Sequins and Shimmies

Book Launch! Developing Your Dance

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:55:00 +0000

I'm so excited to announce my new ebook launch - Developing Your Dance: A Belly Dance Practice Planner and Log.

Have big belly dance dreams? But not actually working on them? Tired of the same old practice rountine that leaves you feeling flat and uninspired? Or maybe you're just flat-out not practicing at all?

If you answered yest to any or all of those, you aren't alone. At one point, I was answering yes to all those questions. I was practicing sporadically, without much clear direction on what it was I was trying to accomplish. I knew it had to change and I needed the right tool to get me there. Thus I created Developing Your Dance: A Belly Dance Practice Planner & Log. Originally I had intended it just for my own personal use. But seeing how much it had helped me, I decided to make it all sparkly and shiny and share it with you!

Why should I want this you ask? This product isn't like anything else currently available. In fact, that's why I created it: I went out hoping to purchase it and it didn't exist. The guidebook and practice planner will help you get really clear about what your belly dance goals are and what you need to do to achieve them. Topics covered in the guidebook include:

Why practice is important
Making time to practice
Goal setting
Defining and catogorizing your action steps
Ways to practice
Making the most of your practice time
Dance resources

Here's what you get:

A 15-page guidebook that walks you through the Practice Planner & Log step-by-step. The guidebook is guaranteed to help you think about your dance and your practice in a new light. The guidebook also includes beautiful color photographs that are sure to inspire you.

A 24-page Practice Planner and Log book in sumptuous color. The Planner pages include spots for listing your goals and action steps, including your timeframe. And the Log pages are for listing out your actual practice time, including skills worked on and any observations or emotions that came up for you.

Both the guidebook and Practice Planner and Log book are delivered straight to your inbox in pdf format. There's no shipping to pay for. And the pdf is yours to access for the rest of eternity, meaning there are no future purchases you'll ever have to make. You can continually generate more pages.

This is a small investment with a big payoff. It's less than the cost of one drop-in dance class. Your dance is worth it. Ready to give it a try? Developing Your Dance can be purchased using the PayPal link below. Your materials will be emailed to you within 24 hours of your purchase.

Purchase your copy today for only $10!

Interview with Dolphina

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:31:00 +0000

The Introduction
California-based belly dancer, Dolphina has shimmied across continents and into the homes of many with her Goddess Workout line of DVDs. She's the star of four belly dance DVDs and one burlesque DVD. She's been featured on Sex and the City, taught numerous celebrities, and appeared on Conan O'Brien. She's also a published author of a belly dance book, and a producer of a series of belly dance CDs. To learn more about Dolphina, her products, and her company, GoddessLife, you can check out her website.

The Interview
At times, Dolphina's approach to belly dance has been considered controversial by the belly dance community. She's been criticized for being too light on technique and too heavy on hippie-love and sex appeal. Contacting her for the interview, I wanted to find out what she had to say herself.

Alessandra: Let's start at the beginning. How did you originally get started with belly dancing?
Dolphina: I grew up with a very different kind of lifestyle, as my parents moved our family to Morocco to live in a commune. From an early age, my sister and I were street performers. My sister did contortions and I balanced items on my head. But my first real training was when I was 17 and I moved to NYC and started taking actual classes.

Alessandra: You've lived in quite a few places, correct? Where all have you lived?
Dolphina: I was born in San Francisco, moved to Morocco as a child as mentioned, then to New York as a teenager. I also lived in the Caribbean for one year and one day, where I had my near fatal boating accident. (You can read about the incident here, as well as the rest of her time spent living on an island.)
Alessandra: With living in all these different locations, have you found any of them to be particularly good or particularly bad places to be a dancer?
Dolphina: All places bring out different aspects of the dance. New York obviously has all forms of dance. There is dancing everywhere in NYC and it's taken very seriously. It's a very competitive city to be in. I think different places honor different parts of the dance, so it really depends on what you are looking for.

Alessandra: Throughout your dance career, what dancers have either inspired you in the past or are currently inspiring you?
Dolphina: My very first inspiration was a Berber woman dancing at a souk in Morocco. I was entranced and mesmerized by the beauty of her and her dance, to the point that I got actually got separated from my parents, only to declare, when they finally found me, that I wanted to marry her! Other inspirations to me have been Ibrahim Farrah, Samara, and Jehan Kamal.

Alessandra: You have a successful line of videos called the Goddess Workout series. In fact, it was the very first belly dance DVD I ever owned. With this, you've created your business and DVDs around the concept that "every woman is a goddess". What made you decide to pick this direction and mission?
Dolphina: I believe that true leaders create more leaders, not followers, and this is where my purpose lies. I want to create more leaders among women and empower women. I look at the purpose of my DVDs as being an introduction. A place where women can feel good about their bodies and gain confidence. My gift is not about teaching perfect dance or technique, but it's about having the dance spread and allowing women to embrace their femininity. I want to make ordinary women feel extraordinary. Many dancers who start with me choose to continue on with another teacher for more in-depth training later, and that's perfectly fine. That's just not my mission. I look at my DVDs as not just a dance or workout class, but as an escape. Whether you're a stay at home mom or a CEO, I wanted to give women a feeling that this is time for themselves. Not a time to try and be perfect. Women have enough of those pressures in their daily life. That's my real passion.

Alessandra: What has been your biggest challenge with either belly dancing itself or running a belly dance based business?
Dolphina: I've come to terms with it by this point in my career, but dealing with other belly dancers judging and being mean and critical. I've had other dancers decide that I was doing something "wrong" by focusing on my message of empowerment, rather than technique or history of the dance. But I think there's room for all of us. We should all be sisters in the dance. As dancers, we are already on the fringe anyway, so it's a waste of energy to compete or argue. We should band together. When you put yourself out there, you're going to get both positive and negative reactions, so I choose to focus on the woman who wants what I have to offer. I once had one woman tell me I was capitalizing on her culture, but I don't feel that anyone owns belly dance. I don't look at it as a piece of pie that a few people take until there's none left. I believe there's room for everyone to express themselves in some capacity, and that's the Goddess Workout philosophy. It's not about competing or comparing, but growing together.
Alessandra: So what do you feel is the role or importance of technique?
Dolphina: Belly dance is an expression of the woman who is dancing. Ideally, I'd like to see both technique and expression in a dancer, but if I had to pick one I'd go with the dancer who has something to say. Dance is unique to the individual, sometimes it's sexy, sometimes it's playful. Sometimes it's a moment in a song where you have your breath taken away. Overall, it's just very personal.

Alessandra: Belly dancers usually seem to have some funny stories related to performances, audience members, and belly dance in general. Anything come to mind for you?
Dolphina: (Laughing) Oh, like crazy showgirl stories? Oh yes, they happen all the time. One time I was playing my finger cymbals and one flew off my finger and took off like a flying saucer. It hit an audience member's water glass and broke it. Everyone thought I did in on purpose and was clapping. Another time I was dancing in a place with a bunch of Christmas lights dangling down and I ended up with them tangled in my hair. I was decorated like a Christmas tree and I was stuck. Literally stuck.

Alessandra: And the final question I've been asking everyone. What advice would you give to beginning belly dancers?
Dolphina: Keep dancing. Dancers can be very enthusiastic when they first start and want to gobble it all up and devour everything. But take your time. When things seem right and easy, go in that direction. If it feels hard and that your forcing it, then back off.
Alessandra: And what about experienced dancers looking to turn professional?
Dolphina: If you're ready to make that leap, you have to jump. When you are pursuing any dream, you're never going to feel ready. But you can't improve on something until you try it. In belly dance, there's always concerns over competition. But I believe that there's always a way to make it work for you without stealing from another dancer by finding your own place in the dance. And last I would say, find a mentor. Either a dancer or a business owner, but someone you can look up to and ask questions.

Belly Dance Eye Candy

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:59:00 +0000

I have been soaking up all the deliciousness of belly dance images lately. Sharing some of my favorites here.

Viktoria

Michelle Joyce

Meliza

Sherri Wheatley

To the extent that I knew who the dancer was, I've labeled them above. If you are able to identify anyone, please let me know and I'll add the names. Follow along with me on Pinterest for more stunning visuals!

Interview with Mish Mish - Part Two

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 23:26:00 +0000

This is part two of my interview with legendary dancer, Mish Mish. After sitting down with Mish, I had so much juicy content that I decided this was going to warrant two posts. So without further delay, diving right back into the interview.

Alessandra: With all your experience, you've got to have some funny stories from doing gigs. Any come to mind?
Mish: Bellygrams were really popular for awhile. I was hired to do a bellygram for Jim Nordstrom during the middle of a board presentation. I could tell he was upset and asked when it would be over. He finally walked over and pulled the plug on my cassette player. I've done a bellygram in the middle of a lecture hall at the North Seattle Community College. During one gig at the Seattle Yacht club, I had a man pick me up and start carrying me around. I had to warn him to put me down or he wasn't going to like the result! At a birthday party at a very wealthy, well-to-do house, the guest of honor starting chasing me and the other dancer around the house with a vibrator, and then came out with his wife's pantyhose on. And this was while his wife and children were there! Apparently they were used to it! I've done a bachelor party where when I walked in, all the men were watching porn. At another party, for a group of Russians, they were all in the hot tub when I arrived. And of course, I've had the usual belly dancer mishaps: forgotten music and costume parts, music that stops halfway through the routine, and a bra that comes undone. The latter becomes an exercise in how long you can dance with your elbows pinned to your sides to keep your top place!

Alessandra: (laughing) Those are pretty good. So what other dancers have inspired you throughout your dance career?
Mish: Jamila Salimpour has been a big influence, as she was the teacher that my teachers studied with, and I always remember being inspired by seeing her troupe, Bal Anat, perform. Bobby Farrah is another one. Aisha Ali was the dancer who first introduced me to folkloric dance. And Badawiya. She was one of the few dancers who was Arabic. She was exotic and sexy and feminine. When you saw her, you never forgot her; gorgeous with wild hair, an incredible body and mesmerizing. I remember her saying once that you could achieve a natural high with dancing that was better than sex or drugs.

Alessandra: What events do you think have to combine and come together to create that natural high?
Mish: The dancer, the musicians, and the audience all have to come together. It usually only happens with live music, because it has to be a natural response to the music and not a thought-out reaction. The musicians have to be absorbed into their music, then the music is driving the dancer, and the audience is just taking in all the energy. It is an amazing feeling when it happens. I think belly dance is unique in this regard because it's one of the few art forms where this will happen. I think it's more creative than other forms of dance because it's a very individualized and spontaneous response to the music.

Alessandra: Alright, onto our last question, and the one I've been asking everyone. What advice would you give to a new student?
Mish: Take as many classes as you can. Have respect for the culture. Find your own style and perfect your technique. I would say a dancer needs two years of solid training, assuming the person has natural ability. Make sure that you have the basic, core moves down. And there really are only about a dozen basic steps, everything else is a variation. Keep an open mind. Try different teachers. And most of all, have fun.
Alessandra: And what advice would you give to a new pro or dancer looking to turn pro?
Mish: Don't give up. Keep trying and be persistent. Eventually you'll get your foot in the door. Be seen! Get out and rub shoulders. Wear a sexy costume. It's a game and you have to fight and work hard.

