AN EXCERCISE IN SURREALISM PART TWO: MORE FUN WITH KEYWORDS!

Happy Holidays!
We all need a breather during this hectic season, and we all could use a laugh or two! On November 8, 2009 I posted an article on some of the insane “Recent Keyword Activity” that was leading ‘net surfers to my blog. “Keywords” are the phrases people type when searching for information on the Internet.

As I noted before, the bad spelling and broken English in the Recent Key Word Activity wasn’t even the best part- it was the pure, unadulterated psychosis of the phrases... not to mention the fact that people are actually spending their time searching for this obviously extremely important information!

So, as a follow-up to the first post, I’m sharing ten more of the decidedly kooky Keywords!

The new Top Ten phrases are here… saving the best for last. single Every single phrase is copied exactly as it appeared on my Web Stats.


#10. ORIENTAL MUSIC FANTASTICA JUST TO BELL (Lebanon)

#9. DO EGYPTIAN DANCER NOSE PIERCENING (USA)

#8. TIRBAL MAKE UP AND DOTS FACE (Italy)

#7. DRESSING ROOM OF VEGAS SHOWGIRL PANTYHOSE (Poland)

#6. GRANDMA PRINCESS OPTICAL ILLUSION (USA)

#5. WOMAN WOMAN FAKKING (Yemen)

#4. GLAMOUR BAG THE STATUS BELLY (Korea)

#3. CRAZY TEACHERS MINE SKIERT (Austria)

#2. LADY ANSWERING CELL PHONE IN MENS TOILET (New Zealand)

#1. NUDE LADY WITH LONG PANIS (India)

ETERNAL EGYPT WITH PRINCESS FARHANA & ZAHRA ZUHAIR JUNE 2010

Happy Holidays!

I am soooo pleased to announce That Zahra Zuhair and I will be leading a tour group to Egypt this coming June 2010!
For me, this is a dream come true- I've been wanting to share my adventures with other dancers by bringing a tour group to Egypt- and believe me, this will truly be belly dancer’s dream tour!

We are centering the trip around Ahlan Wa Sahlan, the biggest Oriental Dance Festival in the world!!! Zahra and I have both been going to Egypt for years. I've been going since 1991, and Zahra since....well, not totally sure but for definately years before I even considered dancing! And we both have attended- and taught at- Ahlan Wa Sahlan, too- we both truly know how to have a GREAT TIME at the festival AND in the land of the Pyramids!

Our tour will include lodging at the fabulous Mena House in Giza ( site of Ahlan Wa Sahlan, and a historic palace to boot!) plus the festival's workshops, gala shows, off-site dinner/ Nile Cruise shows, costume & souvenir shopping at Khan Al Khalili,excursions to Sphinx & Pyramids, Egypt Museum, Citadel, Coptic Cairo, **and** an optional Nile Cruise in Upper Egypt!

...And you know that there will be many "extra-curricular" activities as well, like a night of seedy Cairo cabarets, getting fabulous massages at The mena House ( I tried them- MANY TIMES- they're amazing!) visiting Manial Palace,exploring the labyrinth of cairo's streets, booking private lessons, sailing on a Felucca down the Nile at twilight, etc.

Just so you know, there will be PLENTY of things for non-dancers to do, as well....believe me, Egypt is a place where you will never get bored- there so many things to explore!

We will have full details shortly- and a website devoted onl to the tour will be up soon!

In the meantime, if you would like to join our email list for the tour, drop us a line:


Info: Zahra(at)aol.com, princessraqs(at)gmail.com

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE BOOKING A SHOW

The Holidays are here, and even with the economy the way it is, that means people are celebrating…which, for professional dancers, translates to employment opportunities. Even if you have never worked before, you may already be getting offers for holiday parties and gigs. If you are on the threshold of becoming a working professional dancer, then without a doubt, you’ve been sweating in group and private classes, practicing your butt off at home, dancing with a student troupe and in belly dance show cases, honing your technique and stage presence… and you just bought a fabulous new costume. Well, congratulations, girl, sounds like you’re about ready to go pro- all you need is a gig! Now might be the time for you to start working.

