Author: Davina

Davina ~ Dawn Devine is a belly dance costume designer, dance instructor and author of more than a dozen publications on Middle Eastern dance.

Categories
Assiut/Assuit General

All About Assiut – Lecture Notes

All About Assiut – Lecture Notes – September 2012

Dawn Devine - Presenting Vintage Assiut at the de Young Museum
Dawn Devine ~ Davina - Presenting Vintage Assiut at the de Young Museum - Photo by Alisha Westerfeld

Over the past year, I’ve been presenting an hour-long lecture entitled “All About Assiut.”  Sometimes it’s a slide presentation and at other times, it’s more of a hand’s on informal talk.  As I’ve been working on my book, the handout has evolved as well, with interesting historical images, a bullet list of facts, and a selection of quotes from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

As of today, October 1, I’ve got 14 costumes to complete and photograph before my book is finished.   I’m anticipating a mid-winter release – if you join my mailing list, you will get the first notification of the book’s availability.

In the meantime – click on the link below and enjoy my handout!

~ Dawn Devine ~ Davina

All About Assiut - Lecture Notes
All About Assiut - Lecture Notes - Sept. 30, 2012 - .pdf

 

Categories
Belly Dance General

Glitter Dance Shoes for 2012

Glitter Dance Shoes for 2012

The fall season is the best time to shop for party shoes and this season is offering a wide variety of glittery, sparkling shoes. Sparkle and shine is hot for the holidays but eternally useful for dancers, showgirls and divas.  Here are just a few of the thousands of styles, shapes and colors now available around the web.   Have fun shopping!

Glitter Dance Shoes fall 2012

Glitter Dance Shoes fall 2012 by davinadevine featuring glitter pumps
Categories
Assiut/Assuit Belly Dance General

Cloth Of Egypt Post Cards

The Cloth of Egypt: All About Assiut Post Card
Promotional Post Card - "The Cloth of Egypt: All About Assiut"

New Cloth of Egypt Post Cards appearing in Vegas

I’m in the middle of preparing to attend the Las Vegas Belly Dance Intensive Sept. 6 – 9 at the lovely Flamingo hotel.  I’m teaching a workshop called “Think Like A Designer” about planning and building a useful wardrobe using techniques from the worlds of fashion and costume design.   I’m really excited about teaching, performing and networking at the show!   In preparation, we’ve put together a promotional post card for the book I’m currently working on “The Cloth of Egypt: All About Assiut.”   Check it out!

The Cloth of Egypt: All About Assiut Post Card
Promotional Post Card - "The Cloth of Egypt: All About Assiut"
The Cloth of Egypt: All About Assiut - Post Card - Back
The Cloth of Egypt: All About Assiut - Post Card - Back
Categories
Costuming DIY

Bobbin Holder

Bobbin Holder

Bobbin Holder – Cool Tool

One of my favorite organizational tools in my sewing arsenal is my bobbin holder.  This rubber donut-shaped bobbin holder is about 5” across and holds a lot of bobbins.  I’ve got two, color coordinated – one with lighter colors, the other with deeper jewel tones.  This holder is easy to use, the bobbins slip in and out easily but stay in place.  I love that I can easily organize by hue and tone and it’s easy to see exactly how many bobbins I have and what colors are prepared and ready to go.

There are several different companies making this style of organizational product.  Mine is stamped BobbinSaver, and it truly saves me time by helping me stay completely organized.   If you do a lot of sewing, and switch colors frequently, this might be a great product for you.

Bobbin Holder

Bobbin Saver on Amazon.com

Categories
Assiut/Assuit Belly Dance General

Video Inspirations – Assiut At Tribal Fest 2012 – Part 2

Assiut At Tribal Fest 2012 – Part 2

Tribal Fest is one of my favorite events to go to, hang out at and watch lots of fantastic dancing.  This year, there were many wonderful assiut-clad performers.  Here are three more of my favorites from this year’s events.  Check out part 1 for more.

Rachel Brice and Datura

After relocating to Portland and opening her studio Datura, which has become the new epicenter of modern tribal fusion, Rachel Brice has built a troupe featuring an amazing group of talented dancers.  You can spot one of my favorite tribal performers, another Bay Area to Portland transplant, Ashley Lopez amongst these amazing women.  The costuming is lush, silver on black assiut.  The dance – spellbinding.

Sasha

This performance features the supple Sasha, who spent his days of Tribal Fest 2012 wandering around draped in as many as 7 vintage assiut shawls.   A self-proclaimed assiut addict, here he is performing with at least four draped around his body which he tucks and wraps the scarves to preserve them whole while still enjoying the shimmer and swing of wearing them in performance.

Qabila Folkdance Company

The Qabila Folkdance Company brought to the Tribal Fest a more traditional folkloric performance wearing lovely assiut gowns. These ladies performed an upbeat Saidid and Gahwazee Suite with style and gusto. Visit their FaceBook page to connect with this talented group of women.