Please know that drumming is an artistic, creative process, each of these “rules” will have exceptions and you may meet a drummer who likes to “break the rules”. These are a good starting point, but nothing beats experience… 1, Watch their hands! Assuming your drummer has a regular goblet drum or frame drum, they are hitting Dums in the center and Taks on the outer edges. If their fingers come off the skin quickly , you will get reverberation, if they stay on the skin you will get no reverberation. You might also notice how far they pull back their arm, how they change their posture, even breathing patterns. All body language gives us clues as to what is coming next. 2, Find the first beat of the bar (the “1”). Not only will that help you keep beat, but they are likely to always hit the one, so you can start each bar with a dance hit and stay in time with the music. Keep it simple. If you only do a hit (hip drop, lift, side shift, shoulder drop, chest drop, shrug, nod…) to the fist beat of the bar, you are still dancing in time. Anything more is icing on the cake ! 3, Study your drummer. Watch videos, listen to their music, go see them play live. Every drummer has quirks, personality in their playing, themes, favorite patterns they return to, time and again…. The better you know them and their music, the quicker you will tune in and know what they are going to play. Just as you know the chorus from your favorite band, after your first listen, so you will come to know what comes next with your favorite drummer, even if they don’t know for sure yet! 4, Make friends. Even if you only have two seconds to smile before your music begins, be sure to make eye contact and smile. If you have a chat before your performance, tell them about your experience and preferences. Its ok to say “This is my first drum solo, please take things slow for me.” A nice drummer will do just that. Dancing with a drummer to a high standard takes commitment by both of you. Dance to a new drummer “for fun”. If you are charging money, you need rehearsals and to really know each other. Otherwise its just two people on stage doing their own thing. The better your friendship the better the performance. Do the best with the time you have. 5, We have a limited shared vocab, but use what we do have to your advantage. Know your MENAHT drum patterns, by name, and also be able to “sing” them. Know three or four famous classics, know their names in multiple languages and be able to hmm them. Dance to every version of them you can find, fast and slow, because you don’t know the version your musician loves. Remember your drummer cant give you a melody ;/. Even if you have time to prepare ahead of time, be ready for improvisation, a replacement drummer, a new version of a classic tune or a tempo you were not expecting. 6, Pick who you watch and follow. If you are lucky enough to have multiple musicians, pick who you want to follow and focus on them. There may be a drummer who keeps the beat for the other musicians. This drummer will give you clear and clean patterns that are predictable. It’s a good idea to return to dancing to this drummer each time you feel like you are losing your way. There might be someone who is easy to see, who is standing, or simply sitting within your eyeline. The star musician may even stand up to let everyone know that its time to focus on them. 7, Remember it is a performance. If you have an audience, make sure they feel included and entertained. Keep any struggles lighthearted. If you don’t get to show your best moves, or travel in the way you wanted, that’s ok. Be cool, relaxed, and entertaining. Eyes go between your musician, your audience, your moves and an upward eyeline (exit sign, religious belief, celebration of those who came before….). If in doubt, go for a walk, lighten the mood, smile at your audience and set yourself up with a better sight line to see whats happening with the musicians. 8, Work on your shimmies. Have shimmies for everyone occasion. Use different parts of your body, change the intensity, add bounces, change posture, shift weight, change arms, travel... Always have somewhere to go with your next shimmy. And breath ! 9, Your drummer is counting in bars of 4. At easy level, they will repeat the same thing four times: 135789-135789-135789-135789 DttDt – DttDt- DttDt- DttDt Sometimes they like to “do something interesting” on the fourth repeat: DDDDDtD - DDDDDtD - DDDDDtD – DDDDDtdtd Or “something interesting” on the third repeat: DDtat Dtatt - DDtat Dtatt- DD DDDD - DDtat Dtatt- And sometimes the pattern will be alternating: TaTa Tdd -TTT TTT - TaTa Tdd -TTT TTT – Again, know your drummer, know the patterns they love, and where and when they like to throw in their “interesting” drumming. 10, Finish with a spin and drop. Or don’t! A spin and drop was the “traditional” way to finish a drum solo. You spin on the spot for a long time and drop to the floor in a back bend, Turkish drop, or just a graceful slam into the floor. These days we care more for our knees. Decide ahead of time if you are going to signal your drummer of if they are going to signal you, when its time to be done. A not so subtle “head nod” works as long as you are making lots of eye contact. You can choose to spin (keep in mind this might take some time and get faster and faster), or you might pick a walk of the room with occasional turns, an arm move that spins, or a turning foot pattern. Get the audience clapping in time, up the expectations and then watch for the “big hit” on the drum. Catch that beat with a signature pose. Don’t forget to take your applause and then focus your audience’s attention on your musicians. Thank them, show your appreciation and exit the stage. Again, connect with them later to let them know how much you enjoyed the experience. Bonus…… Shhhush. This one is our secret. Sometimes drummers are not very good. Just like dancers, some have more experience than others. Some say they know how to play for dancers when they don’t. Some think it will be easy, that there is no skill involved. Some are selfish and don’t know or care to interact with the dancer. Some play in a way that is impossible for even the most advanced dancer to keep up. Some are boring and play the same thing for 5 minutes, leaving you to do all the creative work. Some don’t know how to interact, how to read the dancers’ energy and ability. Some have only ever played for one dancer and don’t know how to play for anyone else. Sometimes it’s not you its them. Don’t quit after one bad experience. Follow my suggestions, be a good audience member, watch the drummers who other dancers love, who interact, who play differently for dancers of different levels, buy them coffee, see if they are the drummer for you. On the flip side, if you see a drummer on the beach, or at your local non belly dance venue, have some fun, play around. Who knows, they might be your long term drummer hiding in plain sight! DANCERS !If you would like 1001 other ideas and hints on how to improve your stagecraft, check out "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage" - the stagecraft handbook for all belly dancers ! BECOMING A BELLY DANCER ON AMAZON If you like this blog, go back to my blog page and check out some others like: Teacher Knows Best Dealing with Difficult Students I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you) Why Belly Dancers need to Walk the Line Teaching Belly Dance: Making Corrections Being Part of the Solution Or check out my Hub Blogs including: "Your First Belly Dance Workshop" The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance" "Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher" Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer.
She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching. Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” was published in 2014. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers of all styles and levels. Both are available on Amazon.Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer.
0 Comments
Even belly dance teacher deserve a few weeks off over the holidays, but January is traditionally time to build up your classes. If you party for too long, or get sick, you may find you have missed the annual push to connect with new students and get your existing students back to class. Here are ten things you can do today, to gain dancers for 2022 and leave you free to celebrate: 1, Book your venue or confirm start dates with your employer. Make sure everyone knows when you will be back to work and that you will be promoting the classes. Lots of venues plan building work over the holidays, so be sure you wont have to cancel a class at the last minute. Nothing puts off a new student more than turning up and finding the room all closed up. 2, Email your existing students. As well as making sure everyone knows the start dates of the new semester, wish them a happy holidays ! Your current student body is your best marketing tool - make them feel appreciated ! Most of my new students come from word of mouth promotion. My students tell their friends, who then tell their friends... There is no harm in asking nicely if they will pass on the info, or post on their social media sites. Consider giving them a gift, such as a free class, a discounted private lesson, or a beautiful hair flower to make sure they know just how much you value them. 3, Set up an events page on Facebook and announce a free class or a meet and greet for new students. People want to try new things in January, but are often nervous or hesitant to commit. If you can offer a free/$5 class it becomes an incentive that few can resist. If you teach in semesters or terms and cant offer a free/$5 class, ask your employer if you can set up a desk and offer a "meet and greet". Take some cookies and juice, flyers and video clips. Be prepared to answer all kinds of questions. Invite your existing student body, but let them know you don't expect them to attend. Again its a way they can help promote your classes and make your event appear on their wall. Print out sign up sheets, plan the lesson, set up your music and pack your bag now so you are all ready to teach the first class of the year. 4, Advertise your event on Facebook to strangers ! You can set up an advert now to run through the first few days of January. By linking your advert to your event you can provide lots of info one click away and the chance for them to sign up and connect with you. A few days before your event you can send them a quick reminder. Facebook seems so much less formal that joining a mailing list. I advertise to women who live within five miles of my venues, 18 to 80, who like Zumba, dance, science (ever noticed how many belly dancers are scientists !) and fitness. That advert will go to 1,000s of people, but I pay per click, so I only pay for those who were interested enough to visit the event page. I set my daily target to between $3/$5, depending on how long I let the advert run. 5, Re-order flyers, postcards and business cards. Professional stationary is cheap and easy to create using sites such as Vistaprint. Go for one of their standard designs and ad your own photo. Double check they contain all your info :
6, Fill your car, purse and work bags with flyers ! Over the next few weeks you will be travelling to different shops, parties and hafla. Perhaps you might find yourself performing at different venues and with little notice. You will be meeting lots of new people who may want to do class with you. Don't miss out by not having the info on you. Ask at every store and restaurant if they have a noticeboard. Offer a "free pass" to the staff (so they can attend your free/$5 class). 7, Make up raffle prizes and contact event organizers to offer your gift. Prepare a card that offers one or more lessons for free (again make sure it contains all the info). If you are feeling generous, add in a coin belt or some jewelry. Wrap these gifts in clear film and offer them to local events as a raffle prize. At this time of year every organization, every school, club and social group is planning a party with a raffle. Not only will you have the chance to teach a new student, you will also put your product in front of a totally different audience. 8, Write on your car. Or purchase a car sticker. You will be travelling around this holiday season, so use your car as free advertising. Make sure your web site is written large enough for people driving around to see. If you are shopping or eating out, try and park in a space so your advert faces everyone entering the car park. I love to see people stop and take a photo of the back side of my car :) 9, Make sure your web site and social media pages are polished and up to date. Pre plan interesting blog posts, Facebook and twitter comments. Use software to schedule these posts to be automatically uploaded while you are away. You can be an interesting belly dancer and asleep on the sofa at the same time!
By putting in some extra work now, you can fully relax over the holiday season and return to you classes refreshed, knowing that you have done everything you can to attract new students to the wonderful world of belly dance! HAPPY HOLIDAYS ! - love and hugs Sx This winter Sara is offering an ongoing video workshop "Starting, Restarting and Kickstarting your Belly Dance Classes": |
If you like this blog, go back to my blog page and check out some others like: Teacher Knows Best Dealing with Difficult Students I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you) Why Belly Dancers need to Walk the Line Teaching Belly Dance: Making Corrections Being Part of the Solution |
To continue watching, use the link below to purchase parts 3 - 5 of this on-line workshop:
Traveling to the UK
10/7/2022
Updated 9/9/23
Now that we can travel again (YEAH !) I keep getting asked about top tips for travelling to the UK, so I guess I should put them in a blog, to save my typing fingers!
For those of you who dont know, I grew up in the UK, moving to the USA when I was in my 40s. I lived all over, but mostly in the south, East Anglia, West Country, Home counties and outskirts of London. I try to travel back each year to visit family. My last visit was September 2023.
So here we go ! - my 20 top tips for travelling to the UK:
1 - The weather is unpredictable. It just is. Think about where the UK is and how the winds from four different directions bring all kinds of weather: Hot wet; hot dry; cold dry; cold wet. It can change in hours. The further north you go, the colder it will get, but pack for every weather type and enjoy the drama of ever-changing weather. The joke is that if you can see (insert name of hill), then rain is coming, if you can’t see it, it’s raining...Yes even in the summer.
2 - You can buy anything you forget to pack. It’s a little more expensive in the UK compared to the US, but not so much that you should panic. If you forgot something like a converter, try to buy at the airport or look for a Boots store. They have a travel area.
3 - Pack only bags you can carry ! This is my tip for every traveler. In the movies you always see folks with suitcases the size of a small continent. Don’t do it ! No matter where I go, I always end up carrying my case at some point - let’s talk about the rail station in Hong Kong where the lift/elevator was broken and I had to take two large suitcases up a twisted staircase during rush hour...It’s also not normal for hotels and B&Bs to have someone to help with your bags. Assume you are wheeling/carrying them and be pleasantly surprised if someone helps you.
4 - Heathrow and Gatwick are not in London. They are, however, on the Underground rail. If you are flying in to spend time in London, get the Underground to your destination. A taxi is going to bust your budget, and probably take you longer. You can always get the Underground to the area near your hotel and take a taxi from there.
5 - Get an Underground rail card and don’t be afraid to use it. The Underground is busy, smelly, but also cheap and really useful. Learn your route before you get to the station. The locals will swear at you if you spend too long looking at the map and blocking routes. The locals know their routes - so you can ask someone about your destination while waiting for the train. They won’t want to chat, but they will answer your question. If you get on the wrong train, just hop out and change platforms - it happens. You only pay as you enter and exit, so you can ride all day if you get really lost :)
6 - The trains outside the Underground are really expensive. If you want to make a rail journey to another town, book ahead. If you must purchase a ticket on the day, be ready for some sticker shock.
7 - Don’t hire a car if you are staying in London. Even the locals hate driving in London, and you could find yourself in a Congestion Charge zone and get an unexpected fine or fee. It’s much easier to get around by Underground, taxi or just walk.
8 - Do visit some of the smaller museums. London has some big "collection" museums, where "collection" clearly means treasures stolen from other countries. Some people are working on returning stolen goods, but its not happening fast enough. If you cultures art and treasures were stolen, think about how you will feel to see it displayed. Each small town will have its own museum showing locally collected artifacts, and with information about the town, its people and history. National Museums Liverpool includes the International Slavery Museum. Canterbury has the Roman Museuem, Glasgow, London, Coventry, Manchester and Lowestoft all have transport Museums.
9 - GET OUT OF LONDON... London is not like the rest of the UK. For a first-time visitor who wants to use the train, or just drive the freeways/motorways, I suggest Bristol, Liverpool, Brighton, Canterbury, Oxford, York, Ely or Glastonbury. Bath is beautiful, but hard to get to in the car. Edinburgh is amazing, but obviously a long trip (but Americans think a long trip is days rather than hours). If you want to see Stonehenge, also go to see Avebury. Often, they are available together as part of a day trip offered by the big hotels. Stonehenge is iconic, but it’s also behind a fence and next to a busy road. Avebury is in a small village and you can touch the stones.
10 - Food can be expensive in the UK, but I have some budget busters for you ! Firstly, jet lag will mean you are hungry in the morning, so eat a "Full English" (Sausage, bacon, eggs, beans, hash browns, toast), to start your day. Some hotels offer it as part of the deal. If not go to your local supermarket or department store. Most have a small cafe or restaurant, where the food is super fresh, and they use top ingredients (they want you to go buy the sausages from the store!). This will probably be self-service, and you will sit at plastic chairs and people watch as others shop. While it’s no frills, its good quality food at a more than fair price. Remember that we cook our bacon lightly - it’s perfectly safe and you might get to like it better that way. Eggs come as scrabbled, fried or boiled. You can try and add to your egg order, but don’t be surprised when they ask what "sunnyside" is.
11 - While you are at the supermarket or department store (Tescos, Waitrose, Marks and Spencers, Asda, Sainsbury's, John Lewis, Debenhams...), look out for their "Meal Deal", and gather a picnic lunch. They will offer a packed sandwich, drink and crisps (potato chips), for a loss leading price, to get you in the store. Its the perfect way to set you up for a day of adventures.
12 - Talking about food, try to avoid the big chains and give the pubs a try. Each one will have their own menu and specialties. I am going to suggest you try a Cornish Pasty, Steak and Ale pie, Curry, Ham and Eggs, Ploughmans lunch (cheese, bread and pickles), or Fish and Chips. The Lasagna will be very different, because it’s made with mincemeat and not sausage meat (no fennel - hurrah !). Don’t bother with the chilli, or a pizza. Drink the local beer. If you are not big beer fan, you can ask for a "Shandy", which is beer mixed with 7up. Much more refreshing and perfect for a lunchtime drink. Do not expect fast food in a pub. You are expected to spend a few hours, enjoying the atmosphere, and some places wont serve your food until you have ordered your second round of drinks. If you are in a hurry, just tell them, but its still going to take a while. You wont get free refills on your soft drinks anywhere.
13 - Even if you think you don’t like curry, go out to an Indian restaurant and get some curry ! Its totally different in the UK to the US. Every town will have a number of really good curry houses.
14 - Take the open top bus. Most of the big cities have a big red bus tour with some kind of all day, or two-day ticket option. You will learn so much about the city, and the top of the bus is the best place to really enjoy the architecture.
15 - The UK has gone almost totally Touch free/Contactless for payments. You will need a credit card with the touch free symbol. You can use it at most stores, hotels, cafes, resturants and even to access the underground. Keep your coins for pay and display car parking. Most machines will take everything silver, but not the coppers. You will probably not need any paper money, except for tips.
16 - Brits only tip for good to exceptional service, and then almost always just food servers. If someone waits on your table, offer them a tip. You don’t need to tip others. If you stay in a hotel, you can tip your servers daily, or at the end of your visit. Leave your small change in your room for the cleaning staff. Some people will expect a tip from you because you are American, and you may find you get better than average service because of this. However, some people, particularly self-employed, can be insulted if you offer to tip them - as if you assume they are poor or not paid enough. If in doubt, offer, but don’t be offended if your offer is turned down.
17 - The British use a wide range of swear words and insults that can be harsh to sweet American ears. They use words to call their kids, that you might not call your worst enemy. Some of these have evolved to become terms of endearments, Its just a language difference. Don’t react - making the Americans blush is a fun pastime for bored Brits.
18 - Kids love castles. Take a look at English Heritage site before you set out and see if you want to do a tour of their locations. You can visit castles, stately homes and iconic locations around the country. Check out if it would be worth it for you or your family to get an annual pass, even if you are just spending a week in the UK.
19 - If you are looking for something quick to eat, look for a Greggs and buy a pie. You will find them on most high streets, but also in some motorway service stations. If you stop at a motorway service station, you should be able to get more than gas/petrol - they will likely have one of the big burger/fried chicken options, but also a mini supermarket selling the sandwich "meal deal", and a few travel essentials like sweets/candy.
20 - Have fun ! Yes it will rain, the museums are full of stolen stuff, its stressful to drive, the food is heavy and folks will swear at you - but that is what makes your trip an adventure !
Comment below if you have a tip for others !
1 - The weather is unpredictable. It just is. Think about where the UK is and how the winds from four different directions bring all kinds of weather: Hot wet; hot dry; cold dry; cold wet. It can change in hours. The further north you go, the colder it will get, but pack for every weather type and enjoy the drama of ever-changing weather. The joke is that if you can see (insert name of hill), then rain is coming, if you can’t see it, it’s raining...Yes even in the summer.
2 - You can buy anything you forget to pack. It’s a little more expensive in the UK compared to the US, but not so much that you should panic. If you forgot something like a converter, try to buy at the airport or look for a Boots store. They have a travel area.
3 - Pack only bags you can carry ! This is my tip for every traveler. In the movies you always see folks with suitcases the size of a small continent. Don’t do it ! No matter where I go, I always end up carrying my case at some point - let’s talk about the rail station in Hong Kong where the lift/elevator was broken and I had to take two large suitcases up a twisted staircase during rush hour...It’s also not normal for hotels and B&Bs to have someone to help with your bags. Assume you are wheeling/carrying them and be pleasantly surprised if someone helps you.
4 - Heathrow and Gatwick are not in London. They are, however, on the Underground rail. If you are flying in to spend time in London, get the Underground to your destination. A taxi is going to bust your budget, and probably take you longer. You can always get the Underground to the area near your hotel and take a taxi from there.
5 - Get an Underground rail card and don’t be afraid to use it. The Underground is busy, smelly, but also cheap and really useful. Learn your route before you get to the station. The locals will swear at you if you spend too long looking at the map and blocking routes. The locals know their routes - so you can ask someone about your destination while waiting for the train. They won’t want to chat, but they will answer your question. If you get on the wrong train, just hop out and change platforms - it happens. You only pay as you enter and exit, so you can ride all day if you get really lost :)
6 - The trains outside the Underground are really expensive. If you want to make a rail journey to another town, book ahead. If you must purchase a ticket on the day, be ready for some sticker shock.
7 - Don’t hire a car if you are staying in London. Even the locals hate driving in London, and you could find yourself in a Congestion Charge zone and get an unexpected fine or fee. It’s much easier to get around by Underground, taxi or just walk.
8 - Do visit some of the smaller museums. London has some big "collection" museums, where "collection" clearly means treasures stolen from other countries. Some people are working on returning stolen goods, but its not happening fast enough. If you cultures art and treasures were stolen, think about how you will feel to see it displayed. Each small town will have its own museum showing locally collected artifacts, and with information about the town, its people and history. National Museums Liverpool includes the International Slavery Museum. Canterbury has the Roman Museuem, Glasgow, London, Coventry, Manchester and Lowestoft all have transport Museums.
9 - GET OUT OF LONDON... London is not like the rest of the UK. For a first-time visitor who wants to use the train, or just drive the freeways/motorways, I suggest Bristol, Liverpool, Brighton, Canterbury, Oxford, York, Ely or Glastonbury. Bath is beautiful, but hard to get to in the car. Edinburgh is amazing, but obviously a long trip (but Americans think a long trip is days rather than hours). If you want to see Stonehenge, also go to see Avebury. Often, they are available together as part of a day trip offered by the big hotels. Stonehenge is iconic, but it’s also behind a fence and next to a busy road. Avebury is in a small village and you can touch the stones.
10 - Food can be expensive in the UK, but I have some budget busters for you ! Firstly, jet lag will mean you are hungry in the morning, so eat a "Full English" (Sausage, bacon, eggs, beans, hash browns, toast), to start your day. Some hotels offer it as part of the deal. If not go to your local supermarket or department store. Most have a small cafe or restaurant, where the food is super fresh, and they use top ingredients (they want you to go buy the sausages from the store!). This will probably be self-service, and you will sit at plastic chairs and people watch as others shop. While it’s no frills, its good quality food at a more than fair price. Remember that we cook our bacon lightly - it’s perfectly safe and you might get to like it better that way. Eggs come as scrabbled, fried or boiled. You can try and add to your egg order, but don’t be surprised when they ask what "sunnyside" is.
