In these essays, dancers and scholars from around the world carefully consider the transformation of an improvised folk form from North Africa and the Middle East into a popular global dance practice. They explore the differences between the solo improvisational forms of North Africa and the Middle East, often referred to as raqs sharki, which are part of family celebrations, and the numerous globalized versions of this dance form, belly dance, derived from the movement vocabulary of North Africa and the Middle East but with a variety of performance styles distinct from its site of origin. Local versions of belly dance have grown and changed along with the role that dance plays in the community. The global evolution of belly dance is an inspiring example of the interplay of imagination, the internet and the social forces of local communities. All royalties are being donated to Women for Women International, an organization dedicated to supporting women survivors of war through economic, health, and social education programs. The contributors are proud to provide continuing sponsorship to such a worthwhile and necessary cause.
Imagine having a team of belly dance mentors willing to coach you through your belly dance journey. You might want their help and advice on selecting music, venues, costume or props. Perhaps you would like to hear about the pit-falls and problems of dancing at each different type of events, or the correct etiquette for classes and workshops. Maybe you would like their thoughts on your costuming, or some tips on putting together a web site, or managing your social networking. All of this and more is covered in Becoming a Belly Dancer, from stage fright to retirement, ATS to Zar. Becoming a Belly Dancer is a stagecraft handbook that provides valuable information, learned-in-the-trenches tips, and guidance for belly dancers who are ready to take the step from student to performer, or from performer to professional. Sara Shrapnell, author of "Teaching Belly Dance" and Dawn Devine, author of "Cloth of Egypt" and 13 other belly dance and costuming books, including the bestselling "Embellished Bras" and the now classic "Costuming from the Hip", have collaborated to produce "Becoming a Belly Dancer". Between them, they have more than 50 years of combined experience as performers, teachers, dancers and costume designers. Alisha Westerfeld explored the established and upcoming talent of the Bay Area to bring her beautiful photography to every page of this project. International belly dance celebrity and costume designer Poppy Maya adds her own special brand of "Additional Awesomeness" to the book, and the input of a young dancer, currently making her living through belly dance. The authors hope to bring the warmth, support, and humor of a teacher in absence, a true friend and a trusted advisor who has only one main goal: you. They want to focus on helping you be the best prepared physically and mentally for the challenges of performing for friends, family, the dance community, and the greater society, both in person at public venues, and via media available on the internet. The book covers improving your dance skills, good practice habits, preparing physically and emotionally, critiquing, picking your music and venues and dancer etiquette. In addition, the book includes extensive sections on costume design and selection, sewing and no sewing costumes, accessorizing, hair and makeup and presenting to the world the very best belly dancer that you can be."Becoming a Belly Dancer: From Student to Stage" is a useful and inspiring tool that will help belly dancers to be ready for the big day, so they can dazzle, impress and wow with talent and style.
Over 50 years of research and experience... No other book contains such an in depth look at what we popularly call 'bellydance'. Country by country, region by region, Morocco breaks down customs, dances, rhythms and folklore while answering common questions and addressing major misconceptions about the world of Oriental dance. 'You Asked Aunt Rocky' is the definitive text book for the study of Raqs Sharqi and Raqs Shaabi. Informative enough for any scholarly study of the subject, yet written for those who love the dance, this great tome is a treasure and an asset to any collection on the arts of North Africa, Asia Minor and the Middle East.
A comprehensive guide to the art of belly dancing • Covers the origins, mythology, and history of the Middle Eastern dance, including its physical and mental health benefits • Contains practical instructions with easy-to-follow photographs • Includes recipes for perfumes, cosmetic creams, and food from the Middle East Belly dance is pure sensuousness and has enchanted humans since ancient times. Yet beyond its erotic aspects, belly dancing offers many physical and emotional benefits. On the physical level it helps with muscle stiffness, autonomic nervous system disturbances, mobility of the abdominal region, and strengthening the back, which in turn enhances the body’s overall posture. Belly dancing also relieves menstrual problems and has been shown to be extremely useful during pregnancy and childbirth. On the emotional side belly dancing increases the libido and has enabled women to overcome self-esteem issues and regain healthy feelings of sensuality and sexuality.Belly Dancing covers all aspects of this ancient art, beginning with its origins and mythical connections to the moon goddess. The authors provide practical instructions and easy-to-follow photographs for the most important dance movements as well as guidance in costuming and related accoutrements. Additional information on foot reflexology and Indian chakras aid the further understanding of the art. The book also contains recipes for Middle Eastern perfumes, cosmetic creams, and food as well as suggestions for musical accompaniment.
This book examines the globalization of belly dance and the distinct dancing communities that have evolved from it. The history of belly dance has taken place within the global flow of sojourners, immigrants, entrepreneurs, and tourists from the nineteenth to the twenty-first century. In some cases, the dance is transferred to new communities within the gender normative structure of its original location in North Africa and the Middle East. Belly dance also has become part of popular culture’s Orientalist infused discourse. The consequence of this discourse has been a global revision of the solo dances of North Africa and the Middle East into new genres that are still part of the larger belly dance community but are distinct in form and meaning from the dance as practiced within communities in North Africa and the Middle East.
