A dear friend gave me a beautiful Akai Silk veil that measures about 4 yards. For someone who is 4’10, the veil length is a challenge. Three yard veils are no problem, but the extra yard is a bit different to work with. Often times, the ends of the veil are dragging unless I’m moving [...]

Part of my practice has been veil lately. I’m more of a swish, twirl, turn, and soon discard kinda person so I’ve working on trying new things. Practicing veil the new cat is an adventure; it’s basically she thinks the silk veil is a toy . She has been sent to many time outs for [...]

This past weekend Melina, a local dancer whose mother and sister both dance, opened her and husband’s  new circus/Middle Eastern dance studio in Waltham, a suburb of Boston. If you were looking to start dancing and live in the area, I’ve heard excellent things about Melina. I myself about considering lessons from her, since my [...]

I know prop work isn’t that end all, be all of Middle Eastern dance. However, tonight after watching several clips of veil, zills, etc., I realized I should be able to do some kind of choreography with veil, zills, or cane. I’ve studied each one pretty rigorous for at least a year. I know how [...]

Needing to fill my need of veil work, I picked up Fabulous Four Yard Veils with Shoshanna – Belly Dance. Shoshanna is of Arcata, CA; she is involved heavily with L.Rose Designs, since her mother is in charge of that. When I saw her last year for the Aida Nour show, she was very captivating. [...]

People on Bhuz began reminiscing over their first costumes. Here is my story, which I also posted over there: My first costume was handmade by me in Auckland, for a student show (my first one!) I did a ruched halter-style bra in this dusty rose pink metallic fabric. I used pearl beads as an accent [...]

Spring break is almost gone (one more day). I didn’t do anything glamorous, and I didn’t really break, but I feel sort of rested. Research: The addition of the new kid, M, is good. He is quiet but works well, is intelligent, etc. He has come in at a good time, because my advisor has [...]

Happy 2009! I hope everyone had an awesome New Year’s Eve. I mself had a very quiet one in, which was nice. Since I’m a goal-oriented person, here are my goals in physics and dance this year. I hope that they will guide me along. Do well in school. Enough said. Practice more and incorporate [...]

Although I admitted to not be a fan of DVDs for practice earlier, I am slowly changing my mind. After taking the veil class with Sonya, I found myself looking at Sonya’s notes and thinking “What on earth is that?” The veil move names aren’t always descriptive, I didn’t take notes (which I should have), [...]

I returned to Sonya’s studio last night after a 3 month stint away (school got in the way). It felt good to be back and around familiar faces. Sometimes, it was hard to remember to return to cabaret mode after doing tribal fusion fairly religiously for a while. I am taking half of her veil [...]