January 2007

Dance teachers that encourage etiquette in dance class create an environment for learning. If your dance class has become a social club rather than a place for learning, consider encouraging rules of etiquette.  The following article offers several good suggestions. 

    Dance Class Etiquette, by Morwenna Assaf

December 2006

View a short belly dance video documentary; the video which "attempts to banish some of the mythology surrounding this traditional folk dance."  Although belly dance is not a traditional "folk dance", and the video continues the myth of the origins of belly dance it is an enjoyable film worth watching. 
 

October 2006

Once again a Middle Eastern country bans belly dance:  

 

August 2006

Video of Belly Dancing Little Girl:        

May 2006

Once again Shakira brings renewed interest in belly dancing to the public with her song "Hips Don't Lie." Her great song has two videos: one with Shakira's belly dancing and one with her fans belly dancing.  Watch the videos:

   The Fans Video   

     Shakira's Video   

March 2006

Belly dance is a fun way to get exercise.  In Western Australia where a large number of women are sedentary, a task force was established to introduce belly dance and get Australians moving.

 "The best fun.... with half clothes on -
Belly dancing, a fun and inclusive
 activity for every woman   

January 2006

Is your belly dance plain vanilla; like a popsicle - sweet but artificial; or peach ice cream - smooth and rich?

 "Theory of Dancers as Ice Cream Flavors"  
 

November 2005

An article by Amara regarding practices that tarnish the image of belly dancers and suggestions on how a professional approach can improve this image.

"Contemporary Images of the Middle Eastern
Dancer in the United States"   
 

October 2005

Wouldn't it be nice to have some idea what the lyrics are for the music you are dancing to?  You could avoid music embarrassments and add the proper emotions to your dance. Try and on-line Arabic class.

   "Babel Arabic"

May 2005

Although written about Salsa dance, this article could have been written about some belly dance companies.  The author writes "Are we looking at dance routines that, more and more, trade off talent and ability and replace them instead with provocative costumes and blatantly sexual choreography?"  

   "Good Dancing, or Whatever?!"

April 2005

Most belly dancers perform only occasionally and maintain other regular full-time jobs.  A few aspire to become professional full-time dancers/instructors while even fewer choose to become professional Middle Eastern dancers in the Mid-East.  What is it like to be a professional dancer in the Middle East?  

    "Western Dancers in the Middle East"

March 2005

   "Why Students Stop Dancing"
 

February 2005

Tamra-henna gets great reviews from UCLA.

   "She Brings a New Direction to Belly Dance"

January 2005

In addition to articles regarding MEDINA that appeared in the St. Louis Post Dispatch in September 2005, a follow-up article was recently published.  Visit the on-line link at:

   "Belly Dancers Shake Off Pounds"

December 2004

There is no standard nomenclature in belly dance.  The result is difficulty in preserving or transferring choreographies.  One possibility for preserving choreography would be the use of dance labanotation.

   "Read a Good Dance Lately?"

November 2004

Last month's site of the month was about navel bans in Egypt.  Surprise!  In September 2004 the ban on foreign belly dancers in Egypt was lifted.  At the bottom of the following web site page you can discover more about the new decision.

   "Ban on Foreign Dancers Revoked"

October 2004

More about navel bans in Egypt.  Both music videos and belly dance have come under recent government scrutiny.

   "Meditations on Navel Ban"

September 2004

Last month I wrote that some belly dancers, like the dance company Metal Goddess, use a "gimmick" to make their performances more appealing. Many belly dancers, strive to preserve the traditions, origins and style of belly dance.  One dancer who supports traditional belly dancing is Yasmin from Serpentine Communications who was  inspired to write an article after attending a "Belly Dance Superstars" performance.

   "Belly Dance Dinosaur"

August 2004

Some belly dance companies, like the Desert Moon Dance Academy, strive to preserve the traditions, origins and style of belly dance.  Some belly dancers use a "gimmick" to make their performances more appealing:

   "Metal Goddess"

July 2004

In May 2004 the World Editors Forum held their annual expo in Turkey.  The events included a performance by the famous "The Fire of Anatolia, Sultans of Dance."  Although the dance company has gained worldwide fame (visit http://www.turkishdailynews.com/past_probe/12_08_02/art.htm#a3  and http://www.jpost.com/Editions/2001/10/19/Culture/CultureNews.36577.html) one of the attendees at the expo was less than enthralled.  Karkaria writes "Unwittingly, the belly dance became the thrust of the conference."

   "Just a load of Istan-bull?"

June 2004

What parts of American belly dance are not derived from the Middle East? Sword dancing, floor work (Turkey only), and veil dancing are among the list.  Learn more:

   " The Great American Belly Dance Veil Routine?"

