tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36248785869905087372024-03-14T03:55:25.750-07:00JUST SHIMMY ~ Adventures in BellydancingA place for bellydance students, instructors, beginners, professionals, fans and enthusiasts to come and talk about - what else? - Bellydance!Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-33374035946035215922015-02-27T08:01:00.000-08:002015-02-27T08:01:39.436-08:00Buy Tickets to Daniela's 10th Annual Bellydance Showcase here! <form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="_top">
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Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-29314967453184081412012-08-23T13:20:00.000-07:002012-08-23T13:21:32.825-07:00When did you take your first bellydance class?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cGHSJBx8wYV3-D1ZW5NOCS-UOMupuGExX7iHl42CanaRyWkgMamSGVXJeYJN3nHU9aj7Ksq_kaXvdayrJI98ySzdRXDYEjcdvPz-oTYynYO5aPYri0Qo7g-zJLEnSNnc04bMWhIrHhY/s1600/class.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cGHSJBx8wYV3-D1ZW5NOCS-UOMupuGExX7iHl42CanaRyWkgMamSGVXJeYJN3nHU9aj7Ksq_kaXvdayrJI98ySzdRXDYEjcdvPz-oTYynYO5aPYri0Qo7g-zJLEnSNnc04bMWhIrHhY/s400/class.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And did you like it??<br />
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I will be honest - I did NOT!<br />
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My first belly dance class was in 2002, after I graduated college. In fact, my 10 year belly-versary is coming up in November!
It was a beginner class at a very famous studio in Manhattan. But the class was working on a not-so-beginner veil choreography, and it was very hard to follow. Add that to my background in Western dance including ballet and hip hop, and I found myself rigidly spazzing my way through the class, a stark contrast to the grace and fluidity of the teachers and the "regular" students.<br />
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I didn't go back for months! In fact, I only reluctantly went back to accompany the friend of a friend who was interested in trying a bellydance class.
When I did go back, the class was - thankfully! - working on a much more basic routine which I was able to follow. And they were preparing for a student show! Having been performing on stage since the ripe old age of 2, I jumped on the chance to add "bellydance performance" to list of accomplishments in dance.<br />
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I got hooked, of course. And the rest is history!<br />
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With a new season of dance classes about to begin, I am curious to hear of your experiences - how did YOU get your start in belly dance?<br />
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<br />Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-42077305320402288902012-05-31T11:55:00.001-07:002012-06-05T11:52:13.677-07:00Keeping your two "lives" separate - on Facebook!As a professional belly dancer, I have created an image and a brand out of my name, and my skill. This brand is "Daniela - the mysterious and exotic belly dancer who flutters in an out of your parties on a cloud of sequins and leaves your guests mesmerized by her amazing talent and incredible beauty"
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Ok, maybe my brand isn't quite that dramatic.
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But it is a brand, and it is separate, and not quite the same as, the "real" me. So, on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, I have two separate accounts - one for dance, and one personal account. I have always felt this was important, because I do like to share things with my friends and family (pictures, funny stories, maybe some embarrassing family anecdotes) that I wouldn't want to share with clients and belly dance colleagues. My bellydance page is for strictly bellydance things. I don't mean that I only use those accounts for advertising, but I do limit my posts to things that are related to the dance - that often includes advertising, but also includes fun things like my favorite video clips, thoughts on my classes or recent gigs, and my musings about dance and life in general.
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In my experience on social networking sites, however, I do notice that there are many dancers who only have one profile for everything. Usually, these dancers are highly professional on their profile pages and only post things that would be suitable for potential clients to see anyway, but I have also seen the occasional bellydancer drunk-posting, or ranting about politics, or making another comment that might not be deemed very "professional" for one reason or another - on a page where many of that person's "friends" are actually belly dance colleagues and not actual "known you since kindergarten, OMG you're my BFF!" friends.
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So, if your business, your brand, and your self are one and the same, do you separate these in your internet life? Do you keep everything the same and monitor what you say? Or do you just say "f-it, world, this is how I am!" and post as you please?
