Articles

9-1-10 Expanding Traditional and Innovative Approaches, Report from the Theatrical Belly Dance Conference, Part 1: The Panel Discussions, by Thalia
As with any new label applied to the genre, a question of definition consistently arises from fans and skeptics of the burgeoning theatrical belly dance category. Wisely, the organizers have incorporated panel discussions in the Conference’s roster of events since its formation.

8-30-10 SF Mecca Immersion 2009 Video report part 2: Glimpsesof Dances on the Community Kaleidoscope
On August 1, 2009 The SF Mecca Immersion held their Saturday Night Review at Broadway Studios in North Beach, San Francisco, CA. Performers include: Carolena Nericcio and FCBD, Jill Parker, Deb Rubin, Zoe Jakes, Kami Liddle, Fredrique, Cera Buyer, Kristina, Sister Kate.

8-27-10 Identity Through Bellydance:An Arab Descendant's Viewpoint by Lynette Harper PhD
While some Arab women turn instead to ballet and western contemporary dance, others, like me, have embraced belly dance genres as a way to connect with our cultural heritage–only to disappear behind another veil, because Arab women dance artists in Canada are obscured within a huge belly dance community.

8-26-10 Musical Instrument Tour Video with Tina Chancey
Director of Hesperus.org, Tina takes a moment from the camp’s busy schedule to tell us the difference characteristics of this style violin from one we normally see. She touches on the different posture used to play and also why she, a professional player of “Early music” is interested in how Arab music and style relates to what she normally plays. Footage captured in August 2008, at the Mendocino Woodlands, Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp.

8-25-10 Letting Go of the Towline, Surviving Dance Conflict! by Najia Marlyz
Still, even though our dance puts us into contact with beloved friends and creative people who bring us continual joy and renewal, Belly dance is also a powerful magnet for some people with serious mental and emotional problems beyond the scope of dance

8-24-10 The Festival That Never Sleeps, The Costumers at the 2010 Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival by Roza
There was one thing they all had in common: the most creative, cutting edge, couture related costumes! Egyptians have been making costumes for (possibly) thousands of years, and since Belly dance goes back 5,000 years; why not? They know how it should fit the body, move with the lines and motion, and creative geographic designs are, of course, a Middle Eastern staple. Here in Egypt, all costumes are handmade, one of a kind. The majority of these businesses are family owned, and it’s nice to know costume purchases are helping people in Egypt maintain both this craft and artistic skill and their families.

8-18-10 Nesma, Dancer of Passion Interview by Nina Poethen, Originally version published in “TANZ Oriental“, December 2006 in German
To manage the orchestra is quite complicated. They are all men and the dancer must always keep her distance from them. You have to use the service of a manager who is the intermediary between you and the other persons involved in the business. It is very important to have a good manager, a good professional and good person as well. And it is not so easy to find, I can tell you.

8-17-10 Personal Truths in Truth or Consequences New Mexico’s Floralia Festival 2010 by Surreyya
Many times a turn of events will bring us to another place to make a new beginning–a deep and sudden loss inspired my original journey to California, and two recent losses inspired my return back to the desert, opening wounds I nearly forgot existed. It was fortunate to have Floralia to attend; it served as a focus on something I enjoy with all my heart–dance.

8-16-10 A Weekend in the City of Riches, Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive 2009 Photos by Ben Zimmerman
The 7th Annual Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival took place on September 10-13, 2009 at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino. The event featured workshops & performances from Amaya, Jim Boz, Sharon Kihara, Suzanna Del Vecchio, Aubre, and Frederique. The event is produced by Samira Tu’Ala and her team.

8-15-10 Inverting the Gaze, Medusa Dualities in Female Bellydance Performance and How the Gaze Continues to be Relevant Today by Shema
This is not so hard to understand when we consider that the representation of female sexuality has been so over-developed as to become almost a parody of itself.

8-12-10 Abdominal Freakish Delights: Aboard The Queen Mary! Photo Report from MECDA’s Cairo Caravan 2010, June 4-6, 2010 PAGE 1 AND PAGE 2 by Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan and Carl Sermon
Staying onboard the ship Queen Mary makes the event special and a unique and amazing experience As you walk the long curved and richly carpeted halls, you realize that you really are aboard a stately ship–named after a queen–a ship that once sailed the Atlantic Ocean.

8-4-10 Tribal Fusion Faire 2009 Photos by Michael Baxter
Alvilda, Anaar, Ayse, Belly Sema Dance Co, Blue Moon Haven, Daniella, Dark Raven, Epona, Evil Eye, Fat Chance and Sooz, Firefly, Gypsy Moon, Hiplash, Irina Xara, Jessica Martinez, Kalima Satori, Karma, Kashmir Isis, Kim and Andrea, Leyla Atwill, Madrid, Masha, Mikayla Taylor, Mirage...

8-1-10 The French Connection by Tasha Banat
Remember that the cabaret style of Belly Dance itself was considered a western cultural event and the night clubs of those days were only there to entertain invaders and their families, not the local people.

7-30-10 Morocco’s Four-Day Folk Fest Schikhatt, Tunisian, Zar and Guedra, report by Mary
Schikhatt (a Moroccan word meaning "wise woman") is a dance performed before weddings at bridal parties as a way to "educate" the bride in the movements she would be expected to mimic on the wedding night.

7-23-2010 Friday Night Performances at IBCC 2010, photos by Samira, video collage by GS staff
International Bellydance Conference of Canada April 23, 2010 at the Hungarian Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto,Ontario, Canada. Performers include: Raks Sahara, Ashira, Maryfar, Laura Bellydance, Daluah, Tribe Maya Fire, Sa'Diyya, Monique Ryan, Sabaya, A La Nar, Sarah Skinner, Akimi, Earth Shakers, Roshana Nofret, Sofia & Chanty, Ebony Qualls, Danza Della Luna.

