Amy Sigil Interview on Gilded Serpent

Great interview. Love the part where you mention ur Girl..so sweet! =)

Fantastic series of interviews! I just love how free and totally open to new ideas and thoughts you are! It's surely what makes UNMATA such a force in the current fusion community. And, it only reinforces my opinion that you are truly a genius! Literally, every time I see you guys perform, I am so inspired. Thank you so much for being you and for being here in this place and at this time!

Here here! Wicked good discussion with the legends and I loved what you had to say about Suhaila. She was originally presented to me as the epitome of authenticity, strange how that works. All things considered, the old school of today are often the rebels of yesterday.

After reading the letters to the editor I thought perhaps that one of the things standing most blatantly in the way of cross genre communication can also be seen in the contrasts of the dance styles themselves. I've studied under many dancers who assume a duality separating the performing artist and the mundane artist as two different entities. It's as if you assume a mantle, or a tradition when you perform the dance with all the obligations that entails; like controlling a robot suit. (Think Ripley inside the construction suit in the docking bay in Alien, or commanding Voltron's left foot). To many of these dancers it's a gift from people/ages/cultures that comes with certain restrictions and rules; but there is room for personalization as long as you don't try to do something the suit isn't made to do. (Ironically this is kinda how I think about original ats improv, the rules set you free to interpret dynamically as a group in a way choreography restricts; but if you try to give a signal to someone that doesn't know what it means it falls apart.) This makes their dance change steadily over time but only to a certain point.

In contrast, others think of the dance not so much as something you put on, but more like something you pull out. Dance in this way can be more of an aplification of self (more like a megaphone than a robot suit). This makes change volatile and unpredictable in ways that can be exciting, edgy, liberating in the right conditions and confusing and devastating under other conditions. It takes a solid commitment to risk, lucky timing, and a group of people willing to jump with you to really make it work.

Most of us are a blend of both but leaning a little more to one side or the other, but when we talk by genre and style it's difficult to use words that everyone attaches the same value and meaning to because of these communication style gaps. Thank the heavens we're blessed with intelligent, articulate, open and fearless dancers like you!

Oh I had a great conversation with David down in San Diego once too. He is a total bellydance fountain of knowledge. it was amazing.
Do I see you at Counterfeit GP?

check out the letters to the editor.
there's a couple on there....
somebody didn't like me :-) (it's a fun read)

A great Interview... you are an inspiration to me...i love the way you do it your way. I feel blessed to have met you and so hope to see you again in the Uk xx

Shy, I was totally with you until I realized that this woman's comments accomplished nothing except making her look ugly and hateful. I know that once I read through her whole letter, I just felt glad for her. She has obviously never been a position where hard choices are needed, nor has she ever felt the pain of having to look at what's best for another person, despite the pain it may cause her. How wonderful it must be to have such a steadfast and true map to follow that clearly marks all hazards and dark places so that she never gets lost or looses her footing!! She must be so beautiful without all those scars from making mistakes! How lucky her friends must be to have someone who can so confidently determine what is right for them, and how thankful they must be when she shares her wisdom with them!!

Hey Shy,
I have written many responses to this woman. Very heated, very defensive. How dare she?
If she only knew... How wonderful Miss Tangerine and Plum are, how Amy works extremely hard at finding a balance of a jet-setter and supportive available mother. Sharing with her children the amazing perspecitive she has on this world. How Hot Pot and family takes these girls in and nourishes them with love, inspiration, laughter, reality, etc...
How do you express the reality of THEIR functioning world without sounding defensive and open to ridicule? I gave up.
I really wanted to ream ths person a new ass hole for questioning the raising of our cubs. In the end... we know the truth. Really, that is what matters.
Tang & Plummies are the most amazing children I have EVER had the pleasure of knowing and watch grow into exceptional young women. All the parental figures involved do a great job at putting these fruits first. Mad props! Tangerine and Plum are some kick ass human beings that will make this world a better place.

I loved the interviews you gave Amy. I am grateful for your openness, honesty and humbleness, thank you.
I agree with E. Mourat; that those who have faced hard times, adversity and make it to the other side are beakons of strength to others.
Keep on Keepin' on, REGARDLESS of those whom may be frightened by your power and focus.
I'm from Detroit and have spend plenty of time in Ann Arbor, there is no lack of gay pride there AND they even have nude races down main street, not sure if it's legal or not, but it sure is funny ;-)
You are an inspiration, keep following your heart girl, we've got your back for ya!
By the way; the invite still