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Balancing these two "personas" is quite time consuming and sometimes tiring for me, so I am very curious how others handle it and keep up with it all!Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-79256017677274507272012-05-08T11:38:00.001-07:002012-05-08T11:38:02.211-07:00Second video about "going pro"Another very helpful video from Nathalie....watch and learn if you are new to the "pro bellydance" world!<br />
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XdN1i1qlPnY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-34057300772469538152012-02-01T08:52:00.000-08:002012-02-01T08:52:55.892-08:00Wanna go pro? Watch this!I'll be posting a series of videos here, by Florida bellydance instructor Nathalie Zarate (<a href="http://www.dreamsbellydnce.com/">http://www.dreamsbellydnce.com/</a>) on how to become a professional bellydancer - the RIGHT way. There's some great information in these videos, nothing that should be new to anyone already pro or seriously considering it, but still great to have all in one, easily-accessible, place. <br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kA17TRdx-J4" width="420"></iframe>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-51519357068071228832011-11-01T12:57:00.000-07:002011-11-01T12:57:12.546-07:00First Ever Workshop Series!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I am super excited to announce this news....the Daniela Dance Company is Proud to Present:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><strong>Beyond the Basics: Bellydance Workshop Series</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Four workshops with two great instructors!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qCKJbtSaErhekaJIwbbJiwC8Gh4_3XPy5jhaR6N4inLtKffO2lMxnl04kBYddzrhdjcUJ3SDIqIse6KH2SSZoaD9BE7ZzqINH0lb57qaPbo_PP25428zGZYWt3MIuYtnhOA6Da90m2s/s1600/BTB+promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qCKJbtSaErhekaJIwbbJiwC8Gh4_3XPy5jhaR6N4inLtKffO2lMxnl04kBYddzrhdjcUJ3SDIqIse6KH2SSZoaD9BE7ZzqINH0lb57qaPbo_PP25428zGZYWt3MIuYtnhOA6Da90m2s/s400/BTB+promo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br />
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<strong><u>November 12th – Ballet for Bellydancers with Jennifer</u></strong><br />
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Students will use modified ballet techniques to help increase balance, fluidity, flexibility, strength and grace. Ballet is widely understood to be a foundational movement style, and cross-training in ballet provides structure and body awareness that is beneficial to all levels of belly dancer. This workshop will focus on ballet technique that is most useful to a belly dancer, and will include bellydance combinations integrating ballet-inspired moves and postures. <br />
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<strong><u>December 10th – Dancing with Zills with Daniela</u></strong><br />
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Students will drill different rhythms and patterns for playing zills (finger cymbals). Different dance combinations to accompany new zill patterns will also be taught. Basic zill ability (competence with the R-L-R/gallop pattern) is recommended but not required. Please bring your own zills.<br />
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<strong><u>January 14th – Advanced Sword Choreography with Jennifer</u></strong><br />
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Students will learn a complex sword choreography, with new and innovative “tricks” that can be used in choreography or improvisation. Students should have a basic competence with sword balancing. Please bring your own sword.<br />
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<strong><u>February 11th – Raks Al Assaya (Cane) Choreography with Daniela</u></strong><br />
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Learn a complete cane choreography to the classic Egyptian song, Luxor Baladna, and add an authentic cultural element to your shows. A basic competence in dancing with cane is recommended but not required. Students must bring their own cane. <br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>The more workshops you attend, the more you save!</em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One workshop: $30 in advance ($40 at the door)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Two workshops: $25 each (total $50) in advance ($35 each at the door)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Three workshops: $22 each (total $66), in advance ($30 each at the door)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">All four workshops: $20 each (total $80), in advance ($25 each at the door)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Pay for all workshops now, or pay as you go – amount paid will be applied to the “total amount due” as you continue to register for more workshops</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">All workshops will begin at 4:00 and last for 2 hours. Workshops will be held at Queens Dance Project, located at 214-26, 41st Avenue in Bayside. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">To Register, contact Daniela at 347-782-3616 or danielabellydance@yahoo.com</div>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-87320017299949277002011-09-27T12:33:00.000-07:002011-09-27T12:38:05.928-07:00The best students make the best teachersAfter another fabulous weekend of workshops with <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Aradia-of-Las-Vegas/31515762233">Aradia of Las Vegas</a>, I've been thinking about what it is exactly that makes her workshops so fabulous. Comparing them to other dancers I've had the opportunity to learn from, I think it comes down to one major thing - where most dancers present "dance moves" to you, Aradia presents the dance, along with its context. <br />
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Let me give an example of what I mean - Dancer X may explain a move like so: "This is a hip circle, but it only goes to the front, so push to the front and then contract back in before you start to circle back." Aradia, however, will say "This is a hip circle that only goes to the front. We do it this way when we are dancing in the style of the Golden Era, because the dancers back in those days considered pushing their butts to the back to be vulgar. So, before you start to circle around to the back, contract back in to center." <br />
