Scribbling Gypsy

My List of Belly Dance Festivals

2011-12-05T18:03:00.000-08:00

I've redone my official website and the link has changed for my list of the belly dance festivals in the United States. You can now find it here:

http://www.deannacameron.com/TheBellyDancer/TBDBellyDanceFestivals.html

If you have an update to any of these festivals, please email me at deanna at deannacameron dot com.

Happy dancing!

Shimmy Showcase is back!

2011-12-02T08:22:00.000-08:00

I know, it's not exactly news to many who love Shimmy Showcase that those clever organizers have found a new home for their weekly belly dance gathering at Viento y Agua Coffee House (4007 East 4th Street, Long Beach). It was announced about a month ago, but I've been writing my brains out for NaNoWriMo for the past month and am just now coming up for air. (Yes, I did make it to 50K words, thank you for asking!) If you aren't familiar with NaNoWriMo (short for National Novel Writing Month), you can find out more about this craziness here. But you're probably more interested in who will be dancing at Shimmy Showcase, right? I thought so...

This Sunday, starting at 5:30 p.m., Abraiha will present Tahma, IrinaXara, Nadirah, Jade, and May.

On Dec. 11, my good friend Katerina will present a program that includes live traditional Turkish and Sufi music by Saf Mavi. The featured dancers will be Katerina & the Kabuki Dolls, Strawberry Butterfly, Akasha Star, Sarah al Nour, Taji, Lee Ali and Marguerite.

Enjoy!

Shimmy Showcase, RIP

2011-08-26T07:33:00.000-07:00

Katerina called last night with the sad news that her special Shimmy Showcase planned for Sunday evening would not be taking place because iCandy was closing. I know, I could hardly believe it myself. Local belly dancers and fans of belly dance have been so fortunate for so many years to have the weekly Shimmy Showcase at the coffeehouse formerly known as Coffee Haven (1708 E. Broadway).

It seems every dancer in Southern California has performed there at one time or another. For the past nine years, under the nurturing care of its team of showcase coordinators, it has been a welcoming and friendly environment for new dancers; a casual, no-fuss venue for veteran dancers; a stage for experimental and innovative interpretations of belly dance; and a place where anybody with the desire could enjoy a few hours of Middle Eastern-inspired dance and music.

In an email, showcase's administrator Xandra said that while upcoming shows have been canceled, the coordinators will work to find a replacement venue and would welcome any leads. You can reach her at shimmyshowcase@gmail.com.

You also might want to check the group's blog for updates: http://shimmyshowcase.blogspot.com.

Photo: Katerina performing at Shimmy Showcase in March 2009.

Cairo Caravan 2011 recap

2011-06-16T19:16:00.000-07:00

My how time flies when you're locked away in a writing cave. Has it really been nearly two weeks since Cairo Caravan? Hardly seems possible. The whole weekend was amazing.

On Saturday morning, I had a lot of fun talking about the Ghawazee dancers who performed at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair (dim lighting made it an intimate affair) and talking to everyone who stopped by the table I shared with my friend and fellow author Shauna Roberts.

I saw so many old friends, met Facebook friends in person for the first time (I'm looking at you Liliana!) and made quite a few new ones, too (Mindy, Kareenah, CheriMarie, Nichole, Marguerite, Darleen, Nanette, Denell, Arlene, Lonnie, Veronica with her darling daughter, Lana, Tammy, Marianne, Cindy, Stephanie, Lisa, Jolie, Melisa, Sherree, Vivi, Pamela, Aruba, Toni, Monica, Jocelyn, Trish, Betty, Denise--maker of the amazing "Prop Transporter," Ma*shuqa, Antoinette, Amy, Amber, Connie, Jennie, Carol, the fabulous Penny Rose, Poppy, Oscar and JoAnn!).

I spent so much time gabbing, I didn't get in nearly as much shopping or see nearly as much dancing as I would have liked. So I was extremely happy to get an email from Lee Corkett with a link to his gorgeous photographs. You can see them here: http://leecorkett.com/blog/http:/leecorkett.com/blog/photography/cairo-caravan-2011-3/

So if you missed this year's event (or were too busy shopping, or gabbing like I was) be sure to check them out.

Keep and eye on MECDA's website for news on next year's event.

Friday Night at Cairo Caravan

2011-06-04T05:42:00.000-07:00

My Friday at Cairo Caravan:

* Drive to Queen Mary.

* Check in with the festival organizers.

* Find authors table (second level, awesomely renamed "Thebes Level" for the festival).

* Find my friend and tablemate, Shauna Roberts.

* Set up the authors table.

* Move authors table to a spot with a view of the stage (and the terrific dancing!)

* Set up the authors table again

* Find the Boiler Room, where my morning lecture is taking place.

* Wait for eyes to adjust to the room's darkness, search in vain for additional lighting, and -- finding none -- seriously consider changing focus of talk from the belly dancers who performed at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair to belly dance ghost stories or something more suited to a scary dark place like the Queen Mary's Boiler Room.

* Sell first book of the night -- of the festival! -- to the lovely and talented and vivacious and darling and -- well, you get the idea -- Ansuya. This Bellydance Superstar has always been a superstar in my book, and I finally had the opportunity to tell her how inspiring I found her Santa Monica classes to be waaayyay back when BDSS was just a glint in Miles Copeland's eye. (Yes, this was a big fangirl moment for me, hence, the goofy grin in the picture...)

* Meet Liliana, a Facebook friend I have never had the pleasure of meeting in person before, who stopped and chatted and let me sign a book for her.

* Meet and sign books for several sweet and delightful ladies who stopped to chat and share our chocolate.

* Drive home, exhausted but happy, to rest up and be ready to head back in the morning.

Still wondering about those ghost stories, too...

Booksigning at Cairo Caravan 2011

2011-05-31T19:46:00.000-07:00

MECDA's Cairo Caravan -- the biggest annual belly dance event in Southern California -- is just around the corner, and I'm pretty excited the organizers asked me to come and talk about my debut novel, The Belly Dancer.

If you have a copy, bring it, and I'll be thrilled to sign it. If you don't, I'll have copies for sale throughout the run of the festival, thanks to the wonderful independent bookstore folks at Laguna Beach Books.

The 3-day event at the Queen Mary runs from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday (with a promised special surprise for Friday night attendees until 11 p.m.), 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

It'll be a full day of shopping, performances, workshops and food. Tickets at the door are $5 for MECDA members with card/$18 for non-members per day, or $10 for members with card / $35 for non-members for the weekend.

This year, my friend and fellow author Shauna Roberts will be reading from and signing copies of her novel, "Like Mayflies in a Stream," a story of ancient Mesopotamia and retelling of the epic Gilgamesh, at 4:30 p.m. Friday as part of the free lectures series.

My discussion, reading and signing will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, also as part of the free lectures series.

If you can't make the lectures, I hope you'll stop by the booth Shauna and I will have. We'll be signing (and selling) copies of our books. I hope you'll stop by and say hi.

Need an incentive? I'm giving away free bookmarks and chocolate :-)

For more information about the festival, visit www.MECDA.org/cairo.

O.C. Belly Dancer Spotlight: Marlena Shaw

2011-05-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

Falling in love with belly dance is a vivid memory for Marlena Shaw. It was two decades ago, on the first day of a community college dance class in Irvine.

And she’s never been the same.

Her instructor’s soulful dancing and the rhythms of the Middle East and North Africa immediately connected to a lifelong passion for artistry and music that she had inherited from her parents as a young girl, according to her website (www.marlenadancer.com). She immersed herself in the dance form, and soon moved from student to performer and instructor.

Today she is an in-demand performer with a busy schedule of private events who still makes time to participate in local festivals and showcases. She’s also a popular instructor who teaches all levels of Egyptian-style belly dance at the Bea Hive Dance Studio in Garden Grove and Westminster Performing Arts Center, as well as private instruction.

Her next appearance is scheduled for Saturday, June 4, at MECDA’s 34th annual Cairo Caravan. You can find her at 12:22 p.m. on the Luxor Stage.

1. How would you describe your style of belly dancing?
Classical Egyptian

2. How long have you been belly dancing, and how’d you get started?
I took my very first belly dance class in 1991 at Irvine Valley College with an instructor named Kahena. When I heard the music and watched the way she moved, I was fascinated with the soulfulness she had and never saw anyone dance like that before. It almost seemed like the music was coming from her movement of her body instead of from the stereo. I was instantly eager to learn more about the culture, music and dance.

3. Who are your favorite or most influential teachers?
My most influential teachers were, of course, Kahena, with her knowledge and soulful expression. Then Fahtiem who was playful and feminine. Later I discovered Angelika Nemeth and studied with her for about four years, taking her college course at Golden West College and at an international studio in Santa Ana. I studied with several master teachers over the years, taking workshops and classes to keep up with what's new and to learn more in-depth knowledge and technique. I would have to say that the instructor that has been most influential for me (as there are so many) would have to be Sahra Saeeda. I have completed two of her Journey thru Egypt intensives and probably have spent the most time in her workshops trying to soak up all that she has learned in her extensive history of Egyptian dance.

4. What is your favorite place to dance?
My favorite place to dance would have to be at any event with an Egyptian audience. They truly appreciate the music and internal expression of the dance.

5. What music do you most like to dance to?
Anything classical Egyptian and, of course, I like the Oum Kalsoum songs. I also love Abdul Halim Hafiz music and all the classics. I love dancing to the qanoon, oud or the nay during a taxim. The most wonderful is, of course, dancing to live music!

6. What was your most memorable performance?
There have been so many memorable performances. One that comes to mind would have to be during a retreat in Idyllwild a few years back with Zahra. That Saturday evening, the band drove up so we could dance to live music. I remember dancing to Gamil Gamal, and feeling like I was floating the whole time. Then, the drum solo was so fun, dancing while Gorkem Somer played the drum. I was standing right next to him and playfully communicating with him with my hips. There is nothing greater than performing to live music.

7. What is your dance regimen?
My dance regimen changes all the time. I teach two nights a week and dance at a regular restaurant gig as well. I spend a lot of time preparing and thinking about class, especially when I am choreographing. I listen to a lot of music, picking just the right piece and then going over it with different combinations of movement. When I am performing at an event, I pick my music and then listen to it in the car while I drive and dance to it in my living room/studio. If I am not performing, I will put in a DVD and follow with the instructor to keep my technique up and stamina. My most favorite time to practice is putting in a DVD of a classical old Egyptian style dancer like Tahia Carioca, Fifi Abdo or Soheir Zaki, and try to imitate them. I also have a trampoline that I bounce on with weights in my hands early in the morning before I get ready for work, along with sit-ups and stretching.

8. To you, what separates an accomplished dancer from an amateur?
Honestly, I would have to say that to me an accomplished dancer you would have to have an understanding of the rhythms in the music and to be able to recognize the instruments in a piece of music. Some understanding of the different styles. Good technique and posture are very important. Accomplished dancers would mostly have to be confident in their ability to improvise, their skill in using props such as a veil, cane or sword. To me, one of the most impressive skills is to be able to connect with people while they dance, have a healthy balance in dancing for yourself and dancing for your audience.

9. As there is always room for improvement in dance (just as there is in all art forms), what are you still working to improve?
I'm trying to learn some more modern Egyptian moves to add some "pizzazz" to my repertoire. I watch some YouTube videos and try to pick up some new moves.

10. How long have you been in Orange County?
For most of my life I've been right here in O.C. My family is from the South Bay area (Torrance), but we moved here to Westminster when I was in middle school.

If you would like to know more about Marlena, or check out her performing and class schedules, visit www.marlenadancer.com.

Bellydance Flash Mob in Brussels

2011-05-25T08:44:00.000-07:00

Come on, you know wish you'd been there for this!

The video poster, raqscongress, wrote on YouTube that the event took place Saturday, March 6, 2010, in the center of Brussels. It was part of an effort to promote Bellydance as an art form. And is part of the International Raqs Congress activities. You can find out more about them here: http://www.raqscongress.com.

The event was presented by Together in Life NGO (http://www.togetherinlife.org) and Salwa (http://www.salwa.be)

Two April 30 events

2011-04-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

Click on either flier for a larger view...

International & Middle-Eastern Night

at the Bea Hive Ballroom in in Garden Grove

An Evening of Live Music and Belly Dancing

at Sam's Mediterranean Kabob Room in Monrovia

Renaissance Faire 2011

2011-04-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

I think we may have picked the hottest day of the year to visit Ye Olde Renaissance Faire, but who cares about 90-degree weather with great friends like these.

There's no shortage of handsome and chivalrous young men at the faire, and this one's mine. (Lucky me!)

Michael, the kind and generous official faire photographer, has taken my pictures these past few years, so I felt brave enough to ask him to be in one with me. Thanks, Michael!

The Danse Macabre folks are always fun to watch.

Faire folk are so clever. He's an Old World deep sea diver.

Kindra, the lovely and talented henna artist at work here at the Maharani Mehandi tent, is responsible for....

My lovely henna design. Thank you, Kindra!

Of course we spent a lot of time here at the Trader's Market stage. It's where the belly dancers perform.

This is Baba Ku. I always enjoy watching these lovely dancers and listening to these amazing musicians.

The other group that performed on the stage was Seraphim Mora, and they also had great dancers and terrific musicians.

When the Queen's Progress interrupted their performance, the group offered this lovely salute.... The bow... And here she is -- God save the Queen. And the performance continued without a hitch... And here was my big deal of the day, a Hearts Delight corset. Fitted by the master of corsets himself, Vincent. I can't even begin to do justice to this man's skill. Yes, ladies, he is that good.

Market at the Casbah 2011

2011-04-04T09:06:00.000-07:00

Market at the Casbah is a wonderful belly dance festival that takes place every spring at the Fullerton Senior Multi-Service Center. This year's event took place Satuday, April 2, and offered a full day of performances, shopping and food, thanks to the amazing organizational efforts of Wanda Lee Sundberg and Deborah Peterson. Here's a peek:

Shopping!

Below is my festival buddy, Alane, and drummer Ed Lee, who was scheduled to perform later in the day with Saf Mavi, accompanying Katerina and the Kabuki Dolls.

Azure Moon is the lovely 3-lady troupe who kicked off the performances just before noon.

Next up was Celia, a soloist with loads of style and grace. Not to mention an awesome costume...

How cool is this jeweled foot cover?

