ISSN 1177-2808 (Print)
ISSN 2230-357X (Online)
MEDANZ News Middle Eastern Dance Association of New Zealand August / September 2011
E Lysaah
In a small country like New Zealand, training and workshop opportunities are limited, with study and practice you will reach a point where you want to extend your training and begin looking at overseas training.
Costs and Planning
It is not cheap to travel. New Zealand to anywhere will be an international flight, and it gets more expensive the further you go. Plus there is accommodation, spending and food whilst you are attending workshops. You can reduce accommodation costs by networking and finding friends or fellow dancers who live in the same location and are perhaps attending the workshops, they may be willing to have you stay. International workshops are going to be in local currency and the $NZ is often the weaker making international workshops more expensive than the advertised price. You will need to plan ahead to include: Time off work
Budgets
Air fare sales
Depending on your employment, time off work may not be an issue, but something to consider. You will need to budget for the costs of the workshops including currency exchange, air flights and accommodation. Start saving early, so when opportunities you can take advantage of them. Plan ahead for the workshops/festivals you would like to attend and take note of when they are, often they will repeat every year, so you can start saving for the next festival now. Keep an eye on your travel airline of choice, an air fare sale can save you a considerable portion of your costs.
Cost Benefit Budget based on cost vs benefit: How far are you going - How much is the accommodation How much is the travel - How much are the workshops vs How many hours of workshops? Sometimes a more expensive experience will actually cost less, in this example a trip the USA costs more but the $/hour is actually considerably cheaper. Figures are based on a combination of estimates and actual, to give an hourly rate: Tribal Massive USA Ghawazi in Adelaide, AU Workshops $ 1300 Insurance $ 112 Returns Flights $ 600 Local Flights $ 200 Flights $ 1900 Workshops $ 680 Accommodation $ 750 Food $ 500 Accommodation $ 200 Food $ 100 $ 4562 $ 1,780 52 hours of worskhops $87.73 18 hours of workshops $ 98.89 continued on page 4
Information Centre
2
Presidential Ponderings
3
ERROR ERROR ERROR
3
Sneak Preview - 2012 Key Note Tutors
- Melusina
5
- Andy Busuttill
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16th Winter Warm Up Less is More
7 8
Tribal Style Bellydance
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Calling all Tutors
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Calling All Performers
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Librarian's Corner
12
Classy or Tacky
14
What's On
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Web Site
Committee Details
www.medanz.org.nz President - Karen Walworth
User Name: medanz
nzbellydancer@gmail.com
Hm: Cell:
Password: bellyroll
(07) 823 7232 (027) 448 9001
Vice President & Librarian - Bronwyn Mohring yrth@callsouth.net.nz
Hm: Cell
How to contact us
(03) 471 0247 (027) 234 1024
Secretary - Dianne Thompson bengaleez@kinect.co.nz
Hm:: Cell:
MEDANZ Suite 3051 P O Box 13-240 Johnsonville Wellington 6440
(07) 378 1127 (027) 874 1087
Treasurer & Membership - Lynley Murphy blaicombe@xtra.co.nz
Hm: Cell:
(07) 886 7742 (027) 454 0478
Dori Bestmann
Committee : committee@medanz.org.nz
dori@counterweight.co.nz
Cell:
Librarian: library@medanz.org.nz
(021) 029 78803
Amanda Bound ajb@rmy.co.nz
Hm: Cell:
Membership : membership@medanz.org.nz
(06) 758 1097 (027) 478 9029
Petra Cowell pcolwell@xtra.co.nz
Newsletter : newsletter@medanz.org.nz
Hm:
(03) 478 0012
Pip E-Lysaah
Treasurer : treasurer@medanz.org.nz
elysaah@gmail.com
Cell:
Bank Account Details: 12-3011-0758507-
(021) 542 013
51
Include your name and reason (ie: sub / festival /DVD etc)
