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News and Notes for MayWelcome to May's Costumer's Notes! April was a very exciting month! From wrapping up the publishing details of my new book to attending dance events in my area and visiting Las Vegas for a convention, the month quickly wooshed away. THEN, I received notice - I have to pack up and move my Bay Area residence! Our rental is being sold! So everything, as you might imagine, is in a bit of turmoil! Throughout April and the early part of May, I have begun to receive feedback on the newsletter. The comments are promising and I hope to help grow Costumer's Notes in a direction that is of most use to my readers. This May issue is driven primarily by the huge number of responses I've received and readers suggested many of the subjects. Since I live by the motto "Knowledge is Power!" I have had to rethink the organization of the newsletter. The Q/A portion seemed to be too small to adequately address some of the questions that I have been receiving. Instead, I have decided to craft the answer for one question a month into a more significant article. This month's article on the Glossary, is the first of these question-generated articles. Many folks have written about linking to my site. I will be happy to link to dance or costuming related sites that fit the mission of our newsletter. People who appear on the links page have not paid to be there, nor have I used the services of everyone listed. Rather, the links list is a resource to help you get started in your own quest for costuming knowledge. One of my favorite events of April was a fundraiser sponsored by We3 for Back Door, a women's shelter. The evening was held in a beautiful park and there were many wonderful dancers including several instructors such as Una and Shira, and troupes such as Romani and Troupe Wasila. For those out of the area, let me just comment that Una wore a smashing red costume that made her stand out from the green foliage behind her. Shira wore a blue ensemble with a deep blue/purple bedlah set and a lovely light blue skirt. I believe her costume was Turkish in origins. The over all predominant colors favored by dancers at this event was blue and turquoise, with red coming in a close second. Black was favored by troupes and as an accent color for many of the performers. I enjoyed seeing such a variety that spanned the areas of tribal, Egyptian, Turkish and folkloric stylings. My one regret, Izora, who was there and dressed, looking lovely in a beaded, curve hugging beladi dress had to dash off to work before her opportunity to perform! This month, Gilded Serpent, the on-line Middle Eastern dance newsletter began publishing a series of book reviews I've written entitled "On the Costumer's Bookshelf." Check it out! At the end of May, I will be heading up to Reno for the Two Old Bag's Spring Fling on the 19th and 20th. It promises to be loads of fun with workshops by Suzanna Del Veccio and Amaya. The following weekend, I will be in the Artist Alley of Bay Con and the following weekend I will be heading south to the L.A./Orange County area for Cairo Carnival. Needless to say, the next four weekends will be keeping me hopping! Please keep the notes, inquiries and link suggestions coming
in! Dawn "Davina" Devine Brown
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