NM TECH Bellydance & Drums Club
Aditi Natesa

Fall 2006 Cover Letter

Aditi Natesa had a very successful spring semester. Many events took place including a dance seminar and performances. We had well received performances for Mardi Gras and Spring Fling. These events generated great feedback for our club. We hosted a workshop with guest instructor Selena of Truth or Consequences, where regular club members and other interested students learned a classical Egyptian cabaret dance and updated their tribal skills. Overall, it was a very educational and fun experience.

Each semester our club membership and interest in our club grows. In large part this is due to the outstanding performances put on by our members. The fall semester traditionally hosts our most well-attended performance: the warm-up show for Bordello at 49ers. We have already begun planning and practicing for this exciting event. One of the dances we will perform is a sword dance. Unfortunately, over the summer our club lockers were broken into, and 4 of our swords were stolen. Due to this adverse event we will need to replace these swords, and this is where the largest portion of money we ask for will go.

We have reinforced our lockers, but will need money to make new key copies. The CD book holding our practice CDs was also stolen, and will need to be replaced. Many of our performances and practices take place in untraditional settings (such as the Tech gym) where DJ’s and outlets are scarce. We ask for money to purchase an extension cord to help in these occurrences.

The final items we would like to acquire include several instructional DVDs, books on drumming, costuming and dance history, CDs for dancing and a magazine subscription to keep the club on the latest developments in the field of Belly dancing.

This semester we are preparing for at least four performances with new dances, new choreography, new costumes, and new props, as we are continually adding to our repertoire. These performances will include a performance before Bordello during 49ers weekend, dancing in the parade with a newly formed belly dance drill team, dancing in the plaza after the 49ers parade and dancing at the St Golias Feast.

We would like to keep our TCC account for the club’s website. Instead of SA copy charges, we would like to add charges for some color poster ads. We feel that poster ads increased attendance at our performances last semester.

We have held numerous silk dying parties over the few years, which allowed club members to have colorful silk veils and fabric to work with. The members have expressed an interest in having a sewing party this semester to create beautiful new costumes and knowledge of sewing techniques. Thus, we are asking for your help with the expense of this desired and educational event by funding repair of one of our sewing machines and costume books.

Thank you,
Aditi Natesa Belly Dance and Drums Club