Ah, Azuluna -- I always love to watch these ladies dance. They are the student troupe for Sooz, who teaches ATS in northern OC.

Marla is more often seen as half of the Raks Bahlam duo, but today she performed an exquisite Egyptian solo. Gorgeous!

Roz and the Dancing Sands are always popular. The three young girls also performed a Bollywood-style choreography on their own, which they choreographed themselves. It was fun to watch their enthusiasm--and talent!

Essence of the Orient came up next, and yes, they raq'd it!

Cynthia is such a talented dancer and she just gets better and better every year. And I love her costumes! This one is a show-stopper. I wish my photos did it justice.

JJ and the Habibis -- It is impossible to watch these ladies and not have a good time. They are so much fun to watch!

And JJ (Jeri St. James) performed a terrific cane solo, too.

Next up was Medea and the Desert Mirage Dancers. And not only did they fit 12 dancers on this tiny stage, they performed with zills (and sounded great) and veils, too! Just to give you a flavor of their fun act: They opened with Red Elvises' "I Wanna See You Bellydance"

Gabriella from San Diego was next up, and she really shined in this lovely minimalist belly dance costume. Stunning.

Mariposa, who studies with Sylvia Xica Gitana, danced a Spanish-Arabic flavored tribal fusion piece.

And each dancer wore an amazing crocheted hip scarf. So pretty!

Taji and the Johara dancers came out next, and they were a lot of fun to watch. Great dancers, and they play zills, too!

A bit later in the day, Cyriana danced to live music provided by the legendary John Bilezikjian and his band.

So that's a bit of what you might have missed. If I misspelled anyone's name, please drop me a note and I'll be happy to correct it.

Happy dancing!

Remo Drum Circle at NAMM 2011

2011-01-16T17:14:00.000-08:00

Here's a look at the the Remo drum circle that took place on Friday, Jan. 14, 2011, at the NAMM show at the Anaheim Convention Center. The facilitator is Arthur Hull (you can read more about him here). He's being helped in this segment by renowned world percussionist Paolo Mattioli (read more about him here).

Proceed with caution: Infectious rhythm ahead :)

Drum Circle at NAMM 2011 from DeAnna Cameron on Vimeo.

And the November Contest winner is...

2010-11-30T12:24:00.001-08:00

Are you in the holiday spirit yet? The weather here has been cold and windy, just perfect for cozying up with the laptop. It's been great for writing, which is a good thing since my book deadline is coming up fast.

It's always fun, though, to take some time out of the writing day to pick a contest winner. This time we're giving away the awesome THE ART OF BELLYDANCE CD from Bellydance Superstars. We had about 65 entries this time around, and thank you to everyone who took time to play along. This winner was chosen, as usual, by my ever-helpful assistant. She was so excited to pick the winner, she nearly jumped out of the frame altogether. See:

And the winner is:

Taliba Lafleur

(Hooray!!!)

Taliba, I'll be sending you an email message in the next couple of minutes to get your mailing address.

To everyone else, thank you for playing! I'll be posting a new contest soon, so please check back to http://www.deannacameron.com/ to see what's up for grabs.

Happy Tuesday!

November Giveaway

2010-11-01T12:23:00.001-07:00

The holidays are coming, isn't that a great reason for a contest? I thought so, too! To get in the spirit of the season, I'm giving away the "The Art of Bellydance" CD. It features some amazing musicians, including master drummer Issam Houshan, Oojami, Beats Antique, Galactic Caravan, and many more.

To enter the contest, click over to http://www.deannacameron.com/. I'll select a winner at random at noon (PT) on Tuesday, November 30.

Good luck!

Belly Dancer Spotlight: Mia Sha'uri

2010-08-30T16:18:00.000-07:00

Few dancers have made a mark on the belly dance world as quickly as Mia Sha’uri. The vivacious 22-year-old dancer who was born, raised and lives in Puerto Rico’s capital city, San Juan, was named Belly Dancer of the Year on May 30 at the San Ramon Performing Arts, but that is just the latest in a string of honors that includes the People’s Choice Award for solo cabaret professional in 2008 and 2009, and Belly Dancer of the Universe for 2008.

In addition to majoring in chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico’ Rio Piedras campus, Sha’uri is busy these days performing and teaching workshops worldwide, but she took some time out of her hectic schedule to answer a few questions to let us get to know her a little better.

How did you first get introduced to belly dancing?
In 2002, my uncle and his wife came to visit from California, and we all went to an Arabic restaurant here called El Cairo. There was a belly dancer there, and in the middle of her show she asked me to dance with her. I enjoyed it so much! After her show she gave me her business card, and that was that!

Who have your belly dance teachers been?
I've had the pleasure of taking lessons from quite a few teachers, and I've been able to get at least one solid lesson from each of them, but here are the ones that have truly inspired my growth as a dancer:
Yashira Yamilet: My first teacher, she gave me history, music and very good basic technique to work with.
Mohammed Kazafy: Beautiful orientale and folkloric moves and a clear and generous, yet firm teaching style. He shared plenty of advice and life experiences with me. His conversations have been enlightening and his classes and performances quite inspiring!
Karen Barbee & Horacio and Beata Cifuentes: They are amazing technicians, and I want to be just like them! I love the detail and complexity!
Helena Vlahos: I always admired her excellent zill work. I just could not keep up with her! (Not to mention her belly rolls!) Sahra Saeeda: She is like an encyclopedia! I love to talk to her and learn about everything! I hope to someday reach her level of expertise.
Aziza: Ethics and what to carry in your dance bag. Also, she taught me to flutter my tummy, which is awesome.

When and where was your first belly dance performance?
Officially, the first was my Arabian Fantasy graduation. However, my first completely public performance was in Pasha restaurant sometime in the second half of 2002, before Christmastime. I remember running back and forth, through the kitchen, between the restaurant and the basement. It was a completely new and exciting experience that I'll never forget.

What is your practice regimen?
During the semester, I study and work full time, so it's not so easy to take time to practice. I have two ballet classes a week, and I practice with Arabian Fantasy (the dance company I belong to) on Sundays for five hours or so.

What has been your most memorable performance so far?
I think it was the finals at Belly Dancer of the Universe in 2008. I was so nervous right before going on, but at the same time, I felt so incredibly happy to be able to do what I love (and with live musicians!). The combination of nerves and live music made it the most memorable experience I've had so far.

What is your favorite style of belly dance?
Honestly, I like them all, though I do tend to use styles that have captured my attention most recently. My tastes are quite capricious. What really excites me is to borrow a little from a variety of styles and see what I can come up with. I am happy to say that some people whose talents and opinions I greatly respect seemed to have noticed what I try to do. Watch sometime and you decide!

Do you have favorite belly dance music?
I can't say that I do. I try to select different kinds of music to match whatever style I might fancy in the given moment, so I guess it depends on that.

Who are your belly dance heroes?
I still have to find out more about many dancers' personal history. There are a few dancers I admire and hold in high esteem, but a hero, my hero, I've yet to encounter. I do greatly admire Jamilah Salimpour for all she's done for the bellydancing community, such as the structured classes with different classifications, as well as the fact that she continued dancing although she had to hide her performances for many years because of social pressures.

What is it about belly dance that continues to attract you?
You can express so much through this dance. The music, costume, range of movement, and facial expressions give a belly dance performance such a texture that can hardly be reproduced in any other form. For me it is the ultimate vehicle in self-expression, and that's what makes it so enthralling. It is never a stoic art; it changes and matures as you do. It's a life-long relationship.

Do you teach?
I teach a few classes a week at School for the Performing Arts in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. I've been blessed enough to be sought after for some workshop instruction throughout the United States, Central America and Europe. I also give private lessons in my local area.

If you could give one piece of advice to a new dancer, what would you tell her?
Patience and humility in dealing with people, be they potential clients, teachers, or peers. Practice, practice, practice. Obsess over every movement. Give thought to every detail. If it was all easy, it wouldn't be worth it. Finally, know that you never stop learning. The worst belly dancers are the ones that think they know it all.

What’s in your belly dance future?
I hope to continue dancing for the rest of my life. I would like to at least keep it as a hobby, but if I'm able to make a career out of what I love most I would consider myself blessed. All I know is that I cannot imagine a life in which belly dance does not play a large part.

For more about Mia Sha’uri, or to get updates on her workshops and performances, visit http://www.stellaradvantage.com/miashauri.html.

Photo information:
First photo via Belly Dancer of the Year
Second photo via Isis and the Star Dancers
Third photo via Isis and the Star Dancers

I love Chasing Mummies

2010-08-10T08:37:00.000-07:00

Have you been watching this show on History Channel? A Hollywood film crew follows Dr. Zahi Hawass, Egypt's chief of antiquities, and his team of college interns (fellow, whatever). Sure, the coeds and the production crew -- which ends up on screen and part of the narrative more than any other reality show I've seen -- often come off as naive and oblivious to the profound opportunity they have been given. And Hawass, well, he has a hot temper, a short fuse and will not hesistate to tear into someone who has irritated him. But you know what? When he lashes out at people, for the most part, they deserve it. (A girl relieved herself in the Great Pyramid. C'mon, who wouldn't go ballistic?) Frankly, I'm happy to know the antiquities have such a fierce defender on their side.
So, already this season, the group has journeyed into the Great Pyramid and the Step Pyramid, found what Hawass believes to be the remains of Queen Sesheshet, and been rescued by Bedouins in the White Desert. Whew! This week they'll be focusing on raising a piece of a shrine to Cleopatra in the Alexandrian harbor. Awesome!

Check out the show's website here: http://www.history.com/shows/chasing-mummies

And here's the official show promo:

Katerina's BDay Bash at Merry's

2010-08-01T12:08:00.001-07:00

A great crowd gathered at Merry's Fashion with Passion boutique to help Katerina celebrate her birthday. Here are a few pics of the scene:

Saf Mavi (from right, Marc Cornelius, Roy, Ed Lee and Craig) with guest musician, master drummer Donavon Lerman

Reina started things off with her fun cabaret number

Hiromi performed a lovely gypsy routine

Hatari Uzuri (gorgeous dancer and gorgeous Melodia dance pants!)

And our hostess, Katerina, with her Kabuki Dolls.

Here's a video of their performance:

Katerina and the Kabuki Dolls from DeAnna Cameron on Vimeo.

That's it for now...
gotta get to belly dance class :-)

And the July contest winner is ...

2010-07-30T12:10:00.000-07:00

This has been such a fun contest. First, I'd like to say I really appreciate all the kind notes people sent along with their entries, both from those who have read "The Belly Dancer" and others who plan to. And it's no surprise there were a lot of entries -- 102, in fact. Those lovely dancers from Bellydance Superstars draw a crowd wherever they go, don't they? I admire these ladies so much for elevating the dance form and helping it break into the mainstream. I'm thrilled to be giving away their Solos from Monte Carlo DVD, along with the belly dance starter pack.

Anyway, let's get down to business. The winner, as usual, was selected by my charming assistant. It's such a pretty day outside, she even dressed up in her summertime best for the occasion. See:

And the winner is:

Melissa Loomis

(Congrats, congrats!!!)

Melissa, I'll be sending you an email message in the next couple of minutes to get your mailing address.

To everyone else, thank you for playing! I'll be posting a new contest soon, so please check back to http://www.deannacameron.com/ to see what's up for grabs.

Happy Friday!

Anniversary Giveaway

2010-07-07T08:32:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it's been a year since The Belly Dancer hit bookstore shelves? Me, neither! But what an amazing year it has been!

To celebrate the big day, I'm giving away the "Bellydance Superstars Solos from Monte Carlo," which is one of my favorite performance videos. It features some terrifically talented dancers, including Rachel Brice, Jillina, and Sonia (posing on the cover), as well as Adore, Bozenka, Amar Gamal, Petite Jamilla, Sharon Kihara and Saida. Of course there are great musicians, too: Issam Houshan on drum and Nabil Khalidi on the oud.

And, as an added bonus, I'm also including the cute little Art of Belly Dancing starter pack. It includes a pair of finger cymbals, adhesive jewels, and a 32-page primer.

To enter the contest, click over to http://www.deannacameron.com/. I'll select a winner at random at noon (PDT) on Friday, July 30.

Good luck!

Belly Dancing Duo on America's Got Talent

2010-07-02T09:24:00.000-07:00

Belly dancers Kaya and Sadie did an awesome synchronized drum solo on "America's Got Talent" on Wednesday night and are moving on to the finals in Vegas.

Go, ladies, go!

Heading to Morocco, virtually ...

2010-07-01T08:56:00.000-07:00

I just discovered this amazing blog: The House in Marrakesh

The photos are so beautiful, and I'm finding myself returning again and again. If you're like me and don't have any exotic travels on the horizon, they might satisfy your travel bug, too.

And the June Contest winner is...

2010-06-21T12:15:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the 200-plus people who entered the contest for the new, jingly yellow hip scarf. As always, the winner was selected by my highly official and incorruptable assistant. It was tricky this time -- Sesame Street was on and she just can't get enough of Elmo.

And the winner is:

Dana Packer

(Yay!!!)

Congratulations, Dana! I'll be sending you an email message in the next couple of minutes to get your mailing address.

To everyone else, thank you for playing! I'll be posting a new contest soon, so please check back to http://www.deannacameron.com/ to see what's up for grabs.

Happy Monday!

Introducing: Orange County Tribal Bellydance Jams in Fullerton

2010-06-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

One of the beautiful things about American Tribal Style dance is that once you learn the moves, you can dance with anyone else who knows the moves. It's a terrific concept, but in reality the opportunities to come together and dance with others outside of a classroom have been pretty limited in Orange County.

But local dancers IrinaXara and Tribal Cyn have a solution. They're holding Orange County Tribal Bellydance Jams for ATS dancers from 8:45 to 10 every Monday night at American Martial Arts Academy (says "Karate and Fitness Academy" on the sign and it's at 1027 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton).

"It's different from a class because although there is something of a 'movement review' for the first 15-20 minutes of each jam, the objective here is to simply dance ATS and to bring together tribal style dancers from different areas, not to teach or drill moves, necessarily," says IrinaXara. "It's also to expand the O.C. tribal scene. We do hope to at some point offer full classes, but right now we are more interested in establishing a space for formative tribal dancers to get some more dance experience, network, interact with each other and just get extra practice."

Anyone who has completed at least one session of Level 1 FCBD ATS is invited, and the price is just $10 per jam, per student.

