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 […]
This week’s combo is to a well-known and well-loved classic, “Tamr Henna”. This song is from the 1957 Egyptian movie, also called “Tamr Henna”. Naima Akef dances to this song in this famous scene. One thing I love about this scene…. she’s playing finger cymbals! So when you hear someone say “Egyptians dancers don’t play zills”… there you go! But I digress…. our combo this week has lots of footwork and direction changes and accents […]
This week’s bellydance combo is to the Arabic pop song “Shayef Nasak” by Mohamed Fouad. This is a beginner level combo, using some of the most common steps and movements beginners learn: Basic Egyptians Drop kicks Sways Hip drops Shoulder accents Although this a beginner level combo, the second half of the combo may be a little challenging if you are a brand new student – but keep at it and you’ll get it! What’s […]
Last week, I taught a private lesson that was very different than usual. My student, who has been taking both weekly and private lessons consistently for over 3 1/2 years now, is on the cusp of performing professionally. An opportunity popped up, so the week’s lesson became how to handle a call from a client looking to book a performance rather than our usual technique and improvisation lesson. When you are seriously invested in […]
