Musings from the Belly Dance Trainer

Let's Go To Egypt

2010-11-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

It's official. I am going to Egypt. I fear this may be my last tour, so now's the time to come with me if you want to. I just really have a lot of world yet to see and I think it's time to start seeing it. I went to Italy and Greece last year and really enjoyed that. I had forgotten how fascinating it is to see foreign places, meet new people, and do something so wonderfully different. It's easy to get comfortable with the things you already adore that you stop looking for new and exciting adventures. But now, it's time to say hello to my old friend Egypt and then open the door for other things.

The tour happens in March. It's a blend of all my favorite things and the things I have yet to see. Some have said it's a bit on the expensive side, and I guess it is for a belly dance tour, but this tour is more than that. There will be shopping, shows, and if possible- workshops, but we are also cruising the NILE! You can't do that unless you do it in style. Trust me. I have done that. You don't want to have a tiny room that you can barely turn around in that smells like bilge and oil fumes. You don't want to be cruising with low rent travelers who hog the buffet, don't speak to you, or push to get on and off the boat. You want your cruising experience to be memorable and comfortable.

You don't want to miss the highlights that are slightly off the routine tour schedule. Abydos, Dendera and Abu Simbel are not on the typical 3 or 4 day cruise schedule; however, they are jewels of Upper Egypt. There is nothing so colossal as Abu Simbel. The sweet, feminine contrast of Dendera shows a completely different side to the more masculine places that are typically visited.

Anyway, I am really excited about it. I think the itinerary is an awesome blend of modern and ancient, masculine and feminine, comfort and culture. It's not going to be a white washed adventure at all, but where we can be comfortable, we will be.

If you are ready to discover yourself and Egypt, come with me!

Disturbing Trend

2010-08-26T06:04:00.000-07:00

I am noticing a disturbing trend of people openly gossiping about others online like they aren't people, don't have feelings, and might not stumble upon what was said. They might say it's "criticism." Well, I think that if one has a product that is offered to the public (and performances are products), that's fair game for criticism. But in order for criticism to be useful, it should clearly delineate what is objective fact and what is opinion. It should substantiate why the criticism was offered so that the product can be improved. Criticism isn't done to slander or humiliate. Even if it is done in a joking tone, ugly is still ugly. People do see it for what it is. And ugly talk about people, personal attacks, and comments that objectify people are just gossip. Just because you can put your gossip out there for the world to see doesn't mean you should.

And just in case you are wondering, no, I am not talking about me. I certainly get my share, but I hate to see this done to good people who's only crime is being successful and beautiful.

If you don't like something, it's fine to tell others, but do so in a way that is constructive. If you have to be ugly, do it in private. When you tear people down in public, you could be the straw that breaks someone's back. When they leave, they take their light with them and we are all made lesser by its lack.

You Can Spot A Belly Dancer Anywhere

2010-08-22T14:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Leos! Susana 8/12, Madison 8/16, Gavin 8/17, Kevin 8/19, and Richard 8/22 and all the other wonderful Leos in the world.

Isn't it funny how you see women in skirts standing in the line at the bank just absentmindedly shimmying? Like she doesn't know she is doing it and doesn't realize that you can see her. lol Or the girl with the colored spike in her hair at the airport with the bells hanging from her skirt jingling as she walks. Or the girl at the fair wearing the big earrings on that look like gigantic coins and the necklace that matches. But don't forget the slave bracelet too! Or the woman driving down the highway playing air zils on the steering wheel as you drive past.

I KNOW YOU! I can spot you anywhere. You are a kindred soul. And it's so nice to see you there. :)

Stick To It!

2010-08-20T04:05:00.000-07:00

I watched the movie The Impressionists last night. The thing that grabbed me about it is that these painters were creating something revolutionary that is now recognized and valued, but at the time, they were literally starving artists. They had to keep at it for over TWENTY YEARS without validation before they were acknowledged. They questioned whether they were geniuses or untalented hacks. I think there are people doing new and innovative things in belly dance who are also criticized. I wonder if their creations will some day be seen as revolutionary? But you know what? Even if they aren't, the Impressionists painted because they HAD to. Their souls commanded them to paint. I think for an artist, you can't give up. It would be like losing your blood or ceasing to breathe. The work doesn't depend on external validation in order to be valuable TO YOU. Just do it. Love it. Live it. It's worth it.

Anyway, the movie obviously made an impression on me.

Don't Wait to Do the Things That are Important to You

2010-08-17T09:45:00.001-07:00

Patrick Collard is dead. He's not a belly dancer. He was a bodyworker. Not just "a" bodyworker, but an amazing, insightful, effective bodyworker. I am not sure when or how he died. I just know that he used to go to Philadelphia around this time every year to teach. I went to one of his 3 day minis. I was hoping to catch him to get some bodywork done because he's just amazing. But now the chance is over.

I post this just to share the thought- Don't wait to do the things that are important to you. You don't know how long YOU have left or others have left. If you want to do that weeklong, schedule it now. If you always wanted to go to Egypt, go now. If you want to compete, own a designer costume, learn from someone in particular, or just see your favorite dancer perform, DO IT NOW. What are you waiting for?

