• The Magency – Oriental Entrance
• Taksim
• Egyptian Baladi and the Baladi Taksim
• Cane Dance – Saidi, Baladi or Lebanese
• Veil and Double Veil dance
• Sword Dance and Balancing Dances
• Floor Work in Oriental Dance
• Middle Eastern Pop, Al Jeel and Shaabi
• Sagat (Finger Cymbals)
• The Classics and Om Koulthum
• Audience Participation
• Tabla (Drum) Solo
• Karsilama
• Finale

Incorporating Culture and Folklore in Your Routine

When a dancer can reference the culture of members of her audience she can win them over quickly. Having a good understanding of various cultural dances and rituals gives the dancer a rich vocabulary of movements and characters from which to pull. Dances of many forms exist throughout the Middle East, so the potential for learning and tapping into this richness is limitless. Sometimes an Oriental dancer will only briefly reference a culture and she will often Orientalize the movement a little, dressing it up for the stage, sometimes she’ll dedicate a whole song to it. There are several worth learning, but here are a few I’ve found particularly useful and that I would expect any professional worth her salt to know.

• Khaliji Thobe Nashal Dance – Arabian Gulf
• Al-Haggala – Libyan, also found in Egypt
• Meleya Leff – Alexandria or Old Cairo, Egypt
• Zeffa and Raqs Al Shamadan- Egypt
• Ghawazee
• Zar
• Nubian – Egypt, Sudan
• Tanoura
• Tunisian
• Dabkeh – Palestine, Lebanon, Syria
• Turkish Folkloric Line Dances
• Turkish Rom

I’ve organized some class reading and found some pretty awesome video clips worth perusing, so here are your reading/viewing assignments for this session:

Sword and Balancing Dances

I’ve updated the guidelines that were on the PDF and put them here:
Sword, Tips, Tricks and Guidelines

Also if you haven’t already contributed a comment to the buying guide, offering your review of your blade (or cymbals) and your recommendations, please do so now: Swords and Finger Cymbals Buying Advice

Acquire your Music

We are using Omar Faruk Tekbilek’s ‘Shashkin’ the Hefner remix of of the album Arabesque As far as I know there is no place to get the mp3 alone (the track labeled Shashkin’ Hefner remix on the Tantra album on itunes is not it, it is just a cut off version of the original- bad). See your email for more information.

Determine your Size

If you plan to dance in the July 30th show, you will need a class outfit. Black pants, gold or silver Akhet top with matching sequin fringe skirt.

If you don’t already have one, figure out your size for the Akhet top on Dahlal’s website using the off the Nile size charts. Decide if you want gold or silver.

Next decide which size you want of the Sequin Detailed Fringe Skirt. L stretches up to 64″ the small goes down to 29″ unstretched. Whichever color top you have or plan to get, I’d like you to get the same color in the fringe skirt, so gold with gold, silver with silver.

Gather all that information up and email it to me in this form:
Top – size – color (if you already have a top, indicate that please)
belt – size – color

Building your Foundation of Knowledge

Basics homework is the Belly Dance Workbook. Work through it at your pace. Feel free to post in the comments and let me know if any of my links aren’t working.

I feel that every good belly dancer should not only learn the moves, but should also learn a little about the culture and history of the dance, which is why I put together a belly dancers workbook for you to do at home.

Veil Topic Special Reading

Please take some time to read the short article “Veil and Double Veil dance” and watch a few of the video clips. Post a link to a favorite veil dance clip and tell us what you liked about it in the comments.

Acquire your Veil

If you plan on performing in our July 30th MAC Hafla, I have requested that you purchase a specially made silk veil from me. The veils are 6mm habotai silk, 45″ wide and 3 & 1/2 yards long, unhemmed. I dyed five of each color: red, fuchsia, deep purple, blue, teal, green. Plan to pay $20 for your veil (this is a great price for silk!) If you don’t intend to perform with the class in July, you may use any veil in class or approximately 3 yards of a lightweight fabric.