May 2004

Lack of Belly Dance performance appeal may be due to a general lack of interest in dance.

   "The Dance Problem -
Is Dance a Lesser Art Form?"

April 2004

Has Middle Eastern Dance gained acceptance in America?  In 2001 a scholarly article was written describing belly dancers' means for achieving "legitimacy".

   "Two Representations of American Middle Eastern Dance"

March 2004

Northern Illinois University published a series of articles titled "Women Making a Difference."  One article is about Ida Craddock from Chicago who supported belly dancing in the 1800s.

   "Women Making a Difference"

February 2004

The ban on foreign belly dancers in Egypt has been covered by the Cairo Times, CNN,  Reuters, BBC, the Washington Times and other major media.  The following is one article regarding the ban.  Additional articles may be found at Desert Moon Dance Academy's  dance page.

   " Belly dancing shake-up"

January 2004

Many articles have been written about the benefits of belly dance.  These articles relate to emotional health, weight loss and physical fitness.  One of the few studies that demonstrating the benefits of belly dance was completed in Finland in 2002.

   Improving Coordination and Activation of Pelvic Floor Muscles By Oriental Dance"

December 2003

Music videos hit the Arab world with "clingy" dresses and belly dancing.  Find our what Arab critics have to say about it. 

 " New pop stars too much for some Arab countries"

November 2003

As one of America's greatest health problems, weight is frequently a major media topic. A recent ABC News article featured belly dancers that attended the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance.   ABC was not impressed by the concept of Fat Acceptance and discusses the fact that fat is not hereditary and that self control can combat being overweight. 

   "Whose Fault is it If You're Fat"

October 2003

There is much discussion over what to call our dance.  Many call it belly dance to insure that the general public knows what dance we are referring to.  Many dancers prefer Middle Eastern dance or Oriental dance.  This article addresses naming options in detail.  

   "Naming the Dance"

September 2003

Your performance appearance can make as much of an impression on your audience as the dance you perform. 

   "Bellydance Professionalism - Costume Concepts"

August 2003

I don't believe it is possible to be a great belly dancer without a love for Middle Eastern music.  It is the music that inspires the dance. It is fortunate that Middle Eastern music is gaining popularity in the United States.

   "Middle East's latest export Arab-oriented
music gains a substantial following in U.S."

July 2003

Take another look at the culture from which our belly dance evolved.

   "It's Barbie vs. Laila and Sara in Mideast Culture"

June 2003

A different look at dance instruction.

   "The Philosopher in the Dance Department"

May 2003

If you want to learn more about belly dance and don't like to read, this is the site for you!  In June 2002 Boston's Public Radio, aired a program on Belly Dance.  A brief article regarding the program is available on-line as well as the broadcast that you may listen to on-line.

   "The Connection - Belly Dance"

April 2003

The UNESCO web site includes information on preparing for Dance Day and the 2002 message.  The message, located toward the end of this page describes what constitutes "good dance".

   "World Dance Day Message - 29 April 2002"

March 2003

Did you know that the arts is a major contributor to economic prosperity?  A study conducted last year indicated that America's nonprofit arts industry generates $134 billion in economic activity every year.  Consider the impact when you include the for profit arts industry.  Read the study.

  "Arts and Economic Prosperity"

February 2003

Do you find most daily exercise programs a bore?  Learn the benefits of dance as an alternative to other exercise programs.

   "The Benefits of Dance"

January 2003

Just for fun!  Lets start off the new year with a light hearted look at belly dance.

  "OSHA Requirements for Belly Dancers"

December 2002

Students frequently ask me about low back pain.  Belly dancing can help by improving overall fitness and flexibility; however the best cure for low back pain is increasing your abdominal strength.  While it is a well known fact that strong abs = strong back, the theory behind it is sometimes referred to as the "balloon theory." What happens when you push on one side of balloon - it puts pressure on the other side.  The following article offers a nice explanation of the abdominal/back muscle connection.

"Abdominal Theory"

Sorry - Link Is no longer available

November 2002

"Since before Cleopatra's day, women have been judged by the way they look, and have struggled mightily to make themselves look the way they want to be judged."

This article explores the bizarre things women have done and con- tinue to do in their quest for beauty. 

   "The Price of Perfection"

October 2002

A June 2002 article covers a variety of topics dealing with current trends in American belly dance. 

   "The Mysterious Unveiled"

September 2002

There is much discussion about whether belly dancing is an art form.  These discussions also exist among other forms of dance as well.  The following article compares dance to other art forms.  The author concludes that these comparisons need to be considered in the choreographic process, so as to maximize impact on the audience.   