Exactly what do professional dancers know that you don’t? Well, for one thing, they know how to book shows. Whether you’re donating your dancing to a charity event, performing at a private party or auditioning for a restaurant or club job, there’s “technique” involved before you hit the stage as well. The following information will help you book a gig like a seasoned pro… help you to determine the WHO, WHAT,WHERE, WHEN and HOW of your gig.

First off: WHAT TYPE OF EVENT IS IT ? Private party, wedding, birthday, corporate show, Arabic club, holiday festival…etc. Make sure to find out exactly what your gig will be, so you can costume yourself appropriately and plan a set of songs that will reflect the mood.

WHO IS HIRING YOU? Club owner, bride or groom, caterer, event planner…

WHERE? (How far from your house, as well as whether the event is being held at a residence, restaurant, banquet hall, outdoor festival, etc.) *ALSO: Is there a full theatrical stage, raised stage, dance floor, living room, patio or……..???? FIND OUT ABOUT YOUR DANCE AREA!

WHEN? Get specific performance times, and let them know that you are flexible, but cannot stay at the event for hours at their discretion

SOUND SYSTEM : Do you have to bring a boom box ( like for a belly gram situation) or will there be a sound system w/ a deejay? Will you be using a CD or an iPod? Will there be other performers? Do they expect you to dance to a live band? If so- can you rehearse or do a tech check?

NEGOTIATE PAY :Depending on where, when and how long you will be dancing, state your rate, and negotiate your salary. It will behoove you to find out everything possible about the gig before stating a price- keep your price in mind, or even have it written on a piece of paper that you can refer to when on the phone with a prospective client.

DO NOT undercut the “going rate”. If you are not sure what the going rate is in your area, ask another local working dancer, or dance instructor. Start your price a little high, many people expect bit of bargaining. Figure out if it is a tipping situation or not, this will affect the base pay you ask for… and also ask the host or person who hired you if they would like you to stay within your performance area, or if it is fine to dance among the seated guests. Some people consider this acceptable, others think it’s ‘tacky”. DO NOT ask the person hiring you how much they wanted to spend on a dancer until you have stated your price. Everybody wants a “deal”, and will give you a lower figure. Know that it is fairly standard to charge not just for the party or gig, but the length of time it takes to GET you there- think twice about accepting a gig that is far from your home base, unless you know it will be worth your time. And know that pretty much anywhere in the world, the “going rate” for New Years is triple whatever you would regularly charge.

GET DIRECTIONS! If you can’t get directions from the host, call the venue. If you can’t get in touch with the venue, look up the address and driving directions on the internet.

GET CONTACT NUMBERS! Try to get both a cell-phone number as well as the number of the venue itself.

RE-CONFIRM YOUR PERFORMANCE (a week before the show, as well as the day before)

GET A CONTRACT AND DEPOSIT These days, PayPal makes this part so much easier. Set up a PayPal account if you don’t have one already.

DO NOT FEEL “WEIRD” BRINGING ALONG A FRIEND- PREFERABLY MALE : Any “decent” people in this day and age will perfectly understand the concept of personal safety. Tell them it is your ‘driver’. However, it is totally inappropriate for you to be hanging all over your ‘driver’ smooching! Be professional.

IF YOU FEEL UNSAFE AT ANY TIME, REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE SITUATION IMMEDIATELY.

SHOW UP ON TIME, READY TO GO (come fully made up and if it’s a private gig with no dressing room fully costumed with a cover-up)

FIND A SECURE PLACE TO KEEP YOUR BELONGINGS- this could be anything from a locked dressing room or office, to a cubby-hole behind the bar or a concierge desk at a hotel or banquet hall. Even if you have to change in the Ladies Room ( and this is a common “dressing room” , believe me) ...or have your "driver" watch them while you perform. DO NOT leave your things there unattended!

