County Fair 2010

A beautiful day to perform at the County Fair, not to hot with a nice breeze from time to time.

Fifteen of us arrive at the State Fair Grounds to spend an hour together having fun and performing for friends, family and fair goers setting a spell to enjoy our dancing.

Below are a few photos from the days adventure before my camera died.

Group shot before our performance - Carol, Kathy, Pamela, Stacey, Paula, Kelley, Elizabeth, Kay, Roxy, Jadeh, Melissa, myself, Debbie, Dena and Lisa

Carol during the 6 minute routine

Jahed during the 6 minute routine

Pamela, Stacey, Lisa and Dena performing in the tribal fusion skirt dance

Myself in the Thai nail dance with my partner Melissa





Thank you everyone for a fun day....

Two Week Break From Classes

It's hard to believe we have been off for two weeks for Spring break from my belly dance classes!!!  Classes start tomorrow night March 30th.

During the break I performed at India's Grill in Mesa.  Clara thanks for bringing your sister and coming to see me dance.  It's a great little restaurant and the food was really good.

On March 25th eight of us from the intermediate tribal class performed the skirt dance for Jackie's Spanish class at MCC.  That was fun I'm not to sure what her classmates and instructor thought :0)

Of course I forgot my camera and have no photos of either event!  I need to just keep my camera in my purse at all times!!!

On Saturday March 27th I held two workshops at my home studio.  I taught one and Carrie Konyha from Sedona came down and taught the other workshop.  Everyone loved Carrie's workshop she is a fantastic performer and fabulous instructor.  It was a great day enjoying our wonderful Spring weather and dancing.  Thank you to all who that attended the workshops I know I had a great time.

After the day was all done and I was saying goodbye to Kelley it hit me I forgot to take pictures of the workshops!  I had no excuse the camera was right there in the house!!!  I guess I need to wear the thing around my neck :0)

April is going to be a very busy month.  Classes starting, my 1st Saturday workshops, performing on April 10th at the Phoenix's First Ladies show, teaching a workshop on April 17th and performing at the County Fair on April 18th and vending, performing and teaching a workshop on April 24th in Cottonwood with Anaya Tribal and Carrie.  This month is going to fly by and my goal is to have the camera with so I have photos :-)

Last Class Recital, March 9, 2010

What a great performance on March 9th!!!  I'm so proud of my students they work really hard on all their dances and what a show they put on Tuesday night.  Thanks to everyone that helped set up the room with chairs and putting everything back when we finished.  The audience was fantastic moving to the dance room to watch the intermediate tribal class perform the skirt dance since the drama room was too small for flying skirts :0)

Below are some photos from the evening performance.  Thanks Gail for taking such great photos during the show.

Group shot before our performance

Beginning Thursday night tribal performing to the song "I Like To Move It"

Beginning Wednesday night tribal class performing a basket dance

Beginning Wednesday night cabaret class performing a fusion dance

Beginning Tuesday night cabaret class performing a 1980's dance called "Bellyrobics"

Intermediate Tuesday night cabaret class performing an Oriental dance

Intermediate Wednesday night tribal class performing a skirt dance

More skirt dance

Jade performing a solo

Roxy performing a sword solo

Michele and Kay enjoying the show

Next recital will be in May...

Catching Up January - February 2010

It's been a long time since my last post and so many events have taken place.

My dance classes at the Mesa Art Center (MAC) on January 19th and I'm now teaching 3 nights a week Tues., Wed. and now Thursday evening with a new beginning tribal class.

On January 23rd I held my 15th Annual Belly Dance Swap meet and even this week and one of the worst storms in AZ it didn't dampen our spirits. Attendance was really down due to the unusual weather since dancers from out of the Valley of the Sun couldn't make it due to so many road closures. We will do it again on January 15, 2011!!!

Helena's workshop at the 15th Annual Swap Meet

On February 6th I danced at TC's Belly Dance Gathering at Plaza de Anaya as a solist and with some of my students. It was a fun show with lots and lots of dancing and chatting with friends.

Kelley, Kyla, myself, Dena and Debbie at TC's show

I vended with Kyla and Gail at the Estrella War Games in Florence, AZ Feb. 9th - 14th. This was my first time vending at War and doing henna for a day. I saw so many people I hadn't seen in so long; next year I'm not driving back to town we'll stay and camp.

Our vending tent at War

Kyla, Gail and I at War

John and Ratso

Last Saturday I taught a veil workshop in Safford, AZ and what a blast!!!! The women in Safford made me feel so welcome, like one of the group. A huge Thank You to Rajani for inviting me to teach; now Rajani know how to throw a party! My hubby and dog Ratso came along for the ride and although I can't speak for Ratso my hubby had a great time!!

