Tribal Bellydance's topics - tribe.net

creepy new tribe guy

cynthiatodd — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:07:15 GMT

Has anyone else received a friend request from this guy http://people.tribe.net/viqasxinn and then seen their picture appear in his profile in a very creepy manner and subsequently been totally creeped out? I've reported him to the Tribe police, but wanted to make other people aware because I think most people (myself included) assume that new friend requests are from nice new people who are not predatorial.

I don't think I'm off base, but let me know if you think I am.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 23 replies

Looking for quotes for an article - how do you describe your bellydance style?

Yeli — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:33:43 GMT

I am working on a center piece article for the BD magazine Papyrus (local mag to the North Texas Middle Eastern Dance Association www.ntmeda.org). I would like to include your quotes and picture of you if you would like to respond to my inquiry:

How do you describe your bellydance style and what about this style was most attractive to you? Short and sweet answers are more likely to get published but feel free to discuss more at length!

What I am looking for is about a paragraph response that says something like: I am a ______style dancer or I describe my style as _______. What I love most about this mix of styles is _______ or what attracted me most to this style of bellydance is ___________.

Maybe you used to be a Egyptian purist and now you are a gothic fusion dancer. Why?

Anything interesting you have to add would be appreciated. If you have a picture that I could use in papyrus with your quote or otherwise, please send to yelisbelly at yahoo dot com. The pics need to be at least 300 dpi.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 0 replies

Tribal Party Decor

alison — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:23:10 GMT

Hi,

Im Alison from South Africa.
My little Studio is having its year end party soon. We have access to a hall at the centre where I teach. When I say hall I mean a big high ceilinged room and not much else. We need some ideas for decor - the Guests will be sitting at tables and there may or may not be a stage...... how can we transform the room without spending a packet or resorting to the "Arabian Tent" look?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 6 replies

Does anybody remember the tribal groups:ROMANI & INVADERS OH THE HEART?

Sawjja — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 17:33:29 GMT

I so adore all of the dancers who were in these groups. I loved Invaders of the Heart so much that iIgot myself a big tattoo on my lower back named for them.I would love to see both truops together again.They were simply AWESOME! Sawjja

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 45 replies

San Francisco performances this month?

miss_drea_cakes — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:27:24 GMT

Hi all,
I am heading up to the bay area for a vacation from july 28th- august 3rd.
Are there any wonderful performances going on during that time that I should check out?
Thanks bunches!
xo

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 9 replies

NO SPAM

tribaldancer — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 08:16:03 GMT

No spam allowed in the discussion area of this tribe. Please restrict any announcements, sales, or solicitations to their appropriate areas on Tribe.
Thanks!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 20 replies

a friendly question about jewelry

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:19:00 GMT

So, when you ladies buy jewelry, and belt and jewelry components, do you care if it is old or new or where it is from; or is it good as long as it looks right?

Would you buy new stuff in the old designs (reproductions)?
Would tou pay a little more for better construction or better fit (such as the cuffs)?
Or is it all about authentic jewelry from "over there" regardless of sharp pieces, missing pieces and often shoddy construction?
Please don't take offense to any of these questions. I do have some training in metal work and jewelry..... my instructor would have chewed my a-- if I had turned in something with the kind of workmanship I've seen on some of this stuff..... so I'm very curious!!!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 7 replies

SF Mecca Immersion :: Who's going?

ayro — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:38:02 GMT

I signed up last Friday for this immersion event and I was wondering who if any of you will be attending too! I am going for the 3 days not the 5dy - the whole I need money to eat too thing - but I am looking to make friends and possibly room share with anyone up in the area.

and, if you have no idea what I am talking about:

http://www.sfmeccaimmersion.com/start.php

x

ayrabeth

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 14 replies

Med Fest anyone?

bugwitch — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:05:33 GMT

Well...who'se going? It's this weekend. It's not specifically tribal, but it seems to be inclusive of all styles...at least I hope it is.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 1 reply

Looking for Belly Dancing Classes in West LA?

tanyag — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:16:00 GMT

Anyone know of any good teachers in West LA? I've been searching for sometime and it seems everyone is in Silverlake or the valley. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 8 replies

Veil Fans (repost)

darkgypsy — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:58:34 GMT

Where can i buy a good pair of veil fans, by your experience? They look so purty when danced with so im thinking of taking up such beauties. :)

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 0 replies

Tribal Massive Pix Posted

braddosland — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:59:48 GMT

Photos from the Tribal Massive Spectacular show in Las Vegas--featuring Rachel Brice and Mardi Love, Heather Stants, Donna Mejia, Lava, Damage Control, Daughters of Durga, and more--have been posted at http://taboomedia.smugmug.com/gallery/5254280_JJLkn

Enjoy!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 1 reply

Returning to the US...any troupes in Monterey, California area?

parvane — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:57:10 GMT

So after two long years away in the UK, my job is finally returning me to my dear California next April. I am so excited to come back to Monterey for plenty of reasons, one of them being that it is so close to the heart of Tribal Fusion Bellydance. I was wondering if there are any troupes in the area. I had hoped to be able to join a new troupe after I'm forced to leave the one I've been performing with these past two years, Neohips. If anyone knows of classes or troupes that are willing to take in a foreign stray, I'll be very happy. Thanks!!!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 2 replies

X-post: Best Bellydance Moment Ever!

Faedra — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:36:23 GMT

I've been out of the loop a little with Bellydancing and I'm finding it a little difficult to get re-inspired so I need some fuel from you lovelies! What was your best bellydance moment ever?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 24 replies

stretch choli pattern

Nicole — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:14:14 GMT

I was looking at something else entirely and came across this pattern for a stretch choli. I know nothing about the company, but I think I may order it sometime soon and try it out. It may take my a while to work up to it, though, I've never worked with stretch fabric.

Just thought I'd share!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 20 replies

Floorwork flop

Button — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:21:04 GMT

I must preface this by saying that i most definitely got "too big for my britches" for even THINKING about trying any kind of floorwork. We have not covered it in either of the classes i take, so my attempts have all just been me goofing around at home while i practice and drill. So, perhaps, with proper instruction i may get it one day, but i have doubts...it seems my my body is just not having it. My tribal instructor does *always* have us do Suhaila squats as part of our warm up, i also do them at home with her DVD when i can, and i can DEFINITELY tell that my legs are stronger since the uncontrollable leg-muscle quivering does not happen to me when i do a set of them , which is a miracle in itself!

I know enough *not* to attempt a drop to the floor, so i have been laying on the floor on my back with my legs folded under and trying to use my quads (which have gotten quite strong, or so i *thought*) to push myself up, just to strengthen myself and get my body used to the position. It's sad...i lay there and flop and thrash and needless to say that nothing pretty is happening with this move. Muscles quiver, legs hurt and failure stings me yet again. Funny how just when you think you are getting stronger, more awesome and more flexible, a move can come and smack you back into reality. I can't help but wonder if i am crazy to even try...i am late coming into the dance and not a spring chickie. Is it possible that i will never be able to do floorwork since i am not as flexible as i was when i was younger? It' so beautiful and i so want to learn it, but i am terrified of injuring myself by pushing to hard. Am i being a weenie...and is there a better way to condition the muscle groups you'd need for this than my silly on-the-floor flopping? (If nothing else, it's good for comedy! :)

xoxo

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 12 replies

troupe recommendations

kimbriel — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 03:22:14 GMT

hi there! i'm helping put together a night of bellydance at a large performing arts center in austin, tx-- we'd like to have several diverse performance groups showcasing a variety of bellydance styles. i'm looking for recommendations of groups who put on fabulous stage shows-- can you direct me?
thank you!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 15 replies

My UNMATA Necklace was stolen in SF! Please help me!