Interview with Mish Mish - Part One

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:49:00 +0000

The Introduction
Mish Mish started taking belly dance lessons over 40 years ago and since then has introduced thousands of students to the music, dance, and culture of the Arab world. She has had a long career dancing in Greek and Arab nightclubs, and has traveled to Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, and Iran. She was one of the first dancers to bring nationally known dancers to Seattle, produce big belly dance shows, and to showcase folkloric dance to the general public.

In 1978, Mish Mish started a trouped based on Bal Anat, Jamila Salimpour's famous seminal group featuring live music and a male dancer. Currently, she directs Karavans, a folkloric group, and Khan Il Kahlili, whose repertoire ranges from contemporary to fusion.

With a background in theatrical design, Mish Mish will be hosting a belly dance makeover workshop at Zamani Culture House on April 14th.

The Interview
We sit down at the table in Mish's dining room. The same dining room where, not only myself, but many other dancers as well, have spent countless hours rehearsing choreography. An hour and half later, I have so many pages of notes from our chat, that I've actually split this post into two parts.

Alessandra: You've been in the belly dance business for quite a few years. What would you say are the biggest changes you've seen occurring with belly dance over time?
Mish: One of the big changes was the introduction of a more Egyptian style of dance to the West Coast by Shareen El Safy in the last 1970s. Before that most of the dancers I worked with did a combination of Turkish, Greek, and Arabic style dance. Plus we played finger cymbals during the whole dance and did a separate extended veil routine. It was hard for me at first to switch from the five part routine using popular songs like "Mustapha" and "Hadouni" to the highly orchestrated, more sophisticated music composed especially for Egyptian dancers. The posture and the focus were different. The good thing about the Oriental style was it created better dancers overall because it forced them to work more on technique and to appreciate the Arab roots and emotion inherent in the dance. The bad news was that in the beginning, so many dancers slavishly copied the style, that after awhile they all looked the same.

Another major change came about in the 1980s when Fat Chance and the tribal style came along. The good thing was it attracted a lot of new students and gave dancers who were not interested or comfortable with the cabaret style a place to dance. The bad thing was it split the dance community and morphed into some pretty weird stuff. I'm not against innovation or pushing the boundaries, as I remember when Tahia Alibeck was lambasted for dancing to Michael Jackson's "Beat It", but at what point does it cease to be belly dancing?

Another thing that has affected dancers and teachers in the last few years is the economy, which has caused a big downturn in enrollment in classes, the number of workshops and shows, and the dancers interested in going to clubs. When I first started taking lessons, I was out every weekend soaking up the local belly dance scene. Plus, the popularity of Bollywood, burlesque, and zumba has attracted a lot of students who in the past might have taken belly dance classes. The last major change I see is that the young, second generation Arabs are not frequenting the nightclubs. They prefer DJs, hookah lounges, and the modern techno Arab music. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Arab families would come out to the clubs to dance and socialize. The result is fewer places to dance, and less exposure to the general public.

Alessandra: Given the changes in demographics and the economy, what do you think a belly dancer needs to do to make it?
Mish: Network. A dancer needs to network with club owners, musicians, and other dancers. She needs to go out and be seen in the local community. She needs to be willing to dance for free sometimes. It's like an on-going "interview". A dancer needs to look nice and have professional costumes. She should find new venues and set herself up as the main dancer there. There will always be dancers that are more aggressive and know how to hustle, and therefore will be the dancers that get the most work.

Alessandra: Belly dance competitions have become increasingly popular. What's your take on them?
Mish: Sometimes I have a hard time with competitions because they are so subjective. I think for dancers considering entering a competition, a better perspective is to look at it as a way to challenge yourself, rather than setting out to win. Remember that only a handful of judges have decided who is the winner.

Alessandra: A number of dancers, myself included, have gotten their start in your beginning belly dance classes. When you're looking at a new student, how can you tell is she has potential as a dancer?
Mish: First and foremost, that she can follow and mimic my movements. Having a background in other types of dance is always a big help. And I need to see that the student likes to dance, and if she really enjoys herself in class that's a positive sign. Plus if she's interested and continues to improve and take classes.

Alessandra: Moving on from student, what qualities do you think a dancer needs to have to be successful?
Mish: There are three things that make a great dancer: technique, appearance, and stage presence. Your costume should fit and be flattering. Technique only comes with practice, but it's not about showing people how many steps you know. Relax. Get into the feeling of the music, make it it look easy and the audience will enjoy what you are doing. You don't have to have the perfect body or the latest costume if you have confidence and a strong stage presence. I have seen some plus size dancers with great stage presence and technique. I encourage dancers to develop a style of their own so they don't look like everyone else, and to create a stage persona they are comfortable with. It can be a reflexion of you, or sometimes a totally different personality. Elena, Bobby Farrah's protege, was like a quiet little moth offstage. Onstage, she turned into a magnificent butterfly. You can be cute, sexy, earthy, coy, or shy. At Tamalyn Dallal and Malia's recent student night, I saw elegant, vampy, slinky and enigmatic dancers. To be a good dancer, you need two of those three attributes. To be a great dancer you need all three. And I would say there's a certain charisma that makes up the last 10% that really tells you someone is a star. When you see it, you will know. The hair on the back of your neck will stand up because it is so perfect and so amazing. That's what it's all about. You will just know.

Alessandra: You mentioned being shy as a persona. I identify with shy, and maybe surprisingly, I think a lot of dancers actually do. How can you work this to your advantage?
Mish: You don't need to look at the audience or be smiling a big smile or make eye contact all the time. Sometimes try looking down, or at the isolations you are doing to draw your audience's attention to the movement. Doing the inherently sexy moves of belly dance, but using facial expressions that are subtle and coy can be really effective. Leila, the belly dancer originally from Washington state who has danced in Egypt the last few years, really perfected this technique.

That concludes part one of our interview. Check back next week for part two, including some wild stories on gigs and performing that you won't believe!

The iPhone App Every Dancer Needs

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 20:09:00 +0000

I recently discovered the most amazing, most useful, iPhone app that it deserves it's own post. The app is called call Dum-Tek and is available in iTunes. Dum-Tek is a Middle Eastern rhythm generator for learning and practicing rhythms. In the five years of studying Middle Eastern rhythms as part of my belly dance practice, this was been the most valuable tool that I've found for really understanding and cementing those rhythms. Ultimately, it's a fairly simple app that's very easy to use, but I think the design is really genius because it combines auditory and visual learning.

Let's get into how it works. The app has 37 rhythms and variations, including ciftielli, kalagi, karsilama, malfouf, maqsuum, masmoudi saghir (beledi), samaii, saidii, and more. You use the app by first selecting the rhythm you would like to listen to. Most of the rhythms have the bare bones basic version of the rhythm, played only with the defining "dums" and "teks". For those not familiar with the terms "dum" and "tek", these are essentially a shorthand version of verbally saying the sounds played on a tabla (a drum), with the "dum" being the low-sound and the "tek" being the high sound or pop. Not having studied the tabla, I'm not sure if there is officially a Middle Eastern drum tablature, but in my mind, it's a way of describing and reading music without having to know how to read actual music, just like guitar tab or Western drum tab (for a full drum kit). Drifting into a bit of music theory. Back to the app. You can also choose to listen to the rhythm with what the app calls "filled with bridge", which is usually (but not always) the non-down beat ("and one"), or syncopated portions in the rhythm. You can also adjust the beats per minute, or how fast the rhythm plays, either up or down.

Then the app adds in the visual component. This is where it gets really cool for me. First, the app tells you the time signature (2/2, 4/4, 9/8, etc.). Just to insert a quick explanation for anyone who hasn't studied music and music theory, in a time signature, the first number is how many beats there are in a measure and the second number is what type of note gets a beat. So in a 9/8 time signature, there are nine beats in a measure and an eighth note gets a beat.

Okay, back on track again.

But not only does the app tell you the time signature, it also visually displays one measure with the "dums" and "teks" written in to show which beats they fall on. Using the visual of the samai rhythm below, you can see that the app tells you it's a 10/8 time signature and then in the grid you can see that the numbers, representing the 10 beats (the down beat) in the measure, are written out from one to 10. The "e-&-a" show the subdivision of each beat. And finally the "D's" and "T's" show on which beat, or which subdivided beat the "dum" or "tek" falls on. And as the last final icing on the cake, as the rhythm plays, the blue highlighter scrolls along so you can see exactly where in the measure you are.

As a classically trained musician, seeing the placement of the "dums" and "teks" in the time signature was incredible. Most teachers teach rhythms by just speaking the "dums" and "teks", but for me personally, this isn't very meaningful as there was no correlation to meter or the time signature. To really be able to understand the rhythm, I needed to understand the musical structure and notation of the rhythm, which this nifty little app shows.

Cost of this wonderful app you ask? It's FREE. However, I certainly would have paid for it. As a thank you to the creators, I would encourage everyone to leave them a nice rating and/or review. And please leave comments below to let me know if you find this app to be as useful as I do!

Should a Belly Dancer Be Sexy?

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 23:31:00 +0000

With love and sex on the minds of many today, I thought it would be apropos to discuss a question that's been on my mind lately: Should a belly dancer be sexy?

Well, depending on who you ask, you'll likely get different answers, including some pretty strong opinions. The most common stereotype of a belly dancer is of a scantily clad woman gyrating and writhing around in some public venue as audience members push tips into her costume. That it is some type of low-brow art form, with lots of sexy and sex sells going on. Case in point, I've heard a father remark to his young daughter, "don't get any ideas" as I've danced past their table (and let's get this straight, it was in a non-writhing, family-friendly fashion) at a restaurant. But ask most belly dancers, and they'll tell you they are pretty offended by this stereotype.

Stepping back, let's define what we're talking about. What does it even mean to be sexy? Webster's dictionary has two definitions, "1: sexually suggestive or stimulating" and "2: generally attractive or interesting". Hmmm, okay. Well those are two entirely different things. I find a large number of items, like Dali paintings, sequin ballet flats, Paris, and high-end stationary to fall under definition #2, but certainly not definition #1. However, as a society, we seem to be fixated on definition #1.

I would say that unfortunately, our society has demeaned, marginalized, and eroded what it truly means to be sexy. Our culture in the U.S. is one where we are constantly bombarded with visuals of hyper-sexual women, whether it's Victoria's Secret Angels prancing down a runway or Kate Upton in a too-small bikini. We have fashion magazines exploding with touched-up images of perfection. (By the way, take a look at this project illustrating the ridiculousness of fashion editorials.) Now, I would like to clarify that I'm not judging either Victoria Secret, Kate Upton, or any others like them, as I believe they have a place in our collective culture. But sadly, this is typically the sole image of femininity that we are presented with. It's only one facet of being sexy, and it's not the facet that comes from a position of strength and respect for women.

