This life we live...it's strange, painful at times, but oh so beautiful.

I am a fusion dance artist and teacher, a fire dancer, and a visual artist. I draw inspiration from nature, music, and the amazing people that come into my life. I am also a conservationist who makes jewelry and found object multimedia craft type art in my spare time (when I'm not reading, writing, or lighting things on fire and dancing around with them). I love to dance barefoot on the beach, watch the stars move inexorably across the heavens, and to laugh with the people that I love. I am currently based in Greenville SC, working with Discordia Arts to provide unique and exciting entertainment to the Upstate.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Finishing out 2014

I've had a wonderful year. 2014 has been full of change, new experiences, great times with great people, and of course, lots of dance.

Last week, I danced live with Boom Boom Shake, a wonderful world music group on tour from New York, and had the opportunity to perform an improvisational sword piece to a beautiful chiftitelli, one of my favorite rhythms to dance to. It was a great event at a super beautiful venue, Dr Mac Arnold's Blues Restaurant in the village of West Greenville, an area of town that is really fostering some beautiful creativity in our little city. A few weeks ago, Discordia Arts and Wasted Wine brought down the house at Vulcanalia at the Artistry, one of my favorite events of the year. We set a lot of things on fire, represented the elements in a fashion show, and served PBR from our heads. I don't think anyone was bored.

A few other highlights of the last month or so include the opportunity to spin fire dressed in full sugar skull faces like we did at the Ward for their Day of the Dead show, and a chance to paint ourselves blue and perform at the local Browncoat Ball. We did that ...seriously an awesome year.

I'm looking forward to an amazing 2015. I've got new classes starting, including a much asked for series on spinning poi, and some new bellydance technique classes and choreography that will be a lot of fun. I'm planning a trip, and hoping to get back into my visual art a little bit more. I've also got a new website dedicated to classes and am working on workshop plans and more. Keep an eye out. It only gets better! :)

I'll leave you with some of my favorite images from the past few weeks.

Jaidra with Boom Boom Shake Photo by Scalcione Photography

Jaidra Representing Earth at the Vulcanalia Fashion Show

Jaidra and Brandy of Discordia Arts at the Day of the Dead Show photo by Fete Greenville

Brandy and the new Discordia Arts ATS student troupe photo by Robert Gowan

Discordia Arts with Wasted Wine at the Day of the Dead show photo by SeaJae of Cirque Studios

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