Hip Hop Bellydance's topics - tribe.net

DC: saturday bellydance workshop series

ebyland — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:15:02 GMT

these are drop in workshops. it's a different dance topic every week!

http://saharadance.com/workshops/

here's what's coming up:

Undulations and Swirly Movements
Explore the slow and sensual side of belly dance. Guaranteed to be a deeply muscular, core workout! Learn taqsim combinations to put movements into musical context. Taqsim refers to a solo, instrumental piece or section of music, often improvised. Hypnotic and introspective, some believe the soul or essence of a dancer is revealed while performing to a taqsim. Learn to recognize the instruments most often used in a taqsim, and how to reflect the music in your dance.
Date(s): Saturday, January 26, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Laura Kelch
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Arabic Rhythm Review and Drum Solo
Open to all levels! Review the basic Arabic Rhythms and learn a vibrant and upbeat drum solo choreography, full of accents and shimmies. Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.
Date(s): Saturday, February 2, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Yvette
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Egyptian Dance Intensive: Yousry and Nourhan Sharif
Egyptian Dance Intensive with Yousry Sharif and Nourhan Sharif.
12 hours of Egyptian dance!
Friday, February 1
7:30 - 9:30 pm: Nourhan Sharif
Discussion, Q & A, and Dance Workshop: Dance stylizations: Understanding the difference between Lebanese, Turkish and Egyptian Belly Dance
Saturday, February 2
2:30 - 7:00 pm: Yoursy Sharif
Oriental Choreography (30 minute break at 4:30—bring light snacks)
Sunday, February 3
1:00 - 5:30 pm - Yoursy Sharif
Oriental Choreography (30 minute break at 3:00—bring light snacks)
5 :30 - 7:30 pm - Nourhan Sharif
Discussion, Q & A, and Dance Workshop: Understanding and creating a traditional 5-part cabaret set
Location: Sahara Dance Silver Spring
(Metro Accessible)

Egyptian Dance Intensive: 12 Hours of Egyptian Dance
(includes all 4 workshops)
Cost: $225 before January 11 / $250 thereafter

Single Workshop Registrations
Yousry Workshops
One Day: $90 before January 11/ $110 thereafter

Both Days: $160 before January 11 / $180 thereafter

Nourhan Workshops
One Day: $40 before January 11 / $55 thereafter

Both Days: $70 before January 11 / $100 thereafter

Jazz-Belly Fusion!
Join Colleen in discovering a creative new way to expand your belly dance. Learn dance combinations inspired by “old-school” jazz style, 80’s Flashdance fun, and traditional raqs sharqi movement. Be prepared to step out of your self and electrify your dance. Choreography is structured to be accessible to beginner students, offering modifications to challenge advanced dancers.
Date(s): Saturday, February 9, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Colleen
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Introduction to Belly Dance
Discover the timeless beauty and joy of this organic dance. Students will learn basic technique including lifted stance and posture, shimmies, isolations, undulations and traveling steps. Class will include a brief introduction to the history, context and philosophy of belly dance. Come celebrate femininity through an ancient, life-embracing art!
No prior experience necessary.
Date(s): Saturday, February 16, 2008
Time(s): 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Teacher(s): Rachel Kay Brookmire
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $20 in advance / $30 at door

Arms, Breath and Upper Body Movement
Infuse your dance with subtlety and grace. Experience how attention to breath can open movement, creating fluidity and connection. Specific focus will be on elegant arm and upper body carriage. Open to all levels! Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.
Date(s): Saturday, February 16, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Rachel Kay Brookmire
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Oriental Turns and Traveling Steps
Add dynamism to your dance with spins, turns and floor patterns. Learn combinations of traveling steps and turns most frequently used belly dance. Specific attention will be given to spotting, turn technique and Oriental stylization. Open to all levels! Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.
Date(s): Saturday, February 23, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Elysa
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Introduction to Zills (Finger Cymbals)
Learn introductory finger cymbal technique, patterns and movement combinations. Designed and highly recommended to prepare students for the Low Intermediate II Sahara Dance technique class, this workshop is a great way to begin developing technical proficiency with finger cymbals. No previous finger cymbal experience is required.
Prerequisite: Completion of Sahara Dance Beginner II technique or permission of teacher
Date(s): Saturday, March 1, 2008
Time(s): 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Teacher(s): Melissa
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Live Drum Solo Performance Workshop
Perform a live drum solo with Karim Nagi of Turbo Tabla! Karim will teach the basic principles of improvising to a live drum solo, including entrances, endings, dancer-drummer communication, common rhythms and corresponding movements. Participants will have the opportunity to perform an informal, 2 minute drum solo with Karim at the Sahara Dance Hafla that same evening (no costumes, just party clothes and a hip scarf ;)).
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience the thrill of performing to live percussion! Limited space available.
Prerequisite: 1 year of study in belly dance.
Date(s): Saturday, March 8, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $50