I only met Patrick once, but he was bigger than life. He made an impression for his talents, amazing gifts, and just the way he made you feel. I am glad I got to learn from him. His teachings have not been wasted and my life is wonderfully altered because of having known him.

As for me, I think it's time to go back to Egypt. I have some unfinished business in the Valley of the Kings... :)

You've Got To Look the Part

2010-08-08T05:15:00.001-07:00

I was at the fair yesterday. There was a band playing a music style of music I don't particularly like, but since it was under a tent and provided a place for me to sit down and eat, I sat and listened. I kind of tuned them out at first, but when they switched singers and the sound improved, I started to take notice. I turned around to look at them and quickly found myself tuning out again. Despite the woman's pleasant voice, I found myself not wanting to watch. Why? Because they all looked like they just climbed out of a camper after a night of drinking and roughing it. The woman was wearing shorts that were too short and too small for her rotund body. The bald guy with lots of long hair framing his bald spot was wearing a long sleeved flannel shirt in the middle of the summer... Well, you get the idea.

I am not a diva. I don't get up every day and do my hair and make-up regardless of whether I have somewhere to go or not. I don't have color coordinated shoes and handbags. I really don't care about such things. But, I have to tell you that when you are performing, you have to do SOMETHING to look attractive. By "attractive" I don't necessarily mean "pretty." I just mean that you have to stand out in some way that others find appealing. Many times that means dressing for success, but it could also be eccentric or creative or something unique. What I mean is, you can't just go out there looking like you weren't expecting to be seen by a bunch of people. You have to look like you care about yourself, you belong on stage, and that there is something special about you that people should notice. If not, why should I bother watching you?

Everybody wants to be loved for who they are. I get that. I am that way too, but when your job is to entertain, you are not selling you. You are selling the illusion of whatever the audience can connect with and adore. So dress for that part. Be dynamic in some way. Otherwise you are going to be the girl who dances on weekends for fun and not the star.

What Are You Looking At!

2010-08-06T12:36:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed people staring at you and your first thought is, "What are you looking at?" and then you realize that you are in full tribal gear!? Yeah, here I am pumping gas with more jewelry than a person should be able to carry, tattoos, a bindi, a slave bracelet, and full make up.... And I didn't even realize what I spectacle I must have been. I guess you get so used to being in costume that you forget about it sometimes. Got to make a mental note to self, "Get gas BEFORE you have to drive somewhere in costume."

We have a new certified belly dance trainer!

2010-07-26T13:40:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to Rachel Micheletti of Chesapeake, VA. She is the latest person to complete the Belly Dance Trainer Certification Program. It takes a lot of dedication to see something like this through. Life has a way of getting in the way and there are always emergencies and fun to drag us away from projects, so this is definitely an accomplishment. If you see Rachel in person or on the web, be sure to congratulate her on this huge achievement!

Can You Teach Stage Presence? YES!

2010-07-25T10:21:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of debate about whether or not stage presence can be taught. I have heard a lot of people say that it has to come from inside. It's just "natural." It is not something that can be taught, but it is something that has to be felt or lived. I disagree. I think anything can be broken down to its basest elements and learned.

Take Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) or Delsarte. That is exactly what both those techniques do. They look at how people do things naturally and then attempt to use those techniques to manipulate an affect. In NLP, the desired outcome could be anything from ridding oneself of a phobia to looking at life differently. In Delsarte, the goal is usually something like making something look more authentic. So, if you know that envisions information that has no impact on them in black and white and you want a memory to have less emotional impact, you just have to learn how to see it in black and white, right? If you want to make your acting look authentic and your stage direction is to turn around and look at someone, you lead with your eyes, right? Because that is how people who do it without a prompt or forethought do it, right?

Okay, so if you want to increase your connection with the audience (which is how I define stage presence), you just have to do the things that you do naturally that have that impact. That would be really easy to teach if we all did it the same way, but what is authentic to one person would look totally odd on another. I think a lot of people would say that good stage presence means smiling. Think about Sade. I don't think I have ever seen her smile in a video, but she is riveting. You don't take your eyes off her. People might say that good stage presence requires good eye contact, but Jim Morrison didn't have that. He was also a stunning performance. Power isn't universally attractive either. Jimmy Hendrix was a powerful performer, but MIchael Bolton isn't.

I think the way to develop stage presence when it isn't there naturally is to work on elements of staging and get feedback on what helps you to connect and make an impact on the viewer. Once you know what those things are, rehearse, rehearse, rehearse until you can do it without thinking and feel confident doing it.

There is a light inside every one of us. Sometimes you just need a little help turning it on.

