Winter Break Reviews - Tribal LA

Well, much to my surprise, the Tribal LA DVD replacement for the one Bri gave me for Christmas showed up today in the mail. So I watched it while cooking dinner (a single number is between 3 and 5 minutes, perfect for timing things).

All in all this is a better DVD than the Tribal Fusions 2 DVD, though it still has its issues. A lot of the numbers have a sense of sameness about them, which could be just a part and parcel of Tribal Fusion. Everyone seems to focus on sharp locks, small movements and lots of abdominal articulations. Once again I really want to know what the camera men are thinking (or maybe it’s the editors) there is a lot of focusing in on hands when there is obviously other stuff going on that would be more interesting than a pretty hand position (not even a hand motion, just a position!)

Many of the numbers appear to be the same (or at least extremely similar) to those found on the Tribal Fusions 2 DVD, however this is the better of the two as far as performances, audience engagement, and camera work go.  If you want to order your own copy, click here Tribal LA: Live In Los Angeles Bellydance Superstars for a blow by blow of the various performances, keep reading


Urban Tribal – I’ve now seen several of their numbers, and it just isn’t doing it for me – they seem to be a fusion of belly dance and modern dance and use very austere costumes.

Sharon Kihara – I enjoyed her number but after seeing several of them now, I’m starting to feel like they are all the same

Zoe Jakes and Elizabeth Strong Duette – this is the same choreography as is on the Tribal Fusions 2 DVD – at least the photography is better here.

Moira Chappelle – everything I’ve seen her do has been different, so I have no complaints of monotony with this dancer. This number started with a classical song and then morphed into an upbeat poppy version of the song.

Kami Liddle – Overall I enjoyed this number, it seems similar to one of the numbers on the Tribal Fusions 2 DVD, but I couldn’t swear that it was the exact same number. Also, I can’t hold some similarities against her since I’m sure I use some of the same sequences in my own dancing. If you find a sequence you like, you use it.

Fat Chance Belly Dance did a very nice group improvisation number with lots of formation changes and leadership changes. A good example of what ATS is all about

Samantha’s performance was interesting with lots of locks, pops and tic tocks as well as interesting and complicated layers.

Elizabeth Strong’s Sword solo was very nice and easily held the audience’s attention. This may be my favorite performance on the entire DVD.

Zoe Jakes solo was nice to watch, I enjoy her larger movements which are easier to see but no less dramatic than the microscopic moves some dancers use.

Tribal Super Stars was a nice group number with five dancers, I definitely recognized Elizabeth Strong, Samantha, Sharon Kihara, Moira Chappelle, but wasn’t sure who the last dancer was (didn’t get a good enough look, could have been Kami Liddle or Zoe Jakes). I’m not certain but this number seemed very similar to one done by the tribal ladies of the Belly Dance Super Stars on Babelesque, though this involved 5 dancers, and I think Babelesque only uses 4.

Elizabeth Strong’s second solo was nice, but not as good as the sword solo, much more typical of tribal fusion numbers.

Urban Tribals second number was interesting, but if it hadn’t been a part of a belly dance show I never would have pegged it as belly dance. This one included almost no belly dance moves and I would classify it as a modern dance number.

Kami Liddle’s second solo was somewhat similar to the first, full of pops and locks.

Sonia and Colleens Duet may be the same as the one on Tribal Fusions 2 – but again, a better version of it with better videography.

Samantha’s second solo was smoother than the first, but not particularly unique.

Zoe Jakes second number was once again full of the larger moves she uses, making it a very nice break from the other performances. Her facial expressions are enough to make you laugh though, especially since she looks almost afraid while spinning.

Sharon Kihara’s second solo is either the exact same choreography as she uses on Tribal Fusions 2, or so similar as to make no difference.

Fat chance’s second number wasn’t as interesting as their first. This one featured mini solos by each of their dancers, including a long one by Caroleno consisting almost entirely of belly rolls and tummy flutters, almost none of which were visible from any distance or with the camera man focused on her hands.

I am starting to wonder if tribal fusion is all the same. I have not studies the discipline, but all the performances I have seen lately seem to focus on the same small, tight, mechanical movements. I really thought there was more to it than fusing breakdance with bellydance. I'll keep watching tribal fusion pieces as some of the dancers do seem to be able to think outside the box. Here is hoping for more variety in the future!

