Recession Costuming

Here are some experiments I've been doing to with old costume pieces to make them look like new costumes. I am wearing the same bedlah in both pics. Above you see me using a long strip of red cloth wrapped around my shoulders like a shrug, then looped around my bra straps, over the cups, and under the center strap. So in essence, I've changed the look of the bra without any sewing. (I of course would use a color fabric that actually matches if I wore this on stage.)



Some of you may have heard of wearing harem pants as arm/sleeve pieces. Here I have on a pair of very billowy harem pants and matching skirt. The pants are worn like a shrug with my arms through the leg holes. Two different looks for the same bedlah and no sewing.

~N

Now playing: Type O Negative - October Rust
mood: Peter Steele

Miss Patricia Olive

I found this pic last fall on an arts & crafts blog. It has been sitting on my hard drive all this time. It has no date or description. I cannot find anything about "Miss Patricia Olive" online.

Why do you think this picture was taken and what for?

Now playing: the Cure
mood: clam chowder

Kawakib

A great video of Kawakib playing zills. I dare you to have a zill battle with her.

Now playing: Disintegration - the Cure
mood: Starbucks doubleshot Energy+coffee, guarana, ginseng, b vitamins was awesome, but has wiped my palate. It gave me lots of energy and zero attention span. Is like crack. For-serious.

Twitter

I don't know what I'm thinking. I hate reading people's twitter, but I can't help it...

http://twitter.com/naimadance

one of us...one of us...

OMG, Dying of Laughter...

As posted by What Were They Thinking? <-original post

Design by Klaire: Tribal Fusion <-direct link to pic

"Add rick-rack to make it professional"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

*sigh*

Now playing: 80's radio
mood: sashimi

Spring Wedding

Congrats to my friends Jason and Lucinda who were married last Saturday.


The husband person and I were both in the groom's party. I got an awesome black dress out of the deal! I also had an obsession with this GIANT mirror hanging at the reception hall. You can't tell it here but the mirror had to be taller than I am and twice as wide.


This post is brought to you by Purple Jesus. He was at the wedding too so I took his picture. He looks pretty strong.

~N

now watching: Snow White: A Tale of Terror
mood: apple pie

Memorial to Bert Balladine

Dec. 22, 1927 - Mar. 14, 2009

Gilded Serpent's Memorial page to Bert
Collected videos of Bert

(Thanks Alia and Greg for the update.)

I was also informed by Greg:

Hi Naima,
My name is Greg Winn, and I am the son of Shalimar Serene, Middle Eastern Dancer since 1974, and Editor and Publisher of The Caravan Magazine. My mother passed away Feb 21, 2009, and I found out this morning that Bert Balladine passed away March 14, 2009. Both will be dearly missed...

My thoughts are with you and your family as well, Greg.

~N

Meet Sadie

Ok, aside from this drum solo being super awesome, she doesn't bounce. Her head stays pretty level and she looks like she is just hanging out while her torso does the work. That my friends is skill. This clip also has a cool little interview at the end. Neato!

Now watching: A Beautiful Mind
mood: chicken soup and Sprite for 2 days of sore throat =(

Friday Blues

Now playing: Brick
mood: www.ilovepeanutbutter.com

Salimpour Classes Online

~ ONLINE CLASSES ~ with Jamila &Suhaila Salimpour

* Enjoy 24/7 access to Suhaila from the comfort of your own home via streaming video.

* For as low as $39.95 a month you can take SSSBD format classes anytime you want and as many times as you like.

* Available in month-to-month, 3-month, 6-month and one year subscriptions, now there are "No Excuses" not to take advantage of all that Suhaila has to offer.

* 5 CEC credits towards JSBD and SSBD certification available per year with yearly membership.

* Level 3 classes are available for those certified in the SSSBD format (special access code required) and specialty workshops will be available at all times.

* 26 classes to choose from monthly.

Suhaila Salimpour School of Belly Dance

425 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, California 94706

510-527-2400

www.SuhailaInternational.com

Thanks Sa'dia for the info


I'm still getting used to the new layout. I like it, but there are some things I wish I could change about it.