Sigil — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:31:31 GMT

Hi everyone.
On Sunday my car was broken into at Pride. I lost everything. My ipod, camera, new rollybag, my notebook, calendar, clothes, jewelry and...
my UNMATA necklace.
Everything else I can replace over time. But my UNMATA Necklace!!!!!!!
It was taken in San Francisco.
Here's what I'm thinking...This is a powerful piece of jewelry and it may show itself so I can find it. I figure I have a few hundred people on my side in the city that know the necklace or the symbol.
Please keep your eyes open and if you see one, it's mine. Offer to buy the necklace from whoever for whatever it costs and I will reimburse.
Please, I know she is trying to show up somewhere for me.
I'm heartbroken

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 4 replies

planning for 2009?

tribaltuesdays — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:08:40 GMT

what's going on for 2009? if you know of dates for festivals, workshops, etc., please post them here.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 10 replies

month long break?

Elle — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:03:33 GMT

so what do you do with the spare time if your classes go on a monthlong break?
any videos/books/whatevers you recommend for keeping up in the downtown?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 9 replies

conscious or unconscious?

Nicole — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:17:48 GMT

When you are performing a completely unstructured solo do you tend to think, "okay, now I'm going to do (x)" or do you turn your mind off and let your body do the thinking? Some combination of the two, or something else entirely?

I tend mostly to let my body take over, but my mind will pop in every now and then and say..."hey, an (x) would fit nicely right here."

I'm curious about your internal experience of performing, whether it be for a friend or a large crowd.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 22 replies

neuroscience of dance

peregrinekt — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:08:58 GMT

interesting article:
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-neuroscience-of-dance&ec=su_

thoughts? :)
----

* Dance is a fundamental form of human expression that likely evolved together with music as a way of generating rhythm.
* It requires specialized mental skills. One brain area houses a representation of the body’s orientation, helping to direct our movements through space; another serves as a synchronizer of sorts, enabling us to pace our actions to music.
* Unconscious entrainment—the process that causes us to absent-mindedly tap our feet to a beat—reflects our instinct for dance. It occurs when certain subcortical brain regions converse, bypassing higher auditory areas.

So natural is our capacity for rhythm that most of us take it for granted: when we hear music, we tap our feet to the beat or rock and sway, often unaware that we are even moving. But this instinct is, for all intents and purposes, an evolutionary novelty among humans. Nothing comparable occurs in other mammals nor probably elsewhere in the animal kingdom. Our talent for unconscious entrainment lies at the core of dance, a confluence of movement, rhythm and gestural representation. By far the most synchronized group practice, dance demands a type of interpersonal coordination in space and time that is almost nonexistent in other social contexts.

Even though dance is a fundamental form of human expression, neuroscientists have given it relatively little consideration. Recently, however, researchers have conducted the first brain-imaging studies of both amateur and professional dancers. These investigations address such questions as, How do dancers navigate though space? How do they pace their steps? How do people learn complex series of patterned movements? The results offer an intriguing glimpse into the complicated mental coordination required to execute even the most basic dance steps.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 18 replies

magazine

Claudie-Alexandra — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:07:22 GMT

is there any tribal fusion style a/o ats magazine available in the usa or canada?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 0 replies

Body image and ego

Button — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:06:32 GMT

I can't deny that i have lost some extra "upholstering" since i started dancing about a year ago-ish, and i am liking my body more, a tiny step at a time. This a great thing! In fact, it is one of the thing i love so much about belly dancing...the way it teaches you to love you body and the awesome things it can do! A woman's body is a magical powerful thing. I admire the lean serpentine bodies just as i admire the big curvaceous beautiful belly dancers, and cheer with joy when i see a larger dancers completely DEMOLISHING the preconcived notion that dancers must be thin to be beautiful.

In my Tribal class last week, my instructor brought me face to face with my bare belly.....and i wanted to sink into a crack in the floor and disappear! Tho' i cannot deny that it helps so much to SEE your tummy in action to get a good understanding of which muscles we are isolating when we do various moves. I leave my tum bare when i practice at home, and while i don't ENJOY the view, it is helpful. What i CAN'T understand is why i feel happy pride when i see other POWERFUL non-tiny bellies, yet i can't extend those great feeling of freedom and empowerment to my OWN self. Why am i so hard on myself when i feel so good about OTHER dancers doing the VERY THING i am too chicken to do by putting it all out there!? My big ugly ego gets in the way of feeling good about myself. Even tho' i feel so much better about how i look, i was still mortified to have my less-than perfect midsection out in the open. I felt vulnerable, even tho' it was plainly GOOD to see what my belly looked like while i tired to isolate and such.

Ego is a terrible rotten thing, and self esteem, oh my...it's a never ending battle to "Love" myself and all my faults. Why can't i just say "Screw it", put on a choli and not worry that i don't have Rachael Brice abs! I am tired of struggling with stupid body image issues!

I dearly hope that with time, i will be come more confident and worry less about these issues and allow myself to let go and enjoy the dance without my ego getting in the way! Has anyone else felt this way? Tell me i am not alone and these feelings CAN be overcome.

xoxox button

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 70 replies

Roma Article in Time

Pele — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:38:50 GMT

It's so sad really, especially the reference to children playing "Cops and Bellydancers"

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 12 replies

traveling, gas prices, and planes!!!

dragolin — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:47:41 GMT

Hi Everyone,

I am not sure if this is the correct place to write this but I would love to here what other people are thinking. With gas prices hitting sky rocketing prices, airlines charging for luggage and even sodas now how are daners and especially vendors handling this? How are you coping with the inflated prices just to go to events. I vend and participate in classes when I go to festivals. But I am starting to look at the prices to go to an event outside of my home state, with the extra charges even on the first piece of luggage and gas are other vendors having to riase their prices on thier merchandise?? I have not raised my prices in the 3 years I have been vending but now I am starting to wonder. Even the post office raised thier prices just for shipping. Are teachers raising their prices on classes? Are you being more picky on the events you are attending?

I would love to hear feedback from everyone? I am just wondering if it worth continuing with my small business. thanks in advance.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 10 replies

Photos of Tribal Dancers found. Do they belong to anybody?

Nicky — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:46:46 GMT

Hi, can anybody help?

I'm clearing out some stuff that's been boxed through two house moves, and have come across an unlabelled CD. On it are a load of photos of tribal dancers, plus some non-tribal ones too.

From what I can gather, they were either taken by somebody who has travelled to the USA from the UK to visit an old school friend, or a USA person travelling to England - it's a little confusing! There is a photo of a message that says:
"Dear Miss Deltzerwas. Here to visit her former Kindergarten Student from England"

The date stamp is April 2006. I've posted a couple of the photos on my BellyNut tribe photo album: http://tribes.tribe.net/bellynuttribal

If you know anybody who travelled to the USA (one of the events seems to be called Casbah Studio) then please pass this on to them and ask them to get in touch. There must be some amazing memories on here and I'd hate it if they were mine and were lost!

Thanks,
Nicola

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 6 replies

Any words of wisdom for the new girl?

Leigh — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:22:03 GMT

I went to one of those restaurants that have bellydancing. One of the dancers pulled me onto the floor and I fell in love.

I was traveling in central america for a while after that and didnt find any there, but now I'm back in Atlanta, have found a place to start learning... and I'm wondering, anything I should know bf starting? Most importantly, what's the best thing to wear? Yoga pants and a tank?

Otherwise, I'm excited. First times are my favorite. So I don't want to have too much explained to me. But just the things you think are good to know.

