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

International Dance with DJ Amix – Atlanta Event

Saturday Nights are for dancing with DJ Amix. Taverna Plaka is the place to be this weekend as our favourite turns it up with the best mix of international music. DJ Amix is an Atlanta icon who has been delighting audiences for years with his amazing parties and events. We’re happy to support him in his work.

Mix and mingle with many of the city’s international crowd along with other dancers and friends. This is a party everyone looks forward to! Don’t just take our word for it. See for yourself on Saturday.

DJ Amix International Music Mix and Party
Taverna Plaka – 2196 Cheshire Bridge Rd
Atlanta Ga 30324
RSVP and more info

We’ve seen some of our fans there sporting MissBellydance.com on many occasions. We thank you! Have a great time!

-Team MBD

August 17, 2016 0

Competition Couture from MissBellydance.com

There’s so much going on in dance! In particular, there are opportunities to enter competitions in dance this fall. From coast to coast dancers have the opportunity to make a name for themselves through presenting their best of bellydance and raqs sharqi. Showing off your top skills is best done in a great costume.

MissBellydance.com bedluh’s are custom made to fit all dancers in a variety of sizes, it’s tailor made.

Some competitions require dancers to submit one video where they are wearing regular dance clothes and not a costume. We have understood that this is for judges to see the bare skills at the preliminary level before narrowing it down to the top 10 for competition. We suggest wearing something that still makes you look and feel good like frilly cute things. Be sure to check all of the requirements. You may have to wear something very plain but if you don’t have to then go all out with some awesome casual and cute raqswear.

For men in preliminaries, a great shirt, a vest and or cool harem pants will do you fine. Pair it with a great hipscarf and a comfortable t-shirt. You can raqs ’em and flatter ’em with cute styles and still stay within the rules. We wish everyone the best as they compete this summer and fall!

Hope to see you all at upcoming shows and more!
-Team MBD

August 3, 2016 0

Event: Attack of the Bellydancers

This weekend Attack of the Bellydancers is on and hip droppin’ just outside the city of Atlanta. There will be many dancers from the East Coast featuring Egyptian, Turkish, Fusion, Tribal and Folkloric styles of raqs sharqi. The Atlanta Bellydance community’s favourite emcee Sig Sawyer will be there as will 14 dancers and teams. VIP options are available. If you need a costume or something cute to wear use code: abd2016 at checkout with MissBellydance.com and get as much as you need. Get your ticket!!

Location: The Art Place

Address: 3330 Sandy Plains Rd, Marietta, Georgia 30066

Time: Saturday 7pm

We’ll see you there in the audience!

-Team MBD

July 20, 2016 0

Fashion Updates from MissBellydance.com

CS126a-6T — Beilasi worn by Karma Karmelita of Atlanta

With BDFW2016 under our belts we’re ready to get going on to the next big thing. In the meantime we’re showing you some of the items that were a big hit at the week’s event. That includes spinning skirts, casual lifestyle raqswear and printed ensembles.

Printed skirts are always a hit in this genre of dance. We see that they are being used not only in raqs sharqi/bellydance but in modern dance and modern art as well. These designs tell a story as they swirl with the dancer and float effortlessly across the stage.

If print is not your thing, try this in a variety of other colours including solids.

CS362-3T — Spinning Spirit worn by dancer Karma Karmelita of Atlanta

Next week we explore the cool fabrics that can be found in lifestyle wear from MissBellydance.com. Don’t miss it! Subscribe to our blog.

May 2, 2016 0

Aziza’s Got Performance Skills!

Join Aziza Nawal today at Atlanta Fusion Bellydance during Bellydance Fashion Week as she demystifies becoming a professional Belly Dancer and teaches performance skills. This workshop will discuss musicality, how do engage with a variety of audiences (on stage, restaurant setting, outdoors, etc…), costuming, stage presence and more!

Aziza Nawal has been involved in Oriental Dance (belly dance) for over 15 years. In addition to regular and guest appearances in restaurants and stage shows throughout the U.S., Aziza Nawal was the winner of the Middle Eastern Dance in North America competition in 2002, placed Third at the 2005 Double Crown Competition and finished 3rd Runner-up at the Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition in 2006. She has appeared on WGCL’s “Good Morning Atlanta”, Fox Television’s “30 Seconds to Fame” and recently featured on “Yildiz Yagmuru”, a live variety show filmed in Istanbul, Turkey. Aziza Nawal has always continued to enrich her dance education by pursuing many styles and has proven her diversity by becoming member of Awalim Tribal Dance Company in 2009.

As an instructor, Aziza Nawal has taught ongoing group classes and specialty workshops in the Southeastern United States since 1998. She was a featured instructor and performer at the Annual Mabruk Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and has also taught workshops in Seattle, Washington, and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Click Here to learn more about today’s Performance Skills class during Bellydance Fashion Week. Use code BDFW2016 to save 10% on orders this week. Stop by in person and stock up on accessories, costumes and more at http://www.missbellydance.com’s in-house boutique.

#KeepShimmying

-Team MBD

April 21, 2016 0

Meet Mehmet & Aya at Shimmies & Shiraz

Ever desired to run off to Turkey and sit with locals to learn the intricate side of raqs sharqi and culture? Well, you don’t have to go very far. MissBellydance.com has roots in Turkiye/Turkey and during Bellydance Fashion Week 2016 you’ll get the chance to study and learn a few fashion tips from locals. Both Aya of Istanbul and Mehmet will be around on Friday to go over how to accessorize your costume featuring the latest trends in dance both here and in Turkiye.

You’ll get to hear first hand what is trending and what is new plus how to feature it on your own outfits. Bring your favourite costume, hipscarf or accessory as well as any embellishments you want. You can also buy some on site at MissBellydance.com where the workshop will be held. It’s a perfect chance to be absolutely creative while learning about the culture and trends in the country as well as what’s going on outside in the raqs world.

