Shimmy Fest 2006

The colors were vibrant, music inspiring and all around you heard the soft 'ching-ching-chinga' sounds of women walking around and picking up costumes to try them on. It started with a zaghareet and people were pulled out of the audience to dance with the ladies.

The audience was of all ages, including several children. Before I attended the event, I mentioned that I would be going to a bellydance workshop and I noticed several people got a strange look on their face. It seems that, at least in the rural south, there are still some negative connotations attached to bellydancers.

Women of all ages danced. There were Isis wings, flame dancers as well as the swords.

Sadly my pictures of the candle dancers didn't turn out so well, and from what we were told by the announcer...it was an especially good show, especially with all of the hairspray the dancers wore.

Several troops and dancers came to the event. Desert Fire, a local troop. My favorite dancer name still has to be Al'seea Al'soon. Very Arkansas.

Mirage from Russellville performed quite nicely as well.

The final performance was by Princess Farhana, straight out of Hollywood. (She told me later that she loved my kitty cat purse!)

I really wanted this outfit. This one would have been nice too. I just couldn't afford it...this month. Yes, yes, Glenn was sad. Although I am tempted to learn how to make my own costumes.