Lunch at 2M in Richmond

2010-07-24T13:52:00.000-07:00

So a friend and I had lunch today at 2M in Richmond. It's mostly a grocery store, but there are 3 tables for dining. The first (and only) complaint is that it was too hot. It was a refreshing 80 degrees or so inside, which was cool compared to the 103 outside, but still way too hot for trying to eat. The owner boasted that his hummus was the best anywhere. I had to call him on that and let him know that that was a bold statement. He quickly produced a sample on a plastic spoon and dared me to contradict. I had to admit that he was right up there with the best. With that we tried to narrow down what we would have for lunch, but decided that it must include hummus. We weren't too daring. She had the gyro with hummus. I had a schwarma with hummus and tabouli. The tabouli was kind of mushy, but everything else was fast, hot, plentiful and really tasty. I thanked the owner in Arabic. That started a conversation about travel to the middle east and the Arab community in Richmond. I asked about parties and the conversation was over. Apparently he isn't into belly dancing or parties, but the food is still good enough to stop for either groceries (a group of Ethiopians came in while we were there to buy 25 pounds of goat meat) or jut get something to eat. If you are going in the summer, I'd get it to go though or be prepared to sweat! Ack.

Things I Won't Miss About Belly Dance

2010-07-23T13:05:00.001-07:00

Dancing is great, but there are definitely some things that I could do without. Here are my thoughts in no particular order:

* Talking to potential clients who gasp when you tell them the price, but wouldn't hesitate to pay more for a clown for a kid's birthday party.

* Clients who want to renegotiate the price after you have come to an agreement.

* Men or women who think that it's okay to touch me. I wonder if they'd see it differently if I tried to touch them in the same way?

* Getting calls from non-dancers who want me to teach them to do a performance in three weeks.

* Having to explain that I am a CULTURAL dancer, not a hootchie kootchie girl.

* Hearing students horror stories of how an instructor destroyed their self-esteem.

* Audience members hissing because they think this is a compliment.

* Bashing BDSS.

* The politics.

Yes, You Can!

2010-07-22T03:53:00.000-07:00

I was listening to a dancer talk about this newbie who has no right doing this and can't do that because she doesn't have experience, blah, blah, blah. I thought to myself, "Now who gave her the right to decide what someone else can do?"

I remember back in the day when I got started dancing, there was no two lane highway to success. You had to blaze your own lonely trail, so whatever path you took to get there was almost always viewed as legitimate. The field was small and there was no model to follow.

The rise of Belly Dance Super Stars has changed all that. Now there is more than one group to point to and say, "Now that is what success looks like!" We are established in the USA mainstream (or at least a lot moreso than we used to be). The expectation is that you have danced X number of years. You can do choreography backward and forward. You have a certain look. You've broken your back and paid your dues. If you haven't done those things, you aren't worthy.

I say that's CRAP! I think that kind of thinking is the stuff that limits creativity and success. Isn't there enough self-doubt in the world without having to buy into some false model of success that has nothing to do with you? I recently watched Coal Miners Daughter. It's a biography of Loretta Lynn. She was going around the country talking at radio stations and singing in honky tonks when she came upon The Grand Ole Opry. They asked her to sing there. She was glad to do it, but then heard that she hadn't paid her dues. Her confidence sank. All because of someone else's opinions!

The times in my life when I have done my own thing out of passion and love, I have had the most success. When I have tried to follow the trail and example set by other people, I have labored and trudged along, ticking off things on a list waiting to be acknowledged. That just doesn't work for me. It's joyless and meaningless. So, I say DO THINGS YOUR WAY. Follow your heart. Do what you feel. Your life and your dance are an expression of you. If it takes you to big places and to dance for big audiences, great. If it brings joy only to you, it's still a journey worth having. Don't listen to people who would steal your joy and make you feel badly about yourself. They don't know what they are talking about.

I Can't Dance and Drive

2010-07-10T12:21:00.001-07:00

So, I am driving down the road listening to techno belly dance music. Not a good idea, y'all. For some reason, I start listening to that music and my foot just wants to step on the gas. Now in some cars, you know that that is happening. The car starts to tach out and sound like it is getting ready for take off. Not my baby. She doesn't even let out a satisfying sigh until she's going 80. She only hums after that. So when this merengue/techno combo came on, it was all over. Suddenly, I see this oncoming car flashing its lights at me. I look down at the speedometer and I think, "Uh oh! I can't get another ticket. That would be two this year! They are going to take my license!" I slowed the car, took a deep breath, turned the music off and cruised the rest of the way home happy that Johnny Law didn't get me that time. Lesson learned. No more techno belly dance music in the car! It's too dangerous. lol

I'm Baaccckk

2010-07-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, I guess I need to explain where I have been for the last 6 months, eh?

Well, first it was winter. I am not a snow baby by any stretch of the imagination and this winter was so incredibly brutal. I just stayed hunkered down by the fireplace until it got warm. I think that didn't happen until May. Then it got really busy with non-belly dance stuff. Meanwhile as all that was going on, I finished my book. If you haven't heard about it or seen it you can catch it on Amazon.com. It's called Beyond Moves, Combos and Choreography.

I also have written a few articles on people who I think have been unsung for too long. There are great talents who are extroverted and seem to have a following that talks them up. Then there are the humble introverts who get overlooked because they lack an entourage. My goal for this year is to help shine the light a little longer on their talents. So, if you see any of my articles and say to yourself, "Taaj, who IS this?" maybe it's time you took a look!

