UNMATA Summer Student Showcase Featuring Zoe Jakes and Other Guests!

Yes folks, it's that time again so come out and show the love for the Hot Pot students and all the rest!

I'll be performing Friday night as well as attending both of Zoe's workshops, don't miss this chance to take class with one of the most (in my opinion) innovative dancers of our time! $20.00 per class in an intimate setting with no more than 20 students? Come on, you can't beat that with a stick! :-)



Here's the schedule!

Friday June 13th Showcase
The Brickhouse
2837 36th St (at Broadway) Sacramento CA
7pm and $10
Guest include: Hot Pot Studio, Damage Control, UNMATA, Evil Eye Bellydance, Shahlah Sutra, Street Team Debut, Bo and Zoe Jakes...!






WORKSHOPS!!!!

Saturday June 14th
Workshops are $20 at HP.
10-11:30am
Get your Kicks and Spins!

We will incorporate other elements into spins and kicks, drawing a wee bit from tango, Ballet and Classical indian Kathak, exploring things like leg extension and stomping. Lots of focus on quick spins as well, basic exercises for turning techniques, and how to train yourself to stop on a dime, which always looks impressive. Spotting basics, as well as non spotted turns, will be covered, and techniques for using legs and arms to initiate a turn. Lets make those legs and footsies pretty, shall we?

1-2:30pm
unleashing the inner spaz!!!!

Fancy kicks, tight spins and those elusive concepts to take pops and locks to the next level by mixing the liquid smoothness of a snake with hits and stops that look almost inhuman. All in easily digestable (sure!) Combination form. This workshop will focus on ways to perform with passionate expression while maintaining control and grace. These concepts will be fully broken down using short combinations as examples so the student is able to get a real understanding of the mechanisms behind them. Prepare to wrap your mind around weird movement that doesn't fit with convention!

There are only spots for 20 girls so sign up quickly please. Sign up by personal messaging Amy Sigil (people.tribe.net/f5bb0586-...34ab8814d)

Saturday Night!!!!!!
2nd Saturday ART Walk and street performance!
Come catch Hot Pot. plus guest dancers and Zoe on the street! FIRE! FIRE!
Show starts at 7pm.

Obsidian Butterfly and Drumsum this Friday!

Hey folks, wanna come out to have dinner with us? Wanna hear some great live music and watch an amazing bellydance/light show? Come out and support your local ARTists, show the love that I know the Sacramento area has for us, we're feeling a bit unloved right now...

Star of India Restaurant presents a night of excellent food, music and dance!

*All you can eat buffet
*Light show provided by the fire dancers from Obsidian Butterly
*Music by Drumsum

Friday April 18, 2008
Buffet served starting at 7pm, music and dancing from 7:30 pm to 9pm

One price includes dinner, music, dance and fun! We might even have some open floor dancing! $25.00

Star of India
8121 Madison Ave
Fair Oaks, CA
Reservations: 916-967-1550

www.sacredfiredance.com
www.drumsum.com

I'm teaching a workshop on March 29th, care to join me?

As part of the fundraising efforts of Obsidian Butterfly to make Sacramento's first Fire Spectacular on August 8, 2008 a huge success, we are having an event on SWAN day, so come out and Support Women ARTists Now! Part of the proceeds from my workshop will go into our Fire Spectacular fund.

Here's the details of my workshop and then the registration details below, I will also be vending my ShahlahCraft Designs goodies from 12 to 7 pm, please let me know if there are any questions!

Sinfully Sinuous Arms with Shahlah Sutra - 1:45 to 3:15 pm
This workshop will be delving into the mechanics behind making your arm movements look boneless and fluid as applied to Bellydance or other types of dance. There will be a focus on creating drama and suspense with small controlled movements flowing into larger more graceful "alien" looking moves, all with the intent of getting your audience on the edge of their seats! Class will start with a gentle stretch and warm-up routine followed by more focused stretches and drills for the arms, including the entire shoulder area, elbows, wrists and fingers. A short combo will be learned incorporating what you've learned, followed by a relaxing cool down and more gentle stretching.


We also have several other workshops offered as well (details listed below) as evening dancing, music and a fire show, please come out and show your support!

All activities held at:
The Brickhouse ART Studios
2837 36th Ave (corner of 36th & Broadway)
Sacramento, CA 95824

12pm to 7pm Workshops and Vending
7pm to 9 pm Music and Dancing
9:15 Fire Performance

$15 admission from 7pm to 10pm

Workshops $50 each, 2 for $80

Please visit www.sacredfiredance.com for tickets and additional info. Part of the proceeds from ticket sales goes to raise money for the Fire Spectacular on August 8, 2008.

Flag POI Dance with Molly and Sequoia - Inside studio 3:30 to 5:00 pm
All levels of experience welcome! We will begin by creating our own set of flag poi, which we will get to keep and move on to learning simple movements to begin dancing. Movements will help improve coordination and flexibility.

Yoga Ecstatic Dance with Sequoia - Inside studio 5:15 to 6:15 pm
We will do a series of simple movements in a repetitive manner in synch with our breath, like a dance. The series of poses are designed to bring heat into the body. We will conclude with a long deep, relaxation. All levels of experience welcome!

