Gothla US: The Divining Recap

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

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

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











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

















IrinaXara

Some of the Victorian-themed merchandise on display

The henna booth

Zeidy

Rodasii

Geisha Moth merchandise

More shopping

Tempest's popular shrugs and corset belts

More shopping

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

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

Gothla US returns this weekend, March 6-8

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

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

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

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

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