7-18-10 Belly Dance in Patriarchy, Escaping the Switzerland of the Soul by Andrea Deagon PhD
However, I do believe that belly dance is able to attain such vitality and complexity in the modern world precisely because it’s embroiled in serious cultural and personal contestations. It is precisely clashes of aesthetic values, conflicting paradigms of sexuality and gender, and economic as well as political inequities that strike the dance’s most beautiful notes.

7-15-10 Sema Yildiz, A Star of Turkish Dance by Zumarrad/ Brigid Kelly
She was fortunate, she says, to grow up in a Roma (Gypsy) community rich in dance and music – the Fatih district, which houses the Sulukule, famous for its entertainment and considered the oldest Roma settlement in the world.

7-15-10 Queen of Denial, Chapter 2: Dancing in the “City of Lights” by Rebaba
I’m breathing very hard, and can tell I’m very, very shiny and red, even under the stage lights, but I think he likes me. And he is completely dumbfounded that an “American” girl is auditioning for a job as a “Danseuse Oriental!” I know I’m way too fat, but thank God I’m a belly dancer, and apparently a novelty, because I couldn’t get away with this in any other dance form! Fortunately, I’m only 19 years old and my excess flesh is young, tan and firm!”

7-12-10 Fusion: How much is too much? by Najia Marlyz
In America, and evidently elsewhere, we dancers seem to have a voracious appetite for new steps and movements, so like hungry chipmunks, we have grabbed all we could stuff into our cheeks of Turkish and Arabic steps and gestures, resorting to incorporating and mixing of Saidi, Kaleedgi, Blue Guedra, Ghawazi, etc. We’ve chewed all of them up together and spit them out and found that they have not sufficiently nourished us.

7-6-10 Mohamed El Hosseny: His Dancing Journey from Suez to Cairo, Helsinki, and Beyond Interview by Zsuzsi
My advice which I tell all of my students is to study ballet at a beginner level for a few months. It will help your lines very much, so you have a nice bodyline without worrying about it and you can focus on learning the choreography and Oriental movements of the teacher in front of you.

7-5-10-Carnival of Stars, Performers L - Z Photos by Carl Sermon
Latifa, Leyla Lanty, Lulu, Mahsati, Maila, MaShuqa, Monica, Monifa, Naiya Halal, Nera Brent, Pepper, Raks Al Khalil, Raska a Diva, Raks Hakohaveen, Robyn Lovejoy, Safiyah, Sarah Horbeein, Shadha, Shaunte, Sister Sirens, Sukara, Surreyya, Tanja, Tatseena, Tera Lynda, Trish ...

7-2-10 Megacity Megafest, 1001 Brazilian Flavors at Mercado Persa 2009 and Beyond by Paola Blanton
So, it was with these butterflies in my belly that I bounced home last December after almost two years teaching and performing on the road. Sao Paulo, population 20,000,000+, is the iconic “megalopolis” of the futurists when they predicted the “rise of the third world”. And Brazil is making huge strides – in government, economy, and broadening international appeal. My adopted country – I was going back to set up housekeeping after gypsying around the globe for an eternity, and I was more than ready for a dose of my sprawling, energetic, chaotic, mesmerizing home.

7-1-10 Ask Yasmina #13, FInd a Good Teacher, First Workshop, Non-Arab Dancers by Yasmina Ramzy
First and foremost, take a class or two from many teachers in your area so you can make a better informed decision. Please note that slick advertising and a good website indicate good organization and good marketing skills, not necessarily good Belly dance skills, knowledge, or even teaching skills.

6-29-2010 Argentine-Arab Dance and Music Charm Taiwan, Gina Chen promotes Live Music for Local Dancers by Lisa Chen
I have to say it is quite different from any other American or Egyptian style choreography I learned before; you almost always keep your feet into ballet position and body weight is relatively higher. The physical dynamic is much exaggerated. I guess this is the Argentine style bellydance and I could see why local dancers are fond of it, owing to the quality of fluidness and lightness, very outward gestures and wonderful live music.

6-27-10 Carnival of Stars, Performers A - J Photos by Carl Sermon
Adriana, Ahava, April, Alexandria's Ghawazee, Aruba, Asia, Asura Noor, Becca, Birute, Cathy Guthrie, Cheryl, John Stanley, Crystal, Dahlena, Dancers of the Crescent Moon, Danse Maghreb, Daughters of the Pharoah, Dunia, Elizabther, Ena, Esperanza, Evil Eye, Ghanima, Hala, Heather, Jamara, Jawahare, Jewels

6-21-10 Hallah Moustapha, My Costume and Dance Mentor in Cairo by Nicole
I wish I had called her sooner, because what came out of my finally overcoming my shyness was a unique friendship, and a type of mentoring I had been wanting for quite some time.

6-17-10 Leila Delivers Live Music Under the Stars, Camp Negum 2010 photo and video report by Yasmin Henkesh
Camp Negum did indeed happen May 4-8, 2010. It was everything Leila promised and more – 5 days and nights of music and dance classes, almost all to live music.

6-16-10 IBCC 2010: Thursday Main Stage Performance Photos and Video, Photos by Samira, Video by GS staff
The Thursday Night Main Stage Performance of the International Bellydance Conference of Canada was held April 22, 2010 at the Hungarian Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Video report consists of a collage of clips caught of performances. IBCC is produced by Yasmina Ramzy and company.

6-13-10 Miles Jay demonstrates the String Bass. Musical Instrument Tour
Another video filmed at the Mendocino Music and Dance Camp in 2008. Miles show us bowing and plucking the bass as well as the maqam bayati and how the bass is tuned.

