These 2 concerns are very intertwined. Those of you who may have taken classes with me as recently as 2011 need to know that there’s been a big change in the way my classes are structured, as well as how I teach them. I used to offer a typical, Western-style, levelled class schedule — e.g….
“Why don’t you do group coupons or daily deals?”
I believe very strongly that deep discounts lead to deep disregard. I understand that many businesses believe these deals get people in the door, but it’s been my experience that they don’t keep people there. I believe people will value what others value, and often the appropriate price tag is a huge influence….
Q ~ What are the veils all about?
The veil, in Orientale dance, is not worn as a garment, nor over the face. It is not meant to imitate the niqab or hijab, or at least it shouldn’t. Veiling in that sense has important religious and cultural connotations that most of us try to respect when we dance. On occasion, you can find…
Q ~ Where does bellydance come from?
There are 3 main ethnic styles: Egyptian, Lebanese, and Turkish. There, bellydance it is called raks sharqi, Oryantal tansi, or “Orientale”. The dance form as we know it dates only to about the 1920’s, and was forged in the upscale night clubs of Cairo and Beirut. Badia Masabni, a singer, dancer, choreographer…
Q – What is appropriate behaviour during a show for the performer and the audience?
Westerners are used to a very polite distance between themselves and a dancer. We’re used to sitting back in a darkened theatre with the dancer elevated on a stage. Share on Facebook Follow me…
Q ~ I want to hire a dancer for an event, but I don’t want it to be too sexy. How do I tell her this?
Most of us do not put on racy, provocative shows. Sometimes we are playful, and we are paid to be entertaining. If we know (and usually we ask questions about your event) that there will be children and/or elders there, we will tailor our dance and costuming to be more conservative. A great dancer will…
Q ~ I was at a workshop in Winnipeg. I saw brochures for another workshop, but I don’t know if I should go because I don’t know the dancer. . Advice?
Workshops are a lot of work (pardon the pun) to put on. If a host is bothering to do make the effort and front all the money required to bring in a guest artist, it’s almost always worth your time. Share on Facebook Follow me…
Q ~ Is fancy lingerie acceptable as costuming? I have a beautiful sequined bra.
No, no and no. If it looks like lingerie, it is just that, and lingerie, no matter how pretty, is still underwear. It lacks sufficient reinforcement and decoration to be a proper costume piece. Share on Facebook Follow me…
Q ~ There is so much bellydance stuff on eBay and the Internet in general! What do I buy?
Start slow, ask your teacher for some guidance (her favourite sites, what to watch out for, and so on). Check out my links–I don’t promote or sell crap. Share on Facebook Follow me…
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