tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25137639575308093722024-02-19T08:22:50.813-08:00Scribbling GypsyA place for news, reviews and updates on the O.C. belly dance sceneDeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-54918766552527833542012-02-13T08:12:00.000-08:002012-02-13T08:30:37.915-08:00Once Upon A Time: A Gypsy's Tale<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEdvUoUNM92dwRKz0StsgX9LP0al9rSoBJsj8eRvSpEo8sVie3UsUjA-elctUJPZvcvYiF3_CabE1gPAdOFwgSSVTgr3WSHjp-C3TIOL7fAa5f9qNEFUiWVjzIAs-oquULA3V06yUs5M/s1600/gypsyfire-flyer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 309px; height: 400px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708658403028716162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEdvUoUNM92dwRKz0StsgX9LP0al9rSoBJsj8eRvSpEo8sVie3UsUjA-elctUJPZvcvYiF3_CabE1gPAdOFwgSSVTgr3WSHjp-C3TIOL7fAa5f9qNEFUiWVjzIAs-oquULA3V06yUs5M/s400/gypsyfire-flyer.jpg" /></a>Ethnic folk music and dance will come alive Sunday, March 18, as local performance companies come together to present an enchanting variety of entertainment at <em>Once Upon A Time: A Gypsy's Tale</em>.<br /><br />The full-scale show, which will begin at 2 p.m., is presented by the Music & Arts Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach and produced by veteran Shimmy Showcase coordinator Saviya. Performers include Katerina & the Kabuki Dolls, JJ & the Habibis, Saviya with Tribe Roman Morga, as well as live music by Saf Mavi.<br /><br />Admission is $15 for adults and free for children younger than 10. Tickets may be reserved by emailing Assistant Director of Music Douglas Law at twinkleUmusic@yahoo.com. The church is at 5450 East Atherton St., Long Beach, CA 90815. (562) 597-8445.DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-7121285704782189252011-12-05T18:03:00.000-08:002011-12-05T19:34:18.213-08:00My List of Belly Dance Festivals<div>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:</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.deannacameron.com/TheBellyDancer/TBDBellyDanceFestivals.html">http://www.deannacameron.com/TheBellyDancer/TBDBellyDanceFestivals.html</a></div><div> </div><div>If you have an update to any of these festivals, please email me at deanna at deannacameron dot com.</div><div> </div><div>Happy dancing!</div>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-63711554908443030792011-12-02T08:22:00.000-08:002011-12-02T08:56:28.822-08:00Shimmy Showcase is back!<div><div>I know, it's not exactly news to many who love <a href="http://shimmyshowcase.blogspot.com/">Shimmy Showcase</a> that those clever organizers have found a new home for their weekly belly dance gathering at <a href="http://www.vientoyaguacoffeehouse.com/live/">Viento y Agua Coffee House</a> (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 <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">here</a>. But you're probably more interested in who will be dancing at Shimmy Showcase, right? I thought so...<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>This Sunday, starting at 5:30 p.m., Abraiha will present Tahma, IrinaXara, Nadirah, Jade, and May.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div>On Dec. 11, my good friend <a href="http://www.katerinadance.com">Katerina </a>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.</div><div> </div><div><br />Enjoy!</div><div> </div><div> </div></div>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-37445403317575606542011-08-26T07:33:00.000-07:002011-08-26T08:51:09.898-07:00Shimmy Showcase, RIP<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzDLnLohQLGOUmnXMyLAdqK5jXYbV4p8aSc4ZKkKu7TJTy-xgNPmQP_FgKP1WBWtWvahhyN9BSi7LcTSuQOdpayV0tpnimL1YKGpXhmp9hnV7Ih3ZjtvF8B2e2sJ3kUQ8hLy9Usapag4/s1600/KatSolo.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzDLnLohQLGOUmnXMyLAdqK5jXYbV4p8aSc4ZKkKu7TJTy-xgNPmQP_FgKP1WBWtWvahhyN9BSi7LcTSuQOdpayV0tpnimL1YKGpXhmp9hnV7Ih3ZjtvF8B2e2sJ3kUQ8hLy9Usapag4/s320/KatSolo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645191781368100578" border="0" /></a>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).
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<br />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.
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<br /></div><div>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 <a href="mailto:shimmyshowcase@gmail.com">shimmyshowcase@gmail.com</a>.
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<br /></div><div> </div><div>You also might want to check the group's blog for updates: <a href="http://shimmyshowcase.blogspot.com/">http://shimmyshowcase.blogspot.com</a>.
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<br />Photo: Katerina performing at Shimmy Showcase in March 2009.
<br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-20235312556425358482011-06-16T19:16:00.000-07:002011-06-16T20:40:03.699-07:00Cairo Caravan 2011 recap<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZJno0atc8FoSfQaJ_mBrj_DyhU3opOf_QWzk3OZj_bzhjynR8sVmaKyCGlkgYHSBEyGtRqSv4Lo34un8vpVhuz_iwc4rPMEkcCzyjsadMrxPzozaVwkpt9miP2sLk-nayhgN00cj_no/s1600/CC11dSmall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 400px; height: 259px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619024097678399442" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZJno0atc8FoSfQaJ_mBrj_DyhU3opOf_QWzk3OZj_bzhjynR8sVmaKyCGlkgYHSBEyGtRqSv4Lo34un8vpVhuz_iwc4rPMEkcCzyjsadMrxPzozaVwkpt9miP2sLk-nayhgN00cj_no/s400/CC11dSmall.jpg" border="0" /></a>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.<br /><br />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 <a href="http://www.shaunaroberts.com/">Shauna Roberts</a>.<br /><br />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 <a href="http://www.lacarryalls.com/">"Prop Transporter,"</a> Ma*shuqa, Antoinette, Amy, Amber, Connie, Jennie, Carol, the <a href="http://pennystarrjr.com">fabulous </a><a href="http://pennystarrjr.com">Penny Rose</a>, Poppy, Oscar and JoAnn!).<br /><br />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: <a href="http://leecorkett.com/blog/http:/leecorkett.com/blog/photography/cairo-caravan-2011-3/">http://leecorkett.com/blog/http:/leecorkett.com/blog/photography/cairo-caravan-2011-3/</a></div><div> </div><div>So if you missed this year's event (or were too busy shopping, or gabbing like I was) be sure to check them out.<br /></div><div>Keep and eye on <a href="http://www.mecda.org/">MECDA's website</a> for news on next year's event.</div>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-56922171849545376102011-06-04T05:42:00.000-07:002011-06-04T06:22:41.619-07:00Friday Night at Cairo Caravan<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubUYtKiGG18aHHnpydW-9xI1TRji7u9A1fjlBx7h7A2sICRMho-UXWbL39unVXKW3TUXZFTMUUb7FFJyMUeRUMWdfUq7tyyYQkJNgkwOw_eBDBPAxaYLbCmSGDiky0pniJVc4m0U6QiA/s1600/FSCN4436.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 239px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614344820011201538" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubUYtKiGG18aHHnpydW-9xI1TRji7u9A1fjlBx7h7A2sICRMho-UXWbL39unVXKW3TUXZFTMUUb7FFJyMUeRUMWdfUq7tyyYQkJNgkwOw_eBDBPAxaYLbCmSGDiky0pniJVc4m0U6QiA/s320/FSCN4436.JPG" border="0" /></a>My Friday at <a href="http://www.mecda.com/Cairo">Cairo Caravan</a>:<br /><br />* Drive to Queen Mary.<br /><br />* Check in with the festival organizers.<br /><br />* Find authors table (second level, awesomely renamed "Thebes Level" for the festival).<br /><br />* Find my friend and tablemate, <a href="http://www.shaunaroberts.com/">Shauna Roberts</a>.<br /><br />* Set up the authors table.<br /><br />* Move authors table to a spot with a view of the stage (and the terrific dancing!)<br /><br />* Set up the authors table again<br /><br />* Find the Boiler Room, where my morning lecture is taking place.<br /><br />* 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.<br /><br />* Sell first book of the night -- of the festival! -- to the lovely and talented and vivacious and darling and -- well, you get the idea -- <a href="http://www.ansuya.com/">Ansuya</a>. 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...)<br /><br />* 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.<br /><br />* Meet and sign books for several sweet and delightful ladies who stopped to chat and share our chocolate.<br /><br /></div><div>* Drive home, exhausted but happy, to rest up and be ready to head back in the morning. </div><div> </div><div><br />Still wondering about those ghost stories, too...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr9QZ-SIngL4O4djWbKyM4wEAM7uGzjD1Sxdm68kp150Xowx1v_igp6QkQpFxl5S9SgqIFmF5rPSUcm3kkMiReXlFaxL5Rcg6-ymSnyVn0e-U4PeWGMxXE_IaGsnAibHqT3S6pYjliDA/s1600/FSCN4436.JPG"></a><br /></div><div></div>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-66169990048997392372011-05-31T19:46:00.000-07:002011-05-31T20:30:47.763-07:00Booksigning at Cairo Caravan 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFuiA67-a7OGINsVOcVCx5sUcRhRTl72Ll65c7euXXlwN3b0xbxK4NEYPK1H2XApjlSzfuDkLoaPz60VspZqEuAC8o3mwUmW6MtzoM4Mp7DVPMuh-fiM5bwwzZlKbmKUjEubJ2oQce8A/s1600/The+Belly+Dancer_72dpi.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFuiA67-a7OGINsVOcVCx5sUcRhRTl72Ll65c7euXXlwN3b0xbxK4NEYPK1H2XApjlSzfuDkLoaPz60VspZqEuAC8o3mwUmW6MtzoM4Mp7DVPMuh-fiM5bwwzZlKbmKUjEubJ2oQce8A/s320/The+Belly+Dancer_72dpi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613083568094898546" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.mecda.org/cairo/">MECDA's Cairo Caravan </a>-- 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, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Belly-Dancer-DeAnna-Cameron/dp/0425227782/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292608114&sr=8-1">The Belly Dancer. </a><br /><br />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 <a href="http://www.lagunabeachbooks.com/">Laguna Beach Books</a>.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 /<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBICg0FfT_gps0r1jN0OaAzbCm2IYwhTjGd9LiM5PoUgwI4CCGOd3-aj3UzOv3oTTsnx_WlWjZQlLvyUyh4JTzfcuqzMiyScqjvGI72W9cUTuEJXIX7dC8jhQNtTXPWwRYoS7dSYni9I/s1600/finalbookcover.