Purchase the Music

The winning music we voted on last session was Beauty Beats by Beats Antique. You will want to purchase this music to practice with. It is the music we are using for our veil choreography. You can just download one song, or if you like the music, I recommend purchasing the whole album to support our musical artists. It is available in multiple places, but I found it on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Beats/dp/B001F8AMXQ

Read Your Class Ethics Guidelines

I have high expectations from my students, these guidelines will help you be informed about what is expected of you. Shems’s Ethics and Behavior guidelines.

Other things that I’m pretty regularly asked about by my students

music

Music used in class – In basics I regularly swap between three mixes. Songs are listed here by song name – artist – album. And for more general music recommendations, see Shems’s Belly Dance Music Recommendations.

video recommendations

Video recommendations for outside of class practice. Please add your own recommendations and reviews to the comments to help each other out.

vocab guide

In the past many of my Basics students requested a belly dance vocabulary guide to help remind them what to practice at home.

private e-list

So that my students can talk to each other – I started a special closed yahoo group called shimmies in the sun, for Shems’s students only. You can join here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shimmies_in_the_sun/

dancewear

Places to buy class appropriate dance wear and hip scarves, again feel free to add your own personal recommendations.

Your Selections

• Amira & Samira – Naima Akef – Lama Bada Suite
• Nawal – Nadia in Pink
• Ouranitsa – Aziza’s Salome
• Ana – Naima Akef – Seduction Suite
• Suzana – Nesrin Topkapı – Wardeh
• Ghadir – Tulay Karaça – Live
• Pam – Naima Akef – Aziza
• Fatiema – Nejla Ateş – Sindbad

The Assignment

In order to incorporate some of the elegance given to us by some amazing dancers years ago, we need to emulate and integrate. So your challenge is to select one or two of these clips or get one not on my playlist approved by me. We are seeking classic lines, elegance and passion. Then you will do everything in your power to completely replicate about 2 to 3 minutes of these dances. Then you have an option, create your own choreography of approximately 2-3 minutes utilizing movements and lines from your inspiration(s). You can use a continuation of the same music from the original clip or new music that you selected. If you need help getting the music, let me know. Now here is my special, super secret playlist…

Acquire Music

I’m still working on the music list. It will be here shortly…

For beginners, Belly By Sandra Vol. 1: She starts with the very basic, explains each movement clearly and then drills. I like how she breaks things down and which movements she has chosen as her basics. She now has a Vol. 2 out also, but I haven’t had a chance to try it yet.

For slightly more advanced drills I really like Aziza’s Practice Companion. It is like attending a class with Aziza. She runs through some great hip articulation exercises, shimmy drills and she includes some arm stuff. In general, just a nice drilling DVD.

If you like Tribal, or want to supplement your training with some gentle dance specific Yoga exercises. Rachel Brice’s Serpentine has a really nice yoga companion to go with her dance drills, as well as some helpful hints about putting together your own training schedule. Even if you don’t specifically want to be a Tribal style dancer, I find the exercises on this DVD pretty helpful.

Just to plug my own DVD, the Project Belly Dance Final 6 DVD has a section by yours truly on the subject of transitioning between movements. The five other dancers on the DVD have also put together some really fun and interesting material. It is set up to practice along with and I do recommend it (not just because I’m in it). It is geared, for the most part, towards an intermediate level dancer.

If you have picked up any instructional DVDs that you have either loved or hated or just want to share your opinion of, please share your thoughts here in the comments so your fellow students can benefit from your insights.

Sword

We’ve been developing several different combinations in class. I’d note them for you, but I’m pretty sure they’d be completely indecipherable, so do your best in class. You might want to bring a notebook.

For your homework, I’ve prepared a handout for a sword workshop that you can download here: Sword Science Workshop Notes
Read material and look at the photos. Then feel free to give me feedback, stuff you’d like to see added, or explained.

Also, so you don’t have to copy paste from the PDF. Here are the links in the handout.

Samia Gamal Dancing with a Sword

Belladonna’s Sword Stylization DVD

Shems’s Sword YouTube Playlist

feel free to suggest new clips for the list.

Shems dancing sword clips

If you didn’t get a chance to read and comment (and read the comments) on the sword and finger cymbal buying guide. I’d still love it if you go there.

Also, I promised to put the contact info for Warrior Emporium – a local resource for weapons and weapon cases. (Thank You!)

