[aphil]

Sounds great!

We have the Dalia Carella show and workshop coming up less than two weeks...and in a week (Monday night) I am starting a belly dance conditioning class-isolations, form, flexibility training-that sort of thing. We have a workshop in October for duvani gypsy styled belly dance...and in November we are getting Laylia of Ohio to do a sword and audience interaction workshop for us. I am giddy with excitement over all the new stuff coming around the bend with it all-lots of new things and styles to learn.

Is anyone here familiar with duvani gypsy belly dance? It sort of looks like a combination of traditional with some earthy moves and flamenco moves thrown in there...very kewl!!!!

[mauvaisroux]

Wow- that duvani style sounds really cool!

[aphil]

Yeah it is...they utilize a lot of the really full circle skirts or huge tribal yardage skirts that you can pull the hem out equal to your hips on both sides or higher...TONS of skirt.

[mauvaisroux]

Hey Aphil! Someone in my area has started offering beginner's classes for tribal and another two have started gypsy style classes. The tribal is too far for me to attend but the gypsy style classes are closer so I may go and check them out.

I am going to class tonight - I am going back to one of my previous teachers as she is now offering a special choreography class - she wants to start a troupe and me and one of my friends are thinking of joining I would love to be able to perform more and this would be a great opportunity to do so!

I just got a costume idea while going through my closet last night
I have a bridesmaid dress from a couple of years ago that is quite pretty. It has a creamy coffee coloured underskirt and a pale copper coloured organza overlay. The bodice is fitted and the skirt is A-line and floor length. I really love the material but the dress is too fancy to wear except to a formal Christmas party or something like that.

I was thinking of going to a seamstress, since I am not that good at sewing that I feel comfortable altering an organza dress, and having the dress made into a skirt and top ensemble. The top would be cropped enough to show my belly button and I would then trim the top and skirt with a few coppery sequins and coins to add some flash.

[aphil]

Ooh....that sounds pretty! All you would need to do is have the seamstress redo the waist so it is elastic if possible...and then have her hem it so it is to the top of the foot when you wear it at "belly dance" level on your upper hips. The top should be pretty easy to crop and decorate!
I am going to be in a wedding next year-hopefully I can recycle my dress as well.
I hope you try the gypsy class and enjoy it! I am getting my costume and all my junk (circle skirt, veil, zils, clothes, makeup) and all that together today/tonight. I have to leave at the crack of dawn in the morning to drive to the workshop and show!

[mauvaisroux]

aphil, how did your workshop/show go?

I found a couple of other outfits that I can take apart and use the sequins and trims from too

[aphil]

All I can say is...if any of you ever get the chance to watch Dalia Carella perform...or take a workshop from her...it is a MUST DO. I have taken a lot of workshops...and this was by far the best and most fun. She taught a very flirty almost on the vulgar side duvani gypsy...and a wonderful section on traditional Indian dance. I am in awe of her and want to follow her around like the Grateful Dead.
I got to chat with her a couple times over the course of the day and evening-and she is a wonderful woman. She is a diva-but it's like she doesn't know it. Her personality is wonderful. She puts everyone around her at ease instantly. When she performed at the end of the show I was a little teary eyed. I could only hope to ever be as good as her technically, and to have her astounding stage presence. She also did the most fabulous Turkish Drop...it was amazing.
I was really pumped up...when we were in the dressing room (which we shared with her!) she commented on our costumes-and I felt so good when she said that. We performed our sword piece a couple numbers before Dalia...and at the end of our piece we got great cheers and applause and yells...and as we were walking off stage Dalia was in the wings awaiting her turn-and she said our piece was beautiful. That meant the world to me to hear that from someone of her status.

[clarrie]

I found a great quote from British comedian Victoria Wood ~

If life's given you a belly, go dancing!

in fact I think that's gonna be part of my sig

[mauvaisroux]

Love the quote clarrie!

Aphil that sounds awesome!

I signed up for the class that is duvani style - first class was an awesome workout! We are jsut doing review for the first 2 classes but will be starting the duvani moves during the 3 class - I can't wait!

[aphil]

I was vending at another beginning class last night...and I have noticed something. In the beginning class-you get all these tiny, tan, Barbie doll women in their thinking they are hot stuff-not really interested in the ME dance as an art form or fomr of expression-they want to be in their to learn some dance for their husband or boyfriend.
What I have noticed is that they flip their hair around and buy some fancy hip scarf-and they are the WORST DANCERS. They are so stiff and uncoordinated-and all of the women who are not so "perfect" or who carry a few extra pounds are the ones who turn out to be great dancers. Yes-it is the "normal woman's revenge!" I have also noticed that the Barbie women never sign up for the next level class...once they find out it is actually "work".

Aphil

[ali_cat]

This is something I'd love to try, just from hearing about it I think it'd be fun, but there aren't any classes near me that I know of, and I don't want to fork over so much money for the DVD's if I end up not liking it. Where can I get the DVD's to try them out?

[aphil]

Hi ali_cat.

Belly dance classes aren't advertised as much as others-more "word of mouth". Go to www.shira.net and check her instructor directory-there just may be one near you, and you not even know about it!

You can try the video section of the local library and see if they have any to lend out to try...or try www.deepdiscountdvd.com-they have low prices and free shipping specials. It takes a little longer for them to ship-about a week before you get it-but it is worth saving money if you are patient.

Aphil

[mauvaisroux]

I had a great class last night - we incorporated some Flamenco moves into our bellydancing - it was great!

At a recent bazaar my friend and I bought matching circle veils that came with arm bands in the same fabric. She has an orange velvet belt so I bought one too. We now have matching outfits for a duet performance - yippee! We are also in the middle of writing our first choreography - I am so hyped up!

[aphil]

The Turkish Rom (gyspy) workshop I went to last weekend ROCKED! I burned about a zillion calories-it is very "high energy". We did a lot of work with the karshlima rhythm. I can zill it actually very well now after that workshop. She had some great tips on getting that down.

Your matching costumes sound so nice! It is fun to have matching stuff!

I have a sword workshop next month with Laylia of Ohio. I am vending there, so I just placed a huge order of dance stuff!

[txlawchic]

Hello all! I am interested in trying belly dancing. I was wondering if you guys could offer some insight into the benefits have been for you. I did some research and there are classes in my area, but before I jump in I would love to hear from those who are doing it and on a weight loss mission. I'm a bit curious because of the performers and instructors on the websites, everyone had a bit of a tummy. Now, I absolutely have no room ot talk about anyone's ab area, but I would like to have a more defined area. I would like to add some form of dance classes to my more traditional workout of walking and weight training. I hope someone can give me a bit more insight. Thanks!