The Sparkly Life: Mahin's Musings Archives - Mahin's Bellydance Quickies

A Lesson from Twyla on Creating Dance and Keeping Secrets

Posted on February 1, 2022February 1, 2022 by Mahin Sciacca

New projects have opened up new ways of thinking about “bellydance” for me – and I am thoroughly enjoying exploring them. Here’s an example… I am currently (re)reading Twyla Tharp’s The Creative Habit – if you haven’t yet, I highly recommend it! In it, she discusses the importance of having a “spine” for your work – and the perils of sharing it openly. As I understand it, she sees the “spine” as the guiding idea in a dance’s creation, a sort of compass […]

Belly Dance Veils, Props & Zills – Belly Dance Spring Cleaning – Week 3

Posted on April 22, 2021April 22, 2021 by Mahin Sciacca

Welcome back to Spring Cleaning for Belly Dancers! We’re into week 3 with our veils, zills and props. This is the week we’ll be dealing with any swords, wings, palm flames and other bellydance “toys”! Let’s look at this week’s tasks: Gather and inspect your veils Get all your veils together and go over them one by one. Spread it out on a clean surface like a bed. Check it for any holes, snags or […]

Belly Dance Spring Cleaning – Week 1

Posted on April 1, 2021April 6, 2021 by Mahin Sciacca

Welcome to Spring Cleaning for Belly Dancers! Over the next 5 weeks, we’ll be “freshening up” our dance life together. Each week we’ll focus on a different area with a short list of tasks to tidy up and refresh your dance wardrobe, makeup, jewelry, accessories and even your digital dance life. Think of it as KonMari meets bellydance! Take it one step at a time – you don’t have to do everything at once! If […]

How Not To Take a Performance Compliment

Posted on December 19, 2019December 19, 2019 by Mahin Sciacca

I’ll bet you recognize this kind of post-performance bellydance conversation… It’s after a show and one belly dancer compliments another’s performance. The dancer on the receiving end says thank you – maybe. Then goes on to explain that she’s coming down with a cold and felt really off, or…. fill in with whatever sub-optimal performance condition you can think of. Maybe you’ve heard this before. Maybe you were the one saying it. If so, please […]

Flying With Oum Kalthoum

Posted on June 20, 2019August 25, 2019 by Mahin Sciacca

I came prepared. I loaded my iPod not only with interesting podcasts to catch up on, but with original recordings of Oum Kalthoum. The 45 minute versions. The ones I’ve never had time to sit and listen to beginning to end. But stuck in this airplane seat with nowhere to go…. This. This is my perfect opportunity.