6-11-10 Teacher or Coach: What’s the Difference? Why All Performing Dancers Need a Dance Coach by Najia Marlyz
Most performers have a great deal of untapped potential; additionally, many consider it cheating to engage a professional coach and yet, that is exactly what they would look for if this were the Olympics and they were competing for the gold!

6-10-10 Debke, A Brief History by Tasha Banat
How does one combine Debke with Bellydance? What does that mean? In order to combine two beautiful dances, we have to first separate them and understand the different types of Arabic music

6-8-10 Interview with Yamil Annun, An Argentinian Belly Dancer by Martha Duran
Yamil Annum has created his own dance style and has evolved his specific style of Oriental dance by using the well established foundations of classical Ballet, Ukrainian dance, Ballroom dancing, Celtic dances, Jewish folk-dance, Bhangra, Armenian and Argentinian Tango. His elegance on the stage has revolutionized stages all over Argentina and Latin America.

6-7-10 There's More to Being a Professional? by Ashiya and Naajidah
Many are the times we have heard belly dancers bemoaning the fact that there are so few venues, especially paying ones, for our art form. They long to be professional dancers, and are understandably frustrated at the lack of opportunities afforded us for acceptable venues for performances. But, does the lack of venues keep dancers from being professional, or does being unprofessional create the lack of venues?

6-4-10 IBCC 2010- Wednesday Stage, Opening Night Gala Performance Photos by Samira
The Opening Night Gala Performance was held April 21, 2010 at the Hungarian Canadian Cultural Centre. Video report reposted here as an introduction to the photos.

6-1-10 Choosing Finger Cymbals by Lara Lotze
Learning finger cymbals can be intimidating for many dancers. It is not just another prop, it is a musical instrument that should be used to enhance the dance and help accent the music. One the major barriers to learning finger cymbals is simply finding a good pair of cymbals that you like.

5-30-10 Building A Dance Community by Mary
A community does not operate in a vacuum and there is no room for cattiness or drama if the community is to be effective and truly benefit the area as a whole

5-26-10 Dancing with Legends: Interview of Freddie Elias, Part 5: Today’s Music by Artemis Mourat
If they are good musicians, they will abide by the rules and respect the dancer. We have to work for her, not against her. The young lady depends on you. She depends on the musicians.

5-24-10 Loyalty, A Virtue Out of Fashion? by Beata and Horacio Cifuentes
Some do not stop to think that it is a matter of basic manners to express your gratitude to an individual who has made an effort to provide well-being and knowledge. They just go and move on to their aerobics classes, horseback riding sessions, judo drills, or other, while the teacher is left behind wondering if any aspect of their lesson caused the pupil to go.

5-18-10 Sula, An Artisic Life by Monica
Sula continued to study with Bert through the early 1970s, though by 1972 she called him “my ex-teacher and now equal partner”. Bert was extremely proud of Sula, as she was among the first students he trained who began teaching seriously.

5-17-10 A Bust to Be Proud of... by Yasmin Henkesh
When she introduces me to her dance friends, it’s the first story out of her mouth – eighteen years after the fact. We still laugh about it.

5-10-10 IBCC 2010, Wednesday April 21, Opening Gala Report From The International Bellydance Conference of Canada by Gilded Serpent Staff
Because Gilded Serpent didn’t quite make it to the hall until the show was over, we are very grateful that Brigid Kelly consented to give us her report from the Wednesday evening performancec. The dance photos overlayed on this video are by Samira Hafezi.

5-6-10 Queen of Denial, A Tale about Life and Belly Dancing, Part 1: The Safety of the Stage by Rebaba or Rita Alderucci
For many years, the most secure and safe place for me was on stage–dancing and acting. Performing gave me the security and love for which I yearned (both with and without drugs).

5-5-10 Bellydance in Utero by Keti Sharif
When pregnant, I practiced Belly dance moves each day in preparation for giving birth, mainly focusing on the circular, soothing and stretching movements but avoiding shimmies and moves that were contra-indicated by midwives and sports professionals.

5-3-10 A Very British Kind of Bellydance by Charlotte Desorgher
This incongruity is something that characterizes the English bellydance scene. Many of our festivals are held in historic sites, such as castles or ancient towns, and we are used to the surprising sound of Arabic music floating across an English lawn.

5-2-10 IBCC 2010, Thursday Activities Report From The International Bellydance Conference of Canada by Gilded Serpent Staff
We begin our video reports with the Thursday Activities: dance workshops by Amel Tafsout, Sema Yildiz, Delilah, and Aurora Ongaro lectures on The Anatomy of Bellydance, Dr Sawa on Rhythmic Notation for Bellydancers, Shira on Mass Media, Mass Stereotypes and a Panel on Feminism & BD led by Andrea Deagon,

4-28-10 Nights Out in Cairo, Part 2: Sunday Through Tues day by Nicole
I realized that I’m more at home on a felucca sounded by Egyptians with Shabii music blasting than in a hip hop club, with girls in short skirts rubbing up against guys. In my life in San Francisco, my friends and I were living a combination of both, but we had to have Arabic music at the end of the day, because that was what moved us.

4-27-10 San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Middle Eastern Culture & Dance Association (SFBA MECDA) 2009 Fall Gala Showcase Photos by Oscar Cwajbaum, Introduction by Davina
We were fortunate to have a new photographer at our last gala show on November 14, 2009. It was Oscar’s first belly dance event, and though I invited him purely to get photos of my own costuming work, he spent the entire day snapping shots from our show and has fallen in love with our art form. Here are some of my favorite shots from that day.

4-16-10 Belly Dance and Feminism: Different Issues, Different Perspectives Introduction to IBCC Panel on Bellydance and Feminism
Feminism embraces more than one point of view, and feminist perspectives lead to many different decisions and courses of action. Feminism is a tool for thinking – for understanding and putting a name to issues you may be wrestling with in your own dance life, and for seeing belly dance in the light of broader economic, social and political realities.