Of course, i read the post below about body image and how belly dancing effects it.... I hadn't even thought about that angle. Anyway, the women I know who belly dance (not suprisingly, i've suddenly met many since that first time dancing) are the coolest most centered I've ever met.

Cannot wait to see what happens next.... Oh, and it's lovely to meet all of you.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 8 replies

Zill pattern help?

Tarah Van Wyk — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:32:57 GMT

Hi...know there has been lots on zill patterns before, but my teacher has assigned us the task of finding out what the waidi /whaidi (sp?) and Mamoud/ mahmoud (sp?) pattern's are to take and show her in class next week... if you can help me by pointing me in the direction of sites that can help, and even better can demonstrate so I can actually hear the beats I would be highly appreciative!

Much thanks
Tarah

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 6 replies

Super noobie dancer asked to perform for friends-HELP!

Tiffany — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:47:13 GMT

Ack! I mentioned that I bellydance to a friend who is having a gathering, and she asked me to put something together.
It's in 2 weeks!
Gah!
Any advice on how long I should go? I have enough basic moves to make it through a song so I'm not too worried about that....But should I start with a disclaimer that I really have no idea what I'm doing? :)

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 7 replies

seeking an Uzbek female singer...

Maria — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:32:55 GMT

I'm drawing a blank on this one, she's a singer from Uzbekistan
that sings in a similar style to Azam Ali ...I've seen the cd on
Amazon but I can't seem to remember her name...

Bueller??
Bueller??

Thanks!

Maria

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 5 replies

Bloomin' bellies- pregnancy and the dance

Leah — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:58:29 GMT

Just found out two weeks ago that we're expecting our third ... exciting!

So I'm very early into the pregnancy and yet this is my third so I've already noticed some changes to my shape (we all notice the most subtle things). I'm tiring a lot easier too but otherwise am feeling very healthy and no nausea (knock on wood). So, here are my questions.

1) Amazingly I've been able to find very little literature/instruction on dancing in pregnancy. I fully intend to keep dancing all the way through as I did with my others but, in looking for information I came across a huge amount of instructional vids for yoga/pilates and everything else during pregnancy. Where is the bellydance? I found one VHS on Delilia's site but sadly my technology doesn't still support this.

I'd love some advice on what movements were found helpful during pregnancy/labor and which were avoided. Things to focus on.

2) I know I've seen some lovely photos of dancers performing while pregnant. Generally as part of a troupe. I'd love to know what the reactions were. I have classes and workshops in my schedule through the summer but my performance schedule is pretty light. In the fall, I have no idea what to expect. If I'm feeling good, I'd love to continue dancing. Naturally , I think some venues would be out (too conservative) but I'm hoping there will be some opportunities still open. Would love to hear your stories and experiences please.

Thanks!!!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 15 replies

Need a Teacher in Humboldt!!!!!!

emilee — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:25:26 GMT

Hello beauties, I just moved to Arcata in Humboldt county and need to find a tribal belly dance teacher as soon as possible. Any suggestions?

Thanks so much
xoxo

Emileeeeeee

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 1 reply

Any dancers on Kauai?

Amira — Mon, 19 May 2008 17:15:56 GMT

I'm going to Kauai this summer and I'm hoping to find some belly dancers there!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 2 replies

tribal en Paris?

sharoncita2000 — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:55:08 GMT

A friend of mine will be in Paris for a couple of weeks, I think it's later this month, and would like to hook up with any tribal style belly dance going on there.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 2 replies

Tribal in Sydney, Australia

Samara — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 11:15:53 GMT

I'm visiting Australia for a month (mostly in Sydney) and I'm looking for tribal classes that allow drop-ins. Help a girl out?

Thank you!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 8 replies

What is wrong with Yahoo?

Amy — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 15:30:45 GMT

Sorry, not tribal, but I can't get into any Yahoo servies all weekend, esp. my e-mail. I also can't find any news articles on their server being down (but I'm getting server errors). Anyone having the same problem? And, if you know me on tribe, can you message me your e-mail address?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 5 replies

Band suggestions

Laura — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:12:36 GMT

Hey, everyone!

I know most people here have developed a great affinity for Brass Menazeri, and there is a band I would like to suggest to everyone. I like to think of them as the string version of Brass Menazeri - their name is Luminescent Orchestrii. They're from Brooklyn and I've seen them a few times and they're really, really fun. If you go to the music session in their website there are some songs available for downloading. 'Warsaw' and 'Taraf Hijacked' are very energetic and fun, and I think you could definitely do a slow piece to 'Moon Song', which is beautiful.

There is this other band called Electro Morocco, whose members are also in NaNuchKa (which predates the former and is worth checking but not really danceable (I think), except for the song 'Red Ripped Shirt' which is gorgeous. 'Meditarranean' is also an amazing song). My favorite songs by them are 'Joe Pill' and 'Sachbak'.

Here's all the info:
Luminescent Orchestrii:
http://www.lumii.org/
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=5914662

NaNuchKa
http://www.myspace.com/nanuchka

Electro Morocco:
http://www.myspace.com/electromorocco

I'd just like to add I'm not associated with these bands in any way, other than living in the same immensely huge borough. So this is not a shameless plug, just fangirl-ism =)

I hope you all enjoy!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 3 replies

Buyers Guide to Ethnographica - a cross post

palikaji — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:48:09 GMT

Because this is the tribe with the most "tribies" - I wanted to post my Buyers Guide. Don't know why I never thought of it before it could lift the knowledge base of our whole community, so here it is.

I'm offering this as its own thread with its own title so as many people as possible could read it. The popularity of Tribal Style and Tribal Fusion styles of Belly Dance has actually increased the risk of mass produced and costume grade ethnic jewelry being misrepresented as vintage, antique, rare, etc. This has happened with textiles as well, so now there are many NW Indian embroidered and mirrored belts and cholis and the Afghan dress cuffs, and the Turkoman coats represented as antique, rare, vintage etc, when in fact they are being made as we speak.

Currently I see a huge trend in the reproduction of Central Asian tribal jewelry, so we're drowning in Kuchi, but also now Ersari, Bukharan, Uzbek - under the broader Turkoman all being reproduced and passed off as old. Even a trained eye can be mislead with online photos. But once you know a seller deals in the low end stuff you can assume that everything is costume grade, new made to look old, or repros because that is where the money is for the seller.

There are quality repros made of traditional styles and old pieces and good quality of these are desirable in my opinion, but again to become educated at discerning that takes time and investment in learning. The mislabeling is huge, people conflate Kuchi with Kutch and they are not related, and Kuchi and Banjara and Turkoman and Bedouin and its a damn shame, because the misnomers just get passed around. And the english spellings too - whoo! turkmen, turkman, turkoman, turkoman, turkomen

Most of the sellers so popular on Ebay with the Tribal Dance community sell mass produced stuff - kuchi, banjara, turkoman, are all hot flags. Some sellers sell at reasonable prices and still call them old and many buyers allow themselves to believe it, but there are also alot of these sellers that pass off mass produced and costume grade jewelry for prices way beyond their worth. There are also wholesale and retail markets to deal with.

Its hard because many of us love the stylings of the ethnic look and few of us have the time to become experts in the field of Old Ethnic Silver or Ethnic Textiles and its a life learning process to which I attest. I'm still learning and learning and learning.......

I hope the guide is a help. You may share as long as the link to my website stays intact and my authorship.
Buyers Guide to Ethnographica by Palika
http://www.tribalbellydancecostume.com - then click on the guide in the left hand column.

