electric shimmy

New Blog

2011-02-05T11:52:00.000-08:00

Here is a link to my new blog:

electric shimmy

Snow Goddess 2010

2010-12-26T14:00:00.000-08:00

The snow started falling after midnight here and we woke to a Winter Wonderland! What a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday Season! No Snowstorm is complete without a set of Winter Snow Goddess Photos. I started these back in 2009, and have been lucky to do them several times.

Unlike previous times when I had help, I did these all myself. I lugged the tripod and my wireless shutter release and with the help of ALOT of Photoshop I got some nice finished art images.

Jazzy Holiday party

2010-12-16T09:31:00.000-08:00

Pinhook Photos by Paul Cory

2010-12-15T13:57:00.000-08:00

I just want to share some wonderful photos that were taken at the last Bellydance night. Paul Cory, is a local photographer, and he came out and photographed all the dancers. You can check out his work here

Paul's Smugmug Gallery

* You can also check out his work at: www.paulcory.com

video from Pinhook

2010-12-15T13:54:00.000-08:00

Here is the latest video from Bellydance Night at the Pinhook.

Warrior Goddess Photo Shoot

2010-11-20T18:56:00.000-08:00

As I watched the last of the leaves fall today, I decided to have an impromptu photo shoot out in the woods in our back yard. There is a small nature trail and about the only place that still had some pretty leaves on the trees. Check out this gorgeous costume from Organic Armor. Love their work!!

Click here for all the pics.

{the Battle} for Power

2010-11-12T05:58:00.000-08:00

Our Haflaween performance this year. This was so much fun!

video from Pinhook

2010-11-09T06:38:00.000-08:00

Haflaween Horrors 2010

2010-11-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

Another year, Haflaween has come and gone. I am sad now that Halloween is officially over. It is always my second favorite time of year. Haflaween has got to be my most favorite show each year. The whole week prior I was so excited, I could hardly stand it. This year for the first time, I got my husband to actually 'perform' a skit with me. I danced to a song I did 2 years ago, "Requiem for a Tower", but it was a different remixed version. I had a costume designed by Paul of Organic Armor. A designer out in Asheville, NC. He did an awesome job! Andrew and I spent a couple hours the week of the Halloween practicing, and after many fits of laughter, we got serious and were able to pull off a great battle scene. It was a lot of fun! Thanks to Mara for taking some photos!

Dancing at Remedy Diner

2010-10-25T09:14:00.000-07:00

Fantastical Fire Fans

2010-10-19T06:28:00.000-07:00

I received my fire fans about 2 years ago and FINALLY lit them up this past weekend. The Triangle Bellydance Meetup and the Triangle Middle Eastern Musician Meetup held a Drumming, Dancing and Bonfire at Boogie Holler in Hillsbourough. What a blast! And what a perfect opportunity to try out my fire fans. There was a guy there spinning fire poi too so he gave me some tips about my fans. I love them. I wish we had more outdoor events here letting us utilize fire toys.

Dancing with Fire Fans
Drum, Dance, Bonfire at Boogie Holler
Photo by Brigitte Schubert

Performance from Ncbellydance.org fundraiser

2010-10-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

Here is my performance clip from the fundraiser show. I was dancing improv to 'L'Shanna Tova' by The Lost Nomads. I even got a surprise Qanun taqsim from Kylie Hilali, which was GREAT!

Shimmies at Remedy Diner

2010-10-11T08:06:00.000-07:00

Bellydancing by Amara, Shahzaadee, Twilight Tribal, Asyia, Majidah, and Bernadette.

International Festival and NCBellydance Fundraiser

2010-10-04T07:55:00.000-07:00

Alot happening this weekend. Saturday the Lost Nomads played at the 25th Annual Raleigh International Festival at the Raleigh Convention Center. Then, that evening there was a fundraiser for NCBellydance.org. I had fun dancing and did a live improv to the Lost Nomads. They had a wonderful guest musician Kylie Hilali on Kanoon.