Double Staff and Belly Dance with Bliss - Outside studio 3:00 to 4:30 pm
Learn to combine the movements of bellydance with fire art or contact juggling. The possibilities of prop combination include (but are not limited to) fans, palms, sword, poi, staff, double staff, hoop or contact juggling. Plan a workshop for your bellydancing or fire troupe to expand performance possibilities or immerse in private instruction in one or more elements to push your skills to the next level.

BEGINNIG DIDGERIDOO with Rex (includes a FREE Didgeridoo) - Outside studio 4:45 to 6:15 pm
This workshop will focus learning about the Didgeridoo and how to play it.
Topics covered will be;
: Getting and perfecting the basic drone
: Articulation of sounds
: Playing with rhythm
: Playing with other musicians
: How to circular breathe
THE CLASS INCLUDES: A FREE Didgeridoo for you to take home (to the first ten people who sign up)
Written handouts covering the basics of the class
Concert Grade Didgeridoos to practice on A FUN time!
At the end of the class there will be plenty of time to have any questions answered. You are welcome to tape or film the class for your personal use.

Pay for evening entertainment/fire show by Paypal or check prior to event, visit www.sacredfiredance.com/events.html to pay for tickets via Paypal only, contact us at sacredfiredance@yahoo.com for details on paying by check.

If registering for workshops, please contact us at sacredfiredance@yahoo.com with your name, phone number, email address, the name of the workshop you wish to attend and how you would like to pay (Paypal or check), further info will then be communicated to you for payment. Deadline is March 25th for advance pay.

Cash only accepted the day of the event for evening entertainment/fire show and workshops.

Seeking Vendors, ARTists, Teachers & Unique Talent!

This year Obsidian Butterfly will be putting on a Fire & ART Festival, the Fire Spectacular on August 8 & 9th 2008.
It will be a collaborative ART event bringing together local Fire Dance, Metal ART, and Musical Talent.

If you are interested in participating:

-Vendors: No Food: We are seeking vendors of unique ARTs and crafts for the August 8th & 9th Fire Spectacular as well as a fundraiser on March 29th Called SWAN Day. Support Womyn ARTists Now!

-Teachers and Workshops: We are seeking teachers who are interested in teaching a workshop in Sacramento during the fundraiser on Saturday March 29th for SWAN Day, this is to raise funds for the August Fire Spectacular. We’re hoping to find some unique forms of Dance or movement, that aren't normally found often here in Sacramento to make it interesting, fun, and affordable for people to come and participate. SWAN Day will be inspired by Sacred Music and Dance, however we’re open to whomever would be inspired and interested in participating. As always, the event builds based on the creative energies of those who are inspired to contribute.

-Talent, Performance, and ART: Also seeking unique talent and artists of different modalities that some how weave Fire ART into their creative theme whether it be lyrical, musically, physically, or elementally.

If you are interested, or know of someone who may be interested, please contact us through our website, www.sacredfiredance.com.

Thank you!

Fire and Light Redux

Come see Obsidian Butterfly perform among other great ARTists and ART!

Sculptures infused with elements of fire and light .

Featuring metal sculptures by Kristen Hoard
Additional works by Micah Bayley
Performance ART by Obsidian Butterfly
Tango Performance by Sherry Berjeron and Roman Zapata
Ambient Beats by SeventhSwami and Resynthesize

Artist Reception: March 8th 2nd Saturday 6-10pm
Artisan Gallery
1901 Del Paso Blvd
Sacramento, CA
www.artisansacramento.com

Obsidian Butterfly!!!!!

Most may not know this but I've been part of this amazing Fire ART performance troupe since 2005 and we're going to be having some fantastic shows and events this year!

So, please head on over to our tribe obsidianbutterfly.tribe.net and join up! Also visit our new website www.sacredfiredance.com to see our current performance / event schedule and join our mailing list!

Support the ARTistic community!


********************************************************************************
Obsidian Butterfly presents
Sacramento's first Fire Spectacular!

This year Obsidian Butterfly will be putting on a Fire & ART Festival on August 8th & 9th 2008.
It will be a collaborative ART event bringing together local Fire Dance, Metal ART, and Musical Talent.

If you are interested in participating:

-Vendors: No Food: We are seeking vendors for the August 8th & 9th festival as well as a fundraiser on March 29th Called SWAN Day. Support Womyn ARTists Now!

-Teachers and Workshops: We are also seeking professional teachers who are interested in teaching a workshop in Sacramento on Saturday March 29th for SWAN (Support Womyn ARTists Now) Day. We're hoping to find some unique forms of Dance or movement that aren't normally found often here in Sacramento to make it interesting, fun, and affordable for people to come and participate. SWAN Day will be inspired by Sacred Music and Dance, however we’re open to whomever would be inspired and interested in participating. As always, the event builds based on the creative energies of those who are inspired to contribute.

-Talent, Performance, and ART: Also seeking unique talent and artists of different modalities that some how weave Fire ART into their creative theme whether it be lyrical, musically, physically, or elementally.

If you are interested, or know of someone who may be interested, please contact us through our website www.sacredfiredance.com.