4-15-10 Mass Media, Mass Sterotypes: Beginnings by Shira
From the very beginning of moving pictures technology, moviemakers have used “Middle Eastern dance” as a means of adding sexual innuendo and sexy eye candy to their productions.

4-14-10 Nights Out in Cairo, Part 1: Wednesday Through Saturday by Nicole
The beauty of Cairo is often in the every day things, the small things that we wouldn’t consider so worthwhile, but in fact, make up the real substance of what it’s like to live here. I don’t go to museums or monuments or see famous Belly dancers every day, but I am here in Cairo every day and that is special in and of itself.

4-10-10 Carl's Photos from Rakkasah East Festival 2009, Page 4: R-Z by Carl Sermon
Raks Helm, Raks Sheva, Ranya, Raqs Caravan, Rasa, Sahara Shimmer, Salit, Samra, Scheheresade, Sera & Solstice, Shaula, Shayda, Shushanna & Sean, Soverign Reign, Surayyah, Suzanna, Tanya, Tapestry Tribe, Tasha, Tempest, The Nixies, Troupe Little Egypt, Troupe Solice, Troupe Zoryanna, Valerie Rushmere, Wild Gypsy Fired, Yame, Yasmine, Za-Beth

4-6-10 The Pirate, the Psychic and the Mummies in the Basement, Malia's Story Part 1 by Malia DeFelice
So, at age 4, my world was good. I had a rich imagination sparked by images of Egyptians in the crawlspace and iron ore waiting to be turned into gold. I had a family that consisted of pirates, genies, fortune tellers, wanderers and minstrels. Most of all I had been captivated by the bejeweled beauty in the dancing tattoo. It was 1957 and I knew, like my Uncle Omar and great Aunt Katie, I would one day grow up to be someone who would follow a special calling. I decided, at age 4, that it was my destiny to become a Belly dancer!

4-4-10 Carl's Photos from Rakkasah East Festival 2009, Page 3: K-Q by Carl Sermon
Kaoru, Kinnari, Kismet, Latifa, Lili, Lisa, Luja Mahalat, Marabesh. Maisah, MaShuqa, Melanie, Mia Naja, Naheda, Naimah, Nubian Moon, Pyramidiva, Queens

3-31-10 Can a Non-Arab Dancer Really Belly Dance? by Margaret MacLennan
Belly dance is seen as an Arab art form, and has gained considerable popularity outside of that circle. But can a non-Arab belly dancer really belly dance? Should a non-Arab represent a cultural art form when she is not a part of that culture? This article is an attempt to arm a non-Arab belly dancer against the inevitable questions leveled about whether her ethnicity or cultural background should prohibit her from dancing.

3-30-10 Be Your Own Design Diva, Costume Bra Alteration: How-To Change Halter to Conventional Straps by Davina
However, the halter styling of the bra had straps that were far too short to fit around her neck limiting her ability to lift her arms over her head.

3-26-10 Carl's Photos from Rakkasah East Festival 2009, Page 2: D-J by Carl Sermon
Page 2: Dalia, Daniel, Dorothea, Denise, Egyptian Sun, Elisheva, Fahtiem, Fatima, Femme Fatale, Gabi, Groove Merchant, Habiba Dance Ensemble, Hannah Nour, Helena Zahra, Hipnotiq, Jamilah Bellydance, Jenivina and the Mystical Hips Tribe, June and Chandani Oriental Dance...

3-25-10 Carl's Photos from Rakkasah East Festival 2009, Page 1: A-C by Carl Sermon
Page 1: Alana, Alchemy, Alex King, Alia, Alrana, Amalia, Amy, Anasma, Aneena, Angelique, Anku Kusu, Artemis Mourat, Athalia, Attiya, Avivah, Ayshe and the Cult or Isis, Blanca, Bliss, Blooming Rose, Chellcy and Fringe Benefit

3-18-10 Not Last Year's Saiidi by Zumarrad/Brigid Kelly
Recently, a belly dance community newsletter here in New Zealand ran an editorial in which the author remarked that the current generation of dancers still perform “traditional styles – Ghwazee, Khaleegy, Saiidi” but innovate with poi, fan veils and Isis wings in a sort of dance evolution that retains respect for the value of the old.

3-16-10 Serena Wilson (1933-2007) A Student of Ruth St Denis, Part 3: Serena's Books by Barbara Sellers-Young
Serena’s approach saw women as joyful, soft, and feminine. They were responsible for and in control of their sensuality and by extension their sexuality. The dancers were not encouraged to challenge men by their physical presence, but neither was their physical presence and personal desire controlled by men.

3-12-10 Creating Camp Negum by Leila of Cairo
The idea came to us as we laid on the beach at Ras Sidr, a resort town near Suez on the west coast of the Sinai Peninsula. It was one of those rare times when my husband, Safaa Farid, and I could slip away from work for two days. We were watching the wind surfers and listening to Om Kalthoum on the clubhouse speakers when the question just popped out.

3-10-10 Ask Yasmina #12: The Importance of Oum Kalthoum, Undercutting, and Kid Bellydancers by Yasmina Ramzy
When a client hiring a performer or a student looking for a teacher is at a point where they want quality, they know they have to pay a fair price.

3-3-10 A Sense of Humor: It can Help! Quest for Beauty, Part 3 by Zorba
What follows here are several humorous anecdotes. Some of them are about being a male in a female dominated field while some are merely about being a Bellydancer in the first place. My first rule concerning being weird ("weird" as evidenced by some reactions to my previous articles) is to have a good sense of humor!

