Post Katrina Update

Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in August and the Sisters continue to keep the people of the affected regions in their thoughts and prayers.  We have many people to thank as well. But first, let's start with an update as to what happened, who is where and what is in store. When Katrina hit, Noura opened her Home in Baton Rouge for Wayward Belly Dancers, their significant others and critters.  Stacey & Bella, the Dachshund Princess, Gretchen, Greg & Casey, the Dingo, and  Amanda, Ron, Pirate & Mishisha spent many weeks with Noura, Lily, Bouree & George.  The rough weeks of confusion and uncertainty were softened with the warmth of beloved friends and lots of animals in need of petting.  Amae & Layla took refuge in Lafayette. Shamsi & Morrighan stayed safe in their homes. Melissa evacuated to parts unknown, but she is safe and sound. Sabrina, under protection from the military (her husband is a Marine) was evacuated to Texas. I, Kryss, was visiting family in Boston prior to the catastrophe and remained in the Northeast for the following month.  Since then, I have been to Manhattan's Lower East Side, Georgia, Alabama, Arizona, Florida and Texas. My kitties are safe in Shreveport and I miss them terribly.

Where have our Sisters gone? Well, some of us have returned to New Orleans. Stacey, Amae & myself are currently picking up the pieces and helping to rebuild our beloved city.  Stacey's home sustained roof and water damage.  Amae, Gretchen & Amanda narrowly escaped the floodwaters by mere inches.  Melissa's home sustained minor damage and little to no flooding.  I lost pretty much everything except my kitties, computer and about 1/3 of my costumes. Thank you Wes Wolter, Marianna, Mary Jane & Tom Collins.

The first venue to bring us back to entertain was Byblo's and our return was met with hugs and smiles from staff and fans alike.  The Fez Sheik and Number 1 Wife, Susan were front and center.  Apparently, our return brought an inkling of normalcy, and seemed to be exactly what was needed to lift everyone's spirits. It's amazing what a little sparkling, shimmying belly dancing can do. We were all very touched. Next was the Hookah Cafe, then Jericho's and Attiki's.  Jamila's has yet to reopen but we're looking forward to it in February 2006.  Moncef, Jamila and family are safe and eager to get back to business.

Gretchen and Greg are now living in Baltimore, MD where she has taken the belly dance community by storm and is continuing to learn from resident instructor and performer extraordinaire, Artemis.  Gretchen plans to return to NOLA for a few performances, and lots of quality Sister-time, the first weekend of February. Layla is shimmying her way around her NYC venues and plans to return to NOLA in January.  Sabrina has relocated ahead of schedule to Michigan and her hubby will join her soon.  She'll be making a visit for packing and performing in late January.  Amanda has moved, temporarily, to Ocala, FL.  She'll be visiting and dancing with us again for Mardi Gras. 

For the future, we will remain the Sisters of Salome as a collective of dancers working in our respective communities and coming together to perform, teach and host workshops, hafla's and showcases.  We will also be offering merchandise as it is completed. Look forward to T-shirts, calendars & stickers bearing the Sisters of Salome Logo and photos of the Sisters.

THANK YOU's.... Where to start?  It's like receiving an Academy Award and the list is oh so long.  To everyone that has loved and supported us through this and continues to do so as we rebuild, thank you seems too little.  What your love has meant to us and our gratitude for it go far deeper than words can express.   Here's a short list of those I feel compelled to mention: Shamsi, Noura, Bayou Shimmy Dance Studio, Fez Sheik, Susan, Tarek, the Byblo's Staff, The Hookah Cafe, Jericho's Hookah Cafe, Marlane Drake & Louisiana MEDA, Phaedra, the Massachusetts Belly Dance Community, Baddriya, the Baltimore Belly Dance Community, Artemis, Sisters of the Phoenix,  L.A. Dance Community, Portland Dance Community, Vanessa & Mykal, Dunya, Jay Fiore & Abi, our families, The Tribe, Harry & Mike, Marianna & Wes, Tom & Mary Jane Collins, Keith of Dance New Orleans, the soldiers of Task Force Raven for volunteering to protect our city, and everyone who has donated clothing, music, shiny things, money, time, & prayers.