Part 2 - Knowledge of history & culture

This is the part two in an 8-part series titled "What is a Professional Belly Dancer"

In order to be a professional belly dancer you need to know a bit about the art form you are representing.  People will ask you questions & as a true professional you need to be able to provide an accurate answer.

Questions you may encounter:

Where does belly dancing originate from?
How old is the art of belly dancing?
Why do you use (insert name of prop here) when you are dancing?
Do your hand movements & gestures have a specific meaning?

If you can easily & confidently answer these questions you are well on your way to professional status.  Not sure about the answers to some or all of these questions?  Then see the Resources section below & start doing your research!

Do you know your folkloric styles?

What if a client requests a Raks Assaya piece in your set.  Would you know what that is?  What sort of props you would use? The appropriate type of costuming you should wear?

To be considered a professional dancer you must know your folkloric styles, the types of props that are used, the appropriate type of costuming that is worn, the correct music to use, the origins of the dance and so forth.

Your homework

Lots of stuff to know, hey?  Well, that's all part of being a professional!  You need to do your research; you need to read books, articles, blogs; you need to attend workshops & classes; you need to immerse yourself in the culture.  Remember--you are representing many different cultures when you perform belly dancing in any of its forms.  Be sure you are doing so as authentically as possible.

Resources:

The Belly Dance Book: Rediscovering the Oldest Dance by Tazz Richards

'A Trade Like Any Other' - Female Singers & Dancers in Egypt by Karin Van Nieuwkerk

The Art of Belly Dancing by Dahlena*

The Compleat Belly Dancer by Julie Russo Mishkin and Marta Schill*
(no...that's not a typo in the title...that's the actual title)

*out of print but used copies are available

Part 1 - Skill Level & Experience

This is the first in an 8-part series titled "What is a Professional Belly Dancer"

What qualities does a professional belly dancer have?

• A minimum of 5 years of solid, continuous belly dance classes
• A solid understanding of basic Middle Eastern rhythms
• should be able to identify the most common rhythms
• A willingness to continue taking classes, workshops, seminars
• A regular practice routine
• The ability to perform to recorded or live music
• must be able to identify & dance to classic pieces of music from top composers
• Comfort in performing choreographies or improvising for a full show
• A strong knowledge & skill level with finger cymbals
• should be able to identify & play (well!) basic & more complex patterns
• should be able to play & dance at the same time
• Experience & comfort working with other props such as veil, sword, Isis wings, fan veils, cane or other such props
• An understanding of the history of belly dance (people will ask you & you must know this)
• where did the dance originate?
• how old is the art of belly dance?
• do your movements or hand gestures have specific meanings?
• A knowledge of & ability to perform different styles of belly dance (Egyptian, Lebanese, Turkish, etc...) -- both Raqs Sharqi & folkloric
• Suitable & professional costumes
• should be appropriate for venue
• should be suited to type of music you are performing to (Raqs Sharqi, folkloric, tribal)
• colour & style should be flattering
• The knowledge & ability to create a professional & glamorous look
• The understanding of what are appropriate hair styles
• How to utilize make-up for a performance or theatrical look
• Proper accessories & foot wear for your costume, venue & performance
• Some knowledge of how to run a business
• advertising
• marketing
• business communication

To consider yourself a professional belly dancer you should have at least 90% of the qualities listed above.

This is a very broad overview & pertains primarily to the world of Raqs Sharqi belly dance. While it may look daunting--don't worry.  I'll be delving deeper into each topic and giving you the information you need to grow as a dancer.

You are always welcome to ask questions or add your thoughts.  Simply comment on my blog post (you can even do this anonymously!)

In part 2 -- Middle Eastern dance history & culture

A New 8-Part Series: What is a professional belly dancer?

So, what is a professional belly dancer?
What does it take to become a professional belly dancer?
Can anyone be a professional belly dancer?

It must be a glamorous life to be a professional belly dancer.
A closet full of sparkling, jewel encrusted costumes. Pretty accessories such as jewellery, headpieces, glittery dance shoes and such.  A chance to perform night after night in front of adoring fans; being showered with tips and compliments.  That's what it's really like, right?

