See bottom of page for new bonus section!

Nizana & Desert Silk Dance Company's upcoming performances are also on the Home Page. DSDC is taking applications for troupe members and associates. Contact Nizana at nizana@att.net for info!

(Link at the bottom of this page to Home and Links Pages! )

Ongoing:

Zaina hosts 2nd Thursdays Belly Dance Hafla at Pasha's in Portland,OR. zainahart.com

Mas-Uda presents Rhythm Circle first Sun of the month, 4:30-6, and Belly Dancing every Sunday at 6:30 & 7:30 pm in at Great Cuisine of India in Olympia. mas-uda.com

The Belly Dancer Forum will be held monthly at: Kalia, 4520 200th Avenue SW, Lynnwood, 98036, 425-771-6422, first Wednesday or Thursday of every month same time, same place, 7pm-??? Space is limited so please sign up in advance. For more info contact Janice at janice@oz.net

Belly Dancing at Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant Every Fri/Sat Shows at 6 and 8 pm. Reservations highly recommended. Please call (206) 956-0500. Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant is located in Seattle's Belltown at 2334 2nd Avenue (2nd & Battery).

1st Sat of every month at 6:30-9pm Saqra presents an open dance night at Jimmy T's (formerly Moonrakers') in Kent WA! Dance to live music or own music. Contact saqra@saqra.net to dance! All ages welcome! $5 cover.

West African, Afro-Cuban and Middle Eastern Drumming with Michael Moon Bear in Spokane- New studio! West African Dancing, drums and miscellaneous for sale by appt. Contact him at 509-624-7573.

Rhythm Circle at MAS UDA Studio in Lacey, WA 2nd Sun of each month -For info: mailto:berube@comcast.net 360-459-3694 Bring drums, tambourines, &/or zills. Fun for dancers AND musicians.

Pyramid Lounge, Seattle. First Monday of every month has a featured dancer. raqsserpentine.com

Belly Dancing and Live Music w/Arabesque at "It's a Beautiful Pizza" SE 34th and Belmont every Wed night in Portland.  http://www.tiffanybellydancing.com/

Tony's in Seattle has bellydancing every Fri and Sat evening. On the 4th Sat, there is a guest night with 3 - 4 dancers. If you would like to sign up, please call Zorina at 206-241-8705 or email her at zorina_dc@hotmail.com

Ottoman Trading Co in Bothell holds monthly hafla last Sun of the month, 2-5 pm. 425-368-0369

2009

Oct 31 Nizana in workshop (1:15) and Desert Silk Dance Co in performance (11:30). Spokane Fall Folk Festival. Spokane Community College-Bldg 5.

NOV 2009

Nov 4-12 Belly Dance Cruise w/Ava Fleming & Samantha Riggs out of FL. www.destinytravelgroup.net

Nov 6-8 Suhaila Salimpour Intensive. Seattle. renee.drellishak@gmail.com

Nov 6-8 Fall Ball Belly Danec Festival. Long Island, NY islandraqs.com/strongisland.html

Nov 6-8 Belli Danse Hafla 2009. Boise, ID omdunia@aol.com

Nov 7 Maria Morca in workshop Bothell. ottomantradingco/innuitydirect.com/page/1hpqa/events.html

Nov 7 Core Care Workshop. Newman Lake, WA. Jyotir 208-660-3362 dancelightly@gmail.com

Nov 7-8 3rd Annual Chicago Raks featuring Fahtiem. www.raksanna.com/chicagoraks

Nov 7-8 Methow Midnight Hafla. Workshops w/Troupe Hipnotica and Imei.  Twisp, WA. brownpapertickets.com/event/83092

Nov 8 Workshops w/Leyla Amir & Sacha. Las Vegas, NV. egyptnationaltours@hotmail.com

Nov 12 Workhop w/Jewl. Bothell.  asiyadance@hotmail.com

Nov 13-15 Saqra's Annual Showcase Equinox Festival and Competition. Portland, OR. saqra.net

Nov 14 Hasani's Hafla. Wells Hall. Tacoma. hasani.net

Nov 14 Mystic Dream Dance Co presents souk. Spokane. mystikdream.com

Nov 14-15 Annual Belly Dancers in Paradise Fundraising Dinner show. Workshops w/Sausan, Andrea & Malia. Nizana is performing at this event as well. Waikiki, HI. maliainhawaii.com