Warrior Emporium
1228 Light St
Baltimore, MD 21230

warrioremporium.com

Finger Cymbal Patterns

You can find more practice material with your finger cymbals here: Finger Cymbals Homework. And below is the break down for our current version of Baladi.

Baladi
A fill variation on Masmoudi Saghir.

D is for Dum – T is for Tek – k is for ka
D D kk T D kk T (kk)
1-2- 3- 4-5- 6 -7- 8

D is for Dominant hand – O is for other hand
D D oo D D oo D (oo)

Dominant hand: DD — T D — T (–)
Other hand: – - – - -kk – - kk – (kk)

Play Dums with Rings and Teks with Claps
Ring Ring clap-clap Clap Ring clap-clap Clap (clap-clap)

You can play any rhythm once you can identify the dominant Dums and Teks. Here we are playing the Dums as ringing notes and the teks as claps.

Finger Cymbal Patterns

Baladi
A fill variation on Masmoudi Saghir.

D is for Dum – T is for Tek – k is for ka
D D kk T D kk T (kk)
1-2- 3- 4-5- 6 -7- 8

D is for Dominant hand – O is for other hand
D D oo D D oo D (oo)

Dominant hand: DD — T D — T (–)
Other hand: – - – - -kk – - kk – (kk)

Play Dums with Rings and Teks with Claps
Ring Ring clap-clap Clap Ring clap-clap Clap (clap-clap)

You can play any rhythm once you can identify the dominant Dums and Teks. Here we are playing the Dums as ringing notes and the teks as claps.

From October through March, come to the Aquarium on the first Friday evening of the month for a series of events dedicated to exploring, experiencing, and enjoying cultures from around the globe. Each event is celebrated with music, dance, food, arts and crafts, community resource tables, and educational exhibits. Activities are from 5–9 p.m. Free with general Aquarium admission, which is just $8 after 5 p.m. on Fridays through March.

March 4: Women’s History Celebration

Celebrate notable women from Maryland’s history in a special exhibit, enjoy music and dance performances, and more! Performances by Shems, Rayn Fall Dance, Natya Kala Mandir, Delores Bernice Dyson Owens and an Exhibit by the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center

National Aquarium Baltimore
501 East Pratt Street,
Baltimore, MD 21202

For more information and to purchase tickets visit the
Baltimore National Aquarium Website – special events.

Sunday, March 6th – 6-8:30pm – Students for Haiti and Zahra present Belly Dancing for Haiti 2011

Students for Haiti and Zahra present Belly Dancing for Haiti 2011.
Enjoy beautiful belly dance performances by Zahra, Fatima, Shems, Khuzama, Shiraz, Nefertiti, Maya & Illiana, Jackie Fortunato, Bonnie & Alexis, Lorelei, Tarif, Deebah & Blue Lapis, Samantha, Layla, Barajagala Tribal Bellydance and Spirit of Ma’at
Also, MC by Khalid Bilal!
Tickets are only $5 for students and $10 for non students. All proceeds go towards Haiti relief!

the Rodney room in Perkins Student Center
325 Academy Street
Newark, DE 19717

Sunday, March 13, 2011 4pm- Alf Laylah Wa Laylah Hafla

at: Alf Laylah Wa Laylah (Tysons)
8605 Westwood Center Drive #100 Vienna, VA

Join us second Sundays at the Alf Laylah Wa Laylah Hafla in Vienna, VA (right near Tysons Corner).

Cheer on the excitement of first time performers and delight in the artistry of area and visiting professionals in this warm and welcoming community event.

March features Shems, Samira and more…

Doors open at 4pm.
Show starts 4:30.
Cost: $10 door fee plus $10 minimum per person
NEW location! Alf Laylah Wa Laylah
8605 Westwood Center Drive #100
Vienna VA 22182
call 703-388-1001 for reservations

http://www.samirashuruk.com/Alf_Laylah_Hafla_DC.html

Reading and Response

Read my article on Oriental Entrances and watch some of the video clips. Take note of anything that inspires or interests you and comment on it in the comments section.

Acquire Music

Banat Eskandaria can be found on the Princess of Cairo Album by Ali Hamouda.

