A Versatile Scarf

When was this purchased?  Don't remember.  Where was it purchased? No idea.  Was it a gift?  Perhaps.  Why do I still have it?  Because I love it.  I love the sheen, the texture, the ragged edges, the fact that it is plum (a color that goes with everything according to me).  Oh, and it is versatile, as the title suggests.  See below:

How I wore it to class tonight- opened and pinned to one side.

How I've worn it most days over the last couple + weeks- twisted and wrapped around the front and then crossed at the back of the neck.


My apologies for missing last week.  I'm obsessing on my upcoming workshops  at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts- Altered Books on May 5th and Art Journaling August 18th.  AND DS's Birthday is next week, so I'm sewing too.  You'll see it eventually.  You know how I am. ;)

Have a great week!

Horsin' Around

Couldn't resist the cheesy title.  :)

Before diving into the Vision Board full time, Artist Trading Cards were occupying my studio time quite a bit.  Creative play time is high on the docket now and listening to "what I felt like doing most" ended up being small, easy to focus on ATC's.  Only this one is scanned so far, but what it is composed of follows: a bit of Somerset Studio Artist paper, a couple Art Chix images (my precious pet and inchies world?), an Art Chix transparency and "Back in Black" bit, a fabric scrap, some staples and a pencil outlining the images.

More ATC's to follow, and the birthday projects A and I are working on for DH's celebration coming up soon.  The 2nd Vision Board is underway as well as a sewing project.  

Looking forward to teaching my belly dance class tomorrow at the Cultural Trust Educational Center!! 

Performing in Coraopolis next weekend (Jan. 21st)!!

Malia, "the Diamond of Hawaii" is coming to Pittsburgh!  Workshops Saturday and Sunday (Jan. 21st and 22nd) and a Gala show Saturday night!  Ishtar is playing the show and I'm so excited to be performing with them!! Doors open at 7 and the show starts at 8:00pm!  Only $12!

Here is the Facebook event.  Here is the website where you can buy tickets for the show and register for the workshops.

Also, tonight was the first night of my new belly dance class series!!  Wow, I am really happy to be teaching again!  Feeling very grateful that the Cultural Trust contacted me about being an instructor at their education center- a great place to be!!  If you need the website for more information or to register, it is here.

Free Belly Dance Class and New Class Series

• • When

    Monday, January 9, 2012
  • Time

    6:00pm until 9:00pm

• Where

  TRUST ARTS EDUCATION CENTER, , 805/807 Liberty Avenue, Downtown, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• Description

  WINTER DANCE CLASS KICK OFF ART OF DANCE OPEN HOUSE January 9th 6-9pm 6-7pm STILETTO FIT (formerly Club Dance), beginners with Instructor, Jame Elis 7-8pm STILETTO (formerly Club Dance), intermediate/advanced with Instructor Jame Elis 8-9pm BELLY DANCE all levels with Instructor Narah Kimberley Arrington Minardi Join us for an evening of free classes, refreshments, and fun. R.S.V.P. required. Enjoy a free Soul Ice to cool you off after class. REGISTER AT TRUSTARTS.ORG/EDUCATON OR 412-471-6079 WINTER CLASSES SCHEDULE Art of Dance Classes for Adults, ages 18-up STILETTO FIT/Pump Pulse (formerly called Club Dance Workout) Instructor-Jame ElisMondays: 6p-7p beginners 7:15p-8:15p inter/advanced6 weeks for $50 or $10 for drop-ins. For the every woman looking for a sizzling hot dance class. Dance to the hottest music while sculpting and toning your entire body. Excellent lower body workout, non-stop calorie burning strength class. Great stretching component, and high energy dance session. Heels preferred, not mandatory (comfortable shoes allowed). This is closest to being Beyonce that you will ever get! BELLY DANCE Instructor-Narah Kimberly Arrington Minardi Thursdays 7:00-8:00pm. 6 weeks for $50 or $10 for drop-ins. Learn the ancient art of belly dance! A dance of pure joy and celebration that will tone your whole body and increase flexibility and endurance. This transformative dance builds confidence and body awareness. All the while, you are having so much fun, you will think you are "cheating"! This class, suitable for beginners as well as those with experience belly dancing will begin with a yoga warm up, move into belly dance technique, continue with combinations or a mini-choreography and end with a cool down. If you'd like to join us, let us know on the Facebook event!  See you then! Happy New Year!!

Join us Wednesday for new Beginner Belly Dance classes!

A Beginner's Belly Dance Class will begin May 5th at the Northern WV Performing Arts Academy 6:30-7:30pm.

