External bellydance websites on patterns, history, online shops, henna artists, glossary, Arabic names...

 

For a while I have been researching and collating information on useful websites for belly dance. I have found good ones on costume patterns, history and belly dance events throughout the UK. Please feel free to search through and enjoy!

Patterns:

http://www.joyofbellydancing.com/costuming.htm#Patterns http://www.desertmoondance.com/modiste.htm#atterns http://www.artemisimports.com/patterns/  (books to buy on patterns) http://www.shira.net/cos-student1.htm  

History:

http://www.joyofbellydancing.com/bdhistory2.html  (Yasmina's website has a collection of links about the history of belly dance. You can find almost anything there)
http://www.shira.net/about.htm  (Another collection of links about the history and some curiosities about the dance)

Online Shops:
http://www.aladdinscave.com/  
http://www.ebay.co.uk/  (there are quite a few good reasonable shops on eBay for belly dance items, tribal, belts, costumes, DVD's, CD's. Try them!)http://www.faridapassions.com  

Raqs Sharqi:
http://www.raqsdance.demon.co.uk/raqsinfo.html  (history) http://www.raqsdance.demon.co.uk/  (old one)
http://www.raqssharqisociety.org/  (new one - subscribe to their online newsletter, it's great and packed full with workshops, events and residential courses throughout the UK and abroad)
http://www.lizawedgwood-dance.com/  (Brilliant Raqs Sharqi teacher.)

Belly dance glossary:

http://www.venusbellydance.com/vocabulary.htm  (The Venus website will give you an insight on all the movements names for all the levels, interesting!) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belly_dance  (A bit of everything. Always something new to learn)
http://www.learn-to-belly-dance.com/styles.html  (History and styles, very comprehensive site)

Arabic names for you to choose, if you haven't got one yet! (with translation)

http://www.sudairy.com/arabic/fem.html http://www.ummah.net/family/fem.html 
http://www.farfesha.com/pages/female-arabic-names.htm

Henna Artists

Q'ar Body Art: http://www.qarbodyart.com/  

Bellydance events:

http://www.planetegypt.co.uk/party_darbucka._future_shows.shtml

Other bellydance sites:

The Lincolnshire Belly Dancer's website: http://www.lincolnshirebellydancer.co.uk/