Summer Shows Continue!

It’s time for the Summer Show Photos! Send us a photo you attending a festival or show this summer while wearing a costume or dance attire from MissBellydance.com! You’ll be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to our online store. We’ve been to quite a few shows this season and they’ve all been quite exciting. From dance classes, to lectures and a night of fantastic debuts for new troupes; we loved them all!

Post your photos from the events on our Facebook page or tag us on Twitter or Instagram @missbellydance! We’re giving out discount codes and putting your name in the drawing. If you’re submitting a troupe picture, the person who submits the photo will be given the gift card if they win, but all of the troupe will be allowed to use the coupon code.
Can’t wait to see your photos!

-Team MBD

July 24, 2017 0

The Fabulous Forums of the Raqs World

Right now, all across the social sphere are chats and conversations about raqs sharqi, global dances from the region and music conversations. We want to say thank you for continuing the conversations because they are truly important. Getting to the root of a dance and learning the whys and hows of the region is essential for growth. We believe that no matter what your level in this art, lectures and forums are a key component to being a good dancer and a great fan.
In 2007, 2008 and onward, we had several dancers, enthusiasts and instructors from our dance community in Atlanta join an amazing group of people from around the world in Toronto, Canada. Our resident archivist was there and still marvels at the amazing information and experience of the International Bellydance Conference of Canada. Here her words about the good ole days!

It was a great conference and just about everyone I had ever loved in the dance world was there minus some of the legends from the 50s. Nath Keo, Tito Seif, Mark Balahadia, Shira of Shira.net, the group formerly known as Arabesque and a million others it seemed were there. People I had only had the opportunity to read about online or see when a relative from back home was raving over “this guy named Tito is amazing!” were there…it was a dream come true. I fell head over heels for this conference. My favourite parts w, aside from the incredible shows, were the lectures. We talked about everything from men in dance to the stigma of being ibn raissa… I mean, the presenters held nothing back. I’m happy that these conversations continue. If you ignore it, your presentations suffer. You have to be a part of the talks to really understand what you’re presenting. A class is the first step but take that conversation to the next level at a forum. Dance education is key! -Andinha

Houston Oriental and Folklore Dance Festival is another great conference to attend that features great shows and competitions!

What forums do you attend? What classes do you take to get more than technique? We’d love to hear from you! And if you’re headed to shows this summer or have been to plenty, reach out to us here on our blog or send us an email on our Facebook page so we can give you a coupon code to save on your next purchase with MissBellydance.com

Thanks for reading!

-Team MBD

June 25, 2017 0

Comfortable Classwear for Conferences

Sometimes, you just need really great and comfortable dance classwear. If you’re going to Bellydance class, modern dance class, ballet all in the same day (or headed to conferences where these workshops are back to back) then you need something that works for everything. Check this out and let us know what you think. What dancewear do you prefer for dance class in general. Want more? Need to buy? Then check out our dance classwear page.

February 22, 2017 0

Flamenco Arabe Featuring Fantastic Bellydancers Diana and Najmah Nour

This weekend we’re excited about having Flamenco Arabe conference at our studio hosted by Diana and Najma. This workshop is designed for dancers of both Flamenco and Bellydance plus many other genres. You’ll learn a lot and walk away with skills you take to your classes and to the stage.

We held a contest last year and the winners were to receive two 25 yard skirts. We’re happy that Saniyah of Shimmies with Saniyah, a local teacher, performer and choroegrapher here in Atlanta won the skirts, a spot in the workshop for herself and a friend. She answered a trivia question correctly and was chosen in a drawing as the winner. Mabrook and Felicitions to Saniyah!

If you’re coming to the workshop let us know. Send us a picture of you eagerly packing your suitcase or headed on over in your car. We’re giving away one more 25 yard skirt to a person attending. Can’t wait to see you in class and at the show. For more information please visit this link where you can also register.

save 10% on your future order at MissBellydance.com when attending this event.

Matching troupe ensembles look great on stage

Bellydance Evolution’s “Alice” posed in a MBD costume for us. She looks great!

Diana presents Flamenco Arabe Seminar & Show Saturday February 25, 2017

An exciting day of dance fusing Flamenco and Middle Eastern dance styles with master instructors Najmah Nour (NY) and Diana (GA) followed by a Spanish Fusion showcase featuring a mix of Flamenco and Middle Eastern dance styles.

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Location: Workshops at Atlanta Fusion Belly Dance followed by showcase at Global Dance Eileen Keegan Theatre

12:00pm-2:00pm Baile del Mundo with Najmah Nour
Learn how to emcompass the muscular and passionate strength of flamenco while keeping the fluidity and softness of Belly Dance with some of her core technique that will blend into a passionate choreography to an old Sephardic Ladino song.

