What does a bellydancer's suitcase look like? Well, if she's on her way out of town to do a show, it's heavy on the costumes (two - they're wrapped up in the pillowcases), curlers, makeup bags, and light on just about everything else (including everyday clothes, which I discovered once I was already in Miami. I forgot my shirt for the Saturday night show, exercise bras, flip flops, my dance shoes, AND I also didn't bring enough socks. Yeah, I pack well. But I did have both my primary and my emergency back-up costumes with me!) I've reserved some extra space in the suitcase for the new costumes I will inevitably buy on any trip.
Photo credit - Mark Balahadia
Me so hot! Getting ready to do the Friday night show. My costume choice is slung over the chair behind me.
Photo credit - Denise Marino
Making my big entrance.
Photo credit - Denise Marino
I'm trying to calm down at this point, but am still quite nervous!
Photo credit - Denise Marino
Wow, are my feet really that big?? Jesus.
Photo credit - Denise Marino
I love this shot.
Photo credit - Denise Marino
Big grin!!
Photo credit - Nora Asad of Little Egypt
Ah, that post-performance glow... or something.
Photo credit - Nora Asad of Little Egypt
Mark and I go for sexy, but achieve "deer in headlights" instead.
Photo credit - Nora Asad of Little Egypt
Photo credit - Nora Asad of Little Egypt
Catherine and Mark boogie down.
Photo credit - Denise Marino
After the show; this little girl danced with her aunt in the opening act of the night - so cute!
Photo credit - Catherine Barros
Mark and I goof off after the Saturday workshop ends. In what will be a recurring theme of the weekend, we cannot seem to mutually decide whether to take a goofy shot or a nice one. In this one, I am goofy, and Mark pulls the sexy face. (I know, I know - I look way different without my stage makeup on!)
Incidentally, if my eyes look weird in any of these pics, it's because I suck at photoshopping red-eye out.
Photo credit - Catherine Barros
Aren't I flexible??? Mark -- not so much.
Photo credit - Mark Balahadia
This picture cracks me up because if you look closely, you will see my omnipresent chapstick in my hand. I LIVE for chapstick.
Photo credit - Mark Balahadia
Mark and Catherine Barros. Aren't they cute?
Photo credit - Mark Balahadia
Mark catching Dina on a smoke break.
Photo credit - Catherine Barros
Getting a little shopping time in before I head upstairs to get ready for Dina's Saturday night show. Although I did not buy any of these lovely, sequined canes, I did buy three Pharonics costumes, two videos and a CD. And yes, I will post pictures of the new costumes, but no, I do not have any yet.
Photo credit - Mark Balahadia
Dee Dee (of Little Egypt), Celeste (of Turbo Shimmy fame) and the elegant Farida.
Photo credit - Catherine Barros
Me goofy (and a little bit tipsy), Mark not. Before Dina's show starts on Saturday night. Kaya is in the background. I am wearing this stupid sweater because I forgot my shirt (which I could have sworn I packed - see first entry above). So all night, I felt like a moron - especially when I was sitting next to Kaya and Sadie, who looked like goddesses, natch.
Photo credit - Catherine Barros
Now I'm serious, and Mark is goofy! Oh well.
Photo credit - Catherine Barros
The very cute tahtib dancer from Egypt, Mohammad Shahin.
Photo credit - Catherine Barros
And here's Mohammad doing tannoura!
Photo credit - Catherine Barros
DINA!!!!
Truly, this costume has everything - fringe, lacing, feathers, and a lace thong. She danced to Ya Nawaem and Cerit el Hob in this one.
Photo credit - Catherine Barros
I LOVED this costume - I thought it was absolutely gorgeous.
Photo credit - Catherine Barros
I thought this color was tremendously flattering on her, but wasn't so keen on the design.
Photo credit - Catherine Barros
The brass bra costume makes a reappearance! I saw this costume for the first time on my trip to Cairo in February; it looked every bit as painful in Miami as it did in Cairo.
Photo credit - Denise Marino
Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.
Ouch.
Photo credit - Mark Balahadia
Dina doing some social dancing after her show. You can't see them in this picture, but she danced while wearing 5" mule stilettos. Amazing.
Photo credit - Nora Asad of Little Egypt
Me, Nora (lookin good, girl!), Catherine, and Mark.
Photo credit - Catherine Barros
Mark, Dina and me after the show. Mark has no doubt just said something outrageous; hence the expressions on our faces! I am nice and sweaty from all the open dancing we did after Dina wrapped up her show, so now I feel dorky (thanks to the sweater) AND sticky. Veddy, veddy glam, oh yes.
Thank you to Denise Marino, Catherine Barros, Mark Balahadia, and Nora Asad for letting me post your pics!