Contributions, including original articles, photos, reviews and letters are VERY welcome Email to: newsletter@medanz.org.nz All contributions will be deemed to be authorised to be reprinted on the website. Material does not necessarily represent the views of MEDANZ members, not those of the MEDANZ committee. The cut off date for the August / September newsletter is: 20 SEPTEMBER 2011
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MEDANZ News
August / September 2011
Its winter and most of us are hiding in our houses keeping warm by fires or heaters, unless you’re one of the unfortunate ones trying to keep warm in some of the power cuts that hit the country last week or even last month. I must say I am a sucker for a nice warm fire Another option is to keep warm by practicing your shimmies… I have found during the cold weather, you can practice just about anywhere - people just think it’s a reaction to the cold. It’s good to see that the belly dance community in Christchurch is still functioning and is having workshops for the dancers there I know Festival 2012 may seem a long way away but planning is going well. Start saving your pennies NOW - I know I am. Ok North Islanders we have had festival up here for a while and a lot of the South Island ladies have travelled up here for the last few years so let’s not be put off a little trip out of town – flying from Auckland is really quite pleasant – however I am planning a road trip with one of my students and Troupe member to get there, just love the scenery and we will be doing belly -dance drills practice breaks for our “Drive/Revive/Survive” stops where we practice a few travelling steps and a little technique before heading off again.. And we have the added bonuses seeing the sights on the way home Saving for festival – I would recommend you start doing this as soon as the previous one is over – after all if you can manage to put away $10 per week then that would get you $500 towards costs. / At the time I wrote this, there was approx 38 weeks before festival so by the time you read it probably more like 35 … so if you can do it, start putting away $20 a week and you should have your workshops and airfares covered. Once you are certain you’re going, keep an eye out for grab a seat or discount fares. I just checked online and found if I was flying from Auckland to Dunedin, to book online through Air NZ’s own website, would cost me $99 each making it $198 return. So not too bad really - unless you were mad enough to want to travel on the weekend then it was more expensive! Wouldn’t leave it too late to book the flights because it is the school holidays though I would certainly keep an eye on them and grab a cheaper seat when I could! So take a note of the dates - Friday 13 April 2012 - Sunday 15 April 2012. Venues are Tahuna Normal Intermediate - Auld Street and Kazbah Dance Studio, Tahuna Park, Tahuna Road and the show is in the Mayfair Theatre - King Edward Street South - Kensington (about 2kms away).
ERROR ERROR ERROR The more observant of you would have noticed that there is a discrepancy with BANK ACCOUNT NUMBERS On your renewal invoice - it says 597-51 which comes up invalid IT SHOULD BE THE SAME AS THE ONE TO YOUR LEFT - 507-51
August / September 2011
MEDANZ News
P age 3
from Page 1
MEDANZ 2011 Flights Wlg - Tauranga Workshops Accommodation Food Show & Hafla
$ $ $ $ $
225 210 198 100 50
How are you going to apply what you have learned? As much as we try you cannot take everything away, there will be things you forget or miss, accept this now and focus on what you can remember and most particularly want. As you can see from the tables, even at MEDANZ where the advertised price is $30 a workshop, the ultimate cost is around $130 per workshop, get your monies worth!
Dance Bag Pack everything you might need in your dance bag:
Knee pads Yoga mat $ 813 Dance pants Finger cymbals 12 hours of Painkillers and anti-inflamm rub workshops $ 65.25 Hip belt Stretch band Notebook and pens Spare underwear Now take this on the plane with you. Even if your luggage gets lost, you still have what you “need” to learn.