Nov 20-21 Performance & Workshop w/Aubre Hill. Seattle. nadira@nadira.com

Nov 21 The Seven Dancing Sultanas (A Belly Dance Fairy Tale) Renton, WA. ychessa-dahli.com

Nov 27 Blue Lotus Nights w/Saltana Band. Seattle. nalinidance.com

DEC 2009 Merry Christmas! Kala Christouyenna! (Greek), Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad! (Farsi) Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah! (Iraqi)

Dec 3-6 Retreat at Fantuzzi's-Belly Dance, Yoga and more. Haiku, Maui, HI fantuzzimusic.com

Dec 4 Ottoman Trading Co's Open Holiday Dance Party w/ Anton Issa, Alimah, and Saltana Band. www.ottomantradingco.com

Dec 5 VDP Studio presents fundraising Bazaar. Seattle. visionarydance.com

Dec 6 Intro to Belly Dance w/A'isha Azar. Spokane. aishaazar@raqsazar.com

Dec 20 Aziza's DVD Release Party. Rachel Brice, Belly Dance Soufire, Blue Lotus Dance Co. Portland, OR nalinidance.com

Dec 31 Saqra's Annual New Year's Eve Party! saqra.net

Dec 31 Ottoman Trading's NY'sE Party w/Nalini & Blue Lotus. Bothell. WA ottomantradingco.com

JAN 2010

Jan 7-10 3rd Coast Tribal. Ft Worth, TX  www.3rdcoasttribal.us

Jan 10-17 Shireem's Belly Dance Cruise w/Saqra and her RaqsBand! shireemsdanceworld@yahoo.com

Jan 17-18 La Danse Orientale Belly Dance Competition w/Sidonia om Dunia in workshops. Tacoma,WA halimasdesigns.com

Jan 24-31 Delilah's Hawaii Retreat. www.delilahs-belly-dance-retreat.com/

FEB 2010

Feb 13-14 20th Annual Belly Dancer of the Universe. Long Beach, CA. bellydanceroftheuniverse.com

MARCH 2010

March 7-8 Emerald Rain Competition. www.emeraldrain.org

March 7-8 Sultana's Annual Hafla, workshop w/Amy Sigil. Tri-Cities. sultanadancers.com

March 15-21 Rakkasah West. Vallejo, CA. www.rakkasah.com

March 18-22 Princess Farhana in show/workshops. Seattle. visionarydance.com

March 26-28 Cues and Tattoos 2010. Seattle. www.troupehipnotica.com

APRIL 2010

April 2-9 Delilah's Hawaii Retreat. www.delilahs-belly-dance-retreat.com/

April 2-3 Intensive w/Cassiopia. Grangeville, ID bellyrolls.net

April 12/16-20 Custom Dancers Dream Tour to Egypt samrasexpressions.com

April 15-21 Int'l Belly Dance Conference of Canada. bellydanceconference.com

April 23-25 Saqra's Annual Showcase. Hillsboro, OR area. www.bellydanceshowcase.com

April 23-25 17th Annual Womens' Weekend Workshop. Breitenbush Hot Springs. gypsycaravan.us

April 24 Nuwaar al Sahraa's 1st Annual Hafla. Tri-Cities.  cchambers@riverrealtytricities.com

MAY 2010

May 12-16 Tribal Fest 10. Sebastopol, CA. blacksheepbellydance.com

May 14-16 24th Powers of Belly Dance Conference. Showcases, workshops, breakfast & lunch, fashion show and more! Yakima, WA. manddbarr@msn.com or 509-966-2365

JUNE 2010

June 21-29 Belly Dancing in Tunisia.(Intensive) jkafri@peoplepc.com

June 27 Gaylene's Open House. Amity, OR lilegypt1@aol.com

JULY 2010

July 17-18 23rd Annual Mediterranean Fantasy Festival. Seattle. babylonianensemble.com

July 22-25 Wiggles of the West. Sam's Town, Las Vegas, NV. www.wigglesofthewestlv.com