11 - While you are at the supermarket or department store (Tescos, Waitrose, Marks and Spencers, Asda, Sainsbury's, John Lewis, Debenhams...), look out for their "Meal Deal", and gather a picnic lunch. They will offer a packed sandwich, drink and crisps (potato chips), for a loss leading price, to get you in the store. Its the perfect way to set you up for a day of adventures.
12 - Talking about food, try to avoid the big chains and give the pubs a try. Each one will have their own menu and specialties. I am going to suggest you try a Cornish Pasty, Steak and Ale pie, Curry, Ham and Eggs, Ploughmans lunch (cheese, bread and pickles), or Fish and Chips. The Lasagna will be very different, because it’s made with mincemeat and not sausage meat (no fennel - hurrah !). Don’t bother with the chilli, or a pizza. Drink the local beer. If you are not big beer fan, you can ask for a "Shandy", which is beer mixed with 7up. Much more refreshing and perfect for a lunchtime drink. Do not expect fast food in a pub. You are expected to spend a few hours, enjoying the atmosphere, and some places wont serve your food until you have ordered your second round of drinks. If you are in a hurry, just tell them, but its still going to take a while. You wont get free refills on your soft drinks anywhere.
13 - Even if you think you don’t like curry, go out to an Indian restaurant and get some curry ! Its totally different in the UK to the US. Every town will have a number of really good curry houses.
14 - Take the open top bus. Most of the big cities have a big red bus tour with some kind of all day, or two-day ticket option. You will learn so much about the city, and the top of the bus is the best place to really enjoy the architecture.
15 - The UK has gone almost totally Touch free/Contactless for payments. You will need a credit card with the touch free symbol. You can use it at most stores, hotels, cafes, resturants and even to access the underground. Keep your coins for pay and display car parking. Most machines will take everything silver, but not the coppers. You will probably not need any paper money, except for tips.
16 - Brits only tip for good to exceptional service, and then almost always just food servers. If someone waits on your table, offer them a tip. You don’t need to tip others. If you stay in a hotel, you can tip your servers daily, or at the end of your visit. Leave your small change in your room for the cleaning staff. Some people will expect a tip from you because you are American, and you may find you get better than average service because of this. However, some people, particularly self-employed, can be insulted if you offer to tip them - as if you assume they are poor or not paid enough. If in doubt, offer, but don’t be offended if your offer is turned down.
17 - The British use a wide range of swear words and insults that can be harsh to sweet American ears. They use words to call their kids, that you might not call your worst enemy. Some of these have evolved to become terms of endearments, Its just a language difference. Don’t react - making the Americans blush is a fun pastime for bored Brits.
18 - Kids love castles. Take a look at English Heritage site before you set out and see if you want to do a tour of their locations. You can visit castles, stately homes and iconic locations around the country. Check out if it would be worth it for you or your family to get an annual pass, even if you are just spending a week in the UK.
19 - If you are looking for something quick to eat, look for a Greggs and buy a pie. You will find them on most high streets, but also in some motorway service stations. If you stop at a motorway service station, you should be able to get more than gas/petrol - they will likely have one of the big burger/fried chicken options, but also a mini supermarket selling the sandwich "meal deal", and a few travel essentials like sweets/candy.
20 - Have fun ! Yes it will rain, the museums are full of stolen stuff, its stressful to drive, the food is heavy and folks will swear at you - but that is what makes your trip an adventure !
Comment below if you have a tip for others !
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance wrtier, teacher, mentor and performer, originally from the UK, but now based in Arizona. Check out her classes in the East Valley of Phoenix, her books on Amazon, or book her to teach a workshop anywhere in the world !
Troupe Costuming
1/18/2022
No matter if its once a year, or once a month, every troupe director or teacher will have to regularly make decisions about troupe costumes. In this blog we are going to work through a check list of considerations, look at costuming strategies, working with troupies, and achieving the best look for your dancers.
The right costume can make a dancer feel like a million dollars. The wrong costume means they approach the stage with a bad attitude. In this blog, we are going to talk about the major issues that each troupe director needs to consider when planning a costume that makes all of your troupe members feel secure, prepared and like a fabulous belly dancer.
The right costume can make a dancer feel like a million dollars. The wrong costume means they approach the stage with a bad attitude. In this blog, we are going to talk about the major issues that each troupe director needs to consider when planning a costume that makes all of your troupe members feel secure, prepared and like a fabulous belly dancer.
My CA troupe Neshee Dolu - we used the key fabric, mix and match, personality and other techniques to come up with this look.
About Critique
I would like to send out a huge thank you to all the dancers who kindly offered to share their photos with you. They all confirmed that they had permission to share the photos and that we could critique their costume choices. I applaud their bravery!
You are welcome to add your comments, thoughts and critique in the comments section. HOWEVER, this is a lesson about costumes, and not about dancers or body image. We can talk about costumes suiting larger dancers, or those with a full bust, we can talk about a top lengthening the torso for short dancers, or trousers being too short for the taller dancers. We cannot use derogatory terms like “fat”, “skinny”, “lanky”…. If you wish to pick a dancer out of the group, please refer to them as “forth from the left” or similar.
I use the “critique sandwich” method, and I would encourage you to do the same. The critique sandwich method means you need to find a positive, a negative and another positive. So for example:
“The fabric is very rich looking and lux. The overall look still manages to be bland, perhaps they need more jewelry or flowers. The costumes do fit well and compliment the wide range of sizes and ages of the dancers”
If you wish to agree with a previous comment that is negative, try to also balance it within the critique sandwich:
“I love the arm coverage – that is so important to my troupe. I agree about the overall blandness. Mermaid skirts make everyone’s curves look amazing.”
The old adage of “If you have nothing good to say, say nothing” should also come into play here. However, if you only have positive things to comment, feel free to go for it!
I would like to send out a huge thank you to all the dancers who kindly offered to share their photos with you. They all confirmed that they had permission to share the photos and that we could critique their costume choices. I applaud their bravery!
You are welcome to add your comments, thoughts and critique in the comments section. HOWEVER, this is a lesson about costumes, and not about dancers or body image. We can talk about costumes suiting larger dancers, or those with a full bust, we can talk about a top lengthening the torso for short dancers, or trousers being too short for the taller dancers. We cannot use derogatory terms like “fat”, “skinny”, “lanky”…. If you wish to pick a dancer out of the group, please refer to them as “forth from the left” or similar.
I use the “critique sandwich” method, and I would encourage you to do the same. The critique sandwich method means you need to find a positive, a negative and another positive. So for example:
“The fabric is very rich looking and lux. The overall look still manages to be bland, perhaps they need more jewelry or flowers. The costumes do fit well and compliment the wide range of sizes and ages of the dancers”
If you wish to agree with a previous comment that is negative, try to also balance it within the critique sandwich:
“I love the arm coverage – that is so important to my troupe. I agree about the overall blandness. Mermaid skirts make everyone’s curves look amazing.”
The old adage of “If you have nothing good to say, say nothing” should also come into play here. However, if you only have positive things to comment, feel free to go for it!
This group has stuck with a very simple mix of one fabric for their top and skirt, plus a contrasting belt. They did well to find something that looked stunning on a wide range of heights and sizes. Sometimes we can try to over complicate our costuming.
Budget.
Talk to your dancers early in the process and get a good idea of what they are prepared to spend on a new costume. Remember to include all the little extras, like hair flowers, jewelry and belts. Does their budget need to be split between multiple costumes or just one per year? Be realistic about the costs involved in putting a look together. Include shipping and tailoring if you feel adjustments may be needed.
Sometimes home sewing can seem like a cheap option, but find out who has the equipment and resources needed. Your dancers may be money rich, but time poor (or the other way around). If one dancer hand sews her costume, another machine sews it, and a third asks a professional to make their costume, you can end up with three very different levels of tailoring.
Buying in bulk can save pennies. If you are looking at untested web sites, start by ordering one costume to better judge the quality and shipping speed. Check how you are protected as a consumer if you order goods from another country.
I find it easier to discuss money outside class time. I set up a questionnaire and welcome private message responses. For example, this year I have asked if the troupe want a new costume of around $150, or a re-vamp of around $100 or to simply re-use an existing costume. By giving your dancers a few options, they can look at their own personal budgeting and be prepared for the expense. If you set the budget too high, you may find your troupe slowly drops in numbers as members might rather drop out than talk about financial difficulties.
As the troupe director you will need to hear everyone's thoughts and then set an achievable budget.
Talk to your dancers early in the process and get a good idea of what they are prepared to spend on a new costume. Remember to include all the little extras, like hair flowers, jewelry and belts. Does their budget need to be split between multiple costumes or just one per year? Be realistic about the costs involved in putting a look together. Include shipping and tailoring if you feel adjustments may be needed.
Sometimes home sewing can seem like a cheap option, but find out who has the equipment and resources needed. Your dancers may be money rich, but time poor (or the other way around). If one dancer hand sews her costume, another machine sews it, and a third asks a professional to make their costume, you can end up with three very different levels of tailoring.
Buying in bulk can save pennies. If you are looking at untested web sites, start by ordering one costume to better judge the quality and shipping speed. Check how you are protected as a consumer if you order goods from another country.
I find it easier to discuss money outside class time. I set up a questionnaire and welcome private message responses. For example, this year I have asked if the troupe want a new costume of around $150, or a re-vamp of around $100 or to simply re-use an existing costume. By giving your dancers a few options, they can look at their own personal budgeting and be prepared for the expense. If you set the budget too high, you may find your troupe slowly drops in numbers as members might rather drop out than talk about financial difficulties.
As the troupe director you will need to hear everyone's thoughts and then set an achievable budget.
For many FCBD dancers their bra is a big investment. Purchasing a bra with a black base means these dancers can update the other elements of their costume each year, but keep the bra. I love the use of metalic fabric with black in the their skirts.
Venues.
The new costume will need to be suitable to wear for the performances you have in mind, but is it also needed for different venues and for different styles of dance?
Costumes for community events in front of the general public need to be more conservative than those for belly dance events. I use the “How Shocking” test. There are a few areas of the body that the public find more shocking that belly dancers do – Arms, boobs (boob overflow/muffin top…. Fully topless is always shocking), tummy and legs. If you wore a costume to a belly dance event that showed bare arms, boob tops, tummy and legs, no one would notice. At a public event you need more coverage depending on the type of event. Here is a fun quiz to help you set your “How Shocking” costuming level:
As you can see, I am suggesting you go for full coverage for your synagogue’s annual children’s lunch where you plan to dance to “New York, New York”.
If you are dancing at your workplace’s New Year’s Eve party, you can decide – Do you want full coverage over your chest, to wear a tummy cover, sleeves or wear leggings under your split skirt? Of course you can always dress more modestly than my “How Shocking” test.
By keeping your range of venues in mind, you can select a costume that suits every occasion. If you only dance at belly dance events, a two piece costume may be your best option. If you regularly dance at public events, perhaps you want to invest in a tummy cover and wrap top to co-ordinate.
The new costume will need to be suitable to wear for the performances you have in mind, but is it also needed for different venues and for different styles of dance?
Costumes for community events in front of the general public need to be more conservative than those for belly dance events. I use the “How Shocking” test. There are a few areas of the body that the public find more shocking that belly dancers do – Arms, boobs (boob overflow/muffin top…. Fully topless is always shocking), tummy and legs. If you wore a costume to a belly dance event that showed bare arms, boob tops, tummy and legs, no one would notice. At a public event you need more coverage depending on the type of event. Here is a fun quiz to help you set your “How Shocking” costuming level:
- Add one point of coverage for children present.
- Add two points of coverage if children are in your troupe.
- Add one point of coverage for daytime events.
- Add one point of coverage for religious events.
- Add one point of coverage for non-belly dance music.
As you can see, I am suggesting you go for full coverage for your synagogue’s annual children’s lunch where you plan to dance to “New York, New York”.
If you are dancing at your workplace’s New Year’s Eve party, you can decide – Do you want full coverage over your chest, to wear a tummy cover, sleeves or wear leggings under your split skirt? Of course you can always dress more modestly than my “How Shocking” test.
By keeping your range of venues in mind, you can select a costume that suits every occasion. If you only dance at belly dance events, a two piece costume may be your best option. If you regularly dance at public events, perhaps you want to invest in a tummy cover and wrap top to co-ordinate.
It looks like this troupe is dancing at an outdoor, carnival event. Their costumes are simple, yet they are obviously the dancers. I imagine both the tops and skirts are easy to wash, so they can enjoy their afternoon, sit on the grass, eat a hot dog, and not worry too much about their costumes.
Styles
Does your troupe have a clearly defined style of belly dance or do you move between two or three styles depending on the performance? My troupe tends to switch between American Cabaret and Egyptian dance. When thinking about the dance styles that your group perform, do you need to invest in two or more different costumes or can you make some adaptations so that your key pieces can be used in more than one way? Can the costume you choose be re-styled with "off the rack" pieces at budget prices, or a homemade skirt, different hair styling or jewelry?
Your costume conveys important messages to your audience about the style of dance you are performing, particularly at belly dance events, where your audience is knowledgeable about the history of the different styles. For these situations you might find mix and match pieces, skirts, tops, wraps, trousers to be a better option than a full dress. If your troupe will be dancing three or four numbers in a set, and you won’t have time for costume changes, it is acceptable for the costumes to only fit with one of the dances. However, remember that pictures and videos can be edited and live on the internet forever. If you try to present modern fusion in Saiidi dresses, that video may be uploaded and be the only performance others see of your group. Consider how you can change the “story” quickly and easily. Can your dancers change their hip belts or drop their hair? Can they take off a wrap top, or un-hitch a skirt to make a look more suited to the music?
Does your troupe have a clearly defined style of belly dance or do you move between two or three styles depending on the performance? My troupe tends to switch between American Cabaret and Egyptian dance. When thinking about the dance styles that your group perform, do you need to invest in two or more different costumes or can you make some adaptations so that your key pieces can be used in more than one way? Can the costume you choose be re-styled with "off the rack" pieces at budget prices, or a homemade skirt, different hair styling or jewelry?
Your costume conveys important messages to your audience about the style of dance you are performing, particularly at belly dance events, where your audience is knowledgeable about the history of the different styles. For these situations you might find mix and match pieces, skirts, tops, wraps, trousers to be a better option than a full dress. If your troupe will be dancing three or four numbers in a set, and you won’t have time for costume changes, it is acceptable for the costumes to only fit with one of the dances. However, remember that pictures and videos can be edited and live on the internet forever. If you try to present modern fusion in Saiidi dresses, that video may be uploaded and be the only performance others see of your group. Consider how you can change the “story” quickly and easily. Can your dancers change their hip belts or drop their hair? Can they take off a wrap top, or un-hitch a skirt to make a look more suited to the music?
Fit for purpose.
It may sound silly, but can your dancers dance in their costume?
Does the costume allow the dancer enough flexibility to complete all the moves in the choreography? Can your troupe travel, move and dance without the costume causing drama? Does the costume show off the movements or hide the subtly from the audience? Will the costume work on the stage? Will your dancers coin belts catch on the long sleeves?
A full dress rehearsal is always essential, but before you get to that part of the process, test out your sample costume and look for problems. Dance your number in the costume as early in the process as possible, and make adaptations to the dance or costume as appropriate. (Check out Chapter Two of Becoming a Belly Dancer for more info on getting the most out of your rehearsal time)
Finally, is the costume fit for the setting? If you are dancing outside, does the costume match your shoes? Will the skirts blow beautifully in the breeze, or blow up and cover the dancers faces? Be particularly wary of “black box” stages (where three walls and the floor are painted black. Black costumes will disappear into the background, leaving the audience with a view of floating heads and tummies which can be most confusing. You may get a similar effect with a white costume on a white background. White costumes also pick up stage lighting, so ask for a full technical rehearsal at the venue.
It may sound silly, but can your dancers dance in their costume?
Does the costume allow the dancer enough flexibility to complete all the moves in the choreography? Can your troupe travel, move and dance without the costume causing drama? Does the costume show off the movements or hide the subtly from the audience? Will the costume work on the stage? Will your dancers coin belts catch on the long sleeves?
A full dress rehearsal is always essential, but before you get to that part of the process, test out your sample costume and look for problems. Dance your number in the costume as early in the process as possible, and make adaptations to the dance or costume as appropriate. (Check out Chapter Two of Becoming a Belly Dancer for more info on getting the most out of your rehearsal time)
Finally, is the costume fit for the setting? If you are dancing outside, does the costume match your shoes? Will the skirts blow beautifully in the breeze, or blow up and cover the dancers faces? Be particularly wary of “black box” stages (where three walls and the floor are painted black. Black costumes will disappear into the background, leaving the audience with a view of floating heads and tummies which can be most confusing. You may get a similar effect with a white costume on a white background. White costumes also pick up stage lighting, so ask for a full technical rehearsal at the venue.
The bright colors of the tops on this troupe stand out under the stage lights. Sadly their leggings have disappeared into the background, which will bring more focus onto their feet. A simple overskirt in white, cream or a bright color would have solved this issue.
Size range.
Unless you select your dancers based on size, your troupe is going to reflect the range of sizes in your local community. Take a look at your group and do an honest assessment. Make a note of the dress sizes of your smallest and largest dancers, but also consider your tall, short, busty, hippy and bootied troupemates. Talk to everyone about their costuming woes. Perhaps one of your dancers has long legs and can’t wear off the peg yoga pants. Another may struggle to get a bra that supports her unless the straps are wide, or she prefers a cross over back. Everybody (and every body) has quirks, so look for a costume that can easily be adapted, fixed or swapped out so that everyone gets a fit for their body.
I try to get a sample of the proposed costume in x small and x large ahead of our main order, so that everyone can try them on and deduce their size from the manufactures scale. If your costume comes in two pieces, you may find you can swap tops and bottoms between dancers.
Avoid “one size fits all” costumes unless you have a small size range in your group and a couple of needle wizards. One size never fits all! Also be aware of size differences between countries. A Chinese XL can be a US size 6.
Unless you select your dancers based on size, your troupe is going to reflect the range of sizes in your local community. Take a look at your group and do an honest assessment. Make a note of the dress sizes of your smallest and largest dancers, but also consider your tall, short, busty, hippy and bootied troupemates. Talk to everyone about their costuming woes. Perhaps one of your dancers has long legs and can’t wear off the peg yoga pants. Another may struggle to get a bra that supports her unless the straps are wide, or she prefers a cross over back. Everybody (and every body) has quirks, so look for a costume that can easily be adapted, fixed or swapped out so that everyone gets a fit for their body.
I try to get a sample of the proposed costume in x small and x large ahead of our main order, so that everyone can try them on and deduce their size from the manufactures scale. If your costume comes in two pieces, you may find you can swap tops and bottoms between dancers.
Avoid “one size fits all” costumes unless you have a small size range in your group and a couple of needle wizards. One size never fits all! Also be aware of size differences between countries. A Chinese XL can be a US size 6.
Like most troupes, this group has a range of hights and sizes to consider when picking out a costume. They have used bright two piece bedlah to give their dancers the flexibility to find something that is a good fit, while also linking the skirts by keeping them in metalic tones.
Color (or color range).
We all have favorite colors that suit our skin tone, and others that make us look washed out or ill. Multiply that by your troupe number, and you may find you have a very limited palette from which to select your color choices.
There are a few "Neutral" colors that are said to suit a high percentage of the population. These are often chosen for corporate uniforms, but are not inspiring for belly dancers: Navy, Cream, Black, Grey and Beige.
However, you may find a more exciting color or pattern that suits most of your dancers depending on their skin tones and hair color. Red, hot pink, turquoise, teal and Kelly green can be popular choices. If your group do not all have similar coloring, you might instead allow each of them to pick a color from a range and have the same costume but in different colors. If you do this, be aware that the intensity of colors can change the look. “Jewel” colors look good together as do pastels, however a mix of bright jewels and washed out pastels can confuse the eye and make a group look mismatched. Be sure to keep on top of their choices. If six dancers like the red, and one picks the teal, she will look like the soloist.
In the belly dance universe, we can add metals and patterns to our list of neutral colors: Gold, Silver, Assuit, Animal print or "Pick and Mix" (where a variety of colored beads are mixed onto a costume) are considered a belly dancer neutral. These belly dancer neutrals can look good on a wide range of dancers or can be mixed with a key color to create a pleasing look.
When mixing colors and fabrics, try to limit yourself to one neutral, one belly dancer neutral, one color and one pattern, unless you want a very “busy” look.
s for performing dancers.
We all have favorite colors that suit our skin tone, and others that make us look washed out or ill. Multiply that by your troupe number, and you may find you have a very limited palette from which to select your color choices.
There are a few "Neutral" colors that are said to suit a high percentage of the population. These are often chosen for corporate uniforms, but are not inspiring for belly dancers: Navy, Cream, Black, Grey and Beige.
However, you may find a more exciting color or pattern that suits most of your dancers depending on their skin tones and hair color. Red, hot pink, turquoise, teal and Kelly green can be popular choices. If your group do not all have similar coloring, you might instead allow each of them to pick a color from a range and have the same costume but in different colors. If you do this, be aware that the intensity of colors can change the look. “Jewel” colors look good together as do pastels, however a mix of bright jewels and washed out pastels can confuse the eye and make a group look mismatched. Be sure to keep on top of their choices. If six dancers like the red, and one picks the teal, she will look like the soloist.
In the belly dance universe, we can add metals and patterns to our list of neutral colors: Gold, Silver, Assuit, Animal print or "Pick and Mix" (where a variety of colored beads are mixed onto a costume) are considered a belly dancer neutral. These belly dancer neutrals can look good on a wide range of dancers or can be mixed with a key color to create a pleasing look.
When mixing colors and fabrics, try to limit yourself to one neutral, one belly dancer neutral, one color and one pattern, unless you want a very “busy” look.
s for performing dancers.
With blue as their neutral, these dancers have added black lace as a belly dancer neutral and then allowed each dancer to add a colored belt to their look. I particularly like that they have used the same fabric on their hips and on their head.