Here's what they say about clothing: "Please wear comfortable dance pants and a form-fitting top or choli. Ethnic skirts and tassel belts are encouraged but please steer clear of hipwear that may shed or drop beads/coins on the floor. Please, no coin scarves. Dance shoes are optional. Water and energy bars are ok, but please no messy food items. Bring your zills/sagat/finger cymbals!"

For more information, email IrinaXara at irinaxara@gmail.com or Tribal Cyn at wildrose908@aol.com.

Photo: Azuluna's set at the O.C. Belly Dance Festival in October 2008.

Cairo Caravan 2010 Recap

2010-06-07T09:36:00.000-07:00

Oh, Saturday at Cairo Caravan was awesome. So much shopping, so many great performances. Wow. There were so many stairs, too -- but there's no getting around that when you have an event in the three-story event space at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Here were some of the highlights for me:

The main floor

Oh-so pretty costumes at the Turquoise International table

This year MECDA introduced this film & lecture space. I wish I could've spent more time here -- it's such great idea.

The lovely lady in red is Joni and she runs An Added Touch, a belly dancing supplies company based in San Diego. I found some pretty-pretties here. :-)

The Left Coast Trading booth -- found a great pair of pants here (same ones worn by the hanging mannequin)

And here's Alane buying her own pair of pants (yes, we'll match!) from Herb of Left Coast Trading.

Aren't these gloves from Calamitous Costuming pretty? I'm saving up for a pair.

How cool is this outfit? It's from Firefly (see the banner in the background?)

A very cool sign at the Melodia booth.

And another one.

Tribal Bazar -- oh I've spent so much time browsing (and buying) from this wonderful retailer.

The young dancerd and drummers from Roz & Dancing Sands of Ontario.

Tracy opened the Mandala Danceworks set with a solo that was amazing.

The 11 dancers who performed for Mandala Danceworks are a very talented bunch. They really rocked the whole Gothic fusion belly dance thing.

Sabrina of La Habra always puts on a great show.

And speaking of show -- this was how Valentina and the Hoop Unit's performance began.

And this is why they're called the "hoop" unit!

It was such a great show and a very tough act to follow, but then...

Troupe Zaghareet came out to perform this crazy good belly dance adaptation of "Through the Looking Glass." The belly dancing was really good, but judging by the roar of the crowd, the street dancing by the Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum (the guys in purple and black striped shirts) stole the show.

The lovely Leela with Alane, who is modeling her new purchase -- the fabulous fairy Leela tank.

And let me tell you, Leela knows how to entertain a crowd. Check this out: She and her troupe -- Salome Jihad -- started with this Bollywood-inspired number, did a quick costume change for...

this fun-fun-fun version Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Did another costume change for...

This snazzy number to Black Eyed Peas "Boom Boom Pow" (I think that's the name of it anyway...)

Then, another costume change for ...

This number set to "Chicago's" thoroughly entertaining "He Had It Coming."

And then, yup, another costume change for ...

this number from the Chorus Line. Wow. How did they end, you ask? By pouring bubbly into Dixie cups for the audience. I think the bubbly was sparkling apple cider, but I didn't have any so you can think what you like ;)

So that would be a very tough act to follow, wouldn't it? But these ladies -- Troupe Amara of Midnight Mirage from Farmington Utah -- did an excellent job. But then, would you expect anything less from this award-winning group?

And then, as if you needed more proof that these performances were hot, they set off the fire alarm! Everyone had to evacuate so officials could figure out what set off the fire alarm. Crazy huh?

Some of my lovely finds...

And one more. I love this necklace! I even wore it to dance class the next day.

For much better event photos, check out these sites.

http://www.renaissancefaire.net/Cairo-Caravan.htm
http://archive.weathervaneimages.com/c/weathervaneimages

(They aren't up yet, but they will be soon!)

Cairo Caravan 2010

2010-06-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

Oooooh, it's almost here.... :-)

For more info, visit www.mecda.org/cairo.

Celebrating 117 years of American belly dance with a giveaway

2010-06-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

The summer of 1893 was an important one for American belly dance. While the Egyptian belly dancers were scandalizing the crowds at the Chicago World's Fair with their shimmies and hip drops, they were also introducing a generation of women to this exciting dance form.

And it seems belly dance has never been more popular than it is today. Not only can you find festivals dedicated to its art, history and practice in most major cities, belly dance classes can now be found alongside ballet, tap and jazz in many colleges and community dance programs. Imagine what those prim and proper Board of Lady Managers would say about that!

So, in honor of that momentous occasion 117 years ago, I'm giving away a cheery yellow hip scarf that's perfect for summertime!

To enter the contest, visit my website at http://www.deannacameron.com/ and follow the contest link.

I'll be choosing a name at random on Monday, June 21. There are more details on the contest page.

Good luck!

Belly dancing invades the Scottish games...

2010-05-30T15:33:00.000-07:00

This weekend at ScotsFest -- the annual Scottish games event at the Orange County fairgrounds in Costa Mesa -- there were no less than three vendors selling belly dance hip scarves. Celtic belly dancers -- how awesome is that!

Just added to the O.C. Dancers lineup: Meliza

2010-05-28T17:12:00.000-07:00

Meliza is a terrific O.C. belly dancer that I've just added to the roster in the right column (O.C. Dancers). She leads the popular Jewels that Raq shows and you can find out more about her and her shows at http://www.bellydancingshows.com/.

Thanks, Meliza!

Pics from the Ren Fair

2010-04-23T09:44:00.001-07:00

I missed the fair last year, but it seemed to me that there are a lot -- a lot -- more belly dance-type costumes roaming around this year. And there were new troupes (but many familiar faces) dancing at the Trader's Market stage.

The musicians of Baba Ku (including Gorkem Somer, far right, and Ed Lee beside him)

Baba Ku dancers and musicians

Bey Abi dancers and musicians (Yes, that's Sooz dancing far left)

Bey Abi dancers and musicians

Hanging out with Long Beach-based dancer Katerina

My baby belly dancer's first faire! (Yes, we're pretty proud parents...)

Market at the Casbah 2010

2010-04-13T09:25:00.001-07:00

Another year, another wonderful Market at the Casbah at the Fullerton Senior Multi-Service Center. It's so nice to be able to enjoy a day full of belly dancing and shopping with friends without having to drive all the way into Los Angeles or Long Beach. Wanda Lee Sundberg and Deborah Peterson put on a terrific event every year and I can't thank them enough for doing it. I came home with a couple new CDs from the terrific people at Hollywood Music Center and some amazing new jewelry from Diamond Pyramid, and some pics of some of the lovely dancers who graced the stage all day long.

The event floor

Taji and the Johara Dancers

Taji

Atlantis

Johara Two

Cynthia

Raqs Belam

(I apologize if the spelling is wrong. They were a late add to the lineup and weren't listed in the program.)

Katarina and the Kabuki Dolls danced with live music from Marc Cornelius on the oud and vocals, Ed Lee on the doumbek and another wonderful musician on the didgeridoo.

Christina Rizkallah

Troupe Raihanna

Marlena

John Bilezikjian and his band

Interview with Drumming Great Remo Belli

2010-04-05T12:31:00.001-07:00

All our wonderful Middle Eastern drummers owe a debt of gratitude to drum pioneer Remo Belli, and it's so nice to see him featured in this Los Angeles Times interview, which focuses on his business savvy.

Click here to read:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-himi-belli4-2010apr04,0,525419.story

Interview with Tina Enheduanna

2010-03-25T15:56:00.000-07:00

Just came across this interview the Orange County Register did with belly dance instructor Tina Enheduanna. If you haven't already seen it, you really should check it out because she's awesome.

Here's the link:
http://www.ocregister.com/news/dance-240914-belly-classes.html.

Tony and Angela International and Middle Eastern Night in Anaheim

2010-03-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

(Click on image to enlarge)

In honor of Gothla's return...

2010-03-01T16:57:00.000-08:00

Last year, I attended Gothla US: The Divining and wrote this article, which was intended for Gothic Beauty magazine but which never quite made it there. A deadline was missed or computer Gremlins ate an email or something nefarious worked its dark mojo on it, I'm not sure what.

But, in honor of Gothla's return -- this year it is dubbed Gothla US: The Evoking and it will take place March 5-7 at Cal Poly Pomona -- I'm posting the article here as a sort of welcoming back.

Gothic belly dancers, Steam Punkers and a menagerie of their fans gathered March 6-8 in Pomona, California, for Gothla US: The Divining: Cogs in Motion to celebrate dark fusion at its finest and build on the event’s success as the first major Gothic Belly Dance festival to be held in Southern California.

The festival, now in its second year, topped last year’s attendance, attracting locals and travelers from across the nation, as well as Mexico, Sweden and New Zealand.

It’s the event’s “uniqueness and the allure of the alternative side of belly dance” that draws so many participants,” says festival co-founder Sashi of Ascend Tribal Dance, a dance company based in Orange County.

That’s exactly what attracted Glenna McLendon, a Gothic belly dancer from Charlotte, North Carolina, who visited California with three friends for the sole purpose of attending the festival.

“We were Gothla Gluttons,” she says. “I went to almost every workshop. … There is nothing like [it] offered anywhere here on the East Coast.”

The first festival—held in 2008 and dubbed Gothla US: The Conjuring—was a collaboration between Sashi, Tempest and Ariellah, all internationally known performers, instructors and leading innovators of the Gothic Belly Dance movement.

This year, Sashi and Tempest carried the festival forward, moving it from the Imperial Ballroom in Orange County to the student center of Cal Poly Pomona, in Los Angeles County. And what the new site might have lost in quirky downtown cool, it more than made up for with a professional-quality stage, a bigger floor to accommodate more vendors, and more comfortable space for workshops.

“Last year’s title was ‘The Conjuring,’ which is about bringing something into being, in magical/metaphysical terms,” says Tempest, who in addition to her dedication to Gothic Belly Dance is an artist, designer and writer commonly known by the sobriquet “The Gothmutha” and is featured in her own instructional Gothic Belly Dance DVD titled Bellydance for Beautiful Freaks. “This year was ‘The Divining,’ which is about consulting oracles and determining the future or the path of the art we love.”

The organizers also added the tagline “Cogs in Motion” to reflect this year’s Steam Punk theme.

“The Steam Punk theme of the event provided the attendees and vendors with a reference point from which to explore an aspect of the Gothic subculture,” says Sashi, who is featured in the Gothic Belly Dance DVD titled Dark Fusion Bellydance: The Ascend Tribal Dance Format and appears with Tempest on the Gothic Bellydance II: Revelations DVD.

The theme also helped guide the festival’s aesthetic and music choices, which included performances by The Unextraordinary Gentlemen, L.A.’s premier Steam Punk band, and Jill Tracy, known as San Francisco’s Dark Lady of Cabaret.

“Personally, I see Steam Punk as an offshoot or direct kin of Goth,” says Tempest, who recently relocated from the Bay Area to New Jersey. “A lot of the old school Goths I know—including myself—have embraced the Steam Punk music and aesthetic as the next incarnation, especially those who started off as ‘Romantic’ or ‘Victorian’ Goths.”

She captured that vision in the artwork she created for this year’s event, in the image of the sword-wielding, tarot-card holding, clock-adorned dancer who graces the print and electronic promotional materials.

Many dancers who filled the full day of performances on Saturday, as well as the evening gala, incorporated Steam Punk into their acts, including The Elysium Dance Company, which brought the festival to a standstill with its “Peach Plum Pear” piece.

Set to a vintage music box tune, four dancers wove a story about a robotic girl who wants to become a real dancer and is helped by three Victorian ladies on her quest. The choreography not only demonstrated how theatrical Gothic Belly Dance can be, but how broadly it can be interpreted.

Taking such an expansive view of Gothic Belly Dance is something that comes naturally to Elysium Dance Company dancer Sina Muckenfuss, who has seen first hand how the Goth movement has evolved over the past decade. During the 1990s, she was immersed in the Goth subculture in Florida with all the vinyl and velvet gear, makeup and boots that entailed (“Talk about suffering for fashion!” the Los Angeles resident says now), along with the death rock that characterized most classic Goth music. She says she still harbors the same “dark aesthetic and morbid proclivities,” but prefers these days to incorporate her Goth background, as well as many other influences, into her dance.

Like many of the festival’s performers, Christina Shadburn of Palmdale, who dances as Desdemona, considers herself to be part of the Goth fold and appreciates that the festival showcases Gothic Belly Dance style in all its variations—not just Gothic tribal fusion, but also Gothic-style cabaret and Gothic-style folkloric belly dance.

“It embraces all forms of belly dance, with a unifying theme of ‘Goth,’ she says. “It’s the idea of adding a little more drama to your performance, setting a scene, telling a story, etc.”
The opportunity to explore that sense of drama and emotional intensity also appeals to dancers who enjoy Gothic Belly Dance even if they don’t fully immerse themselves in the Goth movement, such as Najma, a dancer who performed a duet—Naji Noire—with her dance partner, Taji.

“I’m not a Goth—I just like the music, the romance and the aesthetics of the subgenre,” Najma says. “This means that I have to do careful research when planning a performance, so that I can show respect for and understanding of the culture just as I do for Middle Eastern dance performances.”

To help participants who are new to the movement or interested in attaining a deeper understanding, the festival’s organizers included in the lineup of dance-related workshops a two-hour “Understanding the Gothic Scene” session for dancers and non-dancers, which covered various subcategories of the movement, such as romantic, industrial and death rock, as well as tips on creating an appropriate stage presence.

This year also saw the addition of Motif, an experimental gathering for Gothla US participants that blended music, dance and ritual. It was billed as a communal interaction, not a performance.

“Not only did we have two of the most knowledgeable trance facilitators in our midst, but also four remarkably talented and culturally significant musicians among us as well,” Sashi says. “The opportunity to walk away from Motif having experienced a transcendent spiritual, musical and physical experience was one of a kind and remarkably invaluable. You can count on Motif being a mainstay component at Gothla US for years to come.”

Something else Gothla US attendees can expect in the future is an extra day of shopping and onsite food concessions, she adds.

Next year’s event is tentatively scheduled for March 5-7 at the same location, Cal Poly Pomona.

To some great pictures and video taken at last year's event, check here.

And the February contest winner is...

2010-02-26T12:33:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest for the brand new, jingly red hip scarf. The winner was selected, once again, by my unbiased and incorruptable contest official. I admit, she was a little distracted this time. I was unfortunately cutting into her nap time ...

