Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Nadira Jamal and Heather Wayman of Belly Dance Geek® geek out on everything but the steps: improv, composition, stage presence, history, culture, musicality, practice, values, and more.

Nadira Jamal and Heather Wayman of Belly Dance Geek® geek out on everything but the steps: improv, composition, stage presence, history, culture, musicality, practice, values, and more.

Nadira Jamal and Heather Wayman of Belly Dance Geek® geek out on everything but the steps: improv, composition, stage presence, history, culture, musicality, practice, values, and more.

Nadira Jamal and Heather Wayman of Belly Dance Geek® geek out on everything but the steps: improv, composition, stage presence, history, culture, musicality, practice, values, and more.

Nadira Jamal and Heather Wayman of Belly Dance Geek® geek out on everything but the steps: improv, composition, stage presence, history, culture, musicality, practice, values, and more.

My guest, Mao Murakami of Sparkly Belly, talks about how you can make the most out of the costumes that you already have.  Many different elements make up great belly dance costuming. Each dancer has unique qualities - in their dance and on their body - that shine when costuming works for them.  But what can you do when you have a costume that needs an update? Other than buying a new full costume, there are ways to take what you already have and use easy (and not quite as easy), DIY techniques to upgrade your problematic costumes into your new favorites! You'll Learn: What makes a good belly dance costume How to ensure that you are happy with your costumes Ways to upgrade your costuming (from easy to more advanced) To download the slides used during this call, visit the episode page: https://bellydancegeek.com/2017/06/geek-out-with-mao-murakami/ For more geek-tacular resources, visit:  http://www.BellyDanceGeek.com Also check out our sister program, "More Than Steps" where I geek out on

NOTE:  This is the audio extract of video episode, so you may want to check out the video version at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MP6Q98ceIw Nadira Jamal and Heather Wayman of Belly Dance Geek® geek out on everything but the steps: improv, composition, stage presence, history, culture, musicality, practice, values, and more.

<strong>Note:</strong>  Shahrzad recorded this call while on tour, and still managed to join us despite an issue with her flight.  But because she called in from the airport, there's more background noise than usual. Nadira Jamal and Heather Wayman of Belly Dance Geek® geek out on everything but the steps: improv, composition, stage presence, history, culture, musicality, practice, values, and more.

Nadira Jamal and Heather Wayman of Belly Dance Geek® geek out on everything but the steps: improv, composition, stage presence, history, culture, musicality, practice, values, and more.

Nadira Jamal and Heather Wayman of Belly Dance Geek® geek out on everything but the steps: improv, composition, stage presence, history, culture, musicality, practice, values, and more.

My guest, Elizabeth Joy, talks about the experimental performance concept, Improv Roulette, and how dancers can benefit from spontaneous creation and collaboration. Improvisation can be intimidating, even for experienced performers. As dancers, we may have strategies for improv, but we often know something about what sort of music we will get or what props we will use. But what happens when you put performance artists from different styles and genres in a safe space that encourages experimentation and throw a diverse playlist on shuffle, with performers picked at random? Join us hear learn more about the Improv Roulette concept and experience from the founder, Elizabeth Joy. You’ll learn: What is Improv Roulette? The value of play in the creative process How collaborating across performance genres can lead to inspiration Defining a creative community Tapping into your own well of knowledge Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Treasure Marshall, creator of Treasure’s Skirtwork for Fusion Belly Danc

My guest, Hiba Al-Kinani talks about exploring different perspectives related to the controversial topic of cultural appropriation. Join us for an exploration of cultural appropriation and how we can approach the dance with respect, understanding, and appreciation without stifling our creativity. Note:  Hiba is sharing her personal opinion on this topic, which is informed by her perspective as an Iraqi Canadian, but she is NOT speaking for the entire Arab community. For more geek-tacular resources, visit: http://www.BellyDanceGeek.com Also check out our sister program, "More Than Steps" where I geek out on how belly dance works, one coffee run at a time: https://anchor.fm/more-than-steps

My guest, Zahra Zuhair, talks about how cultivating a more positive outlook can improve your dance. As dancers, we are often fortunate to have supportive communities of other dancers around us, many of whom become cherished friends. However, between social media, competition for performance spots, and varied motivations for pursuing the dance, we sometimes compare ourselves to other dancers, making us frustrated with our progress and actually discouraging us from the very habits that improve our dancing. Learning how to free yourself of those negative judgments and mindset can help you unleash the artist within. You'll Learn: The pros and cons of social media The dangers of comparing yourself to others The uselessness of self judgment Awakening your inner dancer The power of creating small habits For more geek-tacular resources, visit:  http://www.BellyDanceGeek.com Also check out our sister program, "More Than Steps" where I geek out on how belly dance works, one coffee run at a time: https://

Nadira Jamal and Heather Wayman of Belly Dance Geek® geek out on everything but the steps: improv, composition, stage presence, history, culture, musicality, practice, values, and more.