Positive Vibe

2010-02-24T04:31:00.000-08:00

i went to my first Tummy Tuesday in Richmond last night. "Positive Vibe" is a really great name and place for an event like that. That totally describes the whole event. First, the restaurant's mission is to hire and train people with disabilities. Isn't that awesome? I am totally down with that. That vibe does seem to permeate the place with light.

The event itself was also very positive. The crowd was very supportive, fun, and relaxed. It was all the things you want in a performance and none of the things you don't. I was told that the event has been going for 3 years! I can see why. I think it's great for the dance community, the general public and the restaurant's mission.

I am so glad that I went and hope to attend many more.

Taxes- A Big Disincentive to Dance

2010-02-23T11:55:00.001-08:00

I finished my corporate taxes yesterday. Talk about a big disincentive for working! Did you know that performing artists are taxed at a whopping 35%? If you make $100, the government wants $35. If you make $1000, it's $350. If you make $10,000, it's $3500. That is a ton of money! Unfortunately it's not easily passed on to the consumer because the current economy won't allow it. With wages being driven downward by under cutters and the economy, what is a girl to do? Well, I know this girl is going to pay her taxes, but it sure it taking a lot of the fun out of what I do.

Not Getting the Business You Want? Check Your Business Plan.

2010-02-22T03:35:00.000-08:00

If you are not getting the business that you want, the first step in correcting that is to check your business plan. If you don't have one, you should create one. The business plan gives you a visual of where you are and where you want to go. If you live in Cleveland and want to go to New York, a diversion to Miami probably isn't in your best interest. Having a plan on paper makes it easier for you to see that. It also gives you hints on what to change if you don't get the results you were hoping for.

So, let's say you are looking at your overall activity and you see that you are getting leads, but aren't getting the students or the jobs that you want. That suggests that your customer service, sales pitch or something about your offer isn't attractive to the customer.

If you are looking at results and seeing that you have customer, but aren't getting paid in a timely manner, that suggests that your billing and collections procedure needs to change.

If you aren't getting follow up belly gram clients, referrals, or students who stay beyond a single session, it suggests that customers aren't happy with your price, product, or service.

If you are getting leads that aren't the type of client that you want, it suggests that your marketing is pitched to the wrong target.

If a lot of things are going undone in your business, this may suggest that you need more help, need to delegate, are burned out, or just need a break to rejuvenate.

If you are spending more than you are taking in, you probably need to budget better.

When things don't go the way you planned, take a look at the plan. Is it a good plan? Are you following it? Does it need to be changed? Having a systematic, written way of dealing with things make it more likely that you will have success. Success doesn't usually happen by chance. When your plan is written, it is easier to find the problem and create a working solution.

Belly Dance Business Ethics

2010-02-21T03:57:00.000-08:00

Most American dancers are influenced by the Judeo-Christian values of the Ten Commandments (don't lie, steal, kill, commit adultery, wish for things that aren't yours, honor your mother and father, keep the Sabbath holy, don't use the Lord's name in vain and don't have idols) and the values that success can come from hard work. However, each business industry has its own values that don't always overlap perfectly with those guiding principles. That is true of belly dance too.

Most Codes of Ethics touch on finances, sales and marketing, intellectual property and knowledge, peer interactions, and public image.

Finances is a big one where values clash. In the free market, it's often advantageous to compete with others on the basis of price. Walmart, for example, is a master of delivering adequate goods at a low price. The thing that keeps this from spiraling out of control in the free market is the desire for profit. In the belly dance world, some dancers cut their prices so low that there is no profit. They do this because they aren't trying to make a living by dancing. They are meeting other needs. The problem with this is that it becomes difficult for those who view it as a profession to be fairly compensated.

Another place where industry values may clash with mainstream values is in sales and marketing. Belly dance has this sisterhood/ goddess/safe haven reputation that, for some, also seems to mean that you can't show pride, state your talents, or compete on the basis of achievement for fear of being labeled as against the sisterhood or not a team player. My opinion on this is that there is room for both schools of thought to exist. Patagonia and Whole Foods are two companies that excel at standing out from the competition while also championing causes that benefit the public.

The area of peer interactions is another place where belly dance can clash with mainstream values. Despite the lip service to sisterhood, I have seem many leaders in the community openly encourage shunning others for flimsy reasons such as, "She's a student of So-and-So." I don't care what anyone believes privately, but I think that the industry is stronger when we are respectful in public. We constantly fight for respectability in the eyes of the public. It doesn't help us look professional or worthy of respect when we are so willing to drag each other down.

If you find that your values are in conflict with those of the industry, or maybe you are not sure what the values of the industry are, check it out with someone you trust. Social values exist to serve the community. Religious values serve your spirituality. Industry values serve the art form- both student and professional levels. I believe there are ways to serve all three without conflict, but if you put your own needs above those of big picture, we all go down.

Hen Pecking

2010-02-17T03:06:00.000-08:00

Did you know that same breed chickens will peck a chicken who is not like them to death just for being different? It's advantageous if the differences are due to genetic defects, but farmers don't usually like it. It also doesn't work if you have a healthy chicken or two of another breed and only have one hen house. The chickens won't tolerate the ones that they are unfamiliar with.