Many blessings,
Palika
Artistic Director Heavy Hips Tribal Belly Dance

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 2 replies

bellydance magazines??

Maria — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:41:38 GMT

So in perusing my libary I found some old BD magazines,
Habibi and Zhagareet!, I had heard that they were both
defunct at this point, does anyone out there
know if there are any nationwide magazines
devoted to bellydance (especially Tribal) in any forms?
Just curious..
Thanks!
Maria

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 7 replies

A great song to dance...

Anuk — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:10:42 GMT

Perfect for fusion, and very special for those who likevintage rock like me...
I´ve danced this song a few weeks ago, on my first presentation, and everybody loved it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhHVydywQJc
I hope you like it...

Kiss!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 7 replies

anyone collecting/archiving old vintage dance magazines - sharon?

palikaji — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:08:09 GMT

I have some amazing historical vintage dance magazines from the 70's and 80's. ABout 17 of the very scholastic Arabesques (Journal of Middle Eastern Dance and Culture) beginning 1975, about 14 of the Wind Spirit and a few others. As historical documentation of the journey of Middle Eastern Dance in the US they are amazing - there is invaluable content on dancers and music. I want these to go to someone who is archiving and I will sell them for what I paid for them - not their market value, but they should be archived! - Is there anyone doing that or someone who knows who I should contact.

While the magazines are awesome, the person who I recieved them from wrote on the front of every one their volume and issue number and who is featured in the magazine - really dumb! But nevertheless they are highly collectible and important documentation for someone who is doing that.

I am also interested in releasing an intact perfect collection of the Saudi Aramco World Magazine - kind of like the National Geographic of the Arab cultural world featuring both historic and contemporary pieces. The covers alone are priceless published bi-monthly. I have from May/June 2002-present in excellent condition. These are certainly Library worthy and I keep thinking there must be someone who is seriously doing this kind of thing in our community.

I can send a photo of the vintage magazines just contact me at heavyhipsdirector@yahoo.com, cause I don't use the email on tribe very much. blessings
palika

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 0 replies

Audience participation tips and tricks?

Stef — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:37:32 GMT

Hi all, i'm doing a gig where I'd like to get people up and dancing by the end of the night, and i'm looking for ideas to get the audience more involved and having fun!

I have seen some egyptian style dancers using a saidi stick/cane as a limbo rod with a volunteer and everyone has a turn at going under it. Is there anything similar that might translate well to a tribal/fusion performance?

(swords are a nono!)

Thanks!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 4 replies

Exercises to Strengthen Outer Hips?

Tiffany — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:42:35 GMT

Hi guys, I'm hoping for some advice..
I have double-jointed hips and have noticed that when doing any hip movements for an extended period of time, the muscles in my outer hips really ache, sometimes for a few days afterward. Does it sound like I'm holding my body in the wrong way? Or do I just need to work on strengthening?

Thanks!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 5 replies

teca? linking different zil patterns

Tricia — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:40:20 GMT

How do you link two different zil rhythms together? Do you always use a 'teca' to join two different rhythms? Or do you just go from one straight into the next? Between some patterns it seems right (for instance, military into baladi) to join with a teca and others is doesn't . Or do some rhythms always start with an extra teca when you go into them?

Just wondering if there's any particular rule regarding this? What do you do??!! thanks!!!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 10 replies

Zils in Europe?

nocturnalfusion — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:34:41 GMT

I've desperately been looking for zils for a while now. I liked the look and sound of the Saroyan Arabesque Zils in German Silver, but at Saroyanzils.com they wanted me to E-MAIL my credit card number for shipping overseas... That didn't happen. So now I'm wondering if anyone here knows of someone who sells those zils, or something like them, in Europe?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 1 reply

I CANNOT HIP SHIMMY!

laura — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 03:53:24 GMT

I am having problems maintaining my hip shimmy. Does this come with practice? I have been trying for years to maintain my hip shimmy but I cannot. Can someone advise me on what I should do?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 32 replies

NO SPAM

tribaldancer — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 00:42:42 GMT

Wow, looks like everyone decided to sell something/promote something at once. Five spams in two days.

Please, put promotional announcements, including promoting yourself, an event, or another tribe, and things for sale in the appropriate areas. They are not for discussion/topic areas.

Thanks,
Sharon
Your Moderatah

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 12 replies

Body art

Laura — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:25:52 GMT

So, from what I noticed as a beginner, many tribal dancers have tattoos. I've always been fascinated with body art, but in the past I've wanted some pretty dumb designs (skulls, band names and lame things of the sort) so I'm afraid to commit to anything my mind comes up with.

For those of you who are brave-hearted, what tattoos do you have, how did you choose them and what do they mean to you (or your dance)?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 31 replies

sooo i'm learning my first choreography

Elle — Wed, 14 May 2008 02:49:06 GMT

sort of =p

haha
what tools/tips do you guys use to keep choreo straight in your head? i was thinking about getting a tiny notebook and sewing a little pocket on the inside of one of my hipscarves so that i could make quick notes, but i dont want to hold everyone else up while i'm scribbling =p

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 12 replies

Tribal fuios duo question

zombiefied — Sat, 24 May 2008 03:17:30 GMT

Hi guys and gals.
I will be performing my first trial fusion, and it will be a duo!
I just have one quick question..... When facing one another, apart from smiling what are some other great ways of acknowledging your dance partner?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 5 replies

group improv clip

kawakib — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:34:36 GMT

For the group improv folks, here's a recent clip of our Tribal Odyssey format: http://youtube.com/watch?v=cu9Y1qs4vhM

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 0 replies

Some advice please...

meechums — Mon, 26 May 2008 23:29:03 GMT

Hi all,
I've been lurking around for a while and finally decided to say hello to all you wonderful people...
There's also something that's been troubling me and I thought to ask it here. I love to bellydance, and have been doing so, on and off, for about 3+ years now, I think? I took some classes at the FCBD studio last year, was totally into it and went every week. Now, the last time I went to that class was this January, and for some reason I haven't gone in since. I went to a completely different class in Oakland sometime last month by a different teacher, which I also loved, but haven't gone back to since either. I just have been in this slump where I haven't danced since either time I haven't been to those classes. I also have the FCBD dvd that I got last December which I keep meaning to watch but "haven't gotten around to it yet". What should I do? I love to dance, like I said, and I hoped to eventually perform one day when I get good enough, but if I keep getting into this kind of slump or continuing to be in it then I fear that dream will never make it into reality. Is it just the matter of making myself go to classes and also practice, practice, practice? Recently I also have realized that I have this thing where I get impatient where I don't 'get' things quickly enough and become disappointed when I'm not as good as other ladies ( I'm in a beginner class btw), so maybe this is the reason for being in the slump? I don't want to give up, but this slump I'm in is winning so far, which sucks. :(
So please, any advice is appreciated. Thanks very much in advance. :)

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 11 replies

SF Mecca Immersion--Come pilgrimage to where it all began..Aug. 8-12th

debrubin — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:17:45 GMT

The daily schedule of events for SF MECCA IMMERSION is now posted online.
www.sfmeccaimmersion.com

Experience where it all began.....

