear business I still was intrigued with so I took some of my corporate earnings and sublet part of a storefront and paid someone else to run it…renting and selling costumes all year…and after a year, I was pushed to make a decision due to my fathers waning health and a layoff by the corporation…they wanted to keep me full time and I was only working part time…so I went full speed ahead and worked in my little store and tried to build up the business.  

In business, we have to make policies…about the employees, the customers, the hours, the marketing etc….and when we open our small business we have a vision but we need to be able to yield to what life brings and our customers needs.  One of the wisest tidbits I gleaned from another business person was in the Book “Pour your heart into it” by Howard Schultz and that is “never say never.”  Policies need to yield, we need to yield and bend and weave through life…just call me Gumby! 

…there is so much more to write but my Shop calls me…

Happy Make Believe,

Nacheska





Beads and Beignets; time for Mardi Gras Madness!

10 02 2010

Fun times in our store with costumes, beads, masks and merriment as Mardi Gras approaches.  We have crowns, capes, jesters, masks and a huge array of beads to help with your event or just to dress up for the day at your workplace!  Imagine your Rubber Duckie beads bringing a smile to all who see you (and they will be wishing that they thought of it first)  So come on in to our little Shoppe or visit your own local costume shop to celebrate the Louisiana tradition of Mardi Gras with color and creativity. 

Need an idea for your own Mardi Gras party?  We have an amazing murder mystery if you want to host a party called “ Murder at the Mardi Gras”….includes invitations and the little scripts for your friends.  I have done this Murder Mystery party and it was a riot.  It is amazing what donning a costume will do for some people…they really get into it!  We were so busy having fun that no one really noticed the clues so only one person guessed the murderer.Murder at Mardi Gras

Below is a recipe for Beignets for a sweet treat: (feel free to share with lots of friends for even more fun!)

Ingredients
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 7 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup shortening
  • 1 quart vegetable oil for frying
  • 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
Directions
  1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar, salt, eggs, evaporated milk, and blend well. Mix in 4 cups of the flour and beat until smooth. Add the shortening, and then the remaining 3 cups of flour. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours.
  2. Roll out dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 2 1/2 inch squares. Fry in 360 degree F (180 degrees C) hot oil. If beignets do not pop up, oil is not hot enough. Drain onto paper towels.
  3. Shake confectioners’ sugar on hot beignets. Serve warm.

Merry Mardi Gras…

Happy Make Believe!!

Nacheska





The Aging Dancer

29 11 2009

As an aging dancer over 50, I have noticed in the last year physiological traits such as joint stiffness and foot sensitivity to abrupt pressure. (Metatarsal pain not exactly Metatarsalgia)  I am certain these are common to other aging dancers but uncertain whether this might be common to all aging folks of other occupations.  I still dance at least 5 to 12 times (hours) weekly teaching classes or just putting together choreography but I do not noticed increase or decrease in these new aches and pains if I move more or less (though I rarely move less).  After exploring articles on the internet, I found very few, if any about the “aging” dancer and nacheska_spinningeditedhow we might age differently than other folks.   Should I expect more joint pain or less…am I susceptible to more arthritis or less?  What about hips…are they more likely to break because of mileage or less likely because of good nutrition and exercise?  This blog is a call to other dancers of any venue who might have insight into how a dancer ages differently because of the stresses we subject our body to…I have done extensive (in order of the most to least) Modern, Belly Dance, Ballet, Gymnastics, Hula, Tap, Flamenco, Ballroom…what about you?  Is this related to folks who have parents with arthritis…do dancers get arthritis more or less and what factors do genetics play…Can you share your experience and articles with me?





