ShimmySista brings International Belly Dance Star to Maryland

SILVER SPRING, Md. - Jan. 19, 2015 - PRLog -- SILVER SPRING, MD—On February 1^st 2015, ShimmySista will bring the Moulin Rouge to Maryland in a fabulous showcase featuring award winning international belly dance artist, Ava Fleming.  Presented at the Silver Spring Black Box Theater, A Night at the Moulin will be a "unique experience of sight and movement,"  says Glenna Cush, show producer and owner of ShimmySista.  “I want to re-create the feeling of the Moulin Rouge by bringing a variety of performance artists together on one stage,” Cush says.   “Miss Fleming is known for her amazing talent and wanted to perform her show stopping number Roxanne from the Moulin Rouge so I decided to build the show around that theme.  It’s kind of a Cirque du Soliel meets the Moulin Rouge—an opportunity for attendees to experience many of the beautiful physical art forms that exist in a fun, family friendly atmosphere.”   In addition to Ava Fleming, the show will feature local performers including: Elevate aerial artists, Sentimiento Dance Team from Pikesville, Maryland, dance artist Azhia from Philadelphia, burlesque artist Reverend Valentine from Washington, DC as well as belly dancers Rotrica, Bagoas, and Khiyatta, who is known for her unique take on poi veil belly dance.  Silver Spring Black Box Theater.  Doors open at 7 pm.  Purchase tickets online at http://www.shimmysista.com/avafleming.htm.

Cush is the owner of ShimmySista,  a lifestyle brand that provides clothing and accessories to plus size dancers.   Not long after she started the company in 2008, Cush realized that it was about more than just having something to wear.  “A women’s self-esteem is closely tied to how she looks,” says Cush, if she doesn’t feel good about her appearance, she might not participate. “I wanted to help remove the barrier—at least in the belly dance community,” she says.  “Belly dance is such a beautiful art form and I didn’t want women to miss out because they could find a hip scarf that fit!”   She has larger hip scarves custom made overseas, and works with suppliers who carry larger sizes.  Cush uses social media to post inspirational messages that help women feel good about themselves, embrace their bodies and do exactly what their heart desires.  She also produces two dance showcases every year to give dancers of any size, a platform to showcase their talent.

In 2013, Cush was part of a panel discussion led by Nancy Redd on Huffington Post online.  The segment, entitled “Too Fat to Dance” featured Cush along with other plus size dancers helping to dispel the myth of what larger women can and cannot do. “I know how it feels to be the ‘odd man out,’ says Cush, and I don’t want any woman to feel like she can’t pursue her passion because of her size.  Last year Cush produced a small collection under the ShimmySista label after becoming frustrated at the lack of variety.   She hopes to expand the collection in 2015. “I love exposing other women to the art form and helping them understand that it’s not about size, but about embracing who you are where you are,” she says.  “Let the heart lead and your body will follow.”  http://www.shimmysista.com  #shimmysista #plussizebellydance #avafleming #aerialart #nightatthemoulin #bellydance