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBICg0FfT_gps0r1jN0OaAzbCm2IYwhTjGd9LiM5PoUgwI4CCGOd3-aj3UzOv3oTTsnx_WlWjZQlLvyUyh4JTzfcuqzMiyScqjvGI72W9cUTuEJXIX7dC8jhQNtTXPWwRYoS7dSYni9I/s320/finalbookcover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613083361390778818" border="0" /></a> $35 for non-members for the weekend.<br /><br />This year, my friend and fellow author <a href="http://www.shaunaroberts.com">Shauna Roberts</a> 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.<br /><br />My discussion, reading and signing will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, also as part of the free lectures series.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Need an incentive? I'm giving away free bookmarks and chocolate :-)<br /><br />For more information about the festival, visit <a href="http://www.MECDA.org/cairo">www.MECDA.org/cairo</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4PYr3PHKrRCt3YPD1L6TIIZnBT-_snnN6M8kN8ZlXkR8d6WIjcKbJtwPgs9idg2VTxYPGtP9GkxeZ8hmoyuhi-gLdfmVMMCa6QcTo1iyKpdcjZsCN1ZJSFEN1RekQuE-dAthSSzNP8o/s1600/CC11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 140px; height: 218px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613077389085861650" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4PYr3PHKrRCt3YPD1L6TIIZnBT-_snnN6M8kN8ZlXkR8d6WIjcKbJtwPgs9idg2VTxYPGtP9GkxeZ8hmoyuhi-gLdfmVMMCa6QcTo1iyKpdcjZsCN1ZJSFEN1RekQuE-dAthSSzNP8o/s320/CC11.jpg" border="0" /></a>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-2552405074645216332011-05-27T11:25:00.000-07:002011-05-27T11:37:58.897-07:00O.C. Belly Dancer Spotlight: Marlena Shaw<div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaKaDCHNH1oIAVolMvApd4l7ekGpc_b35WFw5QTNpndyGnLPXd0n72jQhgVIahb25-SZNdNGahvI-E-SFK3CwEyA2oiZtEc3dWJF05MeJQOKQXw0c167H0o0d8KGCgI0MA348oNwko1c/s1600/TurqVeil2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 400px; height: 277px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611465023782052946" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaKaDCHNH1oIAVolMvApd4l7ekGpc_b35WFw5QTNpndyGnLPXd0n72jQhgVIahb25-SZNdNGahvI-E-SFK3CwEyA2oiZtEc3dWJF05MeJQOKQXw0c167H0o0d8KGCgI0MA348oNwko1c/s400/TurqVeil2.jpg" border="0" /></a>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.<br /><br />And she’s never been the same.<br /><br />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 (<a href="http://www.marlenadancer.com/">www.marlenadancer.com</a>). She immersed herself in the dance form, and soon moved from student to performer and instructor.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Her next appearance is scheduled for Saturday, June 4, at <a href="http://www.mecda.org/cairo">MECDA’s 34th annual Cairo Caravan</a>. You can find her at 12:22 p.m. on the Luxor Stage. </div><div> </div><div><br /><strong>1. How would you describe your style of belly dancing?<br /></strong>Classical Egyptian<br /><br /><strong>2. How long have you been belly dancing, and how’d you get started?<br /></strong>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.<br /><br /><strong>3. Who are your favorite or most<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcp0i2NoOLkrCns1EHmVAl2b7CapMhGCD-DRqXSAXSJBHh3nwiqzO7N28PaUO40KCoLLTdM6CmLAEQYB1XevrEmdMoVs-7PmRX0GVSE4OnrAAlrIBVDBh54IdyqAzIIOwA-nSzcNMer6Q/s1600/Zebra+costume2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611465171101200898" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcp0i2NoOLkrCns1EHmVAl2b7CapMhGCD-DRqXSAXSJBHh3nwiqzO7N28PaUO40KCoLLTdM6CmLAEQYB1XevrEmdMoVs-7PmRX0GVSE4OnrAAlrIBVDBh54IdyqAzIIOwA-nSzcNMer6Q/s400/Zebra+costume2.jpg" border="0" /></a> influential teachers?<br /></strong>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.<br /><br /><strong>4. What is your favorite place to dance?<br /></strong>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.<br /><br /><strong>5. What music do you most like to dance to?<br /></strong>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!<br /><br /><strong>6. What was your most memorable performance?<br /></strong>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.<br /><br /><strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4dEz0FbV1GAy31kqOLvZ0TzntLfLm6jRvX5M-MeBo0zu6zQuEbfXovO3m2RDlTi3z9w5tn3fMc-RypCB0MFi8RAS557nMpOWRvGLpUdNHfvB0d2gxRZezx3iS65z8KVDkItqyoK9zcU/s1600/VictoryShowRed.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 376px; height: 400px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611465716415965378" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4dEz0FbV1GAy31kqOLvZ0TzntLfLm6jRvX5M-MeBo0zu6zQuEbfXovO3m2RDlTi3z9w5tn3fMc-RypCB0MFi8RAS557nMpOWRvGLpUdNHfvB0d2gxRZezx3iS65z8KVDkItqyoK9zcU/s400/VictoryShowRed.bmp" border="0" /></a>7. What is your dance regimen?<br /></strong>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.<br /><br /><strong>8. To you, what separates an accomplished dancer from an amateur?<br /></strong>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.<br /><br /><strong>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?<br /></strong>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.<br /><br /><strong>10. How long have you been in Orange County?<br /></strong>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.<br /><br />If you would like to know more about Marlena, or check out her performing and class schedules, visit <a href="http://www.marlenadancer.com/">www.marlenadancer.com</a>.</div></div></div>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-39021446660949928592011-05-25T08:44:00.000-07:002011-05-25T08:48:36.657-07:00Bellydance Flash Mob in Brussels<div><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/C2KJsNptxnU" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />Come on, you know wish you'd been there for this!<br /><br />The video poster, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/raqscongress">raqscongress</a>, 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: <a href="http://www.raqscongress.com">http://www.raqscongress.com</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br />The event was presented by Together in Life NGO (<a href="http://www.togetherinlife.org/">http://www.togetherinlife.org</a>) and Salwa (<a href="http://www.salwa.be/">http://www.salwa.be</a>)<br /></div>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-1357608737685050722011-04-27T07:53:00.000-07:002011-04-27T08:02:27.349-07:00Two April 30 eventsClick on either flier for a larger view...<br /><br /><br /><div align="center">International & Middle-Eastern Night</div><br /><div align="center">at the Bea Hive Ballroom in in Garden Grove</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_FxJQyjVpi_fcpy2oIZ5FApjgYqkQ3Mcraz0q9ILw88oTJ6pJkg2tTz17aEWTBtjowafs51N95B_J7KOmuRYMlNSVOS3v6kRBRXIZo2SfDoLg46PjLMxsNR0qYULyv_sc1KOMr7hDBQ/s1600/Intl-MidEastNt-Apri-FINALl.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 309px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600278140014657154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_FxJQyjVpi_fcpy2oIZ5FApjgYqkQ3Mcraz0q9ILw88oTJ6pJkg2tTz17aEWTBtjowafs51N95B_J7KOmuRYMlNSVOS3v6kRBRXIZo2SfDoLg46PjLMxsNR0qYULyv_sc1KOMr7hDBQ/s400/Intl-MidEastNt-Apri-FINALl.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center">An Evening of Live Music and Belly Dancing</div><br /><div align="center">at Sam's Mediterranean Kabob Room in Monrovia</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3DNwrdE1urP4xKoQmd1KYQOy0rozjiZs67ylSQdlKmdB4Hotg_dLEoRU4eXLlyXrx44cezObrUfk4vmhxNRWl7VgOcgoDgRCqDDj8Lz8iVSiy2jf9Q5OPt9iR_zw7fCySMRdlIj2oX4/s1600/Sam%2527s+April+30%2527+2011.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 293px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600278132406065394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3DNwrdE1urP4xKoQmd1KYQOy0rozjiZs67ylSQdlKmdB4Hotg_dLEoRU4eXLlyXrx44cezObrUfk4vmhxNRWl7VgOcgoDgRCqDDj8Lz8iVSiy2jf9Q5OPt9iR_zw7fCySMRdlIj2oX4/s400/Sam%2527s+April+30%2527+2011.jpg" /></a>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-45269680809196415712011-04-17T09:24:00.000-07:002011-04-17T17:44:45.746-07:00Renaissance Faire 2011<div align="left">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. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596592827425924290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02EEwEh4KjqpMeFvV0SocsjZHCpbRqoDJM18aL35oYyc6M5XKfCblmn5eKCfBY_fPMfvrl34Eey4UpRWi4Xoy2euZO2hGHrc8pSUBo4j6ugHL9oldP0BSj3S8e5SFFxk5sZ-Ip2pW3-0/s400/041611_BigGroup.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center">There's no shortage of handsome and chivalrous young men at the faire, and this one's mine. (Lucky me!)</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596592836005023778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhf9qma6KfExS2X_qtLfZHfKN0wn-dY1CgJ6fjFMdloxzq1IpAfSt5htZ_FL6jCkvLTfMsbYzTK1WLsm4t9jqUlwBAT8g7Kr6wumNxD5SqViSfwIhuJ40HaD3qx9COug-k2H_sPP94HY/s400/041611_us+%25283%2529.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center">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!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596592829223973362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqjXrqZxmgsNDZIhIfDSwJLVvmLGtEK5YlKVwxYsMBG0P-IRhcwMxx2hisS0k8qXmO8qGNGk3dNtTSRZtCIerDy29yB3BfJsL_SRLr_fx5eIlZX0oaZrSVKLVB00vzBjbVn_5305Xk1o/s400/041611_RenFairWMicheal.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center">The Danse Macabre folks are always fun to watch.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596592357303346418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOg0z-T2IOCd6JtNLHAVUMB-oaMTP9tQud1vipHwcoxZElH5tm0IFlAyB6UdpEZD0D3OC6foTXmhHmkjqxR5kwVXswpPOpH8IZfRMq-MY0Weeopm4-qVyh5bPFpUvagdkGkeEJiNRzBg/s400/041611_Macabre.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Faire folk are so clever. He's an Old World deep sea diver. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596592350099353954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxJXpzXXsqUxi3T-zLb5IlHyRkBsaWKsyfa2Qni_4k3vQrClSawJ9QM0IV2b0qI6cj26mJ8Um9CyhKswtLKw_I1tdZxLkOWh1DtNuGM71LVPHDcf1nrdHXTU981OmOlF-RaUU3aM8tuE/s400/041611_Diver.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Kindra, the lovely and talented henna artist at work here at the Maharani Mehandi tent, is responsible for....