AUG 2010

Aug 10-15 Saqra presents Mahmoud Reda in workshops. Seattle. saqra.net

Aug 20-22 Jill Parker in Mini-Massive. Las Vegas. minimassive.com

Aug 28-29 2010 Diva Crown & George Abdo Tribute Conference. Boston, MA. za-beth.com

SEPT 2010

September 9-12, 2010--Las Vegas, NV--The Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino.  For more information, please
visit www.bellydanceintensive.com

OCT 2010

Oct 16-18 Rakkasah East. New Jersey. rakkasah.com

NOV 2010

Nov 7-20 5 Star Cairo Tour w/Shareen el Safy. shareenelsafy.com

DEC 2010

Bonus Section: This will be made up of Nizana's writings- reviews and dance related articles! Check back for new additions!
May not be reprinted without the author's permission, thank you.


Bonus Section Jun 2009
Nizana and Zahra represented Desert Silk Dance Co at a benefit June 13th in Spokane. Chapala's Restaurant and Eileen Frances hosted a benefit for the Indira Ghandi Children’s Hospital in Afghanistan. Fingerstyle guitarist and songwriter Seamus Kinsella played two sets of folk guitar music, all his own music. A Hawaaian musician and a couple other dancers were scheduled, but were unable to attend after all. Nicole opened the show in a really cute costume with a tribal fusion routine that included comedy, a scimitar and some mean back bends!  Nizana and Zahra performed a tribal fusion number and an alternative veil number in matching tietops, Nizana in purple and Zahra in emerald, with hip scarves and those really fun black "bell" pants (for lack of a better term.) Nah'Joom Dancers, with their arm-wings on, danced a couple of routines in velvety beledi dresses, and each with a different hip belt. Savannah was last up in a very cool tribal fusion costume, adding a very different flavor to the show. We were all happy to dance for a good cause!    

Bonus Section Feb 09 Preview!!!! Nizana will be presenting her first production in several years at the 700 seat Wallenstien Theater in Moses Lake, WA on March 28, '09. Nizana has chosen to deliver a formal two act theater production for the Moses Lake community, the first dance event outside of random performances in the area. Nizana is the only instructor in Moses Lake, teaching quarterly through their Parks and Rec Dept and thought it would be a great central location where the market is not over saturated. It is easily accessible from most areas in the state and not too long a drive to a nice little city! In this show, Nizana's theme is to present the variety of styles of Middle Eastern influenced dance styles as performed by dancers all around Eastern WA. There are a number of lovely dancers representing Spokane, Tri-Cities, Wenatchee, Seattle and Moses Lake. You will see a variety of American style belly dance numbers with several different props, American Folkloric Belly Dance numbers, and many different fusion routines! Nizana and Zahra of Desert Silk Dance Co, Alwiyah and Sabah Ensemble, Djimmah Karena and Troupe du Soleil, Amina, Shenteela and Nuwaar al-Sahraa, Kaela, Shaheena Safahri and Mirabai will dazzle you with wonderful and entertaining performances starting at 7 pm. (Doors open at 6:30) There will also be a door prize drawing. Tickets are only $10 at the door; $5 for ages 17/under and senior citizens. Lots of great hotels and restaurants in Moses Lake if you want to stay overnight. It will be a great show, join us!!! Contact Nizana if need more info or directions. nizana@att.net          

Bonus Section Nov 2008
Once again, Nizana and the Desert Silk Dance Co were part of the Spokane Fall Folk Festival, a two day event. This was the Folk Society's 13th annual event, and is a fabulous community weekend of dancing, music, arts, crafts, workshops, bake sale and vending. Over the weekend, 5 troupes from Spokane were represented, with many various styles. Nizana and Zahra represented DSDC in two sets together, as well as each doing a solo. Veils, skirts, finger cymbals and candles were all part of the set. Following DSDC's performance, Nizana, with the help of Zahra, taught her annual Intro to Belly Dance workshop, complete with handouts. There was great participation and it was a lot of fun. We'll be there again next year!  

Bonus Section Sept 2008
The last day (14th) of the Spokane Co Fair found a small contingent from Desert Silk Dance Company of Spokane and Troupe du Soleil of Tri-Cities putting on a 45 minute show. (Good things come in small packages!!) Nizana and Zahra represented DSDC, and Djimmah Karena represented TdS on this fine, sunny and warm late morning! They each did a costume change (two new costumes for DSDC!) and rotated sets that included veils, skirts, finger cymbals and a tambourine.There were a variety of dance styles and music represented as well, including classic belly dance, American style cabaret and belly dance fusion. A fun time was had by all!    

