Grant pending

The SF Hip Hop DanceFest is applying to receive a grant from the Phyllis C. Wattis Foundation. This is a wonderful organization that really helps out the arts community in the Bay Area. I met Carlie, the director of the program and the granddaughter of the founder of the foundation. I hopefully helped her realize that the SF Hip Hop DanceFest was an ideal candidate for an upcoming grant. We will know the outcome by the end of May. Lets all keep our fingers crossed ok?

Meanwhile check out this wonderful organization - www.wattisfoundation.org

Love and respect-
Micaya

Open your mouth and say ARGGGGHHHHHH!

Hey Im taking a very small break from updating you with DanceFest news to let you in on the horror of an experience it is to be self employed and get health care coverage in this country. Frightening ! I had thought that I was hooked up when I applied for health insurance through a group policy through the NASE (National Association for the Self Employed) . Well last July I had a very terrible "illness" when I returned form Mexico from vacation. I was SO sick! I couldnt eat, had a fever, and felt like I had been run over by a truck for about 5 days . I was severely dehydrated . I still am not sure if I had salmonella, e coli or what but I ended up going to the emergency room . What a stupid idea that was! What the fuck was I thinking? First of all- they didnt ever diagnose me (beyond calling it a "virus") . Secondly- I felt WORSE when I left the emergency room than when I went in. Sounds impossible but I swear its true because the drugs they gave me made me sicker. Yuck-

So here is the real shitty part-- MY BILL
For this one time freaking sucky ass incident, I had to pay $6000 ! Wonderful insurance plan huh?

And on top of that, my insurance RAISED my rate $1000 this year because of that incident. BULLSHIT!

So today I am shopping around for a new health insurance. Ive been talking to Blue Shield and am waiting for a rep to call me back because I have questions about their 12 page application. sigh....

So all you dancers out there- try to get a job with health coverage - or maybe you are lucky enough to have a family member or spouse that can put you on their policy . Otherwise you gotta do what Im doing at some point. I went without any insurance for a long time but at some point you got to be smart and cover your ass. I will let you know how it goes with Blue Shield but I strongly DO NOT recommend going with MEGA insurance which is what I was using through the NASE.

Love and respect
Micaya

Let me give you some more..

The SFHHDF has booked Kristin Schillinger as the booking manager for this year. Kristin was the booking manager for 2007 and did a bang up job but was unable to do the job last year due to an overwhelming work schedule. I am super happy to have her back on the staff at the DanceFest. She is very organized, motivated, thorough and charming! Yay!

So if your company gets booked this year to perform, you will be dealing with Kristin.
Be nice to her, return her calls and emails promptly and return contracts and other documents she needs from you ON TIME!

Love and Respect-
Micaya

She has spoken

The student who I wrote about last week with the lump in her throat has spoken. Here is her response to the blog and to your comments.
love and respect-
Micaya

Denise Burton said...
OMG what have I started...the girl with the "lump" The lump was outta frustration cuz I wasn't getting (& often struggle) with the choreography. Not cuz I care about how I look or what people think. I'm my own worst enemy (scorpion). I am hard on myself when I don't put it together. BUT I WON'T GIVE UP. Thanks for all your concern and words of wisdom!
Denise

A little at a time..

Well there is SO much new stuff going on with the SF Hip Hop DanceFest. All is good, just a lot of changes and such. Sooo-I am going to give it to you.. in pieces..

OK so the biggest news is that the woman who started the DanceFest with me, my "sister" Sterling, is slowly fading herself out of her responsibilities with the SFHHDF. WOW! ..Ok I kinda knew that it was happening due to the fact that her life is getting fuller and busier with her 2 young sons. I somehow knew that she would be pulling herself out so emotionally I was sort of ready. She and I both are a little excited to have new people doing her job/s. For those of you who dont know, Sterling was the graphic designer/photographer and web designer/programmer for the DanceFest. HUGE!
So we are trying to hire three new people to fill this womans shoes!

11 years ago, she and I sat down with a very playful and fun atmosphere and created ideas that have now become the oldest and first dance festival dedicated to hip hop dance. She created all the images that are now associated with this legendary event. She put up with my crazy ways of doing things. She allowed me to dream and congratulated me through all the successes. Every time the was an opportunity for the DanceFest to get ANY recognition, she ALWAYS turned the spotlight away from herself and on me.
Let me tell you this---
I absolutely would NOT have ever been able to do this without her back then. She gave me the strength, inspiration, courage and support to be able to take this dream to what it is today. The is just NO fucking way I would have done this without her. I owe her so much appreciation for this. Thank you thank you thank you!

On top of all that I love her so much. So now she has helped me take the DanceFest more in my own hands.
So my biggest concern now is that I will always be in her life. I have never met anyone like her. There are so many parts of my life that have been affected by knowing her. The way she sees the world is a constant entertainment to her. I must sound like Im gushing on and on right now, but the more I write this, the more emotional I am getting. I have been in a semi state of shock since she told me the news. I knew that I had to process it for a while. It looks like writing this little blog entry is REALLY helping me process this!

Bottom line-
I am so grateful to have had her in my life .
I want us to always be friends.
I love her dearly.

Thank you Sterling for being my partner for 10 years of the SF Hip Hop DanceFest and thank you for being my friend-

Love and respect
Micaya

Performance Workshop

I am officially taking enrollment for my performance workshop that starts in May. This is an exceptional opportunity to get performance experience. All levels are welcome,
See you soon!
love and respect-
Micaya

Thanks Everyone Who Commented!

I really appreciate all of you who commented to the last blog entry with all of your input to my student who was feeling yucky in class. She was not in class tonight , but I hope she gets the message from another student to read the blog . You are all so very helpful and insightful .
Much Love and Respect
Micaya