</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596592351299731330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVsz2tiEdiOn0y3AWlz8fW3S-ZJiMS3QHSv7ooS-tyWZGIuwixdHqo6RPFUKq3wYs54xlqUbOmPyqwQko4X5X9gwYr7dmoBLoKEgY0AiiAg3XlBIi_Qb6Z9S5ZdCspKxpVajmSfhjrc8/s400/041611_HennaTent.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">My lovely henna design. Thank you, Kindra!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596592346532467186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWX3erZuIAaUnYs3sOpMg8yUji-rDQ_vIXXePXdjZhGFoEZxAhu1TG95iBg3OgrBmrrTk3Cm0GQ4oIbVQPm4nUnWUNkcwxGqMXL_WjwHETz4GFWhTR4vh1GsdbqdkWkvq10xSRGLgIlY/s400/041611_Henna+%25282%2529.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Of course we spent a lot of time here at the Trader's Market stage. It's where the belly dancers perform.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596592342185217970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQz3mn9JwhGe17UKDx3CSTgBfyzhtBZuTOSiFDHWzZVWmBhgsDmhJbDRA0GACv0wx-qPbwPs1Jg1JmmSlMmLKVCU6RCzkXwKMbezqEeTFN1Jf1n81F70VTWid8ic-icrECNX0nOhtm2YE/s400/041611_TradersMktSign.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">This is <a href="http://www.myspace.com/babaku1">Baba Ku</a>. I always enjoy watching these lovely dancers and listening to these amazing musicians. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596592028763409890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqin9GN0jQNfNGEUEdoHEArLtg7kaGNetpV-dseirWYp30TJpubZ801dtAyxh60LKTXtemq9UAUXMVnntfjf_3Vk1nVXGbbtVS8J99j3J6EaIUibXoeR_9GQnI94OikCZtkCeXcsPbHM0/s400/041611_BabaKu+%25283%2529.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596592019624388754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yTz9U-CmHgDTi-bCou-_w3XsynCZACTgPZdE31OJDztgEfVZy5sVa57cxHVzNP-6cJVcedpcnmwfKWr8r_RMQDXiu7GAeK89GR8HFQZJqUVOTqIAoj8F8_kgMER_na0evmDEN9FuVVc/s400/041611_BabaKu+%25284%2529.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596592015314816098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm1qaq318abow08osp2RkZ55lowMEtgvOq2coQUvx_lWc0L_lCib2qqF-kLTpYB9E4qNSmKRothg05Ip6UZ_T9C6rDy0NEEVxEjnatZ7LTJwRhazJpBLx1b6bFrh6E6JKs6qhHJFevDE/s400/041611_BabaKu+%25285%2529.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596592012843949554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMWgVEf3al8tECSADwNXbNbBcdOXXyyJQEDNsUAIkxBH0WEuKR_QmNCENUYxuQ5m8n47Dxp9GqK6f_As7IRdZp5jcNjtHwo64iue_25ZiYUmrKIKt7v__OabzwYpMNZ5gO8XJqSX8W5E/s400/041611_BabaKu+%25286%2529.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596592007205787698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4sPTmzoh-0Rnlsj_9qyS5DbDltNJv2GiBbpnUiZzFs4Z3o2VbflQ0l-p436GUzUHLHyJaOL4Uf0V3dEbLCzl5ASgNKXtAWEE_CqMi9K8ePEuXFSOpRSv-6QQjEL8l6GFTKo0tRW0-II/s400/041611_BabaKu+%25287%2529.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 235px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596590873575020610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH9yN0argwYwyovZBSz8TpVD0VSSXfRP0XjzCqQ6esdgBgJMCZxv_wJZ8dYA-adQn9lvsjBvh_clBT7fFb41UcUabS5OCQn9fjrdWBUM1QCksXIcw9hxv0g1wy6uJedS5EYEiloHUEulg/s400/041611_BabaKu+%25288%2529.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596590870252946770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErDZGisX-BoHbP9fYyKOz8H79pJnkNtHVGg-sPBiofuQgACGUuCKeOfrwmPUiqjqDu5syntr0Zws9imr6PQV2Bu7NTsQJn1q_DRqmWooAxBQ8sraNXBmrqdeTIShPUof2yn77lH_okfA/s400/041611_BabaKu+%25289%2529.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596590866692288962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGa3VPTcSMfULx1Vv_er9I6SZTVKQxWE4d5nzERa9xYRVlFplp_ehDC6U_i3Zdt0e879RoBlO6KR2NAcy1WgmnT96XcFUmsmVwfE2rnjHI6lge_gQL4JZ7vrNTxqgNaicaIBAZfOzY4k/s400/041611_BabaKu+%252810%2529.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 297px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596590859917784674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbScPGjW3eMsowjVkUGS-XKtR6L0Ngw6cwjiB8yLhoexdAFxjsEslGVqSludlNI1bVgv2JSX75J6vtSdg6ndo3__a-QBY9hqqtu0c1oGRmpbcOAL3AlIPf4zx3begxi03XoocNNWBW6I/s400/041611_BabaKu+%252811%2529.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">The other group that performed on the stage was Seraphim Mora, and they also had great dancers and terrific musicians. </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PkczrLjP8aG49cnJ_uIHHEXNF9qIw6M4YhGtle8uKpfwRH67g11hh8hvxEe7nDjt9XdKhISuYoLDeV0o93tTBYHJe7GFeZSJRzmg5lgMnQd2lc-BF1Qj0Vf8jGc-k9NnWXHp0ztvcQg/s1600/041611_SeraphimMora.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596593683354972546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PkczrLjP8aG49cnJ_uIHHEXNF9qIw6M4YhGtle8uKpfwRH67g11hh8hvxEe7nDjt9XdKhISuYoLDeV0o93tTBYHJe7GFeZSJRzmg5lgMnQd2lc-BF1Qj0Vf8jGc-k9NnWXHp0ztvcQg/s400/041611_SeraphimMora.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQlWqjaWqwSIa1NI6_RurAyZmyF7_GHjBeiWqtsjG6r9yfuBKCLNYogR2swcLQFv0o20i7m0GsxJgXH-2PXVDAvNLIpEtgnI_wd0WSt_dQNeSIMboXjI0qOiZX9xt0tAQp0TMLHiKy-U/s1600/041611_SeraphimMora+%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596593682276991842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQlWqjaWqwSIa1NI6_RurAyZmyF7_GHjBeiWqtsjG6r9yfuBKCLNYogR2swcLQFv0o20i7m0GsxJgXH-2PXVDAvNLIpEtgnI_wd0WSt_dQNeSIMboXjI0qOiZX9xt0tAQp0TMLHiKy-U/s400/041611_SeraphimMora+%25282%2529.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCyuUHkM3-W7snIkVTgNW5auTednVzrYD5mgiBlf68FKhF8h1vyllg3Rz4WJhrtyR91QW8HUflHB1dtCq2whyTYINUfu3aM7st-wY0NNLKXWSVi3Vb-b_JolsJuVkjhKXk0zTnhx6E88/s1600/041611_SeraphimMora+%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596593679073878802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCyuUHkM3-W7snIkVTgNW5auTednVzrYD5mgiBlf68FKhF8h1vyllg3Rz4WJhrtyR91QW8HUflHB1dtCq2whyTYINUfu3aM7st-wY0NNLKXWSVi3Vb-b_JolsJuVkjhKXk0zTnhx6E88/s400/041611_SeraphimMora+%25283%2529.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUKinzq3WP3Y9br54I6taFgmX-9-N3tQ535BSUwzQlKY9y740Cks4iV_E-3IlFXM-hCiaVvXT6dDSZ6YCXi3hkY1B6ffKnL-dUolZNJqWpRrqI3lydv6vllCDH1EEjofQwBZ50RswSUE/s1600/041611_SeraphimMora+%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596593677251444946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjUKinzq3WP3Y9br54I6taFgmX-9-N3tQ535BSUwzQlKY9y740Cks4iV_E-3IlFXM-hCiaVvXT6dDSZ6YCXi3hkY1B6ffKnL-dUolZNJqWpRrqI3lydv6vllCDH1EEjofQwBZ50RswSUE/s400/041611_SeraphimMora+%25284%2529.JPG" /></a> When the Queen's Progress interrupted their performance, the group offered this lovely salute.... <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596589965734340018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9DO0uGuCTdqX4N63a1IZUvzRL7_aAVN6CKDOVLYeDH8EjiJYt97izBRApBfcWYvzHk_yGcqAvHjnoq-eT5o15tF3M_iKK4eIUQmMNR4LhvV371K9BNEu7-wMCSIf9KZCQ1rdqPo9tz0/s400/041611_SeraphimMora+%25285%2529.JPG" /> The bow... <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596590217872128946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7m7RIv_xqy1erwH3WqSvb4iqlWEMarn9aVt946NVYSScGlHKORyHNVkTfTyFoVXXOk-18P6mRmcX-xPjktnv6T6T9aOAdC3T8gJw1XbdJHjKpEbK97SrEAhK_Rtt0GK0yMM9lztjM9ZE/s400/041611_SeraphimMora+%25286%2529.JPG" /> And here she is -- God save the Queen. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596590220511909794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjEpgsgwxDGqWuCgZZBRlmpxWEtAnKolVDuydRRFzLe7yjyrdIJFbtgssLEV1bISmhNvGgcNCPrLX051gWWY6qN5fdMQ_mQmMSbzVz1rWF50JaUaJr0pmeS0Twb6mJQ4fbD55VDFMhbg/s400/041611_Queen.JPG" /> And the performance continued without a hitch... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyktHFPPefpWyaak-4wjPj1fXPt-fqZ2ynXOgMXKKD8CpFDL4muqHx6vR1aSYLiJYvV4GBTMH8lNnK77jA34Esu1hcfCfzyMQhjknpj33y_A-13MzZLCYGII_bqUDbKFLzyF2WVVvs5Y/s1600/041611_SeraphimMora+%25288%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596589949903606530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOvMlvhh813NUqfQ-JBUTrdn6S2FoHW1Oo5SsYc6nLIK1rC1LrsDbnn5kC9MxBNHhwPuizAWQj3LCjXRuLeZZBY56lHHeskxdrpw7JCPwb5MbYDo4eehssjFxokvTgSRKuV1dZ4gF7GI/s400/041611_SeraphimMora+%25289%2529.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596589961075171538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyktHFPPefpWyaak-4wjPj1fXPt-fqZ2ynXOgMXKKD8CpFDL4muqHx6vR1aSYLiJYvV4GBTMH8lNnK77jA34Esu1hcfCfzyMQhjknpj33y_A-13MzZLCYGII_bqUDbKFLzyF2WVVvs5Y/s400/041611_SeraphimMora+%25288%2529.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8rnVJaYw3QUk10yt2ww5_KnahU_L6lPh6IfAYWNOXY9QG07uH0vPgy6mXUGHhAGKj9usw9s25YqSC4LcXG2GWX44c_VWoZ-zYxwIkmO1nMVqLRoZ9D0_7KrcanmNchvaYX8Gk3sIa9g/s1600/041611_SeraphimMora+%252810%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596589951890613970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8rnVJaYw3QUk10yt2ww5_KnahU_L6lPh6IfAYWNOXY9QG07uH0vPgy6mXUGHhAGKj9usw9s25YqSC4LcXG2GWX44c_VWoZ-zYxwIkmO1nMVqLRoZ9D0_7KrcanmNchvaYX8Gk3sIa9g/s400/041611_SeraphimMora+%252810%2529.JPG" /></a>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.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHO8oUX06zcofQ3plwjYpm95eM-n12V5MiSF5Qqtrq6TXNlI5Daz8zgjCUzZSQev9G_sFdedJv9LZeSuftVFbj8G0BiXdPamuHOHNZzEM4D_7WN-5iUV9qjHBF_1O4QzQg6cl3zYsb1BE/s1600/041611_Vincent.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596589947635768658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHO8oUX06zcofQ3plwjYpm95eM-n12V5MiSF5Qqtrq6TXNlI5Daz8zgjCUzZSQev9G_sFdedJv9LZeSuftVFbj8G0BiXdPamuHOHNZzEM4D_7WN-5iUV9qjHBF_1O4QzQg6cl3zYsb1BE/s400/041611_Vincent.JPG" /></a> </div>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-26547918653363183442011-04-04T09:06:00.000-07:002011-04-04T11:41:16.697-07:00Market at the Casbah 2011<a href="http://www.marketatthecasbah.com/">Market at the Casbah</a> 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: <br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Shopping!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRExd0TK7rgXZWSx_om6ULkbvCFU19vRzoUZzf9lqDHYOhLZILDoP1t9y3X00uWy5TBRa5n-6vcJeLvBsOR0OVoYipzCSQ0mggRE8ezBI5Volwy8qp6sZGxbeRN_4J9aysz633iv602g/s1600/Shopping1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591785520177092290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRExd0TK7rgXZWSx_om6ULkbvCFU19vRzoUZzf9lqDHYOhLZILDoP1t9y3X00uWy5TBRa5n-6vcJeLvBsOR0OVoYipzCSQ0mggRE8ezBI5Volwy8qp6sZGxbeRN_4J9aysz633iv602g/s400/Shopping1.