Co-Ordination
Every troupe director has a choice to make about how coordinated they want their dancers to appear. Dawn Devine, author of dozens of books on belly dance costuming, describes it along a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is a group of dancers who look like they didn’t discuss costuming before their performance, and 10 is a group of people with similar body shapes, height, make up and identical costumes.
The Rockettes are an example of a troupe that coordinate at level 10. They select dancers with a certain look, have a set make up, hair style and shoe. They design costumes to work on the large stage, and use tailoring techniques to minimize individual body quirks.
Most of us start in a group roughly at level 1, when we dance with our classmates at the end of semester, or at our first studio event.
There is a strong instinct for us to want to coordinate with each other to show we belong. Those first class groups often want to all wear black, or add a matching belt, so they can look more like a troupe. Once one person takes the lead, even class groups push to move beyond the level 1 look.
Every troupe director has a choice to make about how coordinated they want their dancers to appear. Dawn Devine, author of dozens of books on belly dance costuming, describes it along a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is a group of dancers who look like they didn’t discuss costuming before their performance, and 10 is a group of people with similar body shapes, height, make up and identical costumes.
The Rockettes are an example of a troupe that coordinate at level 10. They select dancers with a certain look, have a set make up, hair style and shoe. They design costumes to work on the large stage, and use tailoring techniques to minimize individual body quirks.
Most of us start in a group roughly at level 1, when we dance with our classmates at the end of semester, or at our first studio event.
There is a strong instinct for us to want to coordinate with each other to show we belong. Those first class groups often want to all wear black, or add a matching belt, so they can look more like a troupe. Once one person takes the lead, even class groups push to move beyond the level 1 look.
This group obviously wanted a very put together look. They added wigs and matching lipstick to get a very coordinated look.
The Look
The “Put together look” is more than just a group of people gathering together in similar costumes. I often describe it as “the look of a group of people who went to the same shop with the same budget”. Remember as a teen how you and your friends all had a favorite store? There was the crew who dressed at Abercrombie and the Old Navy gang with their bright red lips. The table of kids who all wore football shirts and their hair in braids, and the group of girls who wore cropped jeans and winged eyeliner. Belly dance troupes can be just as easy to identify. Even if you go for a mix and match look, everyone in your group should look like they belong together. This is the look you choose for your troupe.
The “Put together look” is more than just a group of people gathering together in similar costumes. I often describe it as “the look of a group of people who went to the same shop with the same budget”. Remember as a teen how you and your friends all had a favorite store? There was the crew who dressed at Abercrombie and the Old Navy gang with their bright red lips. The table of kids who all wore football shirts and their hair in braids, and the group of girls who wore cropped jeans and winged eyeliner. Belly dance troupes can be just as easy to identify. Even if you go for a mix and match look, everyone in your group should look like they belong together. This is the look you choose for your troupe.
Although very simple, this red dress plus coin belt is a good choice for the range of dancers in this troupe. Beginner dancers (and more advanced !) may feel more inclined to purchase a costume that they can wear for every day in addition to belly dance performances.
How do you coordinate your troupe? How do you get that put together look? Read on as I explain some of my suggestions:
I love the use of a mixture of black and white fabric to pull this look together.
Control the Budget
It is not going to help your team dynamics if you have some dancers in $40 costumes and others in $400 bedlah, even if the colors match. Everyone wants to wear their best costume for performance, but if it doesn’t match the budget or look, veto their selection and ask them to better co-ordinate with the group.
It is not going to help your team dynamics if you have some dancers in $40 costumes and others in $400 bedlah, even if the colors match. Everyone wants to wear their best costume for performance, but if it doesn’t match the budget or look, veto their selection and ask them to better co-ordinate with the group.
These wrap tops and matching skirts give a lot of bang for th bucks.
Mix and match
Mix and match wardrobes are always popular with beginners and dancers who perform with multiple troupes or who perform solo. This look takes advantage of key pieces that may be in every dancers wardrobe: Black yoga pants, black leggings, silver skirt, black crop top, red coin belt…..
In addition to the key pieces, pops of color are added to help the group look put together. That might be as simple as adding a coin belt to black leggings and a black crop top. Or it might involve adding in more expensive pieces in timeless colors and rich fabrics.
If you run multiple troupes, you can also tie your troupe look together using a mix and match wardrobe and encourage dancers to move between your troupes. Perhaps your beginner dancers wear black and teal, your intermediates wear black and yellow and your pro troupe wear teal and yellow. Your pro troupe can keep wearing their black pieces as class wear.
If your group is large enough, suggest two or three tops and two or three skirts/trousers, so each dancer can find a style that suits her body type and personal preferences. Limit their fabric choices to one neutral and one color or belly dance neutral: Red and black, Assiut and silver, Animal print and teal, Gold and cream.
If there are many members of your troupe, three or even four fabrics may work, but if you are under 6 dancers, try to stick with just two fabric choices.
Discuss the possible textiles and decide what will be acceptable, do you want lace or velvet, cotton or silk?
You can choose to purchase your costumes through a vendor or use a local seamstress and design your own. To save money consider purchasing fabric in bulk. If you want your dancers to order their fabric separately, give them a SKU order code so there is no mix up on the fabric you want them to select.
Mix and match wardrobes are always popular with beginners and dancers who perform with multiple troupes or who perform solo. This look takes advantage of key pieces that may be in every dancers wardrobe: Black yoga pants, black leggings, silver skirt, black crop top, red coin belt…..
In addition to the key pieces, pops of color are added to help the group look put together. That might be as simple as adding a coin belt to black leggings and a black crop top. Or it might involve adding in more expensive pieces in timeless colors and rich fabrics.
If you run multiple troupes, you can also tie your troupe look together using a mix and match wardrobe and encourage dancers to move between your troupes. Perhaps your beginner dancers wear black and teal, your intermediates wear black and yellow and your pro troupe wear teal and yellow. Your pro troupe can keep wearing their black pieces as class wear.
If your group is large enough, suggest two or three tops and two or three skirts/trousers, so each dancer can find a style that suits her body type and personal preferences. Limit their fabric choices to one neutral and one color or belly dance neutral: Red and black, Assiut and silver, Animal print and teal, Gold and cream.
If there are many members of your troupe, three or even four fabrics may work, but if you are under 6 dancers, try to stick with just two fabric choices.
Discuss the possible textiles and decide what will be acceptable, do you want lace or velvet, cotton or silk?
You can choose to purchase your costumes through a vendor or use a local seamstress and design your own. To save money consider purchasing fabric in bulk. If you want your dancers to order their fabric separately, give them a SKU order code so there is no mix up on the fabric you want them to select.
These dancers have elevated their black trousers with a lux wrap top and interesting belt. Each of those pieces could be used as part of a different look. The belt could be worn with a dress, the wrap may have a matching skirt...
Keep it simple
Uniform looks can be achieved in two ways: either with a variety of shapes and cuts of costumes in a clearly defined shade of one color, or with exactly the same cut of costume in a range of colors. Mixing costume styles and colors can look chaotic.
If you are picking from a limited color palette, clearly define the range you want them to use. Red can mean a dark pink to one dancer and an orange to another. Better to pick one single fabric or allow a “8 shades of red” look.
If you prefer to give your dancers the choice of colors, be clear in the style of costume you want them to purchase. Either pick a costume from a retailer and allow them to only select the size and color, or be very descriptive about their costume:
“Sleeves must finish one inch above the elbow”
Uniform looks can be achieved in two ways: either with a variety of shapes and cuts of costumes in a clearly defined shade of one color, or with exactly the same cut of costume in a range of colors. Mixing costume styles and colors can look chaotic.
If you are picking from a limited color palette, clearly define the range you want them to use. Red can mean a dark pink to one dancer and an orange to another. Better to pick one single fabric or allow a “8 shades of red” look.
If you prefer to give your dancers the choice of colors, be clear in the style of costume you want them to purchase. Either pick a costume from a retailer and allow them to only select the size and color, or be very descriptive about their costume:
“Sleeves must finish one inch above the elbow”
With a very clearly defined color choice, this group had some flexibilty in cut, coverage and design.
This group have gone for a very similar sillotte, matching fabrics but a variety of colors.
Pick a key, dramatic fabric.
If you have a local fabric store you could select an exciting fabric and allow your dancers to express themselves with their costume design. One fabric can be used to tie a variety of looks together and works particularly well where you have a wide range of body shapes or a number of strong personalities in your group.
If your troupe already has a costume that is looking a little tired, or needs to be refreshed for a new performance, adding key pieces in an exciting fabric can be the key that ties the look together.
If you have a local fabric store you could select an exciting fabric and allow your dancers to express themselves with their costume design. One fabric can be used to tie a variety of looks together and works particularly well where you have a wide range of body shapes or a number of strong personalities in your group.
If your troupe already has a costume that is looking a little tired, or needs to be refreshed for a new performance, adding key pieces in an exciting fabric can be the key that ties the look together.
The black fabric used here for bras, skirtlets and gloves works beautifully under the stage lights.
Find and outlet for personalities
Every troupe is made up of an exciting blend of personalities. Unless you want to remove all traces of personality for the performance, you will have to allow it an outlet. Little touches can add an interesting twist to each costume and let the dancer’s real personality shine through. Consider letting them add “big” jewelry in any color or style, trim their bras with off cuts from previous costumes, pick out their own belt, or go crazy with hair decorations.
Every troupe is made up of an exciting blend of personalities. Unless you want to remove all traces of personality for the performance, you will have to allow it an outlet. Little touches can add an interesting twist to each costume and let the dancer’s real personality shine through. Consider letting them add “big” jewelry in any color or style, trim their bras with off cuts from previous costumes, pick out their own belt, or go crazy with hair decorations.
From their set costumes you can see how each dancer has added little embellishments to add personality to these costumes.
Make up and Hair
A troupe look is not limited to the fabric on our bodies. Set expectations with make up and hair styling and add an extra level of co-ordination. Once you have purchased the costumes, take some time to experiment with make up looks until you find one that you like. Suggest products and on-line tutorials to help your troupe to perfect their make up skills. Consider hosting a workshop where you all learn the techniques together. Hair can be harder to match, but consider using accessories to give your group a put together look. Hair bands, flowers, wraps, turbans can all be used on many different cuts of hair. If you suggest wigs or hair extensions, add those to your budgeting.
A troupe look is not limited to the fabric on our bodies. Set expectations with make up and hair styling and add an extra level of co-ordination. Once you have purchased the costumes, take some time to experiment with make up looks until you find one that you like. Suggest products and on-line tutorials to help your troupe to perfect their make up skills. Consider hosting a workshop where you all learn the techniques together. Hair can be harder to match, but consider using accessories to give your group a put together look. Hair bands, flowers, wraps, turbans can all be used on many different cuts of hair. If you suggest wigs or hair extensions, add those to your budgeting.
A strong lip and eye look, combined with the silver jewelry adds impact for this group.
Tailoring
Encourage your dancers to adjust their costumes to get a perfect fit. Nothing says expensive so much as a well fitted costume. Equally your dancers will feel uncomfortable in costumes that bulge, sag or squeeze. Add the cost of adjustments into your budgeting and remember that costumes rarely arrive “ready to wear”.
Encourage your dancers to adjust their costumes to get a perfect fit. Nothing says expensive so much as a well fitted costume. Equally your dancers will feel uncomfortable in costumes that bulge, sag or squeeze. Add the cost of adjustments into your budgeting and remember that costumes rarely arrive “ready to wear”.
The simple addition of the ties on the back of these costumes help them to be instantly tailored to better fit the dancers.
Mixing the ages
Pre teen and teen dancers are a blessing in any troupe. If you have younger dancers in your group, remember the “How Shocking” test and add some coverage to your look. Make sure that costumes fit them well. If they are young, you might want to consider how long it will take them to grow out of their costumes, and expect to make a new purchase each year.
While it can be awkward for any dancer to have a costume malfunction on stage, it can be life changing for a young person. Give your younger dancers layers, like cycle shorts and a crop top under their costume, and use toupee tape to help them feel secure.
No matter the age of your troupe members, be aware of their physical limitations and their feelings about their bodies. Understand the difference between a dislike of highlighting a particular part of the body and a real phobia. There are lots of issues of shame, fear and disgust linked to parts of the body and these vary from one person to the next. Areas like the upper arms, that are shown off without thought by young people, may be upsetting for older dancers to have on display. Be kind and thoughtful when suggesting costume ideas and don’t discredit the fears that are expressed to you. The world of belly dance is very accepting of all body types and you should try to encourage your dancers to love their bodies and show off their skills with pride – however, your dancers may not be at the point in their career where they can show off areas that previously upset them.
Pre teen and teen dancers are a blessing in any troupe. If you have younger dancers in your group, remember the “How Shocking” test and add some coverage to your look. Make sure that costumes fit them well. If they are young, you might want to consider how long it will take them to grow out of their costumes, and expect to make a new purchase each year.
While it can be awkward for any dancer to have a costume malfunction on stage, it can be life changing for a young person. Give your younger dancers layers, like cycle shorts and a crop top under their costume, and use toupee tape to help them feel secure.
No matter the age of your troupe members, be aware of their physical limitations and their feelings about their bodies. Understand the difference between a dislike of highlighting a particular part of the body and a real phobia. There are lots of issues of shame, fear and disgust linked to parts of the body and these vary from one person to the next. Areas like the upper arms, that are shown off without thought by young people, may be upsetting for older dancers to have on display. Be kind and thoughtful when suggesting costume ideas and don’t discredit the fears that are expressed to you. The world of belly dance is very accepting of all body types and you should try to encourage your dancers to love their bodies and show off their skills with pride – however, your dancers may not be at the point in their career where they can show off areas that previously upset them.
This group spans the generations ! Using a limited number of colors and careful use of accessories they all look beautiful. Notice how they all have a similar hair style and flower dressings. That can be an easy way to achieve a put together look.
This troupe picked out a two piece costume that was available in a good range of sizes. The arm, chest and legs are covered, meaning that the tummy feels suitable for their youngest dancer.
Something for all genders
Men are still a rarity in belly dance, so if you have one or two in your troupe they will struggle not to stand out. Some folks dont fit into a binary definition of gender. Costuming depends on the dancers age, style and personality, but most of the strategies above work just the same with any gender. Use a key fabric, or a costume style, or a limited color palette to make sure everyone looks like they belong. Talk to your dancers about the persona they wish to portray on stage and their comfort levels between standing out and fitting in.
Men are still a rarity in belly dance, so if you have one or two in your troupe they will struggle not to stand out. Some folks dont fit into a binary definition of gender. Costuming depends on the dancers age, style and personality, but most of the strategies above work just the same with any gender. Use a key fabric, or a costume style, or a limited color palette to make sure everyone looks like they belong. Talk to your dancers about the persona they wish to portray on stage and their comfort levels between standing out and fitting in.
This group have included their menfolk by developing a "village" feel. While not of any time or place, all the members of the group look like they belong together, and grew up in the same village. Their costumes are not historically accurate, but they give the impression of all belonging to the same land and time period. Think about how Game of Thrones and Wheel of Time use costumes to link people to their home cities, even though it has a fantasy setting.
This troupe has used metallics, animal print and chain accents to coordinate.
Be the leader
Being a troupe leader can be lots of fun, but also comes with expectations of management. Consider where on the scale of coordination you see your troupe and express that clearly to your dancers. Consider their wants and needs, and find costuming that complies. Talk to them about the balance of individuality and coordination, and set standards in make up, hair and jewelry.
Your role is to have a vision and match that vision to your dancer’s needs. Provide clear leadership and your troupe will love their new costumes.
Being a troupe leader can be lots of fun, but also comes with expectations of management. Consider where on the scale of coordination you see your troupe and express that clearly to your dancers. Consider their wants and needs, and find costuming that complies. Talk to them about the balance of individuality and coordination, and set standards in make up, hair and jewelry.
Your role is to have a vision and match that vision to your dancer’s needs. Provide clear leadership and your troupe will love their new costumes.
Assuit is a universal fabric for belly dancers of all styles.
In our new book "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", we include a chapter on simple no-sew and sew projects so everyone can make their own costume. From simple skirtlets that can be made in 20 minutes, to dresses that may take a weekend, we wanted to include looks for glam, tribal and ethnographic dancers. All of these looks could be used as troupe costumes - and its a wonderful group bonding experience to gather for an afternoon and make your costumes together.
Becoming a belly dancer is available on Amazon and also includes chapters on costuming strategy for solo dancers, make up and jewelry. There are also sections on music, performance, marketing, practice and 1001 other tips for performing dancers. Below you will find a sample of just 12 of the 407 pages - you can also flick through the book using the "look inside" feature on Amazon.
Becoming a belly dancer is available on Amazon and also includes chapters on costuming strategy for solo dancers, make up and jewelry. There are also sections on music, performance, marketing, practice and 1001 other tips for performing dancers. Below you will find a sample of just 12 of the 407 pages - you can also flick through the book using the "look inside" feature on Amazon.
Here is a slide show of some of the other photos I was sent, that didnt make it into the body of this blog:
Further resources from Sara
I love teaching, writing and sharing info about belly dance. Please check out some of my other work:
Teaching Belly Dance is the book about setting up, planning, teaching and enjoying belly dance classes. It has everything a belly dance teacher needs to run successful classes, from picking the right venue, to hosting events, through learning styles and critique. Teaching Belly Dance currently has 5 stars on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Belly-Dance-Sara-S...
52 Lesson Plans and How to Write 5,000 More is a very successful workshop hosted through the Belly Dance Business Academy. This course is the companion to the book Teaching Belly Dance, and goes into greater details on how to plan successful semesters, create interesting lesson plans and support the progression of your students. It also contains 52 beginner level lesson plans that you can simply print out and teach. Perfect for the new teacher who is learning on the job.
http://bellydancebusinessacademy.teachable.com/p/52-lesson-plans-and-how-to-write-5-000-more?affcode=47015_crl9lklk
Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage is the stagecraft handbook for belly dancers. It contains everything dancers of all levels and in all styles need to take belly dance to the stage. From stage fright to turning pro, cutting music, packing bags and creating a web site. The book also has three chapters on costuming, storage, repairs and low sew and no sew costume ideas. Becoming a Belly Dancer was written by Sara Shrapnell, Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, and is available for purchase on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Belly-Dancer-Stude...
I’m always happy to travel, but you can also catch me on-line! I am available to teach workshops throughout the USA, and travel each year to the UK. There is a full list of my workshops on my web site. If you prefer to study remotely, I also offer one-on-one mentoring via skype or hangouts for teachers and performers.
I currently have nearly a dozen classes and workshops available through the Beyond Dance Business Academy, from 5 minute listings, to weekend workshops. If you have a topic you would like me to cover, feel free to comment below.
To find out more about Sara, her books and workshops or to sign up for her mailing list, visit: www.Letsbellydanceusa.com
I love teaching, writing and sharing info about belly dance. Please check out some of my other work:
Teaching Belly Dance is the book about setting up, planning, teaching and enjoying belly dance classes. It has everything a belly dance teacher needs to run successful classes, from picking the right venue, to hosting events, through learning styles and critique. Teaching Belly Dance currently has 5 stars on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Belly-Dance-Sara-S...
52 Lesson Plans and How to Write 5,000 More is a very successful workshop hosted through the Belly Dance Business Academy. This course is the companion to the book Teaching Belly Dance, and goes into greater details on how to plan successful semesters, create interesting lesson plans and support the progression of your students. It also contains 52 beginner level lesson plans that you can simply print out and teach. Perfect for the new teacher who is learning on the job.
http://bellydancebusinessacademy.teachable.com/p/52-lesson-plans-and-how-to-write-5-000-more?affcode=47015_crl9lklk
Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage is the stagecraft handbook for belly dancers. It contains everything dancers of all levels and in all styles need to take belly dance to the stage. From stage fright to turning pro, cutting music, packing bags and creating a web site. The book also has three chapters on costuming, storage, repairs and low sew and no sew costume ideas. Becoming a Belly Dancer was written by Sara Shrapnell, Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, and is available for purchase on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Belly-Dancer-Stude...
I’m always happy to travel, but you can also catch me on-line! I am available to teach workshops throughout the USA, and travel each year to the UK. There is a full list of my workshops on my web site. If you prefer to study remotely, I also offer one-on-one mentoring via skype or hangouts for teachers and performers.
I currently have nearly a dozen classes and workshops available through the Beyond Dance Business Academy, from 5 minute listings, to weekend workshops. If you have a topic you would like me to cover, feel free to comment below.
To find out more about Sara, her books and workshops or to sign up for her mailing list, visit: www.Letsbellydanceusa.com
Holidays are coming..... and its time to write out your wish list, find a gift for your dance teacher or class mates or "accidentially" send this link to your loved ones. Belly dancers dont want socks, a china dog, or a Starbucks gift card (well, maybe they want one of those...) - they do want sparklie gifts, offerings that help them improve their dancing, and practical presents that make their lives easier. Here you will find gifts in all price ranges, and for all kinds of dancers. And who knows, maybe you'll like something so much, you will want to self-gift !
Its my blog, so its only fair that I start with my books. You can find all the info on this website, and purchase from Amazon with world wide shipping:
So many dancers start a new dance practice routine in the new year, but sometimes it's hard to know WHAT to practice! Need some inspiration for your drills? Try out Shyama's Skills & Drills Deck of cards to structure your practice in a fun way! Draw a few cards and make a combo, layer, or simply drill individual movements to hone your skills!
I'm a total convert to wooden Zills. I love the sound, the feel and the weight in my suitcase when I travel ! Wicked Mojo handmakes all his zills with a wide range of woods and offers shapes and hole options. Once you try them, you will never go back. Check out his Etsy store for other hand turned goodies.
I get lots of compliments on my belly dance T-shirts. The LetsBellyDance ones come from my store (find it on the right), and most of my other shirts come from Paradise Vintage. I also wanted to share Medusa from Red Sage - isn't she glorious ! I love having a collection of "work" t-shirts, because they make deciding what to wear so much easier: For class, I wear them with leggings; Daytime events I pair them with jeans; and evening shows I wear them with black trousers and a black assuit scarf.
Talking of Assuit ! - Get your hands on a copy of "Cloth of Egypt" by Dawn Devine. It celebrates the supple and sparkling fabric known today as assiut, and explains why its so loved by Belly Dancers, world wide. You might spot the odd photo of me and my collection :) The news is that a companion book "Assuit Belly dance Costume in Detail" is coming soon.
