December Happenings and Gift Ideas!

I am hoping that my students, friends, and creative allies, can help me get the word out about some of the really amazing things I am a part of and working on. Thank you so much! Let me know if there is some way I can spread the word about the wonderful things you do too!

As we roll into the holidays and the close of 2014 there is still time for more adventures, and for planning for 2015! Can you believe we are in the final pages of 2014 already!

I am currently booking for 2015 studio classes and local events. If you or someone you know has an interest, please let me know early.

December brings gift giving to mind! Do you have someone on your nice list with an interest in Bellydance, Tarot, or Writing? Let's work together to give them the perfect gift! And you get something too! With any purchase you get 50% off classes, readings, or books!

Here are some of the exciting things already on the calendar for December. See you soon!

Sundays, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Private Lessons

Home Studio, Glendale

Mondays, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Private Lessons

Home Studio, Glendale

Mondays, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Tarot Cafe

Home Studio, Glendale

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tarot-cafe-tickets-14438932235

Tuesdays, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Writing Workshop/ Critique

Home Studio, Glendale

Tuesdays, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm & 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Bellydance Drop in Drills

Home Studio, Glendale

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bellydance-drop-in-drills-tickets-14438908163

Wednesdays, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm & 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Bellydance Drop in Drills

Home Studio, Glendale

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bellydance-drop-in-drills-tickets-14438908163

Thursdays, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Tarot Cafe

Home Studio, Glendale

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tarot-cafe-tickets-14438932235

Thursdays, 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Private Lesson

Home Studio, Glendale

Thursdays, 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Private Lesson

Home Studio, Glendale

Thursdays, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

bint Hazine Student Rehearsal

Home Studio, Glendale

Thursdays, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Writing Workshop/ Critique

Home Studio, Glendale

4th, 1:00 pm

Author Spotlight Interview

Fashion Square Mall

13th - 15th

ComiCon FanFest

Glendale

http://phoenixcomicon.com/page/82

13th, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Desert Caravan

Daddy-o's Bar & Grill, Glendale

https://www.facebook.com/DaddyOsDesertCaravanBellydanceDrumCircle

20th, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Evolve Dance Studio Recital

South Mountain Community College

22nd, 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Red Tent

Home Studio, Glendale

https://www.facebook.com/events/596690497126218/

Thank you so much to all of you! Have a wonderful holiday season!

Tea Dueling with Captain Amara Deegan

I am a fan of tea. This is no secret. I typically have quite the stash of teas for any occasion, and appreciate when people share a few bags or loose ounces of their favorite teas with me. I am a fan of tea sets as well, though I have my favorites. I enjoy tea parties and am always looking for an excuse to host one, Mad Hatter or otherwise.

So, I was pleasantly shocked to discover there was something about the tea culture I was not previously aware of. I am sending a huge thank you to Jenn Aerilyn, also known as Captain Amara Deegan for introducing me to the fine art of Tea Dueling.

I confess to be wholly under the impression that Tea Dueling, or Tiffing, was an invention of the Steampunk societies and fans. I had no idea that this is in fact an event with quite the history.

Steeped (yes, a pun at last!) in history, the sport of Tea Dueling has been in existence since at least 1899 which the official rules are dated. It is a game for both gentlemen and ladies. The official Tea Dueling Societies as well as several Steampunk fan groups participate in these matches. There are regulation biscuits, regulation cup depths, and an entire list of rules to follow. This is some serious business! And it is far more fun than I expected after hearing it was essentially biscuit dunking and sassing your opponent.

There are three ways to lose a tea duel and all three are just a matter of how the biscuit crumbles. A Splash; which is to have your biscuit fall into your tea cup. A Splatter; landing your gooey biscuit on the table, floor, or anywhere other than the cup, unless you Sploge. A Sploge is the most shameful way to lose at a tea duel, and this is to land your mushy biscuit anywhere on your person. A true gentleman/ lady does not soil his/ her own clothing afterall.

Jenn Aerilynn introduced me to this at the November Red Tent night and I was hooked! I also lost in the most shameful way possible, with a sploge on my first go. I would love to see a round or three between Captain Amara Deegan and Captain Blackstrap Gennie, maybe with swords or rum involved.

For more information on Tea Dueling:

http://steamaz.com/

http://unlacethevictorians.blogspot.com/2012/04/art-of-tea-dueling.html

To find out more about Jenn (Captain Amara):

https://www.facebook.com/CaptainAmaraDeegan/timeline

And, of course Captain Blackstrap:

https://www.facebook.com/BlackstrapGennie

https://www.facebook.com/czep.blackstrapbook