Now playing: Chronicles of Riddick
mood: soba noodles

Greek Night part 2

(oops, I previously published this before I was done blogging. It is now updated and complete)


OPA!

I got to see Jemina and friend (told you I would forget your name!), Autumn, Amber, Ananya, Lucinda, Maria, and 2 more BD ladies (I'm blanking on names again).

There were 2 birthdays, one of which I danced with the bday boy long enough for his friends to snap cell phone pics. The other gave me a shot of ouzo (yuk) but I took it in stride. BTW, it was after my set, I was in plain clothes, and politely left thereafter.











Here is how the coin wrap and remnant skirt turned out. It looks very Indian doesn't it? As for the top, I used a smaller coin wrap to cover an old bra, found some matching ribbon to cover the straps (covered, as in like tacked on with thread, no rocket science) and then took a strip of cloth left over from the remnant skirt and literally hung it around my shoulders like a shawl tucking the ends into the front bra straps. It isn't attached to anything. Just held on by the awesome power of my boobs.

The coin bra turned out nice enough I have no quawms about using my old green hip wrap to cover another bra.















I forgot my tray of candles at the DJ table after the show.

Next Greek Night is Saturday, May 30th.

Belly Dance Hafla

Belly Dance Party 7pm
Friday March 13th

Alive and Well Studio
2740 S. Glenstone Suite 105
Springfield, MO.

Alive and Well Studio is located in the Brentwood Shopping Center

Updates

In the process of updating blog template. It's like the same but different. Pretty spifty huh?
Still to come: GN part 2

Now playing: DigitalGunfire.com
mood:


Somewhere outside Gotanda Station, Tokyo, 2006

Equinoctás, a Spring Bellydance Showcase

For those in the Oklahoma City area, this weekend...

March 14, 2009
Equinoctás, a Spring Bellydance Showcase - click for info

(Thanks Ananya)

Greek Night part 1

Friday after work I had the unfortunate business of burying a dead cat we found in front of our garage. Not sure why it died either. I spent the rest of the day vegging on the couch instead of practicing or sewing.

Saturday was split in half, first I played Half Life 2, then did last minute costume sewing. GN went very well. The house was totally packed all the way out to every last chair on the patio. The poor wait staff had their hands full. I always feel bad for them because they really bust their butts all night, but we walk away with half their tip money. Here are the first batch of pics from GN.










That is Sa'dia's beau in this pic with her. I just realized he was multi-tasking in his left hand. HaHa)

I will have pics of the red coin wrap and remenant skirt in the second half.

Now playing: Steve Ewing - Pacific Standard Time
mood: Zebra cakes

Womanizer

OMG! Womanizer with a squeeze box and beer bottles...BRILLIANT!
And the lead singer's scruffy, creepy, dirty hippy thing he's got going on is kinda almost hot.

The Naima Exchange

(Non-profit classes with Naima)

So, I really miss going to workshops and shows as often as I used to (4-5/yr down to 1/yr), meeting new dancers, and seeing the gambit of BD performances, costumes, and culture. I always come away from those events inspired and buzzing with new ideas and excitement for the dance.

After thinking about it for a while now, I am interested in trading/teaching a class for the opportunity of meeting new people and traveling. Instead of your group spending a lot of additional money to take extra classes or workshops, I will come to you and teach a non-profit class (for free) similar to your weekly classes but for an extended time, and I will share as much as I can and all I've learned over the years, in exchange for your hospitality and bellydance camaraderie.

Here are the details I have decided upon.

What you get

• 
  
  2 hour minimum class (or longer if we choose) of technique, drills, theory, etc.
  
• 
  
  I will perform in costume for your group – but you have to dance for me too ;)
  
  
• 
  
  You may coordinate your class date with a student showcase or hafla and I will dance there, but remember this is non-profit, so no big show or event with ticket sales, etc. beyond that of a normal student showcase.
  
  
• 
  
  If a video of any kind is made, with me on it, I get a free copy to do what I want with it.
  
  
• 
  
  I expect you and your students/troupe mates to share, dance, tell stories, and have fun with me. We can have a “girls night,” hafla, or other fun shenanigans.
  