This time of year, many of us love to experiment in the kitchen, or refind old family favorites. This book comes highly recommended, no matter if you plan to create a family feast, or make some Baba Ganoush for lunch.
Looking for some unique, and environmentally conscious, dance jewelry? Maybe some nerdy gems? You'll want to check out Dewfeathers Designs on Etsy! The owner, Alicia, sources all of her beads from local recycled craft shops and up-cycled or thrifted finds. She also hand crafts the resin dice used in her nerdier options.
If there is one downside to belly dance, it has to be the dirty feet. Dance studios tend to be a little dirty - but can you imagine what its like to dance in a resturant ! This gift might not be glamorous or pretty - but at 2am, when you are scrubbing the red wine stains off your feet, this will be the best thing you every owned !
When my feet need pampering I turn to Earth Theraputics products. I love these socks and the Intensive cream as my before bed routine.
Want to avoid all that scrubbing and pampering ? These soft soled shoes have just the right balance of flexibility and protection.
Star Barre is offering a fabulous holiday bundle spacial offer this month. Bundle includes: * 4 fun and sweaty STAR Barre classes with Lisa Jean, a super sparkly Raq Star t-shirt and a super sparkly Raq Star glitter tumbler from Monday's Mayhem, all with FREE shipping!
Looking for the perfect lipstick ? Maybelline New York Superstay is your new best friend. Check out #20 Pioneer, #118 Dancer, or my favorite: #320 Individualist.
Are you a fan of the smokie eye or a color pop ? This collection from Kyda gives you all the grey shades to go from pale and interesting to dark and intense. I also love this Elf earth and ocean collection for intense colors at budget prices.
One of the things I decided when I turned 50 was that life is too short to clean false eyelashes. Sure you can get three or four uses out of one pair of lashes - or you can buy a year's suply, and throw them in the trash after your performance.
Music is always subjective, but I think you will love these four albums. The are filled with dancable, crowd pleasing tracks, and music to keep you inspired.
What is Belly Dance ?
6/5/2021
Belly dance is the performance version of the folk dances of the wider Mediterranean area. That area includes Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Palestine Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Greece (I probably forgot a few). Its a fascinating part of the world, where Africa, Europe and the Middle East meet, and people have come together to do business, eat and dance for ever.
While each area has its own dance style, belly dance could be described as the shared language of movement between them. The name "belly dance" may be a bad translation of Beledi (folk - of the countryside), or it may have been used by Sol Bloom, the impresario and organizer of the Midway Plaza at the Chicago world fair. (Who later went on to serve in the United States House of Representatives for 14 terms !) He believed all publicity was good publicity and "shocked" the nation by having belly dancers perform.
The belly dance style I teach could best be described as theater style belly dance, which you would see in the classy hotels in any of those countries, and family friendly venues. It was bought to America by the 1st and 2nd generation families who came here and opened restaurants, or went out to eat and wanted to see the familiar dance styles from home.
While each area has its own dance style, belly dance could be described as the shared language of movement between them. The name "belly dance" may be a bad translation of Beledi (folk - of the countryside), or it may have been used by Sol Bloom, the impresario and organizer of the Midway Plaza at the Chicago world fair. (Who later went on to serve in the United States House of Representatives for 14 terms !) He believed all publicity was good publicity and "shocked" the nation by having belly dancers perform.
The belly dance style I teach could best be described as theater style belly dance, which you would see in the classy hotels in any of those countries, and family friendly venues. It was bought to America by the 1st and 2nd generation families who came here and opened restaurants, or went out to eat and wanted to see the familiar dance styles from home.
This picture "might" be Little Egypt from the Chicago Worlds Fair (it probably isnt)
Why you should belly dance in 2021 !
1/4/2021
At this time of year we are bombarded with fitness tips, diet plans and the new, hot, weight loss fads, but one thing that all the experts agree on is that the only way to maintain a fitness regime is to enjoy it. Fitness activities have to be fun to keep you coming back, long after the January motivation is gone. It doesnt matter if its Zumba or soccer, pole dance or parkour, make 2021 the year you love your workout.
Here are ten reasons why I think you should give belly dance a try this year :
1, Its easy to get started but hard to master. You will be dancing from your first lesson, but after 20 years you will still be working on perfecting the layers.
2, You need little or no equipment. You can dance to music on the radio, or download an album from Amazon. It can be danced barefoot and you can practice in a tiny space.
3, Its as intense as you want it to be. Put as much or as little into your dance class, because you know how hard you need to work in each lesson. Belly dancers may glow, but we know how to dance for an hour without sweating !
4, Belly dance may not be the quickest way to lose weight, but working the core and hips helps lose inches from the mid section. Belly dance is also fantastic for toning the upper arms, strengthening the legs and improving flexibility.
5, You will learn so much more than you expect, like how to look amazing in photos, Egyptian food recipes and how to turn a veil into a quick, stand in, costume.
6, You dont have to perform (although you may find you want to).
7, Belly Dance Friends friends are amazing. The majority of belly dancers are bright, funny, educated, interesting and exceptional folks. Our ages range from teens to 90’s and we have more in common than you might think if you saw us laughing over lunch.
8, Your body can do some amazing things. Injuries and disabilities can’t limit our love of dance.
9, Its addictive. Dance creates endorphin as well as burning calories. Belly dancing makes you feel great!
10, Belly dance is lots of fun. Trying shimmying without laughing !
Ok, so not everyone is cut out to be a belly dancer. But when you think about getting fit this January, make sure you are keeping it fun, so that you are motivated for the whole year.
If you would like to try belly dance send me a message and lets get you into a class this summer !
For more details please visit our web site :
www.LetsBellyDanceUSA.com
Here are ten reasons why I think you should give belly dance a try this year :
1, Its easy to get started but hard to master. You will be dancing from your first lesson, but after 20 years you will still be working on perfecting the layers.
2, You need little or no equipment. You can dance to music on the radio, or download an album from Amazon. It can be danced barefoot and you can practice in a tiny space.
3, Its as intense as you want it to be. Put as much or as little into your dance class, because you know how hard you need to work in each lesson. Belly dancers may glow, but we know how to dance for an hour without sweating !
4, Belly dance may not be the quickest way to lose weight, but working the core and hips helps lose inches from the mid section. Belly dance is also fantastic for toning the upper arms, strengthening the legs and improving flexibility.
5, You will learn so much more than you expect, like how to look amazing in photos, Egyptian food recipes and how to turn a veil into a quick, stand in, costume.
6, You dont have to perform (although you may find you want to).
7, Belly Dance Friends friends are amazing. The majority of belly dancers are bright, funny, educated, interesting and exceptional folks. Our ages range from teens to 90’s and we have more in common than you might think if you saw us laughing over lunch.
8, Your body can do some amazing things. Injuries and disabilities can’t limit our love of dance.
9, Its addictive. Dance creates endorphin as well as burning calories. Belly dancing makes you feel great!
10, Belly dance is lots of fun. Trying shimmying without laughing !
Ok, so not everyone is cut out to be a belly dancer. But when you think about getting fit this January, make sure you are keeping it fun, so that you are motivated for the whole year.
If you would like to try belly dance send me a message and lets get you into a class this summer !
For more details please visit our web site :
www.LetsBellyDanceUSA.com
Finding the Right Teacher for You !
12/31/2020
Belly dance is a wonderful way to get fit, have fun and meet wonderful people. The world of belly dance is very welcoming and you will find fabulous classes available in many cities across the world. Your first step in your belly dance journey is to find a teacher, who can introduce you to the key moves, musicians and dance styles. He or she should inspire you to practice hard, research the history of belly dance outside class time, and make every moment fun.
Step One: What are your Needs?
You have decided to start belly dance classes ! - Congratulations. Now we have to find you the perfect teacher. There are many things to consider such as your fitness level, your determination and your dreams. Some teachers run fitness classes where burning calories is the main aim, and there are never performance opportunities. Others nurture solo performers from the very first class. Some teachers use choreography to teach the basic moves (using moves in set patterns), others encourage improvisation (Using the moves as they suit the music). There are teachers who laugh and joke their way through every lesson, and teachers who expect focus and dedication.
Step Two: Finding Belly Dance Teachers in your Area
Now you know what you want, its time to find your perfect teacher. Start by making a list of teachers in your area, exploring their web sites and finding out about their style of teaching. Here are a few ways to start your search:
Step Three: Choosing your Belly Dance Teacher
When examining the belly dance teachers web sites look for the following info:
Ethnographic : These are the belly dances of a particular country. You may find a teacher who focuses on Greek, Persian, Turkish or Egyptian dance.
Glam: These are the belly dance styles that are all about performance. The classes may be described as American Cabaret, Raks Sharki or modern Egyptian.
Fusion: These are modern belly dance styles that mix belly dance with other forms of dance. The most common are the Tribal dances, which may be FCBD (Fat Chance Belly Dance), ATS (American Tribal Style), ITS (Improvised Tribal Style) or Tribal Fusion.
Once you know what kind of dance your teacher prefers, you can find video clips to better understand their style.
Contact your favorite teachers and send them a brief message asking if you can join their class. Some classes have waiting lists, or particular start dates for new students.
Step Four: Attending your First Class!
Finally, its time to attend your first class! Here are a few ways to make it a stress free experience:
Enjoy partying with your new classmates ! |
Final Thoughts
Belly Dance classes are fun, friendly and a great mood lifter. If you find the right class for you, you will grow as a dancer and discover many new ways of expressing yourself. If you find the wrong teacher, please try again! Just as their are good and bad hairdressers, so their are good and bad belly dance teachers. If you have the passion to dance, keep searching until you find the perfect teacher for you. Happy Belly Dancing !
Step One: What are your Needs?
You have decided to start belly dance classes ! - Congratulations. Now we have to find you the perfect teacher. There are many things to consider such as your fitness level, your determination and your dreams. Some teachers run fitness classes where burning calories is the main aim, and there are never performance opportunities. Others nurture solo performers from the very first class. Some teachers use choreography to teach the basic moves (using moves in set patterns), others encourage improvisation (Using the moves as they suit the music). There are teachers who laugh and joke their way through every lesson, and teachers who expect focus and dedication.
Step Two: Finding Belly Dance Teachers in your Area
Now you know what you want, its time to find your perfect teacher. Start by making a list of teachers in your area, exploring their web sites and finding out about their style of teaching. Here are a few ways to start your search:
- Use a good search engine. Enter your home town plus different spellings of Belly Dance (Bellydance, belly dance, Middle Eastern Dance, M.E.Dance...)
- Contact your local City Park and Recs or Adult Education officer.
- Ask at your local fitness center, sports center, yoga or dance studio.
- Search Facebook for belly dance groups in your city or state.
- Visit on line listings. Currently the largest available is on www.Shira.net
Step Three: Choosing your Belly Dance Teacher
When examining the belly dance teachers web sites look for the following info:
- When do they teach?
- What do they teach?
- What is their style of teaching?
- What performance opportunities do they provide?
- How much are the classes?
- Can you take just one, or do you commit to a semester?
Ethnographic : These are the belly dances of a particular country. You may find a teacher who focuses on Greek, Persian, Turkish or Egyptian dance.
Glam: These are the belly dance styles that are all about performance. The classes may be described as American Cabaret, Raks Sharki or modern Egyptian.
Fusion: These are modern belly dance styles that mix belly dance with other forms of dance. The most common are the Tribal dances, which may be FCBD (Fat Chance Belly Dance), ATS (American Tribal Style), ITS (Improvised Tribal Style) or Tribal Fusion.
Once you know what kind of dance your teacher prefers, you can find video clips to better understand their style.
Contact your favorite teachers and send them a brief message asking if you can join their class. Some classes have waiting lists, or particular start dates for new students.
Step Four: Attending your First Class!
Finally, its time to attend your first class! Here are a few ways to make it a stress free experience:
- Check out your venue ahead of time. You don't want to be lost or looking for parking as the class is starting.
- Arrive five minutes early. You may have to complete paperwork or pack your belongings into a locker.
- Wear comfortable clothing and layers.
- Bring a coin belt or some fabric to tie at your hips.
- Pack water in a no spill container.
- Ask for a list of class rules. While not all teachers have a printed list, many studios do prefer to clarify the rules at the first visit.
Enjoy partying with your new classmates ! |
Final Thoughts
Belly Dance classes are fun, friendly and a great mood lifter. If you find the right class for you, you will grow as a dancer and discover many new ways of expressing yourself. If you find the wrong teacher, please try again! Just as their are good and bad hairdressers, so their are good and bad belly dance teachers. If you have the passion to dance, keep searching until you find the perfect teacher for you. Happy Belly Dancing !
Studying with a real live bellydance teacher, in a real studio, with real corrections may be the best way to become a better dancer, but this option is not always open to all of us. With this in mind I wanted to suggest my top ten ways to study from home:
1, - Learn the Basics AND some Arabic with Zara
New dancers should focus on the basic moves, but the internet is full of lessons with "not very good dancers" who could do your technique more harm than good. Zara is an excellent dancer, who is currently employed to dance at all the top venues in Cairo. Her dance classes are aimed at home dancers and those who are new to belly dance. However, if you are an intermediate or advanced dancer you will know the importance of drilling your basics. I love these videos because she teaches in Arabic, with English subtitles, which means i'm picking up key phrases in Arabic as I drill. Zara is from the UK, so her Arabic has an English accent, which is super cute, and helps me better understand what she is saying. Learn to dance in Arabic and be ready for a workshop with an Arabic speaking teacher !
2, - Practice your Zill Playing with Sahira
Zill playing is one of those skills that needs constant practice. Its also perfect to practice if you ever need a few weeks off from dancing. Sahira is my favorite on-line teacher and her zill playing is beyond ! She has hundreds of great videos available on line, and I also recommend her technique and choreography videos. But for todays selection I want to recommend this video on building dexterity. No matter your level of dance experience, you will find on-line video lessons with Sahira that will meet your needs. Go ahead and explore her channel to find the perfect lesson that you need to take today !
3, - Up your Make up looks with Dawn Devine
One thing I never have time enough for is to improve my belly dance make up. I have a look I love, that I can complete in 10 minutes, and I'm out the door ! Dawn took on the challenge of 31 belly dance make up looks in 31 days, and the results are beyond inspiring ! She filmed up close, so you can see each look as it comes together. She is also **cough** my age.... I dont know about you, but I find it hard to be inspired by make up looks by teenagers, who have yet to experience age spots or laughter lines. Her 31 tutorials cover a HUGE range of different make up styles and looks from beginner first performance, to Goth and theatrical. There will be a look that is perfect for your next performance. But beyond that, who doesn't want an excuse to do a full on make up look today ?
4, - Go Looking for Little Egypt with Donna Carlton and Kalila Indivar
The Chicago World Fair of 1893 is a pivotal time in the history of Belly Dance in America (and many other parts of the "west"). The world fair was where our dance met promotion, mass media, new audiences and adopted its belly dance name. Donna Carltons book has long been essential reading for everyone interested in the history of belly dance at the fair. Its very light reading, so totally suitable for study while sick. Its such an adventure that I often share my copy with non belly dancers. I would also like to recommend Kalila Indivar's free lecture on the Belly Dance Business Academy as the perfect companion. Kalila is an expert in her field, and speaks with knowledge and warmth on this fascinating event.
5, - Set Yourself up to Teach Belly Dance with Me - Sara Shrapnell
Excuse me while I do a little bit of self promotion. But if you want to become a belly dance teacher, I have some amazing resources for you. I've been a belly dance teacher for 20 years and in that time I have taught well over 5,000 belly dance classes. I have honestly seen it all ! My first book "Teaching Belly Dance" was published in 2014 and has now become the standard text for those wanting to teach (or those who want to improve their teaching). Last year I also published the companion booklet "52 Lesson plans and how to write 5,000 more", in response to requests to provide lesson plans that are easy to use for all styles of belly dance. In addition I proved one on one mentoring and further support via the Belly Dance Business Academy. Teaching belly dance is the best job in the world and has provided me with an income for the last 20 years. I want to inspire others to take the same route and set them up for success ! if teaching is in your future, now is a great time to get the foundations in place.
6, - Get into FCBD style with Lisa Allred (and friends!)
This blog post was hugely inspired by Lisa's blog earlier this week where she shared soooo many resources for FCBD dancers (formerly ATS). Most of my students have only touched on this style with occasional drills and some group improvisation, but there is so much more to learn. Check out Lisa's blog post and follow her links to find drills, technique and take the opportunity to learn a new style of belly dance.
7, - Find your Super Power with Terri Allred
As part of the management team at the Belly Dance Business Academy, I get to take all the workshops, lectures and lessons. This one has to be my favorite ! No matter where you are in your belly dance career (or in life!), you need to recognize your own dreams, ambitions, abilities and, yes, super powers. This hour long workshop will shake your perception of yourself as a belly dancer, and give you tools to move forward in your dance in ways you never imagined. Terri is an amazing mentor, who has taught me so much. I would like to share a little drop of her inspiration in this $15 workshop. Take it today, and start working on your superpower.
8, - Learn about Arabic Music with Karim Nagi
Do you find yourself limited to dancing to pop songs ? Arabic music has depth, meaning and nuances that are hard for the new dancer to interpret in their performances. Karim is not only knowledgeable but also a world class teacher. He makes his subjects fun, and enjoyable. Learn about the key instruments, the rhythms, scales - and how to reflect them in our dancing. I love the lessons playlist, but also check out his performances and clips from his workshops. I picked out this video about Taqsim and Maqam because this is a great drill for dancers of all levels and all styles.
9, - Get your Drills Done with Victoria Teel
Drilling is essential for all belly dancers, but finding interesting drills can be a struggle. I try to dance for an hour most days, and its super easy to get into the habit of just reviewing my upcoming performance choreographys and technique that I'm struggling with for them. I love this video because it pushes me outside my comfort zone and makes me work on the tough stuff ! This video is labelled as "Beginner", and while I think it would be suitable for someone early in their belly dance journey, I would also suggest its a great video for everyone, no matter their level. Drills we do daily are easy for us - because we do them daily ! Other people's drills are always going to be a challenge. Victoria also has a great on-line studio, where you can take more of her classes, covering a wide range of topics. Check them out on her website:
10, - Make a Costume with Dawn Devine and Sparkly Belly
Yes, Dawn Devine (Davina), gets two shout outs - but that is just because she is such a great all round teacher ! If you are stuck at home for an extended period of time, its a great excuse to get your costumes fixed or design a new one. Dawn has dozens of books available on line that cover the creation of every style of belly dance costume, from the pants, to head wear and everything in between. I am a very poor seamstress and I have completed projects from her books ! When we were working together on our book "Becoming a Belly Dancer", we put together a dozen or so no sew and low sew projects perfect for troupe costumes. A couple of weekends ago, my troupe got together to make matching skirts and had so (sew!) much fun. Have an experiment with making something easy, and then invite your troupe over to make matching sets.
Sparkly Belly has a wide range of belly dance costume tutorials on-line. Aimed at the more advanced seamstress, her creations are exceptional and inspirational !
Sparkly Belly has a wide range of belly dance costume tutorials on-line. Aimed at the more advanced seamstress, her creations are exceptional and inspirational !
Like this blog post ? Here are some more for you to check out:
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer.
She has taught more than 5,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching.
Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” was published in 2014. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is a stagecraft handbook. Both are available on Amazon.
She is the co-owner of the Belly Dance Business Academy with the aim of providing belly dancers world wide with the tools and training they need to make a business from their belly dancing.
Sara is available to teach workshops in the USA and the UK, in addition to teaching on-line through the Belly Dance Business Academy and through on-line one on one mentorship.
She has taught more than 5,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching.
Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” was published in 2014. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is a stagecraft handbook. Both are available on Amazon.
She is the co-owner of the Belly Dance Business Academy with the aim of providing belly dancers world wide with the tools and training they need to make a business from their belly dancing.
Sara is available to teach workshops in the USA and the UK, in addition to teaching on-line through the Belly Dance Business Academy and through on-line one on one mentorship.
The Travelling Belly Dancer
4/22/2019
Since leaving the UK in 2011, I have made dozens of trips to teach out of state, and around the world. While I seem to need the whole of my trunk (boot) to transfer sticks, veils, books and costumes to the class I teach ten minutes away, I have perfected packing a week of belly dance adventures into my carry-on hand luggage. Here are some tips to help you travel light !
1, Double check your bag size and weight limit. Every airline has a slightly different policy and the fees for packing a bag that is just an inch too big, can wreck your budget. Some airlines will allow you a small bag plus a “personal” item, which may be a small handbag or as big as a lap top bag. Others will only allow you one piece of “carry on”. Read the small print and check if your handbag/purse counts as a second bag. If so, consider downsizing your handbag/purse to something that can slip into a side pocket of a bag that is the maximum size for your one carry on. Other airlines will allow you a personal bag and a small suitcase, or backpack as your hand luggage. Make sure you put everything that is essential to your trip into this one bag – checked in suitcases do go missing, and its hard to perform without your costume or teach without your music. Finally, check you can carry your own bags easily. Even if you prefer a bag on wheels, there will always be staircases and taxis to test your weight lifting skills.
2, Invest in a lightweight costume. Coins, fringe and gems look amazing, but the weight soon adds up. Invest in a good quality costume that adds almost nothing to your weight limit. Modern Assuit is always a good choice, or a bra and belt in a fashion fabric. Rather than tassels and beads, find fabrics that will catch the light, or give movement under stage lights like sequins and lace. I always pack a second costume, of a tiny, lightweight, saiidi dress. I can’t remember how many times I have been asked for a second number in a show and been thankful for my back up costume. Once you have checked the weight of your costume, do the same with your shoes, jewelry and props.
3, Make a skirt sausage. Skirts, pants, trousers, veils and wigs can take up lots of room in a suitcase. Pick out fabrics that don’t need the attention of an iron, or that look best a little creased and store them in the cut off leg of an old pair of tights. Simply cut open each end of the leg and thread it onto your arm. Hold the waist band of your skirt and pull the tights down your arm and over the skirt. You now have all that fabric under control and perfectly flexible to fit in your suitcase.
