Belly Dance Somerville

Level 1 Recital Choreography – Spring 2013

Nadira — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:44:31 +0000

Remember: these aren’t in order yet!

Music: “Istemem Babacim” from Gypsy Fire
Available to buy in class, or on Amazon (CD or MP3)

Combo #1: Hit-Step Variations (Verse)

Push-steps: single, single, triple (Repeat) – starting on R
4 Side-step hits – starting on R [Arms in strong V]
Jump to pose facing R, pause, double tush push on L hip (Repeat to other side)
4 Single push-steps back
Jump to pose facing R, pause, double tush push on L hip (Repeat to other side)
4 Single push-steps back

Combo #2: Walking Variations (Verse)

Panther walk R,L, triple step RLR (Repeat other side)
2 pivot turns counter-clockwise – starting with R foot. (8 steps total)
Open-close-open touch to R, then to L. Two 4-steps to R. (Repeat other side)

Hip Stretches for Belly Dancers

Nadira — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 04:55:08 +0000

Our hips work hard for us in belly dance. It’s important to stretch them, both to develop range of motion, and to prevent injury. Here are a few of my favorite hip stretches.

Hip Flexor Stretches

When we dance, we work our hip flexors hard, and we do it when they’re in a shortened position. But tight hip flexors can skew your postures, and put stress on your lower back. Here are two great stretches:

1) Hip flexor stetch on a foam roller:

2) Yoga’s Warrior 1 pose is also an excellent option.

Outer Hip Stretches

Out outer hips can also get tight. You may want to try:

1) The against the wall stretch.
(YOu can do it cross-legged as shown here, or sit into your hip towards the wall.)

2) The lying underbuttal stretch (aka “supine pigeon” pose).

3) The seated pigeon variation, which is easy to sneak in at your desk.

4) The knee-to-chest stretch
(We do this without the twist in class.)

What should I do if I get sick?

Nadira — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:47:30 +0000

There have been some nasty bugs going around lately! If you are sick, don’t drag yourself to class.

1) You won’t miss out
I allow lots of time for review, so you won’t fall behind. Stay home, rest up, and take care of yourself. We’ll get you caught up when you’re feeling better.

2) Don’t share the germs

The Center for Disease Control’s flu guidelines suggest that you stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever ends, since you may still be contagious.

So if you have a fever, have had one recently, or have any other reason to think you might be contagious, please stay home, so you don’t risk infecting your classmates.

What if Nadira is sick?

The same rules apply to me too. If I am likely to be contagious, I will attempt to find a substitute to teach in my place. If a qualified substitute is not available, I will cancel that week’s class, and use the semester’s scheduled make-up date.

Summer 2012 Music Recommendations

Nadira — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 22:00:30 +0000

Here are some of the songs I recommend for students in the Summer 2012 semester:

Songs for Shimmy Practice

Raks al Tabla from Modern Belly Dance from Egypt by the Gizira Band
Tatli Chiftetelli from Asena (my 3-minute shimmy song)

Other Songs

Walking Maqsoum from Sweet Fruits for Heavenly Hips by George Medlock
Sisheler from Armenian and Anatolian Folk Music by Okbari
Nassam Alayna al Hawa from Practice Music for Drummers and Dancers Vol. 1 by Mary Ellen Donald
Karoun Karoun from Practice Music for Drummers and Dancers Vol. 1 by Mary Ellen Donald
Ah Ia Zen from Belly Dance by Arabesque
Habibi Ya-Eaney from Oriental Belly Dance
Sinanay Darling (Kalenin Bedenlerı) from Bir Sonraki by Eylem
Phaedra’s Veil from Mystical Veil by Mal Barsamian
Gözyazı (Tears) from Anatolian Wedding by Selim Sesler
Miserlou from Presence of the Past by Brothers of the Baladi

Note: Many of the links on this page are affiliate links. That means that if you make your purchase using those links, I get a small payment (typically less than 50 cents).

I only recommend music and products that I own and like, and that I think would be useful to you at your current level.

However, if you’re not comfortable with affiliate systems, feel 100% free to buy them without using my link. If you do a Google search for the titles, you’ll find them easily, without giving me credit for your purchase.

How Big Are the Classes?

Nadira — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:46:46 +0000

The classes are limited to 15 people, so I can provide individual attention.

To reserve your spot, be sure to register for the full session. Students are welcome to attend the class on a drop-in basis if there is room, but I can only reserve spots for those who pay in advance.

If the session you’re interested in has sold out, you can contact me to join the waiting list.

Fall 2011 Music Recommendations

Nadira — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:21:00 +0000

Here are some of the songs we’ve been using in the Fall 2011 semester:

Songs for shimmy drills

Sharuk from Ya Bahaia by Samer Issa
Raks al Tabla from Modern Belly Dance from Egypt by the Gizira Band
Tatli Chiftetelli from Asena (my 3-minute shimmy song)
Don’t Make Me Blush from Unveiled

Songs used for combos

Daglar Kizi Reyhan (Reyhan the Mountain Girl) from Anatolian Wedding by Selim Sesler
Sisheler from Armenian and Anatolian Folk Music by Okbari
Nassam Alayna al Hawa from Practice Music for Drummers and Dancers Vol. 1 by Mary Ellen Donald
Karoun Karoun from Practice Music for Drummers and Dancers Vol. 1 by Mary Ellen Donald
Cleopatra from Practice Music for Drummers and Dancers Vol. 1 by Mary Ellen Donald
Vart Kaghelen Kookas Yar from Armenian and Anatolian Folk Music by Okbari
Zeina from Magical Belly Dance
Ah Ia Zen from Belly Dance by Arabesque

Songs for Slow Drills

Chiftetelli from Live from Detroit by Ara Topouzian (the warm up song)
Shubra from Gedida by Natacha Atlas
Yarus from Oasis by Oasis

Veil songs

See Songs for Veilwork

Note: Many of the links on this page are affiliate links. That means that if you make your purchase using those links, I get a small payment (typically less than 50 cents).