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Or, Dancer X might say "now we are going to do tush pushes to the left." Aradia would say "Now we will do Mona's gooey tush pushes to the left. Mona El Said does these while looking over her shoulder at her hip; she's very flirtatious with this step so that is how we will do it." <br />
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Just looking at the notes Aradia hands out after every class, you can see they contain not just the descriptions of dance moves, but the names of the dancers to whom the signature move belonged. Learning a choreography from Aradia means you are also learning the history, culture, and context of the dance. <br />
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Aradia is the ultimate student. She absorbs information from dancers all over the globe, and spanning across generations, and is able to pass that information on to her own students. It makes for a so much more of a rich class, when you can learn more than just a dance move, but the who, what, how and why of that move as well.Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-31786309859515585532011-09-16T10:02:00.000-07:002011-09-16T10:02:48.579-07:00Bellydancing and....Italian food?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_qySLSflGY1yAomPnKi1TxNcFr2fh4fWCeoFW8Btsngtc0xLqYha1nwXMo9efAff6nVKuAm2qCNSZA0IEymC-wCNzLbU39wnTIQL8bemr4RnfBYEcZcdmEW5r3sR7WeLs0Dkf4bC4XA/s1600/Bdance%252520Show_Oct%2525202011%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_qySLSflGY1yAomPnKi1TxNcFr2fh4fWCeoFW8Btsngtc0xLqYha1nwXMo9efAff6nVKuAm2qCNSZA0IEymC-wCNzLbU39wnTIQL8bemr4RnfBYEcZcdmEW5r3sR7WeLs0Dkf4bC4XA/s320/Bdance%252520Show_Oct%2525202011%255B1%255D.JPG" width="247" /></a></div>Yes, that's right - come see me and members of the Daniela Dance Company performing at Cascarino's in Bayside on October 10th, and enjoy a delicious dinner (Italian food, of course!) as well!<br />
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Tickets are $30 and include the show, dinnner, dessert, and non-alcoholic drinks. <br />
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Buy tickets below! (name will be held for reservation - you will not receive an actual ticket).<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" />Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-15747320978658205022011-09-09T12:16:00.000-07:002011-09-09T12:17:34.121-07:00Back to (Dance) School!I don't know about you all, but I am itching to get back to dance class! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a little time off; it's nice to have all of my evenings free to hang out with my daughter and my husband. But by the beginning of September, I'm ready to DANCE again!<br />
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Please join me for a new season at one of my classes (listed below). There will be all new choreographies, new music, and new and improved warm-ups! So, don't miss out!<br />
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All classes resume next week (9/12).<br />
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<strong><u>Mondays, 7:30 - American Dance and Drama Studio (188-22 Union Tpk, Fresh Meadows)</u></strong><br />
*Open level class (please note there is no seperate intermediate class at this time. HOWEVER, if there is a demand for it, it will be reinstated. So, if you would like the intermediate class to resume, you MUST come to this open level class or else they will never know that there are serious students interested in the intermediate level. Intermediate level will resume as soon as there is demand demonstrated, so come to class as soon as possible so that we can have the intermediate class back quickly!!)<br />
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<strong><u>Wednesdays, 7:00 - Queens Dance Project (NEW location - 214-26 41st Ave, Bayside)</u></strong><br />
*Open level class (stay for Zumba after and get a discount!)<br />
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<strong><u>Sundays, 10:00am - Ultimate Fitness (26-50 Brooklyn Queens Expressway, Woodside)</u></strong> (formerly BQE Gym)<br />
*Cardio belly/Open level<br />
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I'm also teaching yoga at 7:30 on Monday mornings at Queens Dance Project (address above). This is a mixed-levels vinyasa style class; no experience necessary and all are welcome! <br />
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I hope to see you in class soon!<br />
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The information on my website is currently slightly out-of-date (stay tuned for a BRAND NEW website coming soon!), so email me with any questions!Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-3892061676468654472011-07-27T07:52:00.000-07:002011-07-27T07:52:04.297-07:00When is it lying?In a dancer's bio, she often lists the teachers she has studied under in the past, particularly if they are "big names," to give others a sense of what style she is, how much knowledge she has, and how much time she has put into her bellydance education. Of course, the general public, reading a bio, will not know (or likely care) who the dancer has studied with, but other dancers will. And the general public <em>will</em> like to see that a dancer has a broad dance background, even if they don't have any clue who the particular teachers are. <br />
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But my question is this - when does a teacher "qualify" to be listed on a dancer's bio? In other words, how long/often do you need to take classes or private lessons with a teacher before you can put them in your bio as someone you've "studied under"? <br />