4, Purchase some wooden zills. Good quality, metal zills are heavy! They also show up on x-ray machines, and increase your chances of having your bags searched. Wooden zills have a beautiful tone, are unusual and much more lightweight. I also prefer to use them while teaching, as they are kinder to the ears and help students pick my zill playing out from the crowd of metal zills in a workshop.
5, Pack only “two fors”. Because you are travelling light, work out how to mix and match your costume pieces and workshop clothing to maximize your looks. Rather than packing black yoga pants, put in a pair in a bright color or fun pattern that match your bra and belt. They work as a backup plan to your costume, but add a t-shirt and they also work for attending or teaching a workshop. Use your cover up on the beach or as a dressing gown. Find a statement piece of jewelry that will work on stage, but also dress up a day dress for attending the evening gala show. Everything you pack should be essential and ready to work overtime!
6, Color code your cables. When travelling with an Ipod, laptop, phone and speakers it is easy to get confused about which cable works with which hardware and in each different country. Investigate how your hardware, chargers and cables will work in every place you are visiting and come prepared. Buy a backup set of each cable in a bright color or funky pattern. If possible, co-ordinate your cables to match your lap top cover or phone screen. Purchase a set of address labels and stick them to all your cables and hardware. They may never come back to you if they get lost, but at least you can be quick to reclaim them at belly dance events.
7, Pack into packing cubes. If you really want to pack light, there is no better tip than to pack each day’s clothes into a small packing cube, pillowcase or even a sandwich bag. It takes some pre-planning, but saves taking unwanted clothes around the world. Write each day on the outside of the bags and consider what activities you will be doing on those days: travelling, teaching, performing, resting or enjoying the area. Lay out each day’s clothes and try them on. Make sure it is an outfit that fits your plans. Take a moment to check the obvious: Does your bra show through your t-shirt? Is there a button that needs fixing? Pack everything for that day, including underwear and sleep clothes, into that day’s bag. Once you have packed for each day, limit your “extra” packing to some underwear and one lightweight jumper/sweater.
8, Preprint everything. In these days of instant internet access, it’s easy to assume that you will be able to google directions, download tickets, or check an email for your workshop schedule. If you are travelling outside the reach of your internet provider, it is best to assume nothing! Most hotels and hostesses will be happy to receive an email ahead of time with all your plans attached. Some will even print out your handouts, directions and flyers for you. If weight is limited, you can consider posting your paperwork on to your destination a few weeks before you intend to travel. However, always travel with the first few days itinerary printed and in your hand luggage.
9, Find a lightweight, yet powerful speaker. As I said before, never assume that your hardware or cables will be compatible with those of your venue. Dance is nothing without music, so prepare all your musical needs onto CD, Ipod, or phone and forward it to your hostess. As a last resort, always travel with your own speaker and charge it up before you leave home. These days you can purchase speakers that fit into hand luggage but still fill a room with music. It’s also nice to have your own speakers for last minute practice or simply as entertainment when spending a long week in a dull hotel, between belly dance events.
10, Buy when you arrive. Most bulky toiletries are budget friendly and available everywhere in the world. Plan a short shopping trip when you first arrive to buy snacks, tissues, make up wipes, a disposable razor, toothpaste, shampoo and other hygiene products. Unless you are travelling to the wilds, minimize your toiletry and medical packing. Consider what you really need and what you may only purchase if needed. For example, do you always get a poorly tummy on when travelling, or can you assume that you could buy an over the counter remedy if needed? The atmosphere in your destination may mess with your hair, or dry your skin, but it is likely that the local shops have products to help. However, do not assume that your favorite brand will be available. If you have sensitive skin, or products you love, purchase sample sized bottles before you board the plane. Otherwise, enjoy trying out new products !
11, Plan for purchases. No matter how cautious of weight you try to be, you will still want to purchase a memento of your travels, or a new costume at the belly dance event. Before you travel, and before you return, look at the items in your suitcase and make a mental note of their real value to you. If you have read your book, are you simply returning it home to donate to a charity shop? Why head home with socks with holes, or shoes with a broken strap, or a lipstick with two more uses. There is nothing wrong with emptying out a few items into the trash while you are travelling, to make room for the new. I pack tired shoes, old t-shirts for underwear and tired PJs with the intention of leaving them behind and returning home with a treasure or two from my travels in their place.
12, Plan time for non-belly dance adventures. Belly dance events are amazing, but if you are travelling to teach or perform, add in a few days for site-seeing and to enjoy your visit. While it is not always possible, try to plan time to rest, relax and enjoy the opportunities to see the world that belly dance has made available for us.
Belly dance has opened the door for me to see more of both Europe and America and dance with people from around the world. Having my packing planning in place means I can travel light, quickly and efficiently, with out the weight of too much “stuff” holding me down. I love getting invited to travel to teach and I hope dance with you soon!
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer, originally from the UK but now living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her two books “Teaching Belly Dance” and “Becoming a Belly Dancer” are available on Amazon. Sara travels back to the UK each year to teach workshops and visit family, and visits Hong Kong regularly. Find out more about Sara, her workshops and travel plans on her web site: www.LetsBellyDanceUSA.com
Since leaving the UK in 2011, I have made dozens of trips to teach out of state, and around the world. While I seem to need the whole of my trunk (boot) to transfer sticks, veils, books and costumes to the class I teach ten minutes away, I have perfected packing a week of belly dance adventures into my carry-on hand luggage. Here are some tips to help you travel light !
1, Double check your bag size and weight limit. Every airline has a slightly different policy and the fees for packing a bag that is just an inch too big, can wreck your budget. Some airlines will allow you a small bag plus a “personal” item, which may be a small handbag or as big as a lap top bag. Others will only allow you one piece of “carry on”. Read the small print and check if your handbag/purse counts as a second bag. If so, consider downsizing your handbag/purse to something that can slip into a side pocket of a bag that is the maximum size for your one carry on. Other airlines will allow you a personal bag and a small suitcase, or backpack as your hand luggage. Make sure you put everything that is essential to your trip into this one bag – checked in suitcases do go missing, and its hard to perform without your costume or teach without your music. Finally, check you can carry your own bags easily. Even if you prefer a bag on wheels, there will always be staircases and taxis to test your weight lifting skills.
2, Invest in a lightweight costume. Coins, fringe and gems look amazing, but the weight soon adds up. Invest in a good quality costume that adds almost nothing to your weight limit. Modern Assuit is always a good choice, or a bra and belt in a fashion fabric. Rather than tassels and beads, find fabrics that will catch the light, or give movement under stage lights like sequins and lace. I always pack a second costume, of a tiny, lightweight, saiidi dress. I can’t remember how many times I have been asked for a second number in a show and been thankful for my back up costume. Once you have checked the weight of your costume, do the same with your shoes, jewelry and props.
3, Make a skirt sausage. Skirts, pants, trousers, veils and wigs can take up lots of room in a suitcase. Pick out fabrics that don’t need the attention of an iron, or that look best a little creased and store them in the cut off leg of an old pair of tights. Simply cut open each end of the leg and thread it onto your arm. Hold the waist band of your skirt and pull the tights down your arm and over the skirt. You now have all that fabric under control and perfectly flexible to fit in your suitcase.
4, Purchase some wooden zills. Good quality, metal zills are heavy! They also show up on x-ray machines, and increase your chances of having your bags searched. Wooden zills have a beautiful tone, are unusual and much more lightweight. I also prefer to use them while teaching, as they are kinder to the ears and help students pick my zill playing out from the crowd of metal zills in a workshop.
5, Pack only “two fors”. Because you are travelling light, work out how to mix and match your costume pieces and workshop clothing to maximize your looks. Rather than packing black yoga pants, put in a pair in a bright color or fun pattern that match your bra and belt. They work as a backup plan to your costume, but add a t-shirt and they also work for attending or teaching a workshop. Use your cover up on the beach or as a dressing gown. Find a statement piece of jewelry that will work on stage, but also dress up a day dress for attending the evening gala show. Everything you pack should be essential and ready to work overtime!
6, Color code your cables. When travelling with an Ipod, laptop, phone and speakers it is easy to get confused about which cable works with which hardware and in each different country. Investigate how your hardware, chargers and cables will work in every place you are visiting and come prepared. Buy a backup set of each cable in a bright color or funky pattern. If possible, co-ordinate your cables to match your lap top cover or phone screen. Purchase a set of address labels and stick them to all your cables and hardware. They may never come back to you if they get lost, but at least you can be quick to reclaim them at belly dance events.
7, Pack into packing cubes. If you really want to pack light, there is no better tip than to pack each day’s clothes into a small packing cube, pillowcase or even a sandwich bag. It takes some pre-planning, but saves taking unwanted clothes around the world. Write each day on the outside of the bags and consider what activities you will be doing on those days: travelling, teaching, performing, resting or enjoying the area. Lay out each day’s clothes and try them on. Make sure it is an outfit that fits your plans. Take a moment to check the obvious: Does your bra show through your t-shirt? Is there a button that needs fixing? Pack everything for that day, including underwear and sleep clothes, into that day’s bag. Once you have packed for each day, limit your “extra” packing to some underwear and one lightweight jumper/sweater.
8, Preprint everything. In these days of instant internet access, it’s easy to assume that you will be able to google directions, download tickets, or check an email for your workshop schedule. If you are travelling outside the reach of your internet provider, it is best to assume nothing! Most hotels and hostesses will be happy to receive an email ahead of time with all your plans attached. Some will even print out your handouts, directions and flyers for you. If weight is limited, you can consider posting your paperwork on to your destination a few weeks before you intend to travel. However, always travel with the first few days itinerary printed and in your hand luggage.
9, Find a lightweight, yet powerful speaker. As I said before, never assume that your hardware or cables will be compatible with those of your venue. Dance is nothing without music, so prepare all your musical needs onto CD, Ipod, or phone and forward it to your hostess. As a last resort, always travel with your own speaker and charge it up before you leave home. These days you can purchase speakers that fit into hand luggage but still fill a room with music. It’s also nice to have your own speakers for last minute practice or simply as entertainment when spending a long week in a dull hotel, between belly dance events.
10, Buy when you arrive. Most bulky toiletries are budget friendly and available everywhere in the world. Plan a short shopping trip when you first arrive to buy snacks, tissues, make up wipes, a disposable razor, toothpaste, shampoo and other hygiene products. Unless you are travelling to the wilds, minimize your toiletry and medical packing. Consider what you really need and what you may only purchase if needed. For example, do you always get a poorly tummy on when travelling, or can you assume that you could buy an over the counter remedy if needed? The atmosphere in your destination may mess with your hair, or dry your skin, but it is likely that the local shops have products to help. However, do not assume that your favorite brand will be available. If you have sensitive skin, or products you love, purchase sample sized bottles before you board the plane. Otherwise, enjoy trying out new products !
11, Plan for purchases. No matter how cautious of weight you try to be, you will still want to purchase a memento of your travels, or a new costume at the belly dance event. Before you travel, and before you return, look at the items in your suitcase and make a mental note of their real value to you. If you have read your book, are you simply returning it home to donate to a charity shop? Why head home with socks with holes, or shoes with a broken strap, or a lipstick with two more uses. There is nothing wrong with emptying out a few items into the trash while you are travelling, to make room for the new. I pack tired shoes, old t-shirts for underwear and tired PJs with the intention of leaving them behind and returning home with a treasure or two from my travels in their place.
12, Plan time for non-belly dance adventures. Belly dance events are amazing, but if you are travelling to teach or perform, add in a few days for site-seeing and to enjoy your visit. While it is not always possible, try to plan time to rest, relax and enjoy the opportunities to see the world that belly dance has made available for us.
Belly dance has opened the door for me to see more of both Europe and America and dance with people from around the world. Having my packing planning in place means I can travel light, quickly and efficiently, with out the weight of too much “stuff” holding me down. I love getting invited to travel to teach and I hope dance with you soon!
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer, originally from the UK but now living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her two books “Teaching Belly Dance” and “Becoming a Belly Dancer” are available on Amazon. Sara travels back to the UK each year to teach workshops and visit family, and visits Hong Kong regularly. Find out more about Sara, her workshops and travel plans on her web site: www.LetsBellyDanceUSA.com
There are thousands more great tips about learning, setting goals and self critique in Chapter One of "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage". We took all our combined knowledge and shattered the illusions so that the belly dancers of the future can skip the potholes and move on their careers! "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage" is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers and its available now from Amazon: |
- If you enjoyed this blog post you might also like:
- 10 Simple Steps to Writing a Choreography
- The History of Belly Dance - Where to Start
- Preparing a Bio Ahead of Time
-
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer.
She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide, and online via the Belly Dance Business Academy. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching.
Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” was published in 2014. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers of all styles and levels. Both are available on Amazon.
Many belly dancers are keen to investigate the history of belly dance. It is a fascinating subject and one that can lead you to discover the stories of many wonderful people around the world and throughout time. Here are a few tips on where and how to start:
Take time to learn how to evaluate your sources. Historians will always put their name to their research and add footnotes so others can evaluate their sources. Here are a couple of links that will help you evaluate your sources:
The Belly Dance Reader includes an essential chapter by Mahsati Janan called "Reading like a Researcher", which I highly recommend as a starting point. The belly dance reader is also worth the purchase for many other indepth chapters on history and other belly dance topics. |
We are very lucky to have historians who have focused a lifetime of work on our dance. Search out features, books and articles by those with history degrees and an interest in belly dance, and you can be sure they have be thoughtfully researched. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Andrea Deagon - University of North Carolina, Wilmington - many articles on line and books available through Amazon.
- Dawn Devine - B.A in Art History - Many on-line courses, articles and books available through her web site.
- Shelley Muzzy (Yasmela) - was the staff writer for Habibi magzine and held a B.A. in History and Research.
- Renee Rothman PHD - Publishes to respected dance journals and maintains a very informative web site.
- Sahra Kent has a long list of qualification and research, but is perhaps best known for her "Journey through Egypt" course that makes belly dance history accessible for all.
- Catherine Scheelar - M.A. Cultural Anthrophogy - Author of "The Use of Nostalgia in Tribal Fusion Dance"
- Barbara Sellers-Young - Dean, York University - Writer of "Belly Dance, Pilgrimage and Identity" and "Belly Dance Around the World "
- Beatrive Parvin - B.A. History of Art - Writer for many belly dance journals.
Image from Dawn Devine's lecture "The Birth of Bedlah"
The list of people above is limited to those with academic qualifications in history, but there are many others who have enjoyed a long and successful career in historical research of belly dance. (Not all belly dancers list their qualifications, my apologies if I failed to credit anyone properly). Here are some other names you might consider:
The list of people above is limited to those with academic qualifications in history, but there are many others who have enjoyed a long and successful career in historical research of belly dance. (Not all belly dancers list their qualifications, my apologies if I failed to credit anyone properly). Here are some other names you might consider:
- Morocco of New York - Aunty Rocky to many - Her lifetime of research has been poured into the book "Ask Aunty Rocky", which covers everything belly dance not just belly dance history. As a pioneer of American belly dance, her book may be considered a primary source.
- Artimis Mourat - Lecture, researcher and published author. Her credentials are unrivaled.
- Lynette Harris - One of the founding editors of Gilded Serpent and a curator of belly dance history.
- Abigail Keyes - With an M.A in Dance and a B.A. in near Eastern studies, Abigail is highly respected for her research and writing. I hightly recommend her book "Belly Dance Textbook: Salimpour School of Belly Dance Compendium Vol. 1"
In addition to Gilded Serpent, you would do well to look out old copies of Habibi magzine, which is no longer available but issues do turn up on ebay and other web sites from time to time. Zaghareet magazine sadly ended publication in 2017, but back issues are still available here:
One thing to remember is that pre-movies, (that is before we had moving images), dance could only be recorded through the written word or photography. If you have ever learnt a belly dance move from a book you will know how difficult that can be ! While a dancer may have been described as "moving like the murky pools along the Nile"... we have no idea if she was layering a shimmy on a figure 8 or doing a pivot turn with outstretched arms. Before moving images all dance is left to our imagination. We know there were dancers, and we can put together a list of things we know they did, but we can not see their dance and how it relates to our dance today.
Finally, I would suggest you leave the internet and library, and try to study with some of the "primary sources" we have access to today. Dancers from all around the world are offering lessons on-line, and are worth every moment. Many of the pioneer dancers are still touring, teaching and writing books on belly dance. There are too many to list, but consider who in your area has been dancing for 30 or 40 years, who traveled to or grew up in the home countries, who created new forms of dance, who learnt from their own culture, who studied with the famous names of belly dance... In our search for the ancient history, we sometimes forget that history is all around us.
Image is of Sara with Afra Al-Kahira, one of her first teachers, reunited at Celebrating Dance Festival 2016. | I would like to personally thank those who have taken the time to teach me about the history of belly dance, most of whom are listed above. The suggestions are purely my own - If you have read this article and know of a source that should be added to my lists, please comment below to share a link, or contact me directly. |
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer.
She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching.
Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” was published in 2014. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers of all styles and levels. Both are available on Amazon.
She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching.
Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” was published in 2014. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers of all styles and levels. Both are available on Amazon.
If you like this blog, go back to the blog page, for others you might like including:
Holiday Music for Class
Dealing with Difficult Students
Teacher Knows Best
Are you Ready Teach Belly Dance ?
Or check out these Hub Blogs including:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
Holiday Music for Class
Dealing with Difficult Students
Teacher Knows Best
Are you Ready Teach Belly Dance ?
Or check out these Hub Blogs including:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
A fabulous performance picture can do wonders for a belly dancer's career. Put it on a business card, or add it to your web site, to get more high quality bookings or new students. Add it to social media, and get invites to top class events. Even though its just a moment in time, it shows off your dancing, performing and entertainment abilities.... or does it?
Just like every entertainer, we excel at the art of illusion. We ask the viewer to see what we want them to see....Only we know the diamonds are paste..... our shimmies are not an expression of our emotions, so much as a reflection of the hours we drilled them infront of the mirror... And our photo was not actually caught mid performance...
For years I wanted an amazing on-stage, performance picture. Yet all I got was photos like the one above on the left. I look like a six eyed monster trying to lasso the audience. Then I found out the secret - those performance photos of the stars.... all is not what it seems.
Because I am all about sharing the good news, here are four ways to get a fabulous performance photo ! (clue - they are all cheats!)
Photo Credit: Alisha Westerfeld | 1. Write moments of stillness into your choreographs. I think this is essential if you want photos of your troupe on stage. While you shouldn't plan your whole choreography around the photos, you can add a few moments of pose where no one will notice. For instance between tracks, before the music starts or before the final bow. Talk to your photographer before the performance and tell them when to expect the photo ops. Better still, send them a video of your practice and shout "now" during the filming. It is also important that you tell your troupe to pose for their photo at these points in the performance. You want a full smile and perfect posture. Its not the time for one of them to scratch an itch ! In this photo my troupe, Neshee Dolu, have a pause during the opening of their veil dance at Rakkasah 2016 |
2. Turn up early for the sound check. While you should check with your host or hostess, most venues are open a few hours before a show to set up lights, check on the sound system and generally get ready for the big event. Don't get in the way of the serious work that needs to happen, but ask if you can arrive early and take advantage of the stage area for a few quick photos. Its the perfect time to check your make up and costume will work under the stage lights. You can also ask your photographer to take a few moments to work out the perfect spot for your photographs. In this photo Poppy Maya took advantage of the live band playing to the audience to the right, and the flowers that had been set up for a wedding the next morning. |
Photo Credit : Alisha Westerfeld | 3. Hire your own venue. While this may sound expensive, consider your local venues and how you can frame them in a photo. Does your local community center have a stage? Maybe you could use the band stand at your local park, or even the beautiful floor to ceiling curtains at a local hotel. Talk to your venues about being flexible in your timing. Perhaps you can visit the local golf club the day after a big wedding and take advantage of the decor before it is removed on Monday morning. This beautiful stage is actually part of a cabana ! We hired it for an hour, brought our own lighting set up and Poppy Maya played with her wings on the stage. She repeated a couple of combos so that her photographer could anticipate her moves and get the shot of the wings in motion. We loved this final photo so much it ended up as a full page in "Becoming a Belly Dancer" |
4. Fill a restaurant with your friends and family. You have no idea how much a restaurant will love you if you book a table for twelve friends at their usual quiet time! They will be more than happy to let you pose for the perfect picture. Visit them first to find out when your venue will be quiet and assess which table you can book to cause the least chaos around you. If they have a room with just one or two tables, or a T shaped room, ask if you can have that whole area. Tell them what you want to do and ask their permission ahead of time. Make sure to follow up with an email, so you have a paper trail in case the staff on duty question what you are doing. Pack your friends and family into the background and pose away! Don't forget that you all need to buy dinner - and be prepared to be generous in your tipping ! We used this method extensively for photo shoots for both "Becoming a Belly Dancer" and "Teaching Belly Dance" In the photo, right, Basinah dances with the owner of House of Kabobs in Sunnyvale, CA for a photo for "Teaching Belly Dance". The audience includes my husband and lots of other friends and family ! | Photo Credit: Alisha Westerfeld. |
Tiny Tips:
- Find your light - not all areas of the stage are lit equally. Check out the light pattern on the floor to work out where to stand to get the best light. You are most likely to be lit from above on a stage, so be aware that your nose, chest and tummy may cause shadow. "Bathe" in your light, so all your best parts catch the glow!
- Never ask your photographer to use flash photography during a performance. The flash can blind you. Equally don't use a flash at the side of the stage. The audience will be able to see it.
- "Behind the scenes" photos should always be done with the permission of everyone in the room. Just as you shouldn't take photos in the restroom, don't take photos in changing rooms or any area that people may be changing. Be aware of mirrors and accidentally including others in your backstage photos.
- Check out the background before you plan your photos. A rip in the backdrop, or fire exit can spoil the shot. Take a minute to look around and check for minor problems that you can fix before the photo is taken.
- Use Photoshop wisely ! Editing software is great for adjusting the light, picking out the colors in your costume, and removing the gum from the floor..... however, performance shots can loose their appeal if you brush up everything. Softening your skin, enhancing your curves, and elongating your lines are all great in more glamorous stills, where you are aiming for a dream like quality.