2:30pm-4:30pm Gypsy Flamenco with Diana
Diana will teach the art of using veil like the Spanish Manton (shawl) and a short Gypsy-style Flamenco fusion choreography.

8:00pm Flamenco Arabe Showcase

$45 in advance $50 at the door
Full Day Pass (2 workshops and show) $100
Register now: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2564790

About the Instructors:

Najmah Nour seamlessly combines traditional and modern in her Flamenco Arabe dance form. She fuses elements of Contemporary, Middle Eastern, and Flamenco dances to help her embody a unique style. Najmah’s dance speaks the soul of Flamenco and the heart of Belly Dance. Her love for Middle Eastern dances and Flamenco has merged themselves together because she grew up dancing in the living room with her Spanish/Cuban family and she was exposed to belly dance at a very young age. Najmah expresses the powerful and dynamic aspects of flamenco while keeping the feminine and soft quality of Belly Dance.

As a teacher, she brings her years of study and her immense generosity of spirit to her many students, and is a much sought-after workshop instructor in the Southeast.

Diana
With over 30 years experience as a performer and instructor, Diana is one of Atlanta’s most cherished dancers! Her 13-year background in ballet and folkloric dance in the western New York area, have allowed her to offer a wide range of Middle Eastern dance styles. In 2003, she received permission from critically acclaimed Yasmina Ramzy of Toronto, Canada, to recreate Yasmina’s dance, “Venus” from the Descent of Ishtar Ballet, for Company Mezza. Specializing in training for the advanced to pro level dancer, many of Diana’s students currently perform in Atlanta area restaurants, and are instructors/performers on cruise lines and dance studios. Diana is also an active Flamenco student of Malita Belloso at Calo Gitano!

See you there!

-Team MBD and Andye

February 22, 2017 0

Hipscarves, Cool Community Members and Love!

MissBellydance.com continues to branch out and be a part of bigger conversations. This month we’re excited to feature interviews with culinary artists and dancers of all genres who are also foodies. One of the great teams we’ll talk with are those from dinner parties featuring dancers around town. One being a great party with a dance and fitness aficionado who is Nigerian-American. Among the many cultures, Nigerians are prominent in our community and always out and about. We’re going to hang out with several and get the inside scoop on the dances that our Nigerian friends are into including a number of different styles of bellydance and Coup de Cale from Cote d’Ivoire.

Another great scoop of info for fans will be that of the many deals we’re doing for Valentine’s Day. We’ll have a recap from Lunar New Year and check-in on our hipscarf promotion and what you all think of it or want to do further. Let us know what you’re thinking about this year. We want to know where you’re going for shows and what cool costumes you’re looking to don at the gala and extravaganzas. We’re so excited to be out and about in the community. Can’t wait to see and hear from you!

Hugs to all of our fans!
-Team MBD

February 11, 2017 0

Costume Gifts

The perfect gift for the dancer in your life is often a new costume. MissBellydance.com has picked out three that are flattering and fun to wear…and are in stock ready to be owned and worn with delight by all the raissat in your life. We’re looking at flowing chiffon in a symphony of colours with ‘Fit for Fatine’ shown above.

We also have several ensembles with great coverage in the torso area. They are accompanied with harem pants that are comfortable to wear. You can pick out a matching hipscarf, gold or silver zills, cover-ups and thobes to wear over the outfit until it’s time for the event or ceremony.

Then there’s “Chebba Shine” which is a personal favourite for many of our staff due to the intricate cut of the top and the stylish layers on the pants and hipscarf. Which one would best suit your favourite dancer friend? Post a photo of you with your favourite dancer pal this week on our Facebook page and we’ll email you a couponcode for your next order from missbellydance.com.

Can’t wait to see you!

-Team MBD

December 19, 2016 0

Flamenco and Raqs Sharqi – Relatives in the Art

The history of Flamenco dance is so vast. Most historically conscious dancers know that this art has its origins in India and if you watch movies like Gypsy Caravan (the documentary film) or read/study with Aunty Rocky (Morocco) both can give you some really amazing insight to this art and its background. Many bellydancers love to borrow from this particular dance. It is not wrong but there is a respectful way to do that. We’d like to again, remind our readers that we are sponsors of the Flamenco Arabe Dance Seminar coming up in less than 6 months. This workshop will allow you to learn the roots of Flamenco technique, ask questions and get a better understanding of how it can be fused without confusing your audience.