Photo by Megan Freeman

Photo by Megan Freeman

Dancing at XIOS Cafe

2010-10-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

I had a great time dancing at XIOS Greek Restaurant in Apex last friday night. I will be dancing there again December 3, 17 and January 7 and 21.

XIOS Cafe

**Photos courtesy of Shelley Ethridge

Pinhook Photos by Paul Cory

2010-10-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

Professional Photographer, Paul Cory, photographed the August Pinhook Bellydance event and did an amazing job! Check out his website!

Paul Cory Website

Carolina Casbah photos

2010-09-21T14:44:00.001-07:00

Professional photos by Bonnie Stanley Photography from 'Carolina Casbah' show presented by ACCMED.

RDC 8th Bithday Bash

2010-09-21T14:34:00.000-07:00

Raleigh Drum Circle's 8th Annual Birthday Bash. Middle Eastern Drumming by John Price, Andrew Shakinovsky, Mara Cohen, Aaron Kinzer. Bellydance by Amara and Jenny.

The Raleigh Drum Circle celebrates its birthday every September with a special Drum Circle full of performances featuring Middle Eastern Drumming, West African, Bellydancing, Fire spinning, hooping and more.It is always so much fun and I always feel honored to be invited back each year.

Jenny, Aaron, John, Andrew, Amara, Mara

Photo by Annelies Gentile

Debuted my new coin costume.

Caba-ribal-usion weekend fun!

2010-09-15T14:06:00.000-07:00

I had a fabulous weekend full of workshops and a great showcase featuring the wonderful Ansuya. We learned 4 choreographies and had 11 hours of instruction. I was exhausted!

Photo by Lisa Loque

Photo by Lisa Loque

Amara and Ansuya

Decisions, decisions....

2010-09-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

Alot of costume designing is trial and error. I take ALOT of photos while moving things around and then I go back and look at everything to see what I like the most. I sometimes leave it overnight to see how it looks in the morning. LOL. These pics don't do it justice, but I kind of think these pearls might be too big, but I don't feel like redoing all the chain I made. The pearls are Cream color Swarovski pearls, so they are the good stuff. The pics make them look crappy!

I painstaking drilled ALL the coins myself. (Andy taught me the other night) and then I made all the pearl dangles and connected them to the coins with jump rings. I sewed the ones down on the straps and decided to make more around the cups. Originally it was going to be a drape.

Pearl/Coin chain and coin dangles

pearl/coin chain OR coin dangles

Straps

sewing the belt...

2010-09-02T15:02:00.000-07:00

Anna was playing with my camera and snapped these of me sewing the belt...

tapestry belt

2010-09-02T14:58:00.000-07:00

Seashell and pearls

2010-09-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

In the creative process...

coins and filligree

2010-08-31T07:08:00.000-07:00

Red Tapestry

2010-08-30T06:59:00.000-07:00

So I started yet another costume! I was in a creative rut on the others, so instead of wasting time, I thought I would start working on another. I bought this red tapestry fabric at the same time I bought the coin costume fabric over a year ago. I am going to add some coins to it, still deciding on the design. I want to wear this for the RDC Drum Circle Bash this year, so I only have 3 weeks to complete it.

Peacock

2010-08-29T06:54:00.000-07:00

Updates on Peacock costume

seashells and peacocks....

2010-08-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

All my shells finally arrived. I am still unsure of how I want to design this, so in the meantime, I started working on my other costume. I found a wonderful teal colored fabric at the fabric store that is perfect. (The color is a bit off in the photos)

Turquoise Bella

2010-08-20T18:00:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me knows that when I go to the salon to have my hair done, I always, and I mean ALWAYS do a photo shoot. When will my hair every look this great again. LOL. Seriously! This is my new Turquoise Bella I got a few months ago.

new costume

2010-08-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

I started making a new costume last week. I actually have 3 ideas for costumes I want to make. I planned for this one to be a seashell mermaid costume, but after looking at my pearls last night I am having two many creative ideas. LOL.

Carolina Casbah this weekend!

2010-08-16T06:38:00.000-07:00

2nd Annual Gala showcase featuring local professional bellydancers. Sponsored by ACCMED (The Association of Central Carolina Middle Eastern Dancers) is a professional organization whose members are local professional belly dance teachers and/or performers.