Kids do this too. When I was in kindergarten, there was this boy who often smelled because he peed on himself. He was made fun of relentlessly. In 4th grade, it was Pam. Pam was an amazon. She was at least a foot taller than everyone else. She also had breasts, which none of the rest of us did. I can't imagine what kind of hell she lived in.

Unfortunately, it doesn't end in elementary school. I have heard many people describe high school as the "worst time of my life." I saw an interview with a famous singer (I think it was Christina Aguilera, but I could be mistaken about that) who said that high school was awful for her because nobody talk to her. Her voice, looks, ambition, and lifestyle (going to auditions and competitions) alienated her.

In fact, I think some people don't ever lose their desire to pick on others that they find "different." It doesn't matter if the thing that makes you stand out is negative (peeing on yourself), just different (being taller), or is positive (having a great voice). It attracts attention. And some can't resist targeting you for it.

Belly dance is full of people who understand what it is like to be different because WE are different. We engage in a dance that is not native to our culture. We are unfairly labeled as hootchie kootchie girls by people who don't understand us. We are turned away from other dance forms for having the wrong shape. We applaud that there exists such a place where women of all ages, shapes, and sizes can celebrate. So you would think that this could be a safe haven from hen pecking... wouldn't you?

Being Ambitious

2010-02-15T17:06:00.000-08:00

In my last post I talked about the importance of valuing yourself enough to ask for what you are worth, but that's not the only obstacle to success, is it? I mean, there is nothing like another person to let you know that you are not all that. If you have ever created something with enthusiasm and shared it with others, you know what I mean. There is always at least one person in the crowd who wants to knock you down. Sometimes it's in a passive-aggressive, confidence stealing way. She might bring up the idea that a balanced life is "better" to pursue. She might tell you that your family will suffer. She might say the odds are against you. Or she might be more direct and just label you "ambitious" or just plain old, "bitch."

While some people can be most supportive and understanding , others can be the worst enemies of success. If you have a dream, the best way to realize it is to surround yourself with the former. You need people around you who understand that there is nothing wrong with living life on your terms. As someone who has done what I have wanted for most of my life, I can tell you that it is possible. I am not saying that there aren't sacrifices to make, but it is possible to achieve your dreams, have a happy life, successful business and be a person of integrity. Life is not black and white. Success, bitchiness, and unhappiness do not have to live on the same side of the street. Each involves conscious choices.

If you have self-limiting doubts or negative people around you who keep you down with negative programming like, "money is the root of all evil" read books like "The Secrets of the Millionaire Mind" or "amBITCHous; (def) A woman who: 1 Makes more money 2. has more power 3. gets the recognition she deserves 4. has the determination to go after her dreams..." They will help you to see that negative judgment is meaningless prattle that keeps you unhappy, unfulfilled and underpaid.

Life is not and either/or adventure unless you want it to be. It can be an "and" kind of experience. You can have success AND integrity. You can be ambitious AND a nice person. I think Oprah is incredibly successful. I don't know her personally, but she also seems to be really nice and be a person of integrity. If there is one example, there are many more. You can be another one if you open yourself to the opportunity. Just dare to dream, follow through, and don't listen to the negative people who want you to believe that if you are ambitious or successful, you must also be a lying, cheating, unhappy, unethical bitch. Yep, some people got to the top that way, but you don't have to be one of them.

Be a Prosperous Artist!

2010-02-14T05:08:00.000-08:00

I am not sure where the romantic notion came along that to be worthy of your art, you had to be a starving artist. I think that some artists choose to live in poverty because they'd rather live simply than not do their work. That's fine, but I don't think that that means that we all have to suffer or the art is not good. I definitely don't think that accepting a fair wage for our work makes us less than someone who makes no money. There were/are many prosperous artistic geniuses, such as Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Emeril Lagasse, Fred Astaire, Michelangelo, not to mention the quiet, unsung heroes who make their living doing their art every day. Whenever I see a vision of success, it inspires me because I know that if it's possible for one to achieve it, it's possible for others.

So, why do people cling to this idea that we shouldn't pay for things of value? I am really not sure. I have heard some people say that their talent is a gift from God and since it was given to them, they share it free of charge with others. I have heard some allude to the idea that profit is the enemy of good. That's just ridiculous because money is an inanimate object. It's just a tool to be more of what you are. It doesn't MAKE anyone good or bad, but it can help a person intent on doing good more effective at that.

There is so much Law of Attraction material available that I think most people are aware of the idea that the vibe that you put out is the vibe that you get back. Looking at the starving artist image in that way, I think that creates a perpetuating life of financial ruin. If you believe your work is not worthy of having someone pay for it, you will attract more people who don't want to pay. Since it costs money to continue to create, that's a losing proposition.

Being paid shows that you value your time and your work. It shows others that it is valuable also and creates a demand for what you do. So my advice is to ask a fair market value for your work and adopt an attitude that you are worthy of it. It can help to create and maintain prosperity so that you can keep doing what you love.

