Thread: New Goodies at Rakkasah West?

Hi - I was wondering if there any new or interesting offerings being sold at Rakkasah this past weekend. I was in the Bay area but not able to shuffle over and check it out, half afraid to anyway for fear of how many $$$ I might spend! From the Bhuz threads I wondered if the room(s) may have been half-full of Sahars.

- Devora

There didn't seem to be as much vending this year, or maybe it just seemed that way b/c it's in a new place now -- 2 buildings, so it's spread out more. There was an assortment of shiny, beautiful costumes, but it was a mix of designers. Some Sahars, but not a ton. It's a drag that the dollar is down. Seems everything's getting more expensive.

I also didn't see mch new. Ithik sometimes after you have been to your 101st fest, it takes a lot to get excited about the costumes.

I did manage to get a nice galabaya from Lucy for $14. and a skirt and pair of wrap pants from Jedzabelles. And I will probably be ordering two silk professional skirts from LRose Designs. Costume dyed, of course!

{{{HUGS}}}

{{{HUGS}}}

Dahlal is carrying more Sahar's, Turquoise Int'l seemed to have more Eman...

I'm sad that Eye Scream jewelry wasn't there this year. I don't remember seeing Judeen either, or Doyne Allen. Or the nice tribal jewelry folks from Venice Beach. I think they were called Tribal Bazaar. Also, the people who were right across from them at the old location seemed missing.. they had all the Indian designs... and no Saroyan Cymbals either. I'm sure there are more that I can't remember right now.

FYI, for those considering coming next year, the facility itself was really cold. Both outside and in. Bring a jacket.

Also no Artemis, but we had heard about that beforehand.

I also thought it seemed like fewer vendors, but it's kind of hard to really tell with it split up into two part.

My $.02 -- I'm not crazy about the two-building setup.

You got there so late on Sunday, Shanna. [;)]

Originally Posted by shanna

I don't remember seeing Judeen either, or Doyne Allen.

Judeen was there. She was on the same row I was, other side towards the stage in the East bldg. I think that put her about right across the isle from Fatima al Wahid.

I can't remember the last time Doyne was at Rakkasah. hmmm

Originally Posted by shanna

Or the nice tribal jewelry folks from Venice Beach. I think they were called Tribal Bazaar.

Oh yes, Georgette and Tribal Bazaar were there. I can't picture what bldg she was in, but I know she was there. For some reason I'm thinking i saw her bags hanging in the West bldg, but I'm not sure. She was definitely there.

Originally Posted by shanna

Also, the people who were right across from them at the old location seemed missing.. they had all the Indian designs...

I'm trying to picture that vendor in my head, but the name is escaping me. I have the program and can look up if they were there, but dont remember their name. Anyone?

Originally Posted by shanna

and no Saroyan Cymbals either.

Pe-ko/Hollywood Music had Harry's whole display in the East bldg just as you walk in...and...

I had them sitting on my table while we were talking with a big red sign: We Carry Saroyan Finger Cymbals! [;)]

Georgette was in the main building. No idea if that was East or West. Same building as Jim. She was on the far left as you walked in the door.

And Jim, I need to get a set of your zills! Just too little time this weekend!

{{{HUGS}}}}

Indian designs? Ganesha Bazaar? (now belongs to Habib)

I miss the Bellas that the Belly Dance Shop used to carry, but there were a few Sahars to drool over. Having just been to Rak East in October, I recognized a lot of costumes that hadn't been sold. Gawd, I must be becoming a costume stalker...

Originally Posted by shanna

FYI, for those considering coming next year, the facility itself was really cold. Both outside and in. Bring a jacket.

Really, I wore tank tops both days and only put my sweater on when I went between buildings... and I'm a wuss about being cold!

My $.02 -- I'm not crazy about the two-building setup.

Yeah, I have to agree. I kept thinking, "Thank god it's not raining!!"

and no Saroyan Cymbals either.

How could you miss them--right when you walked into the East building! It always seemed there was a bunch of dancers standing around playing them!! ..g.:

Sorry, I have a lot of personal stuff going on.. I obviously was completely out to lunch this weekend.

Glad I was wrong about the missing vendors. :)

Sigh... I need an intervention so I'll stop buying khaleegy thobes! But the ones Bipin had were so gawgeous!!! Nice heavy embroidery, which is probably why my bag was overweight coming back. Had to put some heavy stuff in my carry-on. And the 20-year-old thobe I performed in Friday night -- my fave -- is really starting to drop sequins, so I got one that's about the same color (fuschia) and has gold and silver embroidery. (More rationalizations to follow...)