Winter Break Reviews - Jareeda

Jareeda is a magazine about belly dance that is published every two months. The magazine runs $31 for a years subscription and you can subscribe at http://jareeda.com/index.htm This is the first belly dance related magazine that I started receiving and I have enjoyed every issue I've read.

Jareeda is published on 8 point glossy paper (this is typical magazine paper if you aren't familiar with paper varieties) and includes color photos interspersed throughout the publication. The magazine is published by Mezdulene out of Oregon and is typically around 30 pages long.

Jareeda includes a calendar of events, a teacher directory as well as articles. There are several regular columns including Halima's Hints which usually includes advice of some sort (costuming or behavior or some other topic), Karavan Klips which reviews various shows and workshops and Troupe Talk which deals with issues and challenges troupes might run into among other things. They welcome contributions of both  articles and photographs from their readership.

My only real complaint with Jareeda is they aren't very regular about getting the magazine out. At this point in time (almost the end of December) the last issue I received was the July/August issue, so I'm missing September/October and November/December (which is my favorite issue of the year - contains a bunch of reviews). I've written them and am hoping I will be receiving my issues soon.

Winter Break Reviews - World of Bellydance

The second performance DVD Bri got me was World of Bellydance. This DVD contains 12 performances by various belly dancers from around the world. Though I had not heard of all of them before hand I was quite pleased with the performances presented. The DVD is obviously the filming of a live show featuring cabaret soloists. There is not a single group number of tribal/tribal fusion piece in the collection.

The dancers are all skilled, the costumes beautiful and the most of the music was songs I've considered choreographing myself. The camera angles are almost always focused on the right areas of the dancers, most shots show at least hips through face and many of them are full body.

There is a nice variety of performances including, a couple of single veil routines, a double veil number, a sword dance a two drum solos. I enjoyed the quality, quantity and variety of the performances enough I've looked into what else has come out of the same studio and added a few more performance DVDs to my wishlist, maybe I'll get a couple of them for my birthday next month.

If you are interested in reading more about this DVD or picking up your own copy, you can find it on Amazon here The World of Bellydance

Winter Break Reviews - Tribal Fusions 2

For Christmas Bri gave me several performance DVDs. Since all I had in my library were instructional DVDs, they were quite welcome. One of the DVDs he gave me was Tribal LA, but when I opened the case, the disk was for Tribal Fusions 2. Though disapointed it wasn't the one I wanted, I decided to watch it before we contacted Amazon to get the correct video.

Tribal Fusions 2 is a collection of Tribal performances performed by several different Tribal belly dance performers. The DVD includes two performances by nine different soloists and groups, including Fat Chance Belly Dance, Urban Tribal, Kami Liddle, Zoe Jakes and Sharon Kihara. There were also several performers I had not heard of before.

The performances were all recorded in a studio and not before a live audience. The cameraman used a mixture of full body shots, upper body shots and tight focus on individual areas (abdomen, hips, face or hands). Personally, as a dancer, I prefer wide shots that allow me to see the entire performer or group of performers.

Most of the performances used typical tribal fusion music, costuming and stylization, without much variation between the performances. There were a few performances that were unique, including one vaudvillesque number and one that seemed to be inspired by Turkish Gypsy style.

One performance that I really enjoyed was a duette between Sonia of the Bellydance Superstars and Colleen. It showcased the differences in stylization between tribal fusion style belly dance and cabaret style belly dance.

All in All I wasn't overly impressed. We are returning the Tribal LA case with the Tribal Fusions 2 DVD in it and have requested Amazon send the Tribal LA DVD. I most likely will not be purchasing or requesting Tribal Fusions 2 unless I manage to collect all other performance DVDs out there and just want it to "complete my collection."

If you are interested in getting your own copy you can find it on Amazon here Bellydance Superstars-Tribal Fusions V02 if you have your own copy, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the performances. Since I'm predominately a Cabaret dancer, its possible my views are colored by just not being intune with the Tribal Fusion scene.

Winter Break Reviews - A Time of Peace

I meant to post this yesterday, but one thing led to another (along with a big snow storm) and it just didn't happen.