Bob Fosse is a Dancing Genius

2010-02-14T04:51:00.000-08:00

I have two favorites in the performing arts world- Mozart and Fosse. I just watched some Fosse last night and I am inspired anew by his brilliance. He truly revolutionized dance. He is a pro at knowing the rules and breaking them in artistic and effective ways. He lights his sets to achieve maximum effect of mood. He takes a truly garish vision and makes it beautiful. What makes him all the more interesting to me as a belly dancer is his use of isolation. Not just with the limbs as we do, but with such typically minor things as the twirling of a foot or the raise of an eyebrow. His use of r-e-a-l-l-y slow movement and surprising tempo changes is also dynamite. I find myself smiling as I watch the lovely lines collide with awkward angles in the most pleasing ways. Even when his ideas don't totally work, you see the undeniable spark of genius that can't be ignored. I love Bob Fosse. His work has inspired and influenced many- myself among them. Go see some Fosse today!

Increase Website Traffic With Inbound Links

2010-02-13T13:12:00.000-08:00

If your webpage isn't linked on other sites, you can forget about ranking very high in search engines. Many search engines decide how high up to rate your page based on how many other sites find your site worthwhile. If it's linked to a lot of sites, it looks really good. If it isn't linked at all, it doesn't look so good.

Now some search engines just count the number of inbound links you have. Sites like google rank the site that linked to you to rate your page's level of importance. So, a link on an inactive site is less valuable to you than a link from a busy site.

So, how do you get these links? The easiest way is to list on directories and portals. These are website that serve as a central location for a group of things in the same topic. For example http://www.vabellydancers.com is a portal for all things belly dance in Virginia.

If you belong to a forum, put your website in the signature line and post away! Each time you post, you put your website out there- assuming of course that the site is spiderable.

Buy links on busy websites. This is basically a button ad. The more traffic the site gets, the higher ranked your site becomes.

Obvious Belly Dance Expert

2010-02-13T12:53:00.000-08:00

I used to have a workshop called "The Obvious Belly Dance Expert" that focused on building your business skills. It has become increasingly apparent to me that that information is still really needed. The belly dance community operates in this zone somewhere between hobbyland, Princessville, and Vegas. I think that mentality is seriously hampering our ability to succeed and step out of the realm of "step sister" in dance. So, I want to use my blog for a while to address some of the ways that belly dancers think to try to boost us back into the world of business, success and legitimacy. My first topic is on sharing information.

NOW, THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION, but I think that one of the roles of a teacher is to guide her intermediate level students in performing ethics, business ethics, and proper business dealings. Of course the downside to that is that your student may one day become your competitor, but let's break this down.

1) If you do your job well, your student WILL become a professional and be in the same market as you for jobs. (Isn't this why you are teaching her?) This does not mean that you have to "compete" however. The more supportive you are of each other, the more congenial the relationship will be.

2) You are not the only source of information, so your student is likely to get information whether you give it to her or not. Wouldn't you rather she got it from you so that the relationship is congenial and she gets appropriate information?

3) If you don't instruct your student in proper stage etiquette and business dealings, you are going to have a wild child out in the business world. Now, since the general public doesn't really discriminate between one dancer and another and each individual acts as an ambassador for the dance. wouldn't you want that public face to be a professional one? The more high quality dancers there are in the world, the more attractive the artform becomes to everyone. That means more business for everybody.

4) If your intermediate to professional level students are dancing in public, they should know what the acceptable pay range is and get it. If they are good enough to be dancing in a professional venue, they are good enough to be paid a professional wage. Period. There is no "student discount". If she's a student, dance in a student venue. To do otherwise teaches a student that her wage is flexible and could encourage undercutting.

5) Don't fake like you know something if you don't. False information is just as bad as no information. Just say, "I don't know." There is no crime in not knowing. Nobody knows everything. If you make stuff up or lie, you will be found out. It's hard to recover credibility once a lie is found out.

I guess there are other points I could touch on, but I think you get the idea. As far as sharing information with students, my view is SHARE IT ALL! There is no downside to creating more responsible, educated, fair- dealing dancers. Yes, they may be dancing alongside you in the future, but it will most likely be as your peer rather than your competitor because they will respect you for being so supportive and sharing. You probably had a hard time figuring out what to do and would have appreciated some help along the way, right? So would they. So, share. It's a win for you, a win for the students, and a win for the community.

Busy, Busy, Busy

2010-02-11T03:21:00.000-08:00

The east coast weather has been HORRIBLE for productivity. I have been spending days on end shoveling. We were out of power the weekend before for about 18 hours then out of power last weekend for 4 days. But the time was well spent in my head. Not sure where the inspiration came from, but I am cranking out exercises, games, and lesson plans for my new BDT book. I am fortunate to also have a LOT of help from the people in the certification program. Every time I get a new submission or find an old exercise, I get jazzed anew. Today is another shovel day, so I don't know how much time I will have to write, but there are wonderful things happening in my head. I can't wait to share them with you!

दम इस Down

2010-02-03T10:08:00.000-08:00

When natives say that Americans can't dance to the music, one of the things they are talking about is correctly interpreting the drum. If you are moving your hip, chest, shoulder, butt or whatever UP on the DUM, you are dancing against the music. It doesn't make sense musically to Arabs or musicians. Why? because the first DUM is on the downbeat. Think of the maestro conducting the orchestra. He starts with his hands up and the orchestra begins playing when his hands come down- that's the DOWNbeat. If the hands go down and the music starts on the 1, which is also the DUM, doesn't it make sense for the hips to do the same? If the hips go down on the first dum, doesn't it make sense for them to continue in that pattern?

