Advice for New Troupes & Dance Teams

MissBellydance.com would like to say Mabrook to all troupes that had their debut at Attack of the Bellydancers 2017. Our archivist sent us photos and information about the show that left us very excited about the new dance teams in Atlanta. Just some advice from inside the sewing halls of our store as we want to see you continue and thrive in Atlanta! We’re here to support you!

Sabia, Maiea and Hasna dancing together! 🙂 We love this!

1. Don’t give up. It’s easy to start something and then let it fall because you got busy

2. Set goals for the group. Aim to perform at x conference or something by x date

3. Be friends first. Do not take yourselves too seriously…encourage each other and call each other out when you see one falling. Be pillars for each other in the most kind and supportive way

4. Stay creative! Don’t get to comfortable in any stage of our work, always think of what you can do differently but with respect to the cultures you represent in every way

5. Remember your roots and the roots of the art/dance – needs no explanation

Congratulations and let us know what we can do to assist. Reach out to us here on our blog or on social media to get coupon codes for dance. All those who attended the show may remember that we are giving you a 20% discount on orders of $50 or more now until the first day of Fall. We can’t wait to see what else you bring to life for our beloved international town, community and raqs world! We’re also happy to hear that money for SEEDs Atlanta was raised! The Atlanta Culture Club will be making a donation as well this year! Very happy to be involved in that! More info and praise coming from our way!

Thanks for reading
-Team MBD

July 12, 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

Summer Dance Classes

There are a lot of summer dance classes being hosted around the world right now. As May wraps up Festival Season, in comes Summer Conference Season where you can pick from a variety of countries to visit and get your Raqs Sharqi fix as fast and furious as you want it. We’re looking at local options which include Jazzy Fusion Bellydance with Leila Soleil at our sister studio Atlanta Fusion Bellydance. Later this summer there’s the Attack of the Bellydancers show and, of course, Essence of Bellydance which is one of the largest dance conferences in the southeast!

In Florida, New York, San Francisco, Houston and other major cities, festivals and events continue to grow. You know this! Try to go to at least one and be sure you are well prepared and stocked up on dancewear, modern dance leotards for comfort, hipscarves for bellydance class and even leg warmers and jackets that you can wear for those extra cool hotel conference ballrooms!

It’s gonna be a blast! Get your tickets and take lots of pictures! We want to see you! Submit a photo to our Facebook page or tag us! We’ll be sure to enter you to win one of our cool summer dance dazzling gift bags filled with all kinds of cool things!

Thanks for reading!
Team MBD

May 23, 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

Visit MissBellydance.com & See Suhaila Salimpour This Week

This week we’re excited about Suhaila Salimpour’s return to the studio hosted by Atlanta Fusion Bellydance. AFBD manages our 2,000 sq ft space adjacent to our large bellydance warehouse. AFBD are not just friends, but our family and we work together to promote top talent around the world in our raqs and bellydance industry. This year the calendar is already filled with many amazing shows and dance learning opportunities. We invite you to reach out and put Atlanta Fusion Bellydance events on your calendar. This week while you shop, sign up for one of the many classes Suhaila Salimpour is teaching. We love it when she’s in town!

faaridah1 — Faaridah Raqs, friend, family and model at MissBellydance.com – leader of Atlanta Fusion Bellydance

MissBellydance.com is right up front awaiting to welcome you with open arms as you enter the amazing studio space that AFBD have transformed into a raqs wonderland. Here are some things to expect this year.

February 2017
February 4 Sassy Jazz Fusion Belly Dance with Babette & Leyla Soleil @ AFBD
February 25 Flamenco Arabe Workshops sponsored by Diane Adams featuring Najmah Nour @ AFBD. Register now!

March 2017
March 11 BollyX Instructor training @ AFBD
March 19 Atlanta’s Got Talent hosted by Faaridah of AFBD & Jenny of World Belly Dance Alliance. Performer registration opens January 5

April 2017
April 28-30 Michelle Sorensen worksh ops @ AFBD. We’re excited to host this fusion belly dance star! One of our faves! Registration opens January 16 !!
April 30 AFBD Spring Showcase featurin g Michelle Sorensen

June 2017
June 10-11 AFBD’s 8th Anniversary Weekend. Join us for our biggest celebration to date, featuring a huge stage production with world-renowned guest artists! Stay tuned for more!

Eshta Amar’s course was offered online during Bellydance Fashion Week. We’re grateful the team made that available.

Thanks for reading! See you this week!
-Team MBD

January 9, 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

Future Fun – Bellydance Shows 2017

We’re happy to begin announcing some cool things to look forward to enjoying in 2017. After quite a rocky year in the raqs and rock world, we’re certainly planning to attend not only tribute events but seasonal and exciting ones featuring top names in our industry and those that we touch. We’ll be dressed to the nine’s in MBD fashions and zaghareeting from the first three rows til we pass out!

Check out what’s coming up (more to come):
Suhaila Salimpour in Atlanta – 14 Jan
Flamenco Arabe – 25 Feb
Bellydance Fashion Weekend TBD March 2017
NYC Cairo – 20 to 23rd April
Houston Oriental Dance – 5 to 7 May
Jendayi School of Bellydance Production Summer 2017
Essence of Bellydance 14 to 17 September
…and let us not forget The Luxor Show featuring the Raqs Awards in 2018.

There is no time like now to plan the biggest and brightest events! Let us know if you need any assistance with registration or costuming for events. We’re here to help!

December 5, 2016 0

Glittery Goodness of the Season

Adorn yourself in blissful bling. MissBellydance.com has a sea of glittery goodness to make you stand out this holiday season. From rhinestone necklaces to statement pieces, there’s a lot for you and your friends to get a little fancy for the holiday haflas and soirees.

Try something big and bold that really stands out against a basic black dress. Or maybe a colourful option that sparkles and shines? You can also go for a series of sparkling things on your wrists and arms.

Look beautiful and feel great with these beautiful accessory sets this season. Don’t forget to send us a photo and show us where you’re celebrating this year.

-Team MBD

December 1, 2016 0

Bling For Bellydance Shows

Hope you had a great holiday yesterday. It’s now time to shift gears and think about parties and gifts for the ones you love. We’re looking at sparkling things and cool accessories to wear to shows. There’s something for everyone in our stock. If you’re hoping for something traditional and elegant consider a ‘Mano de Fatima,’ Hamsa, or regional hand ornament. We have several styles that work well. These have a cultural and regional significance. They mean a lot to us and are worn by all sexes and genders.

We also have lovely necklaces that go well with those looking to glam up their outfits. There’s a wide variety and we’re fond of this one. It looks good with so many personal styles.

And who can resist a necklace that ups your fusion game to the next level. Mirrored accessories are timeless. Pick your fav and get one for a friend. Send us photos of you and your friend wearing any of these styles and we’ll enter you to win a pair of earrings to match.

Thanks for subscribing!
-Team MBD

November 1, 2016 0