Thanks to Zina contacting me with a link to this video.
You may remember a while back I featured the video and song “Here She Comes” from Kai Altair from her Star of the Sea EP.
Well, this is a live video if her performing “Howl” with her Tribal Bellydance dancers, from the same EP.
I’m afraid the video is a little wide and stretches into the sidebar. If this is annoying you, then double click on the video to watch on YouTube.
I recently received a question from a guy called Ben through the blog.
He asked, “Hi all, i was wondering if it is acceptable for males to be belly dancers, i am interested 
”
My answer is yes (but with the warning that not everybody may feel the way I do).
If you read my posts and Male Belly Dancers: Men in a Woman’s WorldMore on Male Belly Dancers, you’ll see that there is a long history of male belly dancers, and in the Middle East the tradition continues.
However, in the Western World I think there is still a lot of prejudice in that area. Many of us are quite happy to see men dance, but my experience has been that often non-dancers in particular don’t see it as a “masculine” pursuit.
So, I say follow your heart and ignore any criticism. Find a dance teacher locally who is happy to include a guy in her classes (you will be outnumbered by the women) and enjoy it.
If you get the opportunity, try to take workshops with some of the male teachers who often tour from Egypt, other Middle Eastern countries, Turkey and even the US.
If you are a man interested in Belly Dancing (or a woman interested in teaching men to dance), you should check out this DVD…Learn the Art of Male Belly Dancing…
Mid East Atlantic Belly Dance Festival in Charlotte, NC
Sanura Saida presents the Mid East Atlantic Belly Dance Festival featuring Amaya with 2 shows and 2 days of dance workshops
Visit: http://www.sanurasaida.com/
Silk Veil Dyeing Workshop in Glen Ellyn, IL
Create your own silks under the guiding tutelage of Shahina, who is internationally famous among Middle Eastern dancers for her unique hand-dyed silk veils and skirts.
Visit: http://www.shahina.com/calendar/silks.htm
Aela’s Tribal Bootcamp WS #2 in Gloucester, VA
“Focus on Hips and Chest” workshop as well as Q&A and lecture on nutrition
Visit: http://www.aela-badiana.com/TBC.htm
TribalCon Dance and Music Convention in Downtown Decatur, GA
Workshops, Lectures, Performances and more featuring Asharah, Heather Stants, Denis Proteau, Donna Mejia, and Awalim Tribal Dance co.
Visit: http://www.tribalcon.com/
The Tribal Massive and Massive Spectacular in Las Vegas, NV
53 hours of tuition with Mardi Love, Rachel Brice, Heather Stants and more, plus an epic stage production
Visit: http://www.thetribalmassive.com/2010/index.htm
Cairo! Cairo! 2010 in Victoria Theatre, Singapore
Clarabel’s Raks Sharki Studio presents Dina performing live with her own Egyptian band
Visit: http://www.bellydanceinsingapore.com/events.htm
Incanto d’Oriente Festival in Lake Garda, Italy
International Belly Dance Festival of shows, competitions and workshops featuring Aida Nour, Leila, Khaled Mahmoud, and many more
Visit: http://www.gardafestival.com/
Gothla US: The Evoking – Journey to the Underrworld in Pomona, CA
A celebration of Gothic and Dark Fusion Bellydance through workshops and performances
Visit: http://www.gothla.us/home.html
Majma Belly Dance Festival in Glastonbury, UK
Annual Middle Eastern and World Dance Festival with a wide range of workshops and performances.
Visit: http://www.majmadance.co.uk/
Attar 2010 Tribal Special in Wellington, New Zealand
A selection of workshops over the weekend with tribal resonance open to all dancers.
Visit: http://www.attar.org.nz/
Petite Jamilla Workshops in Bari Italy
Petite Jamilla of the Bellydance Superstars presents workshops in Double Veil and Spinning techniques and Modern Drum Solo Choreography.