  
• 
  
  I will post my adventures with you on my blog with links to your web page or blog.
  

Cost

• 
  
  You pay the cost of my travel to you and back, whatever that may be (usually gas money) - plane, train, automobile, donkey, etc.
  
  
• 
  
  You put me up for the night(s) if necessary. Hotel, guest room, couch, whatever (I am ok with pets.) - 'cause I'm cool like that.
  
  
• 
  
  You feed me for the length of my stay. I like all food, homemade, $1 menu, or sit down restaurant – 'cause I'm also cool like that.
  

Class Requirements

• 
  
  Minimum number of students 3, maximum 15 (more can be negotiated but lets keep the class size small).
  
  
• 
  
  Students can be any level/style, but beginners should be familiar with basic moves and preferably have been taking classes for at least a few months.
  
  
• 
  
  Please no children under 12.
  
  
  

Other Notes

• 
  
  At this time, I can book weekends only (Sat-Sun). I can possibly squeeze in a Friday or Monday with enough advanced notice, but no guarantees
  
  
  
• 
  
  I may or may not bring a dance friend who will travel with me and participate in the class. This will be arranged separately and of no cost to you.
  
  
  

All of these bullet points are negotiable. Remember, the focus is non-profit and to have fun dancing. If you are interested contact me at with what, when, and where or other questions.

~N

Now listening: Shimmy Cast ep 69
mood: HOOO!

*updated 11/17/09

Does This Make My Butt Look Big?

I'm having some trouble with the fit of the hip wrap I got for Christmas.



~N

Now watching: Brazil
Mood: nachos with as much crap as you can put on them. nachos that make your stomach hurt just looking at them. mmmm, nachos

Smirneiko Minore

"Smirneiko Minore."

Αν μ' αγαπά κι είν' όνειρο
ποτέ να μην ξυπνήσω
Μες στη γλυκιά τη χαραυγή
Θε μου ας ξεψυχήσω

If I am loved by him (or her),
and it is a dream,
when wouldn't I awaken?
In the sweetness of the happy dawn,
oh my God, I may as well lose my soul.

Know Your Roots: Tonight's Free Performance

If you are online tonight, check out this new broadcast from the Kennedy Center of Bnet Houariyat, part of ARABESQUE: Arts of the Arab World at 6pm est/7pm cst.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Bnet Houariyat
Part of ARABESQUE: Arts of the Arab World

Hailing from the region of Marrakech, Morocco, the five women of Bnet Houariyat perform traditional Berber songs and dances that reflect the multiple facets of Islam and the female condition. Hauntingly beautiful, the harmonies, melodies, and rhythms in the songs transport you to another world. The themes explore the cultural traditions and the reality of these extraordinary women.

Click here at 6 PM Eastern time to view today's live broadcast. (This requires Real Player to view. Download it HERE for free).

Scroll down the page for more upcoming and past ARABESQUE: Arts of the Arab World broadcasts. The Al-Farah Choir performance is particularly cool. I've never seen/heard a whole Arabic choir before.

Thanks B. for the info!

~N

Now playing: Greek Greek Greek music!
mood: bell bottoms. like the pants...I don't know either... =)

Greek Night Mar 7th

This Saturday March 7th @ Galloway Station

4211 S. Lone Pine
Springfield MO 65804

open at 11am
417-881-9730

*We are now taking reservations* We will hold the table no longer than 15 min from the time requested, so come early!!! Please call 417-619-0293 for reservations ask for John.

Special Limited Menu (Available ALL DAY) consisting of

Authentic Homemade Greek Entrée's plus some of our popular regular menu items. Greek Mythos and Aris beers, Retsina wine, Ouzo liquer, + Metaxa brandy. Pastitsio, Moussaka, Spanakopita, Tour De Greece (mixed app), Saganaki, Gyros, Greek Pizza, and Chicken Souvlaki. Greek Desserts!!

Food and Drinks available all day, dj music starts at 6pm,
Belly Dancers first set begins around 9pm, and Dimitri will begin singing

so show up hungry and thirsty... and ready to dance...


See you there
~N

Now playing: VHS classics!
mood: scrambled eggs