Homework If your workshops are over several days, prepare for homework. This might be as simple as going over your notes in the evening and questioning your dance buddies on things you may have missed. Don’t be afraid of making a list for questions for the next day. A popular question from workshop teachers is; “Is there anything you’d like me to go over?”. If you are staying with other workshop attendees, the evenings are an excellent time to catch up on what happened during the workshop and to swap notes or clarifications on moves. Additional things to ask yourself: Is there a Show or Hafla you might like to perform at? If you decide to perform, what costuming will you take? Costuming takes up luggage space, does your air ticket include luggage? Will there be vending at the workshops? Do you want to take items to sell or buy? Is it colder or warmer where you are travelling too? Is there a time difference? Does your plane arrive the day of the workshops or before? Have you made contingency plans for missing a flight or it being delayed? Advice: Always take a costume! You may not plan on performing but better to be prepared than to not. Enjoy
Raqs Aotearoa COPIES STILL AVAILABLE
ORDER YOUR DVD NOW!!!!! Relive the amazing stage show For only
$35:00 (includes P & P) Raqs Aotearoa DVD Orders · Suite 3051, Box 13-240 Johnsonville ·Wellington 6440; or email to committee@medanz.org.nz or princessaaminah@hotmail.com Page 4
MEDANZ News
August / September 2011
SUBSCRIPTIONS TO 30 JUNE 2012 ARE NOW DUE FULL MEMBER - $35:00 FAMILY MEMBER - $15:00 each 3 CONVENIENT METHODS TO PAY POST YOUR CHQ 路 EMAIL US YOUR CREDIT CARD DETAILS 路 DIRECT CREDIT - 12-3011-07585
NB:
0
7-51
THE BANK ACCOUNT # ON THE INVOICE IS WRONG !!!
ALWAYS REMEMBER TO INCLUDE YOUR MEMBERSHIP NUMBER WHEN PAYING
Sneak Preview on Next Year's Key Note Tutors ! We are thrilled to announce that next year we have secured the gorgeous and talented
Melusina as our Dancing Key Note Tutor.
Melusina is part of the Underbelly dance troupe in Melbourne since 2000 where she teaches weekly classes in all styles and levels. She has taught here and in America as well as being frequently sought after all around her home country. In 2006 she toured America with the well known band Solace performing at their concerts, taught several workshops as well as took lessons with some of the leading American contemporary bellydancers. Then the following year she went to Egypt and attended workshops with some of the Egyptian master choreographers and dancers like Mohamed Reda and Nour. She has also trained under Rachel Brice, Deb Rubin and Ava Fleming to name but a few. We are extremely lucky to have her come and teach at our festival. She has sent us over a huge list of classes on offer and our biggest problem now is going to be which ones to chose and which to leave out. If you would like to see her in action, she has several You Tube clips available - search for Underbelly - Melusina. You will be blown away. August / September 2011
MEDANZ News
P age 5
Tribal Style, Tribal Fusion & Base Belly Dance Classes Have you ever wanted to try Tribal Fusion or American Tribal Style, but weren’t sure what classes were out and about? Well every week Pip E-Lysaah teaches classes in both styles in Wellington AND Christchurch. Every Saturday Pip E-Lysaah teaches Tribal Style Level 2, Level 3 and Mixed Level Tribal Fusion at the
School
of
Contemporary
Belly
Dance
in
Christchurch.
Tribal Style Level 2 covers the
essential
formations
cues,
and
movements
of
American Tribal Style, Tribal Style Level 3 steps up the challenge by adding shimmies, levels and layers to the technique, advanced formations and props such as sword, veil and finger cymbals. Mixed Level Tribal Fusion takes students through an exciting 35 min belly drill section, which leaves you warmed and sweaty, and then into the combography portion of the class.
Combo-graphy is
choreography by combination, learn a combination and then add then together with a modern twist on musical stylings.
Classes at the School of Contemporary Belly Dance, Christchurch Tribal Style Level 2: Saturday 1.30 – 2.30 pm Tribal Style Level 3: Saturday 2.45 – 3.45 pm Tribal Fusion (hard): Saturday 4 - 5 pm Tribal Fusion (easy): Thursdays 5.30 - 6.30 pm Monday – Thursdays you can find Pip E-Lysaah in Wellington teaching where-ever there is a desire and studio space, please contact directly for class dates and times.