Participants in this class will learn basic posture and fundamental technique of the ancient art of belly dance. Each class begins with a yoga warm-up and continues with a fun and thorough breakdown of basic movements, which set the foundation for this beautiful and empowering art form. Narah will often guide students through a series of movements and combinations, keeping the energy up and teaching them how all the basic movements make a dance. No experience necessary!

6 weeks/$60 + $5 registration fee.

Register with the NWVPAA:
Stop by the studio Monday-Thursday 5:00-8:00pm, or mail a check (made payable to PAA) to:
Northern WV Performing Arts Academy
950 Parkway Dr.
Morgantown, WV 26501

For registration questions, call 304-292-3119 or Email performingartsacademyllc@hotmail.com

Direct friends to www.TribalBellyDance.net/classes

New Belly Dance Class with Narah start March 9th!

Beginning March 9th, a beginner class will begin through the WVU Creative Arts Program. See http://communityarts.wvu.edu for registration info.; 7:00 - 8:00 PM Tuesdays in the beautiful E. Moore Hall dance studio, WVU's downtown campus. Students can register by mail (Community Arts Program/ West Virginia University/ Room 401A College of Creative Arts/ Morgantown, WV 26506-6111), by fax (304-293-7491), or in person (room 401 A at the Creative Arts Center). For registration questions for the classes beginning March 9th, email CommunityArts@mail.wvu.edu or call (304) 293-4841 x 3168. Participants in this class will learn basic posture and fundamental technique of the ancient art of belly dance. Each class begins with a yoga warm-up and continues with a fun and thorough breakdown of basic movements, which set the foundation for this beautiful and empowering art form. Narah will often guide students through a series of movements and combinations, keeping the energy up and teaching them how all the basic movements make a dance. No experience necessary!

The Narah and Jala Tribal Fusion Belly Dance Technical Foundation Instructional DVD, is available in the market place at www.TribalbellyDance.net and is an excellent tool for home practice.

Start Belly Dance Classes Tomorrow at NWVPAA!!!

Belly Dance for Beginners:

You will learn basic posture and fundamental technique of the ancient art of belly dance. Each class begins with a yoga warm-up and continues with a fun and thorough breakdown of basic movements, which set the foundation for this beautiful and empowering art form. Narah will often guide students through a series of movements and combinations, keeping the energy up and teaching them how all the basic movements make a dance. No experience necessary!

Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 pm at the Northern WV Performing Arts Academy (6 weeks; $60 + $5 registration fee; registration info below)

Continuing Belly Dance/American Tribal Style:

American Tribal Style Belly Dance is an earthy, lead and follow format characterized by bold, beautiful movements and dancing with a group or partner. Check out www.fcbd.com/ for more info on ATS. We will start by introducing improv skills that will benefit you as a soloist as well as a leader in group improv, learn ATS vocabulary and concepts and put them into practice in this fun, Zen-like experience. Students in this class may be eligible to perform in a student show during the summer. New enrollees must have completed at least one complete 6 week beginner session (No missed classes) and if she has only attended one session*, she must take this class in conjunction with the beginner’s class. 6 weeks; $60 + $5 registration fee.

Wednesdays 7:30-8:30pm

*Students taking both the Beginning Belly Dance and Continuing Belly Dance classes only pay the $5 registration fee once, so the total for both classes is $125.

Register for class with the Northern WV Performing Arts Academy- Send a check for made payable to PAA to: 950 Parkway Dr., Morgantown, WV 26501 (include contact info and mention you are signing up for

Beginner’s Belly Dance class); or stop by studio Mon. – Thurs. 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.; (304) 292-3119; performingartsacademyllc@hotmail.com

More info on Belly Dance and Narah:

www.TribalBellyDance.net

www.BellyArtsMama.Blogspot.com

New Year, New Skills! Classes, Workshops and Performances with Narah Spring 2010

Spring Belly Dance Schedule- Narah’s classes, workshops and performances

****Happy New Year!!! As we start anew in 2010, take advantage of these empowering, fitness enhancing, skill building and inspiring events in store!!!! ****

There is a lot of information here, so be sure to read everything so you don't miss out!!! :)

For classes and workshops at the Northern WV Performing Arts Academy, Register with the Northern WV Performing Arts Academy:

950 Parkway Dr., Morgantown; (304) 292-3119; performingartsacademyllc@hotmail.com

Students will also pay a $5 registration fee.

For the WVU Community Arts Program beginner’s class, See http://communityarts.wvu.edu for registration info.