Watch and Share

Enjoy this clip of Fifi Abdo dancing to the opening of Banat Eskandaria.

Look for other videos of dancers performing to this same piece of music and share the link(s) in the comments any performances that you enjoy. Or post a video yourself dancing to this piece of music and share the link here in the comments.

Finger Cymbals

Also known as zills in Turkey and sagat in Egypt. They are a beautiful and traditional part of a belly dancer’s show.

The most important thing when you are buying finger cymbals is to make sure you like how they sound. If you don’t like how they sound you wont want to play them, and you’ll never master them if you don’t practice.

There are several different varieties and sizes to choose from. It is nice if your first pair is a manageable size, I think a little smaller than your palm is a good call. The material, size, shape and depth of the bell will determine the quality of sound you will get. If you can shop in person that is ideal because you’ll get to ring the merchandise, however many of us have to order online, so I recommend paying attention to the sound of other dancer’s cymbals around you and taking note of what you like. Some websites include sound clips too.

Finger cymbals come with one hole or two holes to put the elastic through. Two hole cymbals are easier to use, but the one hole cymbals have some nice flexibility and some have a beautifully unique sound.

Once you get your cymbals you want to thread the elastic through and sew them to fit your middle fingers and thumbs, with the extra on the inside of the cymbal, then trim the excess. I usually mark my thumb cymbals with a colored stich. If they are one hole cymbals, you might want to get a bead that you can thread the elastic through before you knot so the elastic cant slip back through the hole. Make sure you make them snug enough to turn your fingers a little blue after wearing them for a while, but not so snug we’ll have to amputate. We just don’t want them flying off while you play them.

Now vendors for finger cymbals, as well as my personal favorites:

Saroyan‘s “Arabesque” style cymbals was the first set I got as a student. I still like them and use them, they come in silver and brass:

My second pair of zills was the FatChanceBellyDance Signature Series. They have a beautiful sound. That particular set might be too big to start with. They also sell student sized.

Other brand names you can shop for:

Turquoise International is a very respected brand.

Serpentine productions has recently put out two finger cymbals DVDs and they are selling cymbals as well.

Zildjian makes a good pair, but they are one holers, so a little more difficult to handle.

I believe you can also get cymbals at the Amazing Spiral locally, but call ahead to find out for sure.

Please avoid the cheapy dinkies that sound like crap. The ones that usually come with a book or a video are not usually worth it.

Feel free to post in the comments what finger cymbals you have or have decided to purchase and your review of your zills.

Swords

There are swords made for fighting, swords made for decoration and swords made for dancing. In theory you can dance with the first two, but make life easier on yourself and go for a sword that is made balanced for dance.

If a sword gets dropped often, it may get bent out of shape and become more difficult to balance, so if you get a sword used, test it out first. Some kinds of swords are just a little more difficult to balance. Although I really like my lions head sword. Mine is a little more difficult to balance than other swords I’ve worked with.

For your first sword, I recommend choosing one that is not sharp. You will probably drop it and you don’t want to stab yourself or sever a toe. A really beautiful starter sword is the dragon scimitar. Here is another source for the dragon scimitar. You can also google: dragon belly dance sword. It is blunt, balanced, decorative and relatively light.

The balady scimitar is a pretty popular sword. It is mean looking and relatively affordable. It is made for dance, so the edges are dull and blunt and it is well balanced. However it is also fairly heavy and even blunted, I’ve personally seen the point of this blade draw blood. If you choose this as your starter sword, be extra cautious.

My personal favorite sword it the CAS Iberian Scimitar It is a little bigger, heavier, longer and sharper than the balady. I admit I’ve drawn my own blood with it twice (but never anybody else’s). So I will not recommend it as a first sword. But down the road, when you’ve learned to use a sword well and can protect your clients from potential injury, I would recommend it. It balances well, is attractively dangerous and very impressive on stage.

There are of course other swords than the one’s I’ve mentioned here. Just keep in mind, if this is your first sword, you don’t want to maim yourself, so take that into account when making your selection. Feel free to google “belly dance sword” or check out the swords in theKult of Athena‘s Middle Eastern Weapons section.

Feel free to post in the comments what sword you have or have decided to purchase and your review of your personal blade(s).