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In <a href="http://www.danielabellydance.com/about">my own bio</a>, I only list two teachers by name, because those are the only two teachers who I have spent a significant amount of time with. I studied with my first teacher, <a href="http://www.amiramor.com/">Amira Mor</a>, for two years. I danced in her company, I was in her DVDs, and she was basically my first and only intro to bellydance for quite a while. I studied with my second teacher, <a href="http://www.alyne.biz/">Alyne</a>, for much less time, but her impact on my dance and my style is just a great, if not more so, than Amira's. I was with Alyne for three months, while living in California with my boyfriend/now husband. I attended classes twice a week and had several private lessons with her. <br />
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I consider these two women my "teachers," worthy of being in my bio as dancers who have trained me and shaped the way I dance. I've taken lots of workshops over the years, with "big name" dancers like <a href="http://www.suhailainternational.com/">Suhaila</a>, <a href="http://www.fahtiem.com/">Fathiem</a>, <a href="http://www.jillina.com/">Jillina</a>, <a href="http://nourhansharif.com/">Nourhan Sharif</a>, and of course <a href="http://www.aradialv.com/">Aradia</a>, whom I host in NYC every year. But I wouldn't include any of these dancers in my bio, because I haven't actually "studied" under them - in my opinion, one or even two, workshops does NOT equal "studying under." If the teacher doesn't even know your name, doesn't know your individual needs as a student and doesn't help you on an individual basis, you haven't studied under them. (Hmm....since I will now be hosting Aradia for the third time this September, maybe she <em>does</em> qualify as someone I've studied under at this point. I'll have to think about that one!).<br />
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That's just my personal opinion. BUT.....I've seen loads of bios where dancers list basically every "big name" bellydancer as someone they've studied under. It's <em>clear</em> to other dancers that these dancers have only taken a workshop or two, at most, from these dancers, because it would be impossible to meaningfully study under all of them. But that's how it's portrayed in the bio; there are no disclaimers given. I've seen this happen in varying degrees - people who list loads of dancers, as well as people who will list only one or two dancers, but I personally know that those dancers were just in town for one workshop, and that's the "training" that the bio references. <br />
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I think it's false advertising to list dancers in your bio unless you have <em>really, meaningfully</em> studied under them. OR, unless you clearly state that your exposure to that dancer was a one-off workshop. Again, I'm not sure how much impact this all has on the general public, so maybe it doesn't really matter. But I think it all goes back to professionalism, which relates directly to truth in advertising. You don't want to create hype around yourself that you can't live up to! <br />
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What do you think?Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-43365769328484610092011-06-23T11:39:00.000-07:002012-08-23T13:09:32.936-07:00Zumba class killed the bellydance star....Well, not the bellydance <em>star</em>, but possibly the bellydance <em>class</em>....<br />
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As a bellydance instructor, I have felt the effects of this extremely popular exercise "fad," and I don't mean on my waistline. I mean in my classes. Ever since Zumba has become "the" thing to do, I've noticed that less and less students are showing an interest in, and signing up for, bellydance classes. <br />
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Here's are my thoughts on why this is happening.....<br />
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Lots of women come to bellydance with the goal of doing something fun while getting in some exercise as well. Most students do not start a bellydance class with the hopes of one day "going pro." They like the dance, it's fun, and it can help get them in shape. Additionally, most people these days are feeling a pinch in their wallets, and probably don't have the money to sign up for multiple recreational classes a week. As great as a bellydance class is, it is still a DANCE class. And if your goal is to get fit, a bellydance class alone is not going to help you. You need to take an EXERCISE class. <br />
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That's when Zumba might seem like the perfect answer - it's a great workout, but you also get to "dance," which appears to be the perfect compromise to the student who wants to take a dance class for fun, but also wants to get in shape. <br />
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I'll admit it, I like Zumba. I take Zumba classes frequently. But let's be clear about one thing - Zumba is not dance. More and more often, I have people who tell me they know how to "bellydance" and then when I ask who they take classes with, they tell me they do "bellydance" in their Zumba class. ::smacks forehead::<br />
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Zumba is a follow-the-bouncing-butt type of exercise class. It's not dance. It's fun for what it is, but please don't confuse it with learning any form of dance - be it Latin, belly, hip hop (and speaking of hip hop, according to a hip hop instructor I know, those classes are also being negatively affected by the Zumba craze as well). Take it for exercise, but if you want to actually LEARN to dance, take a dance class. <br />
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With the Zumba craze being as large as it is right now, it's hard to picture it ever waning. Will it eventually go the way of Jazzercise in the 80's, and Tae Bo in the 90's, and loose it's popularity? Maybe. If history is to tell us anything, then probably. But one thing's for certain - bellydance is an art form that has been around longer than any exercise fad, and it isn't going anywhere.Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-15864224842967597342011-04-09T10:07:00.000-07:002011-04-09T10:09:37.664-07:00Buy tickets for Daniela's 6th Annual Student Showcase here!Our Sixth Annual Student Showcase is on May 7th, at Frank Sinatra School in Astoria, Queens. Doors open at 7:00pm. Don't miss it, buy your tickets now!<br />