My guest, A’isha Azar talks about the cultural context behind Shaabi, and how it differs from what we usually think of as “belly dance”.  Whether you’re a hard-core fan of Shaabi, or a total newbie, you’ll want to hear this! You'll Learn: Shaabi’s history and unique cultural context Important ways that the dance and music differ from standard “belly dance” Why it isn’t really belly dance – but belly dancers should learn it anyway This episode is sponsored by the DVD “Dynamic Zilling for Tribal and Cabaret Bellydance” b Ustadza Azra. Learn new techniques to spice up your zilling and create dynamic group acapella numbers.  Check it out at: http://ustadzaazra.com/shop For more geek-tacular resources, visit:  http://www.BellyDanceGeek.com Also check out our sister program, "More Than Steps" where I geek out on how belly dance works, one coffee run at a time: https://anchor.fm/more-than-steps

My guest, Sausan, talks about The Egyptian Dance Code®. You'll Learn: The differences between American and Egyptian belly dance How those differences transfer into Egyptian style belly dance Sausan’s “Egyptian Dance Code®” concept For more geek-tacular resources, visit:  http://www.BellyDanceGeek.com Also check out our sister program, "More Than Steps" where I geek out on how belly dance works, one coffee run at a time: https://anchor.fm/more-than-steps

My guest, Roberto Mejía, will talk about the role of male dancers in modern and historical belly dance. You'll Learn: Men’s dancing traditions Turkey, North Africa, and the Middle East, as well as ex-pats living in the West. Myths and misconceptions about dancing men The roles of gender and sexuality in dance How to make classes welcoming to serious male students For more geek-tacular resources, visit:  http://www.BellyDanceGeek.com Also check out our sister program, "More Than Steps" where I geek out on how belly dance works, one coffee run at a time: https://anchor.fm/more-than-steps

My guests, Ranya Renee, Anasma and Kelley McKinnon - the directorial team behind the Theatrical Bellydance Conference - talk about the use of narrative arcs in belly dance. You'll Learn: What “narrative arc” means Why it’s important, even for traditionally non-narrative belly dance How you build a narrative arc The difference between narrative arc and character development How describing your narrative arc improves your performance proposals For more geek-tacular resources, visit:  http://www.BellyDanceGeek.com Also check out our sister program, "More Than Steps" where I geek out on how belly dance works, one coffee run at a time: https://anchor.fm/more-than-steps

My guest, Sahina, talks about dance mentoring. You'll Learn: What to expect from a mentoring relationship How to approach your teacher Finding a mentor who is right for you Steps to take on the road to going pro (teaching and/or performing) The story of how Sahina took up her teacher’s mantle when she retired This episode is sponsored by the new book Belly Dance Practice Prompts: Inspiration for tribal, cabaret, and fusion dancers, which offers 120 inspiring ways to jazz up your practice, plus $50 of free belly dance goodies.  If you’re tired of practicing the same moves over and over again, check it out at:  http://bellydancepracticeprompts.com/amazon For more geek-tacular resources, visit:  http://www.BellyDanceGeek.com Also check out our sister program, "More Than Steps" where I geek out on how belly dance works, one coffee run at a time: https://anchor.fm/more-than-steps

My guest, Shadia Tohme, talks about costuming considerations for every body type. You'll Learn: Common mistakes and misconceptions that lead dancers to less-than flattering costume choices. Special costuming considerations for every body type Easy tweaks you can make to make an “okay” costume more flattering NOTE:  This episode featured live costume critiques.  You can download the photos on the episode page at: https://bellydancegeek.com/2015/11/geek-out-with-shadia-tohme/ For more geek-tacular resources, visit:  http://www.BellyDanceGeek.com Also check out our sister program, "More Than Steps" where I geek out on how belly dance works, one coffee run at a time: https://anchor.fm/more-than-steps