A Time of Peace is a CD by the Brothers of the Baladi it contains 15 Christmas songs played on middle eastern instruments and with middle eastern rhythms. The really cool part is you can recognize the songs being played, but they have a definite middle easter sound to them. If I ever have an opportunity (and time) to perform around the winter holidays I may just reach for this CD to dance to, my personal favorite of the 15 tracks is Little Drummer Boy. You can purchase a download of this CD from iTunes or you can purchase the CD from Amazon at A Time of Peace

Winter Break Reviews - Pants for the Dance

We are on winter break, and though I wasn't very good about updating my blog regularly, I'm going to try and get back in the habit with the new session starting in January. So to help me get back into the habit of updating my blog regularly, I thought I'd post some mini reviews of books, DVDs, dance websites and music leading up the the new year.

First up is the book "Pants for the Dance" by Dawn Devine Brown. When I read the brief synopsis before ordering this book, I somehow got the impression that it would include various styles of pants worn in belly dance (and would hopefully include flair pants in amongst them). In actuality this is a very well written book on harem pants and many different alterations you can make to them to give them a different look. From adding cuffs at the ankles (or up the shins) to adding a yolk at the top and various levels for the gusset to hit.

The book includes directions for making your own patterns for the various options and sewing instructions for once you have your cloth cut out. Harem pants aren't my favorite look, so I was a bit disappointed that there aren't any other real styles of pants included (I'd love to make me some fluffy rufflys!) but all in all I would say this is an excellent book on making more than just your basic harem pant and I will most likely make use of it to try one or more of the styles out in the future.

Topeka Fall Classes, Performances and Open Studio

Just a quick reminder, the new session of belly dance classes in Topeka starts the first week of September!

Beginner classes are Tuesdays at Crestview 5:45-6:45. The session will start September 1 and run for seven weeks. You can call Topeka Parks and Rec at 785-368-2448 to pre-register. The last few beginner level classes have been very full, so I recommend enrolling early. The class code for beginner this session is 3-14-009-33. We will be covering vertical circles this session.

Intermediate classes are Tuesdays at Crestview 7-8:30. The session will start September 1 and run for seven weeks. You can call Topeka Parks and Rec at 785-368-2448 to pre-register. The class code for intermediate this session is 3-14-011-33. Kashlima rhythm and skirt work. You will need finger cymbals the first day of class and either a 25 yard skirt or a 3 yard rectangular veil by the second week of class.

Advanced classes are Wednesdays at Central Park 5:45-7:15. The session will start September 2. (The catalog says Sept 9, but I’ve spoken with the community center and we are actually starting September 2). You can call Topeka Parks and Rec at 785-368-2448 to pre-register. The class code for advanced this session is 3-14-013-32. You will need finger cymbals and a yoga mat every week.

Performance Troupe classes are Wednesdays at Central Park 7:30-8:30. The session will start September 2. (The catalog says Sept 9, but I’ve spoken with the community center and we are actually starting September 2). You can call Topeka Parks and Rec at 785-368-2448 to pre-register. The class code for advanced this session is 3-14-015-32. You must be enrolled in Advanced to enroll in this class!

We have three performance opportunities this fall! The first one is the Aaron Douglas Art Fair on September 26th. Our performance slot is at 12:30-12:50. The second is the Manhattan Shimmy Spectacular on October 17th. It will most likely be in the evening. The third is the Central Park Chili Cook-off on October 24th. I'm going to guess we will perform sometime around the noon hour, but I'm not really sure. Anyone enrolled in classes this fall may perform at any of the above performance opportunities. If you can’t or don’t want to perform, be sure and come out and support the ladies who are dancing!

Finally, open studio is moving to the third Friday of the month starting in September. It will be held at Crestview Community Center from 5:30-7 and will be multi-level. We will use the September one to continue preparing for the Aaron Douglas Art Fair. The October one will be dress rehearsal for the performance in Manhattan on October 17th as well as practice for the Chili Cook-off.

I hope to see you soon!

Belly Dance Topeka Fall Performance Opportunities

Its been a while since I updated my blog, but I'm going to try and get back on track :)

We have three performance opportunities this fall.

The first one is the Aaron Douglas Art Fair on September 26th. We will most likely be performing around the noon hour.