LEAVE IMMEDIATELY AFTER YOU PERFORM AND GET PAID (No hanging around, you are an entertainer, not a guest)

BE GRACIOUS, CHEERFUL AND POLITE, but firmly refuse anything you do not want to do…like perform a second time for free!

HAVE FUN AND YOUR AUDIENCE WILL, TOO!

Food for thought: If you act like a professional dancer, you will be treated like one!

READY FOR YOUR CLOSE-UP? PHOTO SHOOT PREPARATION

My promotional photos always get a lot of comments, and sometimes even I am amazed at the results. Personally, I love taking photos. I am lucky enough to be very photogenic, and I also feel very relaxed in front of the camera. One of the keys to feeling confident while doing a shoot is to know that you are fully "ready for your close-up". If you have done all your homework, then your photo shoot won't have to be stressful, and you can relax and have fun.

Make sure to discuss your objectives and goals for the shoot with the photographer beforehand, this way surprises won’t crop up for either one of you. Let the photographer be aware of how many costume changes you are planning to do, or what sort of props you will be working with. Once the photographer know what you had in mind for your shoot, you can various discuss ideas together.

Take some quality time a few days before your photo session and make sure you are truly prepared. This means that before your shoot, you have everything you will need, from costumes and props to hairpieces, jewelry, cosmetics and grooming tools at your disposal. Make a list and refer to it as you pack. During a quick costume change at a photography studio is not the time to discover that you didn’t bring your hairspray, or forgot your veil or your make-up bag!

Do a photo session “test” or run-through at your home, trying out your poses as well as full hair and make-up a few days before you shoot, especially if you are planning on shooting using a new hairstyle or different cosmetic application. If you want to use a beauty aid that you have never used before, like false eyelashes or a new fall, allow yourself enough time to become familiar with using that particular item. Don’t experiment with new products or hair styles moments before you get in front of the camera, use hair and make-up techniques that are proven to work for you. You may want to budget in a professional make-up application on the day of the shoot. Again, don't wait until the last minute-book your make-up artist in advance, and then discuss the effect you’re after with the make-up artist beforehand so you'll both be on the same page.

Many models cut salt, processed foods and sodium-packed snacks from their diets for a few days before a photo session, because doing so will get rid of any facial or body bloating. Drinking a lot of water will help with this, too. If you are going to have a facial, get waxed or use a chemical depilatory, do it the week before, not the day before, so your skin won’t look blotchy or red.

Get up early on the day of the shoot and relax for a few minutes with some hot tea bags on your eyes- the tannic acid in the tea will help reduce any puffiness. You can also use cold slices of cucumber, or stick two tablespoons in the freezer the night before and press them onto your eyes for a few moments. Eat breakfast to keep your energy up, but stick to proteins and keep your food intake light so that you don’t feel full and sluggish.

Models and athletes often do a few sit-ups, push-ups or even lift light weights just before doing photos, because the blood pumping to the muscles makes them appear more defined on film. You can use this trick too, just don’t work up a sweat and ruin your make-up… and of course, it’s really not advisable to do this in costume!

Speaking of looking good in your costume, on the day you will be shooting, make sure you don’t wear street clothes that are binding or that will leave elastic marks on your body. I usually wear soft sweats on the way to the photo session, and roll the waistband down so it doesn’t leave a mark on my abdomen. The moment you get to the studio, change into a comfortable caftan or robe to further prevent any marks or redness on the skin. A cover-up is a good thing to have anyway, in case you get cold- even with strong, hot lights, many photo studios are drafty.

Bring water and a light snack to your photo session, or check ahead to see if they will be provided. You need to keep your energy up- posing is hard work!