Bonus Section July 2008
Just returned from the 21st Annual Mediterranean Fantasy Festival in Seattle, and a sunny warm weekend was had by all! The Babs did it again, a two-stage venture with dancers from all over, LOTS of vendors, some musicians, and so much more. This outdoor festival is one never to miss, and for good reason. Sunshine, (usually) seeing so many dance friends and making new ones, yummy food treats, shopping where you can find just about anything you could possbily need or want, and an opportunity to perform and watch others perform. Nizana performed her solo on Saturday after helping set up the MEAI booth, for whom she volunteers. MEAI sponsors fabulous performers and events, and is bringing Yousry Sharif on Oct 4th. Got Medfest on my calendar for next year!     

Bonus Section June 2008
Ye Merrie Greenwood's annual event took place again at Howard Amon Park along the river (which many found themselves dipping in due to 105 degree weather!) in Richland on June 28-29th. Nizana was there to emcee and drum for Troupe du Soleil. The "Middle Eastern Washington Scabland Band" was the musical accompaniment to the troupe for their 3 sets each day. The band was comprised of "members" from Wenatchee, Spokane and the Tri-Cities. What a hoot! Despite the roasting temperature (I'll take it, I don't like winter!!) and the police overenforcing the lack of parking, everyone put on a heck of a show, whether dancer or musician. The two other regular festival troupes, Sultana Dancers and Greenwood Gypsies, also performed to their bands (requirement is music must be live, not canned) in their pavilions. Magic City Costumes was again among the varied vendors, most of which, but not all, were selling Ren Fairre items. (I found some nice lavender sachets there!) People watching was sure interesting, what with Ren Fairre costumes, belly dance costumes, fantasy costumes, and other assorted styles of dress. Looking forward to next year!    

Bonus Section May 2008
The 22nd Annual Powers of Belly Dance Conference took place in its usual venue in Yakima the weekend of May 16-18. Instructors were Fatima al Wahid and Sidonia om Dunia, both who have taught at Powers before. Fatima is a regular vendor, and the other wonderful regular vendors were there as well. The format was the same, with a Friday night showcase.  Sat morning started out with the fashion show, followed by a workshop by Fatima, teaching some fun new energetic combinations. Lunch, with raffle prizes and live music by the Scabland Band is always a treat. General assembly was next, to let food settle and talk about a pre-chosen topic. This year was discussing the "Shifting Sands of Time." Many "old timers" were missing, and the flavor of the conversation just wasn't the same for me, but there were a lot of good points made by some of the other "old timers." And I mean no disrespect by saying "old timers" at all, I mean it with all due respect as they have the wisdom and the history and the valuable input that is unknown to or being forgotten by so many newcomers. Sidonia's workshop was next up before dinner break, and she taught Turkish combinations and movements. Saturday showcase featuring Fatima and Sidonia then closed out the Saturday activities. Both showcases had a variety of dancing, but interestingly, there was no Tribal fusion in either show. Sunday morning was the breakfast and last of the shopping, and goodbyes till next year!              

Bonus Section April '08
On April 12th, Nadiyahs, Leonardo's Coffee (where the event was held) and the Porsche Club sponsored a fundraiser for Parizadah, a Hasna Haddiyah member battling cancer. While the lineup changed from who was listed on the flyer, there were a good number of dancers from around the area who came to dance for the cause. The coffee drinks were good, too! Opening the show was Nizana, in a sparkly red and black dress, and black sheer veil, dancing to a lively remix number. Delilah Ra performed a "snake" dance with a big stuffed snake partner, and did some great floorwork shimmies! Khamara showed off some new moves she learned while she was on a trip to Turkey in one of her solos, while the other solo was more stylistic and interpretive.  Janine danced an Egyptian number in cabaret costume, followed by Amina, also performing and styled in Egyptian cabaret. Adara danced to a great version of "Pretty Woman" in a gold sparkly beledi dress and blue veil. Nadiyah and Sha-Mal performed a Shamadan duet, which added a nice flavor to the show lineup. Sha-Mal also danced a cabaret solo with the coolest tambourine her son found for her in California. Nadiyah performed a saucy solo in a fitted hot pink beledi dress with red sparkly veil (lots of sparkle tonight...) Laura performed for the first time ever after dancing only a few months, and she has the shimmies down! Nefabit closed the show with a cabaret solo that had lots of undulations,and some flutters, and was a really cool tune. She got the audience and dancers up to dance for the last minute. I think everyone had a great time, and I also think with the tips and donations, that Parizadah is able to get some help with her medical bills.Very nice that some of the Spokane community came together for such a good cause!            

