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Belly Dance General Publications

Cairo Belly Dance Video from National Geographic

Hello Dancers and Costumers,

Today I’ve returned to my desk after attending Rakkasah West in Richmond California. I really had a great time enjoying the performances, shopping the dealers and reconnecting with dance friends near and far. Before I sit down to write my Rakkasah Trend Report for 2011, I thought I would take a moment to share with you a really good little video clip from National Geographic.  In an effort to record the cultures of the world, National Geographic has made a series of video clips available on the web featuring such culturally rich ethnographic arts such as music, dance and theater.    I found this clip on Belly Dance in Cairo captures the sentiment of what is happening over there in the world of dance.  Check it out!

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Publications

Fuse magazine sampler

Interested in all things tribal, fusion or avante-guard style?  The publishers of Fuse magazine have put together a tasty little sampler of pages from their magazine.  Featuring stylish layouts and a mix of informative articles, interviews and reviews, this “Short Fuse” gives you a idea of the look and feel of the entire magazine.  Even if tribal and tribal fusion are not your style of choice, this magazine gives you entre into another genre of dance.  If you have a free moment, check it out!  Short “Fuse”

Categories
General Publications

It’s in the Bag – Packing for Dance Class

It's in the Bag by Davina in the MECDA newsletter

Hello Gang!

I’m so pleased to share some fun news.  One of my articles was published in the MECDA newsletter.  I think they did a fabulous job with the artistic layout and design! www.mecda.org

Davina's Article "It's in the Bag" from the MECDA newsletter

Categories
Costuming DIY

Dahlal Internationale – Inspirations and Eye Candy

In case you haven’t checked it out, Dahlal Internationale has this great feature in their quarterly newsletter, Dancer Designs.  In each issue, they convert, transform or create a belly dance costume ensemble from items in their product line.  This brilliant little piece of marketing is highly useful for the DIY seamstress or designer. These costuming projects are primarily composed of their own products such as hip wraps, veils and other costume accessories.  Suggestions vary from basic things you can do to transform a hip wrap (like the Peacock Draped Bra or an assortment of wraps)to more complicated projects that create full ensembles ( like The Faux Minya Dress) and costume pieces requiring more complex construction (such as their embellished Godet Pants.)    Design at right from Dahlal page – The Coin Bolero Top

The Dahlal Dancer Designs archive contains dozens of design ideas to rev up your creative juices.  The use-what-you-have mentality applies equally to their merchandise and to your own personal costume collection.  Even if you don’t use their exact materials, their well-written descriptions can help you breathe a new life into your existing wardrobe.  The key is to look at your accessories and costume pieces in new ways – and let the inspiration take you.

Kudos to Dahlal for not only offering us great products to buy, but for giving us great examples of how to think like a designer. Excellent directions for what I affectionately call “Closet Costuming” – the art of transforming your existing wardrobe in new and innovative ways.  If you have some time – check out the Dahlal site.  If you like it, be sure to sign up for their newsletters.  Even if you don’t sew, check out this website.  Their photos are lush, their costume gorgeous and their models look every inch the belly dancer.

Happy Costuming,
Dawn Devine ~ Davina

Categories
General

Fun Half Sole Shoes

Have you seen the new line of Funky Diva Half Sole Shoes?   I found them over on Discount Dance Supply and think they are fun, funky and really practical. Discount dance is carrying two styles with floral and heart motifs inspired by tattoo art like.  Comfy mesh with a sprinkle of rhinestones and a padded sole, for comfort when spinning.  These would be fun for practice and performance.   I’ve used Discount Dance to purchase many of the shoes in my personal wardrobe.  Some of my favorites include a pair of black character shoes from Block which are a go-to Flamenco-fusion style pieces and a pair of black dance sneakers from Leo that I wear when teaching dance and performing more funky fusion pieces.  If you are in the market for dance shoes, I highly recommend a visit to their store.