3-2-10 Latest Craze- Egyptian Oriental Dance, The Fitness Benefits of Our Dance by Hadia
This is a fabulous idea, except for the very important and primary fact that the majority of efforts in this direction have attempted to fit this archetype of feminine activity into the current prevailing masculine model of linear strengthening and tightening, complete with fitness speak, crunches, squats and sweat!

2-26-10 Life as a Bellydancer: A Dancer's Dilema by Najia Marlyz
Next came my surprising reality check. It stung me pitifully when I was introduced at my family reunion as "Evelyn’s daughter, the Kootch dancer"! I still thought of myself as a graduate student, learning fascinating things about ethnic studies and folklore.

2-17-10 Shimmying on the Shores of Paradise, The Dancers of the Dominican Republic by Sylvia Richards
White sands and turquoise waters come to mind when most picture the Dominican Republic, but the Caribbean paradise offers visitors far more than its natural beauty. It may come as a surprise that the small tropical country most known for its pristine beaches and Caribbean hospitality also has a vibrant and thriving belly dancing scene.

2-16-10 Digital Dancer! Belly Dancing in Second Life by Caitlin McDonald
In Second Life, the dancing is done digitally by applying a computer program that causes one’s avatar, the digital representation of the self online, to move in a prescribed manner. Instead of learning movements and needing time to practice them, they are loaded onto the avatar just like Nero learns Kung Fu in the “Matrix” films.

2-16-10 Hot Bellydance Event in Tijuana by Martha Duran
Leila Farid from Cairo Egypt is a sweetheart! She is what many Mexican dancers aspire to look and dance like. Wow! She is gorgeous and mesmerizing - as well as extremely nice, polite and down to earth! My star struck students were amazed to catch her snacking on Mexican Rancheritos (chips) and eating breakfast like a Mexican, with tortillas! She’s so fit that we couldn’t imagine she snacked on chips tortillas like the rest of us. Her master class was magnificent.

2-11-10 Paul demonstrates the Oud another Musical Instrument Tour
Paul shows us his instrument, including the tuning he uses, why there are not frets, who his mentors are and the makers of his instrument.

2-9-10 Carl's Camera Captures Dancers from Z to A, Tatseena's Fantasy Festival 2009, photos by Carl, introduction by Ma*Shuqa
This festival was a festive day of good vibrations with dancers sharing their talents on the raised stage, and on the beautiful wood dance floor. The day was replendent with beautiful dancing, beautiful costumes, and wonderful music - with the bands: Al Azifoon and Light Rain. This is a favorite festival for dancers in the East Bay area.

2-3-10 Bellydancer in 21 Days: My Internship with Aunt Delilah by Averill
I am incredibly fortunate to be a junior at a very nice independent school in Toledo, Ohio. One of the programs they offer is called "Winterim". No one goes to their normal classes for a month; instead, all the students embark on some kind of intensive independent study program.

2-2-10 Serena Wilson (1933-2007) A Student of Ruth St Denis, Part 2: Salome and Her Impact by Barbara Sellers-Young
When suited to the context, she also had no hesitation in using the term belly dance as she considered the dance as evolving as an Americanized version based on primarily Middle Eastern as opposed to North African influences.

1-30-10 Daoud demonstrates a Cura, Saz or Baglama another Musical Instrument Tour
The Saz family has many sizes.Cura is the name of the smallest size saz or baglama. This is an octave higher in pitch than an full size regular saz.

1-27-10 Shoo Shoo Amin, A Forgotten Treasure of the 80s by Yasmin
Twenty years ago when I told people I had worked with Shoo Shoo Amin in Cairo, the response was “Wow!” Now, people go “Who?” Today no one seems to know who she is. For belly dance purists, this is a tragedy. Every so often, someone my age or older will wax lyrical about her on-line, but for the most part, she’s an enigma – even to young Egyptians.

1-25-10 Behind the IBCC, a Talk with the Founder, Yasmina Ramzy by Laura
I wanted it to be more scholarly, no competitions and not a festival. I felt it was important that all viewpoints were shared.

1-24-10 A Fan Speaks with Nagwa Fu’ad by Najia Marlyz
Nagwa seems to have excelled in innovation and creativity with the new compositions. She dances with the old favorites, but shines with the new orchestras playing current pieces.

1-21-10 Is Belly Dancing Provocative? by Maria Strova
This stereotype of Belly dancing has caused me a lot of displeasure; it has made me angry to see how imprisoned in negative models Belly dancing still is,and how much it had lost since it was formerly an ancient art that honors the female body.

1-17-10 Serena Wilson (1933-2007) A Student of Ruth St. Denis, Part 1: Childhood by Barbara Sellers-Young PhD
Serene Blake was born in the Bronx on Aug. 8, 1933 into a Vaudeville family of performers called Blake & Blake. Her mother sang and her father played the banjo. Her childhood and adolescent years intersected with the Vaudeville stage, on which she often appeared with her parents in the 1930s.

1-15-10 Sweet Memories of Vietnam, Not THAT Vietnam by Samra
Soon I was to find out that I had nothing to worry. Hanoi is a vibrant cultural city and Belly Dance is the new rage. It is respected as the true art form that it is, and dance students are hungry to learn more and more.

1-11-10 Carl's Camera Captures Jillina's Bellydance Evolution, photos by Carl, introduction by Ma*Shuqa
Jillina Carlano’s Bellydance Evolution marked the beginning of an era in which bellydance moves beyond dance Oriental imported from Egypt and performed in clubs.

1-4-2010 Sticky Situations: Ask Yasmina #11- Inappropriate Audience Members, Competitive Teachers, Fickle Students by Yasmina Ramzy
Trying to please and appease those who already disrespect you leads to a miserable dead end. My advice is to say "NO" and give the inappropriately behaved person a good wack across the face.