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Just follow the link below!<br />
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</form>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-43630691528829071602011-02-02T10:35:00.000-08:002011-02-02T10:35:30.489-08:00Getting back into the swing of thingsIn September, I had my beautiful baby girl, Gabriella. During my pregnancy, I had delusions of being back to my "fighting weight" very quickly after giving birth, and being able to get back out to gigging soon after.<br />
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Sadly, that is not the case! The baby weight is coming off much slower than I had thought it would, and as a result, I haven't yet restarted my advertising. I feel like it is false advertising to show pictures of myself on my website looking one way, and then show up to the gig looking entirely different.<br />
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I have a gig this weekend - a first birthday party for a former client, and I've explained the baby thing! - and I am very excited to be getting back in the saddle. Although I had hoped my return to performing would have been much quicker, I'm happy to be back, at any rate!<br />
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Any other moms out there returning to professional performing? How long did it take? Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-11518503324572275232010-09-05T21:06:00.000-07:002010-09-06T07:50:06.327-07:00New Fall Class Schedule!It's that time of year again...summer is almost over and fall is in the air. Sure, it's sad when summer ends, but the good news is that <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">fall classes will be beginning soon!</span> I have a new schedule this fall, so please check below to see which class is right for you! <br />
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Also, I will be out on maternity leave for the month of September. The BQE Sunday morning class will continue to be subbed by Suneydis (Friday mornings are canceled until October), and the American Dance and Drama and Queens Dance Project classes will be subbed by Salit, an amazing and talented dancer (check out her video here: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQRpAr9J63o&feature=search"><span class="yiv1113939354yiv362280052yshortcuts" id="yiv1113939354yiv362280052lw_1283743451_8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQRpAr9J63o&feature=search</span></a>). Salit has extensive performance and teaching background and September will be a great month for you to learn something completely new! I know she has a lot of great material planned for you all, so be sure to check out her classes! <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Classes begin September 13th!! </span> (Sunday BQE classes are ongoing). The <span class="yiv1113939354yshortcuts" id="yiv1113939354lw_1283745731_0"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1283745810_0">new fall schedule</span></span> is as follows:<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Mondays </span>- American Dance and Drama Studio (188-22 Union Tpk, Fresh Meadows)<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">7:30 - Beginner</span> <span style="color: red;">(PLEASE NOTE new day and time!)</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">8:30 - Intermediate</span> <span style="color: red;">(PLEASE NOTE new time!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Wednesdays</span>, Queens Dance Project (34-57 <span class="yiv1113939354yshortcuts" id="yiv1113939354lw_1283745731_1"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1283745810_1">Francis Lewis Blvd</span></span>, Bayside)<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">8:00 - Open level</span> (all are welcome!)<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Fridays</span> - BQE<br />
ON HOLD until October<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">Sundays</span> - BQE<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">10:00am - Cardio belly/Open level</span><br />
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Contact information for all studios is on my website - <a href="http://www.danielabellydance.com/classes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yiv1113939354yshortcuts" id="yiv1113939354lw_1283745731_2">www.danielabellydance.com/classes</span></a>. Contact the studios directly with any questions regarding pricing and package discounts!<br />
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Enjoy the rest of your summer and I will see you in the fall!!Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-86367068461269612532010-06-03T09:17:00.000-07:002010-06-03T09:17:50.020-07:00Calling all Bellydancing Moms!For those of you who don't already know, I am 6.5 months pregnant and expecting a little girl in late August. I have not danced professionally since I started showing at about three months. I am feeling very out of the game. I performed at my student showcase, and I still teach my classes, but as far as gigs go.....I haven't been able to do any of those since February. I am hoping to get back into performing shape soon after the baby is born, but that's not what's worrying me. I feel like being a pro bellydancer is a constant game of keeping your name out there, staying in the public eye, and building your repuation. And after all is said and done, I won't have done any of that for about a year! <br />
