It is with the greatest sadness that we announce the cancellation of “Raqs NOX: B Movie”.  Due to circumstances beyond our control, the performance roster has been decimated by every possible act of God (and man, for that matter).  It was not to be, although certainly my sister and I mourn the glory that would have been.

We shall see you again soon … some dark hour, with the moonlight glowing upon the cemetery gate.  Follow the sent of night-blooming jasmine.

Please join us at Patrick’s Cabaret on Friday evening, July 18th, 2008, for the next installment of our Raqs NOX (”night dances”) series:  “Raqs NOX: B Movie”!

A hair-raising, gravity-defying, madcap dance variety show that plunges you into the dark and twisted world of classic movies, cult films, and unforgettable television.  This is yesteryear a-go-go and in Panavision!  You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll shamelessly sing along - and then throw caution to the wind for an hour of open dance following the performances.

Tickets are $10 per person at the door
Show starts at 7pm
Open dance from 9-10pm

This show is rated DC/HK (Drive-in Chic + High Kitsch) and is open to all ages.

Join us at Patrick’s Cabaret in Minneapolis for an evening of gothic bellydance and other performances - mixing the savage and the sweet. Flying in the face of candy hearts and flowers, treat yourself to something equally delicious, but darker and decidedly more dangerous.

Saturday, February 9th, at 8:00pm; $8 at the door/$5 for zombies.

This promises to be an evening you’ll want to come back from the dead (of winter) for.

Men found Arabella irresistible; she drew them to her in breathless swarms. As it only takes one suitor to win a heart, however, many others broke theirs trying to draw her attention and gain her favor. Sir Devian Adderbrooke once remarked that Arabella “had a graveyard for a heart”. We laughed and laughed - and giggle still, from time to time.

Of the three Mumfrey children, only one was re-gifted to a neighbor. Constance (blond, blue dress) was a delight to the eye, but eerily humorless overall and prone to starting fires.

From an interview with Herrick Grimmer, Head Butler to the Redde-Chapel sisters:

“The ladies are delightful. Oh, some call them strange and keep their distance, but walk out one’s door and try to avoid the brutish and intellectually tepid … it is simply impossible.

For Mrs. Undercrypt’s birthday, Mrs. Dreadpenny insisted on making the cake herself. It was unheard of! Madam in the common kitchen in her dress blacks wearing the cook’s unpressed apron! (He shakes his head.)

It was a red velvet cake … frosted to look like an animal … grey … an armadillo, I believe it was. No candles or bows of icing. Mrs. Dreadpenny, presenting the creation, pulled a small cleaver out of her pocket and chopped the thing off at the neck - exposing the red cake beneath.

Mrs. Undercrypt squealed with happiness and they both erupted into endless peals of laughter. They’re so very childlike, really. In the light … (his voice trails off) … their eyes … (barely a whisper) … the same yellow …”

… can come to naught, or so it would seem. Regrettably, Arabella and I have made the decision to CANCEL our “Raqs NOX: Beyond the Pale” gothla in October - not for any lack of interest or tremendous talent (because we had dark oodles of each), but because of venue problems. Although we feel that all of our dancers would rise to the occasion of “winging it” for the gothic cause, we firmly believe that it honors the art form to provide performers with ample time to prepare … and an appropriate (or even delightful) venue.

Suffice it to say, we are getting down to The Wire here and have had bad luck at every turn. Best, we think, to pull the plug and put our energies into some future stroke of midnight … a February show we’re currently calling “Raqs NOX: My Zombie Valentine”. More on that from dear Mrs. Dreadpenny later on, as she will be coordinating and directing the show.

Thank you for your support and enthusiasm around “Beyond the Pale”; our apologies for the cancellation, but our hopes remain high that we will all meet again under the lights in the very near future.

Vivienne was a cabaret legend - perfecting a haunting little dance called “The Cobra”.

(Torn portion of a list left at Grandhall’s Confectionary by Mrs. Arabella Dreadpenny:)

Molasses

Bitters

Candied mint leaf

… (a dark smudge obscures the text) … dipped and thickly covered, mandrake (again, the text is unreadable) … like butterscotch …

“RAQS NOX: Beyond the Pale” begins our gothla series in earnest. Date: dangerously close to Halloween (soon); location: some place tremendous. Full details soon to be disclosed.

If you are interested in performing, please contact us at your very first opportunity.

Come to the dark side, dears; we have cookies.