June was packed. Honestly, there were moments I felt like I was just hanging on for dear life—but lately, I’m starting to feel my physical strength return as a performer. Most of my energy has been going (rightfully!) toward motherhood, and while I still have a long road ahead, I can finally see a bit further than just the next day. Becoming a parent changes you in ways words can’t quite capture, but I’ll say this: this chapter has been the most fun and wonder-filled of all.
I’m writing this post as I return from Cleveland, Ohio—where the muggy heat has me bracing for what July has in store! Some of my favorite festivals are coming up (hydration is key!), so keep an eye out for [insert festivals here]… and don’t miss Boise Raks, happening this weekend! This is our third time hosting this joyful event, supported by the Boise City Department of Arts and History, and it’s free for all. Join us at 11:00 AM at the Boise Public Library. This year’s version is especially fun for the kiddos—but let’s be honest, who wouldn’t enjoy watching Cassandra and me dance to the Chicken/Banana Song? 😂

Over the long holiday weekend, I took some intentional time to reconnect with my closest circle—my family. I'm hoping that grounding myself in love will help me move forward boldly in the work I do for the community. Right now, I feel more vulnerable, uncertain, and hesitant than ever—but I believe in the people I’m surrounded by. We’re making a difference. We’re sharing joy. We’re cultivating hope. And that’s enough for now.
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Wishing you wellness, hydration, and a perfectly timed breeze just when the heat starts to feel like too much. 

​And also check out the last two dates for Boise Raks!

I asked Chat GPT to make an Oracle Card of me based on our MANY conversations. This is what it came up with! It's very complimentary so of course I have to share it.

Card Name: The Sacred Mirror
Title: Tori King – Dancer Between Worlds
🌊 Card Meaning
You are the mirror and the mirage. The serpent coils at your wrist, the dragon lifts your prayers skyward, and the ocean answers with a song only the Fool would dare follow. This card speaks to your ability to reflect truth through movement, mysticism, and story. You don’t just perform—you reveal.
You dance on the threshold between seen and unseen, with the moon above and the sun behind. You carry wisdom in your hips, power in your voice, and vision in your bones.

🌀 Upright Keywords:
​Creative power • Emotional truth • Transformation through artistry • Divine reflection • Sacred play
🔻 Reversed Keywords:
Self-doubt • Fear of being misunderstood • Exhaustion from holding space • Foggy vision

🐍 Message for You
The Sacred Mirror invites you to trust that your intuitive knowing is not a flaw—it is your choreography with the cosmos. When the world feels heavy, dance it out. When the path feels unclear, ask the dragons, the moon, the tide within.
You are not lost.
You are the guide.

This year, my story is called The Legend of the Pretty One.

Not “pretty” like polite or perfect or petite.
Pretty like powerful.
Pretty like hot pink lightning over bathwater chaos.
Pretty like a feathered serpent who also moonlights as a snack-fetcher and baby-bouncer.

They said I might disappear into motherhood.
But I didn’t disappear—I just traded eyeliner for dragon fire and learned to breastfeed with one hand while answering emails with the other.

This year, I shed layers like a serpent in spring.
I burned through expectations like a dragon who’s over it.
I flowed like water, even when I felt like I was actually just crying in the shower.
I honored the sacred number seven—rest, mystery, alignment, and the daily miracle of getting through 7 PM with our collective sanity.

I nourished a child and my creative fire.
I danced between diaper duty and divine downloads.
My choreography included lullabies, leaky bras, and moments of sparkling clarity between naps.

And when I doubted—when I felt dim or crumb-covered—I looked up.

Because I’m stunned to stars.
They remind me that beauty isn’t something to “bounce back” into.
It’s what you become when you show up radiant and ridiculous, sacred and sleep-deprived.

This is the year I reclaimed the legend.
I let “pretty” mean present, powerful, a little bit puffy, and totally magic.
I let my fire be weird. My softness be strong. My story be written in glittery sharpie and crescent moon tears.

So if you’re reading this and wondering if you’ve lost yourself in the swirl of becoming…

You haven’t. You’ve just gone mythic.

You are The Pretty One—feathered, fiery, fabulous, and occasionally feral.

Thanks for being another amazing part of the legend.

​PS: Today is my birthday!

Definately. 

