Hands of Kali's topics - tribe.net

"Stomping Ground" book release party 12/3

2009-11-30T23:44:23Z

Friends --
I'm very excited to announce the release of my new book, "Stomping Ground." It's an examination of the connections between bellydance and spirituality -- I look at historical uses of dance as ritual and then provide exercises you can use to integrate dance into your daily meditational/spiritual practice.This book is a great holiday gift for yourself or the bellydancer on your list. You can order a copy from lulu.com or purchase one directly from me at the next HoK show.

And please join me for a book release party at the OK Hotel next Thursday, 12/3, as part of Seattle's monthly Artwalk. We'll have readings from the book, plus bellydance performances by Adderstone and Hands of Kali. Renowned bellydance photographer Sarah Wright (who did all photography for the book) will have her work on display, as will many other wonderful local artists. The party runs 7-10pm Thursday 12/3 -- it's free and all-ages. OK Hotel is located under the viaduct at 212 Alaskan Way S.

Thank you!
xoxo,
Kendra Hayes from Hands of Kali

posted in Hands of Kali - 1 reply

New bellydance book: "Stomping Ground"!

2009-11-22T22:34:01Z

Hey gang -- My book is out!

Here's a peek at the description, pulled from the book's back cover:
"STOMPING GROUND is a rock n roll jaunt through the mystical lands of bellydance and goddess worship. Part anecdotal, part instructional, this tasty little volume takes a look at historical uses of dance as ritual and provides today's spiritual seekers with a practical, down-to-earth guide to DIY vision questing via dance. Loaded with easy exercises you can try at home, Stomping Ground is a perfect tool for both experienced and aspiring bellydancers as well as anyone looking to find meaning in the wild landscape of the modern age."

Tra-la. You can pick it up from lulu.com right away. Linkee: http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/stomping-ground/6002400
It should be available on Amazon in a week or so as well.
Go do some stompin'!
Thanks. ;)
-- Kendra from Hands of Kali

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

What about the lastest HoK videos??

2009-11-02T20:13:25Z

The very latest one is of us doing a mini dress rehearsal for our Halloween show at the Mercury (and at our Halloween hafla at the Funhouse on 10/28). We practiced at Kendra's house, where she was dog-sitting a Corgi named Darby. And Darby breaks the 4th wall about every 10 seconds, wandering around as we're dancing and even sniffing me as I played dead--the gravitas and solemnity of the occasion was completely lost on him.

You can watch at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75L4yahkrE

We also have some double-sword practice clips online ... you can either scroll through the Related Videos sidebar from the Corgi clip, or go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj_T4ysIW0A&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk49F50INwg&feature=related

and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiGGH1NiqLw&feature=related

There are plenty more if you search on "Hands of Kali bellydance"!

posted in Hands of Kali - 1 reply

YIP has yer Halloween hafla!

2009-10-20T20:24:36Z

Our good friends at YIP Podcast recently sent round a newsletter with info on kickass Halloween haflas all around the country. Here's a quickee version...
-------------------------

YIP Podcast Newsletter October 14th, 2009
In this week's newsletter, I have tried to dig up as many Halloween shows / Haflas as I could. Thank you to those who sent me events that they knew were going on.

Enjoy!

The YIP Crew - Tammy and Mary
Halloween Haflas!
October 17 - Hollywood, Florida
The Haunted presented by Lotus Dance Studio

October 17 - Olde Towne Arvada, Colorado
Topsy Turvy - Wicked Dark & Curvy presented by Phoenix

October 17 - Salt City Utah
Thia's 13th Annual Halloween Show and Bash presented by Thia

October 17 - Fort Wayne, Indiana
Haunted Hips presented by World Fusion

October 17 - Villa Park, Illinois
Sweetest Halloween Shimmy Hafla presented by Mahira

October 22-25 - Washington, DC
Belly Horror Show

October 23 - Lexington, Kentucky
Unos Bailes Por Dia De Los Muertos (Some Dances for the Day of the Dead) presented by Mecca Dance

October 24 - Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Haflaween '09 presented by Blue Moon Belly Dance

October 24 - Fair Oaks, California
Haunted Oasis presented by Dalloua

October 24 - Bremerton, Washington
Halloween Hafla presented by Mohini Moon

October 24 - Las Vegas, Nevada
8th Annual Shivers and Shimmies Halloween Hafla presented by Samira

October 24 - Long Beach, California
Halloween Hafla presented by Merry's Fashion with Passion

October 25 - Nutley, New Jersey
Annual Halloween Hafla presented by Gypsy caravan Enterprises

October 28 - Seattle, Washington
Hell-Raisin' Halloween Hafla presented by Hands Of Kali

October 30 - Orlando, Florida
Haflaween presented by Orlando Bellydance

October 30 - Durham, North Carolina
Monster Mash presented by Colorful Waves Bellydance

October 30 - Grand Rapids, Michigan
Hallowe'en Hafla presented by Sarah Mayne of Mayne Studio

October 30 - Sharonville, Ohio
Halloween Hafla presented by The Nile Gallery

October 31 - Chesapeake, Virginia
Hips of Horror presented by Hipnotic Bellydancing

October 31 - Morganton, North Carolina
Darkside of the Sun Hafla presented by Rising Sun Tribe

October 31 - Hollywood Beach, Florida
6th Annual Halloween Masquerade Ball presented by The Goddess Store and Studio

October 31 - Billings, Montana
Hips and Crypts presented by Raks Alimah Bellydance

October 31 - Seattle, Washington
Bollyween presented by The Blue Lotus Dance Co

November 1 - Virginia Beach, Virginia
Day of the Dead Belly Dance Halloween Show presented by BodyWorks by Chandani

November 1 - Raleigh, North Carolina
Happy Hips Halloween Hafla presented by Happy Hips
-------------------------------

Get yourself signed for YIP here: www.yippodcast.com. Thanks, Tammy and Mary!
xoxo,
Kendra and all of HoK

posted in Hands of Kali - 1 reply

Where's the most recent HoK news/pics?

2009-10-20T20:23:12Z

For when Tribe is down :-(

Check out our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/editaccount.php?notifications#/pages/Hands-of-Kali/26417922015

We have a LiveJournal page at http://handsofkali.livejournal.com/ (blog posts from us)

MySpacers: http://www.myspace.com/handsofkalibellydance (most handy for its performance calendar)

Flickr photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/deathkitten (the most current selection of the best pics)

And there are vids on YouTube--search on "hands of kali bellydance"

... and of course we have a website at http://www.handsofkali.com

posted in Hands of Kali - 8 replies

Hands of Kali in Portland Friday 9/25

2009-09-21T19:43:38Z

Friends --

Hey hey, come to Conflux! It's the northwest's premier dark arts festival, and it's this weekend at the Mt. Tabor Theater in little ol' Portland, featuring the region's finest in dark bellydance, live music, theater and more. Friday 9/25 lineup includes Hands of Kali, Land of the Blind, and Bogville. Saturday 9/26 features Ariellah, Legion Within and Abney Park. Not to be missed! Tickets and more info at http://www.myspace.com/confluxpdx.

Mt. Tabor Theater is located at 4811 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 97215.

As always, thank you for supporting the arts in the northwest.
xoxo,
Hands of Kali

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Learn to bellydance with Kendra!

2009-08-12T18:33:26Z

Learn the energetic and seductive art of goth/tribal bellydance with Kendra, founder of Hands of Kali. Open classes are available Tuesdays at 7:30pm (beginner-level) and 8:30pm (intermediate-level). Still just $10 an hour!

Private lessons $40 an hour. Semi-private lessons (2 or 3 students) $20 an hour per person. All classes and lessons take place in Kendra's cozy home studio in the Central District. Contact Kendra today to register: kendra@handsofkali.com or 206-909-5744.