Pip loves travelling for workshops, so if you would like some belly dance workshops in your town, contact her for details; everything from drills, technique and choreography composition. Pip E-Lysaah http://www.hedonistacal.com; http://www.belly.co.nz; http:// www.theredqueens.webs.com/ text: 021 542 013 twitter: pipbellydance
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MEDANZ News
August / September 2011
16th Winter Warm Up (Brisbane) It is interesting how each tutor at the Winter Warm Up has something slightly different to offer. This year had Momo Kadous as the guest teacher. Momo, like Dr Mo who was unable to come at the last minute, is Egyptian born and living in Germany. Initially I was disappointed that Dr Mo’s teacher training was not going ahead and the new program was a little light on folklore. But I was in for a pleasant surprise. I learnt a lot about teaching from watching Momo teach – for unlike most workshop tutors Momo actively taught. He gave individual and class correction; he also selected exercises and choreography to work on our weaknesses. The main points I noticed was his use of repetition, humour and passion. For instance, within minutes he was explicitly asking for changes in our interaction with the (non-existent) audience. On the last session he was still pushing it – so, he said, we would develop habits which were difficult to break. His English was very good although slightly accented. In addition he had a strong ballet background and we soon picked up the rudiments of ballet terminology (in French). For explaining the music he switched to Italian for the theory and Arabic for the lyrics. By the end we started to become more multilingual! The first day was his technique. He introduced some new body combinations which he made use of over the next four days and also a slightly different posture to what most Egyptian based teachers use. Namely, far more upper body tilting to bring the focused body part closer to the audience. However, apart from a belly roll and body wave the torso mostly connected the head and the hips; it didn’t dance on its own but allowed expression. Day two was a full drum solo in 4.5 hours. That may seem like a long time for a three minute drum solo – but we needed every minute as he threw almost 20 complex combinations at us. The result was something not only interesting to watch, but in itself is an excellent exercise in different Momoisms – such as the shaking banana, the bretzel, and some fast leg work. By the end only the three oldest were still standing – all over 50 - while the younger women lay, backs against the wall, eyes glazed, chests heaving. Day three was down as Khaleegi and he moved it from the women’s social dance – which I normally teach – to stage versions of traditional moves. Little things such as doing the wrist crosses above the head; and, safe dance warning, lots of hair tosses, head circles and level changes. With a simple chorus and verse structure this was completed in the morning to allow us a shaabi piece in the afternoon. Here the meaning of the lyrics were vital – as was the correct attitude of the dancer. This piece combined both dancing and acting skills. I admit classical Orientale pieces often leave me cold – but Tuesday’s choreography was an exception. As with all Orientale pieces it was very rich – while the feet were interpreting the staccato drum the torso would be following the legato – subtle but present; when one repetition was with masmoudi sagir, the second with a sa`iidi – so an almost repetition with the moves – but not quite. Again in addition to a useable dance, this day gave a lot of useful exercises in interpretation and combinations. It was also interesting see how he switched from rhythm to melody in one case mid-bar. Counting was very rare; we worked with the sound of the music, the instrumentation and the lyrics.
to
All in all, an excellent set of workshops. If you have a chance to study with Momo Kadous – take it. As for the Winter Warm Up – it is unsure whether the next one will be 2012 or 2013 – but a biennial event is most likely in the future. The latest updates can be found on www.winterwarmup.com.au Judith Varga (Kashmir) Christchurch
August / September 2011
Momo Kadous
MEDANZ News
P age 7
luxurious 100% silk mesmerising exotic
Individually hand dyed and made in New Zealand Sahher1@gmail.com 021 20 60 333
Less is More Adilah
When I think about this first thing that comes to mind is Bikinis… it would seem the less there is of them the more you pay for the thing.