Aug. 8-12th, 2008
San Francisco, CA. USA

A "retreat" into the heart of the San Francisco Tribal Fusion Bellydance scene, aesthetic, music, dance, and culture.
This is not a festival per se, it's an intensive. Or immersion rather.. where you'll get individualized attention and shared group experience deepening over the course of 3- or 5 days droppin into the dance together! Come immerse yourself in the culture, the music, the bay area bohemian bellydance underworld that is shaping the tribal fusion explosion world wide. Experience where it all began. Learn from some of the pioneers in the field, meet the musicians too, who are shaping the culture and dance! , Dive in, and see how it inspires YOU! In addition to lots of technique and dance training, there are special workshops/lectures on context, history, evolution of tribal fusion bellydance, Core Yoga specifically for dancers, hang out at our local hot spots, workshops on costuming, aesthetic, creating true fusion choreography, and developing your own style, panel discussions on the collaboration between dancers and musicians, with some of your favorite musicians and dancers shaping the art form, lots of performances, and yes, even vending! by some of the bay area's hottest designers...
It will max at 55 people, so pls. do register early to reserve a spot.

Featuring the likes and like-abilities of:
Zoe Jakes (The Indigo, BDSS, Yard Dogs Road Show)
Mardi Love (the Indigo, BDSS)
Carolena Nericcio (founder/director of Fat Chance Bellydance. Creatrix of ATS style. "I'm like your grandma. And i love you.")
Deb Rubin (founder of SattyaBody HealingArts & Dance Collective, Former member/choreographer/teacher with Ultra Gypsy)
Rose Harden (former Co-director of Ultragypspy, Founding member of Barbary Coast ShakeDown)
Cera Byer (Director of Damage Control Theater---choreographical genius. :)
Brass Menagerie!!
Beats Antique!!
Dan Cantrell (of the Toids, Dan Cantrell's gigaband; musical genius of Danistan)
Peter Jakes (Director Brass Menagerie, member of Dan Cantrell's gigaband, expert on all things Balkan and musical)
Elizabeth Strong
Mira Betz
Damage Control
Sister Kate

and more to be announced!

and p.s. the venders are lookin HOT!!! HOT!!! HOT!! Maybe we should just have a big shopping weekend? Or do you guys really wanna dance? (just kidding)
JUST ADDED to the MECCA BAZAAR:
da lovely MIRA MANIA DESIGNS! Classic classic Classic. yet modern hip and innovative. can both be true? in mira, the answer is, why yes!
I know ya'll have seen her mastery on the dance floor.... now imagine that in 'stich' form. This lady knows style and costume design!

Lee Kobus (one of a kind pieces made with such care, artistry, and love.... Lee-a former UltraGypsy--you may have seen her as one hot robot in medusa and machine.. has been designing unique performance pieces for years and years... from feathered hair clips to glass beaded and buttoned belts, her designs and artistry are not to be missed!) ;

Black Lotus Designs!~ This bay area designer i actually met up in portland, and i think i bought out her stash of one of a kind wrist cuffs! Such artistry in her work, and she personally sews every stitch. gorgeous bustles, vests, and tops. You may have seen her creations being worn by da lovely and talented Arielleh, and frederique. And if you've gotten close enough recently to my wrists... ME! :) Custom orders available.

Plus: Rosehips skirts, Medina Maitraya (costume designer for Lucient Dossier and BDSS), HIppStirr belts, Five and Diamond, Tenley Wagmo Designs, AYYA, katherinesummer designs, Minerva Antennea, Wendy Darling (the creatrix of the beautiful marie antoinette ultragypsy 2007 Cake set bustle-y costumes), as well as merchendise from the Indigo, Brass Menagerie, Beats Antique (NEWEST CD RELEASE will be AVAILABLE!!!), Fat Chance Bellydance, and more!

ALSO on the roster..... some surprise visitors in the weekend. shhhhhhhhhh!

i sooo want to spill the beans, but i guess ya gotta be present to win.
we shhhhore do hope to see you there!

pls. let me know if you have questions
namaste,
deb
deb@sfmeccaimmersion.com

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 0 replies

Tribal Magazine UK sort of OT

Bibia — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:29:07 GMT

I was a subscriber to Tribal Magazine and got a letter sometime last year that it was no longer being published and that I would get whatever money owed me back, etc. Well, today, I get a receipt from paypal thanking me for my subscription to Tribal Magazine. The contact person for Tribal magazine showed it to Louisa Matthews. Did anyone else get anything like this? Is this actually my payback for the money owed for the subscription. I didn't want to contact Louisa Matthews until I knew if anyone received an email like this.
Thanks for any help

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 2 replies

So who here would be?

Chandra — Sat, 17 May 2008 03:36:44 GMT

Just putting out a few feelers to see how many of you would be interested in taking a workshop in true Rajasthani & Gypsy dances? I've recently been approached by an absolutely mesmerizing dancer who would like to come to the Tampa Bay area, and I'm thinking YEAH!
Sound like something you'd like?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 10 replies

Can Ren Faires really be worth it?

tribaldancer — Thu, 31 May 2007 18:10:32 GMT

So I have been pondering Ren Faires, and troupes that perform at them.

Often it is three or four performances throughout the day, plus you play "ambiance" as a band of gypsies or some similar role. Dancing in the hot sun, in full layers of clothing, giving up much of your summer weekends...

Can they really pay enough to make it worth a troupe's while?

And if it isn't the money, what keeps dance troupes performing all summer long, year after year?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 45 replies

Question about performance etiquette..how long is...

bugwitch — Sun, 18 May 2008 01:56:09 GMT

...Too long to stand with your back to the audience? I've been working on a choreography for a song (2 actually) and the way I like the first one to start has me with my back to the audience. I stay like that for almost a minute. I can turn slightly and make eye contact and such, but not full frontal. I don't really want to change it, but I was wondering...well, I'm not sure what I'm wondering.

Either way. Thanks all.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 8 replies

never again...

ailbhe — Mon, 19 May 2008 11:11:24 GMT

..will i go and do a show hung over!!
i had two of my best girls over to my house so that we could chill out and cheer my friend up who had just broken up with her fella.... three bottles of wine and then all the cooking wine later we were dancing around the living room. i didnt really think i was that drunk untill i got into bed and my head started spinning. lucky the show wasnt untill 2, but i had to appear twice. also it was a favour for a friend so i was'nt getting paid but still i think it was terrible unprofessional. i was the only bellydancer dancing. it was a local event and people had brought there kids all screaming and running around, usually i like kids, but hung over.... man!
anyway apperently i pulled it off no one knew i was hungover and i even got more work out of it.
NEVER AGAIN though.
anyone else try this silliness, how did you handle it?

p.s my friend was cheered up!!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 2 replies

copyright infringment on ebay again - please don't buy from The Spirit Room

palikaji — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:59:42 GMT

Screeeeeeeeeem!!!!!!

I have been in Ebay nightmare for the past two days trying to report a power seller and ebay store owner of The Spirit Room for copyright infringement using photos of a customized item I created and designed to sell their goods. A kind tribe sister alerted me to the infringement and Ebay of course makes it so very difficult to report. It's ironic how much time I"ve spent trying to report it when the individual just went to my website and dragged the photo onto their desktop and voila! began to post it on all their listings and the greater irony is that over my photo they've splashed their own www. web address as if the photo and the item is lawfully theirs. I guess I need to get really predefensive and put my own copyright brand on every photo of my websites! Its like defensive driving I guess.

This store owner has been reported here on tribe before for using dancer's images unlawfully and for selling Melodia knock offs, please don't buy from them. There are plenty of other Ebay sellers who sell mirror belts, cowries and kuchi costume jewelry that dancers can buy. It seems pretty normal to expect that someone would know you can't use a photo of someone else's custom designed image to sell your own goods without permission, and I understand humans make mistakes - I make many and have made many out of selfishness myself. On that level I understand, but huge corporate Ebay has me boiling. You can't talk to anyone directly and their link to another link to another to get to the right report place and preformatted email forms that don't fit the situation and won't send and fax numbers that are busy for hours and I mean hours make it very difficult for someone who's been infringed upon to get resolution. ARRRRRRGGGGGH!