Egyptian Cane Combinations
Raqs Al Assaya, a cheerful dance from the Sa’id (Upper Egypt), the dancer twirls a cane in playful imitation of the men’s regional martial art. (The men’s version, Tahtihb, is performed with heavy staffs.) Raqs Al Assaya may be presented as folkloric dance, or elements of this dance may be adapted for cabaret-style Oriental dance. Elysa will teach basic cane vocabulary, fun combinations and a short Sa’idi choreography. Students need to provide canes for class. A few canes will be available for purchase at the studio.
Prerequisite: Competency with basic cane technique required.
Date(s): Saturday, March 15, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Elysa
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Urban Tribal Fusion
Join Ebony in exploring a fun and unique spin on contemporary belly dance. Learn dance combinations which fuse modern urban styles and the ancient art of raqs sharqi. Build coordination, work on isolating movements, and expand your dance style with locks and waves. This class will be high energy, prepare to sweat and have fun. Choreography is structured to be accessible to beginner students, offering modifications to challenge advanced dancers.
Date(s): Saturday, March 22, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Ebony
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

A Fancy Weekend Spectacular
Starring live, in person, The Indigo…
Rachel Brice
Mardi Love
Zoe Jakes

Two studios, three days, 12 workshops, 1 show
Details coming soon
Date(s): March 28, 29, 30
Location: Sahara Dance Silver Spring
(Metro Accessible)
Shimmies!
An Afternoon of Coin Jingling, Fringe Flying Fun! Can you count them all? Come and review what you already know or learn a new way to jiggle. Guaranteed to be a great workout. Open to all levels! Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.
Date(s): Saturday, March 29, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Allyson
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Introduction to Tribal Belly Dance
This workshop will introduce the fundamentals of Sahara Style Tribal, characterized by rhythm-based combinations, structured improvisation and folkloric fusions. Ideal for those curious about tribal belly dance and/or interested in joining Raqs Caravan West. Tribal dancers share basic movement vocabulary, standard dance formations, improvisational cues and transitions to create pieces improvisationally as a tribe. Tribal dance often fosters friendships; a strong sense of community can evolve from improvising as a group.
Prerequisite: Beginner II Belly Dance and above.
Date(s): Saturday, April 5, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Ami
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Veil Choreography
Drawing from modern Egyptian-style entrances, dance elegant traveling combinations and incorporate seamless veil transitions, turns and wafting, as you learn a complete veil choreography. Veils will be available for purchase in class.
Prerequisite: Some previous belly dance experience.
Date(s): Saturday, April 12, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Jennifer
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Layering
Layered movements can add intricacy and depth to your dance. Learn techniques and combinations to effortlessly combine two or more belly dance movements. Open to all levels! Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.
Date(s): Saturday, April 19, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Jennifer
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Introduction to Belly Dance
Discover the timeless beauty and joy of this organic dance. Students will learn basic technique including lifted stance and posture, shimmies, isolations, undulations and traveling steps. Class will include a brief introduction to the history, context and philosophy of belly dance. Come celebrate femininity through an ancient, life-embracing art!
No prior experience necessary.
Date(s): Saturday, April 26, 2008
Time(s): 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Teacher(s): Rachel Kay Brookmire
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $20 in advance / $30 at door

Stage Make Up, Costuming and Presentation
Perform with professional, polished and stunning stage presentation! Learn the basics of theatrical make up application and belly dance costuming for stage. Designed to help dancers look their best under bright lights, learn contouring, accessorizing, common mistakes, flattering fits, eyelash application and other tricks of the trade. Dancers are encouraged to bring their own make up collections and/or costumes for experimentation.
Date(s): Saturday, April 26, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Rachel Kay Brookmire
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