Which brings me back to belly dance. When being stereotyped, most belly dancers are being compared to, or expected to look like, these media images of sexy without any further dimension. But in dance, what we really want to get into is definition #2. When my audience watches me dance, yes, the costume and the visual image are part of the presentation, but they are only one part. Like all professional belly dancers, I've spent countless hours studying not only the dance technique itself, but the history, culture, and music behind the dance. So when I step onstage it's much more than just outward appearances. It's the culmination of many years of hard work. It's my goal to take all that hard work and get my audience to see the music brought to life. I want them to see the crispness of my isolations and the soft flutter of my silk veil I want to transport them. I want to engage them. In short, I want them to find the performance interesting.

So does that mean that outward appearances don't matter? Is sexy just an artistic state of mind? Well, I would argue that no, that's no entirely correct either. Dance is a visual art form, and as such, a dancer's outer appearance is part and parcel with the performance. You cannot separate the two. In an art form where a costume costs on average $600 to $1,000, there is a substantial investment in the outward presentation. A professional dancer would never just expect to show up and perform. Time and money are invested, not only into the costume, but into hair, makeup, nails, jewelry, and more. And I would even go so far to say that her demeanor should convey a certainly level of sex appeal. And by a certain level, I like to think of it as more goddess than sex kitten. She's doesn't need to flirt with her audience. And I certainly think a belly dancer should not be performing any lewd or suggestive moves. But she should most certainly be confident. Because in any situation, confidence really is the ultimate in sexiness. She should smile, look me in the eye, let me know she's comfortable inside her own skin, and that she's in charge of what's going to happen in the upcoming minutes.

So in my opinion, yes, a belly dancer should be sexy. Yes, even definition #1 sexy. Her appearance should be put together and with well-manicured hair and makeup. Her costume should fit in a flattering manner and be appropriate for her body. But she should also present the deeper dimensions of the dance to me. Definition #2 sexy. As I'm watching her, I want to be drawn in by her, but I don't want her sexy speaking so loudly that I can't hear her dance or see her talent. I don't need overaggressive sexy pushed into my face or flaunted for the room. But rather it should just smoulder and simmer below the surface, leaving me space to marvel at her whole presentation.

Photo Credit: Aziza (who, dare I say, is sexy #1 and #2), www.bellydance.org

Interview with Ziva

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 19:00:00 +0000

The Introduction
You recently saw her place as the first runner-up out of an amazing group of dancers on the reality show Project Belly Dance. But her dance resume extends far beyond. Based in San Francisco, Ziva is a belly dance instructor, performer, choreographer, and program director. She’s danced with the award-winning Ya Habibi Dance Company. Studying and teaching workshops with master percussionist Souhail Kaspar, has taken her as far away as Japan and Turkey. She was also selected as a competition winner for Jillina’s Bellydance Evolution. Learn more about Ziva on her website.

The Interview
Having pre-arranged a time for our phone interview, my phone rings promptly at our agreed upon time (punctually is not a widely known trait among belly dancers!). Sounding bright and bubbly, I can feel her positive energy through the phone. We dive right in.

Alessandra: As dancers we feed off each other. What other dancers are currently inspiring you?
Ziva: I’m inspired a lot by the dancers around me, such as the Hipline instructors and my coworkers, Samar Nassar, Rebecca Vasile, and Kendra Katz. I would also include my original teacher on the Pacific coast, Shoshanna. On a more global scale, I would also add Daria Mitskovich, Didem, Aziza, Soheir Zaki, and Zoe Jakes.

Alessandra: As I think most of the belly dance community is aware, you were just recently the first runner-up on Project Belly Dance - congratulations! But of course we want to hear the inside scoop! What about the competition that wasn't depicted in the episodes do you think the audience would find the most surprising?
Ziva: Thank you! Probably the most surprising, is that the competition was filmed in the span of two days. After the first round of cuts, there were already people lining up outside for our first performance in front of a full audience. So you really had to be on your toes!

Alessandra: Was this your first belly dance competition or had you done other ones before?
Ziva: This was my first competition in front of live judges. I had done Jillina’s belly dance competition where you submit your filmed audition video, but it is a completely different scenario when you can do multiple takes and edit your performance. This type of live competition takes the challenge to a whole new level.
Alessandra: Well, you seemed very confident and composed! Was that how you were actually feeling, or were there underlying nerves?
Ziva: My nerves were definitely running on high!

Alessandra: What did you think was the most challenging aspect of the competition? Ziva: Believing in myself. Each of the dancers was amazing in her own way, so I had to really work to stay focused on what I was doing. I really had to be my own cheerleader. I think also, you had to be hungry for it and have that desire to do your absolute best to be able to continue on each round. I would also add that it was hard to watch dancers get cut. My heart went out to them. Participating in the show really illustrated to me that you have to be prepared for anything. For example, in the “Name That Tune” section, you needed to have studied culture and music to excel. Or even just makeup; who would have thought that putting on your eyelashes would be a monumental thing! Just goes to show that you need to be strengthening your skills as a dancer on a daily basis.

Alessandra: If you could go back and change something related to your performance, what would you change?
Ziva: I would say more time for preparation, as I felt mine was rather limited. But then, I think most dancers feel that way all the time. However, on the flip side, in my last performance of the competition, despite having prepared a choreography, I decided last minute to just dance from my heart and improvise. (If you want to view that performance, if can be seen here.)

Alessandra: What doors has being on Project Belly Dance opened for you?
Ziva: Just having people reach out to me through Facebook and other social media and letting me know that they liked my dancing and really believe in what I’m doing has been amazing. It’s really opened the opportunity for me to network with other dancers. And of course my upcoming DVD with Cheeky Girls!
Alessandra: Do you have a topic yet?
Ziva: The topic is still in the works. But it’s going to be fun and challenging. We film in February.

Alessandra: Even before you were on Project Belly Dance you were touring around the U.S. with Grammy-nominated drummer Souhail Kaspar doing workshops. What have been your top takeaways from working so closely with such a talented musician?
Ziva: He has so much information. Every time I’m with him I learn more about how rich Middle Eastern dance and culture is. Having a mentor is vital. Also how universal dance is. We recently taught together in Japan, and even though there was a language barrier, it really illustrated that with dance we can communicate with our movements across spoken language barriers.

Alessandra: What advice would you give to beginning belly dance students?
Ziva: Technique can be frustrating, so I think beginners need to know that it’s muscle memory. Try to relax and know that it will come. Having a sense of humor is important. And staying motivated and inspired, either through watching YouTube or other local performances. And finally, goal-setting is key.
Alessandra: And what advice would you give to dancers looking to make the transition to professional?
Ziva: Whether you want to think of your dance as a business or not, it’s really important to determine how much time you want to invest in it. How much you put in, is how much you’ll get out of it. To be successful, one hour per day is not enough. You also need to invest in a website and business cards. And find a mentor. Not just someone who can coach you on technique, but also musicality and meaning. Try to branch out and see other dance communities and network with dancers in other cities. And keep saying yes to every opportunity.

Ignite

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:28:00 +0000

As promised, we are onto part two of the annual goal review and setting process. The last post reviewed my ups and downs of 2012, and now, with last year released, we are moving full-steam ahead into 2013.

Each year I always set a one-word or short phrase theme for the year. Last year's theme was Thirty and Thriving. After much debating, pondering, and rolling words around in my head, my theme for 2013 is, drumrolll....IGNITE! After defining my top three goals for the year, I noticed that they were all things that have been on my shiny dream radar for some time now. I've decided that now is the time to grab those dreams out of fuzzy realm of someday and turn them into realities. It's time to start the motors, gather the energy, and light the fires of taking action. Thus ignite seemed like the best word to pull them all this action together. This is the word that really describes exactly how I wanted to approach these tasks at hand; how I want to feel this year as I embark on these adventures.

Which leads me to my actual goals for the year. There's some smaller items swimming around as well, but I want to highlight just my top big three goals for 2013.

1. Get married to the love of my life. In Paris.
After what will be six and half years together, we are finally tying the knot. And in the city of love nonetheless. Which will be followed by a two-week honeymoon in France.We have our plane tickets booked, the time off of work, and shortly will begin working out all the details. Do I want that fire element present in my marriage? You better believe it.

2. Write my book already.
Since I was a child I've always known that I have a book in me. And since I was a child I've been waiting for the right time to materialize to sit down and write it. Well, we all know the time will never materialize, so this is going to be the year I make time. I know what I want to write about and I've blocked out a minimum of one-hour per week to put pen to paper. Get ready for some blazing pages as the creative process starts churning.

3. Compete in the Belly Dancer USA competition in Cayonville, Oregon in June.
Some igniting needed for this one? Oh yes, you better be on fire in a competition! I've mapped out my preparation timeline, have my next private lesson on the calendar, and have coerced my fiance into doing the drive with me (although, I haven't yet made full disclosure of the fact that it's a six hour drive down there, but we'll get to that one later....).

So those are my three main focuses for the year. It's going to take energy, spark, and dedication. There's going to be some hard work involved and hours clocked. But it's going to be big, it's going to be juicy, and it's going to be rewarding at a deep, soul-quenching level when it's all said and done.

And you? Now that you've survived the holidays and the Mayan Apocalypse, have you outlined your 2013 goals? If not, I strongly encourage you to give yourself the gift of time and space to do some searching and brainstorming so you can really manifest your desires in this new year.

Thirty and Thriving

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

I'm going to take a bit of a break from belly dance this week and focus on goal-setting. If that's not your thing and you want to stop reading now, no sweat, just join me again in February, as I have a BIG interview currently in the works.

For those of you still reading, let's dig in!

I'm a big believer in goal-setting and I think the end of the year is the perfect season to buy out some time to reflect on how the last year went. It's a multi-day process for me that first starts out with reviewing and releasing the year that's just transpired.

Thirty and thriving. That was my theme for 2012. Each year I always pick a word or short phrase as my defining mantra for the year. For 2012, it was about starting out this new decade of my life with vibrance. Looking back, 2011 had been a year filled with external, measurable accomplishments. In contrast, 2012 was about the internal. Sitting back and enjoying the culminating fruits of a number of years of hard work.

Reading through my goals I set in January 2012 compared to the actuality of the year, here are some highlights of how it all played out:

Professional & Personal Development - Twenty-twelve ended up being the year of certifications. I attended a week-long, Tamalyn Dallal belly dance retreat. A picture of me and the amazing group of ladies who attended the retreat is included above. At the end of the retreat, in addition to a wealth of new knowledge, I walked away with a new belly dance certification. I also got certified to scuba dive, which was a check off the bucket list. And finally, in pursuit of one of my life-long passion of holisitic health and wellness, I obtained my nutritionist certification.

Health - Speaking of nutrition, focusing on health was a big part of my year. I experimented with various eating regimes, including temporarily giving up alcohol and going gluten-free in the quest to improve my overall well-being and energy levels. In fact, my new year's resolution was to start a habit of actually taking a lunch break at work, which I now do more often than not. I also really focused on pushing myself in my workouts, which included making sure I competed in some type of athletic-based competition. In September, I ran the Athleta Iron Girl 5K and ended up finishing 44th of our 1,675 participants. Not too shabby for a non-runner! And probably most importantly, after having somewhat of a potential cancer scare from early diagnostics, I have been declared to be, at least currently, cancer-free.