The second is the Manhattan Shimmy Spectacular on October 17th. It will most likely be in the evening.

The third is the Central Park Chili Cookoff on October 24th. I'm going to guess we will perform sometime around the noon hour, but I'm not really sure.

Anyone enrolled in classes this fall may perform at any of the above performance opportunities. I am planning to use open studio this friday (5:30-7 at Crestview) to start putting together performance sets for the Aaron Douglas Art Fair and the Central Park Chili Cookoff so if you think you will be performing at one or both of them please join us.

If you can't make it to open studio but would like to perform, please email me by 4:30 Friday with which choreographies you know (if any) and if Thursday evening and/or Saturday morning would work for your schedule for extra practices. I would like to schedule at least two for the month of September to polish for the Art Fair performance.

If you can't enroll in classes this fall, or just don't feel like performing, please join us at the performances to support the ladies who are performing.

Challenge numbers 8, 9 and 10

Start traveling to the side with a hip circle with the front part of your circle going in the same direction as you are traveling. Do 8 full circles to the right, end with a pelvic tuck an then do 8 full circles to the left. Have your arms in L arms with the arm down in the direction of travel. Add, wrist rotations for a set of 8 in each direction, then change it to floreos for a set of 8 in each direction, then alternate, odd numbered circles with wrist rotation, even with floreos. Next, add a hip lift shimmy (NOT ¾) to your circles and repeat the series (no hand movement, wrist rotation, floreo, alternating). Then switch to the Egyptian shimmy and repeat the series again.

Next, travel with your hip circles where the front part of your circle is going the OPPOSITE direction from your direction of travel, you will change directions with a backward hip push on the side you were traveling towards. Do the entire exercise above using the backward hip circle.

Finally, start a clockwise hip circle and keep the circle going clockwise while you travel 8 circles to the right and then 8 circles to the left, you change directions by doing a full circle in place and starting up at the right position to go the other way. Do the entire exercise above using only clockwise hip circles. Then reverse and do the entire exercise using only counterclockwise hip circle.

These challenges, though not identical, are based on an exercise Princess Farhana used at her recent workshop in Buffalo, Mo.

The last three weeks!

I’m a bit behind on updating my blog, it’s been a busy couple of weeks!

Beginner:
In week 3 of class (April 28) we learned arm circles, shoulder thrust, shoulder shimmy, how to accent pelvic tucks and drops and how to make a pyramid with our hips. We then covered accented rib cage movements and rib cage pyramids.

In week 4 (May 5)we worked on several traveling moves including: chassez or step ball change, cross step, rocking step, rocking step chacha, grapevine, half grapevine, single and double hip lift walks. We then learned that the double hip lift walk when done full speed is the ¾ shimmy and is called the ghawazee in Tribal style, and that the rocking step is called the Turkish in Tribal. We then learned the cues for both the ghawazee and the Turkish and practiced a bit.

In week 5 (May 12), only one student attended so we worked on what she needed help with. I will divide week 6 material between week 5 and week 7 lesson plans so that nothing will be left out.

Intermediate:
During week 3, we learned how to play 5s on the zils and then worked on the 3-1 and the 3, 3, 5 zil patterns. We did a ¾ shimmy on the down review and worked on the shimmy vibration. After a review of beginner level arm movements, we learned how to do arm figure 8s and then did about 4 minutes of improv arms. We learned two new tribal combos, Arabic with a twist and Arabic twist and dip (a Troupe Duende combo). We did a brief traveling circle to let everyone practice cuing Then moved on to learning about our half circle veils. We worked on how to hold the veil, matadors, whirlpool (aka half matador) and figure 8.

In week 4, we learned slow singles on our zils, reviewed the ¾ shimmy on the down and learned the ¾ twist shimmy. We covered two new tribal combos, the Arabic 4 point turn and the choochoo 4 point turn and then practiced with the traveling circle. We learned the loop-d-loop and then three one handed half circular veil moves, horizontal figure 8, vertical figure 8 and spinning with the veil in one hand, reversing direction and spinning again. We then started learning the choreography to Zeina.

