Happy Halloween!
As I write this, it’s the last day of October 2023 and I wish you all a happy and safe celebration of the harvest season.
November Events:
Fabulous Fall Festival and Bellydance Bundle
The past two months have been extraordinarily busy here in Studio Davina. I’ve had to face the facts, During Oct/Nov. 2023, I’ve seriously bitten off more than I can chew. Over the past two months, I’ve temporarily sidelined a few major projects to make room in my schedule to tackle two big events, The Fabulous Fall Festival and the Bellydance bundle 2023.
Left: Screen grab of the editing process featuring Gabrielle Ray as Frou-Frou from the Merry Widow play c. 1907. October Patreon talk “Recent Research” is now available
The Fabulous Fall Festival 2023
In late May 2023, I joined the steering committee of BABDAMA, The Bay Area Belly Dance and Music Association. For many years, I was on the committee of the Bay Area Chapter of the long-running non-profit organization, MECDA. I left the organization to focus on the production of two books, “The Cloth of Egypt” and “Zills: Music On Your Finger Tips.”
Unfortunately, in 2014, the Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association (MECDA) closed its doors. Several of the former MECDA board members formed a steering committee for the new BABDAMA. This new organization continues the tradition of hosting the Fabulous Fall Festival, an event I helped found back in 2004.
Now, almost 20 years after I spearheaded the first Fabulous Fall Festival, I was invited to rejoin the event steering committee. Along with three other dancers in the community, we’ve planned a fabulous event for our local dance community. Visit the BABDAMA website for all the details.
The Bellydance Bundle 2023
In late summer, I was invited back to join the team at the Bellydance Bundle 2023. I’m in such illustrious company with instructors from many different disciplines all focussed on the subject of belly dance. My contribution to the 2023 Bundle is a 3-part 90+ min course entitled “The Belly Dance Historian’s Tool Box”
The Bellydance Bundle offers a collection of courses, lectures, demos, and classes from acclaimed instructors. I’m thrilled to be sharing the virtual stage with some of my favorite dancers and scholars from around the globe. Check out the Line Up Here
No matter what style you perform in, or what genre you prefer, this bundle is an incredible value for the dance enthusiast. But even if the Bundle isn’t in the cards for you this year, sign up for the mailing list to get the free ebook.
Yallah Raqs Podcast #107 – “Burning Questions” with Dawn Devine aka Davina
As part of the run-up to the bundle release on Nov. 2, I recorded a podcast! Several folks from the Studio Davina: Behind the Seams Facebook Group, asked me some probing questions to guide this presentation. If you’ve got some time, why not take a listen and enjoy?
My past Yallah Raqs Podcast interviews include Episode 39 – “Mad About Maud” and Episode 07: “Zills: History and Practice”
Costuming From the Hip: Thirtieth Anniversary Edition
To accomplish this work for the Fabulous Fall Festival and The Bellydance Bundle, I’ve had to temporarily set aside the rewrite of “Costuming from the Hip: Thirtieth Anniversary Edition.” I’ve also had to backburner my first cozy novel, “Shimmy on the High Seas.”
I am really excited to resume working on both of these projects in December.
In the meantime, I look forward to experiencing how these two big November events unfold!
Happy Halloween 2023
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
Oct. 31, 2023