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisn3YssFZPRBSwbcMjJx_KS4Ovgp0QDJavorKOc1jxUX_AWSRmx9Qh-ZrEfk4upsNpgNOBoxVtwdC6tzb-ATl1p_z8uomSSxkdD6zhidBM5wS1u43jD2Rd2AMaTJXhp7hRnrnnSiJKmjU/s1600/Shopping2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 216px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591785515977763586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisn3YssFZPRBSwbcMjJx_KS4Ovgp0QDJavorKOc1jxUX_AWSRmx9Qh-ZrEfk4upsNpgNOBoxVtwdC6tzb-ATl1p_z8uomSSxkdD6zhidBM5wS1u43jD2Rd2AMaTJXhp7hRnrnnSiJKmjU/s400/Shopping2.jpg" /></a> <br /><div></div>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. <br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOdjklhbaXmJUowOkKXbV8Vil0geSR61ddO7D_Y_UaGyje5Gk9St161GlH3kW7cEY_OlqAaH96N34ODBZbKvLS7ZlR1LsjN1Qmy2ajXbUy4tt7c6RL4pkvmtDZdmFWAIZlYukQUn91Zg/s1600/Ed_Alane.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591785509273913282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOdjklhbaXmJUowOkKXbV8Vil0geSR61ddO7D_Y_UaGyje5Gk9St161GlH3kW7cEY_OlqAaH96N34ODBZbKvLS7ZlR1LsjN1Qmy2ajXbUy4tt7c6RL4pkvmtDZdmFWAIZlYukQUn91Zg/s400/Ed_Alane.jpg" /></a> Azure Moon is the lovely 3-lady troupe who kicked off the performances just before noon. <br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDloSWwQrualkclsjKIIrOV_HzsieWiDOEU0WNTCdG_NJLyux0PVDG8snESzOpQ9pLhrjRZ9KhSYEzgvKzFg9x3sUcBGpXi1X4zLwEL0YADNCX1WPpLep70KkO9-vymMabKV5_1dHop8/s1600/AzureMoon1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591785506212173874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDloSWwQrualkclsjKIIrOV_HzsieWiDOEU0WNTCdG_NJLyux0PVDG8snESzOpQ9pLhrjRZ9KhSYEzgvKzFg9x3sUcBGpXi1X4zLwEL0YADNCX1WPpLep70KkO9-vymMabKV5_1dHop8/s400/AzureMoon1.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQbbbytof6CdatXad4jxUIesjGlAxmhu1amc11bl97x18AhU-R5HuYUHX4Qi-78aP1WjRqbHrn20rdkyV7VnOSlQnApo2Ks6sPBVjJkar6xIjgCr_KLyXJGA0sRn5Atu7WhDQ6z_QVUw/s1600/AzureMoon2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591785500498518162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQbbbytof6CdatXad4jxUIesjGlAxmhu1amc11bl97x18AhU-R5HuYUHX4Qi-78aP1WjRqbHrn20rdkyV7VnOSlQnApo2Ks6sPBVjJkar6xIjgCr_KLyXJGA0sRn5Atu7WhDQ6z_QVUw/s400/AzureMoon2.jpg" /></a>Next up was Celia, a soloist with loads of style and grace. Not to mention an awesome costume... </div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSn1KdbqMX1xKSgRKEdjjuF-hugO4Dq8uEsCOpuPR28Ia2RzhPutldPQolR-pAaIL42vEmcXKWRnLaWR39e36qBpy1-qGY5dcLL6Axrg4OATkQZJQHwW-KBuQjxIz-1P77Oe6QdhTofI/s1600/Celia.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591784558928528258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSn1KdbqMX1xKSgRKEdjjuF-hugO4Dq8uEsCOpuPR28Ia2RzhPutldPQolR-pAaIL42vEmcXKWRnLaWR39e36qBpy1-qGY5dcLL6Axrg4OATkQZJQHwW-KBuQjxIz-1P77Oe6QdhTofI/s400/Celia.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>How cool is this jeweled foot cover?</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMWET1G4dzkrcnDd0WjEwGya8bBvvCym5Y62odk02cN0D3xXSlhblKjpNFRur1rK6k8pQCrVARzK62VaYbvGoNhkvXq0DdPgxEE9wY4c6WhO0cDUVX3phZ7w0GKdxYYmeLWNY1RIOYUI/s1600/Celia_Toes.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591784555445666706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMWET1G4dzkrcnDd0WjEwGya8bBvvCym5Y62odk02cN0D3xXSlhblKjpNFRur1rK6k8pQCrVARzK62VaYbvGoNhkvXq0DdPgxEE9wY4c6WhO0cDUVX3phZ7w0GKdxYYmeLWNY1RIOYUI/s400/Celia_Toes.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Ah, Azuluna -- I always love to watch these ladies dance. They are the student troupe for <a href="http://www.tribalsooz.com/">Sooz</a>, who teaches ATS in northern OC. </div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFAYchaMAVQcQLCq1t6D1LWD9jNBlHRMgqxEUt9Wjx4oUbtrlBp1bg4dv5psRbpaPBmGCd6VPBrREP1LltcPr9h1v2r16QDZeoN6ZDX-sKUnt6D2pX0vGKzZyFTppHovZl2SVX4qPWSs/s1600/Azuluna1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 294px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591784558329732914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFAYchaMAVQcQLCq1t6D1LWD9jNBlHRMgqxEUt9Wjx4oUbtrlBp1bg4dv5psRbpaPBmGCd6VPBrREP1LltcPr9h1v2r16QDZeoN6ZDX-sKUnt6D2pX0vGKzZyFTppHovZl2SVX4qPWSs/s400/Azuluna1.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVF3DfJqdlxeKMsW0QBoNmWqzy-vt-WlEMqF7gXGwUxcoeElTIUQnkKMi_2jwQIrDu4G_jGRIi9p6hJYza_3t1DSF0YSU6CllNoLVUUmoT9jIFY0Qz8PHAf9eN9Ea4V9TFmGTda3GbhlA/s1600/Azuluna2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 325px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591784546955267730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVF3DfJqdlxeKMsW0QBoNmWqzy-vt-WlEMqF7gXGwUxcoeElTIUQnkKMi_2jwQIrDu4G_jGRIi9p6hJYza_3t1DSF0YSU6CllNoLVUUmoT9jIFY0Qz8PHAf9eN9Ea4V9TFmGTda3GbhlA/s400/Azuluna2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>Marla is more often seen as half of the Raks Bahlam duo, but today she performed an exquisite Egyptian solo. Gorgeous! </div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMetqf8W_UECAEqyFpoa8VfwfnTAsZx0e-7TXnC2pLtxzyErkCGoRYPD44F6XGUft2wmbpYCgGHMHXWNTDQGH98vhdxGt4EWKgFMM02WMHL_108DZGgwTxKQpvzXaDzEoCV8jlkAg3xc/s1600/Marla1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 281px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591784549698216690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMetqf8W_UECAEqyFpoa8VfwfnTAsZx0e-7TXnC2pLtxzyErkCGoRYPD44F6XGUft2wmbpYCgGHMHXWNTDQGH98vhdxGt4EWKgFMM02WMHL_108DZGgwTxKQpvzXaDzEoCV8jlkAg3xc/s400/Marla1.jpg" /></a> <br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1vKteFbMDJS-bPpC6PGWIJGfT4Xdp8c-scQamRk6SWI5OzlMtzvUK10NwkPDyfswTACBSlaPyNIpwhHM3gy5s6Z3i92cvC7Ys4LpvXc8tfmPPApfbBRqCIrk-nd3yBT7DAx4gsoopjA/s1600/Marla2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591784204064563410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1vKteFbMDJS-bPpC6PGWIJGfT4Xdp8c-scQamRk6SWI5OzlMtzvUK10NwkPDyfswTACBSlaPyNIpwhHM3gy5s6Z3i92cvC7Ys4LpvXc8tfmPPApfbBRqCIrk-nd3yBT7DAx4gsoopjA/s400/Marla2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div>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! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtggdFOPpagLO3MnhTVTR62vA2aIt31Dm9g0aM12bPwIOQkmdAVku7HZfyhAr1fW_riazKhQKk6CkAPZ8q5KgVKPnT_9VA3UqarBuvDmeRv-MuN3cPtF61OSbbWhIwiOPunQvz_RdtW8/s1600/Roz_DancingSands.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591784198901078290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtggdFOPpagLO3MnhTVTR62vA2aIt31Dm9g0aM12bPwIOQkmdAVku7HZfyhAr1fW_riazKhQKk6CkAPZ8q5KgVKPnT_9VA3UqarBuvDmeRv-MuN3cPtF61OSbbWhIwiOPunQvz_RdtW8/s400/Roz_DancingSands.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNX2K6Gz31o1Nt7cneJBCTVicuneC0se1ad60uq3P40MCsAzs3Nh_70KIScWM2kVIpzJwLM6IzpgvDetd3HDa_G5Q9_4rw_8_tqNRO8TnoZBSfd_nPGvXX1pANJ4GNvm5V7xaMzABH-b4/s1600/Roz_DancingSands2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591784198015256818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNX2K6Gz31o1Nt7cneJBCTVicuneC0se1ad60uq3P40MCsAzs3Nh_70KIScWM2kVIpzJwLM6IzpgvDetd3HDa_G5Q9_4rw_8_tqNRO8TnoZBSfd_nPGvXX1pANJ4GNvm5V7xaMzABH-b4/s400/Roz_DancingSands2.jpg" /></a> <br /><div></div><br /><div>Essence of the Orient came up next, and yes, they raq'd it!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEAtACe75-Ny-cSywnv_DTXtB7eLLBaRamwTMkNglkX9C0oDQTxxkShqrhmAad6AqqPQ9slmM2FKhcMlRFAETwc1uLOK4BzNeh6GTqVf2-pCRNucS4Xm3x9BxZo2LwfBOI-mWk0BjJsw/s1600/EssenceofOrient.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591784197267523682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEAtACe75-Ny-cSywnv_DTXtB7eLLBaRamwTMkNglkX9C0oDQTxxkShqrhmAad6AqqPQ9slmM2FKhcMlRFAETwc1uLOK4BzNeh6GTqVf2-pCRNucS4Xm3x9BxZo2LwfBOI-mWk0BjJsw/s400/EssenceofOrient.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpjJIBLXzcyfNsE1Ue6x1nguu-YwM9fd9DCIp-jfIwGFCtQdCD_6Ds_jpNEfJnJn962XLUFoWXjYmByRVnsoW4SRXk1rx4BnQKX0-_fZsYxgWLFrEFSDLN0ET92MjS1Grit51SgKtuP4/s1600/EssenceofOrient2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591784188878124098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpjJIBLXzcyfNsE1Ue6x1nguu-YwM9fd9DCIp-jfIwGFCtQdCD_6Ds_jpNEfJnJn962XLUFoWXjYmByRVnsoW4SRXk1rx4BnQKX0-_fZsYxgWLFrEFSDLN0ET92MjS1Grit51SgKtuP4/s400/EssenceofOrient2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>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.</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdH8kywdpo-FbCbKyLnIgnGub8KC8VzkthnecGVOq3xi5ccgp_yn6bz7fDotmp1sGw6ucDvvHp0i-dM-WZp_m3tpCRLZssnvLcXzv5via8VTBa3FtZcSBfgwvHf2RZjzw05QwdGHxmyr4/s1600/Cynthia1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591783670726764450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdH8kywdpo-FbCbKyLnIgnGub8KC8VzkthnecGVOq3xi5ccgp_yn6bz7fDotmp1sGw6ucDvvHp0i-dM-WZp_m3tpCRLZssnvLcXzv5via8VTBa3FtZcSBfgwvHf2RZjzw05QwdGHxmyr4/s400/Cynthia1.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCetu3Bo0BDZZ6zSKbYwMEdmb-sKRBMkO6VZXEC4aXt_aBcsFaLrLjAmowUo8LOCKYU68YIzobz05DDHq75ZvR-GozCIOtc2HUGuqieotDlAYtldGGuUUvELfKyU4n9QiTQIvC5a8JCfA/s1600/Cynthia2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591783667914638114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCetu3Bo0BDZZ6zSKbYwMEdmb-sKRBMkO6VZXEC4aXt_aBcsFaLrLjAmowUo8LOCKYU68YIzobz05DDHq75ZvR-GozCIOtc2HUGuqieotDlAYtldGGuUUvELfKyU4n9QiTQIvC5a8JCfA/s400/Cynthia2.jpg" /></a> <br /><div>JJ and the Habibis -- It is impossible to watch these ladies and not have a good time. They are so much fun to watch!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYMv-nhG-0NCbFcuJVH7VDpM2qyiUJCxKtPrevZk4F5Vbd46fCxnlbokwuyMokFBW_9lqO6LBf66px0VIwuYAHyQtB64osSs1kQWjvZ3zCTGurLCzfH7k0EnleWD3KQ11lal6jJii0CI/s1600/JJHabibis.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 284px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591783663700956978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYMv-nhG-0NCbFcuJVH7VDpM2qyiUJCxKtPrevZk4F5Vbd46fCxnlbokwuyMokFBW_9lqO6LBf66px0VIwuYAHyQtB64osSs1kQWjvZ3zCTGurLCzfH7k0EnleWD3KQ11lal6jJii0CI/s400/JJHabibis.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>And JJ (Jeri St. James) performed a terrific cane solo, too.