Month: <span>February 2012</span>

Video review: Nourhan Sharif: An Introduction to Bellydance Technique

Nourhan Sharif, wife of dance master, Yousry Sharif, was an excellent instructor in her 2001 Saskatoon workshop.Technically precise, serious-minded, and disciplined, she demanded much of dancers in the workshop setting. (The same was true of Yousry.) Share on Facebook Follow me…


Looking the Part: General Costuming Guidelines for Performance of Middle Eastern Dance

Students of Middle Eastern dance find out very soon into their studies that this is a costly dance form, with a world of deliciously sparkly, beautiful choices of costuming, both homemade and imported. The average student of the dance is in it as a hobby, and would be best advised to keep her spending modest…


Protocols and Expectations of Performing as a Pro, or, How To Avoid Stepping on Toes

This is an opinion piece.  I won’t hide behind a pseudonym or pen name and pretend that the opinions belong to someone else. I also won’t apologize for the opinions. The opinions expressed below are done so very candidly for the intent of informing intermediate level dancers who may be interested in or intent upon…


Ideas for Blessing Ways: Honouring the Expectant Mother Through Gathering and Ritual

A Blessing Way does not have to take on spiritual connotations, nor involve “ritual” if that idea may make the mother uncomfortable. Ritual is simply a series of actions combined with spoken or written words that are focused around a common intent or purpose. No deity need be invoked or prayed to, your “prayers” or…


Blessing Ways

The Blessing Way is a ceremony that prepares and celebrates the passage a pregnant woman and her child experience in birth. It may also be a time to prepare an adoptive mother (or both parents) for their journey into parenthood. The term “Blessing way” is borrowed from the Navajo, who practiced this kind of ritual…


Reflection on the Dance Manitoba Dance Festival, May 15 – April 2, 2005 (and beyond)

I had the pleasure of once again competing in the 25th annual provincial festival this year, my fifth time competing in my dance career. This festival is open to Dance MB members of any age who submit their names (and fees) to dance in the genres of Tap, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Modern, Jazz, National…


Interview with Nicola in VOXAIR, CFB 17th Wing Base’s Newspaper

Belly dancing By Avery Wolaniuk “Things are going to jiggle today, and that’s okay” are not words normally heard at 17W’s gym. But on 14 Jan 06, 11 women took advantage of a free workshop offered during Community Recreation’s Customer Appreciation Week. These women crossed cultural boundaries, rolled their hips and learned a foreign art…


Review: Advanced Workshop and Show with Dina of Cairo

Dina is the current reigning Queen of Raks Sharqi in Egypt. Known for her tight, tiny movements, saucy and unusual costumes, elaborate footwork, graceful sways, complex pulls, pops and undulations of the torso, and an all-around unique interpretation, she has developed a style that is unconventional, and very difficult to imitate. Share on Facebook Follow…


What You Need to Know Prior to Booking

What I Will Need From You, the Host: a private place to change and prepare, preferably with a mirror a safe, secure place for my belongings clear directions to the location, entrance, time, and any other event details (see “Questions”, below) payment upon arrival, in cash ( I will only accept cheques from organizations) Share…