Today I woke up and was thrilled to discover that I made the cover of Fanoos Magazine. The production team over at the magazine approached me in March to schedule an interview. They sent me a list of 10 thought-provoking questions that really made me stop and pause for reflection. If you would like to read this piece, click through to the Fanoos website.
Happy Costuming!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
April 15, 2021
“2-Hour Skirt”
Q: Can you make a performance-ready
belly dance skirt in under 2 hours?
A: Yes, You Can!
Join me for a costuming workshop Using a basic sewing machine, some simple patterning, and sewing skills, you can go from a pile of fabrics and notions to a finished micro-sequin skirt in less than 2-hours!
Using the right materials, and having the patterning and sewing techniques will make it fast – and easy. Mostly straight line sewing using an ordinary sewing machine.
Depending on where you purchase your fabric, these skirts styles can be made today for less than $50, and I bought all the materials for each of these three skirt demos for less than $30 ea.
We’re not using a pattern, but rather, taking your measurements and cutting to fit. Starting with the right materials and tools will give you a beautiful outcome for any size or shaped dancer’s body!
We have three very different shapes and hem widths, so you will find a style that works for you. Love your leg out? We’ll talk slits! Love to spin? We’ll talk full circle? Fancy a mermaid Moment? We’ve got one of those for ya too!
Once the workshop is over, use the eBook as a guide for sourcing materials, taking measurements, making patterns, cutting, sewing, and fitting your creations. This book includes information and ideas beyond the scope of the 90-minute workshop/demo. The “2-Hour Skirt” eBook includes more than the three styles included in the workshop, variations on each skirt theme, and more advanced fitting techniques.
Come join me for the fun and learn how to quickly and affordably enhance and refresh your belly dance wardrobe over the coming months with a wardrobe of new skirts! Reserve your space today.
If you have questions about this costume-making event, I’m available via Instagram, Facebook, and good ‘ole email davina at davina dot US.
New costume pieces for spring?
Let’s do it!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
April 6, 2021
Topic & Talk: “Doing” Belly Dance History
Research Tip: Be clear on the difference between what is a fact, and what is theory.
Image: Cycladic Idol Figure, Chalcolithic period, Getty Malibu
Perhaps I’m stepping onto a soapbox, but I think as researchers we need to be very clear with our communication and share information about our research as clearly and accurately as possible. Over the past 50 years, there’s been a lot of theory presented as fact in magazine articles, blog posts, and even published books. Sometimes ideas get repeated so many times, these myths, concepts, and ideas begin to seem or “feel” like facts.
Cycladic Idol Figurine
In 2016, I joined my co-authors Sara Shrapnell and photographer Alisha Westerfeld on a book tour in the UK. First, we attended the belly dance festival Celebrating Dance in Torquay UK. Sara and I both taught workshops, sold books, and had a great time hanging out. The next weekend, we headlined a day of workshops and a showcase on the Isle of Wight. Sara is a great teacher and it’s always fun to work with her.
Between these two events, Alisha and I spent three days in Bristol. Unfortunately, I came down with sniffles that evolved into a cold. I was not just a little sick, I became MONSTER SICK. We stumbled into the Bristol Museum and I asked Alisha to take a photo of these beautiful clappers. Who knew there was going to be an Egyptian exhibit in this city museum?
I was so bleary-eyed and run-down that I didn’t even notice the gorgeous set of finger cymbals in the case. It wasn’t until I was home, recovered from bronchitis, and flipping through Alisha’s photos that I spotted this treasure!
If you are interested in more historical information about finger cymbals, you can check out the first sections of my book “Zills: Music on Your Fingertips.” And I frequently share lectures on this subject both online and (when we can do it again) in person.
In this digital seminar, I’ll be covering my mindset and approach to formulating key inquiry questions and then sharing my methodology and workflow. I’ll be sharing my favorite research tools, digital platforms for storing information, and how I use digital databases to uncover historical data that helps us document the history of belly dance.
Along with this talk, I’ve put together an eBook that includes a breakdown of the process of performing archival research and live-links to my favorite digital databases.
Join me for a peek “behind the curtain,” enjoy a beautiful slide show of historic images, and maybe even take your own historical research skills to the next level.
Will I see you there?
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
March 15, 2021
One of the websites I have a love and hate relationship with is Pinterest. On the one hand, I love that it serves as a storehouse for a wealth of visual information and inspiration.
However, on the other hand, I’ve learned to question the data that accompanies images should all be questioned. Other image aggregate sites include Flikr and the micro-blog sites Tumblr and Instagram.
This image, of Sahry-Djeli, is lovely and dates back to 1910-1913, and I use it as part of ongoing research on Salomania.
However, in many places, this is labeled “La Belle Otero” another great entertainer. These two performers were contemporaries, both working in Europe, but primarily in France, during the first quarter of the 20th century. They also were performers of the dance du ventre, and appeared in the role of Salome.
Sahry-Djili was more than just a dancer. She was also a famous contortionist, with extreme flexibility and extension through her body. Her lithe limberness was her unique claim to fame and made her stand out when compared to the numerous other Salome’s gracing the stage of theaters around Europe. Look at this amazing position she could get into and hold for the length of time required for studio images at this time.
However, at some point, someone noted the resemblance between these two performers and misidentified this image as La Belle Otero. Since then, this image and attribution have circulated the web. La Belle Otero was from the previous generation, and by the time Salomania took hold of the stages of Europe, Otero was a seasoned performer while Sahary was an up-and-comer.
As a researcher, I always question “the source” of the accompanying documentation. Consider the “Five W’s” – Who, What, When, Where, and Why (and the sixth “hoW”) when looking at pictures on image aggregate and micro-blogging websites. If you feel confident that you have the correct information, rejoice! If you have concerns, as I did for this image, then it’s time to put on the researcher hat and either confirm the attribution or find the real info.
I’ll be using more images of Sahary and discuss how I find, process, and store images in my archive. Wanna join me? If you are interested in learning more about how to find and use images for your own research, study, and teaching, why not come join me for my talk on Saturday, March 27?
Perhaps I will see you there!
In the meantime, take care and be well!
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
March 12, 2021