Tickets available through The ArtsCenter

August 21, 2010
The ArtsCenter
300 East Main Street
Carrboro
Doors open at 7:00 pm, performances start at 7:30 PM.

Festival for the Eno 2010

2010-07-06T20:04:00.000-07:00

I was invited to dance at the Festival for the Eno this year with Moorish Gypsy Tribe and Happy Hips as their guest dancer. We got very lucky and the weather was nice and only in the upper 80's. We had quite a big crowd and it was so much fun.

**Photos by Alex Freeman

Undulation Nouveau at Pinhook

2010-06-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

We had the event at Pinhook again. It was a bit quieter than last time, but still a blast. The Lost Nomads were there playing their wonderful music and there were alot of great performances.

Fayetteville Meetups 1st International Music and Dance Festival

2010-06-26T22:40:00.000-07:00

I took a field trip to Fayetteville this weekend for their first ever International Music and Dance Festival. It featured different styles of Bellydancing, Hula, Hip Hop, and great music. There was so much vending I was amazed at all the costuming goodies for sale. What a treat! It was well worth the trip to hang out with all my friends down there. I miss them!

XIOS

2010-06-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

I danced at XIOS on Friday night.. What a great way to start celebrating my birthday weekend!

Millstock Art and Music Faire

2010-06-06T22:29:00.000-07:00

I was invited to perform along with Twilight Tribal and Kitty in Downtown Clayton at this Art and Music Faire. It was a super hot summer day but we shimmied in the sunshine and had a blast.

May showcase at Taverna Nikos

2010-05-10T19:22:00.000-07:00

Apex Peakfest 2010

2010-05-01T21:58:00.000-07:00

Dancing for the third year at the Apex Peakfest! Wings of Isis to 'Pharonic Odyssey' and danced lived to the 'Lost Nomads'.

Albannach ROCKS the NC Renn Faire

2010-04-26T10:52:00.000-07:00

Albannach made a surprise appearance on Sunday, the last day of the NC Renn Faire. They are so AWESOME!

Colorful Waves Bellydancers and Albannach!!!

NCRF

2010-04-17T19:50:00.000-07:00

First weekend of the NC Renn Faire is here!

2010-04-12T16:30:00.000-07:00

The North Carolina Renaissance Faire has officially started this past weekend. The weather was sunny and gorgeous! Colorful Waves Bellydance performs on the Dancing Dragon Stage at 11 am, 2 pm, and 5 pm each day of the Faire.

NC Renn Faire

At The North Carolina Renaissance Faire, you can step back 400 years into time and history! This full scale, interactive theater experience is like no other. The Faire offers you a chance to visit the days of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I!

At this 16th Century Faire, you'll find over 110 artisans hawking their wares, you'll enjoy musicians, jugglers, and the ribaldry of actors in many distinct staging areas. You'll see brave and bold knights competing for the favor of the Her Majesty's Court (and for their lady's affection) during any one of three full-contact jousts held in the Queen's Tiltyard

April Showcase at Taverna Nikos

2010-04-10T16:23:00.000-07:00

For this month's showcase I performed live with the Lost Nomads. I LOVE THEM...what more can I say! This was a total improv. I didn't even know what songs they were going to play. It was such a blast! All the dancers were great and I absolutely love the atmosphere at this place with the live music. The food is wonderful too.

Taverna Nikos

Shimmying at the Pinhook

2010-03-30T23:30:00.000-07:00

Experimental Orientale at the Pinhook was a huge success this month. There were performances by many local students and professional dancers as well as music by the Lost Nomads.

Mirage of the Oasis

2010-03-20T20:26:00.000-07:00

Mirage of the Oasis Gala Showcase featured Bellydance Superstar Bozenka. A fabulous weekend full of workshops and a wonderful gala showcase.

**Photos by Megan Freeman

Dancing at Taverna Nikos

2010-02-20T20:10:00.000-08:00

I had so much fun tonight dancing at Taverna Nikos in Durham. There was a big birthday party celebration and everyone was so much fun.