Bonus Section September '07
This year at the annual Spokane Co Fair, Desert Silk Dance Company invited sister troupe, Troupe du Soleil, from the Tri-Cities to join them! Together, they put on a solid and entertaining one hour show. Host group DSDC opened the show with a set that included American cabaret w/veils, a tribal fusion number and an alternative veil number. The first routine was done with sheer veils that matched their skirt trim, and for the alt veil number, they used silk veils that matched their skirt trim. They wore black tribal trim skirts, black tie tops, and shell bra, belt and accessories. Alwiyah choreographed the first routine, and Nizana the 2nd and 3rd. Next up was Troupe du Soleil, looking lovely in white skirts with color fringe, hip scarves and coin bras. That set included a solo Raks Assaya by Troupe Director, Djimmah Karena, a veil number and a drum solo. DSDC came back out with a set that included a partial costume change, and played zils for their opening and closing numbers, and in between were a slow chifitelli and a drum solo. TdS came back out with another set that included finger cymbals and a partial costume change with bright summery skirt colors. DSDC came back one more time with a set that included an alternative Latin-Fusion number and a veil number and another costume change of full sari skirts and matching cholis. This also included another change of veils to match the skirts. Then, together on stage, both troupes performed their own versions, side by side,of Tafta Hindi to close out the show, and the audience was delighted! What a great effort by two wonderful troupes!
       
Bonus Section July 07
On June 30 and July 1, Ye Merry Greenwood Festival took place in Richland,Wa in the sunny outdoors by the river, a lovely setting for a Renaissance Festival! There were the three regular troupes on hand: Troupe du Soleil, Greenwood Gypsies and the Sultana Dancers. My sister dancer, Djimmah Karena, performs with both Troupe du Soleil which she directs, and the Gypsies, and does a lovely job in both. All three troupes, as per the requirement of the organizers, played to live music. Yours truly was in Band du Soleil for Troupe du Soleil, and had a blast. I like to drum now and then and see the performances and the audience from a different perspective. Each troupe did three sets each day, and I watched all three troupes at one time or another. Each had a different look, and different styles of routines. Each drew a good sized crowd, and each had good band members to back them up. It was a lot of fun and Magic City Costumes was there amongst the Renaissance vendors, and seemed to be doing good business! This was my second venture to this event, and I look forward to next year!

Bonus Section May 07
Nizana and Adara attended the 21st Annual Powers of Belly Dance Conference in Yakima the weekend of May 18th-20th. Nizana has been co-managing the music and stage for the last few years there, and has been performing and attending the conference for the majority of the years the Conference has been running. The Powers even placed Nizana in the program under "Conference Team Members," which was really cool. Both Nizana and Adara performed solos; Nizana live to Scabland Band. There were many other lovely performers, and good vendors, and I hit Halima's twice for veil specials I couldn't resist! The workshop instructors were Melanie Powers teaching hip and shimmy work, and Sidonia om Dunia, teaching Egyptian stylings and combinations. Both were very good workshops, but this is the first time I studied with the fabulous Sidonia, and was so glad I did! The 2008 Powers Conference is the 16th-18th of May at the long running same location, and the hotel/restaurant property changed hands/brands again this year, but with some noted improvements. Had a really good time, bonded with some dance sisters, and am looking forward to next year!      