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Ladies, I need to know how you do it! How did you get back into gigging after the babies were born? Was it totally different? I know I really can't go back to the levels that I used to, with multiple gigs each weekend - I was never home! I will need to scale it back somewhat, I know. But how to I even get back to the point where scaling back is an option? How do I let everyone know "Ok world! The baby has been born and I am ready to dance at your parties again! Come hire me!" :-)<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">How did you do it?? Share your tips, please! And just for kicks, here's a picture of me from a gig a few years ago. I forgot I had it!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflc4UTyoB1R9jClsc1msItxu1FCNEpll2541cEZFhJJBx5DnaoCneRRoVvB0ZK2LizjHDr9pgrTffN6ATZAJn26j16tAWFqju5AWR2zzkHc9ARfnSQ9pYkJARVuJAf2k9AisHeT3iugU/s1600/wings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflc4UTyoB1R9jClsc1msItxu1FCNEpll2541cEZFhJJBx5DnaoCneRRoVvB0ZK2LizjHDr9pgrTffN6ATZAJn26j16tAWFqju5AWR2zzkHc9ARfnSQ9pYkJARVuJAf2k9AisHeT3iugU/s320/wings.jpg" /></a></div>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-1214998870583866132010-05-11T13:45:00.000-07:002010-09-06T07:50:53.682-07:00I broke my own rule!I was just reading back through some old blog posts, and I saw <a href="http://danielabellydance.blogspot.com/2008/04/choreography-vs-improvisation.html">this</a> one, where I said I always felt that I needed to have a choreography ready if I was performing on stage (as opposed to the usual improv I do at a restaurant or party). <br />
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Well....I broke my own rule! I did an improv performance - ON STAGE! - at my latest student showcase. It wasn't so much by choice - I would have preferred choreographing something but I just didn't really have time to do so this year. So, I grabbed a veil, put on one of my tried and true songs, and just....made it up as I went along!<br />
I think my biggest fear was going up on stage and blanking out - which is funny because I always say that if you blank out and forget your choreography, you can just switch to improv. I guess if you blank out when you are improv-ing, you can only switch to...standing still? So, on the one hand, the stage-improv gave me more anxiety than getting up to perform a choreography. On the other hand, I was more relaxed, because I didn't have anything I had to remember - I could just do whatever came to mind (and I hoped that <i>something</i> would come to mind!).<br />
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It was a great experience. I did not have any blank-outs, and I felt very free up on the stage. I would try it again, but only in the same situation as this time - with a short song that I know VERY well!Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-31450755350528384662010-05-10T12:45:00.000-07:002010-05-10T12:46:38.007-07:00Aradia Workshops in NYC!! June 19-20!!Aradia is coming back to NYC for another exciting weekend of workshops!! Email me at <a href="mailto:danielabellydance@yahoo.com">danielabellydance@yahoo.com</a> for a registration form - Early Bird registration ends May 19th so don't miss out on huge savings! (Click on the picture to see it larger).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1xDmOyaNFCKzzYFKHKGQFNHyEwk9oNw2UFgTUwXNtuqZ7H1S5oyRHZsk0ilWaUo7CX1a9POlX07ycbonVHc-Sl7QZziHJDVKsGfVbYo397q-cPqRtUR0enamI0Ehbj2WBN2qyG6A1h0/s1600/Flyer2010%5B1%5D.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1xDmOyaNFCKzzYFKHKGQFNHyEwk9oNw2UFgTUwXNtuqZ7H1S5oyRHZsk0ilWaUo7CX1a9POlX07ycbonVHc-Sl7QZziHJDVKsGfVbYo397q-cPqRtUR0enamI0Ehbj2WBN2qyG6A1h0/s400/Flyer2010%5B1%5D.PNG" tt="true" width="372" /></a></div>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-33268687403681642022010-05-05T10:37:00.000-07:002010-05-05T10:38:43.521-07:00Our Fifth Annual Show!<div>It was amazing!!! The venue, the performances - it honestly could not have been better!<br />
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Thank you to all of my students for your hard work, and to the staff at Frank Sinatra School - you helped make the show look better than ever!<br />
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Here are some pictures:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWah43sIU6-xQoqKCf-EI9dYsS_xFDeZwTWAQm-47T43zL1yNXPi5pwA7IXPFFw5TJqIFNexKliEefaLZwRxJWrCWg985q6XhXpV0DJKapCcGj9wJ2ML10_K5LIxb7Th4FeGxQvsLEvw/s1600/nikki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWah43sIU6-xQoqKCf-EI9dYsS_xFDeZwTWAQm-47T43zL1yNXPi5pwA7IXPFFw5TJqIFNexKliEefaLZwRxJWrCWg985q6XhXpV0DJKapCcGj9wJ2ML10_K5LIxb7Th4FeGxQvsLEvw/s400/nikki.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilK64e6KuXLoOEngp6ltLpeVgdDzcr7HjbvjKj0EjQfpO_nwfyRgKaPE8MFOQmJJBZSe_RJqFFR71Ddd4yqbnOG6CBu1IPIJpRaQLsSojV1q5j4St1qyhz8bBAbNHezrRZ_n6au913r4I/s1600/show1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilK64e6KuXLoOEngp6ltLpeVgdDzcr7HjbvjKj0EjQfpO_nwfyRgKaPE8MFOQmJJBZSe_RJqFFR71Ddd4yqbnOG6CBu1IPIJpRaQLsSojV1q5j4St1qyhz8bBAbNHezrRZ_n6au913r4I/s400/show1.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7G6g8W0Flks4IEVRsapAnWTcyVjPzWlyM9BfezJNvNI6cY9B_NVcBCScyTEP7NL9v32TOT1TxmE3J_lsT1QPFUkobJaFr5eJgc5D56CC10gggC9oUaSqkiFJjoUlRwN1MC4XP-uDTH_Y/s1600/suney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7G6g8W0Flks4IEVRsapAnWTcyVjPzWlyM9BfezJNvNI6cY9B_NVcBCScyTEP7NL9v32TOT1TxmE3J_lsT1QPFUkobJaFr5eJgc5D56CC10gggC9oUaSqkiFJjoUlRwN1MC4XP-uDTH_Y/s400/suney.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVttJnJBj9dKaKgx53F-Hu-qzsUGAIPpN8twc0_PiVIfl0LxyklK2WbEgkgtDkMM6IuSYD0mA9J0INdLkqMEo7HjfHEiCbla4LKiUefoTKBUCyw0ECGo6DIG8C9yGiW8Iiywwgn4W68cU/s1600/show2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVttJnJBj9dKaKgx53F-Hu-qzsUGAIPpN8twc0_PiVIfl0LxyklK2WbEgkgtDkMM6IuSYD0mA9J0INdLkqMEo7HjfHEiCbla4LKiUefoTKBUCyw0ECGo6DIG8C9yGiW8Iiywwgn4W68cU/s400/show2.jpg" tt="true" width="400" /></a></div>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-37425139911291194222010-04-13T08:36:00.000-07:002010-04-13T08:59:49.278-07:00It's that time of year again - Student Showcase #5!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHnb6j4H8obaP0Kfw5jPaFsLG3jw7OBm3iPxGknGFVRBwGKKNcdgPsOvMQeGjJ5Ynl2tQJi-_UI6-6xg8dBQ83tGaG7jvz0Q8tLHeCd7Pw2Dz5E6jPLS1c1bsOhZ8lHhWjgSv_3nM_pw/s1600/814125036_img_6933_sm%5B1%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459652227532998738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHnb6j4H8obaP0Kfw5jPaFsLG3jw7OBm3iPxGknGFVRBwGKKNcdgPsOvMQeGjJ5Ynl2tQJi-_UI6-6xg8dBQ83tGaG7jvz0Q8tLHeCd7Pw2Dz5E6jPLS1c1bsOhZ8lHhWjgSv_3nM_pw/s400/814125036_img_6933_sm%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div>Our Fifth Annual Student Showcase is this Saturday!!