In week 5, we learned how to play chiftitelli on the zils, reviewed the ¾ shimmy on the down and then discussed traveling with both the hip lift shimmy and the Egyptian shimmy. The different look they each give to the traveling move and the difference in how the moves are generated. We learned two new tribal combos, Basic Egyptian full turn and basic Egyptian twists (both created by Troupe Duende). We then did a tribal review using pod and chorus and the formation of a clique by the pod. With our veils, we learned how to switch hands for one handed veil moves, how to create vertical and horizontal (one handed matador) circles. We then continued work on learning Zeina.

Week 7 challenge

Similar to the week 6 challenge.

Start with a cw rib cage circle, then add a cw omi, reverse the omi when you get to the back but keep the rib cage circle going cw. So for each rib cage circle you will have an omi, but the direction of the omi will alternate between cw and ccw. The rib cage circle will always be cw.

Next , try it again, only use a ccw rib cage circle.

What was covered in beginner and intermediate

Last night in beginner we discussed the various styles of belly dance is it is practiced around the world today. We also talked about the Middle Eastern rhythm maksoum and how to recognize it. We then reviewed the moves covered last week and learned pelvic tucks and drops, weighted hip lifts, the hip lift shimmy, rib cage lifts and drops, omis (interior hip circles) and vertical rib cage circles.

In intermediate we reviewed the three beginner level rhythms (falahi, maksoum and masmoudi) and discussed chiftitelli. We then discussed the timing when playing threes with finger cymbals. After our warm up we reviewed our lower body accent drill and learned the upper body accent drill. We then reviewed the ¾ shimmy on both the up and the down and learned the heel drop shimmy, accented belly pops, camel walk (both single and double) u-turn undulation, side hip figure 8 (both directions), traveling and turning with up to down undulations (stepping flat, ball, ball, ball) and barrel turns. We learned the right side of the Happy Birthday Grapevine (tribal combo by Unamata).

Week 6 Challenge

This is one I got from Amara :)

Start with an cw omi, then add a cw rib cage circle, reverse the rib cage circle when you get to the back but keep the omi going cw. So for each omi you will have a rib cage circle, but the direction of the rib cage circle will alternate between cw and ccw. The omi will always be cw.

Next , try it again, only use a ccw omi.

Eek! I forgot!

Better late than never, right?

Ok, last week was the first week of a new session. In beginner we covered proper dance posture, our warm up exercises, basic arm positions, hip slides and rib cage slides.

In intermediate we discussed how to make a half circle veil and that one was needed by the third week of class. We then learned the first half of our accent drill, discussed zils and learned to play slow 3s on them, learned the ¾ shimmy on the down, up to down undulations, down to up undulations, the tribal cues for reverse ghawazee, Arabic and reverse Arabic. We then did a review of all beginner level tribal moves.

In advanced we learned four new tribal combos: Look at Me, Circles, A Snake in the Grapes and Bus Stop. We then reviewed all beginner, intermediate and advanced tribal combos cued from Turkish. We then reviewed what the home work schedule is for the coming session.

This week’s challenge!

Start with our accent drill:

Lower Body Accent Drill
4 unweighted hip lifts R
4 unweighted hip drops
2 drop-kicks
4 weighted hip drops
4 weighted hip lifts
4 hip bumps
4 weighted twists forward
4 weighted twists backward
4 unweighted twists forward
4 unweighted twists backward
Step back RL, then forward RL
Rpt. on L

Upper Body Accent Drill
4 shoulder thrusts forward R
4 shoulder thrusts backward R
4 shoulder lifts R
4 shoulder drops R
Rpt. L
4 rib lifts
4 rib drops
Rib lift, rib drop, pelvic tuck, pelvic drop
4 pelvic tucks
4 pelvic drops
Pelvic tuck, pelvic drop, rib lift, rib drop

Next add finger cymbals. Start with 3s, then 5s, then 7s then something a little less regular, beledi, saidi or chiftitelli (or if you are feeling really brave, go for Kashlima, just remember to change the pattern of your moves as well).

Once you are doing the drill with your zils, add a shimmy. First try the whole thing with a hip lift shimmy, then the whole thing with a shoulder shimmy. Oh and keep the zils going, just because you added the shimmy doesn’t mean you get to stop playing your zils.

The week in review

It was the last week of the current session this week, so don’t forget to enroll for the new session that starts next week!