Yee Haw! Ideas for a Wild West Party

26 11 2009
  • Cowboy/cowgirl
  • Maverick
  • Cattle rancher
  • Southern belle
  • Barkeep
  • Saloon girl
  • Stagecoach driver
  • Trail boss
  • Gunfighter/outlaw
  • Lawman
  • Texas oilman
  • Roughrider
  • Farmer/farmer’s daughter
  • Scarecrow
  • School teacher
  • Horse
  • C&W singer
  • Parson/preacher
  • Blacksmith
  • Barbershop singer/piano player
  • Show girl
  • Rhinestone cowboy/cowgirl
  • Rodeo clown
  • Bull rider
  • Square dancer
  • Country doctor
  • Bank/stagecoach robber
  • Gold/coal miner
  • Railroad engineer
  • Town mayor
  • Shop/inn keeper
  • Confederate soldier
  • Cow
  • Native American Indian

gunfightercostumeHowdy from Texas…here are some great characters for a wild and wooly West Party…you can name it uniquely too… How the West was won (or Lost) Costume Party, Wild West Costume Party, Southwest Soiree, Steppin’ Out Texas Style, or Costumed Cowboy Party…some ideas for Character costumes are above….so put on your boots and step up and host some good western fun!

Always here for fun because your fun is my business…

Nacheska





Make up can make you Marvelous this season…Halloween help

1 10 2009

 ... Professional Make UpWow Halloween is not only fun for costuming but with some fabulous makeup you can enhance your costume and yourself.  Think bling for faeries, princesses, and glamour. (we carry an awesome line called LA Splash (lasplashcosmetics.com), Mehron professional stage makeup for heavy pigments, awesome face painting and amazing F/X (can you say Zombie?, vampire punctures, and realistic injuries)  Mehron is great for this.

LASplash has glitters, mineral makeup, gel glitter eye and body colors in 300 colors….the lip glitters and glosses are eye popping and each piece is only 3.99 here at Odyssey.  I have added glitter to lips for an ice princess look…very realistic.

Eyelashes are the most wonderful enhancer to all costumes for the ladies…they make your eyes pop and this is the one night we can go crazy (though we wore them everyday in the 60′s)  They are a must with 60′s costumes and we give you a free ‘how to apply’ video with any makeup purchase over $10…so give eyelashes and some heavier colors a try for this holiday…you will be glad you did…being washed out in a gala party just won’t work.

You can get crazy with prosthetics…but that is another article…we have some ready made or you can make something yourself.

So whether you are ghoul or gorgeous glamour, do not forget the make-up…step out of your comfort zone and make people take notice and once again….have great FUN!





Killing Germs…dispelling some myths and the good news!

20 09 2009

So I am listening to my sweet Grandaughter singing Happy Birthday while washing her hands and so I ask about it.  My daughter says it gives her a timeline to kill the germs since children do everything in hyperspeed… which is true.  Well I knew that Antibacterial Soap did not have much benefit over regular soap (AARP article “Mythbusters”) but little did I know the great benefits of alcohol based hand sanitizers. (and AVON has them for just 1.99 )  It turns out alcohol, vinegar, lemon juice and bleach are great at murdering the really bad e-coli and other staph germs (though bleach is probably not the best choice environmentally)  So according to the experts at FDA then washing with antibacterial soap is about the same as plain soap and water…the period of time is important so sing Happy birthday 3 times or just sing…good for the world and good for your health…bad for germs.Marilyn

 





Remembering Mom

12 08 2009

My mom abruptly went to heaven today…and though I was ready…I was not.  This woman went through polio, an abusive father and many financial hardships and this was her childhood.  When she met my dad at a diner/honkey tonk, their mutual hardships and survivor mentality was their bond.  They were married over 50 years with rich lives full of children, grandchildren and blessings.  Strangely, when speaking to my siblings, we all have different “special” memories of my mom.  Here are mine:

Though my mom was strict, she was always super-duper pampering when I sick…seven up, soup, a loving hand on my feverish forehead…her undivided attention in a large family….sadly, I was not sick much.

When I had my last child, the forth,  it was very difficult on me and my body  and my mom (who was working full time) took time off to spend with me.  Wow, what a pleasure to have her change diapers, talk to me, and fix me meals when I was weak and overwhelmed.

Weirdly, a lot of us in the family cooked…but what do I love about my mowedding pic mom dadm is her recipe for…are you ready for this?…egg salad…yes, I now make the best egg salad ever….thanks mom…

She was very willing to help me at my little Shoppe at the craziest time…Halloween….she would answer the phone oh so sweetly when all the rest of us regular employees were running around in circles like loony birds…and she liked it…I believe she even thrived and “looked forward” to this time with me.  I know I did…one more time

THANKS MOM…though I will miss you…you are back with Daddy now…in Gods loving hands…