Think of it this way. When you are tapping your foot to the music, when does the foot go down? It's weird to tap on any other beat besides the "1," isn't it? It looks weird to see dancers dancing with the hip up on the one too. It's just not intuitive.

I hope that in the future I can see more dancers dancing musically- at least to the drum.

Congratulations to Memie-Ayat, the newest certified belly dance trainer

2010-01-25T15:08:00.000-08:00

I am so pleased to announce that Memie-Ayat of the Salem, MA area is our newest certified belly dance trainer. Having stood by every step of the way and watched her progress, I can tell you that it's no easy feat. Life gets in the way. Motivation leaves. There is so much to learn and incorporate into your own style. And it certainly is hard trying to learn something someone else's way, but it's got to feel really good to have this behind her. I know I am relieved and happy for her. There are two more coming right up that are going to round out the crew. It really motivates me to get the revisions done so more people can join the ranks. I think I will go work on that right now. :)

Who's Responsible for Ethics? WE ALL ARE!

2010-01-16T05:45:00.000-08:00

I am a "1" on the enneagram. We are the people who wants the world to be "right" and "fair." We get upset when people don't follow the rules or justice isn't served. I remember this playing out as a new dancer. Another dancer was doing things like spreading lies, undercutting, and being a general Baddie. I was irate! How could this happen? Why isn't the community up in arms against her? Shouldn't someone expose her?

An experienced dancer told me to leave it alone. Everyone is eventually known by their deeds. It's not your job to be the belly dance police.

I agree with this, but I think there is a part B to that answer. I think that we are all responsible for demonstrating and modeling ethics for all other dancers, but especially students. How else will dancers learn performance etiquette, respectful classroom behavior, and professional business behavior if someone doesn't model it for them? Some things are common sense like not talking when someone is performing, but it might make perfect sense to a student who is hungry to perform to trade work for food. After all, she's not a professional and she's being compensated, right? How else will she see another side to that if it's not introduced to her?

Anyway, I think we are not responsible for others behavior, but when we model respectful, professional behavior, we give those who don't an opportunity to see that there are other ways of being that are more productive in the long term and promote more harmony in the community.

Music is the Muse

2010-01-11T05:47:00.000-08:00

I had a fantastic private lesson with a professional musician to help me focus my lesson plans on Improvisational Zils. It was incredibly inspiring to see how other people approach the idea of improvisation. It was validating to see that, also in music, people are freaked out by the idea of improvising. And the people who have the most structured training tend to be those who are most freaked out by "doing your thing." But the thing is, "doing your own thing" isn't exactly doing your own thing. You do your own thing within the boundaries of the style of dance you are performing and within the rules of dance. Yes, there are times when you break the rules and that is what can make the performance unforgettable, but you can't do that well if you don't understand the rules to begin with. I mean, ANYONE can do whatever they want, but it's only aesthetically pleasing and art if it makes sense. It's like writing. The rule is, sentences have a subject followed by a verb. But there are sentences that start with a verb followed by a subject. There are sentences that don't have a subject and sentences that don't have a verb. But, if you don't have a surrounding structure to support those exceptions, nobody will understand you. So, you just can't just do whatever you feel. You still have to understand the rules of what you are doing in order to break them well.

So that is my next project. I am tightening up my explanation of that and narrowing down the possibilities of what is "allowed" so that when my students improvise, it always sounds good. My problem was, I can understand how to work outside of a box, but since they didn't have that framework, they need a smaller box to work within to make it make sense. Once they can do that well, they can work with a bigger box. Once they do that well, they can work outside the box, then further outside of the box. But until you know that there is a box and understand the boundaries of the box, improvisation is a scary place.

Teaching Transitions

2010-01-07T03:48:00.000-08:00

I was always baffled by people who ask questions about teaching transitions. I mean, one move just flows into the next one, doesn't it? It's not like there is some magical moment when one ends and the other begins... right?

Well, some students don't see it that way obviously or there wouldn't be questions about, "How do I go from this move to that move?" The execution is all about the breakdown. If you can break anything down in a way that is understandable, anyone can do it seamlessly.

Most students have trouble with the weight shift. Sometimes it's a count thing. The weight shifts on THIS beat. Sometimes it's not realizing that a weight shift occurs at all. Take for example a walking 3/4 shimmy. It's obvious that there is a weight shift here because you can't walk without one :), but where does it happen? On the 4 or on the 1? It happens on the 1 every time. Saying something like, "Step, 2, 3, pause" can help that transition happen without the student getting bogged down into the details of how it's happening and make it feel easier.

Sometimes in more complicated moves you have a transition that happens on the "and." Because you are already moving in a different direction on the 1, students get confused as to how you got there. When you vocalize the "turn, kick, 7, 8, AND" it can help students realize that something happened there so that they can hit that missing weight change and be on time the next time.