1-2-10 The Original Mish Mish, The Golden Age of Tinseltown, Interview by Kamala
I was working one evening at Khyams and still doing my old style of dance. I came out for my entrance covered with a veil and right at the beginning of my show, she came up on stage and started peeling my veil off me and threw it on the floor. She shook her finger at me and said in broken English "Lah, this isn’t Egyptian!" I was so embarrassed and humiliated I could barely finish. Talk about being intimidated!

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8-17-10 And I thought I Knew Him, Horacio Cifuentes: Confessions of a Male Belly Dancer Book Review by Amina Goodyear
Yes, I thought I knew Horacio Cifuentes, a San Francisco dancer who moved to Berlin to be with and wed Beata Zadou. After reading his book, I realized I really did not know him. The book, “Confessions of a Male Belly Dancer”, is exactly that. It is a self-produced autobiography written in a very sincere, almost shockingly honest way. It is personal and personable.

8-17-10 Tribal Videos Today, Tribal Fusions, Volume 2 from Bellydance Superstars Tales of Desire from Hollywood Music Reviewed by Davina
It’s my belief, that as dancers, it’s good to keep up with what’s happening within the greater dance community, even if it doesn’t suit our taste or style. It’s especially important for dance instructors to recognize who the industry leaders are. It doesn’t matter if it’s Egyptian Raks Sharki or Flamenco/Gypsy/Zambra Mora or in this case, Tribal Fusion–knowing who is the current crème-de-la-crème will give you a stronger knowledge base from which to teach your students. Investing in one or two high-quality professionally made Tribal DVDs will add breadth to a dancers video collection.

7-16-10 Fusing Jazz with Middle Eastern, Souren’s "Taksim, It’s About Time" and Vince’s "Beginnings", Two CDs Reviewed by Amina Goodyear
However, in all reality, now in this world when we fuse a Belly dance with everything as well as the kitchen sink (pots, spoons, mop handles, bowls, vases, trays) why not consider seriously performing to one or both of these Jazz fusion CDs played by some of the most respected Middle Eastern musicians in the field? If dancers perform already with fusion music, why not use music that is specifically fusion?

6-25-10 Recreating the Live Sounds of Egypt, Yasmin’s "Dancing with Genies-Hafla al Afareet" CD review by Amina Goodyear
Upon first hearing this CD, I liked, no, I loved, the way it sounded like a live show. Exciting! Nevertheless, I question why some tracks sounded like they were recorded in a sterile studio.

6-14-10 Got Baby? Two Prenatal DVDs: Amira’s Bellydance & Yoga for Pregnancy, Prenatal Bellydance with Naia, Reviewed by a very pregnant Sonja Oswalt
For students who are looking for a quick but easy workout with some light and simple bellydance movements, Prenatal Bellydance with Naia may provide a slightly more satisfying pace. However, new beginners may be overwhelmed, and would do better to select Amira’s Bellydance & Yoga for Pregnancy. Neither DVD offered a challenge for advanced dancers, while both DVDs are more suitable for a dancer in her second or third trimester, as they may be too easy for a dancer in her first trimester.

5-31-10 Creating and Listening to Musical Ecstacy, CD Review-Yasmin’s "Cry to the Moon, Taqsim lil Qamar" reviewed by Amina Goodyear
Taqsim traditionally follows a certain melodic progression… Following the introduction, the improviser is free to move anywhere in the maqam and even modulate to other "maqams" as long as he returns to the original. Taqsim is considered by many to be a connection to the spritual world.

5-24-10 Lots and Lots of Combinations, Review of 2 Belly Dance Step Combination DVDs: IAMED’s Ultimate Combos #5 and Combination Nation #2 by Cheeky Girls reviewed by Tracey Farmer
With the Belly dance market being saturated with all plethora of instructors, genres, production companies, etc., it’s inevitable that the same type of DVDs will be produced. As I’ve said before, its difficult to decide which titles to buy unless you are certain you enjoy the dancer/instructor.

5-18-10 3 Music CD Reveiews: A Dancer's Choice, by Tracy Benton
Amera – Asal: Music for Arabic Dance, Soul Nahawnd – Music for Kitty, Leila presents Sukara: Egyptian Bellydance Music Vol. 2. It’s always intriguing to find music presented by or influenced by a particular dancer. What does it mean for the album in question: was the music composed for the dancer?

5-18-10 The Art of Listening, Faisal's CD, "Madar" reviewed by Amina Goodyear
This CD is best for dancing in the mind, not in the class. (There are, however, several tracks that are dance pieces.)

5-13-10 "Where the Middle East Meets the Frozen North", Review of Eva Cernik’s Performance on Friday, October 2, 2009 by Melissa Wanamaker
On stage an ageless, timeless beauty, her 30 years as a professional dancer have given her poise, wisdom and a huge range of emotional expression. Her great expressive eyes dominate an elfin face that will pull you into her pain or disgust one moment and crack you up with a sparkle, head slide and lip shimmy the next, all washed down with a wink and natural smile that says not to take that too seriously either.

4-16-10 Tribal Belly Dance Matures into its Prime, It All Unfolds at L’Amour de la Danse Review by Kristina, Photos by Brad Dosland
Although the show was not intended to be a Tribal show, because the Bay Area is the cradle of Tribal style, the line-up did a marvelous job of presenting this genre’s rich variety.

3-17-10 Magicians of Music, Three Excellent New Music CDs by Tracy Benton
Dancers owe a huge debt to the artists who produce music of the very highest quality, music that isn’t merely a background for dancing but a star of the performance in its own right. Consider the albums listed here as potential classics that you may treasure for years.