In Beginner we worked on traveling moves: reviewed ¾ shimmy, learned double basic Egyptian, the tush push and grapevine. We also reviewed how to turn the Basic Egyptian, ghawazee and choochoo for tribal improv. We then did some improve dancing using all the moves and cues we had learned throughout the session.

In Intermediate we learned yet another way to play Kashlima on the zils (fast singles), reviewed our ¾ shimmy on the down, learned the cairo shimmy, the modified version of the Turkish crazy turn and Ababda Devika. We also finished learning the choreography to Hoplanda.

In Advanced/Troupe we worked on several new advanced tribal combos I had come up with during the last two weeks (Karate Kid, Shimmy if you Got it, The age of the Mayans, Stayin’ Alive and Flash Dance) we also learned the combo Steppin’ Out by Nadima, and the cues for the three combos we learned from Cathia at the workshop on Saturday.

Challenge for the week.

Ok, instead of a brain teaser this time, lets go with an edurance challenge. First pick a good long song that sounds like shimmies to you. I like Chicky (its about 5 minutes) and you can put it on repeat if you think 5 minutes sounds too short, or even pick two or three songs to play back to back.

When the song starts, start your hip lift shimmy going. Then layer every arm movement you can think of, snake arms and variations, arm figure 8s, arm circles, etc. Then once you run out of arm movements layer chest movements, slides, lifts, arch & contract, all three kinds of circles and figure 8s. When you run out of chest movements, on to hip movements. Start with horizontal hip movements (they will be easier) and then do vertical movements (mayas, vertical 8s etc). Finally, keep your hip lift shimmy going and try traveling: grapevine, point cross, basic E, cross step any of them you can think of.

You should get your heart rate going with the shimmy and challenge your self with the layers. If single layers seem to easy, try layering two things - ie rib cage circle and snake arms or both hip and rib cage circles. Try to keep the shimmy going longer each time you do it and try to get more creative with your layers. Most of all have fun with your shimmy!

In class this week

In both Beginner and Intermediate we discussed what was needed for those planning to enroll in Intermediate next session (starting April 14). The next intermediate session is chiftitelli rhythm and half circle veil. All students will need finger cymbals, preferably student size with two slits for the elastic. If you need to order some try http://saroyanmastercrafts.com/ All students will also need a half circular veil. I brought two sizes and three different fabrics to demonstrate the benefits of each. For learning I recommend the smaller size (90x45), though if you have long arms the larger size (108x54) will work as well. I also recommend a semi-heavy material such as satin, liquid lame (NOT tissue lame) or even lining material. Light weight silk will work, but for some of the one handed movements it is simply too light weight to work well unless you move slower than you think you need to.

In beginner class we covered moving with horizontal hip circles (stepping side to side, going forward and backward and going in a circle), we reviewed the ¾ shimmy and walking with hip downs and learned the marching shimmy and the scooching shimmy. We then worked on traveling and turning with our three tribal stall moves: Basic Egyptian, Ghawazee and Choochoo.

In intermediate class we discussed various details about the performance on Saturday. We then covered playing kashlimar rhythm as slow singles (R-L-R-L-R-L-R-L-R), reviewed our ¾ on the down shimmy and worked on shoulder shimmies with various arm and rib cage movements. We then learned two new tribal combos: Basic E Swivel turn and Ghawazee double hip bumps (both created by Troupe Duende). We did a tribal review using a traveling circle where each student lead three moves before passing the lead. Finally we worked on our choreography to Hoplanda.

In advanced we discussed details of the performance on Saturday and continued to work with our advanced tribal combos. We spent extra time reviewing the “problem combos” and went through the song we are using on Saturday a number of times. Everyone was asked to prepare a new combos for next week.

Week 3 challenge

This weeks is easier than the last two. Once again we will start with a horizontal hip circle, but this time layer it with a pelvic wheel. Start with a clockwise horizontal hip circle and layer the camel pelvic wheel at the left, front, right and back. Start slow (16 count horizontal circle/4 count pelvic wheels) and speed it up until you reach 4 count horizontal circle and single count pelvic wheels.

Try camel wheels with counter clockwise horizontal hip circles and reverse camel wheels with both clockwise and counter clockwise horizontal circles.

Have fun!