- In performance you will naturally pull faces, your hair will fall out of place and your costume will create creases. All of these can add character to your photos. When picking out your top five, keep one or two that are not traditionally perfect, but that reflect who you really are.
My dear friends Dawn Devine and Alisha Westerfeld are starting to build a reputation for sneaking a selfie onto the stage. This performance was a comedy number at a light-hearted event. It was the perfect punchline for this occasion. Usually, selfies are not a suitable way to get get an on stage performance photo......
I hope you enjoyed a look behind the scenes of some of our performance photo shoots ! - feel free to add your own "Performance" photos to the comments and let us know how you got the shot !
There are thousands more great tips like this for the aspiring belly dancer in"Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage". We took all our combined knowledge and shattered the illusions so that the belly dancers of the future can skip the potholes and move on their careers! "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage" is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers and its available now from Amazon: |
Photo Credit : Dawn Devine | Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer. She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching. Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” was published in 2014. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers of all styles and levels. Both are available on Amazon. |
If you like this blog, go back to the blog page, for others you might like including:
Holiday Music for Class
Dealing with Difficult StudentsTeacher Knows Best
Are you Ready Teach Belly Dance ?
Or check out these Hub Blogs including:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
Holiday Music for Class
Dealing with Difficult StudentsTeacher Knows Best
Are you Ready Teach Belly Dance ?
Or check out these Hub Blogs including:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
What to expect at a Belly Dance show !
Congratulations on booking to see your first belly dance show ! Maybe you are going to a restaurant, or a stage show a dinner venue or a community event, no matter where your belly dance show is being held there are few things you can expect:
If you see a belly dance show in a restaurant, the dancer will probably enter the stage area with a veil, dance to three or four pieces of music, including a drum solo, tour the room asking for tips and then exit.
If you go to a stage production, the dancer will have been allocated a shorter amount of time and may only dance to one piece of music. They will probably not be expecting tips.
Belly dance teachers often send their student troupes to perform at community events. These are a wonderful opportunity for student dancers to show off the skills they have been learning in class and to encourage others to sign up for the new semester.
- Fabulous dancing - belly dancers train hard to put together an entertaining show.
- Stunning costumes - belly dance costumes can cost hundreds of dollars.
- Beautiful music - belly dance performers are constantly looking for music to suit every venue.
- Lots of entertainment - belly dancers know how to work the crowd and get the party started
- A few tricks and jokes - belly dance is lots of fun. The dancers love to balance objects on their head as they dance, to shimmy faster than the speed of sound and to get an audience to clap along. Don't be afraid to interact and enjoy the show.
If you see a belly dance show in a restaurant, the dancer will probably enter the stage area with a veil, dance to three or four pieces of music, including a drum solo, tour the room asking for tips and then exit.
If you go to a stage production, the dancer will have been allocated a shorter amount of time and may only dance to one piece of music. They will probably not be expecting tips.
Belly dance teachers often send their student troupes to perform at community events. These are a wonderful opportunity for student dancers to show off the skills they have been learning in class and to encourage others to sign up for the new semester.
How to tip the dancer !
Tipping etiquette worries many people who are seeing their first belly dance show. They don't want to tip too much or too little or to present that tip in an uncomfortable way. Luckily belly dancers understand and do their best to make things easy for the audience.
Firstly, look out to see if the belly dancer has left out a bowl, basket or jug for the tips. This is the most common way to tip belly dancers at community events. Belly dancers in restaurants may leave a container by the stage or by the door marked with "dancer's tips". Some belly dancers will leave an envelope on each table, so that patrons can tip when they pay for their meal.
Firstly, look out to see if the belly dancer has left out a bowl, basket or jug for the tips. This is the most common way to tip belly dancers at community events. Belly dancers in restaurants may leave a container by the stage or by the door marked with "dancer's tips". Some belly dancers will leave an envelope on each table, so that patrons can tip when they pay for their meal.
Tipping during the performance
If you don't see an obvious way to pay the dancer, they may be expecting to accept tips during the performance. Many belly dancers enjoy the part of the show when they collect tips and build it into their performance. They may want tips to be handed over, or showered overhead, or tucked into their costumes, or placed in a basket or tambourine they are going to pass around. You may be worried that you won't know what to do. The good news is that the dancer will normally ask a friend or a member of the wait staff to start off the tipping and demo how they like to take their tips. Follow their lead and you can't go wrong!
Tipping onto the dancers costume
If the dancer is accepting tips onto her costume, fold your note longwise, so that it is easier to place. Hold your note towards the dancer, but do not wave it at her. The belly dancer will usually tell you where they would like you to place it. That may be a shoulder strap, wrist band or into the side of a sparklie belt. If you are uncomfortable about where the dancer is asking you to place your tip, you can simply hand it to them and the dancer will place it for you. Do not rush the dancer, or try to place the note in an inappropriate place. They may just walk away !
Some belly dancers like you to throw money over their head. You can do this with style, or just throw a handful up into the air. The dancer really doesn't mind. The money will stay on the floor until after the show, when a member of staff will usually come around to collect it. If you feel uncomfortable about throwing money at the dancer, you can simply drop it on the dancefloor, or wait until it is being collected and pass your cash to the person cleaning it up.
Some belly dancers like you to throw money over their head. You can do this with style, or just throw a handful up into the air. The dancer really doesn't mind. The money will stay on the floor until after the show, when a member of staff will usually come around to collect it. If you feel uncomfortable about throwing money at the dancer, you can simply drop it on the dancefloor, or wait until it is being collected and pass your cash to the person cleaning it up.
How Much ?!?
Tip the belly dancer the price of a fancy coffee, or a glass of wine or a bottle of beer. If your dancer is particularly good, you may want to double that amount. If you see a show with three or more dancers, you are not expected to tip them all. You can choose to divide your tip money between each dancer, or just tip your favorite. The belly dancer is unlikely to see what size notes you are tipping, so don't expect her to spend more time at your table if you are super generous.
Do I have to get up and dance?
Most people are worried that the belly dancer will "pick on them" and get them up to dance. Most performing belly dancers are very good at working out who wants to join in and who would rather sit back and watch the show. While the dancer may pick out one or two people to "star" in their act, they will have often been asked by the restaurant owner or event organizer to start a party at the end of the performance, so performers will be looking to fill the dance floor. If the belly dancer is pulling up lots of audience members, stand up and join in - you wont regret it!
A belly dance show is a great way to top off a fancy meal or an evening out. Don't be afraid to clap, cheer and join in the dancing. The dancer will value your enthusiasm just as much as your tip!
A belly dance show is a great way to top off a fancy meal or an evening out. Don't be afraid to clap, cheer and join in the dancing. The dancer will value your enthusiasm just as much as your tip!
DANCERS !
If you would like advice on how to accept tips, plus 1001 other ideas and hints on how to improve your stagecraft, check out "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage" - the stagecraft handbook for all belly dancers !
If you like this blog, go back to my blog page and check out some others like:
Teacher Knows Best
Dealing with Difficult Students
I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you)
Why Belly Dancers need to Walk the Line
Teaching Belly Dance: Making Corrections
Being Part of the Solution
Or check out my Hub Blogs including:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
Teacher Knows Best
Dealing with Difficult Students
I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you)
Why Belly Dancers need to Walk the Line
Teaching Belly Dance: Making Corrections
Being Part of the Solution
Or check out my Hub Blogs including:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer.
She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching.
Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” was published in 2014. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers of all styles and levels. Both are available on Amazon.
She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching.
Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” was published in 2014. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers of all styles and levels. Both are available on Amazon.
There is nothing quite so exciting as creating your own choreography to a piece of music that you love. Taking the sound of an instrument and turning it into movement - making sound visual! For some of us the process is almost as exciting as performing our creations in front of an audience. Here is how you can get from a blank sheet of paper, to a dynamic dance in ten simple steps....
- Jot down a few ideas, key words, maybe an image or two - like creating an inspiration board. Nothing is out of bounds at this point. Some dancers pick just one word, others make up a full length movie script to give themselves a deep and interesting story to portray. Look at pintrest boards, color palettes, textures, sounds, smells and random objects. Go with what inspires you!
- Split the music into timed sections (I call this a time plan) - that might be :
0.00 - intro,
0.30 - chorus,
1.00 - verse,
1.27 - chorus,
1.57 - verse plus lalalala
2.24 - chorus,
2.54 - chorus,
3.24 - exit.
Or it might be :
0.00 Dumdum,
0.03 shuffleshuffleshuffle,
0.07 dumdumdaha
0.10 - fluffy bit
0.13 - squeak, Dum, Dum
(onwards)
- this stage very much depends on how detailed my choreo is going to be.
- Dance around the room for a bit. Usually I video this stage to see what moves fit naturally to the music, where I am having fun, where my body does something strange, where I travel and where I own my spot in the center of the stage. After I have done this half a dozen times, I sit down to watch my videos and note down the "highlights" or the moves and combos that I have repeated several times.
|
- Fill in the "I'm going to improvise it anyhow" time slots. I know that sometimes it doesn't matter what I write down, I'm going to improves that Taqsim, so there is no need to over plan. If I am writing a group choreo this section might have to be choreographed or I might call it "Everyone improvise" if that is what I want to happen. Belly Dance has a strong improvisational style, so allowing yourself time to be "in the moment" is great. However, don't use "improvise" to cover part of the song that you don't know what to do. If you can't dance it now, you will probably blank on stage.
- Look for the repeats and fill those. If I have a chorus planned, it makes sense to repeat the same moves to the same music when they reoccur. If possible I want to make a slight change - maybe facing a different direction or changing the arm positions, just to keep things interesting. Repeating the same dance moves to the same music makes an audience feel clever. They get a moment of "I knew they were going to do that !". However, there is a fine line between being predictable and being boring. If you are repeating the same moves to the same music more than twice, end your combo with a surprise - a fast turn, a cheeky wink or an extra bum wiggle.
- Take on the "holes" - the parts of the choreo that are harder to fill. I keep a short check list to make sure my choreos are dynamic. Now is a good time to check the list to make sure my choreo is interesting and try to add in what is missing. If my first draft of the choreo is very planted in one spot, then I know I need to add more travelling steps - sometimes a simple cue like that is all I need to know how to fill the next section of music. . Here is my list:
Levels (up on toes, bended knee...)
directions, (Facing front, back, side and diagonals)
emotions, (cute, angry, teasing....)
attitude, (Interesting faces, body posture)
travelling/stillness, (Fast travelling, slow travelling, standing in one place)
upper body/ lower, (using all my body parts)
volume (projection, internal and external moves, eye lines)
size (small, medium, large and super large)
|
- Make sure its dancable. Ideas and movements that seem perfect in the moment, might not work in the big picture. I usually video myself at this stage to see where I stumble, if I get out of breath, where my face shows stress, or if I have to count the beats. I believe that it is better to dance at a lower level and have brain power to smile at the audience and look like I am having a good time, so at this point I either practice the hard parts, or make them simpler.
There are thousands more great tips about learning, setting goals and self critique in Chapter One of "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage". We took all our combined knowledge and shattered the illusions so that the belly dancers of the future can skip the potholes and move on their careers!
"Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage" is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers and its available now from Amazon:
"Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage" is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers and its available now from Amazon:
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer.
She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching.
She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching.
If you like this blog, go back to the blog page, for others you might like including:
HOW TO GET AMAZING PERFORMANCE PHOTOS - CHEAT !
Dealing with Difficult StudentsTeacher Knows Best
Are you Ready Teach Belly Dance ?
Or check out these Hub Blogs including:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
HOW TO GET AMAZING PERFORMANCE PHOTOS - CHEAT !
Dealing with Difficult StudentsTeacher Knows Best
Are you Ready Teach Belly Dance ?
Or check out these Hub Blogs including:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
Preparing for your Private Lesson
6/21/2017
I love teaching private lessons. In these days of instant technology I can connect with dancers all around the world, for a quick assessment, to polish up a choreography or to help with teaching issues. However, I still enjoy an afternoon in my tiny dance studio/office/dinning room where I can share the joy of movement with a local dancer. Sometimes the best private lessons are just two people and a lap top in a coffee shop.
No matter how we meet up, or what you want to cover, a little bit of preparation work on your part can make my job so much easier.
Lets start with why you want a private lesson?
Here are some of the most common reasons dancers book a private lesson:
No matter how we meet up, or what you want to cover, a little bit of preparation work on your part can make my job so much easier.
Lets start with why you want a private lesson?
Here are some of the most common reasons dancers book a private lesson:
Technique - You find a move really hard and your regular lessons are not focused enough on your problem area. Maybe its some layering or transitions that you are struggling with, or it might be a group of moves that are not as strong as your others. Sometimes we need to break down and drill a single movement, while other times we have to work through the building blocks. For most competent dancers, an hour on this kind of problem can be hugely beneficial.
Choreography - Often my regular students will book a private lesson when they have missed a few weeks of class and know they are behind with their group choreography. Other times they want to work on a short combo or section that they know they are struggling to learn. Private lessons are also the perfect time to learn a new choreography for an upcoming event, or to ask for help with a choreography you are writing.
Choreography - Often my regular students will book a private lesson when they have missed a few weeks of class and know they are behind with their group choreography. Other times they want to work on a short combo or section that they know they are struggling to learn. Private lessons are also the perfect time to learn a new choreography for an upcoming event, or to ask for help with a choreography you are writing.
Stagecraft - We all know that great performers are not always the best teachers, and similarly, not all teachers can help improve your performance. When you book a private lesson focused on stagecraft you can work through the
"tricks of the trade", or you can focus on an upcoming performance and how you can improve your dance to better suit your audience.
Goal setting - Most professional dancers set themselves a short list of goals and a time frame to complete them. If you struggle with goal setting, a private lesson is the perfect time to talk through your issues. Bring a long list of goals, previous goals and be prepared to talk honestly about what you are able to do in the short and long term to improve your dancing. Some dancers find that a regular check in with their mentor also helps them keep on schedule with achieving their goals.
Intensive training - Do you want to learn how to write your own choreography? Are you preparing to start teaching lessons? Do you have a competition coming up ? A private lesson with your teacher, or an expert is the time to stretch your skills or focus on new ones.
Performance critique - Every performance should be an improvement on your last. One of the most constructive ways to keep improving is to do a though critique of your performances. While its ideal if your private teacher can be in the audience to watch you live, a good quality video can also be used. If you want a performance critique, make sure you book your teacher before your performance, so they have the chance to see you live, or allocate time to watch your video.
If you are thinking about booking a private lesson - be that with me, or someone else, start by clarifying the reason for the lesson. Make a few notes and send a detailed request to your teacher. Make sure to give them all the info and tools they need to prepare for your lesson.
I teach privates or small group sessions in the studio for $100 an hour and I need a deposit a month in advance to book the space. On-line lessons, coffee shop chats and home studio visits are $50. Home studio visits are only open to regular students.
"tricks of the trade", or you can focus on an upcoming performance and how you can improve your dance to better suit your audience.
Goal setting - Most professional dancers set themselves a short list of goals and a time frame to complete them. If you struggle with goal setting, a private lesson is the perfect time to talk through your issues. Bring a long list of goals, previous goals and be prepared to talk honestly about what you are able to do in the short and long term to improve your dancing. Some dancers find that a regular check in with their mentor also helps them keep on schedule with achieving their goals.
Intensive training - Do you want to learn how to write your own choreography? Are you preparing to start teaching lessons? Do you have a competition coming up ? A private lesson with your teacher, or an expert is the time to stretch your skills or focus on new ones.
Performance critique - Every performance should be an improvement on your last. One of the most constructive ways to keep improving is to do a though critique of your performances. While its ideal if your private teacher can be in the audience to watch you live, a good quality video can also be used. If you want a performance critique, make sure you book your teacher before your performance, so they have the chance to see you live, or allocate time to watch your video.
If you are thinking about booking a private lesson - be that with me, or someone else, start by clarifying the reason for the lesson. Make a few notes and send a detailed request to your teacher. Make sure to give them all the info and tools they need to prepare for your lesson.
I teach privates or small group sessions in the studio for $100 an hour and I need a deposit a month in advance to book the space. On-line lessons, coffee shop chats and home studio visits are $50. Home studio visits are only open to regular students.
There are thousands more great tips about learning, setting goals and self critique in Chapter One of "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage". We took all our combined knowledge and shattered the illusions so that the belly dancers of the future can skip the potholes and move on their careers!
"Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage" is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers and its available now from Amazon:
"Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage" is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers and its available now from Amazon:
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer. She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching. |
Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” was published in 2014. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers of all styles and levels. Both are available on Amazon.
If you like this blog, go back to the blog page, for others you might like including:
Preparing a bio ahead of time!
3/23/2017
You are standing backstage, all dressed up, warmed up and ready to hit the stage, when the MC approaches and asks you how you would like to be introduced. Your mind goes blank ! "Erm, just say I am the belly dancer...." you reply. As they walk away you know what is about to happen. The MC will use one of the dreaded phrases everyone says about belly dancers: "Now we have something a bit different..." "Sara is going to do a super sexy dance for all you gentlemen..." "All the way from the mysterious Orient...." "Who is afraid of earthquakes?, because we are about to shake things up..." |
You never get a second chance at a first impression, and the MC just blew that for you. What you needed was a postcard with your bio, ready and prepared ahead of time. Here is my advice : Every time you burn a CD or set up a play list, add your bio to your bag or the CD case. Write it today, and update it annually, but keep it in your kit bag, ready for every performance.
What should you write ?
There are two essentials that you must add to every bio:
(You may prefer "Turkish belly dancer" or "Fusion belly dancer". If your audience is the general public, belly dancer will do. If your audience are mostly other belly dancers, add more details to your description such as "Sara Shrapnell is inspired by belly dancers of the golden age of Egyptian belly dance.")
"Sara Shrapnell is a belly dancer" is a little on the simple side. Yep, they got my name and why I am entering the stage, but I don't sound very exciting... As we have time right now, lets try and turn that intro into three or four fascinating sentences.
This is a good moment to focus on perfecting the "elevator pitch". Its a couple of sentences that tell others all about you or your project. Do you teach, love to perform, are you the youngest, oldest, world record holding, award winning or new in town? What makes you memorable or stand out from the crowd?
I like to use the triple threat "Writer, Teacher, Performer."
"Award winning" is always good, but remember, you should be able to back up all your claims. If you are "award winning", what is your award? Do you have the award at home? Can they google the competition ? If you hold a record, be prepared to share a link to the web site. Much better to pick a phrase that doesn't need proof, like "Enchanting", "Captivating" or "Beautiful". From a marketing point of view alliteration is always appealing (wink) - "Bella the Beautiful Belly Dancer!" Have a try and see what works best with your name.
Its always hard to write nice things about yourself. If you are having a problem with finding the right words, ask your teacher, classmates or fans for feedback. Do they think you are the queen of shimmies, or are they amazed by your back bends. Ask others to point out your strengths and see how you can work them into your bio.
Ask yourself what you want the audience to do, now they know who you are. Perhaps you want them to sign up to your classes, or come back to the venue next week. If you are at a belly dance event, do you want the audience to buy your book, visit you at your booth, attend your workshop....
"Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer. She is inspired by belly dancers of the golden age of Egyptian belly dance. Find her books on belly dance at her booth by the rest rooms."
"Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer. She is teaching a workshop later this afternoon on improvisation and adding emotion to your dance. You can sign up on the door for just $15."
"Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer. She has taught over 5,000 belly dance classes, and her new beginner course starts next Wednesday."
If you are in the business of belly dance, don't be afraid of a little self promotion!
There are two essentials that you must add to every bio:
- Who are you?
- Why are you here?
(You may prefer "Turkish belly dancer" or "Fusion belly dancer". If your audience is the general public, belly dancer will do. If your audience are mostly other belly dancers, add more details to your description such as "Sara Shrapnell is inspired by belly dancers of the golden age of Egyptian belly dance.")
"Sara Shrapnell is a belly dancer" is a little on the simple side. Yep, they got my name and why I am entering the stage, but I don't sound very exciting... As we have time right now, lets try and turn that intro into three or four fascinating sentences.
This is a good moment to focus on perfecting the "elevator pitch". Its a couple of sentences that tell others all about you or your project. Do you teach, love to perform, are you the youngest, oldest, world record holding, award winning or new in town? What makes you memorable or stand out from the crowd?
I like to use the triple threat "Writer, Teacher, Performer."
"Award winning" is always good, but remember, you should be able to back up all your claims. If you are "award winning", what is your award? Do you have the award at home? Can they google the competition ? If you hold a record, be prepared to share a link to the web site. Much better to pick a phrase that doesn't need proof, like "Enchanting", "Captivating" or "Beautiful". From a marketing point of view alliteration is always appealing (wink) - "Bella the Beautiful Belly Dancer!" Have a try and see what works best with your name.
Its always hard to write nice things about yourself. If you are having a problem with finding the right words, ask your teacher, classmates or fans for feedback. Do they think you are the queen of shimmies, or are they amazed by your back bends. Ask others to point out your strengths and see how you can work them into your bio.
Ask yourself what you want the audience to do, now they know who you are. Perhaps you want them to sign up to your classes, or come back to the venue next week. If you are at a belly dance event, do you want the audience to buy your book, visit you at your booth, attend your workshop....
"Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer. She is inspired by belly dancers of the golden age of Egyptian belly dance. Find her books on belly dance at her booth by the rest rooms."
"Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer. She is teaching a workshop later this afternoon on improvisation and adding emotion to your dance. You can sign up on the door for just $15."
"Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer. She has taught over 5,000 belly dance classes, and her new beginner course starts next Wednesday."
If you are in the business of belly dance, don't be afraid of a little self promotion!