The Belly Dance Reader is an anthology of essays from many of the leaders in our Middle Eastern music and dance community. The contributors range from PhD scholars to hobbyists. This book is illustrated with hundreds of photos and artwork from current to vintage, including various sub-styles of the dance, gathered from around the world. Subjects covered include: An introduction, dancing at various ages and stages, history, costuming and appearance, regional and sub styles of the dance, theory and technique, as well as valuable resources such as Arabic scales and rhythms, glossary, maps and more.Belly Dance Reader ContentsSection 1 - An Introduction* Gamar a poem by Beatrice Parvin of the UK* Welcome to Bellydance by Najia* Belly Dance and Contemporary Dance Studies by Barbara Sellers-Young PhD* Reading Like a Researcher, Can You Trust Your Sources? by Mahsati* Orientalism, Zumarrad's Completely Non-scholarly Quick & Dirty Guide by Brigid Kelly* The Soul of Belly Dance, The Most Importatnt Thing is the Feeling by Alia ThabitSection 2-Dancing Through the Stages of Your Life* Teaching Children to Dance, Joys and Pitfalls by Martha Duran* A Dancer's Journey, From Beginner to Semi-Pro by Elianae Stone* The Teacher-Student Relationship, A Psychological Point of View by Izzah Isabelle Gagnon PhD* Bellydance Class... or Cult? Artwork by Leela Corman* Turning Pro, From Hobbyist to Star to Teacher by Lauren and Jillina* Boomerang Career, Life and Dance in the Land Down-Under (Pro to Teacher/Hobbyist) by Amera of Australia* It Ain't Easy being the Crone by Shelley MuzzySection 3-History* "Harem Girls", Dance in Historical Harems, Early 1700s - Early 1900s by Andrea Deagon PhD* The American Belly Dancer in Early Burlesque and Vaudeville Theatre by Catherine Mary Scheelar (married name here)* Belly Dance as a Performance, Historical Phenomenon or Logical Evolution? by Iana Komarnytska* Dancer Trading Cards- Artwork by Leela Corman, Stats by SausanSection 4-Biz* What a Band Needs, But Doesn't Always Get by Denise Mannion of Pangia* Dancing with Live Bands, The Little Book of Etiquette by Leyla Lanty* Selling your Dance, A Series of Elevator Pitches by Athena* Marketing Belly Dance for Fitness, Is It A Good Idea? by Mayada* Tip O' the Hat to Tipping, Practices of Appreciation by Samira SharukSection 5-Costume & Appearance* Raqqin the Retro, Vintage Costume Care by Princess Farhana* Omani Jewelry from the Collection of Nancy Hernandez Photography by Alisha Westerfeld* Practice Makes Perfection, Make up Artists Share Their Secrets by Davina ~ Dawn Devine* A Costume GallerySection 6- Regional Styles* Beyond Sequins, Meaning in the Movement by Yasmina Ramzy* The Rom, Nomads of the Spirit by Sierra (Sadira) Suraci* Romani (Gypsy) History An Introduction by Renee Rothman* The Zar, Dancing with Genies by Yasmin Hekesh* In Search of Zambra Mora by Dondi Dahlin* Improvisational Tribal Style, Constructing Self and Community by April Rose* The Ghawazi by Jalilah* Two Weddings and a Dancer, The Beledi and The City by Leila Farid* Zeffat Al 'Aroosa, Ritual Procession for the Egyptian Wedding by Sahra Carolee KentSection 7-Theory & Technique* Belly Dance Motivations, Context and Content of Performance by Jezibell Anat* Contextualizing, Giving Your Dance Context! by DaVid of Scandinavia* Performance Enhancement by Mahsati* How to Balance Anything! by Stasha Vlasuk* Improvising with Ease, Strategies that Work by Anthea Kawakib Poole* Shimmylab, Muscular Activation Patterns in Belly Dance by Venus Marilee Nugent* Are the Stars Out Tonight? Fitting Music & Dance to Your Gig by NajiaThe Backside* Maps- Sahra's Regional Dances of Egypt, The Mid East, Mediterranean, and North Africa* A Few Maqamat and Rhythms* References, A Bibliography Project, Bonus Material, Disclaimers, Errata* Gig Form* A Glossary of Common Belly Dance Terms* Contributors Bios* Photo Credits* Late Additions photos
"Come, sit by me," says Grandmother. "Take this chalk in your hand. Now draw a dot and concentrate all your energy into this one dot. It is the beginning and the end, the navel of the world." So Fawzia Al-Rawi describes her grandmother's first lesson about the ancient craft of Oriental dance. Grandmother's Secretsalways circles back to this grandmother and this young girl, echoing the circular movements of the dance itself. Al-Rawi has written a strikingly graceful and original book that blends personal memoir with the history and theory of the dance known in the West as "belly dancing." It is the story of a young Arab girl as she is initiated into womanhood. It is a history of the dance from the earliest times through the days of the Pharaohs, the Roman Empire, to the Arab world of the last three centuries. It is a personal investigation into the effects of the dance's movements on individual parts of the body and the whole psyche. It is a guide to the actual techniques of the dance for those who are inspired to put down the book and move. Al-Rawi conveys in this book not only the history and technique of grieving and mourning dances, pregnancy and birth dances, but the spirit of these age-old rituals, and their possibilities for healing and empowering women today.