Thank you!

Why Custom or Hand Crafted Costumes and Accessories Cost So Much.

Think about this people the next time you're all at a BD fesival and see things that someone has made with their own two hands or designed something, and you might think they charge too much. Below is only one of the articles that talk about this topic, the rest can be found here; www.costumersguide.com/cheap.shtml

**********************

The Money of Costuming

If you're here you probably recently suffered from custom seamstress sticker shock. Perhaps you are looking to commission a costume or dress for a special event. Maybe you want a corset or outfit made to your special size and body shape. Whatever the reason you wanted it to be perfect. However, when you emailed around you were quoted prices that seemed outrageous! Where do sewers get off in charging that much?

Honestly, sticker shock is common among first-time commissioning clients. In most cases, however, the price really is justified. This is to help you understand how legitimate stitchers price their creations so that you can understand why they cost so much as well as make you better able to spot a rip off if you encounter one.

First you need to understand that clothing in much of the developed world nowadays is grossly underpriced. Most clothing is sewn in China, where workers are paid an average of $1 a day for their work. Even the lucky few who work in the most elite shops are paid around $5 a day, which is a high standard of living (farm workers make less than .80 a day). Even clothes that are made in the United States are done much cheaper than minimum wage. Workers are not paid by the hour, they are instead 'contract workers' who are paid per piece they complete, often .10-.40 per garment. Even with three or four people working on a garment the labor costs are still minimal. Is this legal? No, not in the United States. These low wages, combined with grueling work hours, make up the infamous stitching sweatshops. Yet they still exist, and even prosper, in the garment industry, even in the United States. In fact, the US Department of Labor estimates that over 50% of garment shops in the US are illegal sweatshops. However there are not enough inspectors and regulators to shut them down, and companies keep hiring for lower and lower prices, encouraging the lawbreakers.

So when you commission a garment what are you paying for? Usually the breakdown is materials and time. You have to pay for all the fabric and tools the stitcher uses to create your outfit, and you have to pay for the time they take to do it. But that's a very generic answer, so we'll breakdown each part.

First, materials. Materials breaks down into two major categories: disposable and permanent. First, the permanent materials. These are everything the stitcher uses to create your garment that they keep after they're done. Things like sewing machines, scissors, pins, needles, and irons are not included in the garment you are given, but they are all necessary for making that garment. Also included in this price is the cost of the building where they are kept, electricity to run them, and materials and repair to maintain them. It's just like when you go to the dentist: your visit cost includes not only the salary paid to the dentist, but the salary paid to his assistant, receptionist, and janitor as well as the cost of the building, the chair you sat on, the magazine you read, and the elevator music you listened to.

Disposable materials are the ones that are used up in your garment. Things like fabric, thread, zippers, snaps, and buttons. These must all be purchased by the stitcher, who then passes the costs on to you. Also, these materials are not as cheap as WalMart's materials. They may be the exact same items, but when a stitcher buys four yards of cotton in a fabric store they are paying much more per yard than WalMart did when they bought 8000 yards for their clothing. Same with the buttons, zippers, snaps, and thread: bulk buys get discounts, and you are paying because the stitcher only needs a few.

Another large category in disposable materials is the outfit's pattern. Every garment that is made must have a pattern. Commercial sewing patterns today start at $15-20 each. They can be had for cheaper at sales, but even then they rarely fit correctly and the stitcher must alter them to fit. If there is no pattern the stitcher must come up with one, and then instead of paying for the pattern you are paying the stitcher for their time.

When talking about the stitcher's time there's more to it than just dollars per hour. The price per hour comes from an assessment of the stitcher's education, experience, and skill.

First is education. Yes, you're paying for the education of your stitcher. The same as jobs that require college educations pay more than those that just require high school diplomas. You are paying for how your stitcher learned to sew, the time, effort, and expense it cost them, how much they learned, and how well they learned it. This also doesn't just mean formal education. Stitchers that read books and magazines on their trade, who go to trade shows and browse internet sites, and who keep up with the latest techniques are more likely to know tricks that will make your garment fit better, sew faster, or use less materials, and you're paying less for them knowing it than you would have on wasted materials, which is saving you money.

Second is experience. When you pay your stitcher's experience you're paying them for completing your garment correctly and on time. When a project is first started a lot of time is spent in figuring out how to do something. When a stitcher is experienced in making something it eliminates this time, saving you the costly per-hour fee. You're also paying for their experience in working with a sewing machine, serger, rotary cutter, and any other special materials used in your garment, because the longer you do something the faster you get, and you waste less material in doing it.

Finally, you are paying for skills. There are many skills associate with sewing. You are paying not only for the stitcher to know how to put a needle through fabric, but how to use the tools associated with sewing and any other special skills the stitcher has. For instance pattern drafting or draping is a special skill that takes time to learn. A beginner will take a lot of time to make an improperly fitted garment that requires alteration, while an experienced pattern maker will take less time and be more likely to get it right the first time, saving you money spent on that time. Specific skills such as millinery, corsetry, and shoemaking are skills that you pay extra for because not every stitcher knows how to do them correctly and in a short amount of time.