Pink Snow Goddess

2010-02-13T20:02:00.000-08:00

February 13, 2010

Winter Solstice 2010

2010-02-12T12:38:00.000-08:00

A Night of Middle Eastern Enchantment

2010-02-12T12:32:00.000-08:00

February 5, 2010
Amara performed a live improv with her husband Andrew on Oud.

Private party at Sitti

2010-01-27T12:01:00.000-08:00

I danced last night at a wonderful Lebanese Restaurant in downtown Raleigh called Sitti. The food and ambiance is incredible. I danced for Duke Delta Sigma Phi. Lots of fun!

Blue Moon's Winter Hafla - January 23, 2010

2010-01-25T11:54:00.000-08:00

This was my first time actually 'performing' with the Lost Nomads. My husband debuted his Oud and I performed improv to a wonderful song called 'Garoon'.

The Lost Nomads are a local Middle Eastern band. Members include: Andy Ruckert, Andrew Shakinovsky, Brian Beaman, Ken Ashley, and John Price. Guest musician was Ruha on Violin.

**Photos by Mara Cohen

Journey around the World of Bellydance

2010-01-15T11:51:00.000-08:00

I was invited to perform at this bellydance showcase in Fayetteville showcasing various styles of bellydance.

Holiday Student Hafla

2009-12-19T14:27:00.000-08:00

Dancing with Moorish Gypsy Tribe at Haala's Holiday Hafla

Evening Oasis Holiday Hafla

2009-12-19T14:26:00.001-08:00

Sean Costello Fundraiser

2009-12-19T14:18:00.000-08:00

Dancing at the Sean Costello Fundraiser for Bipolar research.

Video Clip

Dancing with Moorish Gypsy Tribe

International Day at St. Augustines College

2009-11-28T19:55:00.000-08:00

I was invited by another local dancer, Asyia, to perform with her at this event. The Seby Jones Performing Art Center has a beautiful stage.

Haflaween '09 'Sweet Dreams'

2009-11-02T11:16:00.000-08:00

Haflaween '09

2009-10-25T19:37:00.001-07:00

This was a blast! It was my favorite one yet! I think the Halloween shows are my favorite ones of the year. The bigger venue let many more people attend and the atmosphere was so energetic! Their was live music by the Lost Nomads, tons of food and drinks, and beautiful costuming for sale.

I made the skirt, bra top, and headpiece.

A wonderful dancer, Hayat al Hakim, came up from Fayetteville to do my makeup for this performance. She did a wonderful job!!

'Cairo Calling'

2009-10-11T09:55:00.000-07:00

Mohamed Shahin, a well know Egyptian Bellydance dancer, came to Durham this weekend! He taught a weekend of workshops including Arab-Andalusian style and Saidi. Saturday night was a wonderful performance featuring many local professional bellydancers with the guest star Mohamed. His performance was incredible. I was invited to perform in the show and here are a couple photos.

photos by Andrew Shakinovsky

Photos from New Image Studio

2009-10-07T07:24:00.000-07:00

Photos taken by Tom Edwards from New Image Studio.
Raleigh Drum Circle Bash 2009

In the news...

2009-10-04T18:29:00.000-07:00

My photo was in the News & Observer today in the article about the Raleigh Drum Circle.

Photos by Takaaki Iwabo
Photographer from the News & Observer

Raleigh Drum Circle 7th Annual Birthday Bash

2009-09-22T19:03:00.000-07:00

Live Middle Eastern Music and Dance.

Poolside Birthday Bellydance

2009-09-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

Last month I danced at an 80th birthday party for a wonderful man named Steve! It was hot and humid but it was still a blast!

Happy Birthday to Steve!!

Party by the Lake!

2009-09-19T19:14:00.000-07:00

Raleigh Drum Circles
7th Annual Birthday Bash
Monday, September 21, 2009
Potluck @ 6 pm
Performances @ 7 pm
Drum Circle @ 8:30 pm

-Belly Dance
-Mid East Drums
-Sufi Dance
-Native American Drums
-Storytelling
-Rhythmicity
and more!!