Relationships - Being engaged, I had hoped to get married this year, but given a number of different factors, this has been postponed until next year. On the plus side, after waiting literally a year for the two bedroom apartment we wanted, it became available in December and we just moved in last weekend. I have to be honest and say I had some reservations about sharing my space after living alone for 7.5 years, but so far I'm just blissed out about it. Twenty-twelve was also a year for making some great new friendships, as well as reconnecting with old friends. Which I am so grateful for, as these really helped to fill some of the void left behind by severed family relationships stemming from religious differences. Most definitely a sad and low point for 2012 that required its own grieving process. But then sometimes true family isn't the family we are born into.

Finances - I knew that for 2012 I would have quite a bit of disposable income. And I also knew that in the near future I will have quite a few expenses (hello wedding and house down payment!), so I wanted to make sure that I was utilizing this reprieve from bills to stockpile for the future. In that light, I was able to save approximately 25% of my pay from my day job. I was also able to really grow my belly dancing business. My final numbers aren't quite in yet, but I'm projecting that I had a 190% increase in my belly dance revenue.

Vacation - The past three years have been big for vacations. Big as in Italy, Greece, and Egypt big. International travel wasn't in the cards this year, but instead I set the goal of going on a retreat. I ended up doing this in October when I attended a Kimberly Wilson yoga retreat in West Virginia, followed by a few days in NYC. For pictorial highlights, check out the blog post.

Overall, in going though this download, I'm feeling pretty content with 2012. The one goal that I had originally set out to accomplish that didn't occur, was write a book. In part because it was later replaced by the pursuit of my three new certifcations already discussed. So I'm at peace with that. But you better believe it's being recycled to 2013!

But enough about me. The point of sharing all of this publicly is hopefully to encourage readers to do their own goal review and planning. So your turn! How was 2012? What worked and what didn't? What are you ready to celebrate and what are you ready to shake off?

And stay tuned for the next post as I map out my 2013 goals. Happy New Year!

Tools to Increase Your Performance Confidence

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 20:10:00 +0000

One of the most important things a dancer can do while performing is be confident. By exuding confidence, a dancer projects to the audience that they can relax, be comfortable, and enjoy the show. However, being confident can be easier said than done. Even now, nerves will still get to me at times. Especially if I'm performing at a new venue or there are other unexpected curve balls, my confidence can start to dissipate. But the good news is, there are a few performance tools you can think about employing to fake your confidence even if you're not feeling it. And probably the biggest benefit, the more you use these tools, the more you will start to feel genuinely confident and comfortable in your dance. Before you know it, you won't even be faking it anymore.

1. Breathe - when we get nervous or excited we breathe much more shallowly. From my early days of performing I remember walking off the stage and being so out of breath because I had barely inhaled or exhaled throughout my entire performance. If you're not breathing normally during your performance, your audience might not be able to put their finger on what's wrong, but they will subconsciously feel that tension. So you have to breathe for your audience! By breathing deeply, you signal to yourself that you can relax and let the present moment envelop you. In turn, it will also signal to those watching that they can do the same.

2. Make Eye Contact - it's surprising how scary making eye contact can be during a performance. As a performer, you are already putting yourself in a position of vulnerability, and making eye contact is inviting in even more vulnerability. Who knows what type of judgment or opinion of our performance we might see reflected back at us? Regardless, making eye contact is one of the key ways to display our confidence. So if it doesn't feel natural, force yourself to do it. I have a bad habit of looking down when I start to get nervous, so I have to remind myself to look my audience in the eyes. It doesn't (and shouldn't) mean that you are staring someone in the face your entire performance, but play with your gaze. Make eye contact for a few seconds and then look away. Repeat on a different audience member. The more you practice, the more natural it will start to feel.

3. Change Your Facial Expression - dance is a conversation, and just like in a normal conversation, your facial expression should change as you express yourself. Imagine how you would feel talking with someone who either failed to make an expression or just had a stiff smile for the length of your conversation with them. It would be awkward and uncomfortable. If you do this to your audience while performing, they will feel the same way. So make sure your expression changes to match the nature of the music. When appropriate, smile naturally, which includes smiling with the eyes as well. And keep in mind that you don't have your mouth closed for the entire length of your performance. When we talk, we have to open our mouths. Same goes for a performance. If your lips are sealed the entire time, you're closing off the figurative dialogue between you and your audience.

4. Slow Down - we've all done it; when that nervous energy takes over we start to move faster and faster. We feel we have to remain in constant motion or we're going to loose our audience's attention. But a performance needs nuance and dimension. It needs both fast and slow, smooth and sharp. But if you're dancing like the energizer bunny, your audience will get tired with you. So take a deep breath in and slow down. Stopping completely can even add in great dramatic effect. Especially when you make your entrance, it's very important to remember to keep the speed down. When you first walk out onto the stage, your audience really just wants to look at you. They are trying to determine who you are. They want to see your costume, jewelry, hair, and makeup. So let them! And remember, you don't have to do every move you've ever learned each time you take the stage. Sometimes less is more!

5. Remember, Your Audience Wants You to Succeed - no one goes to a belly dance performance hoping to see the dancer fail. No one wants you to trip and fall, have a costume malfunction, drop your sword, or forget your choreography. They came to be entertained and have a good time. They came to be happy. Some of my favorite performances to watch were not because the dancer "wowed" me with her technique, but were when the dancer conveyed her joy to me. So stop worrying, relax, enjoy yourself, and your audience will too.

Photo Credit: Picture of Saida from www.cadernosdedanca.wordpress.com

Best Belly Dance DVDs

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 06:45:00 +0000

A while back I wrote a post on making time to practice your dance. One easy way to do that is to pop in a DVD and follow along. However, there's a lot of belly dance DVDs on the market and it can be hard to sort through which ones are worth your money and time. Here's my top recommendations.

Best for the Brand New Belly Dancer: Belly Dance for Beginners by Leila

Perfect for the baby belly dancer, Leila does a good job of breaking down movements into manageable pieces and explaining the technique that provides the foundation of belly dance. Even for experienced dancers, it can be good to review these basics. Also, if you're looking to become a belly dance teacher, this DVD does a good job of illustrating how to explain basic moves simply and correctly.

Best for Intermediate Skill Development: Aziza's Ultimate Bellydance Practice Companion by Aziza
Once you have the basics down, be sure to practice with Aziza in this 80 minute DVD. Through drills and exercises that improve isolation, extension, and muscle coordination, you will take your dancing to the next level. This DVD also includes a section on arms and hands. And my favorite section is Aziza's famous 21-minute shimmy practice that will help you sustain a killer shimmy in no time at all. Bonus is that the DVD includes a couple live performances by Aziza, one of which is my all-time favorite drum solo.

Best for Learning Finger Cymbals: How to Become a Killer Ziller by Michelle Joyce
Real belly dancers play finger cymbals. But that's not to say that it's easy. Learning to coordinate playing a musical instrument while also performing complex dance moves is a challenge, but Michelle's DVD will help you find your groove. The DVD starts with breaking down basic rhythms and then drilling those rhythms. The DVD then goes onto add dance combinations in with the zill patterns.

Best for Perfecting Your Shimmy: Shake It Out by Sherena
The hip shimmy. Probably the most popular belly dance move of all time, and also one of the hardest to master. Perfect your shimmy with Sherena as she breaks down the basic technique and then moves onto challenging layering. There's a bonus 45 minute yoga practice also included.

Best for Honing Your Performance: Meaning in Movement by Alimah
You might not be able to put your finger on it, but you know it when you see it. When a dancer makes you forgot you're sitting in your seat. And it happens because the dancer is one with her music. She's not just checking movements off a list, but she is interpreting the meaning of the song. Becoming the physical manifestation of the music itself. That's what this DVD is all about. Adding meaning, feeling, depth, and nuance to your dance. Perfect for the advanced dancer who's mastered the technique and looking to really wow audiences. I would also say definitely a must for anyone looking to compete in a competition.

I would love to hear your DVD recommendations! What DVDs are in regular rotation at your house?

Secrets to Shiny, Healthy Hair

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:42:00 +0000

No matter if you're up on the stage or you're simply sitting on your couch, we all want our hair to look shiny and healthy. I get quite a few comments and questions on my hair. Everything from how do I get those big volume waves, to complete strangers asking me where I got my extensions done. (For the record, all the hair on my head is my own.) I've even had the person behind me in line at Starbucks decide to pet my hair. Based on this interest, plus some specific requests that I feature a post about my hair care, I've decide to divulge all my hair secrets. Honestly, my hair really isn't that different from anyone else's. I have medium-thick wavy, brown hair. But over the years I've learned to care for it and found the right products for my hair type. Since we all have different hair types, what works for me obviously won't work for everyone, but hopefully you can find an idea or two to add to your own hair care routine.

Start From the Inside
Outer beauty starts on the inside. What you eat today literally becomes the components of your cells for tomorrow. Our food is the building blocks of our internal organs, bones, skin, and hair. So it's important to eat nutrient-dense, vibrant foods. I eat a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean protein, especially salmon. And I limit wheat, dairy, and processed foods. I also take vitamins everyday. Stress, which so many of are under daily, can cause hair loss, as it leaches Vitamin B out of the body. Adding a supplement to your diet can be advantageous. The portion of my vitamin regime focused on hair is the Hair, Skin, and Nails multi-vitamin supplement made by Futurebiotics, which has a high concentration of B vitamins.

Hair Care
Even if you want to retain your long hair or are trying to grow yours out, regular trims are essential. If you don't get the dead ends cut off, you're compromising the health of your hair and ultimately slowing the growth of your hair. I get about three inches cut off every four months. I also always get layers cut in, especially around my face to add lift, texture, and body. I see Carly at Salon Divine, who is great with layers.

I try to limit washing to every other day, as too much shampooing can strip hair of its natural oils and shine. Not to mention it's just time-consuming! I alternate between using John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo and Conditioner and Therapy-G Antioxidant Shampoo and Conditioner. Overall, I like a very thick conditioner as my hair is prone to tangles and this also helps keep it hydrated. I do also color my hair with an all-over non-bleach color to add depth and dimension. I see Lori Hansen, who I highly recommend. And after my shower I always finish with Ojon Revitalizing Mist, which is a leave-in detangler. Before bed, I brush my dry hair from root to tip, which spreads oil from the scalp along the hair shaft and also stimulates growth in hair follicles.

