Belly Dance for Fun and Fitness
Starting February 1
Tues. 6:30 – Lunatic Fringe in Sunnyvale.
This is 50 minutes of low-impact belly dance movement. Strengthen your arms, your core, your bottom and thighs. I’ve lost 50+ lbs and will share with you the moves and strategies that helped get me there.
$15 dr…op in, $60 for 5 classes, $100 for 10 classes.
If you would like more details or have questions about this new class, please drop me a line. davina@davina.us
Hello Gang! As you may have noticed, I’ve been quite silent over the past month and a half. In December of 2010, I had to suddenly move. The life of a renter leaves one at the mercy of the landlord, and mine needed to move back into his own home. So, on short noticed, I had to move both my home and my business. Last month was dominated by a litany of packing while this month is all about fitting my old things into new places. A huge thanks to Jerry, Joe E., Joe D., Josh, Kwame, and Peterson who each lifted about 1000lbs of books.
I also want to send out a tremendous thanks to Paloma who has offered to share a commercial office above and behind Lunatic Fringe in Sunnyvale CA. As soon as I am done unpacking and organizing my sewing space, I will host an open house to folks in the greater Bay Area. I hope to be back at work by Valentines day!
As I have been working on this massive undertaking, I have found numerous notebooks with old article ideas, past projects, and unfinished manuscripts in various stages of doneness. Hundreds of sketches of belly dancers – some costumes are really quite fun, and others – well, lets just say, I know why they were in that bottom filing drawer!
Over the next few weeks, I will share with you the odd bits and pieces written over the past few years. And while these articles may be disconnected thematically, there’s lots of interesting information to share in the upcoming weeks.
I hope your 2011 brings you plenty of good times, great dancing and fantastic costumes!
Thank you all for your continuing support.
Dawn Devine ~ Davina
Many years ago, a reader in Germany took the time to translate Hints and Tips into German. She sent me a copy long ago, and it languished, lost in a hard drive under my desk. Now, years later, I’ve found this document. Although I’ve since lost the name and contact information for the translator, I am indebted to her for the time she spent working on this project. Thank you!
Hints & Tips in German – Download .pdf here.
Duct-Tape Dummmy – A fashionable tool for a fabulous fit.
For anyone who struggles with fitting costumes and clothing to their own physique, a fitting assistant or duct-tape dummmy is a handy thing to possess. These are a fun project that require the helpful hands of a friend to complete, and will help you achieve the best fit possible with the minimum amount of re-sewing.
Step-By-Step Directions from Threads Magazine
I’m sure you’ve seen directions for the duct-tape dummy around the web before, but Threads Magazine has created a new vision of this sewing-room companion. Instead of a silver robot-like version of you, why not have a stylish colorful twin using one of the latest generation of printed duct-tapes?
Periodically, it’s good to revisit your duct-tape dummmy to make sure that it still accurately reflects your current dimensions. As we travel through the journey of our lives, our bodies evolve. Losing or gaining weight is obvious, but even small changes in posture can affect the hang and swing of a garment. Is it time to make a new fitting tool?
If you find your current twin is the proper size and configuration, why not give her a new coating of fashionable duct-tape? It can bring new life and energy into your sewing space and inspire your inner fashion designer.
In this day and age, isn’t it nice to know that even our sewing tools can be stylish! Thanks Threads for the excellent article complete with step-by-step illustrations.
~ Davina ~ Dawn Devine
www.davina.us
Serge Diaghilev dance impresario and creator of Les Ballets Russes had a unique vision which has sustained the test of time and profoundly effected the entire world of dance. The fantastic orientalist inspired costumes by Leon Bakst have left a lasting impression of his sumptuous balletic reinterpretations of the exotic and mythic east.
Diaghilev had a unique knack for surrounding himself with an illustrious and international group of creative and artistic minds to design his costumes. From the French fashion designer Coco Chanel to the avant guard Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, this exhibit is filled with some of the best costumes ever designed. Diaghilev Exhibit
If you are not in the vicinity of the Victoria and Albert in London to view this show, why not visit their website and drink up some of the Images or check out this video to view parts of the exhibit. Video of the Diaghilev Exhibit
If you don’t have time to watch videos or explore the V&A website, at least visit their store where they have an easy to view collection of Bakst costume illustrations. V&A Prints