This is one of my favourite performances. It was at a Christmas Hafla held at a local pub for dancers in the Northern Tassie area. For my performance I wanted a Christmas look but at the same time didn't want to spend a lot of money. Fortunately, that was easily achieved.

Red is my favourite colour so I already had a red pair of harem pants. I also used an old midriff top that had coins sewn to the bottom hem and gold coloured appliques on the front. To this I added some small green bells (Christmas decorations) to the straps at the front. I also wore a Santa hat. Around my neck I had a Christmas bell on a ribbon. For my belt I used a metal chain to which I attached more Christmas decorations - Santas, trees, coloured balls, presents, tassels and plenty of bells that made a great sound when I moved. I also had a length of chain with small gold coloured presents attached. This wrapped around my hips twice.

I hid most of these by tucking a gold coloured veil around my hips. To the bottom length of the veil I had sewn some red tinsel. The veil also hid "the surprise".

For the first dance of my performance I came in with a red veil around my neck. I entered at the back of the audience and made my way to the front. During the first half of this dance, the red veil was tossed aside. At another point in the music, there was a pause. During this time, I stopped with my back to the audience. It was then I switched on "the surprise" and pulled off the gold veil while I whirled around. I could hear the audience gasp before I'd even turned. Wrapped around my waist was a string of Christmas lights, now glowing brightly. (I had purposely left my performance until late for maximum impact with the lights).

As I twirled the veil to the front, the tinsel caught on a bell at the back of my Santa hat and pulled it off. Isn't it always the way? No matter how many times you practice a routine, it's not until the big performance that anything that can go wrong, does!

I ended that dance with a long shimmy. My partner said later that he'd wondered if I was going to have enough energy to finish the set, I was putting so much into the shimmy. There was such a positive vibe from the audience I couldn't help but respond (an audience like that is priceless).

The next dance was a bit of a show off piece. The first 3 minutes is choreographed but the last three are improvised. I originally tried to choreograph the whole piece but I could never decide what I wanted to do with the last half. Every time I tried, I came up with something different. I finally decided that the best way to perform it was improvised. I ended this dance with my back to the audience.

The last dance had a long intro. During this time I flicked a switch at my hip. The Christmas lights were now flashing on and off. I turned to face the audience, only to see an audience member (a.k.a Raymond, my partner) hurrying toward me with a present.

I looked surprised, thrilled "For me?," I asked.

"Yes, " he nodded.

I tore open the present, "Zills, " I exclaimed.

I took them out and placed them on my fingers, admiring them all the while. The audience had loved this little charade and were now clapping and cheering.

Raymond made his way back to his seat stopping at the edge of the dance floor to give a small bow ,which the audience loved. (Between you and me, I think I'm going to have to watch him, he may be upstaging me next :-)

My last dance of course was with the zills. A light, fun choregraphy to end the set. I took my bows and made my way back through the Christmas decorations now littering the floor (seems they don't make them to stay on for hip work).

This is one of my favourite performances not just for the fun routine but for the great audience.