All in-stock costumes have sold out!!!

I am preparing a new shipment of costumes, so put in your special order now!  New Paypal button on the “Lebanese costumes by Shahraman Designs” page to the right will help you to expedite your order.

Please email Katya, katya@katyafaris.com to discuss your order.

Thanks!!!

*THERE ARE FIVE in-stock costumes, please go to the page at the right: “Lebanese Bellydance Costumes by Shahraman Designs of Beirut” to pay through the Paypal button

Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind bellydance costume, or “bedlah”?  Are you wanting something that is made just for you that no other dancer will have and will only fit your body?  Then you have come to the right place!  Katya Faris can help you to order your own authentic Lebanese costume by Shahraman Designs of Beirut.

I’ve included some pictures here of costumes that you can order as is or in another color, or tailor it to suit your creativity!  Shahraman can make anything you like, just send Katya a picture of what you want made, or if no picture then describe it and Katya will translate.  Lebanese costumes are hard to get in the United States, and differ from Egyptian costumes in that they are known for using authentic Swarovski crystals, have more fringe and generally show more leg than other styles; the more the crystals the higher the price. These are exclusive high-end costumes for raqs sharqi dancers who want to set themselves apart from the crowd.

Costumes come with bra/belt set (or dress), skirt, veil, armbands and headbands; because they are all couture-made, prices can range anywhere between $550-1000.  Also, each costume is not made until the order is placed and payment received, and can take one-two months to receive.  Katya can assure you that it is well worth the wait, as there is nothing like a costume that is made just for you!

Here is a gallery of photographs to see examples of her work; please click on the image to enlarge.  For more images, please see the page on the right with the title “Lebanese Bellydance Costumes by Shahraman Designs of Beirut”; there are five costumes in stock for sale there through Paypal listed there.

For special order costumes or more info, please contact Katya:  katya@katyafaris.com

Please print out the flyer below if you’re interested in this summer’s sessions!

Hope to see you there!

Katya

http://www.thebellydancedivas.com/greatlakes.htm

Registration starts March 1st!

Katya will be teaching four one hour workshops:

1. Sizzle & Shine (All Levels) - The do’s & don’ts of an authentic performance using various techniques & patterns to Arabic music.

This class will help the dancer to take the toolbox of technique and choreographic patterns they have acquired and apply it to Arabic music so as to create a show for performance; the do’s and don’t of authentic performance.

2. Stylistic Breakdown (All Levels) - The difference between Egyptian, Lebanese and Turkish music and dance styles.

This class will teach the dancer how to recognize the differences in each of these styles so as to know how to apply the appropriate movement, costume and affectation to their dance.

3. Put It All Together (All Levels) - Interplay with your audience to make your performance ‘Pop’.

The difference between an amateur and a professional dancer is the emotional impact she has on her audience. Learning how to use the interplay between dancer and audience is an acquired skill, and the class will take turns performing and evaluating each other to learn what works and what doesn’t work. This is a movement and discussion class.

4. Stage Dynamics (All Levels) - Break out of your shell and explore your space thru music.

This class will teach the dancer how to break out of her shell and explore the space around her according to musical interpretation.

I will be dancing for this event on December 19th, so come out and see me! It’s at The Upper Room (above Broad Ripple Steakhouse) in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis.  Show starts at 11:30pm.

Click the link below for more info:

http://www.facebook.com/wall.php?id=52681212144#/event.php?eid=52681212144

Ishara Gamal~Looking to Heaven~RIP, Angel

I had the irony of ironies happen to me yesterday, and I felt I needed to share it with you.  I was hired to dance at a Breast Cancer benefit slated for this weekend, but the sponsors backed out at the last minute.  Why?  Because their primarily conservative Arabic audience didn’t want a dancer after all.  Initially, I was asked to cover my body for the dance; to dress conservatively.  That was fine with me, I have plenty of costumes that are not-so-revealing.  I said I can do a folkdance, not bellydance; even though they had asked me to do bellydance, but covered up.  I said, fine, I need the money, I’ll do it.  Then, it turned into a situation where they said the people who were paying the $250 for the ticket wouldn’t show up if there was ANY dancing at all.  Stunned, I complied, and then reminded the sponsor of why I wanted to do this event. That it was because of my friend dying of breast cancer almost two years ago, and I wanted to dance in her memory.  Her dying wish to me was that I continue to dance, to not quit, to help change people’s perceptions about the female body.

I find it highly ironic that an event that is supposed to raise money for the research of a female body part DOESN’T EVEN WANT TO SEE THAT BODY PART DISPLAYED AT THEIR EVENT.  What is wrong with cleavage?  What is wrong with showing the breast to others, not fully exposed, but in a beautiful costume?  Why can’t we celebrate the beauty of the breast, not in a degrading manner, but as it is–a female body part that represents and has the biological function of nurturing?  Am I crazy to see this, the only one who questions the morals of this?  Religion really has nothing to do with morals, which is what is wrong and what is right.  Religion says follow my rules, do as I say, don’t question it.

An old friend of Ishara’s has contacted me through email, as he just found out about her passing, even though it was 1.5 yrs ago that she crossed over.  I have been thinking about her intensely lately, and I know she was using him to contact me from the other side.  It is no coincidence.  She was always an agent of change, a symbol of inspiration to all her friends.  She could bring people together so easily with her vivacious spirit, and I know that if she were alive today she would’ve been involved in Obama’s campaign, as I was.  It is not only our government we need to change, but also people’s perception of the female body, regardless of any religion.  It is a beautiful thing, and there should be no shame in showing cleavage in public.  I don’t agree with images of women that show us in a degrading manner, but images that elevate the female body are a beautiful thing, and we should never be told to cover up because our breast offends someone.

It’s ready!  Please go to Youtube and rate it for me!  This is the last dance of mine from Mosaic III.  Thanks!!  K xoxo

The drum solo is finished!  Check it out!

Here is part of my Raqs Sharqi solo; the drum solo section will be added on Monday!  Also, I have two other pieces from the same show, one cane, and one pop song :)  Enjoy!

Here is the Melaya Leff Duet with Mohamed Shahin; it is from his showcase at the Alhambra Palace Restaurant in Chicago.

Enjoy!