Dreams of Dance Show and Workshops!

If you haven't already heard the Jewels is putting on a fantastic show Friday, April 8th at the Carmel Mountain Ranch Country Club in San Diego to showcase the amazing talents of Sumra of Utah and Nadege of Washington state!  It is going to be great with local dancing by Tara, Vilia, Talia & the Jewels, Nahira and lots more plus tons of live drumming!!  Tickets are now on sale!!  $15 in advance/$20 at the door  509-475-0683 or taliamedance@yahoo.com for more info.

The workshops will be held in Encinitas, CA at Dance North County on Saturday, April 9th.  Each one is two hours long.  Nadege will start with a double-veil workshop for all levels of dancers.  Nadege has a great talent for braking down the movements in simple easy to understand form.  Sumra will be teaching a sassy sexy 1960's retro choreography to a George Abdo song!  It is going to be so much fun!  This workshop it geared more toward the intermediate level dancer.  You can sign up now for both workshops for only $60.00, this is a advanced sale option only!  It is $35.00 for one or $40.00 at the door.  Don't miss these great workshops that will surely enhance your performance and technique in many ways! 

Video Review of: Cassandra’s Conditioning Class

Anyone who knows me knows I am a huge Cassandra Shore fan. For years now I have been studying with her and now structure my own classes after her teaching syllabus. One thing I have always enjoyed about her classes is Cassandra’s detail to body awareness & conditioning for dancers, so imagine my excitement when she finally released her Conditioning Class DVD.
The video was produced by Turquoise International and includes 2 volumes running 85 minutes long. Cassandra talks in the beginning of the series about the importance of keeping the body in shape for performing, to prevent injury, as well as to extend the length of your dance career. Both volumes include work for the whole body: feet, legs, spine, back, abdominals, hips, thighs, gluteus, upper body, and general stretches.
Volume 1 is on Foundational Techniques. It has a series of warm-ups, strengthening exercises and stretches. Cassandra takes the time to explain each movement in detail so you, the viewer, can correct yourself. She also provides great depth into body awareness and breathing. You will learn how to better relax your body to get more out of each exercise. Cassandra made these DVDs with teachers in mind. She openly tells viewers to incorporate these techniques into their own classes and/or to use them when preparing themselves before a performance.
Volume 2 has the same format as volume 1 but moves a bit quicker and includes more advanced techniques. This one isn’t for the beginner dancer but gives you something to build towards.
There are also two added bonuses with an amazing Oasis Dance Camp performance by Cassandra at the end of each volume. Seeing her performance at the end of the workout inspires one to practice, practice, practice!
Overall, the video is nicely done with good sound quality and helpful side and front views of the harder movements. It is sometimes obvious that there is choppy editing and some microphone issues but these are minimal and don’t distract from the overall workout. Cassandra ends telling viewers that there will be another more advanced series coming soon, I can hardly wait!
Using these unique conditioning exercises are sure to improve dancer technique, strength and performance skills. If you are interested in making your body a dancer's body and extending the length of your dance career, this DVD set is for you. I highly recommend it! You can find out more about Cassandra or purchase Cassandra’s Conditioning Class DVD set on-line at www.jawaahir.org or www.turquoiseintl.com

Tip of the Week: Choosing the Right Costume

Have you ever stood in front of your closet full of costumes and couldn't decide which beauty to wear?  Well here are some things to consider when choosing what costume to wear.
First of all, be sure to practice in all new costumes.  You don't want to bring them onto the dance floor until they have been tested for malfunction.  Check older costumes for any problems, places that need mended or washed.  Also, check to see if the size needs to be adjusted.
Now think about the show your about to do.  What is the style you will be dancing? Of course you want your costume to reflect the dance style you will be doing.  If you claim to be dancing a Turkish dance you want to be sure to add in some Turkish style costuming.  Are you going to do cabaret, fusion or folkloric?  Be sure to keep everything consistent:  style of dancing, music, costume and props used. 
What types of props will you be using?  Some props such as veil can be used with pretty much any style of costume, but what about things like arm bands or sleeves that might catch the veil.  Some head pieces or rhinestone brackets might also catch the veil.  Think of sleeves also when dancing with the cane.  Traditionally Saidi dresses have long or belled sleeves, remember to practice holding them up while twirling the cane to prevent dropping the cane or hitting yourself with the cane or with the sleeve!
Will you be doing any floorwork?  Usually full skirts work better for floorwork.  Practice in the skirt and note how open the leg slits are so you don't give your audience an whole other kind of show!  Sometime the spandex style skirts constrict leg movement.  Practice practice practice getting down and up in your skirt!
Who is your audience?  If you are dancing for a more conservative crowd who are unsure of belly dance or maybe at a wedding you will want to try to cover the body more than you would at your local restaurant gig.  If your dancing at a birthday party they might be looking for the "Classic Belly Dancer" look.  Lots of coins, full skirts and color.
Inside or outside?  When dancing outside be sure to think about wind.  That is #1 thing that can throw a dancer off her routine.  You don't want to be thinking about your skirt flying up while your dancing.  You might also think about your hair when you dance outside.  Your hair whipping in the wind and sticking to your lipstick or to your eyelashes can be a real distraction to both you and your audience. 
Raised stage or even with the crowd?  When dancing on a raised stage you will want to check that no one can see up your skirt and/or that the slits of the skirt are not revealing more than a little leg.
What time of day is the show and what will the lighting be? Stage lighting will pick up rhinestones more than regular lights.   If dancing on stage with colored lights remember those lights can change the color of your costume to your audience.  They can also wash you out.  Research stage lighting to see what colors look best in what lights or talk to the theater lighting tec to get the best look.

All these questions will help you narrow down your selection to choose the best costume for your next show.

Tip of the Week: Choosing the Right Teacher

Back in the day there wasn't that many teachers to choose from, but now days there are many!  How do you know which teacher will be right for you?  Do your homework.  What style of dance are you interested in?  I suggest to go to a belly dance event or to some local shows in the area and watch as many local dancers as you can.  Find the style you like and then ask the performer your most impressed with if he/she teaches and where.  If he/she doesn't  doesn't teach ask them who their teacher is. If the class is not in your area it might be worth the drive.  I don't know how many times I've heard of people learning from bad teachers and then having to re-learn the dance all over again because the technique they learned wasn't good or the teacher just had no idea how to teach and correct their students.
The second step is to try out the class.  Buy a session of classes and see what you think.  Keep in mind that belly dance is only made to LOOK easy but it actually isn't!  I don't know how many times I have had people come into my classes thinking it was going to be easy and didn't make it past the 3rd class!  
The teacher should be able to explain the movements and technique in multiple ways to meet the needs of all different types of learners.  The instructor should be able to correct students without yelling, belittling or putting down students.  You want someone who can help slow learners, who is understanding yet will be firm when needed.
Last, don't be tied to one teacher.  I was always encouraged to take from as many teachers as possible because you can learn something new and different from each one.  That is what will make you have your own unique style.  So if you come across a teacher who forbids you to take from other teachers - something is wrong!
Lastly, once you get your basics down don't be stuck to one style of belly dance - try everything - I try to learn at least a little of as many different styles as possible.  This allows you to respect other styles more and when people ask you about them you will know a bit of background, especially if you plan to become professional or if you ever plan to teach classes yourself!