Anyway thats my rant. I'm grateful for Spring in all her Divinity, for my honey bees - making the most amazing Santa CRuz nectar honey, for my body healing itself from pneumonia, for all the beautiful spirits who use dance to pray, to vision, to heal, to connect, to celebrate, to go deeper and for Pema Chodron my teacher (hey buy her cd teachings now - you'll never regret it) and for the abundance I live in everyday.
blessings

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 48 replies

Anyone going to CONvergence?

Namir-Katie — Tue, 06 May 2008 06:15:50 GMT

How serendipitous....I move back to MN just in time to discover a scifi/fan con is held here every summer. (Why didn't I know that before?) Anyways, it looks like Basimah Kamar is performing/hosting a party at one point. Anyone else planning on making a northerly trek to ConVergence this year?

Katie (Namir)

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 3 replies

Music related question

dancingnightshade — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:41:30 GMT

I had watched a performance a month ago and I was totally inspired by several troupes that used didgeridoo music. Now I have all of these ideas in my head of what direction I want my troupe to go in for our next routine & costuming. While I was searching for some of the songs I found a few I really like...but there is one from the performance that I really would love to use for our own routine. Mind you, my troupe is Tribal Fusion...and the performance I observed was ATS. Would it be weird if I picked the same song (and obviously did completely different choreography)? The reason why I'm asking is because I may book our troupe to perform at the next Belly Jam sponsored by the same people who did the last one I had watched. That means that very same troupe will be performing there (and will definitely not be using that same song & dance). What do you think?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 3 replies

Image stealing (X-post)

Yasemin — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:36:23 GMT

Someone tipped me off so I checked out 'Peacock Moon' http://www.peacockmoons.com/page/page/4507783.htm

Almost the entire page of Skirt images was taken from our website www.Tribalbazaar.com
also so have many of the Tribal pant pics. i haven't even gone thru the whole site yet.
There is no email contact only a Phone #.

Does anyone know them, or are they by chance on Tribe?

If they mistakenly thought they were stock photos, I can understand, but IF they stole the images, i hope they would be ethical enough to remove them.

(yes, we are going to start watermarking or locking our images, but we have hundreds and it will take some time.)

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 3 replies

When telling people you bellydance may not be such a great thing....

Tadpole — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:30:48 GMT

Plenty of us have other jobs in order to fund our bellydance addiction - um, hobby.
Sometimes we have to interview for new jobs, often meeting with people who in
addition to looking for your right skills, also want to be hiring people who have a
life or interests outside of work.

If you were directly asked what you do in your free time, is it safe to be so honest
and say you bellydance, if that's pretty much all you do other than work/sleep/eat?

I'm in a creative field where being just a little more unique than the next candidate
definitely makes you stick out more, but the jobs I go for deal with high end stuff,
and there is also the expectation of enough conformity about your personality that
makes the hiring managers feel confident you won't offend the very "proper"
clients.

Just how much is different/special/unique enough, and how much is crossing the
line? On applications with and Interests section, I list some interests having to
do with the job position I'm applying for, and then I either say "fusion dance styles"
or "dance". Bellydance is the one thing about me that makes me more than somebody
who just goes into the office each day and cranks the work out for other people.
It should be a good thing, but I realize saying BELLYDANCER can sometimes be
a "bad" word.

Thoughts? Experiences? Call it something else?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 20 replies

What's Up With The Tribal Festivals?

braddosland — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:06:57 GMT

Tribal Cafe is "retired" ( http://www.tribalcafe.info/ )
Tribal Throwdown is postponed ( http://www.tribalthrowdown.com/ )
Tribal Quest is cancelled ( http://www.gypsycaravan.us/tqnw_main.php )

Is there a trend here?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 115 replies

Swords banned in the UK.... Please read

Denise — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 13:02:57 GMT

Hello all.

Please support you sisters in the UK. We are now banned from purchasing dance swords.

Sad news I'm afraid. I have just spoken to Jonathan Batt, at the home office who has confirmed that we (belly and tribal dancers in the UK) are covered in the VCR (Violent Crimes Reduction Bill).
As Belly dancers, we are not covered in the exemptions of being classed as a 'sporting activity' or a Historical reenactment. While we can perform with our existing swords, if you have public liability insurance. You can no longer purchase a new blade.

This is scary thought, as if we are not included in the exclusions to the ban, the art form of sword dancing will ultimately die out in the UK! my sword was broken recently In a workshop when it was dropped. I now can't get a new one....

The only way we can get this changed for all belly dancers is to contact the home office and request that as a dance form that we are allowed to continue to be allowed to purchase swords, so that we can continue with a beautiful art form.

Please, Please take the time to contact Jonathan and request that he put forward to the Home Office that bellydancers and tribal dancers are made exempt from the VCR Bill. He is a nice guy and has agreed to be the contact point for this query. It will take a huge volume of dancers contacting him to make a difference, so please take the time to write to him.

His contact details are Jonathan.Batt@Homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Also if you are a member of a tribe, where this is not mentioned, can you please post information there.

Ta
Denise

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 27 replies

Your favorite combos and a question on technique?

mishakitty78 — Tue, 06 May 2008 11:17:44 GMT

I'm absolutely in love with tribal, but am getting slightly past the standard ATS and ITS movements. We're working on combos, now, and my students have done a wonderful job of picking up the 3/4 shoulder shimmy combo, the maya with "up" arms, and the one I describe below as well as several others that I've made up for them.

I'm curious if anyone has any suggestions on good beginner to intermediate level ATS or ITS combos. I know, I know, tribal is all about improv and my students are quite good at busting out and dancing. But I'd like to challenge them a bit more and put together more interesting and complex movements (instead of just ghawazee...arabic...oh look! ghawazee again ;) ) as I think we've reached that "my brain can't remember all these movements" point...so far introducing combos has been a real breath of fresh air.

So what combos do *you* like to use? What are your favorites? Any suggestions would be great!

Second question: I'm working with my girls on the "Arabic, hip circle, torso rotation, belly wave" combo (or whatever it's called - whew! that's a mouthful!) and I just have one question. I'm having a bit of a hard time, from the video, discerning which way the hips rotate. It *looks* like they go in two different directions, moving counter clockwise first (from R around the front to L) and then moving clockwise the second time (from L around the front to R). Am I crazy? Can someone please let me know if this is the correct rotational pattern?

Thanks for any ideas and help!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 3 replies

Photos: East Meets West

kylelf — Wed, 07 May 2008 03:56:19 GMT

Photos from Portlands yearly "East Meets West"

http://flickr.com/photos/kylehailey/sets/72157604903664733/

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 6 replies

Beginning Bellydance Self-Doubt and other musings

Lisa Gail — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:15:26 GMT

HELP!!! Yes- I know. All of my bellydance posts begin with HELP! But that is because I am a new (well, new-ish) bellydance student. I have been taking lessons since January with my best friend at a fabulous local rec. center under a fabulous instructor. I have a dance background that is varied- baton twirling circa 1980, high school drill team circa 1988-1990 and jazz classes at college circa 1992-1993. Then I went on to compete Tae Kwon Do which ... in many ways has dance elements if you compete forms. In other words. I am not completely dance inept. My body has performed dance and difficult maneuvers before. I am not too terribly out of shape in that I exercise regularly and have a healthy weight, BMI of 23 and a healthy resting heart rate.... SO WHY AM I HAVING SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH BELLYDANCE?