Have you ever sat at the computer watching different dancers on You Tube? Ok, if you have broadband you may have done this. If not, you might limit yourself to one or two videos a week. When we had dial up, I used to load a video on Sunday night – go have a shower then come back. If I was lucky it had loaded (half an hour later) if not it was then onto make a hot chocolate drink .. by then if it had not loaded I would shut the computer down and not bother. Now we have broad band and I seem to watch a couple a night instead of a couple a week So you are probably wondering what is she waffling on about – ok here goes - What I have been finding watching these videos is that “less is more” when it comes to bellydance. The dances that hold my interest are not necessarily the ones with the best technique or the most complicated but the ones that show the dancer is passionate about the dance – the ones that have simple moves, strong accents that go with the music and in the group dances, the ones that have interesting formation & layered changes. I myself, have been guilty on occasion of overdoing a choreography with moves/combos. Most of the dances I teach now, have had severe tweaking and simplification to make them easy to follow, flowing and able to be embellished by the dancer in different situations. I hope this gives you something to think about – it doesn’t matter if you are thinking about choreographing for a group or your first solo, or braving improv, it is not necessary to fill every moment with amazing layers, pops and shimmys that mark every nuance of the music. The audience simply switches off because the whole dance becomes a blur of movement which doesn't show case the dancer - it becomes exhausting to watch. Some every now and then is good - actually essential to maintain interest, but in general it is best to just follow the music, go with the flow and yes “Keep it Simple” You have heard this before and you will no doubt hear it again and again throughout your dancing life. Remember - a dance full of tricks stops being a dance routine and starts becoming a trick performance that would do better in a Gymnastics show.
MEDANZ News now available ON LINE If you would rather receive your edition of MEDANZ News on line Send your email address to blaicombe@xtra.co.nz Back issues are available by logging into http://issuu.com/medanz/docs Page 8
MEDANZ News
August / September 2011
Sneak Preview on Next Year's Key Note Tutors - Part 2 ! We are so amazingly lucky - once again we have managed to secure the services of a brilliant drummer to tutor us at next year’s festival.
Andy Busuttill,
from the Blue Mountains west of Sydney is a man of many talents - multi
instrumentalist, he plays many different genre of music but specialises is Middle Eastern and Balkan pitched music and percussion. Not only does he play the darbuka, he can also play clarinet, alto sax as well as a variety of other wind and percussion instruments. If that’s not enough he is also a renowned vocalist with a style that can move effortlessly between Anglo traditional and mawaal style. He has performed with a huge number of world class musicians and recorded over 20 CD’s. Currently he is performing with Skorba who have been achieving huge recognition around Australia. He believes that music comes from the heart and soul and that learning an instrument needs to be a joyful experience. Being a relative late starter - he didn't pick up an instrument himself until he was in his thirties - he is an advocate for “its never too late to learn” Everyone has some sort of talent and it can all be tapped into given the right circumstances. His workshops cater for players at al levels of skill and ambition. He is renowned for being able to stitch a workshop together that brings people of all skill levels to the point where they produce music that thrills them. I can hardly wait! If you would like to learn more about him, visit his website (www.bluemountainsound.com.au) or log onto You Tube and type in either his name or Skorba. Hurry up April!
August / September 2011
MEDANZ News
P age 9
Tribal Style Bellydance - The Basics
Pip Elysaah
What is Tribal Style Belly Dance? Essentially Tribal Style Belly Dance is about a group of people belly dancing together using a vocabulary of cued moves. The vocabulary of moves and the style those moves are performed in, tend to be specific to the group performing them.
Fat Chance Bellydancers
So the vocabulary differs from group to group, but is based around a set of core moves developed by FatChance Belly Dance of the American Tribal Style or ATS. However it is the concept of many people dancing as one, using improvisation, that is the centre of Tribal Style. What is American Tribal Belly Dance? American Tribal Belly Dance was started almost 30 years ago on the West Coast of America. It is a specific style of belly dance comprised of many distinct elements but created by Carolena Nericcio of FatChance Belly Dance. One of the most apparent distinctions is the elaborate costume which often consists of layers of fabric, decorated turbans, and heavy, ethnic jewellery. Carolena studied with Masha Archer for for seven years before starting FatChance BellyDance in 1987.