Students can register by mail (Community Arts Program/ West Virginia University/ Room 401A College of Creative Arts/ Morgantown, WV 26506-6111), by fax (304-293-7491), or in person (room 401 A at the Creative Arts Center).

For registration questions for the beginner classes beginning March 9th, email CommunityArts@mail.wvu.edu or call (304) 293-4841 x 3168. 


Students will also pay a $5 registration fee.

Drum choreography workshop at the Northern WV Performing Arts Academy (off Greenbag Rd.)- January 17th, 3 hour workshop noon to 3:00 pm. $35 by January 16th and $45 day of.

Learn new movements, combinations and concepts to a fun and rhythmic drum song!

*Some students may be eligible to perform this piece at future student venues!

Sewing for Belly Dance - Two 3-hour workshops. Learn the basics of sewing by hand and with machines, using patterns, basic stitches, etc. You will also be taken through how to make a veil, zil pouch, pantaloons, tassel and fringe belts, wrap top, Turkish vest, coin and covered bra, accessories (choker, headband, armbands, etc.), panel skirt and circle skirt. You’ll know how to outfit yourself from head to toe, economically and using your choice of fabrics and design!

*Current and hopeful performing students must take these workshops to fulfill upcoming costuming requirements.

$35 ahead of time and $45 day of for one session, $60 for both sessions paid at once ahead of time. Held at Our Studio on Brockway Ave. www.ourstudio.org. Register with Narah! Narah@TribalBellyDance.net or 304-276-DANCE

Beginner’s Belly Dance- starts February 3rd. Held at the Northern WV Performing Arts Academy. Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 pm. 6 weeks; $60

Participants in this class will learn basic posture and fundamental technique of the ancient art of belly dance. Each class begins with a yoga warm-up and continues with a fun and thorough breakdown of basic movements, which set the foundation for this beautiful and empowering art form. Narah will often guide students through a series of movements and combinations, keeping the energy up and teaching them how all the basic movements make a dance. No experience necessary!

Continuing Belly Dance/American Tribal Style Belly Dance class- starts February 3rd. Held at the Northern WV Performing Arts Academy. Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 pm. Students in this class may be eligible to perform in a student show during the summer*. New enrollees must have completed at least one complete 6 week beginner session (No missed classes) and if she has only attended one session, she must take this class in conjunction with the beginner’s class. 6 weeks; $60

check out www.fcbd.com/ for more info on ATS. We will start by introducing improv skills that will benefit you as a soloist as well as a leader in group improv, learn ATS vocabulary and concepts and put them into practice in this fun, Zen-like experience.

Artemis Mourat Workshop and Show- February 6 and 7. Narah will be attending the workshops with this Living Legend! She’ll also perform in the show on Saturday evening! She’ll have some extra space in the car if you’d like a ride up! See www.sadiqabellydance.com for more info

Earth Within and Without Benefit Show- February 20^th. Narah will perform a solo and a number with students Chris Spiteri and Alyssa Hanna in this show, which benefits the Sierra Club! Held at the Monongalia Arts Center, produced by MT Pockets, organized by Tadishi Kato. Doors open at 7:30 pm and show begins at 8:00 pm at the Monongalia Arts Center, 107 High St., Morgantown, WV 26505.

Second session of Beginner’s Belly Dance- Beginning March 9^th through the WVU Community Arts program; 6 weeks; $60. No class March 30^th due to WVU’s spring break. 7:00 - 8:00 PM Tuesdays in the beautiful E. Moore Hall dance studio, WVU's downtown campus.

Participants in this class will learn basic posture and fundamental technique of the ancient art of belly dance. Each class begins with a yoga warm-up and continues with a fun and thorough breakdown of basic movements, which set the foundation for this beautiful and empowering art form. Narah will often guide students through a series of movements and combinations, keeping the energy up and teaching them how all the basic movements make a dance. No experience necessary!

Beginner’s Review- held at the Northern WV Performing Arts Academy. Tentatively scheduled to begin March 24^th. If you have completed at least one entire 6 week session (no missed classes), then you may join this class to review the basics of the previous 6 week sessions and move on to new movements and concepts. 6 weeks; $60

Second session of Continuing/American Tribal Style Belly Dance class- Tentatively scheduled to begin March 24th. Enrollment only open to previous session’s ATS class. 6 weeks; $60

May- tentatively the first weekend, there will be a props workshop on veil, cane and basket!