Visit www.handsofkali.com for pix, info, etc.

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

swords and veils and costumes, oh my!

2009-06-01T05:18:56Z

Lots of info on our latest escapades into props and costumes can be found on the HoK blog this week:

http://handsofkali.livejournal.com/

Check it out, and thanks for reading!
xoxo,
Kendra

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Check out that HoK blog...

2009-05-07T21:58:59Z

Read up on my meth lab experience and other fun stuff, this week in the Hands of Kali blog:
http://handsofkali.livejournal.com

Check it out every week for all the sordid soap opera details of life as a black-hearted Seattle bellydancer! ;)

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Shows! and t-shirts!

2009-05-01T15:42:49Z

Shows, shows, shows!
Hey kids --
Here's where you can catch a little HoK bellydance action in the next few...

Hafla TONIGHT, Thursday 4/30 at Horizon Oasis Temple
1423 10th Ave. on Capitol Hill, basement level
7-10pm
Free, all-ages, potluck
Come check out fabulous performances by students and friends of HoK!

Tomorrow, Friday 5/1 at Conor Byrne Pub in Ballard
5140 Ballard Ave. NW
9pm
$7 (21+)
Catch us on-stage opening for the delightful Mamie Lavona & Her White Boy Band!

Next weekend, Saturday 5/9 Spice Box at Club Heaven
172 S. Washington in Pioneer Square
7pm
$15 (21+)
Also featuring the lovely ladies of Skin Deep, Adderstone and more!

IF YOU WANTS AN HOK T-SHIRT: you can see a pic in this tribe's photo album. Email the lovely kendra@handsofkali.com to purchase!

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

oh yeah--Tribalfest!

2009-03-18T21:30:15Z

the troupe has signed up for a lot of cool workshops, and we're making plans to represent down in SEbastapol this May. w00t!

who else is going? will we see you there? we're waiting to hear what our performance time slot will be, and we've got T-shirts and other goodies in the works to take with us. w00t! more as developments come in.

posted in Hands of Kali - 1 reply

Dark Avenue--belly noir at the FUnhouse

2009-03-16T17:33:12Z

I recommend that all of you visit our official HoK blog on LJ to keep up with the latest news--it's at http://handsofkali.livejournal.com/

here is a recent post on our new belly-noir cabaret, Dark Avenue, to whet your appetite (and this is from the first Dark Avenue--see more recent LJ posts for a teaser of the new show next week on 3/18):

Killer week

Last week, HoK was privileged to perform 3 times around town. We kicked off the week with a bang, as a single shot rang out in a dark alley. Well, it was more of a quack, actually. Gumshoe Richard Spade (everyone calls him Dick--yeah, that's right, a private dick named Dick--whaddaya make of it?) got a visit from a real looker--but not a see-er. That's right, this doll was blind, and she'd lost her seeing-eye duck.

For those of you who did not make the show, you missed seeing Kendra as a gumshoe, J9 as the curvaceous but blind Brigid O'SaveMyAss, and Xtina as the mincing hottie secretary. I don't want to brag, but my turn as Fat Tony, the local tough, should snag me a Tony award as this season's most compelling, potato-chip chomping, cigar-smoking, flask-swilling character. Even if Dick did manage to sucker-punch me and make off with the Maltese Duck. Oh, and HoK also danced several times--it's not all acting with us.

The evening was expertly MC'd by Diva le Deviant, the hostess with by far the mostess, right down to her seamed stockings. She was there when Dick Spade got a real eyeful from the coolest kitten of them all, Fuchsia Foxx, who went from smokin' seniorita to sad siren and sailor wrecker as the evening--and her outfits--dwindled. And don't forget DJ Dubonnet, who should be called DJ Debonair for his sartorial contribution to a glamorous era gone by. Plenty of guys and dolls in vintage attire made up the audience, who swilled hooch and clamored for more from Lonesome Shack, who, in addition to producing music that had everyone boogying, is also an internation jewel thief--who knew?

and let's not forget, punk-art dolls from Miss Oblivious [www.paynecreations.org/] and slinky club fashions from Designs by Juliet [www.get juliet.com] were on sale for those who remembered to bring their mad money.

If you want to keep up with forthcoming antics on Dark Ave, add www.myspace.com/darkavenue to your friends' list. And remember, March 18 at the Funhouse is the next installation in this exciting series--there's sure to be more characters (and more hooch) to come.

And that was just Wednesday night, ladies and germs. Friday, Hok appeared at the King Cobra to support Legion Within and Deathbed Repentance for their tour fund raiser. Syztem 7 rounded out the evening, which was loud, dark, and not short on rock star stage turns and men in corsets--I'm just sayin'. Sorry if you missed it, schweetheart.

Let's not forget a very current topic: VD. As in Valentine's Day--why is your mind always in the gutter, kid? HoK appeared, apparitionlike, at midnight at Club Mercury, cloaked in white veils and decked in that same snowy hue to represent Voodoo in all its forms: Baron samedi in his top hat, a voodoo doll with pins in her heart and feathers in her hair, plus a couple of snow-white dreadlocked bellydancing zombie chicks. We even had a smoking cauldron with which to conjur up the ghosts of love long dead. The crowd at the Merc was a sight to behold, with more white-clad zombie brides than you can imagine.

posted in Hands of Kali - 1 reply

what do you think of our new look?

2009-03-13T20:06:24Z

our oft-updated photostream on Flickr is a fun place to find out what we've been up to in a visual format: http://www.flickr.com/photos/deathkitten/

so, we'd like to know: what do you think of our new look? how would YOU interpret belly noir? I know we have a lot of creative souls out there.... for example, i'm making a pinstripe bustle half skirt right now out of that Indian cotton that has shiny silver threads running through it; sort of a fusion of Eastern and Dark Avenue asthetics...

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

No HoK show tonight

2008-12-20T00:34:18Z

Beautiful and dangerous -- I'm talking about the snow that's all over Seattle right now. The roads are slick and it's insanely cold out there, so we're staying in tonight. No Hands of Kali performance at SSP's party at Club Heaven this time. So sorry! Y'all stay safe and warm tonight too, eh?
Thanks,
Kendra (and all of HoK)

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Private pole dancing lessons available

2008-12-15T19:21:47Z

Ready to learn a sexy and powerful new dance form? Or just interested in changing up your regular workout routine? Check out pole dancing! Kendra is a Pole for the Soul-certified and insured instructor, offering beginner-level pole dance lessons in her cozy home studio in the Central District.

Private lessons $45 an hour.
Semi-private lessons (2 students) $75 an hour.

Contact Kendra today to schedule your lesson: kendra@handsofkali.com

posted in Hands of Kali - 2 replies

Rose Harden(San Francisco) tribal fusion workshop

2008-10-29T01:26:56Z

i hope y'all will come out and play!!!

Helenwheels is proud to present ~
ROSE HARDEN in Seattle November 15, 2008!

"A Rose by any other name than Harden would not be as sweet. I don't know many other dancers I can describe as solid and tough while soft and feminine at the same time. Rose just has that rock-solid old-school foundation of craft while still being able to emote ever changing and emerging styles. I wish I knew her secret - she is a true pioneer." -- Surreyya, The Gilded Serpent

Now is YOUR chance to learn her secret! Rose returns to teach in Seattle for one day only!