Latin-Belly Fusion
Expand your dance repertoire with Latin-belly fusion! Learn fun dance combinations that fuse salsa, bachata, and other Latin styles with the ancient art of raqs sharqi. Open to all levels! Choreography is structured to be accessible to beginner students, offering modifications to challenge advanced dancers.
Date(s): Saturday, May 3, 2008
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Melissa
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $30 in advance / $40 at door

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 0 replies

tons of DROP IN bellydance workshops this week

ebyland — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:28:22 GMT

saharadance.com/workshops/

All this week! Take your pick from the drop in workshops listed below. There's something for everyone and they're all around 20-30 bucks.

Introduction to Belly Dance
Introduction to American Tribal Belly Dance
Introduction to Tribal Sword
Egyptian Cane Combinations
Introduction to Zills (Finger Cymbals)
Zills (Brush-Up!) Choreography
Intermediate Brush-Up
Intermediate / Advanced Zills Workshop
Beginner II Brush-Up
Low Intermediate Brush-Up
Beginner I Brush-Up

Other upcoming workshops:

Urban Tribal Fusion
Undulations and Swirly Movements
Arabic Rhythm Review and Drum Solo
Egyptian Dance Intensive: Yousry and Nourhan Sharif
Jazz-Belly Fusion!
Arms, Breath and Upper Body Movement
Oriental Turns and Traveling Steps
The Indigo: A Fancy Weekend Spectacular
Shimmies!
Introduction to Tribal Belly Dance
Veil Choreography
Layering
Stage Make Up, Costuming and Presentation
Latin-Belly Fusion
Live Drum Solo Performance Workshop
Egyptian Cane Combinations

...that's alot of dancing...

saharadance.com/workshops/

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 0 replies

Nubian Moon Daughters Workshop Nov 18 @ DDLC in Bordentown, NJ

alexia — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:23:22 GMT

From Congo to Cairo with Arianna al Tiye
Explore the African - Middle Eastern connection in dance

November 18, 2007
2:00 - 5:00pm
$60 by Nov 9 $65 after
*Bring water

Register Now!
http://www.drumdancecenter.com//newsltr.html

Arianna Halima al Tiye' is of East Afrikan descent and hails from New York City. She began her studies in Afrikan Dance over 30 years ago, when she began studying with her mother, a former dancer, choreographer and award-wining painter. Later, Arianna became a member of the student body of dancers at Ballet Hispanco and The Alvin Ailey School of Dance. In addition to studying dance in the United States, she has researched, performed and studied dance internationally for over 10 years in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Orient, and in the Mediterranean. She is considered a leading performer and authority in her field of dance, and conducts workshops throughout the United States. Some of her dance performance credits include: "The African Diaspora and World Conference", 2003-04 Olympics in Greece - World Music Institute, Viva Brazil - Girls from Ipanema, "Fusion": Tribute concert to Carlos Santana, Essence Awards,"In Search of A Goddess": Inspirations of the Divine Enchantress Ruth St.. Denis - Off Broadway Production.

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 0 replies

Percussion

Aneaj — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:45:20 GMT

I've noticed that if I'm dancing to a hiphop song there I have a tendancy to treat the vocal as as percussion. Is this common in HHBD?

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 1 reply

costumes for sale

bellydancecostumesbytc — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 17:04:23 GMT

I have costumes for sale on my website email me for more info on anything you like tcsdance@aol.com
buy anything befor Oct 1st and will ship for free (US only)
thanks
TC
www.bellydancecostumesbytc.com
or check the pics in my profile
reply to this post

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 0 replies

Curiouser and curiouser...

Jenna — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 18:57:34 GMT

about Hip Hop belly dance. Do any of you have video clips you'd be willing to share? I'm curious as to what makes Hip Hop belly dance a different genre, whether music or movements or both. It would be awesome to observe it in action!

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 0 replies

Weekly urban fusion class...

ebyland — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:20:44 GMT

Fall classes at Sahara (DC) start on Sept 4th.

http://saharadance.com/classes/

I'll be teaching urban fusion again on saturdays, we had a lot of fun last term.

Ebony

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 8 replies

In search of a hip-hop dance class...

goddessfrochic — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 07:34:19 GMT

[Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but...]