</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoIO1ChwqhxD-s7Nr2B8sS-0SrSWpCthhvvp-GmQLvAJ3b5SP7ZSXb84nXy7wf4ErJY1dY2fNDEGknVWStaqrbFCYBkgPa-1zZtdd7flyrQ2WkTOHObT-Wk-g0uzObQArN2Cqbf9MAyw/s1600/JJSolo2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591783663984354546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoIO1ChwqhxD-s7Nr2B8sS-0SrSWpCthhvvp-GmQLvAJ3b5SP7ZSXb84nXy7wf4ErJY1dY2fNDEGknVWStaqrbFCYBkgPa-1zZtdd7flyrQ2WkTOHObT-Wk-g0uzObQArN2Cqbf9MAyw/s400/JJSolo2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>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"</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzjc_L26keAbtXuesAZZpmy-n1d9VV6i4O-Xrvn_QGuJoTeWy4zqMHWX9Nh1B8kav1amUgaCWVjxQlsgdrfQioI8ocmO3nMJtmLmwbIx37MSAWBJTdxDx2_s9-nJFn6tpLsNvZcl7Pdk/s1600/MedeaDesertMirage1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591783660119472834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzjc_L26keAbtXuesAZZpmy-n1d9VV6i4O-Xrvn_QGuJoTeWy4zqMHWX9Nh1B8kav1amUgaCWVjxQlsgdrfQioI8ocmO3nMJtmLmwbIx37MSAWBJTdxDx2_s9-nJFn6tpLsNvZcl7Pdk/s400/MedeaDesertMirage1.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8kW3l1-w9qu7QHXt5vwOaIY08CcaaYV-7UYU94EEKzn1T3XF5gXchVSn1ktYGkgDz5DDwXB7bDUth77Qsd7DFs1afOpDs71vBPPdebA_nadAIgB4djbZo4wxBk2hOgqgy9WzpCxFelQ/s1600/MedeaDesertMirage2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591783264352992450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8kW3l1-w9qu7QHXt5vwOaIY08CcaaYV-7UYU94EEKzn1T3XF5gXchVSn1ktYGkgDz5DDwXB7bDUth77Qsd7DFs1afOpDs71vBPPdebA_nadAIgB4djbZo4wxBk2hOgqgy9WzpCxFelQ/s400/MedeaDesertMirage2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>Gabriella from San Diego was next up, and she really shined in this lovely minimalist belly dance costume. Stunning. </div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hga5PTcR4SOFH2NNp4aVmpKbtIHGGxNrpukh3G1sfkqtRxb3EKR3zZYxfSho16UrhKfFxph9qHrjoEkaNtIrrV8gHoaRdBrAaiBK75K3rJHMTO7eS2fcYARgZK-b0D4ACgvF-ZF7LBc/s1600/Gabrielle1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591783258320203650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3hga5PTcR4SOFH2NNp4aVmpKbtIHGGxNrpukh3G1sfkqtRxb3EKR3zZYxfSho16UrhKfFxph9qHrjoEkaNtIrrV8gHoaRdBrAaiBK75K3rJHMTO7eS2fcYARgZK-b0D4ACgvF-ZF7LBc/s400/Gabrielle1.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_dVAtKtsEcH-iSJ9AeQkYfO4qLGuwngp4DoK2CvTOOs-IMtgN5x0SJA5yjj0c-sNDjmKc4C9WiV0M16l0NdoVvBh6NbOQmLGVPHJIPDH7My-USJ7rymNf8b-fV5NbBljRQfmsgxpStY/s1600/Gabrielle2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591783260409900306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_dVAtKtsEcH-iSJ9AeQkYfO4qLGuwngp4DoK2CvTOOs-IMtgN5x0SJA5yjj0c-sNDjmKc4C9WiV0M16l0NdoVvBh6NbOQmLGVPHJIPDH7My-USJ7rymNf8b-fV5NbBljRQfmsgxpStY/s400/Gabrielle2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>Mariposa, who studies with Sylvia Xica Gitana, danced a Spanish-Arabic flavored tribal fusion piece. </div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrOr9VhIM1gwl7NhDVavS3cKryOLJ1kpUMHWnJS1GltbFXk5jp9BrF5ZAQs6x-jwGrLK5qIm08OsbYwn3Gm4fTXNqvRKDj4osamAbk0A8hUAz78jPSpYxaeCksumMGOza4PzyEi4mu4E/s1600/Mariposa.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591783254726269506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrOr9VhIM1gwl7NhDVavS3cKryOLJ1kpUMHWnJS1GltbFXk5jp9BrF5ZAQs6x-jwGrLK5qIm08OsbYwn3Gm4fTXNqvRKDj4osamAbk0A8hUAz78jPSpYxaeCksumMGOza4PzyEi4mu4E/s400/Mariposa.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>And each dancer wore an amazing crocheted hip scarf. So pretty!</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpzkDPbVsxGMT3gDKAzD4Q8D2oFi2-JI2BJNMVmqrfXzajHKPaBkixqsaLvwLfqPkjk3x6IzQOz12Z3KUpUv2We7Eea3R5pzi5fGuJc6mV3YL9EFE02kR6vRio3PK-qDjbbUcTnQcooQ/s1600/Mariposa_scarf.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591783251630499890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpzkDPbVsxGMT3gDKAzD4Q8D2oFi2-JI2BJNMVmqrfXzajHKPaBkixqsaLvwLfqPkjk3x6IzQOz12Z3KUpUv2We7Eea3R5pzi5fGuJc6mV3YL9EFE02kR6vRio3PK-qDjbbUcTnQcooQ/s400/Mariposa_scarf.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>Taji and the Johara dancers came out next, and they were a lot of fun to watch. Great dancers, and they play zills, too! </div><br /><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591782560367838994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCN9mqLWxMbx4K9ogYi8JepU4Pw7yZ_zJY3G9LjPdmWEihbnQBl-_0T1aJnW2hyphenhyphenVDbJvb3vMUx7iaqmoGFWh1FMIyDiVh6oMb0398LV6RwyjEx27i2UHSHNkpAMfgsb9LvEfLp5iRoVu0/s400/Taji_JoharaDancers.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591782564060261410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtnIRE5OH-YmJ21ltyeDoXzY43B4NXFpoCHP4zdA537OA-srJ6kSYPU0jehsZTc5JrlvyHJRQ0fXwqQIxxs3_RBiFOh95do_7NPM9DcdDZJOW7Y_xjk9bXPqANmtc1N7xTYOVlKxzZmk/s400/Taji_JoharaDancers2.jpg" /></div><br /><div>A bit later in the day, Cyriana danced to live music provided by the legendary John Bilezikjian and his band. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc74uPH00AEY0mYUx-3W9ATCzaA2Qu-gN6TrGodizUTLP67s9RadTf6XIczBG-PdG0Hzd-3O8X8qx0GdEhPqZwLK7jNfkM_s45bpPAsCdB0n8QgM9zrt-2rcHUGn8CrijXSZJxYJSFEdc/s1600/BILEZIKJIAN_Cyriana3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591782577490211954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc74uPH00AEY0mYUx-3W9ATCzaA2Qu-gN6TrGodizUTLP67s9RadTf6XIczBG-PdG0Hzd-3O8X8qx0GdEhPqZwLK7jNfkM_s45bpPAsCdB0n8QgM9zrt-2rcHUGn8CrijXSZJxYJSFEdc/s400/BILEZIKJIAN_Cyriana3.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCI30TmpqJRVJw0gYxDGaumJ59vo6w_D6K5u1EMNNuxHNnrUFId4K9AK_IKXrFcUvZCI9J5qZt4XKreV4b1UrSbyFLQ8fmFFYVZ8y0nGc_KGnDHbJ2by8g4aLLOYWlylzHc90uK-OOnA/s1600/BILEZIKJIAN_Cyriana2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 343px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591782566252288626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCI30TmpqJRVJw0gYxDGaumJ59vo6w_D6K5u1EMNNuxHNnrUFId4K9AK_IKXrFcUvZCI9J5qZt4XKreV4b1UrSbyFLQ8fmFFYVZ8y0nGc_KGnDHbJ2by8g4aLLOYWlylzHc90uK-OOnA/s400/BILEZIKJIAN_Cyriana2.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7t2lH62YZ6PbBGKhaCajJ5bFjs5dWYzNYyxc6IN1TevoF_qoy9mSIGei92vZ6dKLOwbx4U7TYEboJ4qaERq9KtwctQf7EVJ0EWx5JZgqASKTAiBjKefhng60wR_CYx2hid6TXFJ8u_s/s1600/BILEZIKJIAN_Cyriana.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 231px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591782570082769122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7t2lH62YZ6PbBGKhaCajJ5bFjs5dWYzNYyxc6IN1TevoF_qoy9mSIGei92vZ6dKLOwbx4U7TYEboJ4qaERq9KtwctQf7EVJ0EWx5JZgqASKTAiBjKefhng60wR_CYx2hid6TXFJ8u_s/s400/BILEZIKJIAN_Cyriana.jpg" /></a> 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. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Happy dancing!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-85475879570469899452011-01-16T17:14:00.000-08:002011-01-16T19:09:00.926-08:00Remo Drum Circle at NAMM 2011<p>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 (<a href="http://www.remo.com/portal/artists/4343/Arthur_Hull.html">you can read more about him here</a>). He's being helped in this segment by renowned world percussionist Paolo Mattioli (<a href="http://www.paulodrums.com/">read more about him here</a>).</p><p>Proceed with caution: Infectious rhythm ahead :)</p><p></p><p></p><br /><br /><iframe height="300" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/18858865?portrait=0&color=ff9933" frameborder="0" width="400"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/18858865">Drum Circle at NAMM 2011</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user609191">DeAnna Cameron</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-78667534773131725812010-11-30T12:24:00.001-08:002010-11-30T12:25:44.994-08:00And the November Contest winner is...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.<br /><br />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:<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545440499168454610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6C-xN_GLciNOsI9iSGdHhw2mJwPcdvLKexvwXBHGKCIipTpwjpU7bHMCn5wRBFhPBhP97Q3-72kOM3hFV7wHc99OJhfVl13MhlRdHUr1Rh0gHlte93cS0AS0sd6h4dcjp_drsAP9MGY/s320/DSCN3700.JPG" /><br /><br />And the winner is:<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Taliba Lafleur<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><br />(Hooray!!!)<br /><br /><br />Taliba, I'll be sending you an email message in the next couple of minutes to get your mailing address.<br /><br /><br />To everyone else, thank you for playing! I'll be posting a new contest soon, so please check back to <a href="http://www.deannacameron.com/">http://www.deannacameron.com/</a> to see what's up for grabs.<br /><br /><br />Happy Tuesday!DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-50558862704481264822010-11-01T12:23:00.001-07:002010-11-01T12:23:46.716-07:00November Giveaway<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV_OtK97GnBVFuVtwcbf3iBuWeA91tDQvciiOu8_e8BlVzh03O0KGeRxvgntxSoV0jfhjeDg4lb83CiRVNwmhDIKU4Dt3JImKYG3ehVmm9a7pfQ-HIBfpcmpxFKH_XzIq76ZPXZ4yx5A/s1600/artofbd.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534663910551351586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV_OtK97GnBVFuVtwcbf3iBuWeA91tDQvciiOu8_e8BlVzh03O0KGeRxvgntxSoV0jfhjeDg4lb83CiRVNwmhDIKU4Dt3JImKYG3ehVmm9a7pfQ-HIBfpcmpxFKH_XzIq76ZPXZ4yx5A/s200/artofbd.jpg" /></a>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.<br /><br />To enter the contest, click over to <a href="http://www.deannacameron.com/">http://www.deannacameron.com/</a>. I'll select a winner at random at noon (PT) on Tuesday, November 30.<br /><br />Good luck!DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-73745352582435075932010-08-30T16:18:00.000-07:002010-11-15T10:26:03.438-08:00Belly Dancer Spotlight: Mia Sha'uri<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKu9ivyVr8gWJCANDPfgyU_2FRn0_gEiPs5h5e2mzivCCkN3N4ahyphenhyphenBiSxOK9dLILEeWCrv7X_fW_b-dKKGU4HiEflIYhWL8855G6z9FBXLEDaKKqnPXZvi7ia7rE7p3NS35u6cxUu6fGE/s1600/Mia1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511349280270505298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKu9ivyVr8gWJCANDPfgyU_2FRn0_gEiPs5h5e2mzivCCkN3N4ahyphenhyphenBiSxOK9dLILEeWCrv7X_fW_b-dKKGU4HiEflIYhWL8855G6z9FBXLEDaKKqnPXZvi7ia7rE7p3NS35u6cxUu6fGE/s320/Mia1.jpg" /></a>Few dancers have made a mark on the belly dance world as quickly as <a href="http://www.miashauri.com/">Mia Sha’uri</a>. 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>How did you first get introduced to belly dancing?<br /></strong>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!<br /><br /><strong>Who have your belly dance teachers been?</strong><br />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:<br /><strong><em>Yashira Yamilet:</em></strong> My first teacher, she gave me history, music and very good basic technique to work with.