Bonus Section November '06
It is fabulous that there are Folk Festivals around such as the annual events in Spokane and Seattle, as it allows the public to have a chance to see cultural performances all in one place that they didn't even know existed! It also gives those a chance who are "in on it" to get to support each other and/or perform as well.  These events are often free (donations accepted) to the public, with the performers, musicians and artists giving of their time so that others can be exposed to these wonderful art forms. It is a supportive and festive atmosphere, usually run by many volunteers. At the Spokane festival, of which Nizana and Desert Silk Dance Company have been a part of for several years, it has grown bigger each year, always with a great variety of art forms. There are crafts for the kids, a bake sale, and multi-track events going on everywhere. There are workshops (Nizana has taught Intro to Belly Dance there for many years) and all sorts of dancing! Middle Eastern Dance was well represented as interest in this genre has grown quite a bit in the area along with everywhere else! Support your local festival and the arts!

Bonus Section Sept 06
There are tons of dance events happening this fall for you to attend or participate in on a local and regional level. There are several different styles of Middle Eastern dance, from authentic to fusion. It is important to match the music and the costuming with the style of dance, and to always dance with integrity and respect for the culture or cultures. So when you go out to watch or learn, be sure who you choose as an instructor or role model knows about posture, technique, culture, dance etiquette, and everything else that goes along with these styles of dance, and you will be better off when you begin to dance! There is so much to learn and so much fun to be had!

Bonus Section Aug 06
Nizana and Anya, Desert Silk Duet, were the highlight of the show in Spokane at CenterStage with the Brothers of the Baladi! A band member, and audience members were very complimentary of the routine choreographed by Nizana to Dere Dere that they performed to close out the first set. Nizana also performed a solo to a medley of Ma Zamir and Bir Demet Yasemin in the second set. Nah'Joom Dancers performed a routine in each set of the show as well. The Brothers played a great couple of sets of music!

Bonus Section July 06

Review of Mediterranean Fantasy Festival (aka Medfest)

Just got back from West Seattle from the 19th Annual "Babsfest," an event I have attended for many, many years. This year, Tina Sargent & MEAI sponsored the fabulous Maleeha for the accompanying workshops, tieing it in to the "Maleeha Seattle Summer Series." I was able to attend the Fri night workshop, and having studied with Maleeha several times before, knew I would enjoy "Conceal & Reveal" with the veil. The class also included technique, footwork, tips for making movement look better, and drills to the music. (And of course, a little history, which I really appreciate.) I always get a lot out of her classes to enhance my dance.

Medfest got so big they had to add a second (indoor) stage this year. Nizana performed her solo there, a veil piece to "Jemilleh" by Pangia, followed by a drum solo. Desert Silk Dance Co performed a Turkish  kashlama inspired set choreographed by Nizana on the main stage later that day. There were some really great performances (I always enjoy watching Tribal Infusion,) and audiences were attentive at both stages! There were lots of vendors carrying all sorts of treasures and services (but I really missed my ankle henna tattoo from Aleedra this year!) The weather cooperated wonderfully, and there were lots of familiar and new faces. I think a great time was had by all, thanks Saroya, Circe, Sian, Charanni, Ken, etc!!!         

Review of BDSS Show and Workshop-(Spokane, March '06) by Nizana

    Bozenka, of the Belly Dance Superstars, taught a workshop to accompany the Raqs Carnivale tour while in Spokane. The majority of the troupe and I attended Bozenka's workshop the next day following the show on March 24th, 2006, and thoroughly enjoyed both.  Bozenka is a lovely, expert instructor and performer. While the flyer indicated she would teach shimmies, locks, and hip techniques for drum solos to help you unlock your dance personality, that wasn't the sole concentration. The emphasis was more on refining technique, layering and a some very useful combos. Bozenka's instruction was very clear and easy to follow, and I thought this was one of the best workshops I have attended. She addressed different levels of learning with ease. I actually walked away with things that I can use, and actually remember!   

    Now, at first, I was disappointed that many of the dancers had changed in the lineup. Not to worry!!! There were some of the same wonderful performers from the last tour, and some wonderful new ones!  I know I've been a big Jillina fan ever since I saw her and her troupe at the International Conference in Costa Mesa, but again, Jillina, her choreographies, her dancing, and her personality was outstanding!! A really special person was chosen to be the main choreographer and artistic director in Jillina. One thing I remember reading about Jillina a long time ago is that she has studied many different dance forms, and expected her troupe members to have done the same. It is evident that she has other dance forms under her belt that blend beautifully with Middle Eastern dance, and did so in Raqs Carnivale. I think this was especially effective for the American audience.