<br /></div><br /><br /><div>April 17, at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts (35-12 35th Ave, Astoria). Doors open at 7:00, the show begins at 7:30! </div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Tickets must be purchased in advance, and you can do so very easily by following this link:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=UCL5KBW7YRC5U">BUY TICKETS HERE!</a></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>We have a great show planned, and I hope to see you there!!</div><br /><div> </div></div>Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-37220851553509703812009-11-06T20:39:00.000-08:002009-11-06T20:47:52.647-08:00No, I don't sit by my phone waiting for it to ring!Lately, I have gotten a TON of last-minute gig requests - like, <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> last minute. For example, just last night I received a text from the owner of a club I have danced at before - the text came in at 8:30, he wanted to know if I could dance at 10:00. What!?! No! I have a life, thankyouverymuch! <br /><br />Contrary to popular belief, I do not sit by my phone in costume waiting for the phone to ring. I need at <span style="font-style: italic;">least</span> 12 hours advanced notice if you want me to perform. And even that is pushing it. Maybe it's because I have a day job - I work 9:00-6:00 every day, and then teach 6 classes a week. So - I'm busy. My weekends are precious to me, and every single second is scheduled weeks in advance. Even if I'm not "doing" anything in particular, I have so many errands to run on the weekends, because of lack of time during the week, that I always feel that I need a weekend from my weekend by the time Sunday evening rolls around. <br /><br />So, if you call me hours before you need a dancer, don't expect me to take the gig. I am probably busy. And even if I'm not busy, I'm probably exhausted and would rather stay home and rest than flip my weekend upside down in a whirlwind of getting in costume, packing my gig stuff and getting out the door. Sure, I could always use the money. But sometimes I could use my sanity more.<br /><br />But someone must be doing this gigs, no? I mean - who is actually dancing at the restaurant that called me at 7:00 for an 11:00 show? Or the lounge who wants to know if I can be there in an hour? There's got to be someone taking these last minute gigs, or else these club and restaurant owners would actually need to *plan ahead* and book a dancer - gasp! - a DAY in advance!<br /><br />So what's your position on last minute gigs? Do you take them? Do you charge more for the aggravation? Or are you like me, where the likelihood you will take a gig with less than a day's notice is slim to none?Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-48266590860316649562009-09-04T20:32:00.000-07:002009-09-04T20:42:01.352-07:00How to be a good audience member, Rule #1Don't get up and walk out mid-show if doing so involves walking directly in front of, or past, the dancer! Especially when she has a sword on her head!! And when there is almost no one left in the restaurant!<br /><br />Recently, I was performing on a <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> slow night at my weekly gig. There were a total of three tables when I started my show - two groups of two, and one group of six. One of the tables of two got up and left almost immediately after my entrance - they obviously were not there for the show and got out of there pretty quickly. So, I was left with two tables to perform for, eight people total.<br /><br />About three quarters of the way through my set, I am in the middle of my sword routine when the table of six gets up, walks right past me and out the door! Leaving me with TWO people to perform my sword, drum solo and finale for!<br /><br />Now, I know that I am a good performer. I know that audiences enjoy my shows. And I understand that bellydancing just isn't for everyone, and some people will go out to a venue that happens to have bellydancing just to enjoy their time, and not have any interest in seeing a show. But doesn't common sense and decency tell someone that walking out of an almost-empty restaurant, not only in the middle of a dancer's show, but in the MIDDLE of a SONG is RUDE?? No? I mean, I would think it would be pretty darn <span style="font-style: italic;">obvious</span>!!!<br /><br />So, Rule #1 about how to be a good bellydance audience member - wait until the end of the show to leave. Or if you must leave mid-show, do it so that you are inconspicuous, and <span style="font-style: italic;">at least</span> wait until a song is over!!Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-47581862645924606232009-08-29T18:35:00.000-07:002009-08-29T18:42:19.649-07:00The end of summer....Sad to say, but it's true. Summer is almost over. I haven't blogged much this summer because things have been sort of slow in bellydance-land, so I haven't had so much to talk about! Summers are usually my slow season - most of the gig-requests I get are from people looking for hula dancers for their luau. If I have to explain the difference between Middle Eastern dance and music, and Polynesian dance and music one more time, I'll scream. I think part of the lull this summer was also due to the economy. Of course, bellydancers are a considered a "luxory item" (because, even though <span style="font-style: italic;">we</span> like to think we are necessary in order to have a good time, you actually <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span> have a fun party sans bellydancers...).<br /><br />I kept busy with the Aradia workshop and show, teaching my classes, and performing at Hush many Sunday evenings. I do have a few stories to share from those experiences, but I'll save them for another day, and another post. ;-)<br /><br />But, with the fall comes more bookings. I just got back from a great gig out in NJ (very funny birthday boy!), and I have jobs booked the next few weekends. So, now that I am back in bellydance mode, I am also back in blog mode!! I'll be posting more and more in the weeks to come, hopefully with new stories to share!<br /><br />So, how did you spend YOUR summer vacation?Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-84472098046600576962009-06-20T18:41:00.000-07:002009-06-20T18:46:46.110-07:00Aradia Workshop and Gala Performance!Aradia from Las Vegas (www.aradialv.com) is coming to NYC this weekend!