Manhattan Tribal
Is it really all Improv? Tribal Style performance consists of a chorus or circle of dancers providing a backdrop for solos, duets, and trios. Performances are seldom choreographed but rather cued from a vocabulary of movement by a designated lead dancer. This encourages a spirit of team work, awareness and cooperation, all parts of being a "tribe". Ghawazi Caravan - Aust
What is Gypsy Caravan? Paulette Rees-Dennis was a core member of FatChance Belly Dance for many years before breaking away and forming her own troupe and style known as Gypsy Caravan. It breaks many of the infamous ATS rules and creates a new style whilst still continuing along the core lines of “of many people dancing as one with a simple vocabulary, using improvisation”. The Gypsy Caravan style is considered more gentle and relaxed than ATS and performs its movements on both side of the body, flat to the audience unlike ATS’s right side only angle position. Are Gypsy Caravan and ATS very different?
To the untrained audience eye, they look similar, to your hard-studying teacher and performer, they are very different. ATS has a very structured and uplifted upper body posture, whereas Gypsy Caravan is more relaxed, the arm height is held considerably in ATS. Gypsy Caravan performs its movements on both sides of the body and in both directions whereas ATS is predominately right sided. Can I buy a DVD to learn from? Both ATS and Gypsy Caravan have produced extensive instructional DVDs set that can be purchase directly from their websites.
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MEDANZ News
August / September 2011
What style should I start with? This is a subjective question, as you should start with the style you like the most. Looking at Gypsy Caravan and FatChance Belly Dance clips on YouTube will give you an excellent idea of what these styles look like and from there you can make a choice. There are a number of teachers of both styles around New Zealand. Both of these styles offer a “certification”, you can become “General Skills Certified” in ATS, or pass “Collective Soul Training Level One” for Gypsy Caravan. Both of these courses are intensive-level experiences involving 4+ days of training. Devi Mamak of Ghawazi Caravan in Australia offers “Individual Critique Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3” certification in ATS as well. Links: FatChance Belly Dance http://www.fcbd.com/
Ghawazi Caravan http://www.ghawazicaravan.com/
Gypsy Caravan http://www.gypsycaravan.us/gypsycaravan.htm
ATTENTION POTENTIAL TUTORS You are invited to submit your proposal to teach at
FESTIVAL 2012 Dunedin - 13 - 15 April 2012 When submitting your proposal - please provide as much detail as possible together with your bio and photograph for the Festival Booklet (for those that taught last year - we can up date the info you provided then) Preference will be given to those who submit multiple classes All proposals must be made on the Application Forms which are available on our website All intending tutors must be full or family members at time of submission (ie have blue card)
Completed forms are to be sent to our postal address OR all the addresses below
nzbellydance@gmail.com
blaicombe@gmail.com
workshops@medanz.org.nz
(WE ASK YOU TO DO THIS TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT SOMEONE GETS YOUR APPLICATION)
CLOSING DATE - 31 OCTOBER 2011 August / September 2011
MEDANZ News
P age 11
Oh Wow I have just received a box full of DVD donations from Nicki Paklos. I had previously received a lovely email asking if we would like some DVDs which were gathering dust….. I of course said thank you….. but we received NINE NEW DVDS. That’s right NINE. So if any one lives near Nicki could you please hug her for all of us. So here is the List, some oldies but goodies and some brand spanking new. Check out their reviews on Amazon. For Tribal and Tribal fusion performance freaks:
Tribal LA
with Zoe Jakes, Kami Liddle, Sharon Kihara, Moria Chappell, Elizabeth Strong, Fat Chance Bellydance, Samantha, Urban Tribal, and Sonia & Colleen. I have this one and really love it. A Bellydance Superstars DVD For hard working fusion drills girls
Belly Dance and Yoga Conditioning with Ariella .
35 min Yoga, 75 min drilling technique, 40 min combinations which become a short choreography AND 3 performances. A DVD from World Dance New York. Total 150 min
Killer Drills with Zoe Jakes.
Oooh I haven’t seen this yet check out reviews on Amazon
Belly Dance Pop and Lock with Elisheva.