I have been wanting to work out and get fit for a while now, but I lack the money to join a gym. Also working out on my own (going for walks, doing sit-ups at home, etc) doesn't work for me. I need to do something I enjoy and that will be fun which will also get me in shape.

And I LOVE to dance!!! So...

Online I have seen a few places that offer free beginner classes for various dance styles, but I haven't seen any for hip-hop. I live in San Jose, CA... so if anyone has any suggestions or know of any places that I could go, that would be great. I would go to San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Campbell, Mountain View or even Palo Alto... but I would prefer something close to home (meaning the San Jose/Milpitas area).

I also have an interest in bellydancing, hula, and salsa, but I think hip-hop will be a good start.

I'd appreciate any help you can give me... and if you know of any places that offer other free dance classes for any other style I've mentioned or you'd think I'd enjoy, go ahead and share those as well.

I'm looking for classes that start after a standard 8a - 5p work day and anytime on the weekends.

Thanks.

Have Goodness!
Rae

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 0 replies

BD to this song?

Meghan — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:25:09 GMT

Ok I am just hearing this song now but apparently it has been out since 2005. Wow I am not up on the music like I thought. It is called hip roll by Ray-Ray. Ok if you know of the song or download it from one of the sites would you BD to it?

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 3 replies

Movements

Aneaj — Thu, 31 May 2007 20:23:54 GMT

I wanted to know what makes your movements hiphop bellydance as to opposed to just bellydance. As in different styles, attitude and music come into play, but I would like to know if you execute the movements differently or not? Why or why not?

We could probably start individual topics on each movement.

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 2 replies

Venezia at MamaSita Studios

Aneaj — Tue, 29 May 2007 14:24:03 GMT

I took Venezia's Hip Hop Belly Dance class at BOCA Fest. She is in awesome instructor. Check her out if you're in the D.C. Area.

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 7 replies

Unmata Hip Hop

Christina — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 17:23:03 GMT

I really enjoyed this, although some moves are hard to see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng9ZkueP0fs

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 2 replies

Turkish Hip Hop

Aneaj — Mon, 21 May 2007 20:45:42 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov3r8id6Ls0

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 1 reply

Dancing to what?

Aneaj — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 19:48:29 GMT

I've been listening to some hometown underground by Dante Innferno. They're having a concert on April 20. Its making me do some big staccato movements with sneaky hip accents.

So, what are you dancing to and how?

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 16 replies

Lyrics II

Aneaj — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 13:45:25 GMT

We addressed profanity on the lyrics topic, but with the recent newstories I thought a new discussion might be in order. What does everyone think about the use of the h & b word in American Hip hop? Would you bd to a song that had either of those words in it? Why or why not? Are you putting on a character by dancing to such songs or are you completely ignoring those words and just dancing?

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 4 replies

Introductions

Aneaj — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 15:02:34 GMT

Hi everyone!

I'm Aneaj. I think that this tribe is very important and wanted to get to know the members.

This will also be a place start some dialogue about this genre, feel free to post your introduction.

Hugz

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 16 replies

Heather Stants

Amethyst-of-Baya — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 00:14:50 GMT

Heather Stants recently taught a workshop in Pittsburgh, and it rocked!
She fuses hip-hop and bellydance very nicely.

If you have a chance to take a workshop from her, please do!

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 3 replies

Straight out of Palastine

Aneaj — Tue, 01 May 2007 13:03:13 GMT

Found this on youtube. More of documentary than a video. Let me know what you think!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rdS8zNp3ow

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 1 reply

morocco-hip hop

Amethyst-of-Baya — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 05:37:44 GMT

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4kKcimKSjAo

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 2 replies

DJ Rupture and Filistine mixes

asim — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 02:28:34 GMT

[Cross-posted w/edits to Hip-Hop Bellydance tribe]

Sorry to "join and post", yet I thought I was already a member...silly Asim.

Anyway, like I was saying over at Belly Dance Electronica, I'm astonished that many dancers I know haven't heard of these guys. Not quite electronica, or world music, or hip-hop, or a lot of different things, I think my description of Filistine goes for both -- "one of the good guys in the realm of world music re-workings and re-imaginings, and the set is an amazing, high-powered drill, pokin’ holes in the walls separating cultures."
They both have a bunch of free music online, and I made two recent posts in my dance blog, APOSTATE, that point to some of that music:

http://apostate.raqsstorm.org/?p=64
http://apostate.raqsstorm.org/?p=65

Thoughts?