Visit: http://www.malikaraqs.it
Art of Taksim: Slow and Senusous Movement Workshop in Glen Ellyn, IL
90 minute workshop with Shahina in performing sensuous floorwork, and what to do when the music slows down.
Visit: http://www.shahina.com/calendar/
Rakkasah West 2010 30th Annual Belly Dance Festival in Vallejo, CA
Middle Eastern Dance festival with workshops and performances .
Visit: http://www.rakkasah.com/west/
Hip Expressions 2nd Annual Beledi Beach Bash in St Petersburg, Fl
A weekend of workshops, classes and performances, featuring Sadie
Visit: http://www.beledibeachbash.com/
Egyptian Dance Workshops in London, England
Hossam and Serena Ramzy present 2 days of workshops in Egyptian Dance.
Visit: http://www.hossamramzy.com
2nd Annual Belly Dance Seminar and Night of Dance in Neenah, WI
Kahina and The Shimmy Shoppe introduce Jasmin Jahal in a one day workshop and International Night of Dance
Visit: http://www.shimmyshoppe.net/
Momo Kadous 5 Day Intensive in Knoxville, TN
Turquoise International presents renowned Egyptian choreographer, dancer and actor, Momo Kadous, for 5 days of workshops and a Gala show.
Visit: http://www.bluegrassbellydance.com/momo-kadous.html
Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive and Festival in Las Vegas, NV
4-day extravaganza of entertainment, education and excitement at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino.
Visit: http://www.bellydanceintensive.com
Don’t forget, you can let me know about your event by filling out the online contact form or adding it to the comments section, and I will include it in future calendars.
This week’s Photo Friday is of a Belly Dancer at Au Ryad (which I believe is in Brussels).
The photographer behind this photo – Vince Kmeron – takes the most amazing photos of concerts, festivals and performances and I recommend you visit his website.
Photo provided by kmeron on Flickr under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Non Derivative 2.0 Generic Licence.
Mid East Atlantic Belly Dance Festival in Charlotte, NC
Sanura Saida presents the Mid East Atlantic Belly Dance Festival featuring Amaya with 2 shows and 2 days of dance workshops
Visit: http://www.sanurasaida.com/
Silk Veil Dyeing Workshop in Glen Ellyn, IL
Create your own silks under the guiding tutelage of Shahina, who is internationally famous among Middle Eastern dancers for her unique hand-dyed silk veils and skirts.
Visit: http://www.shahina.com/calendar/silks.htm
Aela’s Tribal Bootcamp WS #2 in Gloucester, VA
“Focus on Hips and Chest” workshop as well as Q&A and lecture on nutrition
Visit: http://www.aela-badiana.com/TBC.htm
TribalCon Dance and Music Convention in Downtown Decatur, GA
Workshops, Lectures, Performances and more featuring Asharah, Heather Stants, Denis Proteau, Donna Mejia, and Awalim Tribal Dance co.
Visit: http://www.tribalcon.com/
The Tribal Massive and Massive Spectacular in Las Vegas, NV
53 hours of tuition with Mardi Love, Rachel Brice, Heather Stants and more, plus an epic stage production
Visit: http://www.thetribalmassive.com/2010/index.htm
Cairo! Cairo! 2010 in Victoria Theatre, Singapore
Clarabel’s Raks Sharki Studio presents Dina performing live with her own Egyptian band
Visit: http://www.bellydanceinsingapore.com/events.htm
Incanto d’Oriente Festival in Lake Garda, Italy
International Belly Dance Festival of shows, competitions and workshops featuring Aida Nour, Leila, Khaled Mahmoud, and many more
Visit: http://www.gardafestival.com/
Gothla US: The Evoking – Journey to the Underrworld in Pomona, CA
A celebration of Gothic and Dark Fusion Bellydance through workshops and performances
Visit: http://www.gothla.us/home.html
Majma Belly Dance Festival in Glastonbury, UK
Annual Middle Eastern and World Dance Festival with a wide range of workshops and performances.