Perhaps to the general public who typically only sees the professional performance side-yes.  But ask anyone who's been in the business for awhile & you'll realize that there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes.

I want to share with my students, blog readers & anyone else who is interested in learning--what it takes to be a professional belly dancer.  I have so much interesting & exciting information to share that I've divided it into an 8-part series.

Here is what you can expect for each blog post topic:

1. Skill level & experience
2. Knowledge of history & culture
3. Props, rhythms, folkloric styles
4. Improvisation, choreography, performing to live music, the traditional 5 or 7 part routine
5. Business sense, marketing & advertising
6. Professionalism, undercutting & ethics
7. Education, training, classes, workshops, DVDs, magazines
8. Costuming - Sharki, folkloric, tribal, fusion; make-up, hair, cover-ups

I figure this is a good start.  There is so much to know, learn & share that I could probably make this a 200-part series!  For now, I'll stick with the 8 topics I've defined.

My fellow instructors & professional performers--I hope that you'll chime in and share your thoughts & experiences as well.

Look for part 1 to be posted soon!

Fall 2012 Classes with Shahenda

While you are enjoying the remainder of summer I hope you're thinking about fall belly dance classes. Before you know it we'll be into September & the fall session will have begun!

For details on my classes please visit my website.
Fall classes with Shahenda

One of the most common questions I get from my students is...what type of choreography will you be teaching?

Level 1 (Beginner) - a brand new veil choreography
Level 2 (Intermediate) - something with finger cymbals (zills) of course! Possibly Arabic pop or something more classical
Level 3 (Advanced) - a new sword choreography

I hope you can join me this fall!  If you have any questions about my classes you are welcome to comment on this post or contact me via my website.

Farid el-Atrache & Samia Gamal

Farid el-Atrache; Composer Extraordinaire

As a student or follower of Middle Eastern dance it's important to learn about the artists who paved the way & laid the groundwork for our art form.  Therefore, in my next few blog postings I would like to introduce you to some of most important composers of Middle Eastern music.

The composer, Farid el-Atrache, was one of those people.  This Syrian born musician composed some of the most beautiful & well-known pieces of music we still enjoy today.  "Noura Noura", "Gamil Gamal" & "Touta" are just a few of his most popular works.

Farid began his musical training as an Oud player & singer.  (The Oud is stringed instrument similar to the lute.)

Oud

At one point in his life Farid was romantically linked with the dancer Samia Gamal.  They starred together in a number of movies in which Farid sang & Samia danced.  (See the video in my newest post).

"Farid el-Atrache has left a legacy to Arabic music. He is considered by Arab musicians as the best oud player of his time. His songs are still popularly used in many belly dance routines today. His voice and sweetly-sad singing style was so unique and popular that Farid is still one of the most imitated singers.

Composers consider Farid a leader in his field. These days, the Arabic music world is overflowing with short songs that lack musical depth. Serious oriental dancers would do well to investigate the golden age of Arabic music from the 1940’s to 1970’s, when the music was rich with meaning and orchestration and the artists, like Farid el-Atrache, moved their audiences with emotion."Source 

I will help guide you on this journey with more blog posts.  Enjoy!

Taheyya Karioka - another star from the Golden Age of Cario

Oh those marvelous hip circles!

If you've seen any footage of Taheyya dancing...you know what I mean.  She had these gorgeous hip circles that just seemed to extend on forever!  Her style was very elegant, feminine & classical.  If you are a serious student of belly dance--get your hands on some video footage of Taheyya.  Thankfully, there is still a wide array of video footage preserved from her performances.

Taheyya was another sensational dancer who was snapped up by savvy nightclub owner, Badia Masabny.  Born under the name, Badaweya Mohamed Kareem Al Nirani, young Taheyya was originally given the stage name of Taheyya Mohamed.  She was later dubbed, Taheyya Karioka based on her popular interpretation of the Brasilian style dance of that name.

For more in-depth information please read Hossam Ramzy's Article on Taheyya Karioka