Stay Cute in Raqswear from MissBellydance

Say Aiewaaa to more glam in your raqswear and raqs wardrobe. Enjoy these great styles as you go back to dance class this fall. From cool elastic waist based harem pants featuring cool frills to sleek pieces that accentuate your curves, these look great on so many body types. We got lots of great feedback this past summer and continue to see these are a favourite.

You can mix and match these with the black top of your choice or buy the whole set. You can wear it for class or go out for lunch between sessions in these stylish sets. Get one for you and a friend so you both can twin. It’s a lot fun. We see so much love and care in the dance world, we’re happy to be a part of it through fashion. Enjoy these fun and frilly dance class sets and let us know what you think.

-Team MBD

September 9, 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

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

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

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

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

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

Summer Sensations at MissBellydance.com

Summer is the season of Raqs Sharqi (Bellydance) conferences. It’s the perfect time to hit the beach between shows and workshops in bright colours and pretty prints. Below are some of our summer sensation picks.

Some of our fans said they wear these ensembles out and about for everyday wear. This one is one of the more popular ones. It comes in seafoam green, pink grapefruit and white sands.

Lovely lace ensembles are soaring in popularity and these are actual 25yrd skirts that you can enjoy as you stroll on the beach. Note that you can also wear a neat top underneath that you can switch out with a solid colour swim suit or wear as is.

If you’re looking to do Yoga on the beach, consider investing in some flexible one and two piece suits that work well for morning workouts.

And of course, when you’re ready to hit the town you can doll it up in this cute ruffle black and white skirt . Loved for the stretchy waist and that it can be paired with a cute black top. Currently on clearance for $19.99

If you and your friends are out and about in MBD, snap a selfie! Send it in and we’ll enter you in to win one of many big prizes from MissBellydance.com. You could also win a gift basket of products from HairLaVie!

Happy Summer!
-Team MBD

June 30, 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