*PHOTO BY CELESTE HINES

GIG ESSENTIALS: THE ROYAL CHECKLIST

Even the most experienced dancers have shown up at gigs and forgotten an essential item for their show...be it finger cymbals, a costume piece or even music...we've all been there! In order to prevent such snafu's, I have a gig check-list on my computer that I refer to every time I do a show... and though that's almost every day for me, i still need to make sure I packed everything I will need for my show.

In the "olden days", when I was a baby dancer, I needed my list just to be sure I hadn't forgotten anything...nowadays I need it cause I'm in a perpetual state of Jet Lag!
So... thought I'd share my basic gig checklist with you:


1) COSTUME: All pieces including: bra, belt, skirt, choli top, veil, any accessories and any jewelry you wear for your shows.

2) MUSIC: Your routine on iPod, CD and possibly even a cassette ( yes, there are places that still use them!) also,a back-up CD and also a second or third musical selection (just in case another dancer is using the same music, or if you need more or less performance time

3) SOUND: iPod, computer or boom box (if you are performing at a place with no sound system-check before hand so there are no surprises)

4) FINGER CYMBALS (if you use them) and make sure that you have all four, with good, new eleastic)

5) PROPS: cane, sword, pots, shamadan or candelabra (with extra candles and matches!) Isis Wings…whatever props you may be using

6) CAFTAN OR COVER-UP: For warmth as well as for keeping your costume covered as you move through the crowd pre and post-show

7) SHOES: Ballet slippers, Hermes sandals, ballroom shoes- whatever you prefer- just in case your performance floor surface is dirty, un-even or potentially dangerous: pebbles, broken glass, rough and splintery, etc.

8) SMALL TOWEL: An essential for post-show mop-up

9) MAKE-UP BAG: Containing at the very least, powder, lipstick, eye-liner and eye/lip pencils)

10) DIRECTIONS AND A CONTACT NUMBER FOR YOUR EVENT: Enough said…use GPS, if you have it!

** HAIR AND MAKE-UP SHOULD BE FULLY FINISHED BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE! AT SOME GIGS, MIRROR SPACE IS AT A PREMIUM BECAUSE OF MULTIPLE DANCERS; AT OTHERS, THE DrESSING AREA MAY BE DARK OR MAY NOT EVEN HAVE A MIRROR...BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY!

You should also pack a small dance-bag “emergency kit” and keep it in your suitcase, with the following items:
1) Small portable sewing kit
2) Safety pins- all sizes. Diaper pins work best for holding heavy dance belts.
3) Bobby pins
4) Feminine protection
5) Aspirin or Ibuprofen
6) Band-aids at the very least, a small first aid kit is better
7) Breath mints
8) Hair brush and comb, assorted bobby pins, clips and hair ties
9) Hair spray or mousse
10) Body glitter....this may not be an "emergency item" for you, but it is for me!
11) Deodorant and/or perfume
12) Travel pack of baby-wipes

AN EXCERCISE IN SURREALISM

Anyone who is even the slightly Internet-savvy knows that tags and key words are important in directing traffic to your web site. So, after every article I put up on this blog, I add in the key words and tags that are relevant to the story I am posting, to make it easier for people to find the information on my site when they are searching the web. Of course, I routinely use phrases like “belly dance”, “raqs sharqi”, “costume construction”, “Egyptian dance” and so on.

Recently, while analyzing my web stats, I looked up my Key Word Analysis, and it seems that all my tags are working just fine.

However, there is another stat-counting tool called Recent Key Word Activity, of which I wasn’t aware. This function shows the words or phrases people type in on their own, which also directs them to your site.

Curious about this, I looked up my Recent Key Word Activity…and to say I was AMUSED is putting it lightly. I almost fell off my chair, or, in texting/chatting lingo I was ROTFLAO ( translation: Rolling On The Floor Laughing My Ass Off ).

The bad spelling and broken English in the Recent Key Word Activity wasn’t even the best part- it was the pure, unadulterated psychosis of the phrases... not to mention the fact that people are actually spending their time searching for this obviously extremely important information!

