i'm a star

I can't remember if it was Benji Bratt or Mestre Preguica that first said that we were stars. But I know it was mestre who said that he didn't need to be on TV or on the radio or to be really famous...we were already stars because of what we were doing for the group and what we were doing there tonight. It was an incredible night...

It was off to a hectic start. I went early to help set up...such a beautiful theater with a lot of character. Although everyone was supposed to be there by 5, of course, we don't have a run-through until about 6:30. We do that once and I'm thoroughly thrown off by the faster-than-usual maculele beat. I'm not feeling good about the performance and I didn't get to practice my aerial. There's an alleyway in the back of the stage so Cookie and I went out there to practice our goods. It's freezing outside...and Ben is off to the side with little note cards rehearsing his speech. Everyone gathers together, cramped side by side in the dressing room down below where the Phantom of the Opera would probably live, and Peter Bratt led us in a short prayer after Benji gave a little inspirational talk.

Then we're off...Vanessa and I came in a little late in the beginning, but everything worked out fine. No major goof-ups and I was feeling it like I had never felt it before. The maculele performance sped by like *that* and I can't even remember most of it. While mestre and Carlos were doing berimbau demos, I stripped off my maculele costume and Ilana and Vanessa helped me into those tight ugly striped pants that are not flattering at ALL. Got over to the other side just in time to cross the stage with my cartwheel, aerial (yes!!), cartwheel, and I was down. Michaael (?) and I were assigned to do the second game, so we went into that and I can't even remember anything except doing a parafuso, doublesque and who knows what else. It all felt good though. I was feeding off the energy of the people on stage and it was amazing. The bright lights, the audience, the cheers...everyone was on a high.

The documentary was great too and I can't wait to see the whole thing. The clip shown last night covered the main students featured in the film and also the history and basics of capoeira. I was very impressed and you could just see how proud mestre was of everyone. On stage, he got all choked up and couldn't even talk. And when Nadine and Antonio were up on stage, mestre kept calling out stuff to them and joking around.

Barbara, Terry, Curtis, and Stephen (Barb's friend) showed up and I was so touched that they came. I also saw a lot of former classmates and current students from other classes and it was fun to say hello. Since everyone was still on that high, we were all hugging and just having a good time talking like were all best buds. It was hard to see myself giving up this community, but in reality, 95% it's not like this. It's more about arguments, negative vibes and sweat rather than huggy happy times.

Terry, Barb, Stephen and I went on a quest to find Benji and we found him in the reception room, surrounded by people, mostly females. He also brought his long-legged, pretty Latina girlfriend. Whatever. After subtly following him around and trying to get closer, I finally pushed my way in and stood right in front of him and said hello. He said "Hey! Beautiful job out there!" and gave me one of those sideway hugs and I asked to take a pic. It would have been a good one but my camera did that stupid thing where it doesn't work sometimes! I knew it would do that...argh! So he starts goofing around and turning around, and the guy holding the camera snaps it right then. I don't know if Ben's even looking at the camera! I ask to take another one, but he says "nope, you just get one try." Punk.

So his attention is off elsewhere and the whole time, he's just going from one person to another..well,k more like people are coming up to him left and right. Terry talks to him for a few seconds about Lowell and he promises a pic with her, but his mind wanders again as he's making his way toward the door. At one point, he took off his leather jacket and he's wearing a fitted white t-shirt under. Terry and I look at his arms, look at each other with wide eyes and go "whooaa..."

Anyway, I stick around a bit, take some pics with capoeiristas and then leave alone...tired...weary...ready to go home...glad that I'm getting home before 11 p.m. What a night...what a week...