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 2 replies

Performance

Surayyah — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 00:24:48 GMT

So a good friend of mine has been intrigued by my bellydance and he wants me to be sort of a "back-up" dancer at a hip-hop showcase he's doing next month. I'm totally down for this, but I'm looking for a way to fuse the two in such a way as to both showcase my skills and complement his musical style, but not look like the backup dancer ho in the video, know what I mean??

Any suggestions?

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 9 replies

Being Silly

Aneaj — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 15:51:50 GMT

Do you use humor in your dance?

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 4 replies

Mixtapes

Aneaj — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 17:01:43 GMT

I got this from the Underground Hip Hop tribe. I think this goes beyond Hiphop.

www.nytimes.com/2007/01/18...18dram.html

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 5 replies

New NW event!

Sambutra — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 16:45:26 GMT

Hey ladies & gents!

Check out this new tribe!

http://tribes.tribe.net/fusionfest2007

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 0 replies

Please Help this Dinosaur!~!

RavenBly — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 02:36:36 GMT

I don't know what the latest Hip Hop belly dance tune/music is, but I want to purchase some of the music .
Please give me some names. I would like to expose my classes to it. Are there any steps that are named in the name of Hip Hop, just as everyone has named the different steps of belly dance ???? Are African Countries Mentioned, and I mean the Sudan part, the Black Part ??

Tha inquisitive Raven :-D

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 4 replies

many related topics, long post!

Amethyst-of-Baya — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 10:32:23 GMT

This is quite a long post here...but I'm doing all this thinking about hip hop bellydance, raver bellydance, breakdancing, and traditional bellydance...and how it's all connected. I was reading the posts in the "introductions" thread, and went off on this long ramble about how I feel about Hip Hop Bellydance and our other fusion styles...etc. etc., in reaction to what people posted there...

here goes my ramble, for anyone with some time on their hands for a long read:

Just a simple thought...
That BellyBreak clip didn't have any breakdancing in it.
I kept waiting to see her get down to a new level rather than just standing up the whole time.
When I think of breakdancing, I think of the "on the floor" tricks and positions, not just standing on two feet.
I did see her do some hip hop moves, but breakdancing takes hip hop moves to a new level, changing one's height and dimension.
I wouldn't exactly call that breakdancing, I'd call it hip hop fusion.

I'm not at all insulting the dancer!-- just mentioning I think it should be labeled differently so as not to misrepresent what breakdancers do...I think it should be called hip hop bellydance, what she does, and not breakdancing.

I've really been trying to find some breakdance/bellydance clips to watch, with breakdancing in the traditional sense of the word, when the dancers use their hands on the ground and feet in the air rather than just feet on the ground and hands in the air.
I really want to see that kind of fusion...does anyone know of any clips I can watch of that?

Someone mentioned a teacher looking down on their hip hop bellydance...
About fusion: SOME more traditional bellydancers look down on our fusion styles because some American dancers don't ever learn the roots of bellydance before doing fusion styles, and are sometimes completely unfamiliar with any of the tradition behind the dance style we are changing, and it is important to know where a dance comes from before we completely change it. After 9 years of being an American bellydancer, I still am just now learning things that I should have learned from day 1, things I wish I would have been taught, about traditional bellydance and music.

Me--I'm all about freedom of expression through dance, and I agree with what Samira said, that true dance and art requires innovation and progression. Just as other countries fused Roma dance with their own country's styles to end up with their own country's classic or traditional styles, America is doing that, too. We are fusing it with our own culture's styles and moves, and forming America's unique versions of the dance. We're doing the same thing that other countries have done, but much later than they did it, with much more fusion, and with many more styles and moves which are unfamiliar to tradtional egyptian, turkish or roma dance (such as breakdancing, "liquid" and other raver moves, which probably look pretty strange to very traditional bellydancers, etc. etc.).

But, these fusion styles are so beautiful to us, and so true and dear to our American culture. The music, costuming and presentation styles we use in America are sometimes completely different and very far away from what traditional bellydancers are used to.