<br /><strong><em>Mohammed Kazafy:</em></strong> 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!<br /><strong><em>Karen Barbee & Horacio and Beata Cifuentes:</em></strong> They are amazing technicians, and I want to be <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnujAB6Rlt7WAi_s7op16kmRMyWh2Bd4Bibelm-2ntlQdhqLp8aThefG3RUI9CZJG35e1UpHgkP_VWTFEKv2OMP1JOblakgOcKth8FydTl6noSEwHMgh-cNYiqJV6e_dLi0NkysHOi9I/s1600/Mia2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 220px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511349115191493634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnujAB6Rlt7WAi_s7op16kmRMyWh2Bd4Bibelm-2ntlQdhqLp8aThefG3RUI9CZJG35e1UpHgkP_VWTFEKv2OMP1JOblakgOcKth8FydTl6noSEwHMgh-cNYiqJV6e_dLi0NkysHOi9I/s320/Mia2.jpg" /></a>just like them! I love the detail and complexity!<br /><strong><em>Helena Vlahos:</em></strong> I always admired her excellent zill work. I just could not keep up with her! (Not to mention her belly rolls!) <strong><em>Sahra Saeeda:</em></strong> She is like an encyclopedia! I love to talk to her and learn about everything! I hope to someday reach her level of expertise.<br /><strong><em>Aziza:</em> </strong>Ethics and what to carry in your dance bag. Also, she taught me to flutter my tummy, which is awesome.<br /><br /><strong>When and where was your first belly dance performance?<br /></strong>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.<br /><br /><strong>What is your practice regimen?</strong><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>What has been your most memorable performance so far?<br /></strong>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.<br /><br /><strong>What is your favorite style of belly dance?</strong><br />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!<br /><br /><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrNOQwHBC5TF4rNYaEoC0IxmKCXnXnZIDyQF2t6Lspup-5E7wMbilFid0KA4eISHBZGL-gTpVWfJHTtDgtGpXuL6k301_2XQ_QOFvKtCUyiriWS5Avs9-XbSzQjiL-qTcauNiUnSrZ7g/s1600/Mia3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 273px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511349278384808850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrNOQwHBC5TF4rNYaEoC0IxmKCXnXnZIDyQF2t6Lspup-5E7wMbilFid0KA4eISHBZGL-gTpVWfJHTtDgtGpXuL6k301_2XQ_QOFvKtCUyiriWS5Avs9-XbSzQjiL-qTcauNiUnSrZ7g/s320/Mia3.jpg" /></a>Do you have favorite belly dance music?</strong><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>Who are your belly dance heroes?<br /></strong>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.<br /><br /><strong>What is it about belly dance that continues to attract you?<br /></strong>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.<br /><br /><strong>Do you teach?</strong><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>If you could give one piece of advice to a new dancer, what would you tell her?</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg52nw9f-heyITjRti2tVKz2rL3JcXqjgznoYW5-SRaV7HKekT76ctw76XILVFTeyXAhttQQ0POOs9TvcyuDItplbALBk81KLaCPE55yn4gvRuYYwbE6sqPCszqBZs0-PrbxcEnSiOBjGo/s1600/Mia4.jpg"></a>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.<br /><br /><strong>What’s in your belly dance future?</strong><br />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.<br /><br />For more about Mia Sha’uri, or to get updates on her workshops and performances, visit <a href="http://www.stellaradvantage.com/miashauri.html">http://www.stellaradvantage.com/miashauri.html</a>.<br /><br />Photo information:<br />First photo via <a href="http://www.bellydanceroftheyear.net/gallery.html">Belly Dancer of the Year</a><br />Second photo via <a href="http://www.isisandthestardancers.com/YH2009/Peoples_Choice_Award_Winners_08.htm">Isis and the Star Dancers</a><br />Third photo via <a href="http://www.isisandthestardancers.com/YH2010/New_Twist_Instructor_Bios.htm">Isis and the Star Dancers</a><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/v7RR71AkwmY?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/v7RR71AkwmY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-29375815899510661512010-08-10T08:37:00.000-07:002010-08-10T09:14:20.177-07:00I love Chasing MummiesHave 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.<br />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!<br /><br />Check out the show's website here: <a href="http://www.history.com/shows/chasing-mummies">http://www.history.com/shows/chasing-mummies</a><br /><br /><br />And here's the official show promo:<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TOyh8daLGFY&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TOyh8daLGFY&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-45752911596306625102010-08-01T12:08:00.001-07:002010-08-02T07:57:57.334-07:00Katerina's BDay Bash at Merry's<div align="center">A great crowd gathered at <a href="http://www.merrys.biz/">Merry's Fashion with Passion boutique</a> to help <a href="http://www.katerinadance.com/">Katerina </a>celebrate her birthday. Here are a few pics of the scene:<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dJH297qDkANuIA9vB_wHG76DkXW-64BI9Lpy1c_levS_nS_pcXikWvhkylhDjNcqgoz5qzcYbs3A1_14kO8zySr0doAPIAY-YKfm2ZXmx2V99nEDQGs0Ys8FaUOo82hAVtJrt3NowhA/s1600/SafMaviDonavon.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 187px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500521417781845378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dJH297qDkANuIA9vB_wHG76DkXW-64BI9Lpy1c_levS_nS_pcXikWvhkylhDjNcqgoz5qzcYbs3A1_14kO8zySr0doAPIAY-YKfm2ZXmx2V99nEDQGs0Ys8FaUOo82hAVtJrt3NowhA/s320/SafMaviDonavon.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><br /><br /></p><div align="center">Saf Mavi (from right, Marc Cornelius, Roy, Ed Lee and Craig) with guest musician, master drummer Donavon Lerman</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ5xNxoDe7jFu7jqoCw9rkkeLAkxCk2w9EfNEWY_9XHjn2fNdtcilrtUnW7SJU4-MW7mKGles6JOsX2iaXbR3S2XTyFEXieiT_H_TUNs2CxfxYWO2XLSS1U6a5gRa7u1lAcFfACGYtuk/s1600/Reina.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500521259862050098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ5xNxoDe7jFu7jqoCw9rkkeLAkxCk2w9EfNEWY_9XHjn2fNdtcilrtUnW7SJU4-MW7mKGles6JOsX2iaXbR3S2XTyFEXieiT_H_TUNs2CxfxYWO2XLSS1U6a5gRa7u1lAcFfACGYtuk/s320/Reina.JPG" /></a> Reina started things off with her fun cabaret number<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3dH58N0S5SSXa1geVi61s1bFOsS8H6-rj2TF7_x_EyJIzNTaAV-TmUqGAl73JEy8oBdqcKSB7U_iZn6JW016JR-AhZhXOyun81ypTzmfhrv28U0XxWMSKVenRhNa_7N07_hFPmG4_DI/s1600/Hiromi.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 309px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500521167033657282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3dH58N0S5SSXa1geVi61s1bFOsS8H6-rj2TF7_x_EyJIzNTaAV-TmUqGAl73JEy8oBdqcKSB7U_iZn6JW016JR-AhZhXOyun81ypTzmfhrv28U0XxWMSKVenRhNa_7N07_hFPmG4_DI/s320/Hiromi.JPG" /></a><br />Hiromi performed a lovely gypsy routine<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7-PobSa-pjM1ZqJ6sqJ1sILRS8zLVFgemKW_ADh3ZqWcGBS8s1JROISS-cGcOEhAMFhSFzoQIPor5XP6e5T11xutn4e8JihFRJmqUsUhrD-ReqtRhTkLsDMqEeIP7u8iKkeobGEr-Tk/s1600/HatariUzuri.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500521081829163410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7-PobSa-pjM1ZqJ6sqJ1sILRS8zLVFgemKW_ADh3ZqWcGBS8s1JROISS-cGcOEhAMFhSFzoQIPor5XP6e5T11xutn4e8JihFRJmqUsUhrD-ReqtRhTkLsDMqEeIP7u8iKkeobGEr-Tk/s320/HatariUzuri.JPG" /></a>Hatari Uzuri (gorgeous dancer and gorgeous Melodia dance pants!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPK_LXklVs80UwvG850y09EFmA4wDzg51bGxrkz5oUjCOHj0_8UVSUpvdm9pSycdWZa0gIYR5D19XMYqxfNqdtrJGAWHPuU3qHuWPY5XUxMxCrL_2t68gJdmk6PTXNfZoS4G32K-52a7o/s1600/KatKabukiDolls.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500520972678499378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPK_LXklVs80UwvG850y09EFmA4wDzg51bGxrkz5oUjCOHj0_8UVSUpvdm9pSycdWZa0gIYR5D19XMYqxfNqdtrJGAWHPuU3qHuWPY5XUxMxCrL_2t68gJdmk6PTXNfZoS4G32K-52a7o/s320/KatKabukiDolls.JPG" /></a> And our hostess, Katerina, with her Kabuki Dolls.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br />Here's a video of their performance:<br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13804076&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=ff9933&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13804076&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=ff9933&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/13804076">Katerina and the Kabuki Dolls</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user609191">DeAnna Cameron</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br /><br />That's it for now...<br />gotta get to belly dance class :-)DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-6566147338096966242010-07-30T12:10:00.000-07:002010-07-30T12:11:24.495-07:00And the July contest winner is ...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 "<a href="http://www.deannacameron.com/DCNovel.htm">The Belly Dancer</a>" and others who plan to. And it's no surprise there were <em>a lot </em>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.<br /><br />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:<br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 216px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499738200785455074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMTTXoa_EtD0z0UIk9SNrd_VXqVNj4fKWBAMyG4Z0DpKK8L09cgDVrpHGkOIupHo-WsCYmBjMEfD5SqyDz1w_xQS7uNTH2H7mD4zxTmALgERvlGTbnlwKjUtxXaSvFqIIqqePIyZNTu4/s320/DSCN3499.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-CJuRAP-8eXnFRQPj6X0sdds2oWspcAn5KqnCiTqWfhAMx3Jc5dRpAYH4dVnNIiWiIsIjE1J26hEgUfppZFBn1L5Ge0yeV4a2Ky1yGO9_syWoSEOyANfI-FjCyaupsVWtDOGO6clAac/s1600-h/DSCN2897.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">And the winner is:</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Melissa Loomis</span><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br />(Congrats, congrats!!!)</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br />Melissa, I'll be sending you an email message in the next couple of minutes to get your mailing address.</div><br /><div>To everyone else, thank you for playing! I'll be posting a new contest soon, so please check back to <a href="http://www.deannacameron.com/">http://www.deannacameron.com/</a> to see what's up for grabs. </div><br /><div>Happy Friday!