Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

My guest, Aegela, talks about the life and work of Mahmoud Reda, founder of Egypt’s famous Reda Troupe. You'll Learn: Who Reda is The history behind the Reda Troupe How his work is seen in Egypt vs. in the West How it differs from traditional folk dance His impact on modern Egyptian belly dance 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, Morocco, share stories from the early days of oriental (belly) dance in New York City. 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

Oreet, founder of SharQui – The bellydance workout® and a 5 time award winner, returns to the Clubhouse to talk to us about belly dance competitions. She will give you tips to help you win and explain how competitions helped her promote herself and why sometimes it’s not winning that counts. You’ll learn: 4 benefits of competing (even if you don’t win) How performing in a competition is different from a regular show What judges look for How to tell if competitions are right for you How to tell if a particular competition is right for you 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, Amity Alize, talks about the mistakes workshop organizers make that cost them money and sleep.  Whether you’re a professional sponsor, or thinking about organizing your first charity event, there’s something in here for you! You’ll learn: How to avoid common pitfalls in workshop hosting Important tax rules and reporting when hiring dancers Helpful tips on how to organize yourself so you can actually participate in the events day-of 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, Alia Thabit talks about elements of dance other than the moves and steps. You’ll learn: How to free yourself from just the moves What “emotional timbres” are What “feel the music” actually means Why the audience makes a difference in your dance How to find a balance between abstract & narrative elements in Oriental dance 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, Princess Farhana, creator of "Strike a Pose" talks about how to make the camera love you. You’ll learn: Composition and posing techniques for dance shots of all kinds How to relax in front of the camera How to create beautiful facial angles and body lines A sneaky trick to make your arms look more toned in photographs PLUS Her Highness did two photo critiques live on the call. You can download a PDF with the critiqued photos on the episode page. 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, music attorney Valerie Lovely talks about music copyright concerns for belly dancers. We’re also joined by paralegal and dancer Joie Grandbois (Selcouth).  *** DISCLAIMERS:  ***  Copyright law varies from country to country, and Atty. Lovely can only address US copyright law. The general concepts are universal, but the specific details we cover only apply to dancers operating in the US. (Although if you sell DVDs to the American market, you’ll need to know this, regardless of where you live.)   US copyright law has changed since this call was recorded almost 10 years ago, so some of this may (very likely!!!) be out of date.    Attorney Lovely is providing legal information, NOT legal advice.   So while this episode can introduce you to the basic principles of US copyright law, please seek out more recent information, and ideally, personalized legal advice from a copyright attorney in your own country. *********************   You’ll learn:  What c

My guest, Julie Eason, founder of The Bellydance Business Academy, will talk about the different ways we define “professional” in the belly dance world, and what that means for YOU.    Whether you’re a pro, an aspiring pro, or just curious about what the professional world looks like, there’s something here for you! You’ll learn:  The different things that “professional belly dancer” can mean  How to decide where on the professional spectrum is right for you  How your marketing needs change (or don’t) on different points on the spectrum Download the accompanying slides at: https://bellydancegeek.com/2013/05/geek-out-with-julie-eason/ (We start using these around 32 minutes into the episode.) 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, Anasma and Ranya Renee, co-founders of the New York Theatrical Bellydance Conference, will talk to us about using theatrical techniques to enhance your belly dance performance.   You’ll learn:  How theater techniques help you express yourself as a performer Why they can help you reach wider audiences  Literal vs. abstract modes of expression  How to create suprises with staging  How to use props unusually 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, Oreet, creator of SharQui – The bellydance workout®, will talk to us about belly dance fitness classes. We’ll approach this from both the student’s perspective and the teacher’s. So no matter where you are in your dance journey, there’s something here for you.   You’ll learn:  How a belly dance fitness class is different from a traditional class  How belly dance fitness can fit into your training routine  What belly dance teachers need in order to move into belly dance fitness  How lesson planning is different for a fitness class  How to position a belly dance fitness class in the age of Zumba   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

Leyla Lanty, creator of "Habibi You Are My.. WHAT?" will tell us how just a little knowledge of Arabic language can help us interpret our music with nuance and meaning.   You’ll learn:  The importance of the lyrics in your performance  Common words and phrases found in belly dance music  How to use gestures for good, not evil  Why “habibi” doesn’t mean what you think 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

Belly dance is much gentler on the body than many dance forms, but all physical activity comes with some degree of risk. My guest Mahin of the Daily Belly Dance Quickies will share important knowledge and tips to help you protect yourself and your students.  You’ll learn: The elements of fitness (and how they apply to belly dance) When and how stretching fits into your dance class and practice Key muscle groups that support your dance How to prevent common dance injuries 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

Party clients often ask for an hour-long show. But that’s way too long! You’d get exhausted, and the guests would get antsy.   As the dancer, your job ISN’T to give the client what they ask for.  It’s to give them what they really want: a show that makes their party exciting and special.  But that takes some convincing!  So Zari will teach us how to negotiate a show that is fair to you, and thrills the party guests. You’ll learn: Why clients are sometimes happier paying more Why boundaries gain you freedom How to put yourself in the clients shoes How to hold your own when the haggling sets in 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

Did you know that the first Middle Eastern nightclub to feature live entertainment in the US was probably Boston’s Club Zahra? The American Cabaret style didn’t have any single source.  But as the home to large Middle Eastern diaspora communities, Boston was one of its earliest hotbeds.  Learn about the melting pot of cultures, influences, and people that sparked the evolution of belly dance in the US. Check out my interview with Amy Smith, editor of Belly Dance New England Magazine, on the early days of belly dance in Boston and the US. You’ll learn: The Near Eastern ethnic communities that came together in Boston Boston’s musical heritage The first generations of dancers 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, Rosa Noreen, creator of "Delicious Pauses:  Negative Space in Movement" debunks the myths and mistakes that keep dancers from using stillness effectively in their dance. You’ll learn: 3 myths that keep dancers from using stillness effectively How to create anticipation Why drum solos need stillness – and how to incorporate it How to practice stillness 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

In my Rock the Routine course, we geeked out on the 6-part routine, as used in Vintage Orientale (aka old-school American Cabaret).  But many of the participants asked about how to adapt that material for Egyptian style.  So I brought in the big guns! My first guest for The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse, Yasmin Henkesh, worked in Cairo in the 80s and early 90s and is the co-creator of the Vive la Difference intensive, in which she and Artemis Mourat demystify the differences between Turkish and Egyptian style dance.  In this episode, Yasmin shares secrets to the classic routine, as it was done before the sweeping changes of the Dina era. You’ll learn: How the classic Egyptian routine is structured Yasmin’s fascinating approach to each section (my brain is still buzzing over this!) How to adapt the classic routine for a shorter show How it’s being done in Cairo right now