Fancy and Fine!

We’re excited about the great shows coming up this weekend at Essence of Bellydance. We try to go to as many conferences and bellydance shows near and far as possible. This year’s program features Egyptian icons like Mohamed Shahin! Also taking the stage and teaching workshops is Andrus Ramir of Miami! Suhaila Salimpour will be in town as will Colleen Shakti and dance greats from around the globe.

Each night are big shows and gala events that warrant a fancy dress or two. We’ve got some fun things you can wear for your night on the town at Essence of Bellydance. Sorraiah’s Star and Lycra Pants Set.

Tickets are still available if you want to grab a few for you and your friends! Click here or show up at the Twelve Atlantic Station starting the 15th to get your tickets in person. Downtown and Midtown Atlanta are quite cool and comfortable at this time of year! We look forward to seeing you there!

September 13, 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

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!

mbd27 — Essence of Bellydance 2016 – captured by the amazing Studio Jaki!

December 5, 2016 0

The Role of the Raqs Ambassador

We’ve said it before some years ago that the role of a dancer in the Middle Eastern Arts community is one of an ambassador. With the rampant fear that runs through world, particularly the fear we see from people who literally refuse to go to a bellydance show, it’s important to be a very good ambassador and one that is inclusive and caring to your audience. Not only is it important to get the actual dance represented correctly, it’s crucial that we inform the audiences about the nature of the dance. It is a family past time for many and is done by everyone including men and women.

Restaurants and festivals who are looking to get the crowd involved can hand out hipscarves to the crowd. This is a fun way to get everyone up and excited about a little shimmy. It’s exciting to see the look on people’s faces when they start wiggling and the coins and fringes are jingling around. So many great dancers include a set where they get wrapped up in a dancer’s veil.

Another thing is to have plenty of great music. Teach your audience a song, the refrain from a chorus. Do something to break the ice and the fear of the many cultures around the globe. When people are afraid, they don’t come to your events or festivals. This just creates a negative domino. It’s up to us as dance ambassadors to show the joy of loving each other. Middle Eastern Dance is a great way to initiate inclusion and support. Gather with your fellow dancers, grab some hipscarves and great music. Bring your community into the dance circle. Let’s be the beginning of the bridge.

Model: Karma Karmelita Photog: Studio Jaki – Atlanta GA

Fan veils can represent water

November 16, 2016 0

Get Ready for Regional Tunes

Our resident archivist travels to spend time with bands every year. There’s new music in the region. You ready for it? Let’s explore…

From Andinha: It’s important to keep up with what is going on in the Middle East and Africa as well as the international communities where people from the region are residing. This is where you’re going to find the root of the dance you love as well as its development. This is to what producers in the dance world need to be paying attention.

Recently, I included in a show review examples of what is popular in the region or what is being celebrated. I don’t see enough of this in the United States’ cultural dance communities. I see it only in our international circle, nations specific community centres and that one time a year that a generous donor partners with an incredible producer and brings bands from back home on tour ([Cheb] Khaled, Hakim, etc.). Groups like A-Wa are currently touring. Balkan Beat Box is their producer? That’s what I heard on a radio interview. I’ve seen BBB as well years ago. I remember spending, like, the last $40 I had on me to get a ticket to their show because it was so important for me.

It’s rare that I find regional music and learning about the cultures that make-up raqs sharqi of no interest to dancers. Most Middle East dance enthusiasts want this music. They don’t want to be “behind” the times. Take a moment to hear the newest and latest music in the region. Encourage your friends to evolve with it. Reach out to these bands, become a fan, learn their backgrounds and what dances they would do with their music. Ask them to come and perform if you can. Be involved with the actual region you’re representing as ambassadors through dance. Here’s my latest fav… A-WA band.

Thanks for reading! Thanks Andinha for keeping us up-to-date.

November 3, 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

Perfect Pants for Practical Dancers

So you’re not the one who wears their favourite skirt to class. You don’t jazz up your outfits with swirling ruffles. You’re the practical dancer who just wants a comfy pair of pants. For you, class isn’t the time for a party, it’s a time to practice. We hear you…we get it. Can’t dress up all the time…but you still want to look and feel good.

It also doesn’t mean you have to look plain. We’ve got the best pairs of practical pants and comfortable classwear you find and you can still afford to go out afterwards with your dancemates for some tea.

All of these and more are available here. If you don’t see your size, we’ll custom make something for you to your liking based on the availability of the fabric and get you, the practical dancer on your feet feeling fine. Be sure to hang out with us on social for updates, specials and discounts…see you there with pants on!

-Team MBD

October 7, 2016 0

The Purple Hafla

Dearly beloved bellydancers, we are gathering this coming Sunday to celebrate the ruler of hearts, the man who helped us get through this thing called life. We’re going to go crazy in the name of the Purple Reigning Royal himself, Prince.

Sunday 26 June at 3pm, The Purple Hafla will take place at Atlanta Fusion Bellydance located within MissBellydance.com’s warehouse. Straight back through to the studio you will be delighted with a show that features a number of amazing Prince fans who also bellydance and celebrate the art of Raqs Sharqi. MissBellydance.com will be present with lots of giveaways and portion of sales going to the charity:

What To Expect?
Swap & Shop
From 3pm-5pm there will be dancers selling and even giving away used and brand new costumes.

The Show
The show starts at 5:30pm and features a stellar line-up of fans and friends Visit this link to learn more and get your Purple Half tshirt.

#GoCrazy!

Thanks for reading and if you’re in need of therapy, friendship sessions and more which go along with the mourning process, please reach out to us on Facebook. We’ll link you to several groups online who celebrate Prince everyday.

June 20, 2016 0