And the winner is:

Marci

(woot-woot!)

Congratulations, Marci! I'll be sending you an email message in the next couple of minutes to get your mailing address.

To everyone else, thank you for playing! I'll be posting a new contest soon, so please check back to http://www.deannacameron.com/ often to see what's up for grabs.

Happy Friday!

Lessons Learned from the 2010 Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition, by Marlena Shaw

2010-02-25T12:27:00.000-08:00

Note: Marlena Shaw is a wonderful dancer and dear friend who set out to compete in the Egyptian-style category of this year's Belly Dancer of the Universe competition, which was held over Valentine's Day weekend at the Long Beach Convention Center. I asked her to write about her experience, and she generously agreed. Thank you, Marlena!

As far as the competition, I would have to first say that this was my first experience ever competing. I wasn't sure what to expect. Tanya and Atlantis do an amazing job organizing the whole event - it was very professional and well done.

My experience in the dressing room was good. I met several of the girls and made friends with Zondra from Georgia. She was so sweet, a typical Southern belle, and we nervously chatted as we got ready to compete, putting every accessory on, looking in the mirror more than enough times and waited to find out what our order was to "prove our Egyptian" stuff. Zondra was first and I was third in the lineup out of, I believe, 24 young ladies. We both agreed that was good so we would be able to watch the other dancers after we were done.

The assistant escorted us down the back hallway to get ready to go onstage after our name was announced. Zondra was waiting to go onstage as another dancer and I waited and chatted in the hallway waiting for our turn. She was tall, from Northern California and had a custom-made costume by her mother. It was beautiful and so was she.

We discussed the music requirements and I casually asked her about her drum solo. She said, "Drum solo? I thought that was only for the finals." I felt really bad telling her she was supposed to include a short drum solo in her preliminary performance. She also mentioned that she decided to enter the competition just a couple of weeks prior.

Well, much to my surprise, she ended up one of the finalists anyway. I guess all my months of preparation and costs, including a professional music editor cutting my music just perfect (including a drum solo), my diet to lose weight, and the early morning practices in my living room really didn’t make a whole lot of difference in the competition.

As I finished my "Egyptian piece,” I felt pretty good, at least I thought. After changing and then watching the other dancers (which by the way were amazing), I thought I was in the "Egyptian category," but to me it looked more like American Cabaret or Lebanese style of dance. Most of the dancers I saw were filling in every second of the music with choreography, pops, locks, shimmies, etc. with not a lot of feeling. I did see a few that looked like Egyptian style dancers, but not the majority. I was thoroughly disappointed and felt even embarrassed. I felt like I was misinformed about what I was supposed to do, the requirements, the style. It seemed that a lot of people were coming up to me and saying, "I loved your Egyptian piece, what are these other girls doing?"

So, either I am out of the current Egyptian style and unaware of what Egyptian is anymore, or maybe the "new Egyptian is Lebanese," which is what the rumor was. Anyway, one of my friends who was there (who has been around for quite a while) was disappointed as well. I guess this is what happens every year. People are scratching their heads saying, "was that Egyptian?" as they watched a young energetic dancer on the stage.

I must say that it was a good experience for me as a whole. I worked hard and feel like my dancing is better for it. I also gained a lot of confidence that it doesn't matter if you get a trophy or not, what matters is that you dance true to the style you are, and each of us has our own unique style in some way.

Well, that's my experience with BDUC. I'm waiting to get my judges scores and hopefully will learn something from them.

You can find the results for this year's competition here.

And the lovely photo of Marlena was taken by the always awesome Rachel, founder and humble leader of OC Belly Dance Connection meetup group.

Foreign belly dancers in Cairo

2010-02-15T14:24:00.000-08:00

Here's an interesting article about the relationship between foreign dancers and Egypt's belly dancing industry.

It comes from the McClatchy Washington Bureau, and you can read it here.

Also, check out the video clip. It's a 43 second drum solo by Aleya Pena of L.A.

Coming attractions

2010-02-15T13:39:00.000-08:00

You meet the nicest people in the darnedest places... On Thursday I was speaking at the Romance Authors' Tea for the Friends of the Huntington Beach Library, and I had the good fortune of meeting Michelle, a fellow pupil of Angelika Nemeth. She told me about a couple shows coming up that will feature Angelika, as well as other local belly dancers.

At 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28, the "Orchid Dance Show -- A Global Experience" will take place at Orchid Restaurant. The show will feature Angelika, Fahtiem and Lee Ali, and all proceeds will be donated to the relief efforts in Haiti. Tickets are $30 at the door, $25 in advance, and include dinner and the show.

The restaurant is at 3033 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa, and the phone number is 714-335-7349.

The second show is "World Dance -- A Colorful Celebration of Movement & Ritual" at the Orange Coast College Robert B. Moore Theatre at 7 p.m. May 21.

The show is directed by Angelika and, according to the flier, performances will include classical dances from Southern India, dances from Egypt and Persia, Latin dance styles, African drumming and songs from around the world.

Tickets are $10 for the 7 p.m. performance, and a free concert will be held for schools at 11 a.m. Call 714-432-5967 to register classes.

To buy tickets or for more information, call 714-432-5880 or click here.

A new giveaway for February

2010-02-03T19:46:00.001-08:00

What's red and gold and jingles all over?

The new hip scarf I'm giving away in the February contest over at DeAnnaCameron.com, of course!

To enter the contest, visit my Web site at http://www.deannacameron.com/ and follow the contest link.

I'll be choosing a name at random on Friday, February 26. There are more details on the contest page.

Don't miss this chance to add to your collection :-)

Hey, you're never too old to belly dance...

2010-01-29T19:01:00.000-08:00

Despite what Piers Morgan of "Britain's Got Talent" might think, 71-year-old Jan Price of Aberdare is certainly not too old to be belly dancing. She looks great, if you ask me. (Yeah, I know, no one did, but I'm putting in my two cents anyway...)

It was extremely rude of him to buzz her off before she even had a chance to show what she could do.

"Piers said that women of a certain age like me should think before they got up to dance - he obviously thought I was too old," Price says in the article.

You can read the full online BBC article here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/southeastwales/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8487000/8487121.stm
And there's a great audio interview with Price, too. Access it just below her picture.

Pics from NAMM 2010

2010-01-29T14:16:00.000-08:00

Mr. Scribbling Gypsy (my darling husband, Austin) was awesome enough to take these snaps at this year's NAMM Show, which is one of the largest music product trade shows in the world. It was held January 14-17 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

These are some scenes from the Remo booth:

Master drummer Donavon Lerman and Ed Lee

and international drumming star Issam Houshan

Update on the belly dancing ban at a church in Georgia

2010-01-19T20:34:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of updates on the belly dancing ban at a church in Georgia.

The first is a letter Jezibell Anat wrote when I asked for more info about her troupe being disinvited from that fund-raising benefit (which you can read about here:
http://scribblinggypsy.blogspot.com/2010/01/belly-dancers-excluded-from-church.html)

Hi DeAnna -

Thanks for contacting me. I did not realize this was going to spark so much interest. So here's more info - I know the details may seem cumbersome, but I think it will clarify things for those outside the area:

The Miller is a historic theatre in downtown Augusta that has deteriorated, and restoring this building is part of the mission of the Symphony Orchestra of Augusta (SOA). Four high school seniors wanted to raise funds for the Miller as their senior project (seniors have to design and implement a special project as part of their graduation requirement). So in association with SOA and other mentors, they planned an event consisting of an afternoon talent showcase, with community judges. All the acts would pay $10 to compete, and the top ten would perform in a benefit in the evening. The location was West Acres Baptist Church - the church was not sponsoring or organizing this event at all but was simply renting the space to the students for this benefit.

Michael Ryan, the student who had started this project, contacted me in November about performing in the showcase. Half of Eastern Star was out of town that weekend, but the rest of us decided to participate because it was a benefit. So we put in our application and fee, and no one said there was any problem with the belly dancing. Joyce, a member of Eastern Star also submitted a belly dance she had done with other friends to"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", and a couple of other belly dancers were scheduled for the showcase as well.

On Thursday Michael called and said there were some concerns about what we would wear. We talked about belly dance costumes, and I said we could cover our torsos if that was a problem, but he said everything would be OK. On Friday afternoon he called again, and he was very upset. He said they'd just had a meeting at the church, and the church refused to allow any belly dancing, even if we were covered up. Michael said that they had known we'd be belly dancing for over a month, and he offered to refund our fee. He said it was very unprofessional of them to ban it the day before the event, and that he would never rent their space again, but for this event he had to comply. Other forms of dance were OK, just not belly dancing.

I don't know why the church people changed their mind on the belly dancing. The only thing I can think of is that there was an article in the local paper on Thursday mentioning that there would be belly dancers, so maybe that offended someone - http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2010/01/07/ent_562164.shtml

My first thought was to pull out completely, but the kids had put a great deal of effort into this, and not participating would only hurt them. Joyce and I talked - the other member of Eastern Star was sick that weekend, so Joyce reworked "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" into a lyrical piece, and I did a zambra in a dress to "La Isla Bonita." The other belly dancers made theirs lyrical as well, so everyone still danced. It was just very upsetting that our specific dance form was banned, and at the last minute.

I studied, taught and performed in New York City for many years, so I am used to a liberal environment, and a professional belly dance scene. Things are very different in Augusta, GA.

Thanks,
Jezibell

I really appreciate that Ms. Anat took the time to share more information about her experience. Many of the comments that have been added to her letter to the editor on the newspaper's Web site have also tried to implicate Ms. Anat's affiliation with the Wiccan religion as the reason the church barred her troupe. If that had been their concern, I don't think they would have barred the other belly dancers who were scheduled to perform. So it seems other forms of dancing were allowed, some of which even had dancers dressed in skimpier outfits than the belly dancers.

The second on is that there is now a letter from a member of the West Acres Baptist Church (http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2010/01/19/let_563697.shtml) that is worth reading. This member seems to have made his judgement that belly dancing was an inappropriate dance form to include in the benefit because he had seen it a few times when he was a young man. It's unfortunate that it seems he and his fellow church members who were in on this decision didn't take the time to view the performances of the dancers in question. If they had, maybe they would have a different view of our dance form.

And the winner is...

2010-01-15T13:20:00.001-08:00

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest for this lovely "All the Pretty Snakes & Belly Dancers" 2010 calendar. Unfortunately I could only pick one winner, and that person was selected by my unbiased and incorruptable contest official (well, she could probably be bribed with a squeaky toy or anything with bright colors, but that didn't happen, honest!)

And the winner is:

Nikki Hedrick

(insert applause, trumpets, mass hysteria)

Congratulations, Nikki! I'll be sending you an email message in the next couple of minutes to get your mailing address.

Everyone else, thanks for playing and please remember that I'm planning more fun contests throughout the year, so please check back to http://www.deannacameron.com/ often to see what's up for grabs.

Also, if you are dying to get your own copy of the "All the Pretty Snakes & Belly Dancers," they are still available from their creators Weathervane Arts & Tribal Bazaar, as well as Amazon and Etsy.

Happy Friday!

Belly dancers excluded from church benefit*

2010-01-14T08:44:00.000-08:00

I came across a letter to the Augusta Chronicle, a newspaper in Georgia, from Jezibell Anat, director of the Eastern Star Dance Theatre belly dance troupe, and I find it more than a little troubling.

Her troupe was invited to participate in a Jan. 9 fundraising show to help a local theater and symphony orchestra. Very nice. But one day before the event (one day!), they were informed that belly dancing was not allowed by the Baptist church where the event was to take place.

Now that's very unfortunate.

The reason for the ban isn't included in the letter, and it sounds like Anat wasn't even told what the church found objectionable. Was it the usual, tired misconception (too similar to stripping?) , or something new? We don't know.

I'm trying to contact Anat to find out more, and I'll update this post when (or if) I can reach her.

Either way, this kind of thing only perpetuates the kind of discrimination and dim view that uninformed people have about belly dancing and I applaud Anat for raising the issue.

You can read the letter for yourself here: http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2010/01/14/let_563121.shtml

* Update: Another belly dancer who was scheduled to perform at the event says the revealing costumes were the reason the church gave for disinviting the belly dancers. Also, she said a high school dance troupe wore costumes that were more revealing. So... seems to me like it might be a case of people who don't know much about belly dancing making the wrong assumptions about what belly dancing is. People, it isn't stripping. In fact, it can be downright modest.

Starting the year with a great giveaway...

2010-01-01T12:22:00.000-08:00

Did you read the previous post about the "All the Pretty Snakes & Belly Dancers" 2010 calendars the people at Weathervane Arts and Tribal Bazaar put together? Well, thanks to a wonderful friend I have not one but two of them, which means I have one to give away to some lucky contest winner. I know -- what a great way to start the new year, right?

To enter the contest, visit my Web site at www.deannacameron.com and follow the contest link.

I'll be choosing a name at random on Friday, January 15. There are more details on the contest page.

Don't miss your chance :-)

All the Pretty Snakes & Belly Dancers 2010 Calendar

2009-12-11T16:33:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the “All the Pretty Snakes & Belly Dancers” 2010 Calendar yet?

It’s awesome – but if you’re at all familiar with Lee Corkett’s excellent photography or Tribal Bazaar’s awesome garments (or any of the gorgeous model/dancers), that will not come as a surprise to you.

And something that looks this good, doesn’t just happen overnight. Lee Corkett, who most of you know operates Weathervane Arts with his wife, Gigi, says work began back in September, when he and Gigi sat down with Paul and Yasemin of Tribal Bazaar to create the twelve scenes. He spent the next three months building the sets.

Meanwhile, Yasemin was working with the models to design the costumes and some of the props. She and Paul also supplied the snakes that appear in the photographs, and contributed the expertise in that area.

“We worked with several different snakes and species, including pythons, anacondas and several kinds of boa constrictors, and coaxed them into the roles they may have played in the portrayed figures’ lives,” Lee says.

There are scenes that represent Medusa, the Garden of Eden, Cleopatra, a market bazaar, a snake charmer, a South American serpent goddess, a Victorian explorer in the South American jungle, and others.

Though many of the scenes look like they were photographed on location, each was built on a set, says Lee, who shot all the photography for the project as well. “None of the scenes are as they look in real life,” he says.