Drill pops, locks, waves, footwork & turns, advanced shimmy layering, combinations AND a full choreography, and I haven’t even mentioned the warm up and muscle conditioning OR the performance. A DVD from World Dance New York. Total 120 min
Page 12
MEDANZ News
August / September 2011
COME DANCING! Would you like to perform at FESTIVAL 2012 Dunedin - 13 - 15 April 2012 You are invited to submit your proposal to perform in
Raks Simimi AT MAYFAIR THEATRE - DUNEDIN SOUTH - 14 April 2012 All dancers MUST BE current full or family members (ie: you must have your blue card) or application for membership and payment must accompany the proposal You must be attending at least one Festival workshop as a student and you also need to have previously performed in public. Any dance over 5 minutes in length must be accompanied by a demo DVD or You Tube link SEND YOUR APPLICATIONS TO BOTH performance@medanz.org.nz
AND
yrth@callsouth.net.nz
or post to our Postal Address
CLOSING DATE - 31 JANUARY 2012
Modern Tribal Bellydance with Asharah.
Muscle conditioning workout and stretches followed by isolation drills, modern ticking and freezing style movement, full choreography and two performances. A DVD from World Dance New York. Total 180 min For fusion Choreography girls
Tribal Drum Solo Choreography
with Zoe Jakes & Issam Houshan. This includes a warm up and introduction to the rhythms. A Bellydance Superstars DVD. Total 82 min
Arabian Spices a Tribal fusion choreography to DJ Kambo by Sahira.
Total 80 min
For all Bellydance Students
1001 Bellydance Moves Keti Sharif (a 3 DVD set.
Slow moves, fast moves and
traveling steps)
21 Shimmies and 10001 variations with Leyla Jouvana.
An IAMED
Classic And last but not least, especially speaking for myself coming out of winter suffering from hay bale shoulders
Stretch and Joint Mobility Therapy
with Annette Fetcher A DVD from
world Dance New York. Total 55 min August / September 2011
MEDANZ News
P age 13
Classy or Tacky reprinted with the kind permission of Shira Far too many people still think belly dancing has something to do with stripping. And they are not entirely wrong. The Middle Eastern dance performances at the 1893 Columbia Exposition in Chicago became incredibly popular because they seemed deliciously scandalous to a society which squeezed its women into corsets. The popularity of those performances and the publicity caused by the surrounding scandal led Vaudeville entertainers of the early 20th century to create their own variation which was known as Burlesque. Eventually burlesque led to the entertainment form know as striptease. Today, modern-day Oriental dance artists (also known as Belly Dancers) are still fighting the question “Isn’t that something like stripping?” when they tell people what they do. As a dance community, we find ourselves confronting this all the time. It becomes even harder for us when some of our own dance colleagues do things that the General Public think as tacky. So are you classy or tacky? Your clothing and behaviour can make a big difference in how people view you and your dance. When you are NOT in costume: Sometimes you deal with the public when not in costume. You may be visiting a nursing home before you are scheduled to dance to examine the performance space or perhaps calling on a Club owner to interview for a dance job or even having a business meeting with a videographer you are hiring to produce a video. In all these situations it is important to be “in character” as the beautiful and professional dancer you are. Whatever the occasion, whenever you are conducting belly dance business, even when wearing “civies” you are still seen as a representative of the dance. If you show up in a stained shirt and tatty jeans, you will leave the impression that you don't care about your appearance or the dance and the prospective employer will conclude that you will probably look and act as ragged even when in costume. So whenever you are in your normal clothes but identifying yourself as a dancer, take that extra effort to look a bit special - neat, tidy clean clothes, make-up and tidy hair. Pay attention to your grooming. It does take a bit of extra effort but it will pay off in the long run. Preserve the Mystique: Before your show when you are in full costume, don't stand around on display chatting with audience members - always wear some kind of cover up - caftan, full length cape, coat or something similar. Part of the impact of your opening dance is the effect of your wonderful costume. There is something magical about exotic music, theatrical makeup, unusual lighting and a fantastic costume, all working together to make your first impression WOW! If the audience sees you before the performance much of the impact will be lost. And after the show is done, change back into attractive normal clothes before mingling with the