Hair Styling
I highly recommend investing in an expensive hair dryer and brush. For a hair dryer, you want one that drys at a high heat, thus drying your hair faster, which limits the exposure time of your hair to damaging heat styling. I have a professional ionic tourmaline dryer made by Bespoke Labs. For my brush, I use 50-50 nylon and boar bristle brush by Mason Pearson. Yes, a Mason Pearson brush is a bit pricey, but it comes with a lifetime guarantee and it's an item you'll use every single day. In my opinion, it's worth every penny. Before blow drying, I spray the roots with Aveda Volumizing Tonic, which provides a noticeable volume lift. I also rub in a small amount of Aveda Smooth Infusion Style Prep Smoother, which protects against heat styling and helps smooth and soften hair. I turn my head upside down and I use my Pearson Mason brush as I blow dry to blow dry my hair out straight.

Once dry, I set my hair in hot rollers. I am a huge fan of hot rollers and they are my number one hair recommendation. They will give you big, bouncy curls, and can sit in your hair while you get ready. And, as they aren't as hot as a curling iron, they aren't nearly as damaging to your hair. A Conair set from the drugstore works just fine. Look for ones that have a minimum of 3.5 inch rollers, while 4 inches is even better. I set my style with a liberal application of John Freida Frizz-Ease Hairspray.

A few final items I keep around are Ojon Shine & Protect Glossing Mist for days when my hair is looking a little dry. And on non-shampooing days if my roots are starting to look oily, I apply good old Johnson and Johnson baby powder. But be sure to rub it in well.

Hope you found these tips helpful!

Interview with Malia

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:33:00 +0000

The Introduction
Known for both her oriental and beledi styles, Malia is a dancer of many talents. She has gained recognition as an instructor, performer, and event producer and has been featured in several local, national, and international publications. As a producer, Malia's events have included the shows Saharan Soul and Hathor Unveiled. She is also a director of the troupe Bella Rosa. For more info about her performances, classes, shows, and troupes, visit her website.

The Interview
Taking advantage of Seattle Restaurant Week, Malia and I meet for our interview at the Stumbling Goat on Phinney Ridge. Settling in over buttery fish and crisp wine, our conversation takes off instantly. Our interview even concludes with what turns out to be a very accurate tarot reading done by Malia herself!

Alessandra: What belly dancers have been the most inspirational to you?
Malia: My favorite dancer is probably Mona Said. I can always remember her saying that dancers are not supposed to do anything that is not lady-like! I've also been greatly influenced by Mish Mish and Tamalyn Dallal, as well as Nadira who really took me under her wing as a mentor when I was making the transition from student to professional.

Alessandra: Your upcoming adventure is a trip to Egypt to study beledi. Given somewhat recent events in that country and throughout the Middle East, are you feeling any apprehension?
Malia: Yes! But I've been dancing for nine years now and have always loved folkloric, so I figure it's just time to go. It's time for me to spend time learning the culture, heart, and soul of this style that speaks to me.

Alessandra: In addition to being a dancer and producer, you're also the mother of two small children. How do manage to find the time for your dance? Any tips for the rest of us?
Malia: I'm still trying to figure that out. Time really goes in waves. There are periods where my dance is on the back burner, and then there are times where I'm just really into practicing, finding music, and costuming. My children will be little for such a short period of time, so that's who I need to focus on for now. I've told myself that belly dance will always be there, even if for now it's in the background. Originally, when my first child was born, I was worried about taking time off from dance, that I would lose where I was at and all I had worked for. But being a mother has been really essential in making me the dancer that I am. I'm also fortunate that I have an amazing husband who will take the kids when I need space to dance.
Alessandra: How has being a mother affected who you are as a dancer?
Malia: Before I was a mom, I was much more rigid in my ideas of what dance should be and had very stuck opinions. Seeing how completely different my two children are has helped me realize that we are all different people. Who you are and how you dance are very individualized and very personal. It has opened up a broader world for me. I can now watch a belly dance show and just love it for what it is. I can wonder at what they are going to do next and not care if it's "right" or "wrong". Overall, my perception of belly dance has shifted to being focused on the healing aspects of belly dance and realizing how much women need this dance in their lives.

Alessandra: Thinking back to your first solo performance, can you recall what it was and how you were feeling?
Malia: My first solo performance was at Delilah's studio as part of an aromatherapy class series. Being fond of pie, the aroma I selected was key lime pie, which I baked and brought with me. I danced to Shakira in a pink and green costume. And I was terrified! In fact, I was really nervous performing for about the first four years. Growing up, I was a very mousy, shy little girl. I actually think that belly dance attracts a lot of women who are introverts and they use belly dance as a means to express themselves.
Alessandra: This fellow introvert can most certainly attest to that!

Alessandra: So it's fairly common knowledge that belly dancers in Seattle get paid less than their counterparts in other metropolitan areas. Why do you think that is?
Malia: It's hard to say. But it's sad that dancers are making less now than they did in the 1970s (comparatively speaking). I think it's partially due to undercutting and partially due to dancers not knowing what they are worth. I think it's very worthwhile for dancers to ask for raises and to recognize that what they offer is something of value.

Alessandra: What advice would you give to beginning dancers?
Malia: Buy a really fancy hip scarf, as that will make you want to use it, and use it often. Study with as many instructors as possible. Go to belly dance shows, watch the professional dancers, and in particular, watch the interaction between the dancer and the musicians.
Alessandra: And what advice would you give to the "rising stars", dancers looking to take the leap into being a professional?
Malia: Find a mentor that's on your side and wants you to succeed. Someone who will not only teach you the dancing side, but the professional, business side as well. It's so important to learn how to behave in a professional manner. Perform as often as you can, even if that means for free at haflas and other community shows. Go to shows you aren't dancing in and stay for the whole thing. Meet people in the community and network. Learn to deal with new situations. Practice. Be original. Be yourself. Specialize in something, which is a great business technique. Offer something that people want or that is uniquely you. Dancers always want to "wow" their audience, but you don't have to be in constant motion to do this; less is more. Don't rush into turning professional. Taking the stage is sacred, wait for it and know that you earned it. When you do take the stage to perform, have the confidence that you are good enough. I think new professionals can be intimidated by the seasoned performers, but know that your fellow dancers have love in their hearts for you. And remember that when you are on stage, your number one job is to make every audience member comfortable. No one should feel scared for you. "Introduce" yourself as the dancer and be confident. When you are comfortable, the audience will be comfortable and will be able to enjoy the performance. Then you can just be you and share what is in your heart.

Autumn Artist's Date

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 19:58:00 +0000

I think many people are now familiar with the idea of an "Artist Date" as originally outlined in The Artist's Way by Julie Cameron. I'm a firm believer in this concept of taking regular time out to create space for inspiration and new ideas. Thus, I recently had an extended artist's date on the East Coast. I first attended an art and yoga retreat hosted by Kimberly Wilson out in the woods of West Virginia. We did yoga outside in the crisp autumn air, collaged what we'd like to see manifest in our lives in the upcoming months, and generally relaxed away from the hustle and bustle of city life. After the retreat, I drove back into Baltimore and caught the train to New York City. My trip included a ballet class at the Broadway Dance Center, visiting MoMA, a ticket to Avenue Q, meandering through Central Park, treating myself to afternoon tea, studying belly dance with Kaeshi Chai of Bellyqueen, a Jake Gyllenhaal sighting while dining at Balthazar, pursuing the 18 miles of books at the Strand, and generally eating and drinking my way through the city. I'm returned to Seattle now and feeling relaxed and renewed for the holiday season ahead, and wanted to share a few pictorial highlights of my trip.

Even if your schedule or budget doesn't allow for an extended Artist's Date such as my own, I highly recommend taking at least an hour out of your schedule to nurture yourself. Head to an art gallery or a coffee shop, or just generate some white space in your own home to disconnect from the outside and reconnect with your inner guide.

Van Gogh's The Starry Night at MoMA.

A romantic balcony nestled in the middle of the city.

Enjoying a walk through Central Park.

The Bow Bridge in Central Park.

Afternoon tea at Alice's Tea Cup.

Picasso's Girl Before a Mirror at MoMA.

The Central Park lake and surrounding foliage.

Doing yoga in the woods of West Virginia.

Brownstones on the upper west side.

Myself and Kimberly Wilson at the cabin that was our retreat headquarters.

Interview with Tamalyn Dallal

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 16:55:00 +0000

The Introduction

Tamalyn Dallal has been gracing stages and delighting audiences for over 30 years. From Bogota to Buenos Aires, Miami to the Middle East, she has traveled around the world teaching and performing. She has won numerous awards and has worked with the world-famous Bellydance Superstars. In addition to being a talented dancer, Tamalyn is also a published author and a movie producer. Tamalyn recently re-opened the Ottoman Bellydance studio under a new name Zamani Culture House. When she's in town in March and April of 2013, she will teach classes and hold film showings at Zamini, as well as sponsor Roshan Nofret from Miami for a series of workshops

The Interview

I recently completed a week-long teacher training intensive with Tamalyn. (Highly recommended!) During one-day of the intensive, Tamalyn and I headed out to lunch to chat. Settling in over chai tea and butter chicken, our interview begins.

Alessandra: What dancers have been the biggest inspiration to you?

Tamalyn: Azza Sherif and Nebawiya Moustafa. Azza Sherif combines a mix of oriental and beledi. Her style is earthy, but elevated with classic hands. Nebawiya was an Egyptian beledi dancer and movie star. These two are probably my all-time favorites.

Alessandra: You've traveled all over the word. Has anything taken you by surprise during your travels?

Tamalyn: The response to belly dance in China has surprised me. The very first time I ever performed in China, I was wearing a beledi dress and performing to a Bedouin song from the 1940s and the young people in the audience were just screaming. I knew right away belly dance was going to be really big in China.

Alessandra: Any other surprises?

Tamalyn: Yes, actually the U.S. surprises me. For being one country, there are so many sub-cultures and differences across the various regions of the U.S. I really saw this when I was touring with my film, 40 Days and 1,001 Nights. In some places, I was met with a lot of resistance, even in places that are typically thought of as liberal cities.

Alessandra: Why do you think that is? Because the film is set in Muslim countries?

Tamalyn: Yes, there is a certain level of "Islamapohobia" in our nation. I also think it's that people don't know what to expect, so they don’t want to be involved. For instance, one bookstore owner in Santa Fe, while agreeing to let the film be shown in his store, didn’t want to be present for the screening. However, as the film was starting, he ended up seeing the beginning and then ended up staying and being receptive to the film. Overall, the dance community has really been instrumental in supporting me at times when the general public was not.

Alessandra: Continuing to delve into your travels, have you had any moments while overseas that were either transformational or really touched your heart?

Tamalyn: I've had many, but one that stands out was when I was working in Spain and had taken a trip to Tangiers for the day. I was told that female belly dancers are no longer working publically in that part of Morocco, but Shikkat (male dancers impersonating female dancers) are and I was hoping to find a restaurant having a show. I came across an old man in the street and inquired of where I should go and he took me to a restaurant. However, upon arriving, he told me that this establishment was for tourists, and that it was expensive and I shouldn't spend my money here. Instead, he took me to the Andalus Club where master musicians drink tea, smoke hashish, and play music. They said this was the same music that was played in Spain before the inquisition. People have been continually playing this style for hundreds, if not more than a thousand years. While listening to the music and absorbing the culture, I realized that the practice of playing classical Arabic music merely for enjoyment, relaxation, and joy is a piece of history that's stood still through the years. People have been seeking the juxtaposition of community and music across time and across cultures. Whether it's a club in Spain or in Zanzibar, or where I was in Morocco, whether it's the present day or a thousand years ago, little has changed in this approach.