We do want everyone to take some time to look at the great artists of this era via video. Who are your favourites past and present? Let us know your thoughts. Two interested fans will be entered into a drawing to win two skirts that are perfect for this workshop. Just respond in the comments section or leave us a note on Facebook.

Can’t wait to see everyone there! Again, you can register here.

-Team MBD

October 10, 2016 0

Dancing, Dining and Diversity

Top Egyptian Star Returns to the City
Last year Sorraiah Saied came into our personal lives and stole our hearts. She is by far one of the most amazing instructors we’ve ever encountered and we are overjoyed at her return to Essence of Bellydance 2016. We hope she continues to be a featured star and sister to this outstanding Raqs Conference. Get the schedule here

class — Classes are comfortable and the crowds are friendly…

We hear so many stars, fans and conference attendees rave about Essence and how they can’t wait to return. We agree. It is one of the top notch stops on the dance calendar that we prepare long in advance to attend. The hotel is incredible with modern condo style luxury suites at phenomenal prices. It’s situated in the heart of a very happening and upbeat city that is diverse and easy to navigate thanks to local transit and car services. Most restaurants close around 2am-3am and really famous southern spots stay open all night with 24/7 menus like The Diner franchise located at pulsepoints around the city and deep into the suburbs. Atlanta is one of the best places to host an event and it is home to our favourite annual dance events.

One of Soraiah’s top pics – Photos by Studio Jaki

Atlanta is also home to our main HQ, MissBellydance.com. For over 13 years we’ve been raqin’ out with fellow Atlantans and keeping our prices low because we make a lot of our costumes ourselves. Come say hi to members of our team at Essence of Bellydance. We’d love to meet you in person. We’ll be doing trivia and other fun things online that weekend. Those who are present will be able to pick up prize packs and discounts on their favourite costumes. So much to look forward to this September. We can’t wait to spend it with Sorraiah Saied, Team Essence and YOU!

Keep it Raqin’
-Team MBD

August 18, 2016 0

Bellydance in the Olympics?

Olympics are on in Brasil, home to some of the greatest raissat in the world. We all know Brasil has some truly dedicated Bellydancers like Sorraiah Zaied, who also resides in Egypt, and will be here with us at Essence of Bellydance 2016 in a few weeks. The focus on the nation has brought in a flood of focus to arts and culture of the region. Shows like O Clone nearly 15years ago also come to mind for us. Their gorgeous costumes and salute to raqs culture and Morocco are unmatched. Take a moment to remember it with us…or buy the DVD!

Cultures live online of late. No longer do we have to fly half way across the world to be a part of events. Olympic viewing parties are happening all around us. And looking at some of the categories featured we see that there are new sports that have been added, things that some said would never be included. We want to ask you, given all of the competitions that have become so much a part of Bellydance culture, do you think it’ll ever be considered a sport? Let’s face it, you have to train for this art to get to competition level. It takes a lot of dedication and work much like many athletes go through. What makes raqs sharqi, as we know it today, different from an athletic sport? Floor dancing through gymnastics is there and includes rhythms and dance art from various cultures and principals. How long before Raqs Sharqi will be included? And what would the Olympic committees call it? We are eager to discuss it. Let us know on Facebook.

Shout out to our Brazillian bellydance and Samba pros in our city like Andrea and Kalinka. We wish their home country well in the games as well the many nations of our staff, volunteers and fans!

http://www.missbellydance.com

August 10, 2016 0

Flamenco Arabe Workshop – Save the Date!

In February we’ll be celebrating the Art of Flamenco with some really great dancers. Flamenco is what we and others consider a sister dance to Raqs Sharqi. You can learn more about the workshop using this link. We’ll let them educate you on the amazing footwork, hands, music and history while we focus on the fashion.

In recent years many dancers have fused Flamenco with their art. Full 25yard skirts are often used in that fusion and we’re giving away two skirts (one for the winner and one of their friends) plus two free spots in the actual workshop. It’s a great chance to be a part of this interactive learning opportunity. All you have to do is tell us why you want to learn about Flamenco or what it means to you. Winners will be picked at random and in true MBD style we’ll be giving away other gifts as entries come in. Send them via our FB page. Just post them to our wall.

We can’t wait to hear from you and to give away these great skirts. If you’re eager to get a skirt now you can grab one for your own raqs treasure chest. There’s also some great jewelry. Just take your pick here. If you register for the workshop and end up being one of the winners you will be refunded. Have a great time and let us know how much you love Raqs Sharqi and the art of Flamenco dance.

July 26, 2016 0