I only recommend music and products that I own and like, and that I think would be useful to you at your current level.

Songs for Veilwork

Nadira — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:28:41 +0000

Common Songs

These are some of the most commonly-used songs for lyrical veilwork.

Bir Demet Yasemen
Armenian and Anatolian Folk Music by Okbari
Sirocco by John Bilezikjian

Misirlou
Live from Detroit by Ara Topouzian
(This album also has the chiftetelli we use for the warm-up song)

The Joy of Belly Dancing by George Abdo

Erev Shel Shoshanim / Amen Aravod / Yarus / Varter
(This song has been recorded in Hebrew and in Armenian, and is often released under different names)

Now Sounds of the Middle East by George Mrgdichian

An Oriental Bouquet by Harry Saroyan

Oasis by Oasis

Cleopatra

Practice Music for Drummers and Dancers Vol. 1 by Mary Ellen Donald
This is the version we use for the drills.

Mandoubala

Tapestry of the Dance by John Bilezikjian

The Original Versions by Aris San (not arranged for belly dance)

Less Common, but I love:

Unknown Veil Song
Mystical Veil by Mal Barsamian (New England artist!)
The veil piece is the second song in “Mid-East Routine”, which is a whole routine in a single track.

Mosafere Azizam

Saroyan Sings An Oriental Bouquet by Harry Saroyan

Sagapo

Santorini by the Noga Group

Note: Many of the links on this page are affiliate links. That means that if you make your purchase using those links, I get a small payment (typically less than 50 cents).

I only recommend music and products that I own and like, and that I think would be useful to you at your current level.

Homework: September 7th, 2011

Nadira — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 14:22:56 +0000

If you choose to practice this week, here are my recommendations:

Finger Cymbals:

(play out loud if you can, muffled or “air zils” when you can’t)

Bolero Zil Pattern: “shave and a haircut for my chicken”

Bolero Combination:

Step-cross in front (R)
extend leg to side (L) with slight lean, gaze to the foot (out of the corner of your eye)
Variation: add two hip hits (“butt-cheek, butt-cheek!”)
Repeat on other side

Tip: Practice this in layers. Start with just the footwork, then add the lean and gaze, then the finger cymbals, then the butt cheek.
Challenge: Explore other moves to use instead of the butt-cheek accent.

Hip Clicks & Shimmies

Single Hip Clicks
Double Hip Clicks
Hip Shimmy

Challenge: practice layering the hip shimmy on a hip slide (like we did in the drill)

Veil Background

The veil is a piece of fabric, not clothing (not related to religious veiling)
Roots: Egyptian dancer Samia Gamal’s ballet teacher (arm carriage exercise), and Western modern and interpretive dance (ex. Loie Fuller)
Used in Arabic styles for entrances, and in American and Turkish style for lyrical dancing

Challenge: search Google Images for pictures of Loie Fuller dancing with silks.

Cross-step Footwork

Cross over R
Step out to the side on L
Step back onto R foot in its original place

Challenge: practice this at different speeds

Veil Scoop:

Arms start in horizontal
Scoop R arm down across the body, then open at chest height
Repeat other side

Tip: this move looks good with the cross-step footwork. Scoop the veil down while you cross your foot over.

Veil Combination:

Cross-step with veil scoop on the R
Cross-step with veil scoop on the L
Slow turn counter-clockwise (4 steps, arms in strong V)
Cross-step with veil scoop on the R
Repeat on other side

Challenge: practice this at different speeds

Quiz:

Q: What are the two ways we use the veil?
(Post your answer in the comments.)

Homework: August 24th, 2011

Nadira — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 02:54:38 +0000

Thanks For a Great Semester!

Thanks for allowing me to teach you this summer. It was a pleasure having you in class, and I was so impressed with how much you all learned.

The fall semester will begin on Wednesday, September 7th. You can find details and package options on the registration page. As always, contact me if you have any questions or prefer to pay offline.

Cheat Sheet

If you’d like to practice in the meantime, or if you’d just like to bask in the AMAZING amount of material you’ve learned, you can download the summer semester cheat sheet.

This Week’s Song: Ya Mustapha

Sung in Arabic and French (possibly Lebanese?)
Rhythm: typically Maqsoum (Dt, tDT), but not always
Typically used for an introduction, but can be a middle piece.

Last Week’s Quiz:

Congrats to Allison for her correct answer!

Q: How is the Nawari rhythm different from the Saidi rhythm?
A: Saidi goes DT, DDT; Nawari goes TD, TDT. The timing is identical, but the dums and taks are in different places. This gives Saidi a heavier feel, and Nawari a more rolling, upbeat feel.

Homework: August 21st, 2011

Nadira — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 02:47:58 +0000

Thanks For a Great Semester!

Thank you for allowing me to teach you this summer. It was a pleasure having you all in class.

The new session on Sunday, September 11th. I hope to see you then. You can register online, or contact me if you have any questions or prefer to register offline.

Cheat Sheet

In the meantime, I’ve posted a cheat sheet, with all the moves we’ve covered this semester, as well as the plug & play choreography notes.

Last Week’s Quiz

Q: What is one way to make sure you don’t overshoot when you have a long time to circle the stage?
A: There are two ways:

1) Count it out carefully, so you reach the half-way point when you’ve used half of the music. (Ex, if you have 16 counts, you should be on beat #8 when you’re halfway through your circle)
2) Circle twice!