3-14-10 A Look at Three Different Classical Egyptian CDs: Leila’s "Om Al Dunya", Samy Farag’s "Classic Egyptian Belly Dancing Music", Hamoudi Ali’s "A Gift from Cairo", reviewed by Taaj
Classical Egyptian music and dance style have been around for decades. This is both positive and negative for dancers looking for music in this style. On one hand, there is a lot to choose from. On the other hand, it’s so easy to locate the best known pieces by the best known artists that it is hard to find something new and inspiring.

2-16-10 Rainbow Dancers of the Dunes; Amera's Khaleegy DVD Reviewed by Bonita
Amera, a legendary Australian dancer who worked in the Middle East, begins with a brief poetic, documentary presentation of Khaleegy basic background history and how it personally touched her heart.

2-15-10 Drumming for Bellydancers and Bellydance Drumming Wannabes: 3 Drumming DVDs reviewed by Amina Goodyear
However, the three "how to play the drum" DVDs I am reviewing really do introduce the beginning drummer to the drum and, if used as a three unit package, these three DVDs can take the drummer or dancer/drummer from absolute beginning level to the stage.

2-4-10 Three New Music CDs: New York, Lebanon, and Worldwide: Sayyah, BDSS 6, BD New York Reviewed by Tracy Benton
Three good albums came to me for review: one a fine choice for a student, one a good choice for lovers of original music, and another for the dancer who wants everything!

1-16-10 The Muwashahat with Mohamed Shahin and Karim Nagi Workshop review by Thalia
The Muwashahat genre is inspired by tenth century court poetry of Arab-Andalusia, developed when Arab intellectual and artistic culture flourished in Spain. The rhythms are complex.

1-15-10 More Fans, More Veils… DVD Review by Tracey Farmer
She includes a lot more ground information by using combinations, aptly named tables and turns, and the introduction to a lengthier fan veil that is 3 meters long instead of the standard 1.5 meters.

1-13-10 Galit Mersand Teaches the Shisha Dance DVD review by Martha Duran
This is a unique dvd for the performer who wants to widen her horizons.

1-8-2010 Jillina Advances Dance Theatre, A Review of Jillina’s Bellydance Evolution, by Kristina Nekyia, photos by Carl Sermon
Bellydance Evolution is a full-length theatrical event directed by dancer and choreographer Jillina, ushering belly dance into the world of dance theater. The production is a melding of narrative with a wide variety of traditional and cutting-edge Middle Eastern dance and music. I saw the dress rehearsal of Bellydance Evolution when it debuted in Glendale, California in August, 2009.

12-13-09 Two Finger Cymbal Products reviewed: Belly Dancing Book & Kit Zill Speak, CD and Booklet by Artemis Reviewed by Surreyya
The finger cymbals: The cheapest money can buy, likely made by orphaned children in a third world country, yet an exceptional value for $9 at Borders books.

12-4-09 Drum Solos: 3 Masterful Approaches, 1-2-3 Drum Solo with Bahaia, Arabic Rhythms and Combinations with Tamra-henna, Dynamic Drum Solo: Technique & Choreography with Sadie Reviewed by Sonja Oswalt
Overall, if I were an advanced beginner through advanced intermediate student with only enough money for one of these videos, I’d purchase Arabic Rhythms and Combination with Tamra-henna.

11-6-09 Roads Less Traveled: 3 Unusual Audio CDs- Experiments in Bellydance by Rebecca Wolf-Nail, Passages by Middle-Earth Ensemble, Desert Winds by Transition, Review by Tracy Benton Here’s a collection of music for those searching for something off the beaten path!

10-25-09 Astryd de Michele, A Workshop in Modern Egyptian Style, Workshop review by Rebecca Firestone
And can we please ask all workshop instructors to show their feet? Maybe even knees?

10-16-09 Tasting Cairo Stars in Your Home: Randa, Diana, Leila, Natasha’s Video Package- "Masters of Egyptian Choreography" Reviewed by Hana Ali
Begin with the interviews and you will benefit from an understanding of their individual teaching methods.

10-9-09 “Habibi, You are My What?..”DVD- Essential Arabic for Dancers, Vol 1 reviewed by Bonita
However, I have never had such insight into the words as this DVD taught me! Now, thanks to Leyla, I have an added dimension to teach my students.

10-9-09 Zills: “Voice” of Bellydance 2 CDs of Finger Cymbal Instruction: Mastering Finger Cymbals By Mary Ellen Donald, Raqset al Sajat, An interactive CD, A Review by Bonita
A special thanks to the artists and producers who made these CDs possible, and may they individually and collectively preserve and revitalize an aspect of the dance, playing finger cymbals, that, sadly, has been withering on the vine in the community of late.

9-24-09 Belly Dance Novels, Light and Dark: The Belly Dancer by DeAnna Cameron, Midnight Rose by Wendy Buonaventura, Reviewed by Bonita Oteri
“The Belly Dancer” has mass marketing appeal to many women as a light, entertaining romance novel; it is a good introduction to the art form which, I believe, will even entice more than a few ladies into our classes. In contrast, “The Midnight Rose” has a darker side and is not for the faint hearted who want to read a happily ever after type novel.

9-17-09 Pop, Locks and Shimmy x 2, 2 DVDs with Almost the Same Name Reviewed by Martha Duran
So what’s with the title dilemma? who deserves the crown for the first pop, lock, and shimmy DVD, or who did the best one? After dancing along several times to each DVD, what matters most to answer the question who did it right - the appropriate title to the appropriate production

9-16-09 Yousry Sharif Makes a Stop in Tennessee by Sonja Oswalt
Yousry sat on the front row during the performance, and is rumored to have remarked “that is me dancing up there!” when Virginia made her appearance.