Visit: http://www.majmadance.co.uk/
Attar 2010 Tribal Special in Wellington, New Zealand
A selection of workshops over the weekend with tribal resonance open to all dancers.
Visit: http://www.attar.org.nz/
Petite Jamilla Workshops in Bari Italy
Petite Jamilla of the Bellydance Superstars presents workshops in Double Veil and Spinning techniques and Modern Drum Solo Choreography.
Visit: http://www.malikaraqs.it
Rakkasah West 2010 30th Annual Belly Dance Festival in Vallejo, CA
Middle Eastern Dance festival with workshops and performances .
Visit: http://www.rakkasah.com/west/
Hip Expressions 2nd Annual Beledi Beach Bash in St Petersburg, Fl
A weekend of workshops, classes and performances, featuring Sadie
Visit: http://www.beledibeachbash.com/
Egyptian Dance Workshops in London, England
Hossam and Serena Ramzy present 2 days of workshops in Egyptian Dance.
Visit: http://www.hossamramzy.com
2nd Annual Belly Dance Seminar and Night of Dance in Neenah, WI
Kahina and The Shimmy Shoppe introduce Jasmin Jahal in a one day workshop and International Night of Dance
Visit: http://www.shimmyshoppe.net/
Don’t forget, you can let me know about your event by filling out the online contact form or adding it to the comments section, and I will include it in future calendars.
This week’s Photo Friday features a Belly Dancer Street Performer in Denver.
Photo provided by Proforged on Flickr under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Non Derivative 2.0 Generic Licence.
Mid East Atlantic Belly Dance Festival in Charlotte, NC
Sanura Saida presents the Mid East Atlantic Belly Dance Festival featuring Amaya with 2 shows and 2 days of dance workshops
Visit: http://www.sanurasaida.com/
Silk Veil Dyeing Workshop in Glen Ellyn, IL
Create your own silks under the guiding tutelage of Shahina, who is internationally famous among Middle Eastern dancers for her unique hand-dyed silk veils and skirts.
Visit: http://www.shahina.com/calendar/silks.htm
Aela’s Tribal Bootcamp WS #2 in Gloucester, VA
“Focus on Hips and Chest” workshop as well as Q&A and lecture on nutrition
Visit: http://www.aela-badiana.com/TBC.htm
TribalCon Dance and Music Convention in Downtown Decatur, GA
Workshops, Lectures, Performances and more featuring Asharah, Heather Stants, Denis Proteau, Donna Mejia, and Awalim Tribal Dance co.
Visit: http://www.tribalcon.com/
The Tribal Massive and Massive Spectacular in Las Vegas, NV
53 hours of tuition with Mardi Love, Rachel Brice, Heather Stants and more, plus an epic stage production
Visit: http://www.thetribalmassive.com/2010/index.htm
Cairo! Cairo! 2010 in Victoria Theatre, Singapore
Clarabel’s Raks Sharki Studio presents Dina performing live with her own Egyptian band
Visit: http://www.bellydanceinsingapore.com/events.htm
Incanto d’Oriente Festival in Lake Garda, Italy
International Belly Dance Festival of shows, competitions and workshops featuring Aida Nour, Leila, Khaled Mahmoud, and many more
Visit: http://www.gardafestival.com/
Gothla US: The Evoking – Journey to the Underrworld in Pomona, CA
A celebration of Gothic and Dark Fusion Bellydance through workshops and performances
Visit: http://www.gothla.us/home.html
Majma Belly Dance Festival in Glastonbury, UK
Annual Middle Eastern and World Dance Festival with a wide range of workshops and performances.
Visit: http://www.majmadance.co.uk/
Petite Jamilla Workshops in Bari Italy
Petite Jamilla of the Bellydance Superstars presents workshops in Double Veil and Spinning techniques and Modern Drum Solo Choreography.