Hey, I thought California was supposed to be warm! I was freezing!! It"s nice to get back to MD for some decent weather! ..l;,

Originally Posted by shanna

I'm sad that Eye Scream jewelry wasn't there this year.

No Eyescream!?!

The only reason I was sad not attending this year, was missing Eyescream! My wife and I both have a very hard time staying away from Phyllis's creations....

Originally Posted by shanna

Sorry, I have a lot of personal stuff going on.. I obviously was completely out to lunch this weekend.

Glad I was wrong about the missing vendors. :)

It's easy to get distracted with so much bling around!!

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

And Jim, I need to get a set of your zills! Just too little time this weekend!

{{{HUGS}}}}

Hoo-Yah!
I can ship, OR - See you in the UK in August?
I forget - you told me your schedule. You were going to be there end of July? I'll be running all over, but perhaps we'll see. I get there I think Aug 1 and then I'm there for 2 1/2 weeks. Taking 4 days off in France to spend time with friends, but will be:

Aug 2 - London
Aug 3 - Suffolk
Aug 9/10 - Dublin, Ireland
Aug 11-15 - JWAAD Summer School (Hertfordshire I think - close to London...?)
Aug 16/17 - North Wales (Dont' know city yet - And Irene & Edwin were asking me and I'm all 'duuuhhhhh, they pick me up, I teach, I dance, I leave' LOL)

I should have a UK phone number soon. Plus when I get to Europe this time (have gigs in Norway, Belgium, France & UK this year, Germany and possibly UK and Eastern Europe next year), I will be reachable by both my regular phone and my 'new' UK phone number!

Hey Jim...
Great to meet you! I will be getting your zills too...remember I was the one who ran out of cash!! Hahha..I am a shopping fool!

Originally Posted by JimBoz

Hoo-Yah!
I can ship, OR - See you in the UK in August?
I forget - you told me your schedule. You were going to be there end of July? I'll be running all over, but perhaps we'll see. I get there I think Aug 1 and then I'm there for 2 1/2 weeks. Taking 4 days off in France to spend time with friends, but will be:

Aug 2 - London
Aug 3 - Suffolk
Aug 9/10 - Dublin, Ireland
Aug 11-15 - JWAAD Summer School (Hertfordshire I think - close to London...?)
Aug 16/17 - North Wales (Dont' know city yet - And Irene & Edwin were asking me and I'm all 'duuuhhhhh, they pick me up, I teach, I dance, I leave' LOL)

should have a UK phone number soon. Plus when I get to Europe this time (have gigs in Norway, Belgium, France & UK this year, Germany and possibly UK and Eastern Europe next year), I will be reachable by both my regular phone and my 'new' UK phone number!

are these the 'aunt rocky' inspired zills, or your own vintage?
i may be interested

Originally Posted by TanyaLV

Hey Jim...
Great to meet you! I will be getting your zills too...remember I was the one who ran out of cash!! Hahha..I am a shopping fool!

I remember, Tanya. Nice meeting you! I kept wondering who the gorgeous blond looking at my cymbals was! [;)]

Originally Posted by ruta21030

are these the 'aunt rocky' inspired zills, or your own vintage?
i may be interested

Nothin 'Aunt Rocky' about 'em. More like inspired by my music & physics background and facilitated by Harry Saroyan's incredible knowledge and experience in machining and metalurgy. Mix that with about 3 years of working with Harry to get that signature sound that I had in my head... along with all them screamin chickens!

..g.: ..g.: ..g.: Awwwwwwwwww keep talking...your doing good! haha!

Originally Posted by JimBoz

I remember, Tanya. Nice meeting you! I kept wondering who the gorgeous blond looking at my cymbals was! [;)]

Originally Posted by TanyaLV

Hey Jim...
Great to meet you! I will be getting your zills too...remember I was the one who ran out of cash!! Hahha..I am a shopping fool!

...... shocking.

Originally Posted by JimBoz

Nothin 'Aunt Rocky' about 'em. More like inspired by my music & physics background and facilitated by Harry Saroyan's incredible knowledge and experience in machining and metalurgy. Mix that with about 3 years of working with Harry to get that signature sound that I had in my head... along with all them screamin chickens!

ah, so you're own vintage..........tell me more ,i wasn't at rakassah, but it sounds like they have fans..............what size and type of tone?

Jim's zills ROCK!

Doyne Allan hasn't been to Rakkasah in years and neither has Harry Saroyan. I think Jim Boz is selling the Saroyan Zills and the ones he designed.

I bought some STUNNING Touareg jewelry. Two pairs of earrings, one with matching necklace. Very nice design and high silver content.