The jungles and gardens were created from a variety of plants and cuttings. The interiors of tents and rooms are sets Lee designed and built. “The bazaar wall, for instance, is an 8-by-16-foot plywood set in my backyard,” he says. “And the ‘statues’ in the Medusa scene are hand-painted, human models with specially hardened and painted clothes on!”

Each shoot took between two and six hours to complete, and the sets took anywhere from four hours to several days to build.

And a great aspect of this calendar is that it promotes the dancers who participated. The calendar includes a bio and contact information for each dancer. Some of the dancers who served as models include Sherri, Khani Zulu, Georgina, Yasemin, Ayse Cerami, Marguerite, Paul Petrescu, Jessica, Olu and Paulina.

Each dancer also will be featured at the Release Hafla set for January 16. “We’re hoping they will channel their calendar character into their performance,” Lee says.

The calendars will be making their debut this weekend at Tribal Fusion Faire in San Luis Obispo. They’ll also make an appearance at a Renaissance Faire next weekend, then at a party in Hollywood sponsored by Khani Zulu of Zulu Tattoo, and the Reptile Supershow on January 9-10.

The calendars, which are $22, also are currently available at these online locations:

www.weathervanearts.com/alltheprettysnakes (including a small slideshow)
www.tribalbazaar.com/
Amazon
Etsy

And there's even more information here:

The Facebook Fan Page
The Official Blog (where Gigi is posting videos and all kinds of things, keeping the project up to date)

Pics from Sunday's World March for Peace and Non-violence at Merry's

2009-12-04T12:10:00.000-08:00

Sarah al Nour organized United We Shimmy, a great belly dance showcase and fundraiser to support the World March for Peace and Non-violence cause, on Sunday at Merry's in Long Beach. I love going to the events at Merry's (very stroller friendly!) and they just get better and better.

In addition to the silent auction and raffle, there was an amazing lineup of dancers and musicians who donated their time and energy to the cause.

Here's a peek at some of them:

Merry welcomes the crowd

Sarah al Nour says hello

The awesome musicians, from left: Craig, Austin Cameron,

Donavon Lerman, Ed Lee, Marc Cornelius

Camille started off the dancing

Mandala Dance Works' first tribal fusion number

Mandala Dance Works' second tribal fusion number

IrinaXara performed an exciting gypsy number

Sooz (who was an excellent mistress of ceremonies

throughout the event) performed with her amazing

ATS troupe, Azuluna

Edenia proved once again she is the pop and lock queen

The awesome Katerina dancing to live music

The Om Sisters join Katerina (or Katerina joins the Om Sisters)
for some tribal improv

JJ and the Habibis raq it out

Rene performed a beautiful Egyptian number

The Om Sisters did themselves up hippy style to close the event

with a tribal fusion piece set to a 1960s medley.

Yes, they are just that awesome.

There were more wonderful dancers, but I didn't get a chance to snap their picture cuz I was starting my Christmas shopping early, buying raffle tickets, getting a henna tattoo (see below) and just generally socializing while trying to keep a sleepy baby quiet.

For more (and better!) pics, though, you should check out what Richard Lowe has over here.

My henna tattoo

2009-12-02T14:12:00.001-08:00

At the World Peace March event at Merry's on Sunday, I treated myself to a henna tattoo. Isn't it awesomely amazing? Thank you, I thought so, too :-)

It was done by magnificent mehndi artist Monica. She's crazy good, so you should check out her Web site: http://www.oasisarts.net/.

I'll post my pics of some of the dancers and musicians who performed at the fundraising event (and, yes, there were many wonderful performers!) a little later in the week.

I know, it's taking me forever to get anything on this blog lately. I'm still getting about five hours of sleep a night -- and those are not even consecutive hours. It's so much fun being a new mom...

More later -- I promise...

Winter Bellydance Benefit Concert

2009-11-30T19:39:00.001-08:00

Don't miss an amazing belly dance concert presented by Tina Enheduanna tomorrow night to benefit my favorite charity -- Women for Women International.

(You can read why it's my favorite charity here)

These concerts will feature Tina and many of her students, along with special guests Miranda & Mirror for Moonlight, Lilla Varese and the Lilla Varese Dance Company, and Deniz of London. There will be two showings: 6 to 7:30 p.m. and 8 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 at the door, and are good for both performances. The event will be held at the Laguna Hills Community Center, 25555 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills.

Click on the flier to see a magnified version, or call 949-842-5989 for more information.

I hope to see you there!

Photos from Merry's Halloween Hafla

2009-10-27T14:28:00.001-07:00

What a great, great event at Merry's on Saturday. So many wonderful dancers, so much wonderful music. And I think the crowd that gathered on the street to watch the festivities might've set a record for Merry's.

Thank you, Katerina and Merry, for putting together such a terrific Halloween Hafla.

The musicians, from left, Austin Cameron and Ed Lee, and from Kara Nomadica Brett Bowman and Marc Cornelius

The coordinator of the evening, Katerina, led the lineup of dancers.

Ra'eesa (otherwise known as science fiction/fantasy author Leslie Ann Moore) performed a rousing cane dance.

The Om Sisters added some Halloween flair to their tribal fusion.

The members of Troupe Bastet sparkled during their cabaret number.

Tehani performed a belly dance / hula / hip hop fusion piece.

Stasiah lit up the crowd with her balancing act, followed by an energetic Gypsy piece.
We got to see Katerina perform again with her Kabuki Dolls tribal fusion group.

And the star attraction for the night was master instructor and internationally acclaimed performer Fahtiem -- what an amazing opportunity to see this amazing dancer in such a fun and intimate setting.

Update on the Halloween Hafla at Merry's

2009-10-23T12:57:00.000-07:00

You aren't going to miss tomorrow's Halloween Hafla at Merry's Fashion with Passion boutique in Long Beach, are you? I didn't think so :-)

And the lineup has grown since my last post (as lineups tend to do...)

Here's the latest:

Katerina
Ra'essa
Sarah al Nour
Om Sisters
Troupe Bastet
Tehani
Stasiah
Kabuki Dolls
and very special guest Fahtiem

And you won't want to miss the Middle Eastern music by Marc Cornelius and Brett Bowan of Kara Nomadica, along with guest musicians Ed Lee and my husband, Austin.

The event will take place from about 5 to about 8, at Merry's (2747 E. Broadway, Long Beach). The music and dancing will get underway about 5:30, and you can bet they'll be drawing a crowd. You should plan to arrive early to avoid the parking crunch and to be sure to get a good spot to see the entertainment...

Where are the O.C. belly dance events?

2009-10-09T19:33:00.001-07:00

I've been bad, I know... It's been way, way, WAY too long since I've updated the events calendar. I've finally gotten around to it, though, but I can't find any Orange County events!?

Only out of county stuff...

So if you know of something in O.C., please let me know either by leaving a message in the comments section or dropping me a note at deanna AT deannacameron DOT com.

Thanks...

Merry's Halloween Hafla on Oct. 24

2009-10-07T18:07:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendar: Merry's Fashion with Passion boutique in Long Beach will be hosting a Halloween Hafla on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Coordinated by Katerina, the event will feature live Middle Eastern music by Marc Cornelius and Brett Bowan of Kara Nomadica, along with other special guests.

And, of course there will be some outstanding dancing. Here's the lineup:

*Om Sisters
*Saviya
*Sarah al Nour
*Ra'eesa (who in her other life is the talented writer Leslie Ann Moore, author of the Griffin's Daughter Trilogy)
*Katerina and the Kabuki Dolls

... and (drum roll, please)

* a special guest performance by master performer and instructor Fahtiem.

The event will take place from about 5 to about 8, and you can find Merry's at 2747 E. Broadway, Long Beach. (You can't miss it -- Henry the camel is always out front.)

Yeah, you can't miss this one. I know I won't.

Dark Fusion Bellydance -- The Ascend Tribal Dance Format with Sashi DVD

2009-09-25T15:39:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm going to confess something: While I've been spending much of my time lately talking about bellly dancing and celebrating belly dancing because of my novel, I haven't actually belly danced since, well, before my daughter was born in May. Scandalous, isn't it?

This is one of the few times in the past 20 years when I'm not in a class, I'm not part of a troupe, and I haven't even watched one of the dozen or so belly dance DVDs I own.

Until last night, that is.

"Dark Fusion Bellydance -- The Ascend Tribal Dance Format, with Sashi" has been sitting on my desk since July. Every time I looked at it, I've made a silent promise to myself to give it a go when I'm not feeling so tired (with an infant in the house, sleep is scarce) or when I'm not feeling so out of shape.

Well, last night I finaly stopped procrastinating and slid it into the DVD player.

Instantly, I remembered all over again why I love this lady's classes.

Not only is the production quality top-notch (great sets, perfect sound levels, professional camera work), Sashi has organized the material to make it all very easy to use and access quickly. The DVD begins with her warm-up sequence, including dynamic stretches and yoga, to get your muscles ready for a work out.

Next up is a segment explaining the terms common to tribal fusion belly dance, and I had to smile when she covered her method for keeping her students in proper posture because it was one of my favorite parts of the class I took from her awhile back. She calls out "knees," students respond "bent"; she calls out "pelvis," students respond "tucked"; she calls out "shoulders," students respond "rolled"; she calls out "chest," students respond "lifted"; she calls out "Lookin'," and students respond "hot" -- now, how could that not make you smile?

Then Sashi proceeds with moves that will be familiar to most belly dancers -- hip drops, hip slides, pelvic tucks, vertical figure eights, hip rotations, three-quarter shimmies, chest slides, chest lifts, chest drops, shoulder rolls, chest circles, camels -- yet she imbues each with an attitude that is uniquely her own. Then she moves on to moves that are signatures of the Ascend Tribal Bellydance Format. Moves with names like Lolita Arms, Ophelia Arms, the Tribal Sigh, Predator Arms, Invocation Arms, Embracing Arms, Enticing Arms, Conjuring Arms, Kitty Foot, Pinup Foot, the Raven, the Seraphim, Chest Triad, and the Industrial.

After each move is described and broken down (and Sashi is very good at articulating exactly what the body should be doing), she demonstrates it to music, making it very easy for a dancer at home to pause, rewind and watch again and again until the move is mastered before moving on to the next.

Then she presents four Ascend Signature Combos: the Mean Carrie (I'm guessing at the spelling here...), the Nice Carrie, Wishful Thinking (I love the name of this one), and the Lolita Combo.

That wraps up the instructional portion of the DVD, but there's still more. Viewers are treated to a dramatic performance by Sashi in her full Gothic Tribal Bellydance regalia, and you'll be able to identify many -- if not all -- of the moves she's covered in her instruction and see how wonderful and expressive they are when executed well.

And then there is a great interview with Sashi that really shouldn't be missed. Not only will you have an opportunity to hear from Sashi about how she became a dancer, and specifically a belly dancer, as well as her philosophy on the dance, you might be amazed to learn that when she was a teen, Sashi experienced a medical condition that left her temporarily comatose and then paralyzed from the neck down for two and a half months. I know I was.

"I wasn't expected live, let alone walk," she says. "I had to learn to walk again." This revelation left me dumbfounded. I can only imagine the determination and hard work it took to get from learning to walk again to the wonderful, exquisite dancer she is today. And it turns out, dancing actually helped her rehabilitation. "It taught me how to reeducate my body," she says. "I found a different way to get my brain to figure out how to make my body move."

I found that to be such an incredible and inspiring message. Humbling, too. How embarrassed I suddenly was for all the times I told myself I couldn't dance because I was tired and still had too many pregnancy pounds... Sashi's story really helped me put that in perspective.

For that, I owe you a big thank you, my friend :-)

Here's a peek at "Dark Fusion Bellydance -- The Ascend Tribal Dance Format with Sashi":

For more information, including how to order, visit Sashi's Web site at www.ascendtribaldance.com.

Another great review...

2009-09-24T13:39:00.000-07:00

This time from the lovely Bonita Oteri at Gilded Serpent.

Here's an excerpt:

"...author DeAnna Cameron deftly peels back the layers of Gay Nineties society and affords a richly descriptive and fascinating glimpse into the life, times and giddy excitement of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. ... The overall carnival excitement, curiosity and wonder of the Chicago Fair visitors is infectious. The pages teem with the unbridled enthusiasm and hope of our still young, shiny and new pioneer nation."

To read the full review, click here.

More photos from the Laguna Beach book signing and belly dance showcase

2009-09-23T14:03:00.001-07:00

The O.C. Register photographer who attended the book signing and belly dance showcase at Laguna Beach Books on Sept. 4 put 17 of her photos together in a slideshow on the newspaper's Web site.

You can check them out here:
http://www.ocregister.com/photos/belly-book-laguna-2565186-beach-books/pid2565203

Giving THE BELLY DANCER away...

2009-09-17T14:05:00.001-07:00

If you'd like to toss your name in the hat for one of a few free signed books, head over to Goodreads. The contest closes on Oct. 8.

Here's the link: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway.

The books are arranged by contest close date, so scroll down till you see October 8.

The Belly Dancer

reviews: 10
ratings: 63 (avg rating 3.83)

Recap of Friday's belly dance showcase and booksigning

2009-09-08T16:03:00.000-07:00

Friday was one of the hottest (and most humid!) days of the year here in Orange County, but the Cameron clan had a very cool time at the booksigning and belly dance showcase that Laguna Beach Books hosted for us.

The event took place on The Old Pottery Place's brick terrace overlooking Coast Highway and the beautiful Pacific Ocean, with the lovely Danielle Bauter starting things off. After her introduction, I gave a short reading of THE BELLY DANCER and then the real fun began with live Middle Eastern drumming and lots and lots of belly dancing.

I was thrilled that so many friends came out for the event, especially Diane and Mara (who also danced!) who took great care of my little belly dancer while I manned the microphone and signed books, and my multi-tasking husband managed the sound system and drummed.

Here's a peek at the evening:

The darling Taide was our first dancer for the evening

Irma Garcia followed with a great tribal fusion pieceThen it was IrinaXara, who adds a touch of Gothic flair to her tribal fusion performanceAnd then the always spectacular Sooz and troupe Azuluna, with special guest Soy, performed traditional American Tribal Style as the sun started to set Sherrie followed with a sassy tribal fusion solo

Then Mara dazzled the crowd with her awesome Egyptian cabaret style

And Shanna, who came all the way from L.A., followed with another awesome Egyptian cabaret number

And Ninyshenka wowed us with her graceful dancing Next up was Tivka, who danced to a lively Middle Eastern number

And then JJ & the Habibis, a local Laguna Beach favorite, ended the night with a big troupe number

Belly Dance Showcase and Booksigning at Laguna Beach Books on Friday

2009-09-03T14:48:00.001-07:00

Oh, I'm getting excited about tomorrow's belly dance showcase and booksigning at Laguna Beach Books! This is going to be a great way to kick off Labor Day Weekend!