Visit: http://www.malikaraqs.it
Rakkasah West 2010 30th Annual Belly Dance Festival in Vallejo, CA
Middle Eastern Dance festival with workshops and performances .
Visit: http://www.rakkasah.com/west/
Egyptian Dance Workshops in London, England
Hossam and Serena Ramzy present 2 days of workshops in Egyptian Dance.
Visit: http://www.hossamramzy.com
Don’t forget, you can let me know about your event by filling out the online contact form or adding it to the comments section, and I will include it in future calendars.
Turkish Rom Dance in Santa Fe, New Mexico
2 days of workshops in Turkish Rom dance led by Ahmet Ogren from Istanbul
email: jkafri@peoplepc.com
Mid East Atlantic Belly Dance Festival in Charlotte, NC
Sanura Saida presents the Mid East Atlantic Belly Dance Festival featuring Amaya with 2 shows and 2 days of dance workshops
Visit: http://www.sanurasaida.com/
Silk Veil Dyeing Workshop in Glen Ellyn, IL
Create your own silks under the guiding tutelage of Shahina, who is internationally famous among Middle Eastern dancers for her unique hand-dyed silk veils and skirts.
Visit: http://www.shahina.com/calendar/silks.htm
TribalCon Dance and Music Convention in Downtown Decatur, GA
Workshops, Lectures, Performances and more featuring Asharah, Heather Stants, Denis Proteau, Donna Mejia, and Awalim Tribal Dance co.
Visit: http://www.tribalcon.com/
The Tribal Massive and Massive Spectacular in Las Vegas, NV
53 hours of tuition with Mardi Love, Rachel Brice, Heather Stants and more, plus an epic stage production
Visit: http://www.thetribalmassive.com/2010/index.htm
Cairo! Cairo! 2010 in Victoria Theatre, Singapore
Clarabel’s Raks Sharki Studio presents Dina performing live with her own Egyptian band
Visit: http://www.bellydanceinsingapore.com/events.htm
Incanto d’Oriente Festival in Lake Garda, Italy
International Belly Dance Festival of shows, competitions and workshops featuring Aida Nour, Leila, Khaled Mahmoud, and many more
Visit: http://www.gardafestival.com/
Gothla US: The Evoking – Journey to the Underrworld in Pomona, CA
A celebration of Gothic and Dark Fusion Bellydance through workshops and performances
Visit: http://www.gothla.us/home.html
Majma Belly Dance Festival in Glastonbury, UK
Annual Middle Eastern and World Dance Festival with a wide range of workshops and performances.
Visit: http://www.majmadance.co.uk/
Petite Jamilla Workshops in Bari Italy
Petite Jamilla of the Bellydance Superstars presents workshops in Double Veil and Spinning techniques and Modern Drum Solo Choreography.
Visit: http://www.malikaraqs.it
Egyptian Dance Workshops in London, England
Hossam and Serena Ramzy present 2 days of workshops in Egyptian Dance.
Visit: http://www.hossamramzy.com
Don’t forget, you can let me know about your event by filling out the online contact form or adding it to the comments section, and I will include it in future calendars.
Photo provided by Ted Swedenburg on Flickr under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 2.0 Generic Licence. Caption provided with photo.
Has anyone tried Zumba? It’s the latest fitness craze and I first saw it advertised a couple of months ago. Actually, here in the UK I was attending dance fitness classes called “Latin in Line” a few years ago which seem very similar. Essentially, it is aerobic exercise routines based around Latin dance moves.
The reason I mention it here is because in the last week I’ve seen Zumba and Belly Dancing being linked together, and often Zumba being described as a mixture of Latin and Belly Dance moves.
Unfortunately, the only video examples I have seen of this so-called fusion of the 2 styles show some pretty poor examples of belly dance moves (as is often the case when belly dance is used in fitness classes). Everything about it looks wrong!
So, I was wondering if any of you teach or take Zumba classes and, if so, how the “belly dance” moves have been created? There doesn’t seem to be any control or technique involved.