First of all- thank you to all of you- you finally helped me get my taxeem down- which is really a step a in the right direction, but when I add snake arms to it, the whole thing disintegrates into chickeny weirdness.

Zils... whoa. Don't even get me started on the caucophony that is produced when I begin zil practice- and I am singer...I have an excellent sense of rythm until I strap the zils on and my legs are doing one thing, arms doing another and the music has different pattern altogether.

Really right now everything- every move just feels awkward ( even the ones I thought I was doing well at) and ... frankly, it feels like I am not good enough to cut the mustard. I want desperately to be good at it; to master it and to feel good in class instead of ashamed. I am willing to work at it. I drill moves in front of the mirror every single time I am in front of one. I practice to my FCBD dvd. I have begun doing pilates in the hopes that it will help me strengthen and condition the muscles.

What I want to know is this: every bellydancer out there who is a newbie like me or a seasoned professional... did you or are you currently experiencing this self-doubt? Did something help you pull through? How do you keep your confidence up through the awkward learning phases? Should I try more yoga, ballet? Should I hang up my hat and give up- I really don't want to. I would love any advice I can get from anyone. Class doesn't resume until June 3rd and I need to step up my game hardcore in the next few months if I ever hope to get out of the beginner class. HELP!!!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 16 replies

what to do after a show...?

Maria — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:00:43 GMT

HI everybody...got a show we're planning for this weekend that's gonna be a blast and
we've got some people coming in from out of town, what are your favorite things to do
after a show?
Get some nosh?
Fill a wading pool with margaritas?
Do you go out to your local watering hole and boogie down?
With or without your show dance clothes on?

Just curious,
Thanks!

~Maria

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 10 replies

Buyer Beware

dancingcat — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:19:09 GMT

vintage_silk_wraps on Ebay

This is a store on ebay for Buyer Beware
I was bidding on a lot of 6 skirts in which I was winning with a wonderful price so I thought. After the bidding got to $100, the seller put a BUY NOW price in the site so anyone that was bidding and wanted the lot of 6 for $89.00 could purchase it cheaper but the highest bidder was locked into paying the higher price. I paid ASAP and contacted the seller - ask if he would not make up the difference with sending extra wraps - just told me "TO BAD not he fault the bidding got so high"
So I left them a natural comment - and explain the change in auction after price was over $100. In return they give me a negative comment and misleading information my comments. I contacting him asking why the negative when all I did was be a great buyer by over paying within 10 min of the auction ending and only asking for him to balance the wrong doing on his part. Again "TOO BAD" "YOUR FAULT"
My reply...I will take my business and many other with me. HAVE A NICE DAY!

So with all that said - BUYERS BEWEAR....please please please....from one Tribal Goddess to another..PLEASE DO NOT BUY FROM THIS SALER. There are many other seller on ebay - this guy does not deserve the belly dancer dollars!

Any questions......just me~~~~

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 3 replies

interaction with the audience in tribal fusion dance

Bibia — Sun, 04 May 2008 16:11:21 GMT

Yesterday, I was talking with my teacher/troupe director and she said we needed to work on "interaction with the audience". Since I started in cabaret, I think I know how to interact with an audience, but she is somewhat old school, meaning no smiling, looking fairly serious, etc., I'm not real sure exactly what she means. What does that mean to you all who have danced tribal for awhile? I've perused this tribe for something and didn't find exactly what I was after so, ladies......please help if you can....suggest, anything, so I can go to practice today prepared for what I think she might mean. Thanks so much

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 20 replies

omi vs interior hip circle

bugwitch — Wed, 07 May 2008 06:25:48 GMT

Is there a difference? I was working with a new dvd I got (Ashera) and she teaches an interior hip circle. It looks similar to an omi/umi. Is it the same thing just different lingo?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 7 replies

Seattle costumers?

savina — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:44:36 GMT

Hi there, I have been looking around the internet at costume bits and pieces, but i was wondering if anyone knows any local seattle people who make tribal belly dance outfits?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 3 replies

San Fransisco this Summer

Emilie — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:37:00 GMT

I am taking a vacation to the Sonoma area this summer. I plan to tour a bit of San Fransisco, and I was wondering if anyonce can tell me if there is a good place to shop for fun Tribal goodies?
Cheers!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 3 replies

PayPal

Rya — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:58:55 GMT

I just wanted to let everyone know who frequently uses PayPal that I just got off the phone with them and they're apparently having some issues. Even though I had a significant balance on my paypal account, they took the money out of my bank account. Apparenlty, this is happening a lot and I just wanted to make everyone aware.

I will be x-posting this so hopefully no one else gets screwed like me.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 17 replies

Tribal stage names

Ishana — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 00:22:13 GMT

I have a (probably dumb) question... why do tribal dancers (RB, Sharon Kihara, Kami liddle, etc) refrain from using stage names? I've always been curious.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 125 replies

Miles' take on burly-belly

tribaldancer — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:40:15 GMT

http://gildedserpent.com/art43/milesdivorce.htm

Discuss.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 37 replies

Music

Chantal — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:21:35 GMT

So I know this is a question everyone throws out there every once in a while, but I'm always looking for news. What is some stuff you all like to dance to? I like things that are a little bit more different than the usual pure tribal music (like Helm, or Gypsy Caravan, which I love, but have a lot of similar things already). I like that Rachel Brice uses Pentaphobe, or the Toids and I love Beats Antique... any other suggestions? Thanks a bunch for you help :)

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 7 replies

Where to take Tribal Belly dancing classes? (oakland/berkeley)

Rea — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 07:21:58 GMT

i am sure that some of you lovelies could reccomend some fabulas classes to take, and whom to take them with. oakland/berkeley area is best, but im willing to bart it out to san fran if i must... been achin' to take up belly dancing for a while. would love any feedback u have to offer.

thanks beauties...

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 3 replies

Fire in the Belly Benefit Pix Posted

braddosland — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:39:07 GMT

Pix of Sharon Kihara, Ariellah, FatChance BellyDance, Frederique, Clandestine, Freyja, and Zoe Jakes (with Beats Antique) from "Fire in the Belly" benefit for Kaihea have been posted at http://taboomedia.smugmug.com/gallery/4820567_vuALb

Enjoy!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 0 replies

Our love for Shay

Sigil — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:54:33 GMT

I'm starting it...this isn't Spam right? :-)

I love you Shay for everything you bring, brought and are about to deliver. Just feeling you this morning...

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 11 replies

tribal, ATS, fusion in MN?

Namir-Katie — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:35:12 GMT

Howdy ladies,

I'll be moving back to St Paul/Minneapolis next month and am wanting to continue my bellydance training; here in Illinois I've studied with Sahira of Synergy RaD and have gotten a lot of modern fusion and cabaret. I was wondering if anyone knows of an ATS or tribal fusion teacher/company/troupe around St Paul?

Thanks!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 3 replies

swords?

Nicole — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:57:40 GMT

I know nothing about them, but I'd like to get one and see what I can do with it. Any advice? Who has really good ones at a reasonable price? What's the best way to get started?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 2 replies

Where is SF PURE Dance???

kiramau — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 04:06:38 GMT

Doesn't appear on the PURE map...although there's a tribe for it here that I joined....? Does it really exist? I'd like to join. I just moved to SF at the end of this last summer and want to make new connections with dancers since I left my old tribe in the mountains. Any help? I'd be willing to collaborate with another dancer to start one if one doesn't already exist.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 1 reply

Hamstrings and the Sciatic nerve? x-post

TheInfinitelyDelightfulJeannie — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:31:05 GMT

Hey all,

In the past couple of years, i've been having some real pain in my deep lower back on the right side behind my hip. I'm beginning to think it's my Sciatic nerve as it gets worse when I bend at the hips and sit, especially when sitting on the floor. OUCH! There seems to be pressure on that nerve and it's painful every day. In addition, or maybe because of this, I have noticed that in that same period of time, my hamstrings are really getting tight. I'm so used to keeping my knees soft that I'm almost to the point now whre I canNOT lock my knees back even if I wanted to. Touch my toes with flat knees? No way. I'm really pretty flexible everywhere else, so I'm just dumbfounded as to why this is happening.