Here's the lineup so far:

Sooz & troupe Azuluna
Taide
IrinaXara
Shanna
Nini
JJ & the Habibis

and I'm *thisclose* to adding even more special guests!

We're also very happy that drummer Ed Lee will be joining us, along with his drumming friends (including my darling husband, Austin Cameron -- who will also be running the sound system for us. Yay!)

So, if you're planning to be in Laguna on Friday evening and would like to check out some great belly dancing, come by! We'll be on the brick terrace between the Laguna Beach Books and Sapphire Laguna restaurant. Come early to grab a seat on one of the benches or at the bistro tables, or just to enjoy the beautiful ocean view!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Belly Dance Showcase & Booksigning for THE BELLY DANCER, by me (DeAnna Cameron)
WHERE: Laguna Beach Books, 1200 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. In The Old Pottery Place shopping center.
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4
COST: It's free!

My new project: a listing for national belly dance festivals

2009-09-02T15:42:00.001-07:00

One of my projects over the next few months will be putting together a list of belly dance festivals that take place across the United States. I'm focusing on events that happen annually and which include performances, vending and workshops.

You can see the beginnings of the list here: http://deannacameron.com/Festivals.htm.

I've already contacted many belly dancers to try to make the listing as complete as possible, and I have many, many events still to include.

If you want to be sure your festival is included, please leave information in the comments section or email me directly at deanna AT deannacameron DOT com.

'An Evening at the Cleopatra Club' Recap

2009-08-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

Boy, Aziza Sa'id and her dancers really know how to throw a party! I had so much fun at their "Evening at the Cleopatra Club" on Saturday night in Riverside. I arrived knowing only my OCC/RWA chapter mate Shauna Roberts (pictured with me in front of the lovely table they decorated for me to sign books. You can't see it, but the table is swathed in gorgeous burgundy fabrics with Moroccan lanterns -- tres chic!) But by the end of the night, I felt like I'd known these ladies for years. They are such a warm and friendly group, and I can't thank them enough for making me feel welcome.

And it's no wonder they attract such a large group to their haflas! There was plenty of food and drinks, music (some of it live!) and lots of dancing. Yes, they even made me dance during the open dancing, too -- no one had any sympathy for my post-pregnancy whining about weight, stiffness, aches, pains, etc. -- and I'm glad they didn't... 'cause it was fun out there!

Here are some of photos I took of the dancers from my gorgeous little book-signing spot

Etoile performing with Isis wings

Zaheen Sa'id performing with silk fans (an astonishing piece that she insists she'd only worked on for a few days. Must be a testament to her talent becuase it was the best fan performance I've ever seen!)

Siri performing a fun cane dance

SeylenaTroi dancing with zills, and boy, can this lady play! When the taped music stopped, she created a very entertaining exchange with the audience with just her zills and dancing. A true pro :-)

This troupe piece was mesmerizing to watch. It was sort of the same idea as a circle dance, with one dancer passing the spotlight to another, but instead of going in and out of the circle, the dancers passed the spotlight simply by touching a neighbor.

This was the beginning class's troupe performance. (You can see Shauna in the center -- go, Shauna!)

And of course Aziza! What a pleasure it was to watch her dance. So much great energy and warmth -- and you can see it all in her smile!

I wish I had a photo of troupe Diatribe from Victorville -- an awesome trio whose performance I really enjoyed. Unfortunately my little camera just didn't do them justice. But take my word for it, these ladies rocked (or raq'd?).

For information on future "Evening at the Cleopatra Club" events and other special events at Anahata Movement Arts (3742 Tibbetts St., Suite 202, Riverside), visit http://anahatamovementarts.wordpress.com/eventsworkshops.

Signing in Riverside at 'An Evening at the Cleopatra Club'

2009-08-20T12:57:00.000-07:00

The fabulous Aziza Sa'id has invited me to sign copies of THE BELLY DANCER on Saturday at "An Evening at the Cleopatra Club," which is her monthly hafla in Riverside, CA.

In addition to the booksigning, there'll be dancing -- lots and lots of dancing -- as well as live music and food.

The event will be held from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Anahata Movement Arts, 3742 Tibbetts St., Suite 202, Riverside, CA. For more information, call (951) 276-YOGA (9642) or visit http://anahatamovementarts.wordpress.com.

I'd love to see you there!

Sept. 4 Booksigning and Showcase in Laguna Beach

2009-08-18T15:15:00.001-07:00

If you weren't able to make it to Merry's in Long Beach on July 25 for the Book Release Party and Benefit, you'll have another chance on Friday, Sept. 4 to get a signed copy of THE BELLY DANCER and see some pretty terrific belly dancing, too.

Laguna Beach Books (1200 S. Pacific Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach) will host the hour-and-a-half-long event, starting at 6:30 p.m., and these are the performers who have signed up so far :

JJ & the Habibis

Sooz & troupe Azuluna

Hipsy Gypsy

Taide

Melissa

with Ed Lee & friends on doumbek

The dancing will take place in the brick courtyard between Sapphire Laguna restaurant and the bookstore. It's a lovely location on Coast Highway with an ocean view. Street parking is always tricky on on a Friday evening, so arriving early is advised.

Any questions? Please drop me a note at deanna AT deannacameron DOT com.

Hope to see you there!

8/16 Jewels That Raq show canceled...*

2009-08-14T13:40:00.001-07:00

I just heard that this weekend's performance is off. I'm trying to find out if the others scheduled for later in the month and September are still on.
Stay tuned...

* 8/18 update -- The other shows are still on :-)

Jewels That Raq review, by Jheri St. James

2009-08-07T13:35:00.000-07:00

The "Jewels That Raq" dinner show has returned with a five-show series at Tapas Restaurant in Newport Beach. The first show, on July 26, kicked off the series, and it will continue on Aug. 16, Aug. 30, Sept. 13 and Sept. 27.

Veteran dance instructor and performer Jheri St. James attended a show, and I'm thrilled to be able to share her review.

Dancer Aziza Said once said that audiences only remember three things about a belly dance performance: 1) if there are costume problems, 2) what props were used, and 3) if they experienced an emotion.

Seven gorgeous dancers wore a luscious menu of costumes with nary a problem in sight at Tapas Restaurant, 4253 Martingale Way #A, Newport Beach, California 92660, on Sunday, May 17. “Jewels That Raq” (“dance” in Arabic) featured most dancers named for a jewel—Emerald, Citrine, Ruby (Perizad) and Pearl. Edenia and Pilar were guest artists of “Jewels That Raq” that night.

Meliza, principal dancer, opened the show with a classic, highly polished and articulate Orientale performance. Emerald danced with the Isis veil—huge gold lamé sparkling and swirling wings. Citrine followed with a traditional taxim veil dance, and then Ruby gave us a powerful drum solo exhibition, feminine and athletic. Edenia entered as a Tribal Fusion-style dancer wearing a collage of black textures and a lovely smile. Pilar presented a Spanish-flavor number, and Emerald swirled and shimmied to a veil/drum solo. Meliza then closed the first act doing amazing, lithe floor work with two serpents around her neck, creating a compelling aura of friendly danger. One of my students reacted to the snakes. We will both remember that dance, but for different reasons. This is belly dance never seen in restaurant venues.

The second act began with Pearl doing a veil dance to the masmoudi kabir rhythm. Citrine twirled a very heavy ornately fringe-beaded cane. Ruby veil danced in an accomplished Turkish style, then came Edenia, our friendly tribal dancer, followed by Pilar dancing to a favorite Lebanese song of mine, and Emerald doing salsa style. Ruby gave us a brisk finger cymbals dance, and Pearl came on again with a smashing drum solo, which brought the solos to a close. Meliza and the entire troupe then came out and invited birthday celebrants up to dance, and all the dancers’ invited others throughout the room to join them onstage, and extensively for photo ops with the dancers.

Overall, this evening presented the audience with an opportunity to see belly dancing performed with enthusiasm in the styles of many world cultures—Spanish, Egyptian, Turkish, Lebanese, Salsa and American. This evening’s entertainment met all of Aziza Said’s criteria. The costumes were dazzling and problem-free. The props were a satisfying variety—cymbals, veils, cane and snakes. People obviously felt happy for an evening out in such an artistic Bohemian environment, and the sparkling “Jewels That Raq,” who really rocked Tapas in Newport Beach that night!

Your fan,
Jheri St. James

Today I'm feeling very fortunate...

2009-07-31T21:34:00.000-07:00

Something I didn't mention in the last post about the book release party is the part that made it a party *and* benefit, and that's because I wanted to devote a special space to that important aspect of the event. And here it is.

Very early in the planning stages, I read about the murder of a woman in Pakistan by the Taliban (which I blogged about here: http://scribblinggypsy.blogspot.com/2009/01/dancing-girl-killed-in-pakistan-by.html) for the simple reason that she was a dancer.

I couldn't believe it. It was something that didn't seem possible in this day and age. But the reality is, we're lucky in this country to be able to dance and express ourselves openly. There are many women around the world who cannot, and I thought it was important during an event that celebrates belly dancing and a book about belly dancing, to also do something for women who don't have the same luxury.

After searching for an organization that helped women in these troubled areas, I discovered Women for Women International. Its mission is to help women survivors of war rebuild their lives, and it operates in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and parts of Africa. The organization is dedicated to improving women's lives in a lasting way. Here's how it's described on the group's Web site:

"We begin by working with women who may have lost everything in conflict and often have nowhere else to turn. Participation in our one-year program launches women on a journey from victim to survivor to active citizen. We identify services to support graduates of the program as they continue to strive for greater social, economic and political participation in their communities.

"As each woman engages in a multi-phase process of recovery and rehabilitation, she opens a window of opportunity presented by the end of conflict to help improve the rights, freedoms and status of women in her country. As women who go through our program assume leadership positions in their villages, actively participate in the reconstruction of their communities, build civil society, start businesses, train other women and serve as role models, they become active citizens who can help to establish lasting peace and stability."

It's a meaningful message of self-empowerment, and it's women reaching out to and helping other women. These are themes that were very important to me as I wrote THE BELLY DANCER, and I can't think of a more appropriate way to honor the art and history of belly dance than to support this noble cause.

That's why I'm feeling very fortunate today. Not only do I enjoy the freedom to dance and live my life the way I want, but our event helped raise money for the organization, thanks to the help of so many individuals who donated either drawing prizes or cash, or both. I was thrilled and honored to be able to mail off those proceeds today.

If you'd like to learn more about Women for Women International, you can do so here. And please consider making a donation. There are women in this world whose lives may depend on it.

Photos from THE BELLY DANCER Book Release Party & Benefit

2009-07-29T11:16:00.000-07:00

Is there any other way to celebrate a book about belly dancing than with a night filled with belly dancing and belly dancers? I think not.

We had dancers, lots and lots of dancers, as well as drummers, belly dance costume models and even pirates! (Oh yeah, and some of them were even extras in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies).

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Merry's Fashion with Passion boutique in Long Beach for allowing us to take over her store (and her sidewalk, and her alley, and the street in front of her shop...) on Saturday night to throw this party for our friends, family and folks who wanted to get their own signed copy of THE BELLY DANCER.

We had a phenomenal turnout -- at least 200 people at one point packed the store and back patio, where the guys from Hana Lima Industries set up the most amazing Moroccan tent. The crowd was so thick, it spilled out onto the sidewalk and street. My husband says he watched as the traffic on Broadway had to maneuver around the crowd, and at one point a city bus slowed down to a crawl so the driver and passengers could get a good look at the dancing and drumming taking place on the sidewalk.

We sold out of the books that Laguna Beach Books so kindly provided!

The event was such a wonderful success because of all the help and support from so many people.

The dancers: Katerina, Sarah al Nour, Enala, Sooz & her troupe Azuluna & the Om Sisters!

The musicians: Ed Lee, Donavon, Austin Cameron, Marc, and their friends

Andrea Farese of Stellar Advantage for providing the belly dance costumes for the fashion show.

Rachel from O.C. Bellydance Connection for taking great photos!

And of course, my parents, who kept my 9-week-old daughter fed, dry and entertained during the madness, and my dear friends Alane & Diane, who were the first to arrive and the last to leave, and stepped in to help me fix all the little problems that popped up throughout the night.

Honestly, I can't thank everyone enough. You're the best :-)

(Photos courtesy of Rachel of OC Bellydance Connection)

THE BELLY DANCER Book Release & Benefit party tomorrow!

2009-07-24T10:43:00.000-07:00

If you're planning to be in Long Beach tomorrow evening, stop by! We'll have belly dancing, live drumming and a belly dance costume fashion show.

We'll also be raising money for a really great cause -- Women for Women International, which helps women survivors of war rebuild their lives.

All the proceeds generated from the drawing for drawings for the great belly dance-inspired prizes will go toward this amazing nonprofit group.

And we have so many wonderful people to thank for donating the prizes!

Belly Dance magazine (1-year subscription)

Naked Rhythm's Alex Spurkel (1 month of drum lessons and Naked Rhythm CDs)

Om Sisters (3 belly dance classes)

http://www.bellydance.com/ / Hollywood Music Center (3 belly dance CDs)

Sashi (her new Gothic Bellydance instructional DVD)

Alane Canzone (a custom-made hula hoop)

http://www.savehollywoodpark.com/ (thank-you gifts)

I'll be donating a bunch of stuff, too: two cosmetics gift packs, a Moroccan caftan / coverup, a restaurant gift card. And we're adding new donations every day!

The event will go from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Merry's Fashion with Passion boutique, 2747 E. Broadway, Long Beach. 562-987-4363.

Hope to see you there!

Just posted an excerpt of THE BELLY DANCER...

2009-07-22T12:15:00.000-07:00

If you'd like to check it out, here's the link:

http://www.deannacameron.com/NovelExcerpt.htm

Enjoy!

Giving stuff away at the Romance Book Club -- come see!

2009-07-14T13:50:00.000-07:00

Today I'm guest blogging about my inspiration for THE BELLY DANCER over at the Romance Book Club, and one lucky commenter will win either a signed copy of the book or a belly dance hip scarf.

