December Events

December was a very busy month with workshops, the Light Parade in downtown Chandler, Desert Mirage at Grandma's Kitchen and classes ending.

I finally have time to post on all my blogs what has been happening since we are having a break between classes.

December 4th was a very busy day!  It was the first Saturday of the month which is my day to offer workshops in my home studio.  I am now teaching 3 workshops, 2 dance workshops and 1 drum and zill workshop.  The dance workshops that day were combinations moves and balance where we mainly concentrated on tray and sword props.

That night was the Parade of Lights in downtown Chandler which is always a lot of fun.  I posted photos from the Light Parade with a short video clip of us during the parade on my Belly News blog, check it out when you have a chance.

Here is a group shot of most of us before the parade.

Saturday December 11th I taught a card class in the morning and that night it was off to Grandma's Kitchen for Desert Mirage.  Not many people showed up that night so it was an early evening.  Sorry no photos from the nights show.  To see the projects from the card class check out my Crafty Belly Dancer blog.

I also opened an Etsy store this month with the same name as my blog, Crafty Belly Dancer.  I'm selling my belly dance themed art along with belly dance and craft supplies.  I'm still working on my Etsy store and listing new items.

Wednesday December 14th was our last class recital and what a fun class it was.  I really enjoyed this class recital I only messed up on one dance this time! :-)  We had several soloist and group number it was a great last class!  Due to our puppies being neutered the day before the hubby wasn't there to take video of all the class performances he was home puppy sitting. 

Below is a group shot before the recital started.

Thank you students for a great 2010.  Classes start on January 11th, 12th and 13th.  I'm offering a new class next session, Drum and Zill class on Thursday nights from 8 - 9.  Check out my website for a list of all my classes at the Mesa Art Center.

Enjoy your holidays and see you next year...

Grandma's Kitchen November 2010

What a fun night is was with 2 gigs!!!  We started the night performing at the Community Spirit show at the Mesa Amphitheater to raise money for the Hawthorne Elementary School.  This show was a talent show put on by the City of Mesa.  The intermediate tribal class performed 3 numbers and we watched the rest of the show before heading off to Grandma's Kitchen to dance some more.

Below are photos from the Grandma's Kitchen her new location on the south west corner of Country Club and Main in downtown Mesa. 

Stacey, Rachel, Kelley, Melissa and the back of Lisa's head

Kay (left) and Stacey (front) performing Staar Kids

Candid shot of Lisa getting ready

Debbie performing a solo

Kay, Stacey and Lisa performing

I posted photos for the talent show on my Yasmina's Belly News blog, check it out when you have a chance.

Until next event take care...

Desert Mirage at Grandma's Kitchen

What a fun time at Grandma's Kitchen in downtown Mesa!!! Congrats to Debbie and Paula for putting on a great event!

This was the first time for this monthly event and it was great dancing with all my students and watching them perform.

Next month Grandma's Kitchen will be moving I'll post the new location and such before Nov. 13th.

Enjoy the photos from the evening.

before the dancing started, from left to right: Elizabeth, Kay, Pamela, Stacey and Lisa

Kelley and Rachel

Laurette and LA

Lindsey

FCBD routine with Kelley, Elizabeth and me

Kay with fan veils

Lindsey

My solo

Stacey

Paula

Debbie

open dancing

Sorry the rest of the photos didn't turn out I think I need a new camera!!!

Until next month enjoy...

Belly Raqs! a Flagstaff Middle Eastern Dance Collective Show

What a fun day yesterday going to Flagstaff to be a part of Belly Raqs!  Thanks to the Gypsy Chicks for inviting me to be one of the performers in their show I had a blast.

A huge thanks to Kelley and Kyla for making the drive with me you both Rock!!!!!

We started out around 1:00 from Kelley's house and hit a Circle K for goodies for our trip.  We made awesome time and found the Coconino Center for the Arts with no problem; okay one U-turn but that was it :0)

We made it to the Center by 3:30 and chatted with the Gypsy Chicks and went to grab something to eat before rehearsal at 4:30.

The weather in Flag was soooooooooooooooo niceeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!  We left 105 degree temps in the Valley to nice cool 80 degree weather in the pines in Flagstaff; we even hit a little rain on the way up the mountain!

We had rehearsal for the opening and closing numbers and a few of us ran through our numbers and it was time to get ready for the show.  We all started to get ready inside the Center and when the doors opened we moved outside to a tent to finish getting ready.  This was really challenging since there was no lights outside and we had two mini lanterns inside the tent.  I think I did pretty well putting on my eyelashes and make up by lantern light :0)

The show started a little after 7:00 and finished up around 8:00.  Being in two numbers I wasn't able to watch the show but Kyla and Kelley filled me in on the way to Cold Stone Creamy for well deserved ice cream after the show.

We made it back to the Valley in record time even going through some nice rain, winds and the most beautiful lightening show for the drive home.

Below are photos from the day.  My camera is a little slow and takes awhile to focus so most of the photos are blurred.  Kyla took photos with her camera which is a lot better than mine; I can't wait to see them.  Thanks Kelley for taking photos with my dinosaur of a camera during the show.

Group shot from the Circle K Parking lot - Flagstaff here we come!!!!!

Opening number rehearsal before the show

Topaz with the Do-Op Girls

Querida

Tribal Collective

Troupe Shuvani

Me

Part of Gypsy Chicks

Janet & Meredith

Lightning Laura

Mikaela

This month is a very busy month dance wise with lots of performances through the end of the year.  Check out my Belly News Blog for more happenings with my students from the Mesa Art Center.  We have the State Fair, MECDA Festival, City of Mesa Talent show and the Chandler Parade of Lights to name a few events coming up.

Thanks again to the Gypsy Chicks and to the dancers of Flagstaff for making me feel so welcome.

Wiggles of the West

I know it's been a very long time since my last post; sorry.

I just returned from Wiggles of the West in Las Vegas were I vended, taught and performed.  What a great time we had; thanks Janie and Chris you both Rock!

Congratulations are in order to Michele for winning the Hobbyist category and to Ekaja from Safford for winning the Rising Star category. Congratulations to Diosa's troupe Osirus for taking 3rd place in the Tribal Fusion Ensemble; it was a great year for AZ dancers!!!

Michele after winning Hobbyist

Ekaja before the competition began

Enjoy the photos from the trip.  Yes I remembered to take my camera and as you can see I wasn't in too many of the photos since I was taking them :-)

Gail and Ekaja at the Shimmy Bliss booth

The hubby helping set up

Gail and Kyla goofing around

Dojo Girls after competing

Gail as Barbie; great routine

Barbie turned into Tribal Barbie midway through her routine

Kyla before competing

till next time....

Photo Shoot at the Mesa Art Center

 I finally had a photo shoot on Sunday May 30th at the Mesa Art Center (MAC) a place I've wanted photos done for the past year. I've needed updated photos for so long and my friend David was so kind to take the photos.

Kyla came over in the morning and did my hair; a huge thanks to Kyla she worked wonders with my hair. Kyla creates the most beautiful hair accessories and jewelry; she made everything that she put in my hair. Check out her website site to see her beautiful work.

John took our scooter up to the MAC since I was running behind schedule to let David know I was on my way. Kyla and I showed up and the fun began. David took over 300 pictures all over the campus. The MAC is a great place to have photos done there are so many little venues all different that are great backgrounds.

Thanks David for some magnificent photos!!! I had such a difficult time narrowing down the ones I really liked.

Below are photos from the day...enjoy.