Alessandra: You've had some amazing experiences, and been involved in so many different projects. What's next on the horizon for you?

Tamalyn: In addition to the studio, I began filming the second of the Dance on Film series entitled "Ethiopia Dances for Joy". Ethiopia is a totally different world, with over 80 ethnic groups. They have dances that people cannot imagine, which I was able to film. I went to Ethiopia last March, filmed the first segment, and will be returning in January to continue. I hope to finish filming and editing in late 2013.

Alessandra: You have been involved with belly dance for many years now and seen how it's changed throughout your career. What are your predictions for the future of the dance?

Tamalyn: I foresee more dancers showing interest in getting back to the roots of the dance and the "Golden Age" dancers, such as Tahia Karioca and Samia Gamal. I think there will still be those doing belly dancing for fun, but the dance is maturing. People want more depth. Those who are genuinely into it want to learn the history and the culture. For example, for awhile, I was seeing a trend of sponsors in certain areas only booking belly dancers who'd been in the Bellydance Superstars, as this was the only type of workshop that would sell out. But this is no longer the case. Dancers who can share research are becoming more sought after. I've also seen an increasing interest in, and respect for, the elders in the dance, with younger dancers wanting to hear the elders talk and share their insights, and I think this trend will continue as well.

Alessandra: For a student dancer looking to take her dance to the next level, what advice would you give her?

Tamalyn: I would advise getting a good solid base. Dance is built on basics. Take the time to learn the dance and don't rush to get ahead. If you do rush through the fundamentals, you'll just have to go back and learn them later, and then it's much harder. You really have to put in your six to seven years before you're ready to graduate from student. Being a baby dancer is an amazing time – enjoy it!

Alessandra: And what advice would you give to experienced dancers either looking to make the leap to professional or who are newly professional?

Tamalyn: Don't dance for cheap. The only people that can bring up the respect and compensation for dance is dancers. It's in our hands.

10 Things To Do Right Now to Improve Your Dance

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 22:59:00 +0000

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

- Lao-tzu

We all want to get become better dancers and better performers. And we all have great intentions: classes we'll take, techniques we'll master, costumes we'll buy, routines we'll choreograph, and so on. But then life gets in the way. There are bills to pay, deadlines to meet, meals to fix, children to care for, and emails to answer. If this sounds anything like you, because I sure as heck know it sounds a lot like me, then the key is to start with micromovements. A micomovement is something small that you can do right now, no matter where you are, and will only take about 5 to 15 minutes. The following list is of items that you could do right now, from just about anyway. Even if you are at work, you could take a quick break and accomplish one of these tasks. So I challenge to pick at least one item off the list and do it right now.

Call up your favorite local dancer and schedule a private lesson with her for sometime in the next month.
Buy a new belly dance DVD to practice at home with. Some of my favorites are listed on my Recommendations page.
Watch a belly dance clip on YouTube to get a dose of inspiration. My favorites are included on my Belly Dance Video Board on Pinterest.
Pull out your weekly planner and pencil in 30 minutes of practice time sometime this week.
Find a new belly dance song on Spotify. If you don't know what Spotify is, it's a Facebook-based app that let's you search by song, artist or genre; make playlists; and listen to your heart's content, all for free. Download Spotify here.
Write down your three dance goals that you want to accomplish in the next year. For each goal write three action steps you need to do to achieve that goal.
Sign up to perform at your city's next upcoming halfla or community event. If you're here in Seattle, some ideas are Alauda at Skylark, Saqra's Belly Dance Revenue at Jimmy T's, Skinny Dip at the High Dive, Kalia Greenwood, Kalia Lynnwood, or Hasani's Hafla in Tacoma.
Brush up on your belly dance culture and history by reading an article from Habibi magazine. Certain back issues are free and available online at The Best of Habibi.
Stretch. Flexibility is an integral part of dancing, so close that office door and spend 5 minutes limbering up.
Pick a class or workshop to attend in the next month. Even if you can't commit to doing a full-class series, pick at least one day that you'll drop-in. Write it on your calendar.

There is great power in beginning. You have to start somewhere, so start where you. Do it now.

Interview with Dahlia

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 19:18:00 +0000

The Introduction

I don't know that Dahlia really needs an introduction, but if you're not familiar with her work, Dahlia is a local Seattle dancer known for her exquisite musical interpretation, combined with flawless technique. She has won the titles of 2006 Double Crown Performing Artist, 2007 International Belly Dance Convention Folkloric Champion, and 2007 Belly Dancer of the Universe. Dahlia is currently offering classes in Ballard and Bothell. Check out her website for more info.

The Interview

Meeting at Starbucks, the 38-year-old mother of two, arrives looking very much the 20-something cool kid, in a funky-print hoodie, flip-flops, and minimal makeup, other than the glittery purple eyeshadow that she tells me is leftover from a gig two nights ago. Settling in over coffee, our interview starts.

Alessandra: What is your current dance goal or aspiration?

Dahlia: Currently, my greatest challenge has been given to me by Amy Sigil of Unmata. This year's Blood Moon Regale in Sacramento will mark Unmata's 10th anniversary, so the theme is A Decade of Unmata, where various troupes will perform every single choreography that Unmata has performed since 2003. Amy has given me the task of doing a montage of all the choreographies in one single dance! As far is in my own career, I'm currently focused on ITS, Unmata's signature Improvisational Tribal Style, and hope that will continue to flourish. The nature of this dance format has me once again working and performing in a troupe, which has been adjustment from being a soloist for so long now. I don't market myself enough, which is an aspect I need to focus on more. I also have students asking about an instructional DVD, which I hope to create in the future, although at this exact point in time it doesn't feel like the right timing.

Alessandra: I've always typically thought of you as a modern Egyptian, as well as a folkloric dancer. Is the recent focus on tribal style going to be a permanent focus for you? Or do you intend it to be another aspect of your overall dance?

Dahlia: I'll never let go of being a soloist and an Egyptian style dancer. Doing tribal style is an expansion of my overall dance career. Music is everything to me. It's the heartbeat of the dance. And exploring various aspects of music is my focus as a solo dancer.

Alessandra: What dancers are currently inspiring you?

Dahlia: I'm really into Daria Mitskovich, a Russian dancer, who has a very sensitive Egyptian flavor to her style that is delicious. And always by the greats: Fifi Abdo, Aida Nour, and Tito Seif. Amy Sigil. Recently, I was able to share the stage with Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes and Sharon Kihara at the Oregon Country Fair and was reinspired by their unique interpretations of classical belly dance music as well.

Alessandra: Thinking back to the first time you stepped on stage, what was your very first performance?

Dahlia: It was a troupe performance at Mediterranean Fantasy Festival in 1994.

Alessandra: So how did it go? Did it feel natural to be on stage or were there butterflies?

Dahlia: I have always been a performer, so it felt very natural for me. I was accustomed to being on stage as I did ballet, jazz, and tap growing up. I was also a musician. I played the flute, sang, and played drums. I was also into sports. I played basketball and was a competitive horseback rider.

Alessandra: We all know that things don't always go as planned or expected. What has been your worst or most embarrassing performance experience?

Dahlia: (Laughs) Costume malfunctions, stage malfunctions, music malfunctions, audience boos and hisses, you name it, I've had it happen. I had a recent performance at a book-signing at a community college, dancing in front of a couple hundred people, and the audience was just indifferent. I'm used to being able to win over an entire audience and when it doesn't happen, I wonder why I am even there. (Laughs) I left feeling like a total spoiled diva. When I perform, I completely get off on getting my audience off. I know when I do well and I know when my audience is responsive and when they are just plain confused. I know that there's a lesson for me in every gig, and every dancer will experience audiences that are indifferent or even offended. These situations demand of us to dance for ourselves in the moment. When I find myself in a gig like that, where I just want to walk out, I have to remember, and am reminded, that there are always a few lives I touch no matter what.

Alessandra: What have you found to the most rewarding part of belly dance?

Dahlia: Finding tarab. Tarab is loosely translated as a state of ecstasy or trance brought on by music. I've been lucky enough to experience tarab many, many times throughout my career. I even had it tattooed on my back in the last year.

Alessandra: What factors need to align for you to reach that state?

Dahlia: It's more common for me when working with live music. Other key factors for me are vulnerability, being present in the moment, being in communion with the musicians, and being in communion with my breath.

Alessandra: (Wow!) Yes, those are all great ingredients in a dance. So what has been the most challenging part of belly dance?

Dahlia: Dealing with the ebb and flow of politics and personal relationship with other professional belly dancers and gig coordinators. I think we all face these types of challenges related to interpersonal relationships in any job. And in belly dance you have a community of mostly women who are very artistic and very intense. It's frequently a solo artist's world and it's not always a one-for-all mentality. In my career I've worked towards creating a really supportive and beneficial market for dancers and our art form, and I strive whole-heartedly for excellent standards for everyone. However, trying to create structure in an art form that is so focused on creativity and self-expression sometimes leads to artists getting upset that they are being contained. I believe the more people share their ideas with each other and share their business practices with each other, the better off everyone will be. I think teachers really need to educate students about what it means to be a professional. We should all be on even ground, rather than having the mentality that individual dancers should climb the ladder by themselves. Ultimately, the bottom line is that the best dancer wins, or should win. Whoever is young, beautiful, and talented is often the dancer who gets hired, and that can be a hard fact to face!

Alessandra: For a student dancer looking to take her dance to the next level, what advice would you give her?

Dahlia: Not to focus in any one particular genre too exclusively. As Amy Sigil says, "dance is dance is dance." The more hours you log dancing in any form, the greater you will become. Pick a small handful of dancers that inspire you and study them, and then move onto another handful.

Alessandra: And what advice would you give to experienced dancers either looking to make the leap to professional or who are newly professional?

Dahlia: Your music is your lover. You absolutely must be unabashedly dedicated to the music you choose and that will be your tool to excel. Remember to be authentic in your work. Always be true to your inner muse, whoever he or she may be, and be careful not to follow someone else's dream or in someone else's footsteps. Belly dance is so free in the U.S. and we have so many opportunities to share and perform different genres and personal interpretations that you don't have to be any one thing. That's been really inspiring for me, and I hope to inspire other women through my own mix of modern Egyptian, folkloric, and tribal.

