Hi Pandora~

I was there on Sunday (not participating), and it sounded like a basic Beledi rhythm...is that right? If you send me your e-mail address, I have a short, 2 minute basic drum solo that might work for you, I'll be more than happy to send it to you...

~Yasmin (from Vegas)

When choosing the speed of your music as a beginner, your comfort level is most important. You need the music to be slow enough that you can get your body to execute the moves as technically correct as possible (so you don't lose control and end up flailing), yet not so slow that your lack of fluidity and inevitable minor mistakes stick out. Personally, I found it easiest to start at the slower end of medium, so I could do the moves I knew well, then have the tempo pick up toward the end so I could shimmy and move around the stage.

As for choreography, are you someone who needs to know EXACTLY what you are doing at all times, or can you map out approximately what you'd like to do (okay, I want to start with mayas layered with snake arms, then a roll-down...) and let the music lead you? The majority of the seasoned dancers I've met don't rigidly choreograph (if they choreograph at all), and enjoy the energy that the spontaneity adds to the dance. While you haven't been dancing for 5, 10, 20 years, you've had enough classes that you have a basic vocabulary of moves. It might help to write them all down, so you have a menu to choose from. Select the moves you do best, that you enjoy doing most, or that are particularly impressive (for example, my daughter always threw in belly rolls and full laybacks because it amazed the audience to see a little girl perform them so effortlessly). Then start putting them together, feeling which moves flow well into one another, which moves are naturally suggested by the move that proceeded it. Watch seasoned dancers for clues. You'll see, for example, that Egyptian with a full turn ends well in a choo-choo, which gives you a moment to collect yourself before launching into anther move. You'll also see that certain moves don't work well together, perhaps because you end up with your weight on the wrong foot, and it would feel (and look) awkward to try and cheat back to the correct foot. You also must become very familiar with the piece of music you have chosen, so that you can anticipate changes in rhythm or juicy accents that suggest the types of moves to insert there (for example, a roll down or shimmy for a drum roll, a hip pop for an accent, etc.). Start to fit the combos and moves you have chosen from your menu into the music, and be open to modifications you will feel inspired to make while really feeling the music. What you'll end up with is a sketch of the dance you will be doing, not a rigid choreography that you will end up counting steps for (at which point many beginners lose their stage face and end up looking tense and uncomfortable). Then there will be room for last-minute embellishment inspired by the experience of acutally being out there, dancing, interacting with the audience.

For Jiggy Hot, any basic 4- or 8-count rhythm would work (since the combo is broken down into 8-count sections). Yes, that would be beledi, saidi, etc. If you are stuck for music to practice with, an easy fix is to find it online. The Bellydance Superstars website has a player that lets you listen to the songs on their various CDs, for example, and there is a wide variety of music there. If you need the combo written out, I could send that on to you.

For costuming, if you are going for the "Oojahm" look, you can study the pictures of our most recent gig (the Las Vegas Renaissance Festival) for ideas. There are literally dozens of them: on Tribe (check out Oojahm member profiles), at renaissancefaire.net (the site operated by the photographer that follows us around), and in personal collections (i.e. mine, Marjhani's, etc.). The basic components are the entari (the long, fitted, chemise-type garment), the vest (can also be cut under the bust), the pants (baggy, "harem" pants or the ruffle pants), a full skirt (sometimes omitted), the belt, the dreads, the headcovering (worn while not dancing), and the facial tattoos. The entari is the hardest piece to find or fake, but my sister and I have permission to create these for Oojahm. We do standard sizing and custom-fit (which might work better for you, since you are shorter and curvier), and offer solid colors and stripes. We also make vests, skirts, etc., so if you end up needing pieces, let us know ASAP.

Cowry falls, headdresses, flowers, hairsticks, beaded tassels, belts and belt bases, etc. are all available online. Oojahm works alot with Tribal Bazaar (where the sari vests come from), but there are also private parties that sell on eBay, or even here on Tribe (check the bellydance costuming tribes), and you may find a better deal.

how important. is the oojahm look for the audition? I am making harem pants but that skirt is pretty expensive and my bf wont let me buy it, or anything else, unless I "make" the tribe. What is the best way to fake the look?