</div></div>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-65930243191156132382010-07-07T08:32:00.000-07:002010-07-07T08:33:09.113-07:00Anniversary Giveaway<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUJZQP2Gmk_4xxARi1vI0DJKXIB6b2CXb5iwsJcIGoyDz0I4c8cEEoCsrFbtG6m_a7XQt1k5wXG67iPHCf-VG0UJCH-tFCzx0DzkiO-SoS8_bwV2euTDnYFUSPBw6agDxZfIchwZbRJY/s1600/DSCN3466.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491185106091776386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUJZQP2Gmk_4xxARi1vI0DJKXIB6b2CXb5iwsJcIGoyDz0I4c8cEEoCsrFbtG6m_a7XQt1k5wXG67iPHCf-VG0UJCH-tFCzx0DzkiO-SoS8_bwV2euTDnYFUSPBw6agDxZfIchwZbRJY/s320/DSCN3466.JPG" /></a> Can you believe it's been a year since <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Belly-Dancer-DeAnna-Cameron/dp/0425227782/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1278516233&sr=8-3">The Belly Dancer </a>hit bookstore shelves? Me, neither! But what an amazing year it has been!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />To enter the contest, click over to <a href="http://www.deannacameron.com/">http://www.deannacameron.com/</a>. I'll select a winner at random at noon (PDT) on Friday, July 30.<br /><br />Good luck!DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-64415941941704287302010-07-02T09:24:00.000-07:002010-07-02T09:28:45.257-07:00Belly Dancing Duo on America's Got TalentBelly 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. <br /><br />Go, ladies, go! <br /><br /><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LuX4BANjjpY&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LuX4BANjjpY&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></p>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-87263516242731443432010-07-01T08:56:00.000-07:002010-07-01T09:16:57.301-07:00Heading to Morocco, virtually ...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1QrcuA1R6oitdT93rFdO81U15atz80tPwD9IwClntoGTUFaKWWbNdNVyHGnh1qRMibIn7FGnFDpdv-BGH0CT76NjN39WLJ-F5bU7yMwQQeCRyFJFQwNLSu9MPGF0mFyTJKneK-3BKfY/s1600/blog.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 188px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488972351629517666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1QrcuA1R6oitdT93rFdO81U15atz80tPwD9IwClntoGTUFaKWWbNdNVyHGnh1qRMibIn7FGnFDpdv-BGH0CT76NjN39WLJ-F5bU7yMwQQeCRyFJFQwNLSu9MPGF0mFyTJKneK-3BKfY/s320/blog.jpg" /></a>I just discovered this amazing blog: <a href="http://thehouseinmarrakesh.blogspot.com/">The House in Marrakesh</a><br /><br />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.<br /><div></div><br /><div></div>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-43153441830800605822010-06-21T12:15:00.000-07:002010-06-21T12:16:08.350-07:00And the June Contest winner is...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.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485283052593103554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSt6nArW4PiyoLsKpWZek0fh_EF5yZNk6JyYeE9gjlB1rjEqEBfLhaX6hBssC8FjAQn__3pmYb4y9Y4zZG-hukZ9xxq2VdDltlfl9e-V1FIaCwEGev9CuI9QGgOYZLbJU8OvzLYpjSVzQ/s320/DSCN3350.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-CJuRAP-8eXnFRQPj6X0sdds2oWspcAn5KqnCiTqWfhAMx3Jc5dRpAYH4dVnNIiWiIsIjE1J26hEgUfppZFBn1L5Ge0yeV4a2Ky1yGO9_syWoSEOyANfI-FjCyaupsVWtDOGO6clAac/s1600-h/DSCN2897.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center">And the winner is:</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Dana Packer</span><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br />(Yay!!!)</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br />Congratulations, Dana! I'll be sending you an email message in the next couple of minutes to get your mailing address.</div><br /><div></div><div>To everyone else, thank you for playing! I'll be posting a new contest soon, so please check back to <a href="http://www.deannacameron.com/">http://www.deannacameron.com/</a> to see what's up for grabs. </div><br /><div>Happy Monday!</div>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-12008054965883552012010-06-14T10:19:00.000-07:002010-06-14T11:12:07.923-07:00Introducing: Orange County Tribal Bellydance Jams in Fullerton<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYENIPHWJwqOZMUV5r76PE2mRBCXsmrWcFXU5TVzaNfCP7ikHSYA9PFcyShKfSz2oEYSUPgqUYgGroQ6xD51oWTzaYCrhf7ascj3m9CVQIOJQX7xlCtiPYyYqBJb_CnQDitH-lkaqVOI/s1600/TribalSkirts.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 262px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482690911185325458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibYENIPHWJwqOZMUV5r76PE2mRBCXsmrWcFXU5TVzaNfCP7ikHSYA9PFcyShKfSz2oEYSUPgqUYgGroQ6xD51oWTzaYCrhf7ascj3m9CVQIOJQX7xlCtiPYyYqBJb_CnQDitH-lkaqVOI/s320/TribalSkirts.jpg" /></a>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.<br /><br />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).<br /><br />"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."<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!"<br /><br />For more information, email IrinaXara at <a href="mailto:irinaxara@gmail.com">irinaxara@gmail.com</a> or Tribal Cyn at <a href="mailto:wildrose908@aol.com">wildrose908@aol.com</a>.<br /><br />Photo: Azuluna's set at the O.C. Belly Dance Festival in October 2008.DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513763957530809372.post-58209841375005091812010-06-07T09:36:00.000-07:002010-06-07T14:25:53.265-07:00Cairo Caravan 2010 RecapOh, 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:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480134145626400370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhansPhSFZxhpFiE0Yt2zbFU28A8b1G6kUx7ypOaaaIgqCEb3kcvhmAOv5LyiXVk5e-VvFEFzbRiYtJW_rX4TsCXTj-1HfheUeDpgx3noIqPTvaCZFijvXVtUwYqwTDntbahr5b3StzXvQ/s320/060510_CairoCaravanFloor.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">The main floor</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480132896681864690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_zPSNm9X99XLWsUqBJRr3V7gcUS21GnWpQwfeATqVK54wCUspkY31cxyKCHhwzoTnqvO5XljocegYYAfFbU3Rgi1nBID5Oj4OAxAjDxhttGk2AvJ8ZwtAn9QIYPzX7SfRRrdQLhbDj0/s320/060510_CairoCaravanTuquoise.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">Oh-so pretty costumes at the Turquoise International table </div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2ce8lv4fGd_Mvg8edEygP26rAOzTSCCDwYLtZkuAardiouNo3k6Jbo7XSupWc6wJgUSWiHDuEX7YqO2V58l2qc32K6SbT2WC0Kw2LPGtgPSks3ZJ8Ewl6smgSy_KtPWp1lwh4hcynAQ/s1600/060510_CairoCaravanLectures.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480134153763965042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG2ce8lv4fGd_Mvg8edEygP26rAOzTSCCDwYLtZkuAardiouNo3k6Jbo7XSupWc6wJgUSWiHDuEX7YqO2V58l2qc32K6SbT2WC0Kw2LPGtgPSks3ZJ8Ewl6smgSy_KtPWp1lwh4hcynAQ/s320/060510_CairoCaravanLectures.JPG" /></a>This year MECDA introduced this film & lecture space. I wish I could've spent more time here -- it's such great idea.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480134123742718946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMEsmfw-btKC0Jh01CFjyc1tmMGNB5YgwbAR8gze-TbTk3hNeX7uDXMKI0HU4UMRwB0qC5cPt_20iWeAbHTn1VuxT8uiDZsFV-2uM47JxnsZjw_fxgV3S7UPXof_4LPqOFh1PciBooNw/s320/060510_CairoCaravanAddedTouch.JPG" /><br />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. :-)<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480133713205116034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZAMNV3RPqyXXk3FsiZdIoSaLtQqzY_nGffC9-tvpYGrWu7cVUhyphenhyphen1rR_PJ8dPD9koAbt93uI5DVHfnkdAkOcPDfdxt4YJgZyjgiKLINvBSohFce1xNANzDbrNAaeLnxyfwdOFOb6dTPQ/s320/060510_CairoCaravanLeftCoastTrading.JPG" /><br />The Left Coast Trading booth -- found a great pair of pants here (same ones worn by the hanging mannequin)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480133723662702226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kiQLWCPGGd1Nwh4hw68a19JzeVfvzAHVyYuAte2mfbgMVZRj2gpNiaIQa0WZiCEUbDC7zIPWh8IIqYrxxO0yhMkjLCsXVGoNkgMkNXP2DDu4Apnla1jz1Kqre_MFPifjATTiubRvuPA/s320/060510_CairoCaravanHerb.JPG" /><br />And here's Alane buying her own pair of pants (yes, we'll match!) from Herb of Left Coast Trading.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7O4LHSO-XfpIUdZG3CQjNpNVZVHUQpqkzxhTyrcwwQnZX_-kJtEENl-Bqa0rsSv2ujjdqCgYhRydSluGPV7u5N2IB2ZhkX3g8XWYESoFh8OU_bdfGTJn25G35mVkXznzRp-zCiAeQXg/s1600/060510_CairoCaravanCalamitous.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480134137102842562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7O4LHSO-XfpIUdZG3CQjNpNVZVHUQpqkzxhTyrcwwQnZX_-kJtEENl-Bqa0rsSv2ujjdqCgYhRydSluGPV7u5N2IB2ZhkX3g8XWYESoFh8OU_bdfGTJn25G35mVkXznzRp-zCiAeQXg/s320/060510_CairoCaravanCalamitous.JPG" /></a>Aren't these gloves from Calamitous Costuming pretty? I'm saving up for a pair.<br /><br /><div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYGfo8k6uMInYTv5avcJrm3ZfZQ_6gJoMJYfiULWMT1zJgJho3_N8gh_YddliCY0rHvApfUt3hziZr6nAZiK5WSUMYu7oFgCb9LxteqCmX5IkJr-sBjCOOXqP77hoBDRR-Wb7qkkGL4o/s1600/060510_CairoCaravanFirefly.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480133734188353506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYGfo8k6uMInYTv5avcJrm3ZfZQ_6gJoMJYfiULWMT1zJgJho3_N8gh_YddliCY0rHvApfUt3hziZr6nAZiK5WSUMYu7oFgCb9LxteqCmX5IkJr-sBjCOOXqP77hoBDRR-Wb7qkkGL4o/s320/060510_CairoCaravanFirefly.JPG" /></a> How cool is this outfit? It's from Firefly (see the banner in the background?)<br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUbCgkdEKbwcm1z8AWIWWsyvZREO8_XrZFnC3dogYno8wBcDLoTuj_589MrFjPpFNI-Av4HOW58pWvKlmuu2R42O93XjtakkK5boUspYXrlIfJ52FZGvZ16bmxompiqMy73X12FyakzM/s1600/060510_CairoCaravanMelodia1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480133704861970722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUbCgkdEKbwcm1z8AWIWWsyvZREO8_XrZFnC3dogYno8wBcDLoTuj_589MrFjPpFNI-Av4HOW58pWvKlmuu2R42O93XjtakkK5boUspYXrlIfJ52FZGvZ16bmxompiqMy73X12FyakzM/s320/060510_CairoCaravanMelodia1.JPG" /></a> A very cool sign at the Melodia booth.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfDzDpF4XbapMyazF4UuxijuB2ImYyj3UObRi2tauO4Fc2gVgOsB_vY9PtZia9vpukhHWfqZmZ5XxdonjFxYlvFo4cPjQ6H7mMBfxVYLJYiVF2CgWHWrhcFcvVId5uxf-27D9aCxkZSg/s1600/060510_CairoCaravanMelodia2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480132924487900162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfDzDpF4XbapMyazF4UuxijuB2ImYyj3UObRi2tauO4Fc2gVgOsB_vY9PtZia9vpukhHWfqZmZ5XxdonjFxYlvFo4cPjQ6H7mMBfxVYLJYiVF2CgWHWrhcFcvVId5uxf-27D9aCxkZSg/s320/060510_CairoCaravanMelodia2.JPG" /></a> And another one.