$5 Admission or $10 per family
Includes a ticket for the Door Prize Drawing
Lake Johnson Park
4601 Avent Ferry Road, Raleigh, NC

Carolina Casbah

2009-08-30T12:15:00.000-07:00

Carolina Casbah was a huge success! The show was so much fun and I am so glad I was a part of the team to help organize it. All the performers were great and the live music by the Lost Nomads was a great treat!

Photos by Megan Freeman

Shimmabulous Drum Solo

2009-08-29T15:12:00.000-07:00

2009-08-07T20:20:00.000-07:00

August 7, 2009

I am almost done with my coin goddess costume. I sewed in all the lining and hooks. I just have to add a couple more coins to the neckstrap..and do the coin draping. I am so proud of myself. I couldn't wait to take some photos, so here are some previews.

backside....

2009-08-02T19:31:00.001-07:00

August 2, 2009

I got so much done today.

-I finished sewing the coins to the other side strap
-repositioned some of the top coins
-finished adding coins on bra
sewed the lining

I have to add the coins to the neck straps and then the hooks. Then I can add the draping.

This is what the underside looked like. thousands of tiny strings from all the hours of painfully attaching each coin individually.

2009-08-01T18:49:00.000-07:00

August 1, 2009

Added the cording. Started adding coins to sides of bra. Attached pendents. Pendents were made with filgree pieces with mirrors glued underneath.

2009-07-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

July 20, 2009

almost done....

2009-07-13T14:38:00.000-07:00

July 13, 2009
I have made quite a bit of progress on my coin costume. I finally got the rest of the gold coins drilled so that I can finish this up...hopefully in time for the ACCMED show in August. I am procrastinating on making the big filigree pendents w/ mirrors....still trying to figure that out. I have all the chain..and danglies ready to go...I still have a couple to add to the bra cup...and to finish up the front of the belt. If I have enough coins I will add them to the sides of the bra and straps too.

Shaking at Crossroads

2009-06-29T20:29:00.000-07:00

Rhythmicity was performing at Crossroads again, so we went out to drum and dance! What fun!

Celebration of Rhythm Drum Solo

2009-06-29T20:12:00.000-07:00

Performing and original choreography at the 40 Days and 1001 Nights Gala Showcase

more fairies......

2009-06-20T21:38:00.000-07:00

Midsummer Fairy Festival
June 20, 2009
(c) Lee Capps Photography
myspace.com/photoguy2008

Midsummer Fairy Festival....

2009-06-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

I did a short performance and mini lesson today at the Midsummer Fairy Festival. It was sponsored by the Historial Society. It was fun! It was about 110 degrees outside...and the dance stage had no shade which was quite difficult. I did some Isis Wings and Veil, but had to quickly stop that because of the breeze that was blowing. I did have a couple fairies come and dance with me. I made flower fairy crowns for me and my daughter. I also made the flower belt. I also dug out a yarn belt I made years ago and never wore......I didn't have time to make fairy wings....actually I tried to..but it didn't work...so I gave up! HA!

more progress....

2009-06-14T17:08:00.000-07:00

June 14, 2009

So I went all over today looking for bead caps...and still couldn't find ones I like. I did go to Ornamentea and get a couple types of chain, more filagrees, ect. I am starting to assemble some little pearl danglies with a coin on it..I am going to make several different styles...The chain will also have some plain coins attached...as well as a pearl linked between the chain.

Some pics:

filigree with added pearls

pearl and coin danglies

chain and coins with pendent

ideas for bra

ideas for belt

filigree with added danglies

decisions decisions.....

2009-06-12T20:44:00.000-07:00

June 12, 2009

Final decisions are difficult for me...I can never make up my mind. I wasn't happy with some of the things I got from Fire Mountain so I am back to the original filagrees I bought at Ornamentea. I think I might do three pieces on the belt..then drape the chain with coins and pearls...
still deciding...LOL

Coin costume update....

2009-06-08T20:28:00.000-07:00

June 8, 2009

I ordered a bunch of stuff from Fire Mountain and am waiting patiently for it to arrive. (some pearls, filigree, pendents, beads, ect. I started sewing the coins onto the bra and also made 2 coin bracelets.