   " The Perception of the Fleeting
Moment in Dance"

July 2002

To be a good belly dancer you will need lots of training, dedication, proper attire, stage presence and a good instructor.  But don't overlook your dance studio.  Does it have mirrors?  

  "The Physics of Dance"

June 2002

"Since raqs sharqi has found hearts and homes in the bodies and spirits of dancers all over the world, does it still need its basis in the historical circumstances and the cultural contexts that gave it its current form? Or has it become its own entity, only loosely based in a culture that many of its international performers have limited acquaintance with?"

   "Mythology and Symbolism in Middle Eastern Dance"

May 2002

Have you listened to Middle Eastern music and thought you heard bagpipes?  Wondering what bagpipes are doing in the Middle East?

   "The History of the Bagpipes"

Sorry - Link Is no longer available

April 2002

"In the domain of art, dance is the most suitable medium
to demonstrate the cooperation between behavior and ideas."

   "Dance, the fugitive form of art"

March 2002

Just for fun!  This month's site is for dancers looking for inspiration.

"Quotes to Insprire you"

Sorry - Link Is no longer available

February 2002

Do you dance better than you write?  Poor grammar, poor sentence structure and typographic errors are not effective advertising approaches. If you are not careful how you present yourself to visitors, how can you expect them to be serious about your dance company?  Do I know what I am talking about? Desertmoondance.com gets over 90,000 hits per month.

  Web babble laughable

January 2002

You have heard the terms:  Hafli and Hafla.  Do you know what it is?  In the Middle East it refers to a dinner-dance, a party. Learn about the food and dance at a typical Hafli hosted by Middle Easterners. 

 Middle East Meet West

December 2001

This is the time of year when many people over indulge and begin considering a new exercise program for the coming year.  If you are one of the thousands of woman that want to lose weight, consider belly dancing. 

  Karen Evans Investigates belly dancing

November 2001

A professional dance career is difficult work with low compensation.  It often requires work outside the dance field to supplement the dancers income.  Learn more about a professional dance career from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 Occupational Outlook Handbook -
Dancers and Choreographers

October 2001

Belly dancing was introduced in the United States approximately a century ago.  While the vast majority of American belly dancers are not of Middle Eastern ancestry, the origins of the dance are from various Middle Eastern countries.   In these times of turmoil learn the origins of the dance and use your dance to promote cultural understanding and harmony. 

   A Short History of American Tribal and
American Fusion Belly Dance

September 2001

An excellent article about belly dancing in the United States.   It was presented at the 1999 University of California, Los Angeles Cultural Dance Studies Conference.

  Contemporary Images of the Middle Eastern
Dancer in the United States

August 2001

Whether at an outdoor event, on stage or at a party, when we belly dance we are performers.  Like all performers, it is important to wear make-up.   Without it, and at a distance, you will look washed out.  Without it it is difficult to achieve the glamour image of a professional dancer. For some great help on using stage makeup, including on line videos, visit our web site of the month.

  Makeup for the Stage

July 2001

For July I took a less serious approach to belly dance and offered an article just for fun.

   Belly Dancing and Other Delights

June 2001

Want to learn more about stage names?  Read excerpts from the book "What's in a Name".

What's in a Name

Sorry - Link Is no longer available

May 2001

Until recently, schools taught dance mainly as part of a physical education curriculum. Dance  is now recognized as an art form.   National Dance Day was on April 29 and the message from the International Dance Council encouraged dance education.  This years' message follows:

"Dance Day message

of the International Dance Council

29 April 2001

The International Dance Council - CID - dedicates the first year of the century to the introduction of dance in public education.

Learning dance in traditional societies was done without teachers. Children learned by themselves, copying adults at home, in the neighbourhood, at village feasts and other ceremonies. Most important: children saw that dance matters, that adult dancers were saying something with their dance, something important. When the time came, they entered the public scene officially, demonstrating their ability to express rhythm and song by movements, to evolve in unison with their fellow dancers and to be creative in space with their body.

Today, very few are the lucky children that have that fortune. In most villages time-honoured celebrations do not take place any more, while at homes parents watch television rather than dance to singing with their children. Most children in the world grow up in towns or near towns, and acquire most of their knowledge in school rather than in the family or the village.

Dance should not be absent from basic education. Among all arts, it is the most appropriate for today's children, because it forms body and soul concurrently. No wonder it was an integral part of the cultured man in Ancient Greece. It is not enough just having dance in the curriculum; it must be taught as a meaningful activity, a vital means of communication - not as a dead language.