Rose Harden has been an active member in the San Francisco belly dance community since 1999. A longstanding member of Ultra Gypsy from 1999-2008, Rose has been honored to spend the last 3 years serving as assistant director to Jill Parker, the founder of the Tribal Fusion movement. During those years as co-director, Rose was a creative force in the company's dynamic choreography and innovative costuming. After more than 7 fullfilling years with Ultra Gypsy, she has now moved on to pursue other projects. Rose is also a founding member of Barbary Coast Shakedown, performs with The Lifesize Mousetrap and The Cyclecide Bike Rodeo, and created the popular Rosehips skirts. For more information please visit her website www.rosehipsdancer.com

~*~*~
Workshop 1 * 11:00-1:00
ROCK SOLID FUSION FOUNDATION: Building Your Practice From The Ground Up!
Enhance and deepen your understanding of belly dance fundamentals with technique drills and tribal fusion combos. Rose will cover layering, shimmies, and up-tempo movements -- great for any style of bellydance! This exciting tribal fusion workshop will include just a taste of Rose's signature Core Integration material focused on building flexibility and targeted muscle group conditioning to improve your dancing. This class will accomodate all levels of experience.

Workshop 2 * 2:00-4:00
ICING THE CAKE: Contemporary Tribal Fusion
We'll kick things up a bit here! Level changes, fancy footwork, and spins are the name of the game. We'll work on more advanced layers and a short choreography highlighting Rose's contribution to contemporary tribal fusion belly dance. Because we will be building on our foundation from the first class, it is recommended that you take both classes. Previous belly dance experience requested if taken without workshop 1.

PRICE:
$40 each / $70 both until 11/8
$45 each / $80 both after 11/8

LOCATION:
Danceland USA
327 NE 91st ST
Seattle, WA 98115

REGISTRATION:
Please contact helenwheels@earthlink.net to register.
Please DO NOT PM me. I may not get your message.

~*~*~
Rose was planning to get married in November but she decided she simply MUST visit us in Seattle before saying farewell to the single life! Kidding, she pushed back her plans in favor of a spring wedding. So let's take advantage of this opportunity to welcome back Rose for a final hurrah as Miss Harden before she becomes Mrs. Mark Perez! :D

Hope to see you there!

~*~Helenwheels~*~
Proud sponsor of Rose Harden 11/15
Ultra Gypsy
The Indigo
and more....

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

A Night of Dark Twilight with Ariellah

2008-10-25T06:39:01Z

Prepare yourself for an amazing night of Bellydancing with Seattle's top performers! Goth, Tribal, Fusion, Cabaret, Circus acts and live music all with glimpse into the dark side.

December 13, Heavens Nightclub Pioneer Square Seattle, WA
7-9pm

Ariellah
Hands of Kali
Dahlia
Laura Rose
Skin Deep
Twilight
Raks Steady Eddie
Muna Rain
Red tent Tribal
Medea
Krianna

Show starts PROMPTLY at 7:00 for more information check out our website
http://www.twilightoasis.com/darktwilight.html

tickets:http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/40736

There are still workshop spots available.

http://www.twilightoasis.com/ariellah.html

Thank you,

Tayissa Blue

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Weekly classes with Kendra

2008-08-25T19:28:09Z

Learn the seductive and energetic art of tribal fusion bellydance with Kendra, founder of troupe Hands of Kali. Bellydancing is a great workout plus a lot of fun, and you'll meet wonderful people in class. Give it a try!

Tuesdays
7:30pm Beginner Class
8:30pm Intermediate Class
At Kendra's home studio -- email kendra-at-handsofkali-dot-com for address and directions.

Thursdays
7pm Basic Bellydance Workout
At Horizon Oasis Temple on Capitol Hill
1423 10th Ave., basement level

Fridays
5:30pm Basic Bellydance Workout
At Ballard Health Club
2208 NW Market St., basement level (no club membership required)

All classes are $10 an hour, drop-ins always welcome. Visit www.handsofkali.com or email kendra-at-handsofkali-dot-com for more info.

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Classes and happenings this week

2008-07-28T18:19:00Z

Here's my weekly update on bellydance classes and related fun stuff. This week's class offerings are listed below. My fabulous student troupe Adderstone will perform the "Ms. Mad Love" choreography at Neighbours Wednesday evening, 7/30. Start time is 10:30pm -- please come support this kickass group of girls!

My next hafla (student dance performance and party) is set for Thursday August 28, at Horizon Oasis. If you'd like to perform in the hafla or know someone who would, give me a buzz. Soloists, duets and troupes are all welcome.

Also, don't forget I always offer private and semi-private lessons in both bellydance and pole dance. They're more affordable than you might think: Private bellydance lessons $35, semi-private bellydance lessons $15 per person, private pole lessons $45, semi-private pole lessons $35 per person.

Feel free to contact me with any questions: kendra-at-handsofkali-dot-com

Tuesday 7/29
7:30pm Beginning Bellydance
8:30pm Intermediate Bellydance (practice session for Wednesday's show at Neighbours)
Email me for location: kendra-at-handsofkali-dot-com

Wednesday 7/30
10:30pm Adderstone performance
At Neighbours Underground, 1509 Broadway on Capitol Hill

Thursday 7/31
7pm Basic Bellydance Workout
At Horizon Oasis Temple, 1423 10th Ave. on Capitol Hill
(Basement level)

Friday 8/1
5:30pm Basic Bellydance Workout
At Ballard Health Club, 2208 NW Market St.
(Basement level)
No club membership required

All classes are $10, and drop-ins are always welcome.

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

HoK at Neighbours Wednesday 6/25

2008-06-23T20:05:24Z

Hey friends --
Kendra and Xtina from troupe Hands of Kali will present a special Pride Week bellydance show this Wednesday, June 25, at Neighbours Underground. Doors at 9, show at 11. Cover's cheap and the drinks are strong. Come celebrate Pride with us!
xoxo,
Hands of Kali

Neighbours Underground
1509 Broadway
Entry through the street door

www.handsofkali.com

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

HoK at the Funhouse Sunday 6/22

2008-06-20T16:25:54Z

Hi friends --
Hands of Kali is excited to be performing at the Funhouse this weekend, Sunday 6/22. We take the stage at 11pm, following authentic Iranian gypsy punk band 127 (they go on at 10pm). The Funhouse is located under the monorail on 5th, close to Seattle Center. Cover charge is only $6. Join us!
xoxo,
Hands of Kali

handsofkali.com

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Hooray for Pharos!

2008-06-18T16:12:51Z

Wow, can I just say Pharos was awesome? Three days of beautiful Arizona sunshine, two days of amazing workshops, one hot hot hot show. Who could forget Raquy's drumming, Bastet's fan dance, that dark & dirty White Claws sound, Diosa's amazing drum solo, some of the best tribal dance ever courtesy of Anaya Tribal? And the list goes ON. What a great weekend!

Thanks to all the wonderful people who performed and taught and organized and helped out. But thanks most of all to GLENN, who made the whole thing happen. Glenn, you're a bad-ass. Thank you again for everything. We're thrilled to have been part of this amazing event and hope to see it happen again.

If any of you Arizona folks ever come out to Seattle, please look us up!
Hugs,
Kendra from Hands of Kali
:)

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Trying to reconnect with Kendra

2008-06-08T02:25:41Z

Hey-

I am an old friend of Kendra's. If someone that reads this & knows how I can contact her or can relay this message to her I would really appreciate it!

Tell her Stacey Allen from SC wants to chat sometime. I haven't seen her in a long time (last time was when I visited her in WA). I think of her often cause we shared a lot of fun times but haven't figured out how to reach her.

I would greatly appreciate someone passing this on.

I no longer live in SC, I live in Dallas with my partner of 9 years.

I am hoping she will get this and we can reconnect.

Thanks,
Stacey
saturn1967@hotmail.com

posted in Hands of Kali - 1 reply

TF photos

2008-06-05T16:07:02Z

I just posted a few photos from your Tribal Fest performance. Enjoy!

posted in Hands of Kali - 3 replies

HoK at Fusion Fest

2008-05-31T05:48:35Z

Hey ladies, I know Idaho is a long way a way but I am still hoping you will come to Fusion in Boise in June!!!!
There is so much experimental fusion to see. I know if you come out you will want to come again and again!
Please say yes!

posted in Hands of Kali - 3 replies

White Claws Music Video

2008-03-21T23:46:52Z

Just in case you wanna see a bunch of drummers die.

