Spent a few hours today at Rakkasah, the big bellydance festival on the East Coast. I usually go with a friend, but she had family issues to deal with, so I went by myself this time. The drive isn't that onerous; it takes me just about exactly the same amount of time to drive to Woodstock (an hour and 45 minutes) as it does to the "bellydance Woodstock" held every October in central N.J., although for some reason the N.J. drive is somewhat more tedious (OK, I am a bit "Hudson Valley-centric").
Rakkasah has been held here for just over a decade (and longer on the West Coast, where it started), but it felt like some of the "juice" has gone out of the event lately. Maybe it's the recession, or it's that people do more of their shopping online now, or because there's now an additional "Spring Caravan" held in May or June that's diluting attendance at the October event, but there were noticeably fewer people at the event than in the past - there were actually seats available to watch the performances!
I hope this isn't a sign of things to come - yes, it can be much more convenient (and cheaper) to buy your costumes, music, etc. online, but there's something to be said for mingling with your fellow dancers, and getting to examine merchandise up close and talk face-to-face with the sellers.
As for my own shopping, I kept myself reasonably in check - I looked longingly at all the tribal-Gothic-Victorian costumes and accessories, but since I would almost never have the opportunity to wear such a costume in performance, I really can't justify buying any of it. I did make one exception - I bought a hip belt from Geisha Moth, with the justification that it went with several costumes I already had, and needn't be reserved for one specific dance style. I passed up the Victorian-style chokers at a nearby table, though - You know, you can make these yourself. Yeah, yeah. No really - just go to Michael's to get the jewelry-making basics; you've got lace and velvet scraps at home, you can make one of these in a couple of days. We'll see. Maybe, just maybe, I'll find the inspiration to create my own unique piece. And if not, Spring Caravan is only seven months away ...