Dawn Devine has a super tip: print out your bio on a sticky label. Then when you are at the event you can add your bio to whatever form or system the MC prefers. Sometimes its all postcards, othertimes they have a notebook. A sticky label works for everyone. Finally, to save time, keep a folder on your computer with all your bios - short ones for events, medium ones for programs and blogs, long ones for events and your own web site. When you have a request for a bio, you can simply update an old one, rather than start over. Biographies tell others about you, your skills and what to expect in the performance. Take a few moments now to create a bio that ticks all the boxes, and never leave it to the MC again ! Check out my medium bio below ! |
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer. She has taught more than 5,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching. Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” was published in 2014. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers of all styles and levels. Both are available on Amazon. Sara also teaches through the Belly Dance Business Academy. This online resource includes lessons, classes and workshops for belly dance professionals. Check out her most recent workshop "52 Lesson Plans - And How to Write 5,000 More." |
If you like this blog, go back to my blog page and check out some others like:
I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you)
Why Belly Dancers need to Walk the Line
Teaching Belly Dance: Making Corrections
Being Part of the Solution
Or these Hubposts:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you)
Why Belly Dancers need to Walk the Line
Teaching Belly Dance: Making Corrections
Being Part of the Solution
Or these Hubposts:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
That Moment When...
1/4/2017
If you regularly read my blog, you will know I have a love/hate relationship with publishing my work. I would much rather dance infront of 1,000 people, or teach a room full of strangers than share my writing. I mean, you have read my novel, right? Oh no, only about 20 people have ever read my novel, because I'm terrified of sharing it !! (It has rude bits!)
However, I do love writing. That feeling of loosing yourself for 5,6,7 hours as the words come tumbling out and the pages grow like knitting, forming themselves into ideas, concepts and dreams. Its addictive. For the last five years I have mostly written about belly dance, and so my two passions have collided. But the problem with writing all day, every day, is that at some point you have to share your words with the world. I am hugely blessed to have lots of great people in my life who can read and assess my writing. Poppy Maya (The Awesome Poppy Maya as she is known), is always ready to review the quality of my work. I can turn to Dawn Devine for resources, research and validation, plus she understands sentance structure and can turn my words from a C minus to an A plus. Alisha Westerfeld thinks in images, and helps bring my ideas to life, and I have a team of pro and not so pro editors who tidy up the chaos I produce.
This week has been a bit of a wake up. Firstly I had someone email me about a chapter in "Teaching Belly Dance". The message was "On page XX you say this, but do you really mean that?". I knew what advice I would give her, but I also had to go back and check that I was agreeing with myself. It was kind of surreal. "Becoming a Belly Dancer" has been for sale about a month now, and the Kickstarter backers are getting their copies. To begin with it was all about the "Cheesie pics", but now the reviews are coming in and people are starting to quote the book back at me..... Today it suddenly hit me: People are reading the words! This last year has been so focused on the editing, formatting, pictures and layout.... I sort of forgot about the words. The words are my way of sharing my love of belly dance with the world, and now they are out there, flying free like butterflies and landing all over the place. |
Excuse me if I blush and hide for a couple of days. I'll just be here, at the computer, for the next five hours.... writing something that people might someday read !
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer. She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching. Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” was published in 2014. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers of all styles and levels. Both are available on Amazon. |
If you like this blog, go back to my blog page and check out some others like:
I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you)
Why Belly Dancers need to Walk the Line
Teaching Belly Dance: Making Corrections
Being Part of the Solution
Or these Hubposts:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you)
Why Belly Dancers need to Walk the Line
Teaching Belly Dance: Making Corrections
Being Part of the Solution
Or these Hubposts:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
Counting my (Belly Dance) Blessings
12/28/2016
At this time of year I take a short break from belly dance. Its been two weeks since my last class, three since I performed, and I'm starting to miss my true dance love. I have been belly dancing for 25 years, full time for the last 17. I write about belly dance every day. I teach three times a week, and practice each week day. Most weekends I attend or perform at events. If you are reading this, you are probably the same. Belly dance is addictive and it attracts the most wonderful, caring, loving and interesting people to its world.
You may have noticed a little wave of negativity washing through these last few weeks. You can blame the stars, or the internet, Gen X or boredom, but its not how I see belly dance. Belly dance has been a huge blessing in my life and I would like to take a moment to count them. Feel free to join me, either in the comments below, or in your own blog or posting. Lets make the last few days of 2016 a wonderful moment of giving thanks to the dance that brought us together. In no particular order....
1, - Friends. I have thousands of "Friends" on FB, and many of them have turned into real friends. Every time I attend an event, I look out for people I know through FB and connect with them, so I can meet them in person. I never walk into a workshop without a familiar face, even if its on the other side of the world. I can have coffee, or a meal, with fascinating people, no matter where I am in the world. We always have something to talk about. Belly dance has also introduced me to people that I consider family. Half of my Christmas cards were sent, with love, to families that I would never have met if not for belly dance. As someone who lost her mother way too young, I am lucky to have a place to spend time with older ladies. I love to chat and spend time with ladies of my Mum's generation. Without belly dance I wouldn't have so many wise women in my life. Finally, having a wide range of friends has made me open to new ides and taught me about the world. Belly dancers cover the whole range of political views, the gender spectrum, all ages, classes, ethnicity and religions. I have belly dance friends who can share incites into their lives, and others who are simply happy to dance by my side. thank you belly dance friends, you are a blessing.
2, - Exercise. Belly dance has kept me fit for the last 25 years. It might not be the hardest workout, but it raises my heart rate, produces a "glow" and keeps me moving every day. Because I can dance for 5 minutes of 55 minutes, its easy to fit into the busiest routine. Touch wood, I have never had a serious injury through dance, but I have danced through injury. When I hurt my ankle, I was still "chair dancing" every day. At 47, I am at that age where my non belly dance friends are starting to drop out of sports and exercise due to injuries. Yet, we regularly see belly dancers in their 70's, 80's and 90's still taking to the stage. Thank you belly dance for being the perfect form of exercise. | Sweeping up before class - the "teacher warm up"! |
3, - Income. It might be taboo, but I am hugely grateful that belly dance has been my main form of income for 17 years. At first I taught multiple classes, and more recently, I make a living through selling my belly dance books. I feel hugely blessed that so many people value my time, energy and thoughts enough to spend their hard earned cash. Perhaps their class time is the best hour of their week, or snuggling up with one of my books is the highlight of their day. People also pay me for the on line lessons, workshops and mentoring. If you ever paid me for anything, I am truely thankful, and I hope you felt it was worth every penny!
4, - Family. Not many people know, but my Mum used to belly dance. Unfortunately she was very ill for a long time, but it gave us a common topic to discuss. When she could no longer dance she acted at MC at my events. My daughter is also a professional belly dance performer. When my children were younger, they attended lots of events, helped out with loading and unloading the venue, lighting, sound and hosting. I think it has influenced them all in different ways. Now they are older they help with tech support and marketing advice. I am very thankful that my job is a family business and that they can all get involved.
5, - Performances. I am not one of those people who only goes to shows if I have a performance slot. I love to see belly dance performances of all levels at any venue. If I have an evening at home you may well find me surfing YouTube to feed my addiction. I dont care what your style is, I just want to see good dancing, a pretty costume, some stage craft and an interpretation of the music. I flip between the golden age classics to art that scares or upsets me, I enjoy the folk dances, Tribal Fusion, and glamorous theater productions. I am lucky enough to live in the SF bay area, which means I can see a show (or five) every Saturday night. I am lucky that I get to pick and choose, dress up, meet friends, and see wonderful performances whenever I want.
6, - Music. Just as I love every kind of belly dance, so I love all the music that comes with it. I enjoy a great live band, or a single drummer. I am lucky enough that my music collection is now so big that I can play anything, anytime, to suit my mood, my dancing or my surounding. I would like to take a moment to thank those of you who have taken the time to record music for belly dancers, or to play at an event, or to teach a workshop about the depths and meanings of the classic tunes. Belly dance has given me the soundtrack to my life.
7, Confidence. For me, this goes beyond the confidence to walk onto a stage and present a dance that I have spent 10 months working on. There is a confidence that comes from being surounded by brave, bold, beautiful, strong and intelligent people. When you take part in a show and see others project the pain and upset of a recent break up into a performance, or see the lady who just lost her job suck it up and spread joy to the very back row, it emboldens you to put your shoulders back and believe that anything is possible. Knowing that others may like your work, also gives you the confidence to truely assess the critisims that always come with presenting art. When I see one of my books in the hands of a new reader, I still hope that they like it - we all want to be liked. But belly dance gave me the confidence to write those books, because I love it so much that I have studied it in depth, talked to experts and drawn my own conclusions. I am an expert. How is that for confidence !!
8, - Beauty. Without belly dance I would never had said that I was beautiful. That is really sad. I still have days when I dont like parts of my body, but they are very few and far between. When did it become acceptable for woman to be modest about their beauty? Belly dance has given me a body with lots of curves. It can shimmy and strut, slide and glide and sometimes it can even do some really complex foot patterns ! I have also learnt what colors suit me, how to wear my hair, I have some pro make up technique and, just in the last few years, I have learnt how to pose for the camera. I can turn heads just from excellent posture. Surrounding yourself with beautiful people, not only gives you the tools, it also helps you to see your inner beauty. The belly dance world is full of people who give unconditionally, love and share without expectation. Every week we set up in the changing room and see a dozen "normal" people blossom into stunningly beautiful creatures. Knowing you are beautiful is a powerful thing.
9, - Knowledge. I am lucky that I have had the time, energy and money to travel in order to take workshops from some of the greatest minds in belly dance. I am also very privileged to have met many wonderful belly dancers who have taken the time to talk to me, share their ideas, send me books, write me essays or simply ask me questions. I am not the scholarly type. I struggle to take notes and to find my references. Dance is a physical medium, we share our history, stories, hopes and desires through movement. I have collected that knowledge too.
10, - Students. I have been abundantly blessed with students. Back when I lived in the UK, I had a different class on every day of the week, and each of them had a totally different vibe. They were all filled with wonderful people, who chose to spend their precious spare time with me. Even when I had to move away, many of them chose to keep in touch, and they still share their videos, photos and dance journey with me. Now I live in the US, I have less classes, but more time to spend in preparing each of them. My US students have taught me all about America, and never laugh at my funny accent. I have been blessed with a troupe of ridiculously talented dancers, who let me challenge them with choreography that is way beyond my ability. They are committed, engaged and ambitious - which means they drive me to be the same.
When we love something as much as we all love belly dance, its easy to get passionate. Passion can build bridges, or it can tear them down. The world of belly dance is very small. We are not a rich, sucessful and popular industry. I think we are in a growing stage, and most of us would agree that we have to build our student bases, or audiences and our standards in order to make belly dance accessable to more people and keep dancers and teachers employed. We do that best by being welcoming, sharing knowledge, sharing students, sharing performance opportunties and praising the skills we see in others. I contributed to our last book "Becoming a Belly Dancer" for a very selfish reason - I want to see great belly dance in my retirement!
If you would like to add to my list of belly dance blessings, please feel free to add to the comments below, post on FB or write a blog of your own. - Sara x
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer. She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching. Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” was published in 2014. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers of all styles and levels. Both are available on Amazon. |
If you like this blog, go back to my blog page and check out some others like:
Teacher Knows Best
Dealing with Difficult Students
I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you)
Why Belly Dancers need to Walk the Line
Teaching Belly Dance: Making Corrections
Being Part of the Solution
Or check out my Hub Blogs including:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
Teacher Knows Best
Dealing with Difficult Students
I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you)
Why Belly Dancers need to Walk the Line
Teaching Belly Dance: Making Corrections
Being Part of the Solution
Or check out my Hub Blogs including:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
Holiday music for class
12/11/2016
AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, we all want to do something to celebrate the holiday season. One of the easiest things you can do to get your class into the festive spirit is to mix in some festive music to your lesson plan. I've saved you from hours of surfing, by finding my top danceable, festive tunes. Enjoy !
1, Rocking around the Christmas tree. Perfect for a warm up and to get your class off to a festive start. Give me some "step tap" with lots of layers! | |
| 2, Let it snow. Who can resist the voice of Dean Martin? Perfect for some non traditional snake arms or figure 8s! or how about a short repeating combo ? |
3, Last Christmas. If anything says December in the UK in 1980 something its "Last Christmas". Did you love George or the other one? (Andrew - don't say you'd forgotten!) This tune has everything, a nice beat for hip drops, an emotional melody for showing off your acting skills. Who could want anything more ? And it has to be Wham - dont fall for Taylor Swifts charms... | |
| 4, Merry Christmas Baby. If you want something a bit more Ooooey, Goooey for you class, I suggest this Otis Redding classic. You still have a regular beat, and those sleigh bells, so its also perfect for layering and interpretation, but let your liquid moves shine through. |
5, Walking in a Winter Wonderland. Its time for something a little more "rockin". While rockin might not be your first thought when you think of Walking in a Winter Wonderland, I would like you to consider dancing to Selena Gomez's version. I can see some great fusion happening - even if it kind of sounds like she hired a group of 14 year olds to play for her... | |
| 6, Santa Baby. If there is one number that is just crying out to be performed by your belly dance class, it has to be this classic by Eartha Kitt. Not even Santa could resist ! |
7, Sleigh Ride. If your students arn't the Santa Baby types, why not consider the Karmin version of Sleigh Ride? It has a great slow beat that would be super easy to dance to, making it perfect for a beginners class, or a group who struggle to improvise. I love that sax and sleigh bell mix ! | |
| 8, Merry Christmas Everyone. Get ready to shimmy.... Beloved in the UK, but not well known in the USA, this song is the ultimate feel good tune to shake your coin belt. Just excuse the terribly awkward video... |
9, All I want for Christmas. It wouldn't be a Christmas list without the ultimate sing along tune. This number is perfect for keeping a class full of belly dancers smiling during those boring footwork drills. I picked the Mariah Carey version over Fifth Harmony (hello 2104!), and the Love Actually videos. No one can hit those notes like Mariah, but we can all dream ! Oh and who can see her costume turning into an amazing bedlah... | |
| 10, Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Personally I love the Bruce Springsteen version for my Christmas mix tape, but the Pentatonix version is much better for belly dance, with its unexpected layering to the well known tune. |
11, Silent Night. I have purposely lent towards silly pop songs so far, but you should also consider some of the wonderful covers done by Middle Eastern and fusion musicians. I particularly like this version of Silent Night by Brothers of the Baladi. It breaks my "non religious rule", so I personally would not use it in class, but you might feel that it would be well received by your students. | |
| 12, Finally, consider searching for your favorite Christmas tune in Arabic. There are plenty available, although most are just a simple translation and dont have any more belly dance soul than the original versions (zero!). However, some of them, like this one, include the lyrics - which are great for those of us who are trying to improve our Arabic skills. |
Thank you for reading this blog - wishing you and yours a very Happy Holidays !
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer. She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching. Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” was published in 2014. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is a stagecraft handbook for belly dancers of all styles and levels. Both are available on Amazon. |
If you like this blog, go back to my blog page and check out some others like:
Teacher Knows Best
Dealing with Difficult Students
I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you)
Why Belly Dancers need to Walk the Line
Teaching Belly Dance: Making Corrections
Being Part of the Solution
Or check out my Hub Blogs including:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
Teacher Knows Best
Dealing with Difficult Students
I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you)
Why Belly Dancers need to Walk the Line
Teaching Belly Dance: Making Corrections
Being Part of the Solution
Or check out my Hub Blogs including:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
Belly Dance Shopping Mall !
11/26/2016
Updated and edited 10/25/18
This blog post started life as a Facebook post that got too big to handle ! I started listing my favorite small business' that serve the belly dance community and the list just grew and grew ! It feels like its time to set up a virtual shopping mall where we can find all our favorite stores in one place. I have only included business' that I have used and products that I love. My FB friends sent me lots of other recommendations, and once I have made a purchase with them, I will consider adding them here.
Check out Rebecca Wolf-Nail's murder, mystery belly dance novels. She mixes humor with the drama of the belly dance world. | Saroyan Mastercrafts - home of the best finger cymbals. From your first practice pair, to professional level zills, this web site has something for everyone. |
Dawn Devine has a huge range of wonderful books available on Amazon. Check out the full range here:
I am honored to be one of the many amazing teachers who work with the Belly Dance Business Academy to provide on line lessons and workshops for those in the Belly Dance business. Check out their full list of offerings. I am planning to offer more courses in the new year, focusing on supporting belly dance teachers, but the organization covers all kinds of topics for belly dancers. You can buy them one at a time or sign up to a monthly subscription. Some of them are even free ! |
There are three big on-line belly dance stores that I regularly shop, Dahlal, Miss BellyDance and BellyDance.com. Between them they cover almost all a belly dancer could desire !
Bold Oracle do some really pretty costuming, but personally I am totally in love with all their hair flowers. Every one of them is a tiny peice of art ! |
DVDs and videos ! - There are way too many to mention, but these are the ones that I have LOVED this year :
- Full on with 3/4 shimmies by Mahin
- Delicious Pauses by Rosa Noreen
- Belly Dance Travel Steps by Autumn Ward
- BellyDance Artistry by Tempest
For a stunningly beautiful gown with wonderful style, fit and elegance, look no further than Fearless Glamour ! Work with Saqra to pick out fabric, neckline, straps and skirt shape for your dream dress ! |
Finally ! - I would like to offer you a flick through my latest book "Becoming A Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage" written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya. Simply use the arrow to flick through a few of the 400 plus pages. Becoming a Belly Dancer is the stagecraft handbook for belly dancers and is available now on Amazon. Check out the reviews - it makes the perfect gift for the belly dancers of all styles !
Want more shopping ideas ? Check out these blog posts on other pages:
If you like this blog, go back to my blog page and check out some others like:
Teacher Knows Best
Dealing with Difficult Students
I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you)
Teacher Knows Best
Dealing with Difficult Students
I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you)
Packed and Ready to Go !
7/6/2016
While I might not be performing as much as I once did, I am still in the habit of keeping a case packed and ready to go at a moments notice. Partly its a storage solution - why unpack and store my performance kit,when I can store it in the suitcase? But it is also a matter of being ready to perform should the need arise.
So what is packed in my bag? I start out by dividing it into two shoe boxes. The first one will hold whatever costume I am planning to wear, and the second holds my "kits". I use small purses, draw-string bags and even zip lock plastic bags to hold my kits - I have a small sewing kit, a "touch up" make up kit, a cords and chargers kit, a back up jewelry kit, a hair care kit and a toiletries kit. By storing them all in a shoe box I can find them quickly, but also throw the odd item into the box as I am packing up and know I will be able to find it again later.
Where possible I try to put together my kits with spares and sample sizes. My make up kit is really only for last minute touch ups, as I prefer to put on full stage make up at home. As I run short of a product in my "at home" make up kit, I purchase a new one, move the almost empty one into my performance kit bag, and bin its predecessor, which is probably ready to expire. I keep jewelry that matches my costume in the box with that costume, but I also keep a back up set in my suitcase. My back up jewelry kits are light weight, cheap and a mix of gold and silver. Sometimes the jewelry that matches my costumes looks a little sparse, or a clasp might go as I am walking onto the stage. This back up jewelry kit is there to fill in the gaps.
In addition I always have a neutral veil - that is, one that goes with all of my costumes. In the world of belly dance we can count rainbows and animal prints as neutrals in addition to white,black, gold and silver. I also pack a cover up, shoes and a second costume. My second costume is usually a dress in a fabulous fabric - I want something that will pack up small and goes with my dance style, just in case someone else arrives with a similar costume to my favorite, I spill food down myself or bust a seam.
I use the front pocket of my suitcase to store business cards, flyers, copies of my bio and spare CDs. Those are all things that organizers ask for as you walk in the door, and I don't want to have to open up my suitcase in the lobby to find them !
After an event I remove my costume from the suitcase to air and refresh in the sunshine. I might replace it with a different costume, or pack it back into the suitcase at the end of the day. I open up my kit box, make sure everything is put away, and make a list to replace or repair. Finally I label the music CDs so that I know what is on them, should I want to use them for an impromptu performance in the future. While "Rakkasah 2016" might make sense to me now, in the future "Raks Musri, veil, opening 2.30 - Tabla solo, long shimmy, 3.30 - Sunshine, upbeat fun to join in, 3.30 - total 9.30 burnt as one track" is a gift to the future me, who is rushing to find a fun set under ten minutes.
Finally, one golden rule for me is that my suitcase should always be light enough for me to carry. At my age, I can't afford to hurt myself taking my suitcase in and out of a venue.
I recently applied to perform at an all day event, but I missed out on getting a performances slot. As I left the house to go and see the show I put my kit bag in the trunk "just in case". Mid morning one of the performers rang the hostess to say she couldn't make it, and suddenly I had a performance slot ! I sat in the car and topped up my make up from my make up kit bag, added my "back up" jewelry, selected a CD from the pocket and got my chance to shine on stage. Last minute performances like that have the added bonus of no pre-gig nerves!
So next time you are unpacking your bags after a gig, ask yourself, could you be using the opportunity to set up your bag for your next performance?
So what is packed in my bag? I start out by dividing it into two shoe boxes. The first one will hold whatever costume I am planning to wear, and the second holds my "kits". I use small purses, draw-string bags and even zip lock plastic bags to hold my kits - I have a small sewing kit, a "touch up" make up kit, a cords and chargers kit, a back up jewelry kit, a hair care kit and a toiletries kit. By storing them all in a shoe box I can find them quickly, but also throw the odd item into the box as I am packing up and know I will be able to find it again later.
Where possible I try to put together my kits with spares and sample sizes. My make up kit is really only for last minute touch ups, as I prefer to put on full stage make up at home. As I run short of a product in my "at home" make up kit, I purchase a new one, move the almost empty one into my performance kit bag, and bin its predecessor, which is probably ready to expire. I keep jewelry that matches my costume in the box with that costume, but I also keep a back up set in my suitcase. My back up jewelry kits are light weight, cheap and a mix of gold and silver. Sometimes the jewelry that matches my costumes looks a little sparse, or a clasp might go as I am walking onto the stage. This back up jewelry kit is there to fill in the gaps.
In addition I always have a neutral veil - that is, one that goes with all of my costumes. In the world of belly dance we can count rainbows and animal prints as neutrals in addition to white,black, gold and silver. I also pack a cover up, shoes and a second costume. My second costume is usually a dress in a fabulous fabric - I want something that will pack up small and goes with my dance style, just in case someone else arrives with a similar costume to my favorite, I spill food down myself or bust a seam.