Any ideas? Are these two things connected? Any suggestions as to how to alleviate either, or maybe both? Any suggestions at all are greatly appreciated!

BB!
~Jeannie

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 15 replies

gypsy caravan or fcbd dvds?

Daina — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:55:03 GMT

Hello,

Since I don't have any tribal teachers around me, I was looking at the Fat Chance Bellydance DVD series and the Gypsy Caravan one. Does anyone recommend one over the other? And would you buy it in the order 1, 2, 3, etc. or mix it up?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 12 replies

What inspires you to dance?

lovelyshrike — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:31:15 GMT

It seems like over the last few years there's always something coming up that "keeps" me from dancing, whether it's a death in the family, no local dance instruction, my own head, whatever. I should practice more at home on my own, but my living space isn't conducive to it with no mirrors and little space. (I need to get another place to live that has a space I can use as soon as my lease is up.) I used to practice a lot at home with videos before I moved and when I was taking regular classes I made myself "homework" - specific things to work on. Also, being a "baby dancer" means that everything is so fresh and new. Yet, I watch and read a lot about dance which recently has put me in this place where I'm far more critical of myself when I do get out and dance. I feel like I've fallen behind of where I "should" be. I know it's a matter of practice, getting out there and doing it, and "shoulds" do no good but I need inspiration.

What inspires you to dance?

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 16 replies

taking a stage name..lil help over here!

Maria — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:04:25 GMT

I've been dancing now for over 5 years, started in cabaret and now I'm
primarily ATS/ Fusion, and with a performance coming up my partner is
telling me I gotta get a dance name.. I've tried several incarnations..
" Nuwairah" which noboby could pronounce, and Fahtiem, which
lasted about 2 seconds when I found out about the OTHER famous
Fahtiem and ditched the name..
I'm mostly Canadian French with some Italian and Irish, my given
name is Maria and I married an Irish guy so my last name is O'Connor,
so I've got the whole U. N. thing going on over here.
I'm also a henna artist and have been doing SCA events and Rennie events
for 8 years and nothing cool has ever taken me to the point of
"Yes, yes, that's it!"
I thought about something botanical but the only really cool name is
already taken by a troupe in Maine, Datura..
Any thoughts on where to go from here, any online resources that
are good?
Many thanks
~whats my name??

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 5 replies

...and to add to the rib slides/circle question

Zarqa Habiba — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 23:36:23 GMT

...any suggestions for stretching the mid- to lower back muscles? My family and I were in a car accident a little over a year ago. Out of the 4 of us, I was the least hurt (scratch on top of my foot) while everyone else suffered pulled or bruised muscles (thank God that was the worst of it!). Took about 3 or 4 months for me to realize my upper mid- to lower back muscles were too tight. If I round my shoulders and draw in my chest, I feel the tightness next to my spine right above my bra strap as it stretches. If I arch my back like my teacher showed me to warm my muscles, I feel the tightness below my bra strap down to waist level. Once in awhile, it gets tight just where spine and illiac meet. These moves DO loosen the muscles, but they don't *stay* loosened. That's one of the reasons I wanted to be sure I was doing the slides and circles correctly, to make sure I didn't further aggravate the muscles, but they also seem to help relieve the tightness somewhat. More recently, the "regular" stretches aren't enuff (even just expanding my rib cage used to help), it feels like there's a stretch I'm missing that would really work well to loosen (and continue to loosen) these muscles but I can't seem to find it on my own. My job requires a lot of sitting, so any suggestions that you have for loosening the latissimus dorsi and illiac crest (if you want me to be technical *smile*) would be greatly appreciated and gratefully received.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 2 replies

israel, anyone?

redd — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:21:29 GMT

my dance partner, kc, and i are traveling to israel in june... you guys know of any dancers out there? any shows? anything dance related? we'll be all over the place so cities arent really an issue...

thanks!!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 3 replies

Advice on the Torso Roll?

Lisa Gail — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:59:59 GMT

I was practicing with my FCBD volume 1 dvd last night and I am having a great deal of difficulty getting the hang of the " Torso roll" ( I believe that is what she calls it). Carolina says you roll your shoulders back as though you are trying to touch each point of a curved surface with your shoulders and then you make a heart-shaped configuration with your chest. Can anyone break this move down for me in a different way? I just can't quite grasp it.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 3 replies

Short story parallel between Grace and Belly dance

Lisa Gail — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:20:10 GMT

Have any of you ever felt inspired to learn a "life-lesson" while you are in belly dance class? I was! Here is a short little blog about what I learned. I hope that you find it inspiring and flattering.

http://fortworthblab.blogspot.com

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 6 replies

Male Belly dancers

Etana — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 23:46:54 GMT

Your opinion on male dancers. I have seen some great ones and some scary ones.
(Only scary on Youtube for some reason)

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 27 replies

Salt vs. Vinegar to fix dye

psygirl66 — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:49:10 GMT

I originally posted this on Crafty Vixens and some said I might try here. . . .

I just returned from a trip to India last week. While I was there I purchased about 15 meters of raw silk (in beautiful reds and blues). I was told I need to fix the dye on the fabric with salt when I returned home. I've not used salt to fix dye before so I don't know how to do this. . . .

Typically when I dye, it's nylon and I fix the dye with vinegar. . . . . .what is the difference between salt vs. vinegar?

I don't want to ruin the beautiful silks I just bought . . . . . . .Advice please

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 14 replies

Rib slides/circles

Zarqa Habiba — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:17:03 GMT

I'm having a little trouble with moving my rib cage. I get the whole "lower body needs to be still while the ribs move" thing, but I don't think I'm doing it right. Which mucles should I feel while performing the movement? I'm talking about side to side and circles, here. When I try the circles, it's almost like my shoulders are too rounded and my chest crunches down into my belly. I don't think that's right (I mean, I'm *really* short waisted, but that's ridiculous!) And, when I try the side to side, my hips want to move 'out' in the opposite direction. I *know* they're supposed to remain still, and I know not everyone will get a "big" movement with rib slides, but it just feels wrong, somehow.

Thanks, in advance.

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 5 replies

NO SPAM

tribaldancer — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 23:43:00 GMT

I have now put "NO SPAM" as the first two words in the tribe description, because the polite request for no spam in the end of the description, and repeated bumping of the NO SPAM topic in the discussion area, was clearly not getting through.

If you want to participate in this tribe, please participate in the discussions. If you want to advertise, take it to the listings.

Your mildly frustrated moderator...

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 28 replies

Weighted belt

Diana — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:30:33 GMT

Hello, I've heard on this tribe that practicing with a weighted belt helps you build up you abs very effectively. Have you had this experience? If so, is there somewhere I can buy one, or do I have to make it? If so, how?

Thank you soooo much

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 20 replies

breaking in to performance?

Nicole — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:44:42 GMT

I'm thinking about starting a small troupe. Any advice? I think there will be three of us. We're in southern Lousiana, so I don't think there are any local troupes, just a handful of lovely solo performers.

Is there a tribe related to this? I've searched, but can't seem to find the right key words.

Thanks!

posted in Tribal Bellydance - 3 replies