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=13733706

posted in Hands of Kali - 2 replies

Video from Spice Box 3/15/08

2008-03-19T17:40:28Z

Hands of Kali, Skin Deep and Raqs Steady Eddie. It was a magical night, and it's all captured right here:
http://youtube.com/user/skindeepstudios

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

New Hands of Kali video!

2008-03-09T21:41:02Z

Hi friends -- Please check out the latest Hands of Kali video on YouTube. This is our signature "hip-belly-hop" piece -- a fusion of bellydance and hip-hop, with a little punk rock flavor sprinkled over the top. We were hoping to include this vid on our upcoming full-length DVD, but the sad truth is we can't afford to buy the rights to use the song, so we're puttin' it out like this instead. Hope you enjoy watching it as much as we enjoy dancing it! :)
Thanks for watching.
xoxo,
Hands of Kali

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uJB4aDtfu0

As always, find us online at www.handsofkali.com.

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Hafla is this Thursday, 1/10!

2008-01-07T18:05:55Z

Come join Kendra's students and some other wonderful bellydancers for a casual night of low-key hafla fun. We're on for Thursday, 1/10. We'll have performances, live drumming, open dance, snacks, vino and lots of good people. Ay-wah!

Horizon Oasis Temple on Capitol Hill
1423 10th Ave.
on 10th between Pike & Union, 2 doors south of Neumo's
(go in the street door, then down the ramp to your right, then through the second door at the bottom)
Thursday 1/10, 7-10pm

Bring your friends, your drum, your zills and/or food and drink to share. Contact me with any questions. Thanks!
-- Kendra
206-909-5744
kendra@handsofkali.com

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

HoK's Belly Tarot page!

2008-01-03T00:42:16Z

There is now a page on our HoK website dedicated to Belly Tarot where we use Tarot of the Pomegranate deck - yay!
check it out:
handsofkali.com/bellytarot.php

If you are interested in our Belly Tarot performances in particular then join my Tarot of the Pomegranate tribe:
http://tribes.tribe.net/tarotofthepomegranate

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Tarot and FIne Art for X-Mass!

2007-12-11T14:05:15Z

Hello my fellow Belly Tarot enthusiasts! :)
Just a quick note to let you know that the latest 2008 updated Limited Edition Signed Tarot of the Pomegranate decks are available now:
www.tarotofthepomegranate.com/Tar...html
Visit my BAZAAR page for gifts too, and not just Tarot decks but prints, readings, original paintings and merchandise:
www.tarotofthepomegranate.com/baz...html
Blessings,
An-Magrith
P.S. Feel free to join my "Tarot of the Pomegranate" tribe for more Tarot fun!
http://tribes.tribe.net/tarotofthepomegranate

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Psst: Want to audition for Hands of Kali?

2007-12-10T21:34:25Z

Hi all --
it doesn't happen very often, but Hands of Kali will soon be holding auditions for a new member. Are you a kickass goth/tribal or otherwise non-traditional bellydancer in the Seattle area? Do you have at least two years of experience? Are you interested in being part of the most fun, innovative, exciting troupe around? If this sounds like you, then we want to see you audition.
We're keeping this on the down-low for now, so if you're interested, just email me at kendra@handsofkali.com to talk it over.
Thanks!
-- Kendra

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

We're in the Gothfia!

2007-10-23T04:43:35Z

This month's issue of Navel magazine is all about gothic bellydance and they named us part of their bellydance "gothfia." Take a look:
http://navelmagazine.com/id24.htm

Also: This Wednesday 10/10, we'll be bellydancing our dark little hearts out at Club NocNoc again. We'd love for you to join us! Show starts at 10:30pm, address is 1516 2nd Ave. downtown.

xoxo,
Hands of Kali

handsofkali.com

posted in Hands of Kali - 3 replies

Dark/Goth/Halloween - themed open dance night at Kalia - October 28th at 7 p.m.

2007-10-18T14:32:31Z

This month, we've decided to do something a little different for Open Dance Night at Kalia Indian Cuisine in Greenwood. Since October 28th is the weekend before Halloween, most of our dancers have chosen to have a Dark, Goth, and/or Halloween theme to their performances.

I, for one can't wait to see it. Won't you join us for an evening of Indian cuisine and Dark/Goth/Halloween - themed belly dancing?

We are featuring performances by:
Alana
Diana
Tiphany Overzat
Leorah
Me (Carolyn)
Mellilah

Sunday October 28th, 2007
7:00pm
*Dinner reservations recommended*
Kalia India Cuisine
8518 Greenwood, Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
206-782-7890

If this performance opportunity intrigues you and you'd like to lend your talent to the show, please drop me a line!

Hope to see you there!

Carolyn

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Shake Rattle & Pose: Yoga Dance Fusion - special class this Sunday in Seattle

2007-10-16T18:29:03Z

I'm in Seattle for the weekend and offering Shake Rattle & Pose yoga dance fusion as a special class this Sunday at Planet Earth. Hope you can make it!

http://8thelementyoga.com/yoga_dance/

posted in Hands of Kali - 1 reply

A little help?

2007-10-15T20:55:56Z

This is Christina from Twin Falls, ID
During Kendra's class when I was in Seattle I had these bad ass water buffalo ear rings and I gave out the business card of the company I bought them from to a lovely lady in Kendra's class.

sniffle sniffle...I lost one during a golf tournament...
So if you still have the card or know who I'm talking about,
will you pretty please share the contact info with me?

posted in Hands of Kali - 2 replies

HoK at Neighbours Tuesday 9/25

2007-09-25T01:51:51Z

Hi all --
Come hang with us at Neighbours this week -- Tuesday, 9/25. We go on at 11pm and would love to see you there! It's a $7 cover.
Thanks,
Hands of Kali

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

"Zills dat Killz" - Combo for Layering Practice (finger cymbal workshop)

2007-09-18T22:10:44Z

"Tribal Fest 8 Instructor" Lava's next workshop (Vancouver BC) ...

"Zills dat Killz" - Combos for Layering Practice

Sunday Oct.14/07
5:30 - 9:00pm
Scotia Dance Ctr. - 677 Davie St. (downtown Vancouver)

Finger Cymbals are not only a favorite accompaniment for bellydance, but also an excellent learning/practice tool for your timing, rhythm and musical instincts. Whether you choose to use finger cymbals in a performance setting or not, practicing finger cymbals will undoubtedly make you a better dancer by becoming connected with your music on another physical level.
Finger Cymbal Drilling techniques for a place to start for beginners and continued practice for those with some finger cymbal experience.
Progressive drilling with introduction to layering movement with finger cymbals (adding another rhythm of focus...). Plus, 2 short combos to keep developing your practice.
Open to all levels.

$40 - advance price
$45 - at the door
*plus paypal available (small s/c applies - check website)

*Plus SOA members will be vending!!
- Witchazel Design
- MiMi's Cauldron

for more info and registration details

www.lavastudio.ca/workshops

** Also, keep checking out the performances page for up-coming performances by Sisters of Alchemy!!

Hope to see you there!

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Unmata in Seattle Soon

2007-09-12T23:21:39Z

A post from Dahlia popped up in an Idaho Tribe.
Are you ladies going to thr Saturday, November 17th, 2007 workshops?
I just Found out that I get to go to Blood Moon in Oct or else I'd be dying of jealousy.

~Christina Twin Falls ID

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Please vote for Hands of Kali!

2007-09-04T18:56:21Z

We have the honor of being nominated for Seattle's Sexxxiest Bellydancers, as part of Exotic Underground magazine's "Seattle's Sexxxiest" awards. And we'd be even more honored if you'd vote for us. Here's the myspace link where you can cast your vote:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4482480&blogID=283872292

Thanks for your support!
xoxo,
Hands of Kali

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

HoK video trailer is up on YouTube!