<br /><br />Friday, June 26, Aradia, along with myself, Mariyah, Nabila, Kymberly, Suneydis, the Daniela Dance Company, and Mariyah's Move with Grace Dance group will be performing in a Gala Performance. Check out the flyer for details. Tickets are only $20 for this amazing show!! You can purchase tickets at this link: <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=6203108">BUY TICKETS HERE!</a> Don't wait to buy your tickets at the door - this is a SMALL venue and will likely sell out fast!<br /><br />Also, don't miss out on a weekend of AMAZING workshops - Saturday, we have a morning session of Egyptian, Lebanese and Turkish Combinations, followed by a class on Double Veil. Sunday morning it's a drum solo workshop, followed by a Saidi/Assaya class. Email me at danielabellydance@yahoo.com for a registration form - pre-register and save!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66m05bLflwjLqbuebdHmWbic9kThcd4u5LhZlzNyRRQbeQkMqntqY762xL588V6T3pfTLnellnImThooNEqxj9VGt799V309MapZmd0X24PsQz_gd00HgM6BSCr0RWXHHmc6Oir5FxbU/s1600-h/AradiaGalaPerformance+%282%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66m05bLflwjLqbuebdHmWbic9kThcd4u5LhZlzNyRRQbeQkMqntqY762xL588V6T3pfTLnellnImThooNEqxj9VGt799V309MapZmd0X24PsQz_gd00HgM6BSCr0RWXHHmc6Oir5FxbU/s400/AradiaGalaPerformance+%282%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349591187304489810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Murphy/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg" alt="" />Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-11335109757857301482009-05-29T20:53:00.001-07:002009-05-29T20:56:17.546-07:00Career Stability/Longevity<span style="font-style: italic;">I posted this on bhuz.com a few days ago, but I'd like to get feedback here as well....</span><br /><br />First, a little backstory to explain what got me thinking about all this - A few months ago I found out I had a basal cell carcinoma on the tip of my nose...long story short, I had Mohs surgery to remove it three weeks ago, and it turned out to be a lot worse than anyone thought. They actually had to remove some of the cartilage in the tip of my nose because it went down that far (on the surface, it only looked like a teeny tiny little red spot that wouldn't go away). Anyway, the plastic surgeon did a skin graft from another part of my nose to cover the hole, and the healing process is now shaping up to be longer than I had originally anticipated.<br /><br />Obviously, while this is all going on, i can't gig. No one wants a bellydancer with a bandaged, oozing nose. I'm not even sure how long I'll be out of commission - I had originally budgeted for no gigs the month of May, but that is when I thought I'd only have a few stitches. I figure I am looking at about two months of gigs lost when all is said and done.<br /><br />So, in the meantime, I've been teaching. Thank GOD I have a day job, because if I had this sort of injury and BD was my only source of income, I'd be in serious doo-doo right now.<br /><br />Which leads me to my question/thought of the day....we can't always gig. We can't always be the sexy, pretty, mysterious bellydancer that our clients want/expect us to be. Whether it is because we get older, or we get injured, or become pregnant or something else that affects our appearance.... I think that the amount of time in our lives where we can go out there and be the pro bellydance <u>performer</u> is so short compared to the times we cannot.<br /><br />In my experience, in the times where I can't get out there and perform, I can still get out there and teach. Because you don't need to "look the part" to teach - you just need to know what you are doing. And that doesn't change despite of what you look like. So, if you really want to be a dancer, make a living off of it (or a substantial part of your income, anyway), do you need to be a teacher as well? I have friends who are amazing dancers, but who just don't like teaching, or don't think they are very good at it so they don't do it. Are they destined for a short dance career?<br /><br />Is teaching the only way we as dancers can insure that we will be around for the long hall? Those who can't do, teach, right?<br /><br />What do you think? And don't forget to wear sunscreen!!Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3624878586990508737.post-24662154276544215502009-05-03T17:03:00.000-07:002009-05-03T17:10:45.784-07:00How well should you know your music?In a workshop I attended, Nourhan Sharif said you should listen to a piece of music so much that you are sick of it, and only then are you ready to dance to it. Her point being that you need to know your music well to be able to do it justice with a live, improv performance.<br /><br />I understand what she is saying but I also see it slightly differently - I have basically the same set that I use for all my basic gigs (birthdays, retirement parties, weddings, etc). Pretty much the same songs, in the same order, unless there is a special request or other reason that I would change things up. Lately, I have been feeling, well, uninspired when I dance to those songs. Kind of like "Ho hum, shimmy, shimmy, pop, turn, turn, turn.....same old, same old" I know them SO well, that they don't get me <span style="font-style: italic;">excited </span>any more - you know, the feeling you get when you hear a song you LOVE and you just need to get up and dance to it right away!<br /><br />I have found that, lately, my exciting (to me) shows - the ones where I finish feeling like I <span style="font-style: italic;">rocked</span> - are the ones where I am using different music. Maybe a song I don't know very well, because I've only heard it a few times. So it's new to me. Yes, I am probably missing some accents I could be using, or getting slightly off-beat when there is a change in the music that I didn't realize was coming. But I am having more fun, and I feel like it shows. And I think that is pretty darn important.<br /><br />What do you think? Do you listen to your songs until you hear them in your sleep? Or do you like to change it up frequently?Danielahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637062542649711335noreply@blogger.com2