Power to the She

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 17:58:00 +0000

If you were anything like me, you were glued to the TV during the recent London Olympics. Staying up late into the night to watch just one more match, one more race, one more fight to the finish. But what you may or may not have noticed while watching, was that these games were marked by breakthroughs from women athletes, proving that women are a force to be reckoned with. Here are some highlights:

Out of the 104 total medals won by the United States, 58 were taken home by women. That's right, more than half were won by women.
Illustrating that you are never too old or too young, of the 539 athletes on the U.S. team, the oldest team member was 54-year-old equestrian Karen O'Connor, while the youngest was 15-year-old swimmer Katie Ledecky. Katie won gold in the 800 meter freestyle, becoming the youngest women to ever do so.
Saudi Arabia sent 800-meter runner Sarah Attar and judoist Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani to compete in the London games, thus marking the 2012 Olympics as the first time in history that every single country represented had at least one female athlete competing.
Gabby Douglas became the first African-American to become the individual all-around champion. She also became the first American gymnast to win gold in both the individual all-around and team competitions at the same Olympics.
Tunisia's Habiba Ghribi became her country's first woman to win a medal in the games.
Women boxers made history by being included in the games for the first time.
Seventeen-year-old Sadaf Rahimi became the first female boxer to fight for Afghanistan in the summer games. This is quite a feat, considering the prevalent violence against women in Afghanistan and given the fact that that under Taliban rule, women were not allowed to work or leave the house without a male escort from 1996 to 2001. Rahimi’s accomplishment registers as a hopeful cultural milestone.
And this list doesn't even begin to include all of the world records broken during the 2012 Olympics, which you can read all about here.

And because men aren't so bad either, I just have to mention the incredibly moving and inspiring performance by Oscar Pistorius of South Africa, nicknamed Bladerunner, who became the first double below the knee amputee to compete in the Olympics. Proof that you can overcome any obstacle.

Since the Olympics have ended, I have been continuing to tap into the strength, flexibility, speed, and determination exhibited by of all these amazing athletes, and have been using their example to fuel my own athletic and dance goals. I've been using the inspiration of gymnasts, like Chrystalleni Trikomit of Cyprus pictured above, to work on my flexibility. And I have signed up for the Athleta 5K race here in Seattle on September 9th.

So whether you are competing on an international stage or dancing around the stage of your living room, remember this: you are powerful.

I would be honored to hear how the London Olympics impacted you, and what dance or fitness goals you are currently working on.

Photo Credit: olympics.time.com

Favorite Music CD's for Belly Dancers

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 22:54:00 +0000

Music. The driving force behind any dance form. It's a necessity that as a dancer you are connecting with and inspired by your music choice. And especially for belly dancers, as we are striving to be the visible manifestation and interpretation of the music. I think we've all seen it when a dancer is not connected with her music. I've seen it happen with some really great dancers, and it's certainly happened to me more than once. Even audience members who may not be able to put their finger on what exactly is wrong will sense that something is not quite right. That the performance lacks that magical zing.

With that in mind, I wanted to share some CDs that have been my favorites. These have been an inspiration to me and have infused fresh creatively and enthusiasm into my dance over the years. Hopefully some of them either have already worked or will work for you as well! (P.S. Read the whole post to catch the insider tip on free music.)

Bellydance Superstars Vol. V: The first track, Yearning, is the real shining piece of this album. If you haven't performed to it yourself, you're almost guaranteed to have seen someone else do it. The rest of the CD is good as well, with a number of upbeat tracks that are good for gym classes or when you just want to crank up the energy.
Made in Zanzibar: Produced by Tamalyn Dallal, this CD is Western classical meets Middle East masterpieces meets African folkloric. Classical orchestral pieces like Canon in D, Scheherazade, and Bolero are mixed with famous Middle Eastern pieces, like Lamma Badda, and smoothed over with a unique east African feeling. It's like a yummy, gooey dessert all blended together with perfect harmony.
Bellydance Superstars Vol. III: With tracks like Habibi Ya Eini, Ana Wel Leil and Fi El Awel, this CD is regular in my rotation for restaurant shows and parties. The CD has good variety and I've been able to use every track on this album at some point or another.
House of Tarab (Self-Titled): This album is must for learning the classic belly dance pieces. It's tracks include Aziza, originally composed by Mohamed Abd el-Wahad, and Hibbina, originally composed by Farid al-Atrash, two of the great composers of the Egyptian Golden Age. There is also a beautiful violin solo and a short piece perfect for exit music.
Turkish Hits Vol. 1: The tunes on this compilation are infectious. And currently, on Amazon, they are also free (just follow the link). My favorites that have recently been in regular rotation for both classes and performances are Dilli Duduk by Tarkan and Askim Baksana Bana by Nazan Oncel. I think the nuances of Turkish music can at times be easier for Western ears to grasp than classical Egyptian, which, at least for me, has made them good starting off points for introducing Middle Eastern music in gym and beginning belly dances classes. Additionally, just about anything by Tarkan is good, which you can also listen to and download from Amazon.

So what are your favorite albums or songs? I'd love to hear what makes you have to get up and shimmy. Share in the comments section below!

Interview with Nadira

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 22:07:00 +0000

I'm excited to introduce a new series in the blog: interviews with other professional dancers! And starting off this new series is my interview with the beautiful and talented Nadira of Seattle!

The Introduction

Whether it's being featured on Persian television, touring Turkey, or dancing next to your table right here in Seattle, Nadira is a dancer you can't take your eyes off of. She has claimed no less than six national titles, including Belly Dancer USA and Belly Dancer of the Year. She has also been featured in numerous belly dance performance DVDs and even has her own instructional DVD, 5-Layers From the Ground Up. In addition to performing as a soloist, she can also been seen performing with the renowned troupe, Fleurs d'Egypte. For more information about Nadira, to sign up for a class, or purchase her DVD, check out her website.

The Interview

Alessandra: What other dancers are currently inspiring you?

Nadira: In the belly dance realm, Hadia. But right now I’m very much into all kinds of dance. I’ve trained in other dance forms my entire life, so get lots of influence from everything out there. Currently I’ve started to get back into my jazz roots.

Alessandra: You have an impressive list of competition titles that you’ve won. What have you found to be the benefits of participating in competitions? Any negatives?

Nadira: Thank you! My reasons for each competition I’ve entered have been different. I originally entered for feedback to grow as a dancer, but also to push myself out of my comfort zone. It’s scary to put yourself out there to be judged in that type of setting. Pushing through the fear has always been important to my growth as an artist. The benefit I experienced was that getting ready for a competition forced me to set goals and kept me very focused. You can’t enter a competition with the goal of winning, that’s too much pressure and you have no control over the outcome. Setting goals more geared toward growth are an excellent way to grow in this dance. A negative is that competitions aren’t for everyone. When I have a student who wants to compete, we figure out their reason and focus on that.

Alessandra: Speaking of competitions, there’s currently a belly dancer on So You Think You Can Dance, and there’s been a wide range of thoughts on her, her dancing, and her participation in this prominent, national venue, as voiced by our own belly dance community. What’s your take?

Nadira: She’s on the SYTYCD because she has other dance backgrounds. You can see it in her movement; she’s had years of other dance. That show is rooted in strong dance training and there’s no way someone with solely one dance style could make it that far. I’m torn. I like that a belly dancer has made it to the show, but I see her style is not that of an experienced belly dancer. I hope her presence on SYTYCD brings positivity to belly dance.

Alessandra: For you, what has been the most rewarding part of being a belly dancer?

Nadira: Originally this dance was solely for physical therapy (I have a herniated disc in my lower back and migraines from an accident). What it has blossomed into is, I’ve gotten to know myself as a woman, an entertainer, and instructor. It’s very empowering. On the performer side, there is a unique opportunity for expression and give and take. You give the audience your energy, and they take it and give back. On the instructor side, I enjoy seeing my students grow and find their voice in this dance. I have several students who are embarking on their new dance career and I am excited to help them along their journey.

Alessandra: And what has been the most challenging?

Nadira: That’s a broad question and has many facets, but right now it’s about finding a balance between the dance and the home self. I’m getting married shortly and finding the balance between my new life with family and home, and my growth, training, instructing in dance. A good challenge to have though!

Alessandra: For a new student of belly dance looking to continue growing and progressing in her technique and knowledge, what advice would you give her?

Nadira: To figure out and set goals. Also to enjoy the journey. It’s about putting in the time to train and hone your technique, but also to have fun. Make mistakes, try new things, go see shows, and see how the pros perform. The only way to find your voice in this dance is to DANCE. It took me a few years to get my true voice in this dance, and it was one of the best journeys I’ve ever experienced!

Alessandra: And for either a student looking to turn pro, or a new professional, what advice would you give her?

Nadira: Find a mentor who can work with you and guide you to your goals. Rome was not built in a day, and neither are professional performers. At most established venues where professional dancers perform, you get one shot. That can be an intimidating thought, but there are ways to prepare. When you are first beginning to perform, it is best to work your way up to the established venues. This will allow you to get your performance/entertainment chops fine-tuned by dancing in smaller dancer friendly venues. Also, professionalism is not simply pretty costumes and technique. This is a business just like any other business and there’s etiquette and a professional standard to uphold.

My Bucket List

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:06:00 +0000

We all need dreams and aspirations, and writing them down and sharing them is the first step to making our dreams a reality. Penning them transforms our desires from the realm of possibility to the realm of actuality, and by sharing them we create accountability. So with that in mind, I am sharing with all of you my bucket list.

I finally formalized my list that's been swimming around in my head for many years now. It includes my belly dance related goals, as well as what I hope to accomplish in the other aspects of my life. My list is 101 items long, 32 of which I have already completed, and four more of which I hope to be able to check-off by the end of the year. Be sure to see the end of the post for some photo documentation of some of the items I've been able to proudly say I've done. So without further ado...

Belly Dance

~~Teach a weekly belly dance class~~, started teaching weekly classes at LA Fitness back in 2010
~~Become a regular house dancer at a local restaurant~~, became a regular dance at Spiro's as of 2012
~~Launch my own business as a professional belly dancer~~, business launched in 2010
Win a national belly dance title
Own a Bella costume
Attend MECDA's Professional Dance Conference & Retreat
~~Complete Tamalyn Dallal's week-long teacher training intensive,~~ completed in 2012
~~Attend GoddessLife belly dance training in Greece~~, done in 2010
Study belly dancing in Egypt, such as Ahlan Wa Shalan or other festival/study program
~~Start a belly dance blog~~, started Sequins & Shimmies in 2010
Audition for So You Think You Can Dance
Join a professional belly dance troupe
Go on a Tamalyn Dallal retreat in Zanzibar
Become Suhaila Salimpour certified

Foreign Travel

15. ~~See the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt~~, spent 3 weeks in Egypt in 2009

16. Visit the Hagia Sophia in Turkey

17. Climb Machu Picchu, Peru

18. ~~Stand on the shores of Lake Titicaca in Bolivia~~, spent 2 weeks in Bolivia in 2000

19. ~~Walk through the Acropolis in Greece~~, spent 1 month in Greece in 2010

20. ~~Visit the Vatican in Italy~~, spent 3 weeks in Italy in 2011

21. ~~Walk along the Great Wall of China~~, spent 3 weeks in China/Hong Kong in 2004

22. ~~See the Alhambra and the Sagrada Familia in Spain~~, spent 1 month in Spain/Portugal in 2002

23. ~~Be transported back in time in Sintra, Portugal~~, spent 1 month in Spain/Portugal in 2002

