MEDSOK

HISTORY

Vicki Naiser (Sadah), who was born half Lebanese, was around Mid-Eastern music and dance for her whole life, learning traditional movements from the ladies at her church socials. She eventually started teaching at Orbis and became part of a touring show, Holiday in Greece.

Patty Perryman (Tahira) trained in ballet and Modern dance, eventually performing with several Kentucky ballet companies and teaching as well. When she took a full time job and had to give up her rigorous ballet schedule, she tried belly dance lessons at Orbis and ended up teaching there. Patty felt that Modern dance was the transition she needed to gracefully move to belly dance, eventually becoming a teacher at Orbis in 1974. At the time of the interview, she was touring with Holiday in Greece and looking forward to a long career as a night-club performer.

Sandra Craig (Jameela) (now Jamila Zahran) began formal dance training at 25 with ballet, then took belly dance after her marriage ended. She felt that ballet training aided her with belly dance. She took on teaching at Orbis when Vicki and Patty went touring, and saw herself teaching long after her performance days are over. Her day job was teaching nursing at Jefferson Community College, but she was making more money with belly dance than teaching and was seriously thinking of quitting her job.

Dot Elpers (Nadja) started belly dance as a way to get out of the house. Her first teacher was Patty Perryman. She started teaching, performing, and opened (and closed) a studio, despite the development of a severe vision problem.

Judy Miller (Rhea) studied ballet before coming to bellydance in 1975, taking lessons with Patty Perryman before starting to perform and teach herself. Her whole family ended up being involved with her belly dance avocation; her husband learned to drum for her, one daughter took up zills and another took up belly dancing herself.

Donna Duncan (Donna) found belly dance to be the first dance to make her happy! She taught at home and performed at parties and was one of the original founders of MEDSOK.

Norma Wirt (Nadira) started by taking lessons secretly while her husband was working. After he saw her dance, he became her biggest fan. Afte moving to Clarkesville, Indiana (across the bridge from Louisville) she began studying and performing with Terry Sellers, eventually taking over Seller's classes after Terry call her and asked her to take over her class for three weeks while Terry was out of town. "Norma accepted and hasn't seen Terry since the telephone call! That was two years ago." She never learned the reason why her friend had to leave town.

Mary Brown (Marianna) started studying with Judy Miller in 1975. One of her teachers was a Arab male who travelled teaching Yoga and belly dance. "He did not feel movement correction was necessary, leaving the development of any kind of technique entirely up to the student!" Mary taught at her home and, as a community service, at a nearby women's prison."

1986: Christmas in the Land of MEDSOK, by J. Kappell

In the land of MEDSOK it's Christmas Eve,
and all waited for Omar you see.
Ted waited patiently with his camera in focus.
"I'll not miss him this time, with his hocus-pocus!"

The tents were decorated with a festive air;
Incense burned, and torches flared.

Security was tight around the land
as the news spread of the approaching caravan.
Bill T and his helpers, Dave 1 and Dave 2,
were ready to escort the caravan through.

Sharon was reading the tarot cards for a sign,
Cathy was sipping Pina Coladas she thought were divine!

It finally happened, you could hear the tingling zills,
as Omar's caravan came over the hills.
His sleigh was filled with gifts and food
To make merry and dance with the music of the oud.

Humphrey the camel was in the lead;
Wearing his bells, palettes and beads.
He snorted and stomped and then suddenly fell flat,
Omar brought him up with a slap on his humpless back!

His entourage followed in sleighs of red and gold.
Tahira, Phaedra, and Jane, or so I'm told.

They went through the market place as vendors hawked their wares.
The aroma of rare costumes and jewels filled the air.
Zaiyre's, Happy Grams and Telika's Treasure Chest,
and of course Bon Voyage, now would I jest?

The passed by the artists with their colors so bright,
Tara, yvette and Debra what a beautiful sight!

At last Omar came to a stop,
as Humprey the camel groaned and flopped.
They entered the tent and the Hufli began.
Genie, Paul and Lura did a dubke with the band.

Sharon and Sheri played the tamborine with skill
as Sandy kept the rhythm with her zills.

Bill escorted the dancers onto the floor,
as they danced Humphrey watched through the door.
He kept time to the music by clomping his feet,
He brayed and snorted, or was that a zagaret?

Rebecca, Jamila and Zaahia too,
Danced through the night without a clue
that Shadiah was sliding down the tent pole
and Jalilha tripped, or was that a hole?

Why is Naeema standing alone on the stage?
That thing Linda's wearing belongs in a cage!
Oh the lights, so bright, where did everyone go,
Aliye had too many again you know.

A big box is presented to Omar at the door,
The box tumbles over and Saheeba is on the floor!
Omar throws back his head and roars with laughter
At the sight of Fatima before and after!

The Daughters were there fussing over Humphrey,
making sure the big ham was nice and comfy.

The time has come for the hufli to end.
Navit runs to the door, yells "It's time!" and then
Talitha flies over with Erik in command
while Steve throws a potion over the land.

Jane hurriedly writes down these events just in case,
but no one will believe there is such a place.

Omar and his entourage leave quickly and quietly
through the sleeping oasis, and it's quite likely
that you heard him say as the sped throught the night,
"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO MEDSOK" and to all a good night.