Hip Drops

Creating Dance

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:38:00 +0000

I’ve been working on new choreographies lately-- or I would be today if it wasn’t 100 degrees and humid (the studio gets damn hot on days like this). I’ve always been fascinated by the process of creating choreography, and how little attention is paid to the concepts, theory and craft behind the product.

There really are few resources for the student of choreography. Plenty of classes, books, dvds and articles out there that teach you how to dance, but very few address that next level and teach how to create dance.

Most of us just try to figure it out on our own, we develop our own way of managing, but I wonder how much easier things would be if there was more attention paid to learning what’s behind the string of moves that make them work together and with the music, rather than just learning that string of moves and calling it a day.

I’ve got shelf in my studio where I keep my books on belly dance, and recently it’s seen the influx of more books on the process of creating dance. I’ve spent some time with them, and also with books on the subject from the library-- a couple on inter-library loan from the local state university because that’s the only place I could find some of the out of print ones.

But, books on theory and concept aren’t exactly “guides”. You’re still left to process all that information and convert it into something useful. Knowing a concept and knowing how and when to use it (and when NOT to use it), are two different things.

Summer is here!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:06:00 +0000

I don't know about you, but I looooove summer!

Living in San Diego County certainly makes it easy. I'm looking forward to all sorts of summer activities-- trips to the beach, lounging by the pool, and of course, the ultimate summer event in SD, Comic-Con!

If you've checked the latest class information and wondered why there won't be classes on Thursday July 21st, this is your answer. I will be attending all 4 days of Comic-Con. If there's anything a Belly Dancer likes more than Belly Dance it can only be costumes (ok-- some of you like your families an awful lot too), and I'm planning on getting an eyeful this year. Not to mention the fun of making and wearing my own creation.

I've always worn something with a steampunk flair, and this year will be no different. However, I'm going to try a new twist. I plan on incorporating a Middle Eastern aesthetic this year. It won't be a Belly Dance costume, but I would bet good money on pieces of it turning up in future performances.

If you haven't checked out the new class information yet, you should. New summer session info is up, plus you can now buy Class Cards online via paypal.

Egyptian Tea Room

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 05 May 2011 16:22:00 +0000

I'll be dancing at the Egyptian Tea Room On Saturday May 14th, 9:00 with the lovely Alioth Lotus.

Come on down and enjoy the show!

4644 College Ave, San Diego, CA 619-265-7287

New Classes!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 May 2011 19:56:00 +0000

Classes start next Tuesday

Level 1 6:00 - 7:00
In this class you will be learning a cute veil dance to the song "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps" by the Swingin' Swamis while working on fundamental belly dance technique. You will be introduced to basic moves such as the shimmy, undulations, snake arms and hip work. More advanced beginners will be given the opportunity to work on perfecting their technique and dance skills.

Mixed Level
In this class we will be focusing on drills and Tribal Fusion style Combos. It is recommended that you have some experience with belly dance and know how to execute such moves as shimmies, undulations, hip figure eights, etc. We will not be spending time teaching the mechanics of these basic moves, but rather working on improving technique while learning more advanced moves.

A Space of My Own

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 06:14:00 +0000

A few months ago I was feeling frustrated and stagnated. Part of the reason that I wasn't moving on from the situation was that a carrot got dangled in front of me-- the possibility to teach at the studio myself. I felt that to maintain a relationship with the studio, then I needed to keep taking classes there.

But, as such things go, the spot never opened, and I was back where I started-- frustrated and even more annoyed.

It was time to move forward and move on. I took stock of where I was and what I wanted out of my dancing and made some changes.

First, I started taking new classes with an excellent and qualified instructor. It's not Tribal fusion, it's not in the neighborhood, but it's challenging, and engaging and it works for me.

Second, we had just moved into a new home and I had intended to put a small dance floor in the garage for my own use, but why not teach classes there? If I made the dance floor a little bigger than originally planned, I could teach as much as I wanted, and when I wanted. I wouldn't have to take some random time slot because that's all there was available. I wouldn't have to drive all over the country to expand into more classes, or wait for who knows how long for a second spot to open in the same studio.

It's by no means a perfect solution, my washer and dryer, furnace, water heater, freezer and a certain amount of storage space still need to share the area with my dance space. This led to a lot of creative "hide the stuff" decorating, which I feel turned out quite nice.

I installed a laminate floor over foam core exercise matting to provide cushioning from the concrete. The dance area is 15x11' with more room for seating, sound system, etc off to the side. I have mirrors, I have music, I have a space of my own. And it feels great.

I want cake.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:32:00 +0000

Lately, I've been having a difficult time with my fusion belly dance class. There are a lot of reasons for this, and I could spend this whole post complaining about the parts that aren't living up to my expectations (but I'm not.)

Now, I've had these problems from the start, but there were enough pros to outweigh the cons for the most part. When I was frustrated by the teaching style of the instructor, I could remind myself that at least I was learning something new even if the process was difficult.

That justification is getting harder and harder to accept. The things I thought were fresh and new six months ago, are now just the same old things we did the last two choreographies. Not that I expect dance class to present something shiny and new every session, but when there's no icing, you still want cake. I'm missing some cake here.

But, every week (almost) I still show up.

Here’s the thing, I’ve taken classes from three different teachers in this area, and none of them worked for me. Between scheduling, distance, quality of instruction, style of dancing and of teaching, I haven’t found the right fit. I settled for this class because it’s convenient and it’s fusion, which were two of my top factors for picking a regular class.

There are plenty of reasons why I should have moved on already, but despite my lack of enthusiasm, there are definite reasons to stay that go beyond the convenience factor.

In the meantime, I'll have to try to embrace the experience for what it is and not focus on what it isn't. There are things to be learned even if it isn't strictly bellydance, and I'm not talking about moves.

So much music...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 23:19:00 +0000

...so little time.

It seems like I'm always on the hunt for fresh music. Something new and sparkly to whet the appetite for future performances and choreographies. Truth is though, I have a huge backlog of music I'm hoarding for this very purpose.

I'm thinking about this because I'm trying to come up with a nice cohesive set to dance at Charm City Tribal in August. There's dozens of songs I really want to use, but they're not necessarily combining into the perfect musical storm here.

A few songs are really standing out, and the problem is that they're need a partner or two or the set is going to be pretty darn short. Or it's the opposite problem-- a group of songs that go great together but come in at about 13 minutes-- I was thinking more like 9 or 10 would be good for this.

I thought I had at least picked one song for sure, but again, nothing really speaks to me to go with it. So I may just use that for a hafla I'll probably be doing while I'm in MD. I suppose that's progress.

And now it's back to auditioning my music...