I am going to do my best to make sure I bring my camera with to all events in the future. There are several events in March and OMG April is filled with workshops and shows every weekend along with a road trip to Cottonwood. I can't wait to see everyone in Northern AZ.

Till next time...enjoy

Upcoming Events

Hope everyone had a great holiday; mine was fantastic!

During the break from my Mesa Art Center classes I will be teaching a bellyrobics class on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.  If you would like to join in on the workout send me an email to register, yasmina@joyofbellydancing.com.  Classes will be $5 each and will start Dec. 29th & 30th and continue the 1st two weeks in January 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th.

I am starting something new the first Saturday of the month mini workshop.  I'm adding a second workshop that day from noon until 1:00 p.m.  The entire 2010 schedule is posted on my website; check it out when you have a chance.

My Mesa Art Center classes will be starting January 19th, 20th and 21st.  Below is all the info on these classes.

Tuesday

beginning belly dance (American Cabaret Style)

CAW10DNC003-01 T Jan 19-Mar 9 7-8pm $47 R $55 NR

intermediate belly dance (Oriental Style)

CAW10DNC004-01 T Jan 19-Mar 9 8-9pm $47 R $55 NR

Wednesday

beginning dance (American Fusion Style)

CAW10DNC003-02 W Jan 20-Mar 10 6-7pm $47 R $55 NR

beginning tribal style (Basket Dance)

CAW10DNC001-01 W Jan 20-Mar 10 7-8pm $47 R $55 NR

intermediate tribal style (Skirt Dance)

CAW10DNC002-01 W Jan 20-Mar 10 8-9pm $47 R $55 NR

Thursday

beginning tribal style (Tribal Fusion, song Move It)

CAW10DNC003-02 W Jan 20-Mar 10 6-7pm $47 R $55 NR

register by calling the Mesa Art Center box office, (480)644-6500, or drop off your registration at the Art Studios at the Mesa Arts Center lobby.

late registration call (480)644-6500

brochures are at the Mesa Art Center or visit the Mesa Arts Center website, http://www.mesaartscenter.com/index.php/classes/dance.

My first big event will be January 23rd at the Women's Club of Mesa.  This will be my 15th Annual Belly Dance Swap Meet.  Below is more info:

Mark your calendars for Saturday January 23rd from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Enjoy a day of shopping, workshops, networking with other dancers and having fun.

The event will be held at the Women's Club of Mesa - 200 N. Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201 (cross streets - University & Center)

Vending space is $10.00 (setup will start at 7:00 a.m.)

Please bring your own table(s) or rugs, setup will be outside. If you would like shade bring a tent.

Four workshops this year!!!

9 - 10 Yasmina - New Dance Combinations

10:30 - 11:30 Sherry - Fusion Belly Dance

Noon - 1:00 Helena Vlahos - Arm and Hand Movements

1:30 - 2:30 Aradia Rose - Zumba

Workshops are $5 each.

To reserve your vending and/or workshop spots please contact Yasmina - 480/962-6303 – yasmina@joyofbellydancing.com.

Workshops are starting to fill up; email or give me a call to reserve your spot.

Enjoy your weekend and have a fun, safe and wonderful New Year...

Chandler Parade of Lights

Sorry this has taken so long; what can I say it's that time of year! :0)

What a fun night it was and a very chilly night for us in AZ. The first Saturday of December was a very busy day. I started the day with teaching a dance workshop in the morning and that night was the light parade in downtown Chandler.

We needed to be there by 5:00 p.m. to get set up and ready to be judged for our category Best Lit Musical or Dance Troupe. The "lit" part was for lights on the costumes not "lit" inside :0)


I had my own contest going for the class and Dena and Paola won best lit dancer (again it was the use of lights) and Kyla won best use of glow sticks.

A huge thanks to Kelley and Melissa for getting us drummers to provide the music for us as we danced down the parade route with our lit candy canes.

Below are photos of the event and I'm already planning next years route!

group shot with the early birds

Roxy

Michele

Melissa and I

Melissa

Jade

Melissa, me and Ginn lit up

Jackie in the parking lot

Elisabeth

Kelley

group shot

Everyone have a great holiday season and a very happy New Year...until next year take care.

Craft class on November 14th

Hi Everyone,
I know it has been awhile since my last blog it's my super busy schedule and living life to the fullest!

Below are the boxes we will be creating in class on Saturday. These boxes are great for small gifts and candy treats.

group shot of all the boxes


Small acetate box with stamped images; sorry they are really difficult to see

Box in a bag

Mini bags using the Sizzix Top Note die cut

Small box using the Sizzix Top Note die cut

Triangle box

Mini pizza box with a turkey made with a stamp set by Stampin' Up called Fall Whimsy. The turkey is made with leaves, pumpkin and an acorn

Enjoy your week and see you in class....