2007-08-31T21:15:23Z

Our first full-length video is in process. The trailer is up on YouTube. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhuin7urpww

posted in Hands of Kali - 1 reply

HoK at Neighbours 8/28!

2007-08-30T22:12:30Z

Hey hey --
Come play with us at Neighbours this Tuesday! Seattle's only experimental bellydance troupe, Hands of Kali, returns to the Neighbours stage Tuesday August 28 at 11pm. Cover charge is just $7, and you can stick around for the wild n crazy House of Dolls drag and burlesque show afterward! Address is 1509 Broadway; enter through the Pike Street alley.

And mark your calendars for the Bluebelly Variety Show on Thursday September 13 -- featuring Hands of Kali, bluegrass by King Ludd and Seattle's naughtiest band ever, the Filthy Whores! $7 at the CanCan in Pike Place Market. Showtime's 9:30pm.

As always, more info is available at handsofkali.com.
Thank you for supporting the arts in Seattle.
xoxo,
Hands of Kali

posted in Hands of Kali - 2 replies

Seattle Nightlife

2007-08-15T20:44:14Z

This Thursday the Seattle City Council will be meeting to discuss the city's nightlife policies and possibly vote on a limited license for clubs that the city could later revoke if the club does not meet their requirements. In plain english, any club that is required to purchase this license can be shut down and put out of business at any time the city and our favorite mayor decide so.

The council will be taking public comment at this meeting.

It's important for us as a community to represent our interests and show that there is a large base of constituents willing to stand up for their rights and their way of life. There will be plenty of pressure there from the uber-rich condo owners who think they can buy homes in a club district and shut them down with noise complaints willing to make campaign donations to get their way. We have to show that we are just as powerful a force and that we ARE paying attention. Please come down and let your voice be heard, if only by being present.

The meeting will take place this Thursday August 16th at 6pm in West Seattle at the Highpoint Community Center, 6920 34th Ave. SW.

More details available at the Seattle City Council site:
http://www.seattle.gov/council/newsdetail.asp?ID=7618&Dept=28

Please repost this, and thanks for your support.

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

HoK at the Rendezvous Thursday 8/16

2007-08-13T20:11:00Z

Hello sweet friends --
Troupe Hands of Kali and Faye the Tattooed Psychic request the honor of your presence at Spiritus, this Thursday 8/16. We'll have psychic readings, tarot, and experimental bellydance all in one show, oh my!

Thursday 8/16
At the Jewelbox Theatre, inside the Rendezvous
Downtown Seattle, at 2nd & Bell
Showtime 7pm
Tickets only $10
21 and over

For more info, visit handsofkali.com and/or tattooedpsychic.com.

Hope to see you there!
xoxo,
Hands of Kali

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

I need to rent a dance studio in Seattle

2007-08-10T17:29:48Z

Any ideas? i've outgrown my home studio and need a bigger space to teach classes on weeknights. Thanks!

posted in Hands of Kali - 6 replies

Kendra's new class schedule

2007-07-23T16:00:39Z

Starting this week, July 23-July 27, goth/tribal bellydance classes with Kendra go like so:

Basics
Tuesday 7-8pm

Intermediate
Tuesday 8-9pm

Basics
Thursday 6-7pm

Classes are still just $10 an hour, and drop-ins are welcome. All classes take place at Studio Kali in the Central District. Email kendra-at-handsofkali-dot-com for directions and other information. Thanks!

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Hands of Kali at the Rendezvous 7/19

2007-07-17T18:01:23Z

Hello friends --
Time once again for Spiritus, the metaphysical carnival! This month's show features magic by Sage, psychic readings by Faye the Tattooed Psychic and ecstatic bellydance by Hands of Kali.

Thursday July 19, 7pm
Jewelbox Theatre, inside the Rendezvous on 2nd Ave. downtown
Tix are $15 at the door

Hope to see you there!
xoxo,
Hands of Kali

handsofkali.com

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

This week with Hands of Kali

2007-07-04T01:10:31Z

Hey good people --
You have two chances to catch some Hands of Kali summer bellydance action this week!

Friday July 6 -- We make our second appearance in Annex Theatre's monthly cabaret show, Spin the Bottle. In Oddfellows Hall, 1529 10th. Showtime's 11pm, and tix are $9. Other acts this month include the hillbilly musical stylings of the Half Brothers and a smut reading by the lovely Miss Amber Wolfe. More info at annextheatre.org.

Saturday July 7 -- We open for Eleusyve Productions' version of Aleister Crowley's rock opera "The Rite of Venus." Suggestive poetry, rock music and bellydancers in blue, mmm mmm good! At Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave. Show starts at 7pm, ticket prices vary. Visit eleusyve.com for details.

Happy 4th of July and, as always, thanks for supporting the Seattle bellydance scene.
xoxo,
Hands of Kali
handsofkali.com

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Hands of Kali at Neighbours 6/26

2007-06-25T20:50:13Z

Sweet friends --
Hands of Kali will bring the bellydance love back to Neighbours this week, with a sexy-dark-fun show on Tuesday night, 6/26. We go on at 11pm, followed by the delightful House of Dolls drag and burlesque show. It's a special night for us, as we'll be filming our new video -- we'd love for you to be part of it. Cover charge is $7, and the drinks are strong. Join us! Address is 1509 Broadway; enter through the Pike Street alley.
xoxox,
Hands of Kali

handsofkali.com

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

HoK at Spiritus 6/21

2007-06-18T18:13:36Z

Hello friends --
Celebrate the summer solstice this year with a trip to the spirit world! Thursday June 21 at 7pm, Faye the Tattooed Psychic presents SPIRITUS at the Jewel Box Theatre (inside the Rendezvous on 2nd Ave.), featuring special bellydance performances by Hands of Kali. Communicate with loved ones who've passed on, meet your spirit guide, get a rune reading, or receive a one-of-a-kind bellydance tarot reading. Tickets are $15 at the door.
Happy solstice!
-- Hands of Kali

handsofkali.com
tattooedpsychic.com

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Join my tribe "Tarot of the Pomegranate"!

2007-06-14T21:15:52Z

For all Tarot, Dance and Art enthusiasts:
http://tribes.tribe.net/tarotofthepomegranate

posted in Hands of Kali - 1 reply

Paintings up at Club Contour in Seattle, 6/7-7/7/07

2007-06-13T20:53:39Z

Stop by Club Contour just north of Pioneer Square in downtown Seattle and see Ten original paintings of Tarot of the Pomegranate on display!
They are open daily until 2am
Happy Hour (try the oyster stew - yum!)
807 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 447-7704

http://clubcontour.com
http://tarotofthepomegranate.com

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

The Master is in!

2007-06-13T20:41:45Z

Receive a Tarot reading by me at Eco-elements across from Pike Place market in Seattle every Monday!
I am available sometimes on weekends and other weekdays.
Call for an appointment and ask for Magi!
206 467-7745

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Hands of Kali at Neighbours 5/22

2007-05-21T20:26:22Z

Hi friends --
Hands of Kali will be bringin' the sweet bellydance goodness to Neighbours this week, Tuesday 5/22. We go on at 10:30pm, followed by the always hot-and-spicy House of Dolls drag and burlesque show. Join us! Address is 1509 Broadway. Enter through the Pike Street alley.
Thanks for your kind support.
xoxo,
Hands of Kali

handsofkali.com

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

HoK at Spiritus 5/17

2007-05-15T18:51:26Z

It's time once again for our monthly trip to the other side! Communicate with your dead loved ones or meet your spirit guide, with help from master medium Faye the Tattooed Psychic, at Spiritus -- third Thursdays every month at the Rendezvous on 2nd Ave. downtown. Featuring special bellydance performances by Hands of Kali, Seattle's only goth/experimental bellydance troupe.