I will share a few of the best phrases here, the Top Ten… saving the best for last. Please note that every single phrase is copied exactly as it appeared on my stats.

#10. “BREAK DANCE CAIRO WHITE CROW”

#9. “CIRCUS FOOD SELLER COSTUME”

#8. “WOMAN EVIL MAKE-UP”

#7. “EGYPTIAN AIR FLIGHT ATTENDANT DRESS”

#6. “PRINCESSES WHO CHANGED TIME”

#5. “DISCO IN CAIRO FOR BALK POEPPLE”

#4. “DRAG QUEEN FACE WHITENING TIPS”

#3. “ ANIMAL FARHANA WINGS AND PANTIES”

#2. “ARABS WOMEN HEAVY HIP SEXY DANCE”

#1. “EGYTIAN DANCER FIFI ABDOU FUCK”

EEK! IS THAT ME? USING VIDEOTAPE AS A DANCE TRAINING TOOL

Watching your own performances is probably one of the best learning tools possible for your continuing dance training. When you watch a videotape of yourself in rehearsal or performance, everything you are doing becomes crystal clear, from blatant mistakes to wonderful moments of perfection. By monitoring your own performances on videotape, you can clearly and objectively see your “dance truth”. In other words, it will enable you to see exactly what is right-as well as wrong- with your artistic practice . Sloppy technique, missed cues, personal tics, and every little mistake you make during your performance become illuminated. Things you may have missed or not “heard” in class or during a critique are quite obvious on videotape…but then, that is precisely why you are doing this to begin with!

Oh, it’s not easy to watch yourself. Many professionals with years of experience still find it uncomfortable to view themselves on film. When reviewing your own performance, try to avoid negative self-criticism, or comparing yourself with others…because the main reason you are doing this is to improve. Often, we are toughest on ourselves, and sometimes even merciless. Don’t beat yourself up or try to match yourself against others. Know that there will always be dancers who are more talented, younger, prettier, more technically gifted, or who own more lavish costumes than you do. This is a given. Why compare yourself to others and take the joy out of something rewarding and artistic that makes you happy? Competition can be healthy, but setting unrealistic goals about the many things you actually cannot change is harmful, as is denigrating yourself for no valid reason. As an individual, no matter who you are, you have many truly unique things to offer. If you seem to be having a tough time mastering a step or feel like you are not progressing the way you think you ought to be, take a deep breath and realize that you are your own worst critic. Others will never, ever see you or judge you in the harsh way you see yourself! Strive to be the best that you-and you alone- can be…and then cut yourself some slack.

For years, I cringed every time I watched a recorded performance of my own. Now, even after releasing numerous instructional and performance DVDs, it’s still hard for me sometimes, but I have learned to become neutral, almost like a casual third party observer. I go through a taped performance or rehearsal a few times and observe what I did, and then as objectively as I can, take notes the way a director would, observing what was good, and what wasn’t, what stays in the performance or what needs to be removed or re-worked. I evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in the performance and then assess what can be improved. Often during this process, inspiration would hit me like the proverbial lightning bolt, and I thought of completely new ways of interpreting music I had been working with for ages. Seeing myself dancing on tape taught me things about my dancing that no teacher could, and it will be invaluable to you for clearly discerning both the flaws and the strong points as you develop in your individual dance growth.

There is an upside to this, too. Often you will notice great things about your dancing that were never apparent to you when you were dancing. You will find that you might have mastered a perfectly executed a combination which you never thought you’d get, or that you have a dazzling smile, beautiful evocative gestures, or made a wonderfully quick and seamless recovery from a mishap. Sometimes, there are even moments of sheer magic-you might well see yourself doing something amazing onstage that you never, ever would think you’d be capable of!

Viewing yourself dancing on videotape becomes much easier after you have done it a few times, trust me. After a while, you may even look forward to analyzing your performances. So bite the bullet, and give it a whirl.