SO--I try to understand where people are coming from, and understand why they judge what we do as American fusion artists.
BUT--Dance is freedom. We are being true to our own culture and to our own souls by dancing to the music that touches, moves and expresses us.

If you take the soul out of dance, there is no point in dancing. We put our soul into our dancing, and so it is true dance. So do traditionalists, which is why they are also protective of what they do with the danceform.
The soul of dance is very passionate, and sometimes it's easy for people to get so caught up in their own view and passion for something that they forget to realize that just because something is different from what touches them, doesn't mean it's any less important, spiritual, or cultural than their own version.

As an American fusion artist, I want traditionalists to respect what we do and realize it's important to us.
I also want us fusionists to learn and respect more about the tradition, music, culture and costuming of the countries who brought us the love of our lives--bellydance.
I think it's important for us to preserve and respect the tradition in the gift (bellydance) that was brought to us by other countries.
I think we should always strive to learn more about the roots of our dance, while still allowing ourselves to love and enjoy the freedom and expression we experience by fusing bellydance with our awesome American dance styles.

I think we fusionists should learn enough so that we could put on a traditional costume, dance traditional ways to traditional music and preserve the original bellydance forms...but, then we should be free and happy enough to change out of those clothes, put on our raver-hip-hop-breakdancing-whatever clothing, put on some kick *ss drum n bass, pull out the glowsticks or hats, and let our souls reach a new level while we get lost in the music and our bodies become the music that we relate to on our own spiritual levels, presenting the audience with our incredibly rockin' American fusion bellydance styles.

I'm a raver! I love electronic music way too much to ever let myself be restricted to only dancing in the traditional sense of bellydance.
I love my glow toys, raver pants, hip hop beats, drum n bass, weird and quirky sounds, raver-bellydance moves and American/European rave culture. I can't let that go, it is a crucial part of what makes my bellydancing life feel so good.
My electronic music that may sound so foreign and weird to some people, to me sounds so deep, spiritual and amazing. It touches my soul and life energy just the same as an arabic rhythm touches the egyptian bellydancer's soul.
Traditional bellydancers can hear the heartbeat in a drum, the same as a raver can hear the heartbeat in techno.

I also love bellydance and it's traditional roots too much to let my american fusion styles bury the beautiful, equally-as-important and amazing styles of other countries. I don't want to water down something so beautiful and incredible, I love their styles as much as I love my own styles!

I think traditionalists, fusionists, and those without any recognized label should all just ACCEPT AND LOVE ALL FORMS of bellydance!
Bellydance is amazing in it's many flavors, and makes the soul shine and sparkle! Everyone's energy is different and is touched, expressed and brought to life by different music, sounds, moods and dance. One style isn't "better" than another. Bellydance is beautiful, no matter what!

:)

I keep talking about electronica--I know this is a hip hop bellydance tribe, and not an electronic music tribe...But, there is a close connection between the two. Breakdancers can be found at raves, some ravers can breakdance, drum n bass is a common thread, etc. etc.

How about some Trip-Hop bellydance!
Anyone like that?
I looooove trip-hop music.

Love and Bellyrolls,
Amethyst

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 1 reply

Hip Hop Kulture

Aneaj — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 14:58:04 GMT

Every so often I stop by the tribe KRS-One Edutainment. There was a link to www.templeofhiphop.org The website explains the Kulture of Hiphop. I'm happy to see this website, since mainstream thinks that Hiphop lives and dies with pop style rap, there is more to it than that.

Check out the site and let me know what you think and how it relates to Hiphop Bellydance.

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 2 replies

arabic and israeli hip hop

Amethyst-of-Baya — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 19:16:39 GMT

Arabic hip hop:
Song: "Moi et Toi"
Artist: Abdel Ali Slimani
Album: Arabic Grooves (Putumayo World Music)
Notes: I love this song, the whole thing isn't hip hop, but has a little hip hop/rap section. Other versions of this song don't have the hip hop part in them, but I think the one on this album is the one with the hip hop verse.

Israeli hip hop:

Wikipedia has an article about it, here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_hip_hop#Hadag_Nahash

Also, my friend Rachel told me about this group called Hadag Nahash (Sometimes spelled other ways such as Hadad Nachash, etc.).
My absolute favorite song of theirs, I love it soooo much, is called "Chalifot" which means "Suits".
The lyrics to suits can be found here:
http://www.hebrewsongs.com/?song=chalifot
It has both a male and female lyric part of the song, like much of American Hip Hop.
It's a beautiful song, very addictive.