Thursday 5/17
Showtime 7pm
Tickets $15

handsofkali.com
tattooedpsychic.com

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

HoK at Chop Suey 5/5

2007-05-01T19:22:48Z

Join us for a beautifully black Cinco de Mayo! This Saturday May 5, Chop Suey on Capitol Hill presents gothic bellydance by Hands of Kali, Bauhaus cover band "The Sky's Gone Out" and Depeche Mode tribute band "Black Celebration." Loads of dark scary fun will be had by all! Doors at 9pm, cover charge $8.

More info at handsofkali.com.
xoxo,
Hands of Kali

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Delilahs Wednesday Night and

2007-04-29T16:52:28Z

Dear Hands,

Wednesday May 2nd is Opening night for our Solstice Parade Season.
It’s free. Come, look, see, eat, drink, and hear about all our plans and progress so far.
Be inspired! Get enthralled! There is a lot to reveal!
It’s exciting!
We need drummers musicians, pyramid ensemble volunteers, belly dancers, extras such as Gods and Goddesses!

At the open house all will be explained. Plus we (you) are going to build a Pyramid in my studio on Wednesday night. We are going to video tape it and put it on You Tube so wear something danceable! Tell any interested folks! We are recruiting volunteers here!

UP COMING ASPECTS
Parade Classes;
6 weeks of classes where we learn 5-6 dances we use in the parade and other events. You do not have to be in the parade to get a lot out of this class. Sharpen skills get exercise and have fun. We hope you will choose to be in the parade but every year dancers simply take the course.

Class is offered
Tuesday Class Starts May 8
Wednesday Starts May 9
Sign up for
Delilah’s or
Dahlia’s Wings and Cane. See details (you will need wings and or cane for this class)
Down load registration form and send in with check and save $5, or pay at the door.
www.visionarydance.com

VDP STUDIO
4128 Fremont Ave N. Sea Wa 98103

Mandatory Dress Rehearsal! THURSDAY JUNE 14 if you choose to be in the Parade June 14th.

Costumes Theme;
Ancient Egyptian inspired this year
Black and Gold head dress, wig or hair.
Dress; 70 % white 20 Gold and 0-10%Turquoise /teal Green accents

BELLY CON 2007 June 8-16; A celebration of Belly Dance consciousness where we feature a line up of Seattle's top instructors in 2 hour or 90 minute Workshops; Ameilia Moore, Elisa Gamal, Tayissa Blue, Leslie Rosen, Tsarina, Katia Sahar, Raqs Serpentine, Dahlia, Sabura, and me, Delilah. Soon to go up on my web site!

JUNE 16th; The Fremont Solstice Parade we are first in the parade and so will be pretty much done and able to watch the rest of the parade this year

JUNE 16th; Sustainable Solstice Faire;
This is a new festival being put on by a consortium of organizations to raise money for the Solstice Parade and bring awareness of community issues. Beer Garden and performance stages. Delilah, and the Billion Bellies will be featured after the Solstice Pageant on the main Stage with Music by “House of Tarab” 6-7 PM !!! So our parade class will also have aspects of this project as well.

About the Parade;

It’s fun! It’s an achievement, It’s where dancers work together for a larger vision. I have been doing this for about 17-18 years now. Each year women see our beauty, joy and pride in the parade and are inspired to start belly dancing the next week. 2 years ago 15 year old Nicole saw us and got inspired to be in the parade the next year. She is 17 years old now and has been a featured dancer at Costa's and Taki’s Mad Greek and she teaches at her high school!
See Nicole in 2006 parade’s Billion belly March
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1YqmGLowyQ&mode=related&search=
also
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYfAZ1BjMGI
and related

Mantra

Isis Hathor
Good Queen Nefertiti,
Fill My Heart with Joy
So I may do Good Work

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Hands of Kali at Neighbours 4/24

2007-04-23T19:31:56Z

Hi friends --
Hands of Kali will provide the crazy-joyful bellydance action at Neighbours this week -- Tuesday night, 4/24, showtime 10:30pm. Address is 1509 Broadway, but you enter through the Pike Street alley behind the club. And of course, stick around for the infamous House of Dolls drag and burlesque show after HoK!
More info at handsofkali.com.
Thanks for your support.
xoxo,
Hands of Kali

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Chocolate Jesus art = death threats by Christians

2007-04-21T03:52:08Z

NEW YORK - A planned Holy Week exhibition of a nude, anatomically correct chocolate sculpture of Jesus Christ was canceled Friday amid a choir of complaining Catholics that included Cardinal Edward Egan.

The "My Sweet Lord" display was shut down by the hotel that houses the Lab Gallery in midtown Manhattan, said Matt Semler, the gallery's creative director. Semler said he submitted his resignation after officials at the Roger Smith Hotel shut down the show.

The six-foot sculpture was the victim of "a strong-arming from people who haven't seen the show, seen what we're doing," Semler said. "They jumped to conclusions completely contrary to our intentions."

*note: the last paragraph sounds vaguely familiar....... :P

posted in Hands of Kali - 1 reply

Belly Tarot at the Rendezvous this Thurs, 4/19, Seattle.

2007-04-18T07:24:28Z

Join us again for a magickal mystical evening in the Jewelbox Theatre featuring Faye the Tattooed Psychic and Hands of Kali!
Three of my original Tarot of the Pomegranate paintings will be on display - along with BELLY TAROT performed by the HOK Grrls! Get your Belly Tarot reading this Thursday, 7pm
The Rendezvous
2322 2nd Ave in Belltown
$15/Reservations available:
http://www.tattooedpsychic.com/SPIRITUS.html

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Who wants to learn rare Gypsy dances?

2007-04-06T00:41:55Z

Hey my name is Sarah and I am a member of the Bay Area dance force Ultra Gypsy. We're invading the Pacific Northwest on April 13-22nd so watch out! Just want to make sure the peeps up north take advantage of the crazy knowledge our members have. Privates are available with bellydance legend Jill Parker, Ultra Gypsy's Co-Director Rose Harden, Sarah White (me) and Debra Rubin (for yoga).

My thesis was on the art and culture of the Romany people, so I have a wealth of first-hand in-the-field experience living with Gypsies being the first ever to document certain dance styles from India, Egypt, and Turkey. Want to learn? We're excited to meet you, so contact us at ultragypsyrose@hotmail.com to schedule your privates.

Sarah White is a San Francisco native with a degree in Performing Arts & Social Justice from Friends World Program. She has completed detailed ethnographic research documenting the arts of Romany people spending a year with the Kalbeliya "Gypsies" in Rajasthan, studying with a Roman ("Gypsy") family in Istanbul, and the women of the Zar (a trance dance) in Cairo. Sarah has an extensive performance background with training in 25 different dance forms, martial arts, gymnastics, and the flying trapeze. Growing up Sarah was in the Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company, a diverse group who addressed pressing social issues through dance, theater, and spoken word. She was the star dancer in Neil Young's internationally touring movie and rock-opera 'Greendale' and has been a member of Project Bandaloop Youth Group (an aerial dance company) and Ultra Gypsy Dance Theatre Company since she was 16.

posted in Hands of Kali - 3 replies

Ultra Gypsy's coming to Seattle!!!!

2007-04-06T00:04:37Z

SF based tribal fusion troupe teaching workshops and performing april 13th - 15th. Stay tuned....

posted in Hands of Kali - 3 replies

Goth/tribal classes w/Kendra

2007-04-02T17:22:12Z

Every Tuesday, it's goth/tribal fusion bellydance with Kendra from troupe Hands of Kali -- 7:30pm in the yoga studio upstairs at Epicenter Fitness. 1419 3rd Ave., between Pike & Union. All ages and all skill levels are welcome. You don't have to be a member of Epicenter to attend. It's just $10 an hour, and drop-ins are A-OK.