Better late than never - the week in review

This past week in Beginner we covered head slides, circles, 8s and several hair tossing movements. We also covered several turns, including the four point turn, three point turn, two point turn, paddle turn and step turn. We learned the Basic Egyptian 2 point turn and the John Wayne as new tribal moves. We also worked on trying to speed up our ¾ shimmy.

In Intermediate we covered tummy flutters, candle arms, drop kick pivot turn and the cues for the funky Egyptian and the drop kick for use in tribal. We worked with another method for playing Kashlimar on the zils, reviewed the ¾ shimmy on the down and did some improvisational tribal review before finishing the class by working on our choreography.

In Advanced, we drilled improvisational tribal.

New Belly Dance Challenge

If you have taken my advanced class or attended one of my intermediate/advanced open studios this may be something you have tried before. It is similar to last week’s challenge, but more difficult.

Level one: Start by doing a segmented horizontal/large/exterior hip circle: left, front, right, back. Next do counterclockwise omi/interior hip circle in each of those positions, so one omi to the left, one omi to the front, one omi to the right one omi to the back.

Level two, smooth out your clockwise exterior hip circle so it takes a total of 16 counts, 8 to the front and 8 to the back. At the same time do four 4-count counterclockwise omis (the omis will be in the same positions, left, front, right, back, as before).

Level three, speed up your exterior hip circle to 8 counts and your omis to 2 counts.

Level four, speed it up again, 4 count exterior hip circle (2 to the front, 2 to the back) and single count omis.

Level five, one more time, crank it up a notch, 2 count exterior hip circle layered with a rotational/omi shimmy.

The faster you go, the harder this gets! Figure out what level you are at (which one can you do easily) and then work on the next level up moving between the speed you can easily do and the one that is challenging. Don’t forget to reverse it all! Try it with counterclockwise exterior and clockwise interior hip circles as well!

Oops - forgot to post yesterday

So here is the review of what we did in class both on Tuesday and on Wednesday

In Beginner

We reviewed hip slides and circles, rib cage slides and circles, hip lifts, hip lift shimmy, hip twists and hip twist shimmy. We then learned unweighted hip twists, the basic Egyptian (both cabaret and tribal versions), single hip bumps, double hip bumps, traveling hip bumps, single hip lift walk, single hip drop walk and double hip lift walk (aka gawazee). We then finished the class with a short session of tribal improv using the three stall movements we have learned (Choochoo, basic E and gawazee).

In Intermediate

We worked on another way to play kashlima zils, reviewed the ¾ on the down and learned the rotational shimmy. We then learned several different variations of “gypsy hand jive” including shoulder beats, fist beats, hip beats, arm slices, belly slices and Indian snake. We then learned two new tribal combos, the ghawazee jill and Choochoo foot change. We finished up the session working on our choreography to Hoplanda.

In Advanced/Troupe

We learned three new tribal combos – the hissy fit by cyra, slow ride by Nadima and the Hips of Hathor by Huraiva – we then reviewed intermediate tribal combos and advanced tribal moves based in Arabic and Basic E.

Homework: Review all combos we have picked for use in the performance on the 4th.
Don’t forget about Open Studio on Friday.
Don’t forget about extra practice on Sunday.

First Belly Dance Challenge!

If you have taken my advanced class or attended one of my intermediate/advanced open studios this may be something you have tried before.

Level one: Start by doing a segmented horizontal/large/exterior hip circle: left, front, right, back. Next do clockwise omi/interior hip circle in each of those positions, so one omi to the left, one omi to the front, one omi to the right one omi to the back.

Level two, smooth out your clockwise exterior hip circle so it takes a total of 16 counts, 8 to the front and 8 to the back. At the same time do four 4-count omis (the omis will be in the same positions, left, front, right, back, as before – 2 cts forward, 2 cts backward).

Level three, speed up your exterior hip circle to 8 counts and your omis to 2 counts.

Level four, speed it up again, 4 count exterior hip circle (2 to the front, 2 to the back) and single count omis.

Level five, one more time, crank it up a notch, 2 count exterior hip circle layered with a rotational/omi shimmy.

The faster you go, the harder this gets! Figure out what level you are at (which one can you do easily) and then work on the next level up moving between the speed you can easily do and the one that is challenging.