    I saw a recent dancer online conversation about when is fusion and blending of different disciplines and all too much. When it is done tastefully, and with beauty, grace, energy, and passion, in my opinion, then be as creative as you want. I may not always care for it, but I believe the creativity, when well done, can be very exciting, and unique.  Explain it for what it is and present it in the right forums, maintain respect for the cultures, and keep an open mind to other styles besides your own. Having said that, yes, for the purists, there were not any folkloric pieces to speak of. Yes, there were gymnastics, a Polynesian number, some hip hop combinations, and some East Indian and ballet moves in this event.  Yes, the Spokane venue did not sell the tickets it should have, and the lighting was too dark. However, this was a highly enjoyable and entertaining event. I could barely contain myself in my seat on some of the presentations. My eyes were glued to the stage, as were most everyone's around me the entire time, and the BDSS earned a standing ovation at the end of the show. It was dazzling; the costumes, the transitions, the interaction between dancers and drummer, between dancers and dancers.

    Ok, as for things I might've liked better, I heard we missed the Assistant Director's (Stevie) dancing on stilts as the stage at the Met would not accommodate that. That would have added to what I thought could have been more play on the theme Raks Carnivale. The Tribal Flamenco costumes didn't do much for me, and I would like to see other tribal styles represented. I also would like to see a little folkloric representation, which can be done on the big stage for an American audience. I know that dancers had to do some really quick changes right off the wings, which, as a dancer, I know is not optimum.            

    Some of the things I appreciated most included Jillina's drum solo, playing off of master percussionist Issam Houshan, which was really cute, and she danced ON A DUMBEK!!!! Ok, I've seen dancing on goblets, but this was so cool! And then Petite Jamila danced with DOUBLE double veil, something I hadn't come across in many years of watching dance. Adora's somersault with the veil flip was incredible as were the shimmying undulations they all did! I absolutely adored the use of the different dancers coming in and out and changing soloists or groups of dancers during group numbers. It was very smooth, and dramatic, and while some of the costumes were not some of my favorite colors (orange, yellows, greens), these were absolutely fabulous looking, and went well with what they were doing. The blue group costumes they started the show with were particularly stunning, as were, well, almost all of the costumes for Egyptian, American Belly Dance and Tribal were awesome! Then of course, I was really impressed to see, again, the dancers taking part in the band, especially when they put band costumes as opposed to dance costumes on. Ok, yes, I really enjoyed the show, and again, the workshop, so am glad the BDSS's came through town once more!!           


More Performance Preparation by Nizana

    In addition to checking your packing list for costumes, accessories, props, jewelry, makeup, water, etc, there is also ensuring labeled, cued music (with backup music), and all kinds of other things to get ready for a performance.

    Right before a performance, there is double checking everything to be sure you are all in place. Is everything straight, are undergarments showing, or is your eyeliner smudged? If you're in a troupe, you can do an "everybody check everybody" before show time. You can use the mirrors, and ask other dancers, but be aware, it's your responsibility to make sure everything is ready to go as they are also busy and may overlook something. You can also make sure you give yourself enough time to get ready, to set up your little dressing space, and get things together with time to spare. Sometimes you may be asked to go on early, so it's helpful to be prepared in advance, also making you appear all the more professional.

    Then, there's a quick warm up of stretching and/or grounding exercises. Get a good warm up in if you can, and if you know ahead of time that there's no time or space, try to do a good one prior to going to the event, and do a quickie one before your performance. Some good leg stretches, ankle, wrist and shoulder rolls, and some finger stretches can all be done in a small space. Be sure to do some deep breathing to get your oxygen running through your blood stream for more energy.         

    Then, in advance of a performance is practice!!! Lots of concentrated practice on technique, presentation and routine is necessary. Ensuring your costuming, music and dance movements are in sync with the style is also important. Knowing about use of the stage, entrances and exits, and dance etiquette are also topics you should be very familiar with.

    And are you taking care of yourself as well? Dancing is good exercise, which is one way to take care of yourself. Another is to eat healthy foods, drink enough water, and practice wellness.  Are you managing your stress? Are you deep breathing and finding time to relax? Are you having fun as you deal with the rigors of life? Balance in life is important, and dance helps provide that balance. So take care of yourself, be prepared, and keep dancing!

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