Another thing that can jam people up is not understanding that music has sound qualities and phrases. If the sound is smooth, you dance smoothly until that sound ends. You don't change mid-phrase to something else. In other words, listen and dance to the music. Movement should not be taught independent of sound as it makes students feel that it's just about movement. It's not. It's about setting appropriate movement to the sound that is given to you to make a harmonious balance between them. Some students just want to move frenetically showing off as much of their repertoire as possible. This is not dancing, that's is aerobics. I think that when we approach it as phrases of movement set to phrases of music of the same quality, there can never be a problem of transitioning too early or too late.

I am baffled by people who want to have a class just for transitions. I think if you teach with good breakdown, you don't ever have to make a separate class for this. It's just incorporated into everything you do. I mean, you do combinations, don't you? Those have transitions. How do you teach combinations without teaching the transition? You do choreographies, don't you? How do you teach multiple combinations without breaking down the pieces in between?

No Work During the Holidays

2009-12-28T04:25:00.000-08:00

Why is it that no work gets done between Christmas and the New Year? I have a pile of things to do and absolutely no motivation to do them. I am not usually like this. If I have a list, things must get checked off, but that week between Christmas and New Years is just not meant for being productive or getting things done. I think it's more about visiting, eating, going to shows, entertaining, being entertained and just saying good-bye to the old year. I give up. I surrender to the force. See you next year!

Customer Rant

2009-12-20T06:41:00.000-08:00

Why would anyone wait until NOW to try to book their New Year's eve party? Don't they know that belly dancers are in demand? Do they think we sit around waiting for the phone to ring? Do they think we can fly from one gig to another and do dozens in one night? And then why do they think that they can have you at their event for $50? Clowns cost more than that and are entertaining children. I don't understand. I guess I'd rather have them call at the last minute than not call at all thinking that they don't have a snowball's chance in hell. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? But you can't expect to get what you want if you don't plan ahead. Tsk tsk.

American Belly Dance Legends DVD

2009-12-19T06:33:00.000-08:00

Gotta give a big thanks to Amaya for creating this DVD found here: http://www.wisewomandancer.com/index.php?pag=cms&id=183&p=dvds.html. It's a fascinating documentary of the movers and shakers in the American belly dance scene that allowed to become what we are today. It really struck me how different dance looks now from then. We have a lot more access to store bought costumes, music, the Middle East, magazines, each other, workshops, shows and venues. But I don't know that all of that would have been possible had the women and men before us not paved the way. The United State leads the world in belly dance innovation! I think that's fantastic. We owe such a debt of gratitude to these men and women.

I have to say that my first impression was that the video quality was poor, but as the movie went on, I totally forgot about that. These were the days when it wasn't all that common to have any footage at all, so I think we are blessed to have the little bit that it there.

I really encourage anyone who is a serious buff of American belly dance to see this video. It's astounding. It really makes you appreciative of where we are and of the people who made that possible. I think there are others who should have been included, but hey, you can't include everybody, right?

THANK YOU, AMAYA for creating this video and making it possible for the rest of us to become acquainted or re-acquainted with our history.

I am Proud of My Girls! :)

2009-12-18T06:28:00.000-08:00

I have been posting old performance footage at http://www.youtube.com/user/bellydancetrainer. I gotta tell ya. I am proud of my girls! I am looking at them perform and they are all so diverse. They are courageous enough to explore their own styles. Even when they were baby dancers, they just got out there and did it. I mean, how else do you learn a performance art without performing? I think it's brave and really the only way to progress. I am so happy to have been a part of that.

Oh, It's Hard to Be a Critic

2009-12-17T03:51:00.001-08:00

So I wrote a review of 3 CDs for Gilded Serpent which should appear online pretty soon. It was HARD! I mean, I don't want to be like everyone else who just says what they like. I don't think reviews are supposed to be about what you like, although there is an element of that. I think they are supposed to be about the music. I have enough musical training to really be able to appreciate what goes into creating and performing a piece of music. I know enough about the construction to know when it's boring, uninventive or just plain awesome. And that was the problem, I suppose.

For the most part, the CDs that were given to me were blah and formulaic. Nothing "wrong" with them. Just nothing eye poppingly good that would make you want to take out your wallet and buy them. And how do you say that in a community as small as ours which is on the surface about sisterhood, love and support and everyone knows everyone else?

I didn't say they were blah because I am trying to gouge someone's eyes out, but I am ducking for cover as I am sure that is how it will be perceived. But what good is a review if everything and everyone is fantastic? You can't trust the opinions of the reviewer if she is unable to say the truth. In the end, I am all about integrity. I want my words to mean something, and so I said what I thought. If that causes me to get lambasted, so be it. But, I bet you will read other reviews I write for solid information about the product without bias.

I'm back

2009-12-16T05:44:00.000-08:00

I used to blog a while ago, then stopped because life just got too busy. I am baaaccck! I miss being in touch with other dancers. There is a lot going on with BDT, so I thought I'd start it up again. Look for new and exciting things coming soon.

The first thing is that I have been uploading old footage of old shows featuring my former students.http://www.youtube.com/user/bellydancetrainer Check it out.