I use the front pocket of my suitcase to store business cards, flyers, copies of my bio and spare CDs. Those are all things that organizers ask for as you walk in the door, and I don't want to have to open up my suitcase in the lobby to find them !
After an event I remove my costume from the suitcase to air and refresh in the sunshine. I might replace it with a different costume, or pack it back into the suitcase at the end of the day. I open up my kit box, make sure everything is put away, and make a list to replace or repair. Finally I label the music CDs so that I know what is on them, should I want to use them for an impromptu performance in the future. While "Rakkasah 2016" might make sense to me now, in the future "Raks Musri, veil, opening 2.30 - Tabla solo, long shimmy, 3.30 - Sunshine, upbeat fun to join in, 3.30 - total 9.30 burnt as one track" is a gift to the future me, who is rushing to find a fun set under ten minutes.
Finally, one golden rule for me is that my suitcase should always be light enough for me to carry. At my age, I can't afford to hurt myself taking my suitcase in and out of a venue.
I recently applied to perform at an all day event, but I missed out on getting a performances slot. As I left the house to go and see the show I put my kit bag in the trunk "just in case". Mid morning one of the performers rang the hostess to say she couldn't make it, and suddenly I had a performance slot ! I sat in the car and topped up my make up from my make up kit bag, added my "back up" jewelry, selected a CD from the pocket and got my chance to shine on stage. Last minute performances like that have the added bonus of no pre-gig nerves!
So next time you are unpacking your bags after a gig, ask yourself, could you be using the opportunity to set up your bag for your next performance?
If you like this blog, go back to the blog page, for others you might like including: Or check out these Hub Blogs including: "Your First Belly Dance Workshop" The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance" "Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher" | My current favorite back up costume is this crazy pink and orange animal print costume by Poppy Maya. The fabric is really forgiving of live in a suitcase, it packs up small and goes with every dance style ! |
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer.
She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide and on-line via the Belly Dance Business Academy. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching.
Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” is available on Amazon. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is available in 2016 .
Teaching Belly Dance: Making Corrections
6/14/2016
Updated 12/13/16
One of the hardest parts of teaching belly dance is knowing when and how to make corrections. Too many corrections and the students will loose heart. Too few, and your class may have an unrealistic view of how good they are. The very best teachers are those who can mix critique with praise to the perfect balance and motivate each dancer to do their best. |
First lets start with a little truth: a correction is only worth mentioning, if the improvement can be made. When faced with a total beginner, who has been asked to perform a figure 8, the teacher will see dozens of problems:
|
This list could go on and on, but if the teacher points each of these issues out to the beginner student, he or she will become overwhelmed and unable to make any improvements. Instead the teacher must take her time and improve the dancers movements one step at a time.
Where to start ? Firstly, make sure you have talked to each student about their existing fitness and injuries. If they have a problem with any part of their body, be sure to encourage safe posture in that area first. Cover posture at the start of every lesson, and focus your initial corrections on postural problems. If their whole posture is off, and they don't complain of a particular issue, I tend to start with hips, back and shoulders.
Make it your mission in life to observe posture. Watch people walk, stand, sit and dance. Look for clues to pain, such as favoring one leg, or a dip of the shoulders. Understand how our muscles and skeleton work together to make belly dance movements. When observing your students, first look at them from a distance, watch their whole body movements. Then walk closer to them, so you can see the mechanics in action and observe the root of problems.
I like to offer up personal corrections only when I am standing close enough that the other students can not hear. Usually I will set up an exercise and then walk the room, observing and critiquing each dancer in turn. One correction per exercise is usually enough, unless their posture is particularly bad. I use the "critique sandwich" technique: that is I place my correction between two positive statements, such as:
"I see you have been practicing! Watch that you don't roll onto the outside of your right foot, keep your weight centered and strong. Your arms are looking much better this week."
This kind of correction is easy for the dancer to focus on and usually the correction can be made within a few moments. If you feel that your whole group has a problem, or that an issue needs to be addressed, wait until after the exercise and aim your critique at the whole group, like this:
"I noticed that lots of you were having trouble with the weight shift. Make sure that you are passing your weight through your center, and only pushing out as far as you are comfortable. If you feel like your weight is on the outer edge of your foot, or if you start to feel pressure in your ankles, shrink your hip move, so that it is putting less strain on your lower body."
Where to start ? Firstly, make sure you have talked to each student about their existing fitness and injuries. If they have a problem with any part of their body, be sure to encourage safe posture in that area first. Cover posture at the start of every lesson, and focus your initial corrections on postural problems. If their whole posture is off, and they don't complain of a particular issue, I tend to start with hips, back and shoulders.
Make it your mission in life to observe posture. Watch people walk, stand, sit and dance. Look for clues to pain, such as favoring one leg, or a dip of the shoulders. Understand how our muscles and skeleton work together to make belly dance movements. When observing your students, first look at them from a distance, watch their whole body movements. Then walk closer to them, so you can see the mechanics in action and observe the root of problems.
I like to offer up personal corrections only when I am standing close enough that the other students can not hear. Usually I will set up an exercise and then walk the room, observing and critiquing each dancer in turn. One correction per exercise is usually enough, unless their posture is particularly bad. I use the "critique sandwich" technique: that is I place my correction between two positive statements, such as:
"I see you have been practicing! Watch that you don't roll onto the outside of your right foot, keep your weight centered and strong. Your arms are looking much better this week."
This kind of correction is easy for the dancer to focus on and usually the correction can be made within a few moments. If you feel that your whole group has a problem, or that an issue needs to be addressed, wait until after the exercise and aim your critique at the whole group, like this:
"I noticed that lots of you were having trouble with the weight shift. Make sure that you are passing your weight through your center, and only pushing out as far as you are comfortable. If you feel like your weight is on the outer edge of your foot, or if you start to feel pressure in your ankles, shrink your hip move, so that it is putting less strain on your lower body."
Returning to each dancer later in the lesson, its easy to see if the correction has been taken or needs to be re-enforced. If an improvement can be seen, you can praise the student for taking the note, add the next correction, and then praise them again. Thus they are reminded of a previous note, and how they improved. Most students will make four or five corrections per lesson. Once your student has perfect posture, then you can work on other improvements. You may feel they need to focus on the size of their moves, or the flow. Maybe you like to see perfect arms, or beautiful smiles from your students. Where you focus your attention is up to you, and greatly impacts the kind of dancers you will produce. |
While you shouldn't under estimate your students, it is also worth remembering that some of them will be unable to perform some moves that you can do. Give your students achievable goals and cheer them on to the finish line. Most belly dance students come to class for fun, and while corrections are not a whole lot of fun, improving is the best feeling in the world. Make sure every correction is a step forward that they can take towards being a better dancer.
Gradual, achievable corrections, given regularly and mixed in with praise, will help your students improve their dance skills and make your job as a belly dance teacher so much easie
Gradual, achievable corrections, given regularly and mixed in with praise, will help your students improve their dance skills and make your job as a belly dance teacher so much easie
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer. She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide and on-line via the Belly Dance Business Academy. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching. Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” came out in 2014. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, was published last month. Both are available on Amazon |
If you like this blog, go back to the blog page, for others you might like including:
Or check out these Hub Blogs including:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
Belly Dance Discount Season
5/27/2016
This weekend, many of the big belly dance stores have a sale on. Here is my round up of what is available, the discount codes and some of their best buys. I have only included companies that I have used and would use again. These are my personal opinions, and discounts were available as of the time that this blog was posted. We all shop on an understanding of "buyer beware'. If you know of another sale happening, then please feel free to share in the comments below:
ISIS EXCHANGE - Isis is a costume company from Florida. They cover the full range of costuming from $10 coin belts to custom sets of bra, belt, skirt and veil. I particularly like their entry level bras, which are around $50, come in a range of sizes and suit both Tribal and Glam dancers. They are one of the best places to get the lacy look that is so hot just now. Of course I am in love with the bright pink lace, but they have something for everything. In addition to their 20% off deal for this weekend they have free shipping to the US and Canada on orders over $99. Check out their web site here:
DAHLAL INTERNATIONALE - Dahlal is one of my personal favorite places to shop. We found our last troupe costume through Dahlal and get so many compliments! They specialize in the very top end designer costumes like Eman Zaki, but also stock the full range of separated, sets and belts. Their look is Glam, but there is something for everyone. I am a huge fan of their "Off The Nile" range, which covers top end class wear and comfortable performance pieces. Its perfect for those of us who travel a lot to dance, because you can create a mix and match wardrobe that will take you from teaching a workshop to performing on the stage, with pieces that will pack into hand luggage. They have a $5 off code (spend over $25) : MYWAY5 - and a $20 off code (spend over $100): MYWAY20
MISS BELLY DANCE - Missbellydance.com is the top shopping stop for us "plus" belly dancers. Their range of plus sized costumes is second to none and covers the range from classwear to troupe costumes. I like to send my beginner dancers to Miss Belly Dance, as its the perfect place to create a belly dance wardrobe on a budget. Check out their stunning 25 yard skirts in cool spring colors and a wide range of patterns. Our troupe invested in one of their fabulous trouser suits a couple of years ago. Miss Belly Dance has a code for 12% when you spend $75 or more : memorial2016
TEACHING BELLY DANCE - Of course I should add my own products... If you go to the store page of this web site you will see my book "Teaching Belly Dance' for just $24.50. That is a saving of over 15%! Amazon sales fluctuate through the weekend but they currently have it for $26.74. Check in over the weekend to see if they drop the price further. If you already have my book, why not add a review or pass on the link to a teacher or talented dancer that may start teaching in the next few months.
If you like this blog, go back to the blog page, for others you might like including:
Being Part of the Solution
Dealing with Difficult Students
I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you)
Or check out these Hub Blogs including:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer.
She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide and on-line via the Belly Dance Business Academy. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching.
Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” is available on Amazon. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is available in 2016 .
Sara's Mailing List
Being Part of the Solution
Dealing with Difficult Students
I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you)
Or check out these Hub Blogs including:
"Your First Belly Dance Workshop"
The Top Ten Belly Dance Tunes for Performance"
"Finding a Great Belly Dance Teacher"
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer.
She has taught more than 4,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide and on-line via the Belly Dance Business Academy. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching.
Sara’s first book “Teaching Belly Dance” is available on Amazon. Her second "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya, is available in 2016 .
Sara's Mailing List
Being Part of the Solution
5/16/2016
Updated 4/22/19
Lets start with a little bit of negativity for a change : belly dancers moan. They moan about the lack of good teachers, the lack of good students, about gigs, no gigs, cheap gigs, they moan about changing rooms, running orders, costume prices, musicians and dirty floors. I am pretty sure its not a belly dancer thing - everyone moans. I bet the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker all do just as much moaning. Belly dancers want to see better belly dance, done to a professional level at professional venues for professional pay - but most don't know how to make that dream a reality.
We have some other issues in the belly dance "industry" that we struggle to deal with that increase the problem:
We have some other issues in the belly dance "industry" that we struggle to deal with that increase the problem:
- We have the "nice factor", where most of us believe that everyone should be allowed to belly dance and that all art is valuable. No one wants the be the one who spoils the enjoyment of the majority of belly dancers who are hobbyists looking for something fun to do at the weekend.
- We have a respect for our elders, even when they are not our betters. In fact we tend to have a seesaw of skills in our industry - young dancers have the energy, then they develop skills..... as they hit their 30's and 40's their stagecraft improves but their energy drops.... and then the 50's and 60's is a time when the passion, storytelling and emotion is growing, but the technique and skills are fading.... Of course not everyone follows this seesaw, but many of us wish we could have the energy of a 19 year old and the wisdom of someone in their 70's. Every "age" of belly dancer values a slightly different set of skills, and can become jealous of the skills they see in others. Older dancers, and those who have been in the industry for many years, set the tone and expected norms for younger dancers coming in. If they have always eaten fried chicken in the changing rooms, new dancers are expected to accept grease stains on their costumes as a badge of honor.
- We are a young industry. While there have been belly dancers in the USA since the days of Vaudeville, it is still a "Clan" society. Many dancers only mix with dancers within their own city or dance style and will exclude and undervalue "outsiders" from discussions. If we want to raise the standards within the belly dance world, we have to pull everyone together and learn to work towards common aims.
- We have a money loop. There is very little money coming into our industry, but plenty moving around in the loop. What is the money loop ? - Dancer A buys a lesson from Dancer B, who buys a costume from Dancer C, who pays to see a show by Dancer D, who goes to a workshop by Dancer E, who buys a CD from Dancer A - and so the same $20 travels around the business of belly dance and everyone gets what they want, as long as they don't want to get rich.
When I first heard about the Belly Dance Business Academy I saw a parallel in our aims. The BDBA wants to provide tools for those in the business of belly dance to help them make the most of their skills and talents. They want to take the best practice and share it with others, provide motivation, support and practical advice to help teachers, event organizers and touring artists. I was hugely honored to be asked to join their teaching team.
The first class I produced for them is already live ' Event Hosts: Setting up expectations of changing room ethics" - its a free class and includes the flyer that I put up at events to explain the "rules" that I expect. Something as simple as putting up changing room rules can help prevent event drama and elevate the standards of expected behavior in a community.
I see The Belly Dance Business Academy as the perfect way for me to reach a wider world of belly dancers and continue with my passion - helping others to enjoy belly dance !
The first class I produced for them is already live ' Event Hosts: Setting up expectations of changing room ethics" - its a free class and includes the flyer that I put up at events to explain the "rules" that I expect. Something as simple as putting up changing room rules can help prevent event drama and elevate the standards of expected behavior in a community.
I see The Belly Dance Business Academy as the perfect way for me to reach a wider world of belly dancers and continue with my passion - helping others to enjoy belly dance !
Finally, here are a few ideas on how to be a positive force in the belly dance industry:
Thank you for listening to my "moan". With a little positivity and a whole lot of working together we can enjoy watching our industry continue to go from strength to strength.
- Be upbeat, friendly and positive in all that you do. Smile at everyone, thank everyone, support everyone. Remember that there is a difference between being a nice person and being part of the "nice factor" problem. If you build a reputation as a person who is invested in the business of belly dance, others will take your suggestions about improvements as helpful hints.
- When you wear a "leader" badge, do so with pride. If you are a teacher, event host, blogger or touring artist, step up to that leadership role and don't be afraid to set up expectations and boundaries.
- Mix with dancers who are outside your "clan". Even if you can't attend the big events, follow the blogs, webinars, podcasts, buy books and magazines. Make friends with strangers and be open to new ideas.
- Promote others to help them make money. Even if you can't go to an event or afford the class/DVD/book... promote it to your class mates and social media contacts. If there is a fun show happening, ask around to see if any of your friends and family would like to join you. You don't have to be a full time sales person for belly dance Inc - but be aware of the money loop and help support your local and not so local community.
- Finally, every time you feel that moan coming on, be that in person or on social media, think about how you can turn it around into a positive call to action. Not enough students in your class? - Can you do a promotion, post a cool photo, ask your students to hand out flyers ? Whatever your problem, there is always a solution, we just have to look for them.
Thank you for listening to my "moan". With a little positivity and a whole lot of working together we can enjoy watching our industry continue to go from strength to strength.
Full disclosure - since writing this blog post Sara has become a co-owner of the Belly Dance Business Academy.
If you like this blog, go back to the blog page, for others you might like including:
Being Part of the Solution
I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you)
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer.
She has taught more than 5,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide and on-line via the Belly Dance Business Academy. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching.
Sara has written two books: “Teaching Belly Dance” "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya. Both are available through Amazon.
- 10 Simple Steps to Writing a Choreography
- The History of Belly Dance - Where to Start
- Preparing a Bio Ahead of Time
Being Part of the Solution
I'm Perfect for Belly Dance (and so are you)
Sara Shrapnell is a belly dance writer, teacher and performer.
She has taught more than 5,000 belly dance classes, both in the UK and US. She now teaches in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore in the SF bay area, as well as workshops world wide and on-line via the Belly Dance Business Academy. Her classes are known for their humor, detailed breakdowns and cultural context. Students who have studied with Sara have gone on to teach and perform in all styles of belly dance and many have made their living through performance or teaching.
Sara has written two books: “Teaching Belly Dance” "Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage", co- written with Dawn Devine, Alisha Westerfeld and Poppy Maya. Both are available through Amazon.
Feeling Naked
4/26/2016
Hello -
So hopefully that got your attention !
I've had this site for a few years now, but I have been finding it hard to write about writing. Four or five times I have logged on, stated typing and then my post has turned into a dance post. Somehow I think its easier to talk about my dance rather than my writing. Maybe cos I have been dancing for 24 years or maybe its because my mission in life is to share dance with others.
I know some of you have been following the course of my third book for the last two years...random Tweets and FB posts with number counts and other frustrations.
Writing is actually hard. No one tells you that. People say "I'd like to write a book" and now I look at those people just the same as the people who say "I have a belly" when you tell them you belly dance. There is only one way to write a book. You have to sit in front of the keyboard and write stuff. Lots of stuff. Almost every day. And spend every other hour thinking of stuff to write. Then you get to read your stuff and its rubbish so you bin it and start again. Every month you have to spell check. You may notice spelling is not my thing - oh and I grew up spelling in English and now write in American (You don't think its a big deal until you try and translate). And spell checking and formatting is boring. And you discover you start every sentence with And. And you get to the point where you cant spell. Or construct a sentence. Or anything.
So, what many people don't know is that I have a novel that I am sitting on. Every year I read it, make some changes and then put it away to work on more dance writing. My first few readers (friends and family) have told me to keep on it, that it is nearly ready, that it could be good. But I'm not ready to share with the wider world. Its not perfect. It is too raw and too close to me.
When I first started dancing I was very self conscious. I couldn't stand dancing in front of others, their eyes on me, watching the bounce of fat or the ugly dance moves. I took a course in "Stripping without the stripping" from the famous Jo King. It changed my life. I understood what others see when they look at me. How I move and flow. I also saw how lucky I was to get to wear a costume, no matter how tiny. Jo can ( and does) control a whole room of drunken men even when naked, she reads who is getting out of hand and who to focus on to get the others on her side. And if she can do it, so can I. When I dance I know that I own the room, that my movements are beautiful and that I am elegant and sensual and admired.
People who have read my books say that they hear it with my voice. I guess that is no surprise. While my novel is a work of fiction it is also a glance into my inner dreams, hopes and fantasies. And yes it has rude bits. I didn't write it for others to read. I wrote it because the story kept getting bigger and bigger and I wanted to know the end. I fell in love with the characters and I wanted to know more about them. I wanted to follow them down the street and ask them why they did what they did, why they loved the unlovable or slept with the wrong people. I wanted to watch them drink coffee. But its not a book unless others read it. Its not a story unless its told. Just in the same way as I put a lot of emotion into my dancing, but its not a performance unless someone is watching. And so at some point other people will have to read my novel. Every now and then I remember this, pull my jumper up over my head and blush.
So hopefully that got your attention !
I've had this site for a few years now, but I have been finding it hard to write about writing. Four or five times I have logged on, stated typing and then my post has turned into a dance post. Somehow I think its easier to talk about my dance rather than my writing. Maybe cos I have been dancing for 24 years or maybe its because my mission in life is to share dance with others.
I know some of you have been following the course of my third book for the last two years...random Tweets and FB posts with number counts and other frustrations.
Writing is actually hard. No one tells you that. People say "I'd like to write a book" and now I look at those people just the same as the people who say "I have a belly" when you tell them you belly dance. There is only one way to write a book. You have to sit in front of the keyboard and write stuff. Lots of stuff. Almost every day. And spend every other hour thinking of stuff to write. Then you get to read your stuff and its rubbish so you bin it and start again. Every month you have to spell check. You may notice spelling is not my thing - oh and I grew up spelling in English and now write in American (You don't think its a big deal until you try and translate). And spell checking and formatting is boring. And you discover you start every sentence with And. And you get to the point where you cant spell. Or construct a sentence. Or anything.
So, what many people don't know is that I have a novel that I am sitting on. Every year I read it, make some changes and then put it away to work on more dance writing. My first few readers (friends and family) have told me to keep on it, that it is nearly ready, that it could be good. But I'm not ready to share with the wider world. Its not perfect. It is too raw and too close to me.
When I first started dancing I was very self conscious. I couldn't stand dancing in front of others, their eyes on me, watching the bounce of fat or the ugly dance moves. I took a course in "Stripping without the stripping" from the famous Jo King. It changed my life. I understood what others see when they look at me. How I move and flow. I also saw how lucky I was to get to wear a costume, no matter how tiny. Jo can ( and does) control a whole room of drunken men even when naked, she reads who is getting out of hand and who to focus on to get the others on her side. And if she can do it, so can I. When I dance I know that I own the room, that my movements are beautiful and that I am elegant and sensual and admired.
People who have read my books say that they hear it with my voice. I guess that is no surprise. While my novel is a work of fiction it is also a glance into my inner dreams, hopes and fantasies. And yes it has rude bits. I didn't write it for others to read. I wrote it because the story kept getting bigger and bigger and I wanted to know the end. I fell in love with the characters and I wanted to know more about them. I wanted to follow them down the street and ask them why they did what they did, why they loved the unlovable or slept with the wrong people. I wanted to watch them drink coffee. But its not a book unless others read it. Its not a story unless its told. Just in the same way as I put a lot of emotion into my dancing, but its not a performance unless someone is watching. And so at some point other people will have to read my novel. Every now and then I remember this, pull my jumper up over my head and blush.
Author
Categories
All
Becoming A Belly Dancer
Belly Dance
Belly Dance Problems
Books
Christmas
Costumes
Facebook
Hints And Tips
Holidays
Music
Performing
Photography
Shopping
Teachers
Teaching
Teaching Belly Dance
Workshops
Archives
March 2023
December 2022
October 2022
January 2022
November 2021
June 2021
January 2021
December 2020
March 2020
April 2019
October 2018
February 2018
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
March 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
July 2015
March 2015
January 2015
May 2014
March 2014
RSS feed works with feedly.com or theoldreader.com
Proudly powered by Weebly