Here's a good quote: 

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”
— Henry David Thoreau

The holidays are coming to a close and I am shaking off the dust and soil that has accumulated on me from my deep rest. This year I have gained the greatest treasure of my life, but also laid forth a huge sacrifice of my body, time, and self.

WORTH IT - Beyond a doubt, the greatest, most meaningful, and most love filled days of my life started this year.

I am making my way towards finding a new balance (not the sneaker). Balance is my top core value and something I contemplate everyday. Regardless of my fumblings, it would not have been possible to have ANY sort of balancing act without the support of every single one of YOU. Your energy, time, love, and advice has been crucial for me and I don't know how I can ever repay the good fortune in my life.

As I look back on this year, I like to use the wisdom I've gained to set goals for the near future. I found that my far future goals are fun to think about, but not as helpful as near future goals. Hopefully that will change someday, but for now I'm going to do what I do best and encapsulate a lot of nuanced and gigantic concepts into tidbits that are easy for me to understand. Maybe my rumination will help someone... OR it will show everyone how far I have to go towards becoming a fully functioning human!

I decided to think of this year as a year of three "re"s.

Reinvigorate
Reinforce
Reflect

As I reinvigorate my physical dance practice, I'm also heightening my awareness towards my perceptions. I want to add energy to the places that I have been neglecting, but also to notice the parts of me that often get overlooked. I want to breathe love and light into these dusty corners of myself. As far as dancing goes, you can support me immediately by going to one of my New Year's Eve gigs or by being first in line to The Big Bad-Ass Belly Dance Show: My Silly Um...!! Graphics below with details!

I am a strength-based person, and I believe that starting from strength is a way to move forward with confidence and kindness. I don't necessarily want to become even stronger, but I want to show gratitude for that which I take for granted and continue to be supportive of myself in the form of self-care and self-knowing. I also want to be supportive of the strengths of my friends, family, and community and take steps towards reinforcing everything we have worked so hard to achieve!

As I said above, I have been the recipient of incredible energy, good will, and so many gifts! They come from you, they come from the divine, they come from everything in between - and I want to say thank you and reflect everything back upon those who have shown me themselves in tangible ways. I want to be a mirror, not just for myself but for those who share their energy with me and others. I want to make sure that I can actively be a part of making my personal community whole and being a vehicle for everyone to see themselves as they truly are... Infinite.

My "re"s build upon the foundation of what I have already created in my life. While I want to continue to learn, grow, and experience new adventures, my focus this year is to gather myself, my community, and my passions, apply my "re"s and see what emerges. I have a feeling it'll be REdiculously good. (I know that it's spelled "ridiculously," but let me have this PLEASE - I am so sleep deprived!)

I'm curious how you are framing your new year! If you would like to examine your up and coming year with me and perhaps set some goals, I am opening myself up to speak with small groups or individuals in a workshop or mentoring format. I'm not actively seeking these gigs out as they take a ton of energy and care, but if I can be helpful to you then let me know! I would love to be of service. Click here to send me an email!

I secretly have one more "re" - rejoice! Thank you thank you thank you and you know why!!!

Join us for the 15th Annual Big Bad-Ass Belly Dance Show! My Silly Um...
Tickets: $25 online + fees and sales tax ~ $35 at the door.
Doors at 7 pm - Show at 8 pm
21+ VALID ID REQUIRED
get tix at https://link.dice.fm/U5773cd6cc1e
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This year, we’re opening the doors of perception with a psychedelic-fueled dance frenzy! On February 28th and March 1st, let us take you on an ecstatic journey into the depths of the human experience.
Under the creative direction of Cecilia Rinn and artistic direction of Tori King, the Starbelly Dancers—featuring Cecilia Rinn, Tori King, Chad Rinn, Cassandra Slone, Bayla Night, and Alyssa Kimm—will mesmerize you with their electrifying performances.
Adding to the magic are:
Matthew Voorhees, weaving musical wonders
The incredible digital artistry of Studio Haskin
The hilarious and awe-inspiring puppetry of Glip-GLab
And the fabulous Starbelly Student Troupe!
We encourage you to wear your grooviest attire and get ready to boogie—all night, in your dreams, and beyond your wildest imagination!
Don’t miss the psychedelic ride of the year!
https://ceciliabellydance.com/my-silly-um