We urge the Ministries of Education of all countries to elaborate programs taking into account the views of specialists. I would like to ask every member of the C.I.D. world-wide, every dance person, every educator, to contribute to the introduction of dance in primary and secondary education.

Prof. Alkis Raftis

President"

For our site of the month, we offer the following 1992 article describing dance education and the benefits of dance education as a performing art.

  Status of Dance Education

April 2001

Health, good looks and success as a professional dancer requires good posture.  You need good posture to be a successful belly dancer and belly dancing greatly contributes to good posture.  The following article lists 10 pointers for good posture.  Of the 10 pointers, more than half are an ongoing part of proper belly dance instruction.

Fitness Tip - Posture Pointers

Sorry - Link Is no longer available

March 2001

Middle Eastern sounds are popular in the United States.  Rapper Jay Z's "Big Pimpin" was a huge success (unfortunately taken without consent from the 40 year old Egyptian song Khosara).   Also a huge success was "Desert Rose" the collaboration between rock singer Sting and rai star Cheb Mami.  Learn more about Big Pimpin and the fusion of Western and Eastern music.

     Pimpin' a Classic

February 2001

In February, the focus of our Causerie was about how belly dancers advertise themselves. Do you seek to enhance the image of belly dance or promote your sexuality?  Selling your sexuality not only may be harmful to the public image of belly dance but may put you at personal risk.  Read what Julie Elliot has to say.

  Your Web Site: Don't Attract the Wrong Attention!

 

January 2001

Learn why Iranians are reluctant to dance.  This scholarly article explores how "taarof" (polite behavior) and political change influence dance in Iran.

  Status and Preservation of Iranian Dance:
Cultural Factors Influencing Iranian Attitude Concerning Dance

(For information regarding the author visit http://home.earthlink.net/~rcfriend/robyn1.htm)

December 2000

Now is the time to get ready for Christmas and Hanukah.  If you live in the St. Louis area you may want to consider belly dance classes as a unique holiday gift  (see   Desert Moon Dance Academy's gifts). If you live in Israel (or are Jewish) and have $600 for a gift you may want to purchase the   belly dancer dreidel.  If you live in Egypt, I don't have any gift suggestions but you will have almost two extra weeks (until January 7) to prepare for Christmas.

Contrary to popular belief among many Westerners, Christmas is celebrated by many people throughout the Middle East.  In Egypt, it is celebrated by, among others, the Coptics, a large Christian minority representing approximately 10% of the population.  The following are short articles regarding Christmas in Egypt .

  How Christmas is Celebrated in Egypt

November 2000

Here is food for thought regarding party planning.  If you have picked a great name for your Middle Eastern theme party, organized your belly dancing entertainment, selected Arabic music and developed your decor, now its time to consider the menu.   When planning a Middle Eastern theme party consider the following: Brie is elegant but, sorry, wrong cuisine.  Tortilla chips and salsa are great for party snacks but not Middle Eastern. Pita? Correct, but not as an entire meal.  For a complete Middle Eastern menu try these online cookbooks.

Sabria Farid Toma and Safa Toma's

 Middle Eastern Cookbook Nadia Farah's Middle Eastern
Cooking Site

Sorry - Links are no longer available

October 2000

Are you considering competing at the MEDINA dance extravaganza? Most belly dancers from the Midwest have not had the opportunity to see or participate in a belly dancing competition.  Find out what one winner of a belly dance competition had to say about the experience.

Winner Take All

Sorry - Link Is no longer available

September 2000

The Site of the Month discusses veil dancing and is a follow-up to Desert Moon Dance Academy's article on "authentic" belly dance.  In the United States veil dancing is represented as part of Middle Eastern dance.  The manner in which veils are used in the west has little resemblance to any dance originating from the Middle East. 

   Belly Dancing Article from DataDubai

August 2000

Visit the American Memory Historical Collection of the Library of Congress.  There you can read brief articles and download movies of Oriental dancers.  Since I am from St. Louis, my favorite movie is Princess Raja performing at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis.  To get to this site, select the purple link below, select search when you access the American Memory Collection, and then type belly dance.

  "American Memory Historical Collection"

July 2000

In June, some of the Desert Moon Dancers had the opportunity to perform at a Pakistani Mehndi Wedding Party.  Mehndi is the traditional temporary body tattoos of henna that has origins in Pakistan, India and Middle Eastern countries.  Mehndi continues to be used in these countries and has gained popularity in the United States. While its recent popularity is often attributed to Madonna, it has long been popular among Middle Eastern dancers as a cosmetic approach to capturing a historic image.  To learn more about the history and traditions of Mehndi, visit our site of the month:

"Henna History"