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Tassel Belt Workshop: February 12

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

Create your custom tassel belt with us! Together, we'll make tassels, prepare the belt bases, and decorate our belts.

Here are the details:

When: Sunday, February 12th, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Where: Okanagan Mission Activity Centre, 4398 Hobson Rd (at Sarsons Beach). Map
Cost: $25/$20 Early Bird before February 2nd. Registrants who purchase a belt base and beaded guls will receive $5 off their purchase.

To register: please just send me a message to let me know you'd like to attend, or let me know in class. Registration is confirmed upon payment.

Supplies

A sewing machine, serger, and fabric for backing belt bases will be provided. Please bring:

Yarn. I recommend purchasing thick natural fibres (wool, cotton, not acrylic). Try visiting Art of Yarn (3003 Pandosy Street) and check their clearance bin. Bring at least 3 skeins, and choose any colour that jumps out at you - don't worry about matching!
Belt base. I have some belt bases for sale (pictured below, $25). You can also purchase these online, or buy a cushion cover from Worldly Accents (2999 Pandosy Street) that can be cut into a triangular belt base. (My tassel belt, pictured above, is made from a cushion cover!)
Embelishments. You may also wish to add beaded guls, kuchi pendants, short fringe, beads, shells or other decorations to your belt.
Sewing supplies: Though not required (as I will bring spares), you can also bring some dark thread, a sewing needle, and safety pins.

Belt Bases and Guls for Sale

These antique belt bases are decorated with beads and mirrors ($25). Beaded guls ($9 each or 2/$15) are also available for sewing onto the ends of the belt bases, which both decorates and extends the belts. (Click the images to enlarge.)

Inspiration!

Here are some links to images of a wide variety of tassel belts. Use these pictures as inspiration for planning your belt!

Filed under: Classes by Jennifer
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We Raised $2,831 - Run for the Cure

Sunday, October 2nd, 2011

Blackthorn Bellydance students once again donned pink pantaloons, hip scarves, and pink hair flowers to participate in the CIBC Run for the Cure. Our fundraising total for 2011 is $2,831, putting us in third place for fundraising amount in the Women's Team category in Kelowna this year.

With 11 members, we had 4 more members than last year's inaugural Kelowna Shimmies for a Cure team. We also surpassed the 2010 fundraising total of $1,521. The Kelowna Shimmies team runs in partnership with Harmony Bellydance's Shimmies for a Cure Team in Victoria, BC. Combined, the Kelowna and Victoria teams raised more than $11,000 in 2011.

It's an honour to take part in this event, and to put our positive energy towards a cause that touches so many of our lives. Next year, the BTBD Shimmies for a Cure team will aim to beat this year's record-setting total!

Check out more photos in our Shimmies for a Cure 2011 photo gallery and on Facebook.

Filed under: General by Jennifer
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Headwrap and Makeup Workshop

Friday, August 12th, 2011

Nizhoni is in town from San Francisco for a few weeks. She dances with Red Lotus, a Fat Chance studio troupe. She is offering to share her expertise in creating a headwrap and tribal makeup. Every tribal dancer should have these skills!

Here are the details:

Wednesday, August 17th, 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Cross Train Fitness studio (140 Rutland Road South)
Cost: $20 if paid next week in class; $25 if paid at the door

You will need to bring some supplies with you. Here is a list.

Headwrap

2m black broadcloth fabric (available at Fabricland)
Decorations, including any of the following:
- Scarves (thin, colourful)
- Jewelry (earrings, brooches, necklaces)
- Hat pins
- Safety pins
- Silk Flowers (on clips, bobby pins, or just bare stems)
- Coins, chain, or any other DIY bellydance costume supplies

Makeup

Red lipstick
Black eyeliner (liquid preferred; pencil is fine)
Eyeshadow, glitter
Foundation or powder
Blush
Mascara or false eyelashes

You can see a lovely example of Fat Chance wearing headwraps in this video. This look is now considered "traditional ATS" since more often now we make hair gardens; however, it is still considered a staple for ATS dancers.

If you are interested in signing up, please contact me to hold you a spot. BTBD students can pay in class next Tuesday, or pay at the door.

Filed under: Classes by Jennifer
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Bellydance Superstars in Kelowna, Sept 19

Monday, July 18th, 2011

International touring company the Bellydance Superstars and local Kelowna dancers (Linda of Banat al Raks, Jennifer of Blackthorn Bellydance, and Yonisha) have partnered to present a new show, Club Bellydance, in Kelowna on Monday, September 19th at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Tickets are available through Select Your Tickets for $24.

Bellydance Superstars dancers include Sabah, Moria, Colleen, Stefanya and Victoria.

Local Kelowna dancers include:

Banat Al Raks
Blackthorn Bellydance
Desert Moon Dancers
Domini
Jenny Puls
Mystic Dance
Yonisha
Drummers - Robert and Ibriam

Here's more information about the show from the Bellydance Superstars:

"This new show will give the BDSS dancers an opportunity to try out new ideas and choreography not possible in the full theatre show while at the same time enabling them to enjoy watching their fellow bellydancers perform across the continent. In each city, the local bellydance community will provide the first half of the show and the BDSS dancers the second half. Workshops will be set up wherever possible and of course the tour will carry the BDSS traveling store with a wide range of bellydance products at great prices. The tour runs from September through October. We look forward to spreading the word on this dance phenomenon across America and beyond!"

Here are a few ways to learn more about the event: Club Bellydance Facebook event - Buy tickets on Select Your Tickets - Bellydance Superstars Calendar

Filed under: Performance by Jennifer
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New! Blackthorn Bellydance Facebook Fan Page

Sunday, June 19th, 2011

Blackthorn Bellydance is moving from the old world of Facebook groups to the new world of Fan Pages.

Become a fan to stay updated on:

Blackthorn Bellydance classes and performances
Local workshops (Okanagan bellydance workshops, and BC/WA ATS workshops)
Costuming and jewelry sales
Dance discussions and video sharing

One of my favourite things about American Tribal Style bellydance is how it brings women together; so many new friendships form between women of all ages and backgrounds. I see the Blackthorn Bellydance Fan Page as one more way for us all to connect. Hope to see you join the discussions over there!