You can check it out here:

http://www.theromancebookclub.com/guest-blogs/2009/7/14/the-inspiration-for-the-belly-dancer-by-deanna-cameron.html

Today's winner is...

2009-07-07T16:07:00.000-07:00

It's been a great publication day! I discovered more good reviews (Bookreview.com and BarnesandNoble.com, to name a couple) and that book sales are already strong. Yay :-)

For all of you who bought the book: THANK YOU! I haven't had much time to soak it all in yet -- most of the day has been spent with the little one running to and from the post office to get the bookmarks and other materials out to all the people who have requested them from here and the belly dance forum on Bhuz.com, along with some bookstores around the country.

But here's the fun part of the day: giving away a belly dance hip scarf to today's lucky winner.

So, here we go:

Entries:

My little independent auditor:

Winner:

Congratulations, Catherine; I'm e-mailing you now to get your address.

Thanks to everyone who entered! I'll be doing more contests, so stay tuned!

THE BELLY DANCER is out!

2009-07-07T03:53:00.000-07:00

It's release day for THE BELLY DANCER! Woohoo! I'm celebrating with a guest blog over at Historical Tapestry on why I love the legend of Little Egypt. That one is up now, and an interview with author Shauna Roberts on her For Love of Words blog that will be up a little later on.

I'll also announce the winner of today's contest at 4 p.m. -- so if you've entered, be sure to check back!

The third week winner is...

2009-06-30T15:44:00.000-07:00

I can't believe publication day is so close now... just one more week! I'm thrilled with all the requests for bookmarks, stickers and postcards. I still have a few left, so e-mail me your request at deanna[at] deanna[dot]com if you'd like me to mail you some...

And the prize up for grabs this week is a belly dance necklace and earrings set, purchased from Artemis Imports at Raqs L.A. You probably know the drill by now, so here it goes:

Entries:

Winner:

Melody, I'm sending you an e-mail confirmation now...

Again, thanks to everyone who entered and if you didn't win this week, you'll automatically be included in next week's contest for a belly dance hip scarf [black shown, but other colors available].

Don't forget -- if you're planning to buy THE BELLY DANCER, Amazon and Barnes & Noble are offering a great discounts on the $14 retail price ($10.29 and $10.08, respectively) and are taking pre-orders that will ship on Tuesday.

A great review in The Chronicles

2009-06-24T11:43:00.000-07:00

I was so delighted to open the summer issue of the popular belly dance magazine The Chronicles to find a wonderful two-page review of THE BELLY DANCER, by reviewer Karyana. The novel grew out of my love for belly dancing, which makes these accolades especially sweet.

Here are some highlights:

Ms. Cameron does a wonderful job of setting the tone of the book in late Victorian America. Her descriptions of the ornate houses, city streets, gas lamps, and even the smells of old Chicago, make the history of this particular era in America palpable.

[skip]

But what about the belly dancers, you ask? This is where Ms. Cameron shines – you hear the drums, oud and ney as they accompany the troupe of Ghawazee dancers playing their zills. You see the hip drops, should shimmies and hip circles ...

[skip]

Whew, this book has it all! ... As young women, as experienced women, as a dancer – you will love this book!

The second week winner is...

2009-06-23T15:49:00.000-07:00

We had a lot of new entries this week for the Countdown to Publication contest for THE BELLY DANCER, so the competition was a little tougher. I'm not surprised, though. Who wouldn't want a free copy of the Bellydance Superstars' "The Art of Bellydance"? So, once again, here is my ultra-scientific random drawing process:

Entries:

Winner:

Diana Lindsay

Diana, I'm sending you an e-mail confirmation now...

Thank you to everyone who entered. Remember, if you didn't win this week, you'll automatically be included in next week's contest for this belly dance necklace and earrings set, purchased from Artemis Imports at Raqs L.A.

More on Cairo Caravan

2009-06-23T12:04:00.001-07:00

Here's a pic of my friend Ed Lee (left) playing the frame drum for an impromptu performance by Rachel Brice at the Cairo Caravan drumming tent. Also drumming is, from left, Josh Fint and Donavon Lerman, while Andy DesChenes looks on.

You can also see a bunch of really great photos from the event at Lee Corkett's Weathervane Images site. Here's a peek at the gallery with a link at the bottom (thanks, Lee!):

090615-Cairo-#Highlights - Images by Lee Corkett

Cairo Caravan 2009

2009-06-19T10:18:00.000-07:00

Cairo Caravan -- formerly known as Cairo Carnival -- made its debut at the Queen Mary in Long Beach this weekend after spending the past few years at the Santa Anita Racetrack (and before that at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, and before that at Rio Hondo College in Whittier... which to me is still the best venue ever). It's the biggest and best-known local belly dance festival, and this is the first time in years I've missed it. Having a newborn at home took precedence, though (BTW, Chloe turns 1 month old today! Yay!)

Anyway, I was disappointed to miss the event, but I received this great photo from my friend, the fabulous dancer Marlena Shaw, who performed a duet with Taji, another fabulous dancer, on Sunday just before 1 p.m. on the Luxor stage.

I asked her to share her thoughts on the new venue:

Well, the positive comments I have is that because it was on three levels, you weren't so tired at the end of the day from walking. However, it seemed like the vendors on the top floor got the most business. The bottom floor did great too - possibly because these floors had a stage. The middle floor didn't have a stage and it seemed not too many people were walking about that level. The stages were nice, the MCs were great. The dancing was great, good variety of styles.

The price to get in for non-members was too high. I think it was $18 as opposed to $5 for MECDA members. The food was bad, really bad. Sandwiches and salads. The dressing rooms were okay except the carpet was so gross your feet stuck to the floor - ugh! We just kept our sandals on until just before our time to dance. Also, the escalators were down and people who had any physical limitations were have difficulty.

I guess on a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it a 6 or 7.

I've heard from a couple of other people who attended that they thought the price was a bit high, too, considering people had to pony up something like $8 to park in addition to the entry fee. But everyone said they were impressed with the stages and general set-up. All in all, it sounds like it was mostly a success for its first time in the new location -- with maybe some room for improvement if MECDA decides to stay there next year.

And I'll be there next year no matter what. (Maybe Chloe will even be able to shimmy by then!)

Week 2: Countdown to Publication contest

2009-06-17T11:07:00.000-07:00

Only 20 days to go till publication day for THE BELLY DANCER...

This week's prize is a copy of the Bellydance Superstars' "The Art of Bellydance" CD, featuring 13 tracks that include Oojami's "Chicky," Beats Antique's "Rabat," Issam Houshan's "Mumbai Revisted," and Turbo Tabla's "Saidi Song." It's a great album for listening and dancing.

And of course the winner will also receive an assortment of bookmarks, stickers, postcards and two signed bookplates for THE BELLY DANCER for yourself and to share with friends :-)

If you haven't already entered, pop over to http://www.deannacameron.com/ and click on Enter the Contest...

Good luck!

The first week winner is...

2009-06-16T16:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who entered to win the first week prize for the Countdown to Publication contest for THE BELLY DANCER! Here is my very official and scientific drawing process:

The entries:

The winner:

Desdemona

Desdemona, I'm sending you an e-mail now to get your mailing address and your preferences on the T-shirt...

Remember, if you didn't win this week, you will automatically be entered in next week's contest. If you haven't entered yet, visit http://www.deannacameron.com/ and follow the link dubbed Enter the Contest.

I'll post more about that prize tomorrow :-)

The Countdown to Publication Contest

2009-06-11T19:52:00.000-07:00

With the publication date for THE BELLY DANCER less than a month away and positive reviews already rolling in, I’m in the mood to celebrate. And what better way to do that than to give away free stuff?

For the next four weeks, I’ll be holding a “Countdown to Publication” drawing on Tuesday afternoons to give away one of four prize packages. The first drawing will be held the afternoon of June 16, and up for grabs is a belly dance screened shirt, as well as THE BELLY DANCER postcards, stickers and book plates.

The T-shirt is a 100% cotton crew neck shirt from Dancing Rahana belly dance boutique, and the winner can choose from several colors and sizes: white and with pink accents (see photo) in small and extra large; hot pink with black accents in small and medium; white with black accents in small, medium, large and extra large; gray with black accents in small, medium, large and extra large; and black with white accents in small and medium.

To enter, visit http://www.deannacameron.com/, and click on “Enter the Contest.” A winner will be randomly selected, and all entrants will automatically be entered in the subsequent contests, with the exception of the winner. Limit of one weekly prize per person.

Good luck!

Interviewed about THE BELLY DANCER

2009-06-08T17:57:00.000-07:00

Here's a video that a couple of Orange Coast College students did in conjunction with the school's newspaper on the upcoming release of my novel, THE BELLY DANCER, with some footage from Angelika Nemeth's OCC belly dance class thrown in because she has been a tremendous influence on me.

Next time I'm interviewed -- if there's a next time :-) -- I have a long list of things I would do differently. But it was a great learning experience, that's for sure.

http://www.coastreportonline.com/articles/2009/05/28/video/news05belly.txt

Dark Fusion Bellydance: The Ascend Tribal Belly Dance Format with Sashi is here

2009-05-05T15:00:00.000-07:00

I was really excited when Sashi told me she was working on an instructional DVD, and now that it's available, you can see why. Not only does it capture her unique Gothic Bellydance style, it presents her format in a very professionally done and fun-to-watch way.

Check out her trailer from You Tube:

Ordering information is available on the YouTube page and also on her Myspace site: http://www.myspace.com/sashiascendtribal.

An anniversary...

2009-04-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

I was just looking back at some earlier posts and noticed that it's been a whole year since Scribbling Gypsy debuted. Boy, how time flies! When I started this blog, I was hoping to create a place where Orange County dancers could find news and updates on local people and events. So I've been stunned by how many readers extend far beyond our Southern California borders.

Since my first post on April 23, 2008, the blog has been visited by readers in 98 countries and every state in the nation. The most viewed story is my posting about an interview Dina did with The National newspaper in the UAE, where she expresses her concerns about the future of belly dancing. The second most viewed story? My interview with Miss Montana Jennifer Hepner, who was one of the two Miss America contestants this year who performed belly dance routines as their talent. When news broke in late March that Miss Montana had been arrested on suspicion of DUI a couple of weeks before the pageant, the clicks to that interview skyrocketed. (She has since pleaded not guilty and filed a petition arguing that the traffic stop and arrest were illegal, and that the arresting officer did not follow proper procedure.)

It's been a fun year, and I've thoroughly enjoyed sharing information about so many of the wonderful people and events that make up our local belly dance community, and also the news and issues that affect us from all over the world. And if there's something you'd like to see or hear more about, please drop me a note at scribblinggypsy@gmail.com. I'm always open to suggestions.

Thanks!

Raqs L.A. Returns This Weekend

2009-04-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

The Bellydance Superstars' Raqs L.A. festival returns this weekend to the Glendale Civic Auditorium for two days of performances, workshops, shopping and more.

Workshop leaders on the cabaret side include Sonia, Issam Houshan, Petite Jamilla, Sabah, Jayna and Suhaila Salimpour. On the tribal side, leaders include Kami Liddle, Samantha Hasthorpe, Zoe Jakes and Moria. Prices at the door are $45 for 2-hour workshops and $55 for 3-hour workshops, and all workshop attendees will receive free festival admission. Check http://www.raqsla.com/workshops for available spaces.

Shopping and performances on the open stage will run throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, and a special Bellydance Superstars show will take place at 8 p.m. Saturday. ($38 at the door.) Think you have what it takes to join this world-class troupe? Auditions for both cabaret and tribal dancers will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Festival admission is $10 per day at the door. The Glendale Civic Auditorium is at 1401 N. Verdugo Road, Glendale. Check http://www.raqsla.com/ for more information.

Market at the Casbah 2009 recap

2009-04-09T12:48:00.000-07:00

The 11th annual Market at the Casbah, organized by local belly dancer and instructor Deborah Peterson and Wanda Lee Sundberg at the Fullerton Senior Community Center on Saturday, was an incredible event with lots of vendors, great workshops by Angelika Nemeth, Middle Eastern food, and nearly continous performances throughout the day.

It was fun seeing Angelika (who ran out to see a student's performance before the first of her two workshops began), as well as Serena, Laura and Veronica -- whom I haven't seen in months because being pregnant has kept me out of dance class. I also got to visit with Najma, Mara and Shauna Roberts (a writing friend who is now taking belly dance classes in the Inland Empire!)

My good friend Enala and I also spent a lot of time at the O.C. Bellydance Connection table (generously donated by Deborah) to say hi to Rachel (who gets the credit for starting what has become a really robust local meetup group for belly dancers), as well as meetup members Gigi Lenker and Elena Wise.

We also had a great chat with belly dance costumer extraordinaire Doyne, who told us a terrific story about how he turned the tables on some Internet scammers (you have to ask him about it -- it's a great story!) and I had the opportunity to say thank you in person to Mher of Hollywood Music Center, and its sister company http://www.bellydance.com/, for his generous donation of raffle prizes, which I'll be giving away at my July 25 Book Release Party & Benefit (more info on that later, or you can check here). He also helped me replace my outdated VHS version of Fat Chance Belly Dance's Tribal Basics tape with a brand new DVD version.

Here are some pics:

Ana

Westside Belly Dance Project

Tribe Roman Morga

The view of the floor

Taji and the Johara Dancers

If you're interested in dancing next year, reservation forms will be available in January. You can find out more at http://www.marketatthecasbah.com/.

More trouble for female dancers in Pakistan...

2009-04-07T10:15:00.000-07:00

The BBC is reporting that an Islamic group with close ties to the Taliban has banned women dancers who perform in a traditional spring festival featuring Sufi music and dance. Even more troubling, the group's clerics asked for and received approval from the district's police to do so and were accompanied by members of the police force when they arrived Monday to ask the dancers to leave.

You can read the full story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7987383.stm

Another loss to our O.C. belly dance community...

2009-04-02T16:07:00.001-07:00

I might be late to the party on this one, but I just learned that the BellyDancingDiva.com site is up for sale. Since its inception, the site has been a nice outlet for local teachers and dancers to get the word out about their classes and upcoming performances, as well as a place to read about belly dance-related topics like makeup and costuming.

I admit I was a little disappointed when the site started to reach beyond our region to include dancers and teachers from elsewhere in the country. But that was just selfishness on my part. I liked having this site dedicated to our own dance community. Maybe that was unrealistic...