We'll dance to a variety of music, using moves from several styles of bellydance, with an emphasis on the dark and sexy. You'll have a great time and get a good sweaty workout -- guaranteed. Email kendra@handsofkali.com for more info.

Private and semi-private lessons are also available.
www.handsofkali.com

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Hands of Kali: Too sexual?

2007-03-31T12:04:10Z

Okay, everyone close to us has by now heard about the shitstorm on Bellytalk. Bellytalk is a Seattle-based discussion email list for bellydancers, and last week, another Seattle bellydance teacher posted to the list a not-so-subtle attack on Hands of Kali for being too overtly sexual in the way we perform bellydance. As in, she suggested we're guilty of causing the public to think bellydancers are strippers (like that's a bad thing). This touched off a most amazing debate on the list, with a few of our fellow dancers supporting us and the vast majority of them jumping on the "you're a bad girl if you like being called sexy" bandwagon.

Pardon me, I have to spit derisively on the ground before I can continue typing...

Anyway, we here at Hands of Kali firmly believe in letting the audience be the judge. We work for the audience, they pay us, so it's up to them to tell us what they want to see. So I'm posing the question to all of you out there: Do you think Hands of Kali needs to tone it down? Are we too sexual? Should we cover up more, wear less-revealing costumes? Do you want us to writhe and wriggle less? Do we need to be more conservative and less suggestive? Do you think nudity is always completely naughty, evil and wrong? Would you like us better if we looked more like angry old nuns and less like women you wouldn't mind sleeping with?

Just checking. Seriously, any and all comments are welcome -- in support of us or not. Don't hold back.

Here's the (somewhat long-winded) text of the original post, which touched off the debate. I'm removing the poster's name, out of respect to her:

"Subject line: Fed Up!
In no way do I consider myself prude or conservative. I love a good
striptease/burlesque dance as much as the next person,but...
CONFUSING BELLYDANCE WITH OVERTLY SEXUAL INNUENDO IS A BAD IDEA FOR
AN ARTFORM THAT IS STILL MISUNDERSTOOD BY YOUR AVERAGE PERSON.

I'm bitter about the conventions in which bellydance operates within
the "community" and how dancers portray themselves to the public.
Bellydance popularity has been growing exponentially in the west for
decades, yet it is still vastly misunderstood by the general public
and, appallingly, bellydancers – from beginners to "pros". The
potential exists for bellydance to be an artform of soaring
excellence --- worthy to be performed on the same concert hall
stages of ballet, modern dance, or flamenco in every city all over
the world……yet it is an artform that is still regarded as a "novelty
dance" by most. Since my first bellydance class in 1995, I have yet
to see this conception change for the better. Mention the word
bellydance to your average person and one may hear a number of
responses based on their prior exposure: harem fantasy,
stripper/burlesque references, seeing some amateurish dancer
performing in a trashy restaurant setting, encounters with dancers
hired like a clownish singing telegram to embarrass or shock a
friend, co-worker, or family member. From my own personal
experience, the connotations that the word "bellydance" carries for
your general public are rarely positive. The media is partly to
blame for sustaining these stereotypes, but the majority of the
responsibility falls on the shoulders of the bellydance community.

I am so tired of having to defend belly dance from the STRIPPER-
HOOCHIE-STIGMA

Let me sum up what I've seen over the past year in just online
media: please note that some of these links are Not Work Safe

*Pictures of Seattle dancer wearing tape on their nipples – no top!
http://community.livejournal.com/moonday/51112.html#cutid1

*Pictures of Seattle "bellydancer" lighting cigarette off of
someone else's flaming nipple:
http://people.tribe.net/7b9a894e-815b-486c-8466-
bd40d9b16091/photos/5f61d1cd-cac3-4692-9a6d-8b9074552134

*Info for Princess Farhana's "Burlesque for Bellydancers" being
taught at Tribal Fest 6:
http://www.blacksheepbellydance.com/tf6/

~Bellydance performances at the Seattle Erotic Arts Festival~
http://www.seattleerotic.org/

Great expose on bellydancer in local fetish magazine
http://www.xmag.com/underground/archives/01-04-
dec05/Underground_104.pdf
(Page 34)

Yes, people should have the freedom of expression to perform in
whatever way they want, empowerment, blah, blah, blah.....but
shouldn't the honor of the artform that you profess to be so
dedicated to, take a little priority from time to time? The very
artform that you put countless hours of time and money into every
week?

I'm bitter about people using bellydance to satisfy their own self-
indulgent needs as opposed to elevating the art.
Simplistically....by agreeing to perform in marginal manners at
marginal events, you're making a statement, indirectly or not, that
belly *is* a marginal art and deserves to be treated as such.

Are dancers so starved for attention, exposure, or lack of
performance venue that they *have* to perform anywhere and
everywhere they can?

*Throwing Up Hands*
-- _name removed_"

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

Hands of Kali is a group of women who would rather dance than argue, so we chose not to waste much time on responding to this message from _name removed_, but we did feel that at least some acknowledgement was needed. So we sent this short and mostly non-confrontational reply, which you can also make up your own mind about:

"Re: Fed Up!
To set the record straight: _name removed_ posted 5 links, and 3 of them go
to pictures of us, troupe Hands of Kali. We're some of the
hardest-working bellydancers in Seattle, and if people want to call us
the sexiest, most artistic and/or most free-thinking as well, that's
fine -- those are titles we'll wear with pride.

We're dedicated to this dance, we embrace art in all its forms, we
love our own bodies, and we think sexual freedom is a beautiful thing.
If we feel called to bellydance topless with tape over our nipples, we
will. If we feel called to bellydance topless without any tape over
our nipples, we'll do that too. We're not going to ask permission to
perform the dance in the way we see fit. And we're not going to
apologize for following our muse -- nor for enjoying ourselves, nor
for entertaining our audience. We'd rather spend our time dancing.

If you'd like to see Hands of Kali and judge for yourselves, please
accept this cordial invitation to attend any of our upcoming shows:
Tuesday 2/27 at Neighbours
Thursday 3/1 at Mnemonic Gallery
Thursday 3/15 at the Rendezvous
Saturday 3/24 at ToST
Tuesday 3/27 at Neighbours
Saturday 3/31 at Spy Spectacular

There's also plenty of information about us on our websites
handsofkali.com, myspace.com/handsofkalibellydance and
handsofkali.tribe.net.

Thanks very much.
Sincerely,
Hands of Kali"

Feel free to tell me/us what you think. Thank you!
Cheers,
Kendra

posted in Hands of Kali - 14 replies

Hands of Kali at Neighbours 3/27

2007-03-26T15:38:28Z

Hands of Kali will bring their unique brand of dark bellydance poetry -- with swords, candles and tribal dance -- to Neighbours nightclub tomorrow, Tuesday 3/27. Address is 1509 Broadway (enter through the Pike St. alley), cover is only $7, and showtime is 10:30pm. Stick around after HoK for the strong drinks, big open dancefloor with a kickin' DJ and of course the infamous House of Dolls drag performers!
Hope to see you there.
xoxo,
Hands of Kali

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Please allow (you) to introduce yourselves....

2007-03-25T18:11:22Z

As women of wealth and taste, please sympathize with the Devil (the tarot card, of course, as in Belly Tarot) and describe who you are, what you love, what you enjoy about dance, or just say hello if you like....