8-14-09 Knowledge and Skills for Becoming an Excellent Performer: Sadie’s Complete Bellydancing Guide Secrets of the Stage Vol. 1 With Michelle Joyce DVD Reviews by Martha Duran
Common anxiety attacks that almost every dancer experiences before getting on stage are discussed

7-17-09 2 Balancing & Sword DVDs Reviewed: The Art of Sword and Shamadan by Princess Farhana DVD & Sword and Tray Balancing for Bellydancers with Cory & Laura by Martha Duram
It’s a shame that this DVD wasn’t a remastered version.

7-12-09 Heartbeat of the Dance: Review of 4+ Drum Solo CDs Reviewed by Amina Goodyear
Sabla Tolo 1 & 2 by Hossam Ramzy, Drum Attack by Tony Chamoun, Pulse of the Sphinx by Henkesh Brothers

5-9-09 3 Instructional DVDs for Beginners:Wide Range in Quality: A Course in Belly Dance by Galit Mersand, Aziza’s Ultimate Practice Companion, 1-2-3- Belly Dance with Bahaia Reviewed by Tracey Farmer. I am going to review 3 videos that are mainly for beginners or practice.  They are from 3 vastly different dancers who each have unique styles. 

5-3-09 Sensual not Sexual:Exploring Sensuality in Bellydance, DVD Reviews of “Sensual Belly Dance with Blanca”, and “Sensual Passion with Tamalyn Dallal” 2 DVDs reviewed by Tracey Farmer
“Sensual Passion” (the DVD) is not about sensuality! Again, like Blanca’s “Sensual Belly Dance”, this DVD is not another “charm your man and get him to fall in love with you” instructional DVD.

4-17-09 Two Dance CDS for Performance and Listening, "The Soul of Cairo" & "The Masters of Bellydance Music" 2 CDs reviewed by Amina Goodyear
This family is dedicated to producing (and also finding) the latest and most popular bellydance music as well as reissuing classic albums in a remastered format with updated liner notes.

4-7-09 Middle Eastern Dance Theater:Erotic Chantal and Mythogical Ishtar 2 DVDs Reviewed by Joette
This is where I had to stop and get a drink of water. Thrusting pelvises on the pyramids was wild and not at all the way had I remembered the pyramids!

3-27-09 ASWAT: Arabic Music Concert by Rebecca Firestone, held Saturday, January 25, 2009 Skyline College, San Francisco, California
They'd hired a different director this time, all the way from Cairo, Dr. Sari Dowidar. Dr. Dowidar got professional results even out of amateur performers - probably by pushing them hard. That kind of pressure isn't always fun, but it really pays off. Maqams (maqamaat) are hard enough for the uneducated ear to distinguish without muddying the waters further with inaccurate pitch and tone. 

3-14-09 So, If You Cut up a Rose, is it still a Flower? Fusing Bellydance With Other Dance Forms by Rebecca Firestone
A reader’s position at this point will depend on whether you think that bellydance and Middle Eastern dance are one and the same, and whether you feel any particular sense of ownership over either one of those terms.

3-7-09 Thrillin' Zillin"; DVD Review of "Belly Dance with Zills " review by Tracey Farmer
This is helpful for dancers who have a problem playing zills while dancing, or who are OK with just a drum playing the rhythm but get confused when playing to a song.  Elsa uses some familiar songs in this DVD which will give you the feeling of  "Oh, I've danced to this before; maybe next time I'll add my zills".

2-27-09 Currents of Intention "Doorway to Ecstasy" Book Review by Dhyanis
Sherry says that Prema Devi seemed to download information directly from the temple priestesses of antiquity, admonishing her students to condition both body and soul. She guided students to focus their attention, breath and movement to receive and channel higher energies.

2-26-09 The Girlz Got Skilz: DVD review of Asharah's Modern Tribal Bellydance by Tracey Farmer
Those who are interested in tribal fusion, I would definitely recommend this DVD to get a feel for the specific moves that are popular among tribal artists. If you’re already a tribal enthusiast, then this is a must have in your DVD library.

2-15-09 Academia? Like it or Trash it! 2 Books Reviewed: Dancing Communities & Dancing Fear and Desire by Joette Sawall
One thing that I have found within our community is the general lack of scholarship and a feminine voice within the research.

2-13-09 Tarot:A Fantasy Belly Dance Concert by Thalia
The large, well rehearsed cast--musicians, temple maidens, acolytes, and servants with a variety of props--deftly played up the campy quality of the piece, contrasting the work's darker messages about the fickle cycles of gain, loss, and impermanence

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4-21-08 Strained Relations Comic by Pepper Alexandria
Hi! Remember me? I'm your long lost cousin!

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1-25-05 Intruder, BEWARE! comic by Lynette
"How dare they pollute our pond!"

1-11-05 Romancing the Stonewall Comic by Alexandria
"Hi, dear, can you send me a payment?"

10-30-04 Fill-'Er Up! by Alyson
"I'm so glad you came to help me Theify!", Alexandria's Belly Dance Comics tm

8-2-04 A Whole Latte' Shaking Going On, Belly Dance Comics tm by Alexandria
"Ok, I think we can stop now!"

6-24-04 Saving Grace, Belly Dance Comicstm by Alexandria
"Could I sit here for a few moments?"

4-26-04 Class War-fair? Belly Dance Comics tm by Alexandria
"I sprang from the forehead of Isis!"

2-29-04 You've Got Mail! Belly Dance Comics tm by Alexandria
Female Clones from Zayda III are being killed and robbed of their family jewelry!

8-11-00-Yasmina's First Club Gig by Lynette
"You're so beautiful! Wouldn't you like to audition to dance for us?"

10-19-99 Belly Dancer Paper Doll by Jan Dove
Print this paper doll. Then color, cut her out and PLAY!

2-99 Fabulous Fritz's Adventures in Show Biz. Adventure #1 by Lynette
"I'm just a photographer, I don't know these women!"

? -99 Fabulous Fritz's Adventures in Show Biz #2 by Lynette
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