June 12^th- Jill Parker and Tessa Myers (www.jillparkerbellydance.com and http://www.myspace.com/foxglovesweethearts) in Morgantown, WV for workshops and a show!!!!!!

www.TribalBellyDance.net

www.BellyArtsMama.BlogSpot.com (follow my blog for fast updates, art and belly dance projects, musings and more!)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Narah/155855125909?ref=ts (Join my Fan Page for concise reminders, discussions and more!)

New Belly Dance Classes with Narah!

~ BEGINNER'S/BASIC BELLY DANCE TECHNIQUE CLASS ~

*New Beginner classes begin the first week of February at the Northern WV Performing Arts Academy off of Greenbag Rd. Day/time/duration TBA when the studio finalizes its new schedule the second week of January.

Register with the Northern WV Performing Arts Academy

950 Parkway Dr., Morgantown; (304) 292-3119; performingartsacademyllc@hotmail.com

*Beginning March 9th, a beginner class will begin through the WVU Creative Arts Program. See http://communityarts.wvu.edu for registration info.; 7:00 - 8:00 PM Tuesdays in the beautiful E. Moore Hall dance studio, WVU's downtown campus.

Students can register by mail (Community Arts Program/ West Virginia University/ Room 401A College of Creative Arts/ Morgantown, WV 26506-6111), by fax (304-293-7491), or in person (room 401 A at the Creative Arts Center).

For registration questions for the classes beginning March 9th, email CommunityArts@mail.wvu.edu or call (304) 293-4841 x 3168.

Participants in this class will learn basic posture and fundamental technique of the ancient art of belly dance. Each class begins with a yoga warm-up and continues with a fun and thorough breakdown of basic movements, which set the foundation for this beautiful and empowering art form. Narah will often guide students through a series of movements and combinations, keeping the energy up and teaching them how all the basic movements make a dance. No experience necessary!

~CONTINUING BELLY DANCE CLASSES~

The next Continuing Belly Dance class will be studying American Tribal Style vocabulary and concepts.

American Tribal Style Belly Dance is hallmarked by a system of cues and signals that dancers can use to improvise a performance together. The system is called Improvisational Choreography. The creator of this style, Carolena Niriccio, developed a specific set of movements and stylizations that worked with Improvisational Choreography. Besides being a very grounding, Zen experience, the style/system allows Belly Dancers to increase their dance vocabulary and learn one way to put movements together in a dance. Even if you never plan on performing this style or to dance with other people, you will still have valuable tools in your "dance basket". Learn more about ATS here: http://www.fcbd.com/about/

The new class is starting the first week of February (exact time/day/duration TBA when the studio finalizes its schedule the second week in January)

Qualified new students may join the class at this time. Prerequisites: Students must have completed a minimum of one complete (no missed classes) 6 week beginner's session. If a student has only completed one beginner session, she must take the beginner's session along with the continuing session.

Register with the Northern WV Performing Arts Academy-

950 Parkway Dr., Morgantown; (304) 292-3119; performingartsacademyllc@hotmail.com

Also in the works: a drum choreography workshop and a sewing workshop/class series! Stay tuned for details!!

www.TribalBellyDance.net - visit my website for articles, costuming information, online videos, DVD's, Belly Dance tees and more!

www.facebook.com/pages/Narah/155855125909?ref=ts - Join my Fan page for concise updates, discussions and more!

New classes and Rhythms cd recommendation

the performance at Patty's and the WVU Belly Dance club Hafla were awesome!!!

unfortunately, after the workshop/hafla, cold and flu season hit hard here. Took Angelo to a friend's to play during the last Tuesday/WVU CAP class of the cycle. Eric was pretty sick. By Thursday, I was feeling pretty bad and Friday night Eric got sick again. Angelo's had a cold for a while too. Even Dana Doggie got her vaccines on Friday afternoon and was super sleepy. Fortunately, lots of herbal teas, some good sleep and Emergen- C's later, we seem to all be on the mend. Now it's clean up time.

Looks like we got the dates for the next WVU CAP class set up. We start Tuesday, March 9th and end April 20th. No class on March 30th due to WVU's Spring Break! Great news- the 6 week CAP class will be at E. Moore Hall!!! I'm so excited to be back at this beautiful studio!

We will know the schedule for the Northern WV Performing Arts Academy classes the second full week in January. But, due to advertising time and my family schedule, we'll be starting those classes the first week in February. I'll post more as soon as I know more.

I'm considering a workshop on a Saturday in January, topic, TBA.

For my Zil class- Rhythm Rides for Dumbek by David Korup and Billy Woods is the CD I recommended. You can buy it on Billy's website here: http://www.billywoods.com/recordings.html Also available there is "Seeds of Time" which is what I originally used to learn rhythms while away from Pennsic, etc. :)