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwF2NmEV06LwfvDVoJtgvn-aE37Km9EtHq27bxAOibL3HhcNo-oOT8upr4Qo02rETgQAZCcPTpoW2wHTucdYFN-2LvrBPBCyKurxICU7fLUAE3NLiESlK5_2rU0wRZxmxJTxPDNeXZ_8/s1600/060510_CairoCaravanMelodia3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480132919527788338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwF2NmEV06LwfvDVoJtgvn-aE37Km9EtHq27bxAOibL3HhcNo-oOT8upr4Qo02rETgQAZCcPTpoW2wHTucdYFN-2LvrBPBCyKurxICU7fLUAE3NLiESlK5_2rU0wRZxmxJTxPDNeXZ_8/s320/060510_CairoCaravanMelodia3.JPG" /></a> And another one.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02n8cgcQIZXEQIpCX563UzBWikDqk724BWVPAig6GVLY_n64he4Xouu8pzjtcAnezXEIJZ6xA6jY54AbTrI70DjwQ0cwMujizMy87Pagek-bxFz9g81_ZnNdWkrKRjjAsYGobJzuDCD8/s1600/060510_CairoCaravanTribalBazar.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480132906194908226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02n8cgcQIZXEQIpCX563UzBWikDqk724BWVPAig6GVLY_n64he4Xouu8pzjtcAnezXEIJZ6xA6jY54AbTrI70DjwQ0cwMujizMy87Pagek-bxFz9g81_ZnNdWkrKRjjAsYGobJzuDCD8/s320/060510_CairoCaravanTribalBazar.JPG" /></a>Tribal Bazar -- oh I've spent so much time browsing (and buying) from this wonderful retailer.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1TeIyKn4WJZxlnJArN9lbYif2pvcnGFj84lrmrDZswK5M6aiRqG69A5__rQERa0BCptAHHdO_NNW3OMT_a6u4I25UiRLcud47dec7k8zlZx_34wecDdcTdY8RhQWarR2YAwoBTpPf0s/s1600/060510_CairoCaravanRozDancingSands+(2).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480131822699485378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1TeIyKn4WJZxlnJArN9lbYif2pvcnGFj84lrmrDZswK5M6aiRqG69A5__rQERa0BCptAHHdO_NNW3OMT_a6u4I25UiRLcud47dec7k8zlZx_34wecDdcTdY8RhQWarR2YAwoBTpPf0s/s320/060510_CairoCaravanRozDancingSands+(2).JPG" /></a> <div>The young dancerd and drummers from Roz & Dancing Sands of Ontario.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480131791608360002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPCriE8m73KWaS2MjCA5BtXP1n0_FIZy0uFFNhFSqFUo7_ISF54mvelzsytC2zNGXr-K5t86Xl8THhPlf8hwHzFKdg_ZGGs9KrE8DvBvEX9Zl-AXdNJufV-ROrNn68felOEK3XLUEQvE/s320/060510_CairoCaravanTracy.JPG" /></div><div>Tracy opened the Mandala Danceworks set with a solo that was amazing.</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqwuuaIProhfZKcoQu_ApVZVqKMXVOFxVaJurxZaW8ZOocjMMGT2r-A4EPsoMb3vs0tiTgRuBxC0G9jCdbKUjmqGx1nnWTzTnXJ88Ivti2xqCreLbUrUZ-EgVpdETiR-_jYGQMIs6xBc/s1600/060510_CairoCaravanMandalaWorks.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480131800795958882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqwuuaIProhfZKcoQu_ApVZVqKMXVOFxVaJurxZaW8ZOocjMMGT2r-A4EPsoMb3vs0tiTgRuBxC0G9jCdbKUjmqGx1nnWTzTnXJ88Ivti2xqCreLbUrUZ-EgVpdETiR-_jYGQMIs6xBc/s320/060510_CairoCaravanMandalaWorks.JPG" /></a> The 11 dancers who performed for Mandala Danceworks are a very talented bunch. They really rocked the whole Gothic fusion belly dance thing.</div><div><br /><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480130539196304978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5KWL0XEcrYX3khSBMWyR126xCXTi_6olJ-oWNweqEkkc9GNa2NuviKpBH9OJNJ5OJnzlSSbFw4J-q_kHQgt2ERKxya_Jdjw0Gb2a12Eb8TZXB0AtHobajaO4O9ZQKJzU-Hp81C2yxlI/s320/060510_CairoCaravanSabrina.JPG" /></div><div>Sabrina of La Habra always puts on a great show.</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480129779209970866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLUaGMYops_34vq4r21o5Xcmat8iP7laFiirdA4EgzjirOsBTrtV1LxR9Xw4CEfUhyJItpX6BK6V3-hzHsCN2_w7iwrLCpODIl8DANVkTbvyJtjojCWZLD0RTXSon5TEDYaFTeLaBTb0Y/s320/060510_CairoCaravanValentina.JPG" /></div><div>And speaking of show -- this was how Valentina and the Hoop Unit's performance began. </div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480130081246117890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivITrIh0VD0dJ83T4EWM2dzu9OiYm68O-zMfjARVVLQ-_s2zEYo5DjrMSVzerHw3YFM3y4VmIYxTUbgwlLdbLk9VN5bNXuSijimsLUxzwu22jtvFeYpL9pDeG3Jk9zdGVFxxivcenyohI/s320/060510_CairoCaravanValentina+(3).JPG" /></div><div>And this is why they're called the "hoop" unit! </div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480130092725509250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5phLjB5gqsoovzSXXSyPgoPZ9TsLygYziEkG3_RGdX7BVE91ml36QJ6YRYIcFGy7y0lJl18CIpBxf66oDjf7zT6Z5J72h-N0n1IAk3fgbXlpNY5YqPa-_ljKa5UwvtdXFVTQx8r-WkU/s320/060510_CairoCaravanValentina+(4).JPG" /></div><div>It was such a great show and a very tough act to follow, but then...</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480129357420980818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_dn7dPSEGSn1FWLHF1JzPyFUo4s_noM5fD3qCkHhpbfq_hOqKVB7a48656eZV2jJTDRrzBc_vF8wkBKdsIdad5CNR9LwwrFnOjg40U3vFRofrnv4B0KEpeL9pcTpIDS9xVL9n9cRpKI/s320/060510_CairoCaravanZaghareet.JPG" /></div><div>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.</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480129349223947218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtitDfIeb-wC4oYnX98fWtmXVqSNI8fPm7AkI8h4M3RdcUkhmrhD8Ha22IXq0kwqKb43QSdJ19wc1FOUz-z6qUzta1vEKZLRkFbH-L-_mZcEl8vRw2Kq2luXdiObs_Cu7ED61mVXK_KqE/s320/060510_CairoCaravanZaghareet+(2).JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480130556835686722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi22hD72ppqYMeBjE8EpZAywmvxylkeuhiVT-ekMNaH4s8XMfgmVAFXclFcZzryhVG_8yM1QfVTO307Iy8d7T8KBgPgXSFf1oOu5CM7rmcZT2gfy6Z7tX91c6SQnz0l6iydkOqkujz2-sg/s320/060510_CairoCaravanLeelaAlane.JPG" /></div><div>The lovely Leela with Alane, who is modeling her new purchase -- the fabulous fairy Leela tank.</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480073108672135170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrBUUDy50uO1-l0Q_RHHpBL7oPbCeHAaJ03gD72CY4GV52MJFiaz-TDeKMRcv90fXsvhYCbRrogGbjqE7ilCrrMMBBn_0ekse36NWe36mmaxq8gMuXH-8Ok9Ah8qj-KYtOcpJEz-fx8Y/s320/060510_CairoCaravanLeela.JPG" /></div><div>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...</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480073105302286690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2a7_S4pha-Tejsi5bg_xb3cpyDz3pBsjkF9uYjXcMZaCMYJ4CFAuwRW6J0dx_OohFSoxKnuIhzkEsoUkQmT92LPKeFyZKM8_eaobRH_ZjRk6lSkxxyHIwOM-_grk6iLg0fXHAr4CRvzU/s320/060510_CairoCaravanLeela+(2).JPG" /></div><div>this fun-fun-fun version Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Did another costume change for...</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480073095162905714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6rUX-PtuFJujM2DqAh0DdmuoojgoomH0HF_ZzUkeJ4mXNrocjffYnVxa6gO_wgQeYQ4ebFizgbgmsoWQfk33amiD7lOBiwlFbG63UaZ5a0hrTyGb5iX6UlG9aoV76R2LR32vJ5lkQUE/s320/060510_CairoCaravanLeela+(3).JPG" /></div><div>This snazzy number to Black Eyed Peas "Boom Boom Pow" (I think that's the name of it anyway...)</div><div>Then, another costume change for ...</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480072601338613778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSm8gRwyz_pZ3JF1nLeqVLRwm-_HOcD4fiRfpXaCShsaiqs2JenOB6lBOjl3pUvAVKI2o3hj6QG08quB65OuckZsgAUcVjvM4GG58WmW3R4iNeVoPpO_OuGLf4fSAxTMb8KRAMuSsLyRc/s320/060510_CairoCaravanLeela+(4).JPG" /></div><div>This number set to "Chicago's" thoroughly entertaining "He Had It Coming."</div><div>And then, yup, another costume change for ...</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480072615239522178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRQdavXSYl4JgFH6SUtgl0kGnb9Zxun_Xi4Jfz2kAfLDDR2hOzgYlgGUyps7fvzSUCy-54OPbHygSO6hAXZWX5TWV00dwTsqB9f3ewJV-bT2uM1xRTywAJmEl8HWlAlgGjwLMbUG4DeE/s320/060510_CairoCaravanLeela+(5).JPG" /></div><div>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 ;)</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480130548185879106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdc7LFD5Qoa20_H2ANmp3GnpQ4A85sAfmQIkw4h1jUhyphenhyphenITcFvix-H9KmQcf6v1Gm5AtwUVFLlxuxHXX32fLDDC-ffS-sLXbeOoYqJYl9Pn2VUTYnsQVqMvN7qiT1se9v-hiviJlrm-E7k/s320/060510_CairoCaravanTroupAmara.JPG" /></div><div>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?</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480072625621331762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2EJaUP1xPb-gonsEJ6gH4f4fqTOPdTJNANAc1nnRLr83Sdg44qPfBJcU-LNAUJ85AMyqX0qVMmvCdAmkfPZOkS0rfp_P-yYv9GG616AL-G3oHO1BZHKXccu0YhzRqeHWNYLyeOnLRDY/s320/060510_CairoCaravanEvacuation.JPG" />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?</div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIvmBPVlYV1I_leXvWRWkqUN2pE3HL2HXZQpb3y-E8mAjVqR4t8CGUkRQoM6frOWqFte69zT_m09hYJPvZn29kAzugWPI5EMLQ96jA28ISAeUab_zAsJsA_DY_yTYTjBpAk5OESFXu5E/s1600/060510_CairoCaravanGoodies1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480071996933783426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIvmBPVlYV1I_leXvWRWkqUN2pE3HL2HXZQpb3y-E8mAjVqR4t8CGUkRQoM6frOWqFte69zT_m09hYJPvZn29kAzugWPI5EMLQ96jA28ISAeUab_zAsJsA_DY_yTYTjBpAk5OESFXu5E/s320/060510_CairoCaravanGoodies1.JPG" /></a>Some of my lovely finds...<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSY7Fg-hWP_YT22s76YaPVfBCipgp_UZ99v9PCCjjk9nFpoXkU6XfKT8kS7Ha60jtmBLGoGCJNq1f5f-ey1AuNtQKs1DBYSkdlAa4KALmiAOPAVx0_9AdjR2XqXP0QMKRUlTCihKcR_o/s1600/060510_CairoCaravanGoodies2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480071984054165378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSY7Fg-hWP_YT22s76YaPVfBCipgp_UZ99v9PCCjjk9nFpoXkU6XfKT8kS7Ha60jtmBLGoGCJNq1f5f-ey1AuNtQKs1DBYSkdlAa4KALmiAOPAVx0_9AdjR2XqXP0QMKRUlTCihKcR_o/s320/060510_CairoCaravanGoodies2.JPG" /></a> And one more. I love this necklace! I even wore it to dance class the next day.</div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>For much better event photos, check out these sites.</div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.renaissancefaire.net/Cairo-Caravan.htm">http://www.renaissancefaire.net/Cairo-Caravan.htm</a><br /><a href="http://archive.weathervaneimages.com/c/weathervaneimages">http://archive.weathervaneimages.com/c/weathervaneimages</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><p align="center"> (They aren't up yet, but they will be soon!)</p>DeAnna Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06707301836253449127noreply@blogger.com1