It’s back! Our Annual Bellydance Lecture Replay sale!
If you missed any of these amazing talks the first time around…
NOW is your chance!
Sale ends December 18th!
How to order your lecture replays:
- Choose your titles and purchase using the correct quantity at the button below. (For orders of more than 10 lectures, please contact us directly.)
- We will email you within 1 business day of purchase – reply with your lecture selections and the date you’d like the first 30-day access to start.
- We’ll send your access information and you can start watching & learning!
- You will have a 30-day access period for each lecture. You have till June 1, 2023 to start your access for any titles.
This year’s replay sale is over
“Talking Bellydance: Orientalism and Anti-Orientalism in Dance Terminology” with Ainsley Hawthorn
The words we use can reinforce or challenge Orientalist ideas about the dance and its cultures of origin.
Ainsley Hawthorne discusses patterns in the way English-speaking belly dancers named dance movements in the 1960s and 1970s, use of stage names, the conversation around dropping “tribal” as a style name and the persistence of the name “belly dance”.
“The Regional Costumes of North African Dance” with Amel Tafsout
North Africa is a cocktail of several cultures. The costumes worn in the region’s dances are a form of self expression, identity and a community influenced by the climate, lifestyle, history and religion as well as the cultural heritage.
In this talk, you will get a fuller understanding of the variety and richness of the Maghreb region through its dance costuming. This talk will highlight Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya and Mauritania.
“Knowing Your Roots: The History of Belly Dance”
Parts 1 & 2 (2 separate items)
with Artemis Mourat
From the caves of Hathor to the dusty streets to cabarets worldwide, this dance has flourished in its various permutations for thousands of years! We will explore the many roots of this beautiful dance.
Regardless of your style or level of dance, you will enjoy many “Ah Ha! Moments” as Artemis fills in the gaps and connects the dots in this entertaining and educational presentation packed with beautiful slides and authentic footage to illustrate the history of this enduring and wonderful artform!
“Dancing to the Heart of Your Music” with Aszmara
One of the most musical dancers of our time, the incomparable Aszmara shares her unique method of music mapping and understanding of music. An important way to connect with music, improvise with meaning and learn/create choreography faster is to Map your music choice. We find the heart of the piece as well as nuances in the instrumentation leading us to understand not only the piece we choose, but music in general.
“Turkish Roman Dance & Culture” with Danielle Schoon
In this talk, researcher Danielle Schoon covers the history and cultural aspects of Turkish Roman music and dance. She shares how their place in Turkish culture has changed over the years.
This talk includes video footage of native dancers in cultural settings.
“Belly Dance Showgirl: Nejla Ates” with Dawn Devine
Join historian Dawn Devine aka Davina, as we explore
the most famous Turkish dancer of the 50’s.
Nejla appeared on Broadway, in films, and on stages in New York, Las Vegas, and across the US.
During this slide-talk, we will explore the trajectory of her fame and how she utilized the media and press to craft her stardom.
We will watch film clips, look at newspaper clippings and magazine articles, and dig into the gossip and scandals that followed her during her career.
“The Design Code” with Dawn Devine
Join author Dawn Devine ~ Davina for a deep dive into the basic building blocks of costume design. In this talk, we will take a journey through time as we discuss what makes costumes tick. Learn to crack the code and understand the elements and principles of costume design. Learn the formula to choose or design an unforgettable costume.
“Form and Fashion in Arabic Music” with Johnny Farraj
The lecture will cover the main musical forms used in Arabic music of the Middle East during the 20th century, a period called “The Golden Age”. Arabic musical forms will be explored from an insider’s perspective, along with a wealth of examples taken from 20th century recordings tracking old forms that became extinct, new forms that became popular, and forms that stood the test of time into the 21st century.
“Egyptian Shaabi Culture” with Leila Farid
“Shaabi” means “of the people”. When it applies to music – and dance – it’s all about the working class people, their lives, struggles and celebrations.
Shaabi music was born out of social discontent in the mid 20th century and has continually evolved over the past 50 years. Leila Farid lived and worked in Egypt for 13 years and saw much of it first-hand. She talks about the social events that sparked the creation of Shaabi music and how it spread and changed over the years.
“Practical Anatomy for Belly Dance”
Vol 1, 2, & 3 (3 separate items)
with Mahin
Learn how to dance safer and stronger but understanding and applying anatomy concepts to bellydance movement.
Vol. 1 covers planes of movement, and how flexibility, muscle initiation, tension and strength affect our dance.
Vol. 2 covers alignment, balance and coordination factors.
Vol. 3 is a hybrid class bringing the concepts from parts 1 & 2 into practice through drills and short combinations.
“Hizz Ya Wizz: Cairo’s 20th Century Dance Divas” with Raphael Cormack
This lecture charts the development of Egypt’s dance business from the private parties and dance halls of the late 19th century through the Salas of the 1920s to the film industry of the 1940s and 1950s. It explores both the opportunities and difficulties of a life on stage and grounds the Egyptian dance movement in its historical and political context. It will be amply illustrated with pictures, music and video.
“Feeling & Embodying the Music through Maqam” with Sami Abu Shumays
Although many people falsely believe that maqam is difficult to understand, this class will break down what is happening in the melody into the most basic elements: the changes in mood, and the drama that results from contrasting moods. We’ll illustrate the common changes that happen in Maqam Bayati, one of the most popular maqamat used in Arabic music, and explore both songs and improvisations in this maqam. Dancers will leave this class with a clearer understanding of how to continue to develop their sensibility for melody and maqam, and with the tools needed for more active listening, to help them incorporate this knowledge into their experience of Arabic music moving forward.
“Hidden Gems of Early Golden Era Music” with Dr. George sawa
Egypt’s Mohammad Ali Street musicians produced beautiful, sophisticated music specifically for dancers. Unfortunately, the names of some composers have been lost to history but fortunately, their music has been passed down through generations, from musician to musician. Dr. Sawa will unpack the musical motifs, rhythms, structure and lyrical meanings of three of these musical treasures so we can better approach them as dancers.
“Art, Innovation, Tradition, & Leadership in Raqs Sharqi” with Yasmina Ramzy
Innovation is an integral part of making dance art.
Without the addition of your unique interpretation, it’s just lifeless imitation.
Informed innovation combined with respect for origins and cultures is the key to taking raqs sharqi forward with integrity.
In this online presentation, Yasmina Ramzy will cover:
How to find your unique creative expression while upholding the integrity of source and origins
How to discover the deeper meaning of a style or folklore or piece of music
How to inspire dancers to follow you in your artistic vision
How to communicate your artistic vision in an impactful way.
“5 Paths to Confident Choreograph” with Yasmina Ramzy Lecture Replay
The most impactful choreographies build emotional bridges from the artist to the audience. It is important to have a clear vision of your purpose, your message and who your audience is. All of these shape how and what you will create so that it resonates leaving a powerful impact on your audience.
“Body Image and Sensuality in Raqs Sharqi” with Yasmina Ramzy
The lived realities of women and girls in the West are different from Middle Eastern females. In this talk, Yasmina will help us see these differences and challenge the common assumption that one is better than the other. We will explore how we could all benefit by learning from each other, particularly when it pertains to body image and self-esteem. And how to bring this understanding to our dance, enriching our expression of the feminine experience through movement.