Bellydance RAQS!!!

2009-06-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

Colorful Waves hosted our second annual Bellydance RAQS (ROCKS!) A rock-n- roll themed hafla and dance party. It was so much fun!

Video Clips:
You shook me all night long
Going Under

Amara, Shahzaadee, Hiya-Sahra, Kasha

Colorful Waves

Amara, Kasha, Mara

Shahzaadee, Amara, Hiya-Sahra in "You shook me all night long"

Beauty Portraits.....

2009-06-03T20:14:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful photo shoot with Audra doing her beauty lighting and glamor photos. Azhia (Christine Millan) who is a bellydancer and makeup artist was in town doing makeup and hair for the shoots. She was AWESOME! I had so much fun! I highly recommend both...they work so well together and produced such gorgeous images.

progress.....

2009-06-02T19:46:00.000-07:00

June 2, 2009

has been made on my coin costume...I see it in my head coming together....bought some filigrees at the bead store today...ordering some pearls tomorrow...and more coins have been drilled!

I had bought a pearl necklace at Target and a shell one at World market but decided they didn't work, so they will be returned.

I am going to do a drape and hang coins and pearl danglies on that as well as add some pearls to the filigrees and in the chain links.

Pink Gypsy

2009-05-16T18:51:00.000-07:00

My friend Mara got me a beautiful Gypsy style costume that she got at Spirit of the Tribes last weekend. She came home with about 11 different costumes so it took a while to narrow it down to only 1. I absolutely love it and can't wait to dance in it!

Apex Peak Fest

2009-05-04T13:43:00.000-07:00

I was invited to dance again at the Apex Peak Festival. The weather was nice, a bit windy, but our performance was inside so that didn't matter. Shahzaadee, Hiya-Sahra, and Kitty also danced with me. We got to dance on stage in the new Halle Cultural Arts Center in Apex. Afterwards we walked the streets and danced on the corner while listening to "Children of the Horn" ..they ROCKED!

Peak Fest Video

Warrior Goddess...

2009-04-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

This year at the NC Renaissance Faire I bought a chainmail bra and belt from Pendragon Chainmail. I took apart a tribal kuchi belt I had and had him add some coins and pendents. I bought some bells and attached those and will be adding some more coins. It is great..and really noisy! LOL!

Jewels and Silk....

2009-04-25T19:23:00.000-07:00

A'Kai Silk Veils and jewelry from the NC Rennaissance Faire.

my newest beauty...

2009-04-22T16:09:00.000-07:00

This is a beautiful red and black Bella that I got from a trade with another dancer. It came all the way from New Zealand. I love it because the belt is separate and it looks great with a black chiffon skirt too.

coin costume update

2009-04-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

April 22, 2009

So I have been working hard on my coin costume and made alot of progress. I covered the whole bra and added the halter straps. I just made the belt base the other day. I used some patterns I got from my friend and altered them quite a bit. I decided to keep the belt small because I didn't want to deal with adding darts. I covered the outside w/ fabric today. Once I add the coins, then I can add the backing and sew the hooks. The hard part now is deciding how I want to add the coins....I also made just a coin belt with orings but need to get some type of hook. This is for another coin costume project.

Renn Faire 2009

2009-04-09T15:57:00.001-07:00

Professional photos by Craig Carpenter of Luster Studios.

Colorful Waves at Renn Faire
Video Clip

NC Renn Faire 2009

2009-03-30T14:22:00.001-07:00

We performed this past weekend at the NC Renn Faire in Wake Forst. Showtime: 11 am, 2 pm, and 5 pm at the Dancing Dragon Stage. Next weekend is the last one...come by and visit us! Live Middle Eastern Drumming at the 2pm show.

**Photos by Pamela Stocker

Perfect Purple....

2009-03-22T20:09:00.000-07:00

Here is my newest baby I purchased from a dancer in CA. It is absolutely fabulous and has become my new favorite!! I love purple!

A work in progress....