Still, there's a chance someone could step in, buy the site and keep it going. The site says domain ownership isn't set to expire until July.

We'll just have to wait and see...

Market at the Casbah on Saturday

2009-04-02T10:38:00.000-07:00

The annual Market of the Casbah returns on Saturday to the Fullerton Senior Multi-Service Center for its 11th year with lots of performances, live music by John Bilezikjian, shopping and two great workshops with local legend Angelika Nemeth.

In the first workshop, "Folkloric Styles to Enhance Your Dance," which runs from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Angelika will teach participants how to "add folkloric styling to your dance routines," including "appropriate music, body postures and costuming for Saidi, Khaleeji, Zar and Debke." The cost is $40 at the door.

Then, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., she'll present "Polishing Your Performance: Now That You Know the Steps Let's Dance!" In this workshop, participants will learn "how to use breath, phrasing, dynamics, transitions and expression to take your dance from the ordinary to the extraordinary!" The cost is $35 at the door.

I'll be there to watch and shop, and I'll have some of the super-pretty promo cards for THE BELLY DANCER with me. If you'd like one, just ask -- they're free :-)

The festival opens at 11:30 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m. The Fullerton Senior Multi-Service Center is at 340 W. Commonwealth in Fullerton. For more information, check http://www.marketatthecasbah.com/.

Reflections Dance and Fitness studio in Anaheim to close

2009-03-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

Our local belly dance community has been growing with more classes and more instructors for so long that it is with great sadness that I received this news from local instructor and performer Marlena:

Due to the troubled economic situation of so many businesses and families, people are forced to budget and eliminate any extra expenses. Reflections Dance & Fitness is closing as of March 31, 2009. Therefore, my Thursday classes will no longer be available in the Anaheim location. This is a very sad situation. I will miss teaching there and all the great people, especially the owners, Jessica and Ify. My heart and prayers go out to them.
We must keep our chins up and dance the sadness away!
Marlena

If you're looking for a local class, there are still many out there. Check Marlena's Web site, as well as the sites for Angelika Nemeth, Sashi, Sooz, Lilla Varese, Tina Enheduanna, and the OC Bellydance Connection. If you know of others, let me know and I'll be happy to post those, too.

Gothla US: The Divining Recap

2009-03-09T06:13:00.000-07:00

It wasn't your usual day on campus at Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday. Gothla US: The Divining brought out the Gothic belly dancers, Steam Punkers and the people who love to watch them for a day filled with workshops, shopping and performances.

The festival officially started on Friday, with workshops and the Motif experimental gathering, and continued on Sunday with more workshops and a special Gothla night at The Chamber at Club Bravo in Anaheim.

On Saturday, the festival's performers and vendors took over Ursa Major hall in the Bronco Student Center, while the workshops were held in the Orion room. I spent most of the time checking in the wonderfully eclectic mix of performers at the entrance, but here are some snaps of the scene before my shift started:

The always entertaining Raine was mistress of ceremonies and introduced performers, conducted raffles, led the fashion show and kept the show on track.

IrinaXara

Some of the Victorian-themed merchandise on display

The henna booth

Zeidy

Rodasii

Geisha Moth merchandise

More shopping

Tempest's popular shrugs and corset belts

More shopping

In the afternoon, Elysium Dance Theater literally brought the place to a standstill with this inspired performance:

To see more (and better) photos from the event, check out Richard Lowe Jr.'s site at http://www.renaissancefaire.net/gothla-the-divining.htm.

Gothla US returns this weekend, March 6-8

2009-03-05T09:17:00.000-08:00

In February 2008, Gothla US: The Conjuring brought the first major Gothic belly dance festival to Southern California, with workshops, shopping, a full day of performances and a nighttime gala of some of Gothic belly dance's most popular performers. The turnout was amazing, with participants coming not only from all over the region, but across the country and even overseas, to take part in what co-founders Sashi and Tempest called a "festival celebrating dark fusion at its finest."

This weekend, Gothla US returns with a steampunk attitude as Gothla US: The Divining: Cogs in Motion, and it promises to be even bigger and better at its new home at the Bronco Student Center at Cal Poly Pomona. Tempest and Sashi will be teaching workshops, as well as Asharah, Callisto of Sweden, Anaar, Lee Ali, Marjhani and Shakra.

The event kicks off on Friday with workshops and Motif, an experimental gathering for Gothla participants that combines music, dance and ritual. On Saturday, the festival will be in full swing from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with workshops planned throughout the day, as well as vendors, performances, a fashion show and live music. Admission is $15 at the door. A gala featuring workshop leaders and other elite performers follows later in the evening ($20 at the door). On Sunday, the festival wraps up with more workshops and a special night at The Chamber nightclub for participants from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Want more details? Check out www.gothla.com/faq.html.

I'll be volunteering at the dancer check-in desk from 12:30 to 3 p.m., so stop by and say hi :-)

Sunday trip to Merry's and Shimmy Showcase

2009-03-02T15:07:00.000-08:00

We headed down to Long Beach on Sunday afternoon to share in Merry's celebration of the New York Times bestseller THREE CUPS OF TEA, about author Greg Mortenson's efforts to build schools and reduce poverty in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Shop owners Merry and Dallas hosted the three-hour party, which featured tribal belly dancing by the Om Sisters and male dancer Marked Khalil, along with dancing and live music by tribal troupe Oojahm. In addition to enjoying the live entertainment, guests were treated to belly dance lessons, nibbled on gingerbread camel cookies, sipped champagne, and made donations to Pennies for Peace, Mortenson's humanitarian foundation.

This was such a great event, and I can't wait until July 25, when Merry and I will be celebrating the release of my debut novel, THE BELLY DANCER, with another big belly dance party at her shop. I'll have more details on that very soon! (Here you can see Merry with me and my ever growing pregnant belly! And if it looks like I'm holding onto that new purse for dear life, it's because I was not going to set it down for one second -- even to take a picture -- because I didn't want anyone else to snatch it up. It's my new favorite thing...)

The THREE CUPS OF TEA celebration will continue at Merry's at 6 p.m. March 11, when Jamshed Rasul will speak on art and culture in Pakistan, and a silent auction will raise more proceeds for Pennies for Peace. If you're in the area, stop in and check it out!

And of course, since we were in the area, we stopped in at the Coffee Haven to see the Shimmy Showcase. My very good friend Katerina was dancing in true ATS fashion with Sooz and Alexiis, along with four of their students, to live music performed by the Ansuz ensemble, led by Fernan Cobian. The dancing was awesome and the live music was concert quality. It was such a terrific way to end an already terrific day.

New Angelika video on YouTube

2009-02-27T12:10:00.000-08:00

Angelika Nemeth performed this original choreography at the Spring 2008 Dance Concert at Irvine Valley College's Performing Arts Center to "Yearning," a sexy, sultry track from her CD, "Angelika Unveiled."

Gorgeous!

Belly Dancer of the Universe 2009 winners

2009-02-24T09:08:00.000-08:00

The Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition has been a popular event in Southern California for years, but this year proved just how much this contest has grown. Dancers came from all over the globe to compete in various style and age categories, and put a truly international touch on this year's festivities.

Unfortunately, a pregnancy complication kept me from attending, but thanks to Deborah, who produces the annual Market of the Casbah festival in Fullerton, we have the winners:

UNIVERSAL:
Dilek of San Diego

EGYPTIAN:
Maryam of Mexico

GROUP:
Belly Soul Fire of Oregon

DRUM SOLO:
Sema Yun of Korea

TAXIM:
Mireya Yamilet of Puerto Rico

VEIL:
Enise from the South Bay area

FUSION:
Guzel Gilmeeva of Russia

JUNIOR:
Attiya of New York

CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS:
Guzel Gilmeeva of Russia

O.C. Belly Dancer Spotlight: Sashi

2009-02-16T10:29:00.000-08:00

Sashi is the kind of belly dancer who likes to play with expectations and test the limits of what is possible, and in the process creates captivating performances that showcase her exceptional dance talent as well as her theatrical skill. By layering elements of storytelling, acting and stagecraft into her choreographies, she catapults her work beyond a traditional belly dance performance into the realm of performance art. But it's not all for show. At the heart of Sashi's dance is a deep awareness, understanding and respect for the diversity of cultures from which belly dance draws its music and dance.

In addition to traveling extensively across the nation and overseas to perform and teach workshops, Sashi leads Ascend Tribal Dance, a dance company she founded in Orange County, and conducts an ongoing Gothic Tribal Fusion dance course in Costa Mesa.

Another way this energetic and innovative performer is making her mark on the dance world is with Gothla US, a festival celebrating Gothic belly dance that she co-founded last year. Gothla US: The Conjuring debuted in Fullerton, California, in February 2008 with tremendous success. And it returns next month (March 6-8) as Gothla US: The Divining, primarily at Cal Poly Pomona.

Sashi is busy with the final preparations for the upcoming festival, but she took time to answer a few questions about herself, her inspiration and her unique approach to belly dance.

What is your style of belly dancing?

I am a Tribal Fusion and Gothic Tribal Fusion Bellydancer. I am most known for being a Gothic Tribal Fusion Bellydancer, as I am one of the foremost innovators of this newer style of belly dance, as well as one of the co-creators of Gothla US, the largest Gothic Bellydance Festival in North America.

How long have you been belly dancing, and how’d you get started?

I have been belly dancing for 17 years now. I started because I was fortunate enough to attend college at San Francisco State University in Northern California. Due to their wonderfully diverse dance department, I was afforded the opportunity to experience all kinds of dance and music classes from all over the world. My main focus became African Haitian, West African, Jazz and Modern dance, as well as West African and Native American drumming. After learning so much about other cultures through their dances and music, I realized that I wanted to learn more about my culture through our own styles of dance. I’d already grown up with the folkloric versions of my culture’s dances, but I wanted to get into belly dancing and find out more about my culture that way. So, I signed up for the belly dance class at the studio around the corner from my house. It just so happens that the teacher of that very first class I took was none other than Carolena Nericcio. I’ve been studying the dance since then. I have a broad background in many styles of the dance, including ATS [American Tribal Style], Egyptian and Lebanese Cabaret, Folkloric and Tribal Fusion.

Who are your favorite or most influential teachers?

I’d consider my most influential teachers to be Angelika Nemeth, Sahra Saeeda and Tina “Enheduanna” Elkins. I learned strength and classic technique from Angelika, who had such a graceful and respectful way of imparting the dance to her students. She inspired me to want to be as respectful and knowledgeable about the dance as I could. As a student and member of Sahra Saeeda’s troupe, I learned about the histories, stories, meanings, nuances and intricacies of the folkloric dances of the Middle East. Sahra inspired me to know all the aspects of the dances I took part in and to hold the dance and the people in a place of respect and reverence, making sure not to engage in cultural appropriation or misrepresentation. Lastly, from Tina “Enheduanna” Elkins, I learned the grace of presentation through the body, especially facial gesturing. I also learned about the use of space onstage and in choreography, which is an art form in and of itself. Most of all, I learned a sense of graciousness and patience for fellow dancers by being her student and a part of her troupe. Each of these teachers inspired me because they approached the dance in a genuine way, allowing for me to witness, incorporate and eventually emulate this sense of humility and grace.

What is your favorite place to dance?

I don’t know if I have only one favorite place to dance because, for me, my favorite aspect of the dance is the interaction between dancer and audience that can happen almost anywhere. So really, my favorite place to dance would be wherever the maximum energetic contact with an audience can take place, whether that includes only one member or any amount more than that.

What music do you most like to dance to?

While I would not want to pigeonhole myself into one or two genres of music, I can definitely say that I have an affinity toward Gothic-Industrial and EBM styles of music, but anything with a good strong beat, energy and accent can inspire me to move.

What was your most memorable performance?

For me, I would definitely say that my most memorable performance would be my “pierced wings” performance at Tribal Fest 2006. There was such an amazing energy exchange between myself and the audience. I had entered a trance-like state with the pierced wings and brought that energy with me onstage. As I began dancing, the energy washed through me and into the audience. Most of the audience absorbed the energy, interacted with it and allowed it to flow back to me. So, for the length of the performance, a cyclically continuous flow of energy existed in that large room and impacted each of us, humbled us and moved us in our own ways. I have always been awed by that experience and hold it with me in reverence.

What is your dance regimen?

I strength train for two hours two times a week, run one to two miles a day and do abdominal exercises for 30 minutes daily. I dance three times a week for two hours and drill daily.

To you, what separates an accomplished dancer from an amateur?

I imagine what separates an accomplished dancer from an amateur would be the level of dedication, intent, stamina, technique and performance the dancer has. Some people get involved in this dance for the sake of exercise, to experience the sensuality and spirituality this dance conjures, etc., while others decide that they would like to take this art form to levels of performance and notoriety which requires a professional level of dedication. Thus, I would say that level of dedication and intent is the divisive factor in this realm.

As there is always room for improvement in dance (just as there is in all art forms), what are you still working to improve?

I am always working to improve my creativity. There are times when the performance of a particular style becomes stale and even though this is what is being asked of you in the venues you are hired for, it has the possibility of stifling one’s creative flow and ability to see things anew. Therefore, I always make a point to review what I am doing, engage in new experiences and seek to incorporate new concepts into my dance.

How long have you been in Orange County ?

I’ve lived in Orange County since I was 4. When I was 17, I moved to San Francisco and stayed up there for college and two rounds of graduate school before retuning to Orange County for a job 13 years later. I’ve been here ever since.

For more about Sashi, her performances and classes, visit http://www.ascendtribaldance.com/.

For more about Gothla US: The Conjuring (March 6-8), visit http://www.gothla.com/.

Kamala Almanzar presents Sha'Abi Chic in Alhambra on March 21-22

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If you're going to be in the Alhambra area on March 21 or 22, plan on checking out Kamala Almanzar's Sha'Abi Chic belly dance show at the Arte Flamenco Dance Theatre (230 W. Main St., Alhambra). The show--billed as "eclectic belly dance in an intimate setting--begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Kamala's Orchids Al Sahara troupe will perform, along with Flowers of the Desert, Shaunti Kazemi, Viridiana & Roxanna, and other special guests.

Tickets are $20 for adults at the door, or $15 in advance. You can pay online if you visit here.

Got questions? Call 626-824-7767 or visit http://www.kamaladance.com/.