That's who you are, but who are we? Dance lovers like you who believe in the awesome and beautiful power of women and art. We are Hands of Kali and we welcome you to this tribe!

posted in Hands of Kali - 23 replies

HoK at ToST on 3/24

2007-03-18T21:35:46Z

Sweet friends --
We're taking over ToST (513 N. 36th in Fremont) again, this coming Saturday 3/24. Our special guests The Mentats will provide some dreamy electro-grooves to round out the entertainment. We hope you'll join us on this fine spacey journey. Doors are at 9pm. Cover is just $5.
Yours,
Hands of Kali experimental bellydance troupe

www.handsofkali.com
www.myspace.com/thementats

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Goth/tribal fusion bellydance classes w/Kendra

2007-03-18T20:00:50Z

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

What inspired you to dance?

2007-03-13T18:32:36Z

Was it the music? The costumes? A live performance? We want to know!

posted in Hands of Kali - 4 replies

Men in Bellydance

2007-03-11T10:00:00Z

There is a lot of talk about how belly dance is an empowering form of artistic expression for women. But that point of view can cut men right out of the picture just by default. Can't we see that there are men out there who not only understand this Dance, but are also leaders and shining examples of how beautiful this expression can be through *anyone*.
Here are some links that I'd like to throw out to the list for discussion fodder:

About Sacred Dance (of which modern belly dance is a “descendant”):
http://www.universaldancer.com/SacredDance.html

MALE DANCERS off YouTube:

Tarik Sultan is out of NY. Excellent Zills, and classic Egyptian styling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPQbDxI0E_I
Tarik’s educated reply to a negative comment [1of 2]:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAB3ZLxkfJE

Tito
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6autbeh_tUk
One of the user comments: “Nothing wrong with that at all. I don't know why some people think it's a "disgrace" or even "gay". It's just a guy projecting it BIG and having the time of his life. If i could do that for the woman i love i wold because it's celebrating life and being alive”

Asi Haskal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLoU75525XI
IMO, more masculine and powerful than some of the others. Does not leave out the very fine moves though.

Orgune
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hul35F9BfA
Turkish. Very artsy, with some contortion thrown in for good measure.

Unnamed dancer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLgSfyLAykY
Highly polished, classically trained dancer. More fem’ flashy, and fabulous!

posted in Hands of Kali - 5 replies

Hafla Durga time again, plus special bonus laugh item

2007-03-09T00:33:51Z

as promised, here is something that, if you are like me, will make you laugh your ass off about a minute into it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogphq8GqTio&search=tarkan%20kuzu

and it's Hafla Durga time again, for anyone who wants to apply for a dance spot. the last one was PACKED:

From: "mandalatribal" mandalatribal@yahoo.com
Date: Tue May 16, 2006 4:44pm(PDT)
Subject: Hafla Durga performer mail-in!

We are currently accepting mail-ins for the next Hafla Durga, to be
held June 10th at the Phinney Neighborhood Center Community Hall.
Mail-in deadline is May 25th.

***********
HAFLA DURGA
***********

Saturday, June 10, 2006
Doors open at 6:30
Performances from 7-9pm
Open dance until 9:30

Phinney Neighborhood Center Community Hall
6532 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle
Lower Brick Building

All Belly Dance Styles Welcome and Encouraged!

Performances, Open Dance, Potluck Snacks, Shopping
!!Everyone Invited to Come in Costume, For Fun and For Open Dancing!!

Special Guest Performances By
Nadira
inFusion Tribal Belly Dance
and more TBA!

posted in Hands of Kali - 5 replies

Venue-appropriate?

2007-03-08T18:57:46Z

In this current debate over whether Hands of Kali is just too sexual to call ourselves a bellydance troupe, the question of venue-appropriateness keeps coming up. And I think it's a good question. As mentioned, _name removed_ posted 5 links in her original message and 3 of them led to pix of Hands of Kali, all involving some situation of toplessness. In one, an HoK troupe member was acting as MC (not bellydancing at all) for a cabaret dancer who was bare-breasted. In the other two, HoK members were performing topless with tape over their nipples; one of those was at the Seattle Erotic Arts Festival.

First off, let me say this. I formed Hands of Kali 3-1/2 years ago. Since then, the troupe has given about 300 performances, in my estimation. Of those 300 or so, I can remember 2 times when I went on-stage at a public venue topless with tape over my nipples. Once and only once, I performed totally topless -- at a completely private pagan wedding celebration where nudity was part of the ritual. That means I've gone topless 1% of the time. Why is everyone so fixated on that 1%?

But more importantly, the times we have performed topless have been at erotic arts events, where the fetish/kink community comes out to enjoy itself in a sex-friendly, judgement-free setting. There were no children present, nudity is common at these events, and the crowd as a rule comes there expecting to see something non-mainstream. We would no more bellydance topless at a nice Persian restaurant where families are dining than we would dance wearing turbans, floor-length skirts, long sleeves and scowls at a kinky fetish-art event where everyone else is half-nude and loving it. And really, the turbans, long skirts, long sleeves and serious faces favored by many traditionalist bellydancers would be completely inappropriate at the venues where we perform.

posted in Hands of Kali - 3 replies

Goth/tribal fusion bellydance classes

2007-03-04T23:28:43Z

Hello lovelies --
It's my great pleasure to invite you to join me on Tuesdays for goth/tribal fusion bellydance classes. We'll dance to
all kinds of music, incorporating moves from all styles of bellydance, with emphasis on the dark and sensual. I promise you a sexy-fun good time and a big sweaty workout. :-)

Tuesday nights, 7:30-8:30pm
At Epicenter Fitness downtown, 1419 3rd Avenue (between Pike & Union)
In the yoga studio upstairs
Just $10 an hour, cash or check (punch cards available)
All skill levels are welcome, no experience necessary
BYOH (bring your own hipscarf)

Feel free to email me with questions: kendra@handsofkali.com.
Visit handsofkali.com to learn more.
Let's dance!
Cheers,
Kendra

posted in Hands of Kali - 1 reply

Hands of Kali at Seattle ArtWalk tonight!

2007-03-01T18:08:50Z

Once upon a time, there was a little bellydance troupe that worked very hard and performed at a bunch of shows. A nice photographer lady came to the shows and took many pictures of the little bellydance troupe. Then the nice photographer lady decided to have her own show -- a gallery show, where she could display her photos of the bellydance troupe, for everyone to see. And she asked the little bellydance troupe to come perform at her gallery show at the same time! Clever photographer!

That little hard-working bellydance troupe is Hands of Kali. And the nice photographer lady is Sarah Wright. The wonderful gallery where the show is happening is Mnemonic Gallery, and the night is TONIGHT!

* Mnemonic Gallery, 619 Western Ave., 4th floor south
* Photos of the dance of Hands of Kali by Sarah Wright
* Live bellydance performances by Hands of Kali, 8pm & 9:30pm
* Thursday March 1
* All ages
* Free!

Please join us for this special event.
Thank you,
Hands of Kali

handsofkali.com
myspace.com/handsofkalibellydance
handsofkali.tribe.net

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

cool video clip

2006-04-05T16:38:05Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZLJxvwqHj0&search=tribal%20fusion%20bellydance%20alyssum%20pohl

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

gothic bellydance DVD coming out

2006-01-19T04:26:16Z

this was posted in the Vampire Bellydance tribe (it's prob'ly on the Gothic Bellydance tribes too):

http://www.worlddancenewyork.com/gothic_bellydance_dvd/

an actual gothic bellydance CD is coming out soon. looks good! Ariellah of Indigo fame is on it, among others

posted in Hands of Kali - 1 reply

music

2005-12-18T12:01:36Z

Anyone have a cd with the song "Cinnamin girl" on it by Neil Young?

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

snake charmer video

2005-11-24T19:51:14Z

check it out - rachel brice:
http://www.rachelbrice.com/snakecharmer.mov

posted in Hands of Kali - 0 replies

Sharon Kihara performance

2005-06-19T02:59:39Z

Hey Maureen, turns out I will be going tonight to the performance. What time are you planning on being there?

Tayissa

posted in Hands of Kali - 1 reply