24. See the Taj Mahal in India

25. Ride the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower in France

26. Visit Stonehenge in England

27. Explore the beautiful countryside of Ireland

28. Visit a temple in Thailand

29. See an opera in the Sydney Opera House, Australia

30. Explore the Mayan ruins in Yucatan Peninsula

31. Go on a safari in Tanzania

32. Meander through Croatia

33. ~~Ride the Star Ferry in Hong Kong Harbor~~, spent 3 weeks in China/Hong Kong in 2004

34. Drink beer at Ocktoberfest in Germany

35. See Petra in Jordan

36. Dance at carnival in Brazil

37. See Mount Fuji in Japan

38. Ride a camel in Morocco

39. See Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

40. Pretend to be a princess at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland

41. Discover Swayambhunath in Nepal and Paro Valley, Bhutan

42. Surf in Costa Rica

43. Scuba dive in Belize

44. Stay in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora

45. Visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia

Education, Certifications, & Non-Belly Dance Career

46. ~~Get awarded an academic scholarship~~, was awarded over $19,000 of academic scholarships in 2000 to 2002

47. ~~Graduate magna cum laud with my Bachelor's degree~~, graduated with a 3.8 GPA in 2005

48. ~~Obtain my CPA license~~, passed on my first try, certified in 2007

49. ~~Get promoted to audit manager in public accounting~~, promoted in 2011

50. Make 40 Under 40

51. Obtain my nutritionist certification

52. Start my own nutrition and wellness coaching business

53. Save $2.6 million for retirement

54. Get TEFL certification

55. Obtain yoga certification or personal trainer certification

Adventures & Experiences

56. Go sky diving

57. Witness a solar eclipse

58. Watch the Olympics in person

59. See Tool in concert

60. Watch a UFC fight at the MGM Grand

61. Go to a paint dancing party

62. Get a tattoo

63. ~~Walk down Bourbon Street on Fat Tuesday of Mardi Gras~~, went to Mardi Gras in 2000

64. Get scuba diving certification

65. Swim with dolphins

66. ~~Go to Las Olas Surf Camp in Sayulita, Mexico,~~ attended in 2008

67. Live overseas for a minimum of three months

68. Ride in a hot air balloon

69. Walk on fire

70. Water ski

71. Spend a night on board the Venice Simpton Orient Express

U.S Travel

72. Visit the Harry Potter theme park

73. ~~See a musical on Broadway~~, done in 2010

74. ~~Drive the road to Hana in Hawaii~~, done in 2007, visited both Maui and Oahu

75. ~~Visit the Smithsonian museums~~, done in two separate trips in 2005 and 2006

76. See the Grand Canyon

Physical Abilities

77. ~~Compete in a triathlon~~, competed in the Danskin Triathlon in 2004

78. Finish the Escape from Alcatraz swim

79. Do the standing splits

80. ~~Qualify to be a State Championship swimmer~~, qualified in 1999 and also broke high school swimming record

Spirituality & Volunteering

81. Hear the Dalai Lama speak

82. Go on a silent meditation retreat for New Year's

83. ~~Find my true religion~~, done throughout 1999 to ~ 2006, learned that not having a religion is my true religion

84. Get an energy or chakra reading

85. ~~Meditate for 10 minutes every day for 1 year~~, done in 2010, still doing to date

86. Volunteer in a foreign country for a minimum of two weeks

87. ~~Serve on a non-profit board~~, served on Village Volunteers board 2009 - 2010

Creativity & Artistic Exploration

88. Learn to hoop dance

~~89.~~ ~~Take an aerial silks class~~, took class in 2011

~~90.~~ ~~Try the flying trapeze~~, did twice in 2011

91. Go on a Kimberly Wilson retreat

Intellectual

92. Be a contestant on Jeopardy

~~93.~~ ~~Learn to play the violin~~, done, started playing at age 10 and have played in multiple school and community orchestras

94. Be conversationally fluent in a foreign language

95. Qualify to join Mensa

96. Write and publish a book

97. Read a poem at a poetry slam

Family & Home

98. Marry my life partner in an authentic ceremony using our own vows

99. Own my own home with French doors that open onto a balcony

100. Adopt a dog

~~101.Garden in the Queen Pea p-patch~~, had a patch in 2010

Professional belly dancer performing at a private party

Riding camels in front of the pyramids of Giza

Attending the GoddessLife belly dance training in Greece

In front of St. Peters's in Vatican City.

In the Acropolis in Greece

Visualize, Embody, Transform

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 20:12:00 +0000

Countless times it's been said that a picture's worth a thousand words. Amazing images keep falling into my lap this month. Images that inspire and uplift me. Images that make me want to create, dance, and transform. I am compelled to share.

All images speak differently to each viewer. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What do the images below say to you? How can you envelop them into your life and your dance this month?

Do you want to embody flowing grace?

Abandon your sense of self and completely surrender?

Dance on air like a fantasy creature?

Speak your truth and aim for the heart?

Be reborn as a goddess?

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest (link to the right) for more amazing imagery.

Why Do I Dance?

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:58:00 +0000

I dance because I have to

My body, my lungs, my liver would surely collapse upon themselves

wither and die if I did not

I dance because it is my prayer

My lamentation

My Savior

My temple

My religion

I dance because it feeds my soul and heals my wounds

It bathes me in unassuming comfort

It is my source of solace

An embrace when I so desperately needed it

It is my laughter and my ecstasy

My oxygen and my purpose

I dance so that I no longer have to walk alone

on this joyous, agonizing, wrenching, wonderful journey of life

I dance to wash away my former confines

I dance to step outside my skin, to shed my former restraints

To wipe my slate clean as freshly laundered linen

I dance because all the children of God dance

I dance because it frees me

It releases me

And just for a moment I am here

Fully inhabiting this body

It is my glimmer of hope, the radiance beckoning in tomorrow

It is the face of God, cast upon my own

It is my connection with the Divine

I dance because it silences my doubt

It drowns out the naysayers

It lets me close my eyes at night

I dance because there is this burning in my body, deep within the marrow, buried at the source

There is a snake coiled around my spine, humming with the vibration and I cannot ignore it

It is stronger than I am

I must let it out

I dance because it is my tears, drummed out over the echo of my pain, loss and regret

It is the visual manifestation of my words unspoken

You may be able to silence my voice

But you cannot silence the beating of my heart

I dance because I have to

Photo Credit: "Expansion" sculpture by Paige Bradley

Top 5 Free Online Business Tools for Belly Dancers

noreply@blogger.com (Alessandra) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 21:36:00 +0000

As dancers, we are typically right-brained artists, focused on creativity, expression, and beauty. However, if you're pursuing belly dance in any type of money-making or business capacity, you also need to tune into your left-brained skills, which I think at times dancers can forget to do. Thus I wanted to focus this post on some free online tools that can help you organize and grow you business. I am actually a business woman by day (a CPA in fact, for those of you who didn't know), so I know a thing or two about business. By the way, even if you're not a dancer, these tools can be useful for almost any entrepreneur.

1. Google Voice: Don't want to put your personal phone number out on the interwebs, but also don't want to pay for a separate business line? Then sign-up for Google voice. Using this free service, you select a phone number for your business. When your potential client/student dials this number, it rings through to your cell phone. If you don't answer, a separate business voicemail message (ie. not the personal greeting you already have set-up on your cell phone) is played to your potential client/student. You can access the message online or Google will send it to you via text message. Yeah, it's pretty slick. One thing to note, a phone number in the area code you want may not always be available, if that's the case, check back a few weeks later. New ones come available in rotating chunks. I use this service and I highly recommend it.

2. A Drive: This is a cloud storage system (cloud is just a fancy pants term for online). While you can pay for premium storage plans, A Drive offers a basic personal plan that gives you 50 GB of free online storage. How much storage is that you ask? That's about 12,500 MP3s or 75,000 pictures. So yes, the answer is a freakin' lot. Why do you want online storage? Because when your personal computer crashes, is stolen, burns up in a fire, or is dropped in the bathtub, you don't want to lose all of the pictures, video, and music you've accumulated over your belly dance career. One word of advice - no online system is completely hacker-proof. So the access codes to your bank accounts, certain risque pictures, the recipe for the Colonel's chicken, and anything else that you wouldn't want someone potentially getting their hands on, should not be uploaded.

3. Pinterest: As dancers, we are engaged in a visual art form, and Pinterest is all about the visual. With the swift and sudden popularity of Pinterest, I think everyone's heard of this one by now, but a quick explanation for those who haven't. Pinterest is an online pin board. Think of it as a collage or inspiration board that you can pin electronic pictures and videos to. But while it's very popular, I think not everyone may understand how it can help their business. I think Pinterest can be valuable in two different ways. The first is to use it as your personal idea or goal board: pin images of costumes you want to make or buy, videos of dancers that inspire you, pictures of stage makeup you want to replicate, etc. Then it's all there in one concise, easy to access page. Secondly, you can also use Pinterest to actively promote yourself. If you pin pictures directly from your website or blog, even as others repin them, the original upload link stays with the pin, thus helping drive traffic back to your sites. Also, if you're pinning pictures or videos of yourself, it's yet another outlet to get yourself and your art in front of the eyes of others. How many eyes you ask? Latest stats say Pinterest has 10 million active users and is the fastest growing site in history. You can follow along with me on Pinterest here.

4. Mailchimp: We all know email newsletters can be a great way to advertise your services and connect with your tribe. But it can be daunting to know where to start or how to put one together. Enter Mailchimp. Mailchimp has a "forever free" plan wherein if you have less than 2,000 subscribers, you can send up to 12,000 emails per month absolutely free. It allows to you upload your mailing lists, build sign-up forms to embed in your website, create newsletters, track your analytics, connect your newsletters to other social media sites, and more If and when you do surpass the 2,000 mark, they also have some pretty reasonably priced plans.

5. PayPal: Now this one I know you've heard of, but the question is, are you using it? If someone wants to give you money, you should make it as easy for them as possible. I think for dancers, this is key for two types of transactions. First is for getting students to sign-up for lessons. We all know that if we've pre-paid for something we are much more likely to attend than if we haven't. So when the first class of your new session rolls around, it can be easy for students who intended to sign-up to get comfy on the couch and not show up Whereas, if you've already accepted that student's payment online, through a few easy clicks of the mouse, you are much more likely to guarantee attendance. For an example, you can check out the classes page of my own website here. By the way, to get the html code for the PayPal buttons, sign into your account, click Profile, and one of the options toward the top will be for PayPal buttons, where you can customize them and then generate the code. Another area that can be beneficial for dancers to use PayPal is for accepting deposits for private parties. We unfortunately live in a world of fraud and this can make some potential clients nervous about sending what is usually a sizable check off to someone they don't know for a service they haven't yet received. I typically tell clients that while I prefer to receive deposits via check, if they are more comfortable using PayPal that option is available to them. I have found that almost always the client elects to pay by check, but by having the PayPal option it fosters trust and shows that I am a professional, running a legitimate business.