2009-03-21T19:05:00.000-07:00

March 21, 2009

So last year I decided to make a coin bra/belt set...I set out on a mission to collect coins and it took forever....I had friends send me some they collected..I even got some from as far away as Japan! I ended up having to buy a "lot of coins" on ebay. I bought some fabric back in August and finally in the past couple of weeks got the momentum to start. I am going to chart my progress. I started with a regular bra...cut off the straps and sides. Reinforced it ALOT with buckram. I halfway separated the cups tilted them inward and reinforced the space between the cups. I made new sides with buckram (and yes those are jeans) I thought that was about the strongest material I had for the base. I attached it to the inside of the cups and start covering it with the fabric. I have gotten alot done in the last three days...I am on a mission now! LOL

Snow Goddess

2009-03-02T19:09:00.000-08:00

We had some snow today and I decided to finally do some bellydance photos with the beautiful Winter Wonderland as a backdrop.

Snow Goddess Gallery

Red and Silver Bella

2009-02-15T09:48:00.000-08:00

My newest costume is a beautiful Red and Silver Bella. I have been good and only bought one costume so far this year.I couldn't resist it!

Sassy self

2009-02-07T19:56:00.000-08:00

Did some self portraits last night...was looking for a unique look and wanted to photograph some costumes I haven't done yet.

a few more...

2009-01-26T21:36:00.000-08:00

Modeling some more Fairy Cove veils.

Veils

2009-01-20T19:00:00.000-08:00

Modeling some Veils for Fairy Cove

Winter Solstice

2009-01-19T06:59:00.000-08:00

Andy and I went to the Winter Solstice hafla this past weekend. This was a lounge setting. The Lost Nomads played live music during intermission and after the show. Thanks to Mara for all her hard work organizing this show and thanks to Kaitlyn for coming out to teach a great workshop!

Photos by Megan Freeman

Photos by Mara

Blue Moon's "Props" hafla

2008-11-29T06:34:00.000-08:00

I was invited to dance with Mara and Nadia of the Moorish Gypsy Tribe for this performance. We did a beautiful Isis Wings performance that was choreographed by Mara. I had so much fun dancing with them.

After the performance we stayed and danced the night away.

Mara, Kasha, Amara
Nov 2008

New turquoise costume

2008-11-21T19:54:00.000-08:00

I took a couple pics of my new costume today. I got this one in Asheville at the Ava Fleming workshop. It is gorgeous! A beautiful blue w/ Turquoise beads, rhinestones and crystals. These were all done with the self timer. LOL

Lake Lynn hafla

2008-11-18T07:03:00.000-08:00

Kasha had a hafla this past weekend and I did my Isis Wings Performance again. I had a different costume but I did the same choreography. Andy recorded it, but with the bright stage lights it came out a bit yellow. The hafla was fun! There were student performances, sword, Tribal, Tribal Fusion, Gypsy style, and hooping. The musicians were great as always. We are so lucky that all our husbands are so into this as much as we are.

"Highland Storm" youtube clip

**Photo of Khalida, Ahzs, and Amara

**photo by Megan Freeman

HAFLAween 2008

2008-10-26T19:53:00.000-07:00

I danced at Haflaween again this year. It was sponsored by Blue Moon Bellydance and The Lost Nomads. The musicians were wonderful and I want to give them a special thanks: Brian B., Andy R., Ken A., John P. and my hubby Andrew. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't have been able to keep on dancing! The food was yummy and the decorations were great! I performed with my Isis Wings for the first time.

Here are a couple pics taken by Audra Evans. She is a wonderful photographer, dancer, and friend!!

Surprise Birthday Performance-9/22/08

2008-09-30T10:06:00.001-07:00

Last week I did a surprise birthday performance at Cary Cardiology for Dr. Shah. When I arrived they stashed me in one of the examining rooms and covered me with a blanket until he could come in. A couple of nurses and another dr came in to make it look like a consultation. It was so funny. Boy was he surprised! Then we all went out into the lobby/waiting room and I did my performance. What a nice group of doctors, nurses, and staff.

Here are some pics taken by Gary Harris