Don’t forget to reverse it all! Try it with counterclockwise exterior and interior hip circles as well!

Let me know how it goes. :)

What did we do last night?

In Advanced last night we spent the bulk of our time working on tribal. We reviewed all beginner level tribal moves and intermediate level tribal stall moves and combos that cue out of Arabic, Choochoo, Turkish, Basic Egyptian and started on the ones out of Ghawazee. We also discussed costuming, stage dynamics and potential dates for an extra practice/dress rehearsal before the performance on April 4.

Additionally, we learned three new tribal combos. The Ins and Outs by Huraiva, The Caboose by Cyra and The Typewriter by Nadima.

Homework for next week:
A new tribal combo.
Email Huraiva a photo for use on the website.
Email Huraiva a bio for the website.
Don’t forget the meeting on Saturday.

March 10 – What did we do?

In Beginner we reviewed hip slides and circles and rib cage slides, arch and contract and circles. We then learned hip crescents and how to do a step touch with them, hip twist shimmy, hip lift shimmy, unweighted hip lifts (aka choochoo), unweighted hip drops and how to move forward and backward with Choochoo.

In Intermediate we worked on the two simplest ways to play the Kashlimar rhythm on the zils, reviewed the ¾ shimmy on the down, learned the pelvic shimmy, worked on bellyrolls, learned two new tribal combinations (Choochoo 4 pt turn and Fu Man Choochoo), learned how to hold our skirts, various positions we can hold them in, how to do figure 8s with the skirt, swishy skirt and catch-me skirt, then adding figure 8s to grapevine and rocking step w/hop, swishy skirt to kashlimar walk and catch-me skirt to both 3pt turns and paddle turns. We then started learning the choreography to Hoplanda.

What about Advanced?

In advanced we have spent the last two weeks learning how to choreograph a song. We are working with Warda by Warda.

We spent the first week mapping the natural breaks in the song and then dancing improvisationally to the song first with no props and then with several different weights of veil and both half circle and rectangular veil. We decided we liked the 8mm silk large half circle veil best for the music.

We also learned three new tribal combos – Grape Stomper created by Nadima, Salt ‘n’ Peppa created by Cyra and Whirlygig created by Huraiva.

Homework was:
Develop a new tribal combination.
Pick three songs as possibilities for triberet improv performance on April 4
Find several places in Warda where you consistently do the same movements and write them down.
Practice leading tribal improv using only beginner level moves.
Practice finding the “1” beat in a song regardless of where you start listening to it.

The second week we reviewed the movements everyone was doing at a given point in the song. There was a spot where both Nadima and Cyra had the same movement so that was placed into the choreography. We then worked from that point forward and finished the evening with having choreographed from 25 seconds to 1:20 in the song.

We then learned three new tribal combos – Slow Snakes by Cyra, Pop the Cork by Huraiva and Half Moon by Nadima.

Homework was:
Develop a new tribal combination.
Continue working with Warda to see if additional moves “come up” repeatedly.
Practice leading tribal improv with beginner level moves and Choochoo and basic Egyptian based intermediate level moves.

Lets get started!

I've created this blog so that my students can review what was covered the prior week from home or, if they had to miss, can see what was covered. We are on the third week of the current session.

So far in beginner we have covered:

Week 1: proper dance posture, various arm positions, hip slides and rib cage slides

Week 2: the falahi rhythm, snake arm family of arm movements, rib cage arch and contract, horizontal hip circles and rib cage circles.

So far in Intermediate we have covered:

Week 1: how to wear zils and the sounds they can make, playing 3s with zils, 3/4 shimmy on the down and its cue, learned the lower body accent drill, intro to the kash rhythm, arabesque walk, kashlimar walk, fall step, Turkish skip, turning basic Egyptian and its cue. We also reviewed all beginner level tribal moves.

Week 2: reviewed falahi, maqsoum and masmoudi rhythms, learned the upper body accent drill, reviewed 3/4 on the down, learned folkloric shoulder shimmy, adding heel drops and/or bounces to hip circles, rocking step w/hop, foot int he mud, pelvic tuck or drop walk, hop downs. For tribal we learned the cue for basic Egyptian hip twists and the basic Egyptian full turn.