Thread: Raqs America - What's Going On?

OK. So we all know the Bellydance Superstars will descend upon our nation's capital on the weekend of June 20th for a kickass weekend of shows and performances. We all know Bozenka, Ansuya, Sonia, and other "greats" will be there. I know I'm dying to go, though I've already financed intensives with Suzanna Del Vecchio and Suhaila, and am planning a possible trip to Vegas for Aziza.

So where are all of the details? Why have dates, locations and registration details been established for Raqs L.A. and Raqs Britannia, but not for Raqs America? Is this all some cruel guerilla marketing scheme, wherein lack of information builds hype and "creates a buzz" on the internet? (Miles, buddy, if you're reading this, and I know you are, fill us in on your evil brilliant mastermind logic!)

Do any of you in the D.C. area have juicy details to pass along to me? Who else is going?

Inquiring minds would like to know.

Lisa

I chatted with Miles about the event at RakW, and he said that they were hoping to finalize things in about a week. I'll be there, since I'm teaching and performing, and here's the line-up of others participating (per Miles) but it may not be complete: "The out of town teachers committed are Bozenka, Ansuya, Sharon Kihara, Sonia, Petite Jamilla, Kami Liddle, Issam Houshan and locally Saphira & Rachel Brookmire."

There's also a smaller BDSS event in MD the month before, show on May 23rd and workshops with Kami Liddle and Petite Jamilla May 24th . Details at Sestraluna.

Latifa

Nice. Thanks for the scoop ..g.:

Does anyone know when the booking is going to open up for it? It's almost a month until the event!

Info is up - they must have heard you, Sitara!

http://www.raqsamerica.com/

Wow, and this time, you didn't even have to summon him by name ..g.:

I'm gonna try my hardest to see if I can make it this year.

That's the weekend before Aradia is in NYC, so I'll probably be running around like a chicken without a head that weekend. I don't think I should be leaving town... :-)

I may be there again this year, but Saturday only. I hope to see you there, Kiyaana!

Latifa, you're not doing Khaleegi this year? I was thinking about finally doing it this time.

BDF

I'll be there on Saturday too. It was so weird--I made that post, and shortly thereafter, registration was open! :)

dang - bad weekend from me. A dear family friend is coming back from Marine bootcamp that weekend and we are going to give him a good ole "family welcome" full of lots of love and hugs.

There is always next year - though - I said that last year too LOL

Originally Posted by Bellydancefanatic

I may be there again this year, but Saturday only. I hope to see you there, Kiyaana!

Latifa, you're not doing Khaleegi this year? I was thinking about finally doing it this time.

BDF

Hi, BDF. Catching up on Bhuz and just saw this.

Miles has scaled this whole event back and cut back a bit on the local teachers. There's not even a BDSS show this year.

How about a khaleegy private?

Originally Posted by bintbeled

Hi, BDF. Catching up on Bhuz and just saw this.

Miles has scaled this whole event back and cut back a bit on the local teachers. There's not even a BDSS show this year.

How about a khaleegy private?

PM'd you, Latifa.

And I've noticed! The first year was a bit more, and at least a show. You would think local teachers might be more affordable because they're local. Guess not. I injured my knee a few weeks ago (minor), so I can't handle 2 hour workshops right now, but we'll see.

BDF

I went last year and had a great time, but I can't afford it this year. I think the workshops were also a bit more enticing last year. It is too bad they have scaled back, maybe it will pick back up again next year. Does anyone know why they decided to scale back? Is it just due to the economy?

I've heard they've canceled most of the vendors, too.

The vending was minimal, and I wish that I'd been able to spend more time watching the open stage (I saw some lovely dancing while I was there). Nonetheless, the workshop that I took with Zoe Jakes was awesome! :D

I was in that workshop, too, Sitara!

I figured that there might be other Bhuz members in there! :D The next time I go to a big workshop like that, I feel like I should wear a button that says, "Hi, I'm a Bhuzzer."

LOL! You're right. At the beginning of each dance workshop, somebody should just yell out, "All Bhuzzers in the room, please raise your hand and introduce yourself - include your screenname, so we all know who you are!"

What were you wearing, BTW? Just so I know if I saw you.

I was wearing a black "Shimmilicious" shirt and a rainbow hip scarf thingy.

I definitely think that I saw you! (Beautiful hip scarf, by the way.) I had on black yoga pants and a black bodysuit with a mesh tummy. I was wearing my net hip scarf too.

Ah ha! I *did* see you because I remember the bodysuit!

The hip scarf was made for me by a dance friend when we were members of the same tribal troupe.