Join us next week at 7pm! RSVP here: http://atlantafusionbellydance.com/node/270

April 11, 2016 0

Dancing with Diana – #BDFW2016

If you’ve never seen Diana dance you haven’t lived. Charm, grace, talent and more for days. It’s really an impressive moment in our dance on a global scale. Her students often embody that same spirit and seeing them together is a joy. Therefore we’re bringing Diana to Bellydance Fashion Week for one of her spectacular Flamenco instructional workshops.

This course will focus on combining the strength and power of Flamenco with its sister dance Raqs Sharqi and Middle Eastern Dance as a whole. It will include footwork, Rroma stylings and emphasize handwork that compliment the dance. It’s going to be a truly special occasion that you don’t want to miss.

Course is $25 per person and takes place on Wednesday the 20th of April at Atlanta Fusion Bellydance, the studio within MissBellydance.com’s facility. Feel free to tell your friends and neighbours who are interested in this art. It is guaranteed to feel inclusive and empowering. Sign up for this class and or the full week of events using this link.

March 30, 2016 0

BDFW 2016: Designers That Dance & Are Devoted

Another great thing about Bellydance Fashion Week will be our featured designers, Eshta and MissBellyDance.com are actually people who are ensconced with their dance community and customers. Both designers attend events, go to shows and are a part of the dance world. When you buy from them, you can guarantee that they are not doing cookie cutter designs and working based on one body type. They are going the extra mile to provide something you’ll love and can be proud to wear.

Eshta Amar creates stunning, beautiful costumes that do not compare to anything else in the industry. Look closely at her work and see the fabric, intricate details of the skirt and the uniqueness in her work. No other designer is doing what she does. She creates costumes for a variety of dancers, her work is featured on many top talent and loved raissat all around. Her Etsy store is also a testament to her talent. Another awesome attribute is that she isn’t terribly expensive. Imagine, someone working diligently on a costume just for you and you didn’t pay $2,000 for it. That’s a bonus! Check out her work here and engage with her online. We’re excited to have her with us in a few weeks.

MissBellydance.com is looking out for every student and teacher in the world. You want some colourful dance pants, hipscarves and custom made professional wear for troupes? You can come to the team and they’ll get to working on it right away. The CEO, staff and volunteers work really hard to create something that is affordable and looks and feels good to wear. They specialize in plus size and petite. There is also custom sizing available and ultra fast shipping for those last minute needs. With MissBellydance.com you get quick service and people ready to cheer you on as a sponsor and fan of your raqs team.

Meet Eshta and members from MissBellydance’s team this coming month at Bellydance Fashion Week. Join us for the panel discussion which will feature dancers, MBD and others. On the weekend, Eshta will be in town for classes and costume discussion. This will be the meeting of the minds! Register here!

See you soon!

Team MBD

March 22, 2016 0

Success!! Essence of Bellydance 2015

Wow, we’re still trying to wrap our heads around the oustanding talent displayed at Essence of Bellydance 5. This was perhaps one of the most intricate and layered conferences we’ve partnerned with to date. There are a lot of people involved behind the scenes of this festival. They volunteer their time, energy and resources to make it spectacular. Being behind the scenes allowed our MBD team a glimpse into what it takes to truly celebrate Raqs Sharqi in a respectful way that makes people want to come back again and again not just to this art but to this particular extravaganza.

First off, dance fans are already signing up for next year’s EOB…like right now! There’s an early bird special – all inclusive weekend available. The comments and reactions from fans have been very positive and the team was already planning 2016 just as 2015 got off the ground. They are a super group of dedicated show hosts in that they don’t let anything fall out of place. They really go the extra mile not only checking in with the fans, attendees and of course, the well-pampered stars but also with each other. Faaridah has a true sisterhood of support behind her that helps create something so outstanding you just have to be there to see it! Watch this space for 2016 details.

The Competition
This year MissBellydance was a major sponsor of the EOB bellydance competition. We requested our friend and archivist Andinha to be on the ground and make sure the winners received gift bags featuring gift cards, merchandise and little extras from our team. We want to thank all of the amazing stars like, Aziza Nawal, Petite Jamila, Issam Houshan and Sorraiah Zaied to name a few, who worked hard to make sure everything was conducted fairly. This was very difficult for us as a company to be limited to “rewarding only a few.” We feel that raqs sharqi is an inclusive past time, a passionate ceremony so to speak where souls mesh on the dance floor together. The idea of “who is the best” is not our philosophy. However, we can get behind the idea of celebrating those who take it to the next level and that’s exactly what the top 3 winners did in each category.

The Fashion Show
An extended Shukran Jazillan to Lady Zaied also cheered us on in the fashion show and was enamored with our raqs lifestyle wear. Her reaction to the pink outfit shown above was priceless! We’ve got your outfit Sorraiah. It’s being custom made just for you! We love and appreciate your legacy and your work past, present and future.

Big thanks to our models who really wore MBD well. Items were quickly requested for purchase in the hours following the show. We appreciate your hard work and time spent promoting the brand.

Continued thanks to Faaridah and Team Essence for taking such good care of raqs in Atlanta by hosting an event that was enjoyed by so many fans and lovers of the art of Bellydancce. This conference featured not just international stars but a myriad of dance teams from Atlanta working together to make the city shine like the sun. You all take care of your stars and you go out of your way to make events positive and memorable, this is not easy feat. Mabrook to each of you and shukran!

Sincerely,
Team MBD

*Special thanks to Studio Jaki for her outstanding talent and quick turn around with the photography. There are no words to describe how incredible her dedication is to this industry. Jaki, you are more than appreciated!

September 26, 2015 0