audience, pat down your face and cleavage with tissues to remove perspiration or runny makeup. Your image as a dance goddess will be lost if you come out dripping sweat off your nose and down your cleavage. Smoking and Drinking Alcohol in Costume: When you are dressed in everyday clothes and not representing bellydance, feel free to smoke and drink as much as you please - within the legal limits naturally. However when you are wearing your costume or playing the role of “The Dancer” at some sort of function, be careful how you behave. Even tho smoking and alcohol are both perfectly legal in Western society and widely accepted, there is still some public attitude that these activates are somewhat sinful. For this reason I don't recommend doing these things when you are acting in some official capacity as The Belly Dancer. In the early 20th century, the very same time period when Belly Dancing was first tainted with scandal, it was considered scandalous for ‘ladies’ to smoke or drink alcohol. If someone who appears otherwise to be a nice girl does these things, people may think its cute or glamorous. But if people already think someone’s reputation is questionable, then when they see her smoking and drinking, it just reinforces their opinion that she is trash. Body Language: Its usually ok to pose for pictures with the guest of honour after you have performed at a private party; or grab and audience members hand to pull them up to dance with you; or touch your ‘victim’s’ hips with your hands in an attempt to show them how to shimmy; or teach a line dance with everyone - including you - holding hands. But it is generally best to avoid physical contact with the audience - especially where alcohol is available and some of them could be drunk. There are some things that you should never, never, never, NEVER, NEVER do. Never place your breasts on either side of a mans head and shake them. Never shimmy your breasts in a man’s face. Never sit on an audience member’s lap and pose for pictures. Never engage in openly seductive behaviour while dancing eg: licking lips sensuously, vigorous pelvic thrusts etc. Never make porno faces during your performance and never point your knees towards the audience when doing a back bend. Grooming: When performing, ensure your fingernails and toenails are clean and neatly shaped, your hair is clean and attractively styled and your clothes are free of stains and odours. Your costume needs to be in good condition without looking tattered and worn. Cabaret dancers need to have their armpits shaven or at least covered. All part of looking professional.
Photo by PIXIE VISION PRODUCTIONS Glendale - California
Conclusion: Unfortunately too many members of the public already think Belly Dancing is sleazy. When we parade around in costume where the public can see us before or after we perform , or smoke cigarettes while in costume, we only reinforce that belief. It isn’t fair but its reality. So if you want people to respect you when presenting yourself as a Belly Dancer, its not enough to look and behave like and ordinary everyday person. You need to be just a little more tasteful, a little more ladylike a little more glamorous that the ‘normal’ person
For more valuable articles regarding Belly Dancing, visit Shira’s website at www.shira.net
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MEDANZ News
August / September 2011
WHAT’S ON? NEW ZEALAND
Belly Dance Weekend Retreat 9th-11th September 2011
Otimai Bush Lodge, near Auckland See www.phoenixbellydance.co.nz for details ALL SHOOK UP - TECHNIQUE WITH TAIS Hamilton - Sunday 16 October 2011 (venue to be advised) Registrations and Enquiries to Shelley Dawson daw8son@xtra.co.nz
07 849 3328
027 717 2699
BELLYDANCING ON THE BEACH Tropical theme Cultural and Creative Dance show 15 October 2011 7pm - 9:30pm Orewa Primary School Hall - 86 Maire Road Orewa A collection of dance schools getting together to showcase their various Cultural and Creative dance style. Adults $10
Children under 12 - $5
Light refreshments available - $2 If you would like to be part of the action - contact Vicki Langford via Facebook
DANCE WORKSHOPS IN TAUPO WITH TANYA 29 - 30 October at 10am Tauhara College Dance Room - Ivergarry Road - TAUPO A series of workshops run by Tanya Bamford-King plus a Hafla For more details check out www.artofmovement.co.nz/taupo_workshop.htm
ALL HALLOW’S HAFLA 29 October Khamzin Tribe is hosting their Hallowe’en themed shindig again featuring a spooky line up of performers and live music from the Unfortunate Repercussions Wanna make a weekend of it? Workshops will also be held Further details - including venue and costs to come Check out All Hallow’s Hafla on Facebook August / September 2011
MEDANZ News
P age 15
WHAT’S ON? NEW ZEALAND
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MEDANZ News
August / September 2011