Unfortunately, I can't find the song "Chalifot" on youtube, but Rachel told me some others are on there. Some of their songs I don't like, but some I do. Here is one of their songs on YouTube:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GP3DZn87_Ws&mode=related&search=
(Eyze Keif)

Darn it! I really wish the song "Chalifot" was on YouTube, so you all could hear it. It's great.
My friend has the cd, but I think she bought it when she was in Israel.

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 0 replies

Lyrics

Aneaj — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 15:16:00 GMT

Just as in the Arabic music often some dancers do not look up the meaning to the song that they dance to. I 've done this. I had danced to a song and thought it was a lovely ballad professing love. Later, I found out that it was a jilted lover and he was not very nice about the girl who dumped him.

Have you belly danced to Hip hop without reading the lyrics and/or once you found out what the lyrics were to a certain song, did that change your interpretation?

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 8 replies

Seeking Breakdancer and Ravers

Amethyst-of-Baya — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 08:58:35 GMT

I'm hosting a show called ElectroBelly in Pittsburgh, in the summer, and I still need:

-Breakdancer(s)
-Impressive Hula Hooper(s)
-Raver who dances with toys or props such as glowsticks, light-up toys, etc.
-someone who does Poppin' and Lockin'

If anyone wants to audition, message me for further details.

thanks,
Amethyst

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 2 replies

Tribe to be deleted

IdraIyah — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 07:46:44 GMT

This notice is to inform all members of my intention to delete this tribe as soon as I can. My reasons include the impending arrival of my first child & the fact that this tribe has been very slow. Unless someone else would like to be appointed moderator, I will have it deleted by the end of the week. Thanks for joining. Let me know if you are interested in the "job". First person to reply will be appointed.

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 1 reply

Music

srichardson — Sun, 09 Apr 2006 05:06:34 GMT

So what are you guys dancing to?

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 10 replies

What is your definition of Hip hop bellydance?

Aneaj — Mon, 22 May 2006 19:58:55 GMT

After taking both bellydance and hip hop classes I've noticed that there are very distinct movements that make hip hop that is the very opposite of certain styles of bellydance.

So what is the definition of Hip hop bellydance?

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 3 replies

What have you been dancing to?

IdraIyah — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 22:56:49 GMT

I've been listening & experimenting to Dead Prez, Lyrics Born & the latest Damian Marley. How about you all? What moves your soul & your hips?

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 4 replies

so glad to have you all here

IdraIyah — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 08:37:54 GMT

I mean it! I'm truly stoked to see this little community growing & I give thanks to the Creator (by whatever name you choose, I say JAH) for so many cool peeps checking out the phenomenon that I'm sure will be Hip Hop Bellydance. Thanks for being here, everyone!

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 5 replies

Article Found on www.gomamasita.com

IdraIyah — Sun, 01 Jan 2006 09:34:42 GMT

'Hip Hop Bellydance' is the hottest dance/fitness sensation in the DC metro area. And MamaSita is the only place to get it!

Hip Hop Bellydance was created by combining traditional belly dance moves with "old and new skool" hip hop moves. Classes are taught to hip-hop, Go-Go, dancehall, Latin hip-hop and traditional bellydance music infused with hip-hop and RB beats. If you've always wanted to belly dance, and enjoy the hottest music out, then join the fun in the "hippest" class around.

Each class will include a "Work It" warm-up, and a mini choreographed routine. Interested students may also be selected to perform at the 2nd annual BOCAFEST (checkout www.bellydancersofcolor.org for more info).

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 0 replies

Blessings, All!

IdraIyah — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 11:01:42 GMT

I am currently located in Portland, Oregon. I am formulating in my mind a way to fuse the conscious hip hop I love with the intoxicating beats of bellydance music, old & new. In fact, most of the dancing I do in my home now is to hip hop, & it really flows! I am interested in getting together, & possibly forming a unique troupe, with like-minded dancers in the area. I am also desperately in need of a mixmaster to produce these fusion beats for me, without charging me an arm & a leg! Any interest?

posted in Hip Hop Bellydance - 3 replies