Shades Of Araby's topics - tribe.net

SCA- Known World Dance Symposium 2009

Safiya — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:54:15 GMT

For all our SCA friends out there, I'm happy to announce that the Known World Dance Symposium, a fabulous event that takes place every other year in places all over the "Known World" (it's been in various US locations, as well as the Australian continent!), will be held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (Kingdom of Ealdormere) from July 2nd-5th, 2009. This event focuses on dance, and to a lesser extent music, from the Middle Ages, and is packed with fabulous classes on actual dances, theory, history, along with opportunities to dance all night long, and generally geek out with people who are passionate about dancing!
There will be a focus on both European and Middle Eastern styles of dance, with classes during the days and haflas at night. We are currently in the process of looking for teachers for dance and music tracks. If you're interested in teaching Middle Eastern dance, performing, helping out, playing music, teaching music or coming out and learning and partying with us, please contact me here on tribe or Lord Darius (info below) for more information! We'd love to see you in Ealdormere next July!

Please see the flyer below for more information & feel free to contact me with any questions or to get involved!
-Safiya
coordinator of the Middle Eastern Program

Start Planning Now….
You Don’t Want to Miss It…
Pack your dancing shoes and your passport…

Ealdormere will Proudly Host

Known World Dance Symposium 2009
July 2 to 5, 2009

At McMaster University, Hamilton in Canada!

KWDSvii.org

Check the web site for more details as they evolve.

You can also contact Lord Darius the Dancer at: KWDSvii@gmail.com

Or by phoning 1-877-384-4938 it’s toll free!

European Dance Classes, Music Classes, Middle Eastern Dance Classes,

Theory and Discussions too

Where in the Known World is Hamilton?

Only 45 minutes west of the Big City of Toronto,
1hour and 20 minutes west of Buffalo New York,
3 hours east of Detroit Michigan
4 hours north from Pennsic!

Where would I stay?
McMaster University Residence Space will be available

Visitors Inn, on Main St. West in Hamilton is only a 5 min drive from the event site.

Hamilton Inn, also on Main St. West is very close too.

Or make a new friend and crash with a local.

posted in Shades Of Araby - 0 replies

Shades get Astrosexy at BellyUp!

Valizan — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:24:19 GMT

Hey all,

Yet another vid posted of us dancing Astrosexy. This time in the intimate confines of the BellyUp Bellydance studio in Oakville at the Gala grand opening with Mr. Jim Boz as the headliner.

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=4A4uTFOhFko

posted in Shades Of Araby - 2 replies

Dayton Daily News Interview!

Valizan — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 05:00:22 GMT

From Velvet Fifi here on Tribe:

Terry Morris, our local arts writer for the Dayton Daily News, a journalist trained in ballet by DCDC (that's pretty cool if you know anything about Dayton Ballet - who beat out NY and Houston several years running as best ballet company). Well... He did a really nice interview on Valizan, who's coming here this weekend. Turns out Terry was intrigued because of the journalist/dancer link...

http://www.activedayton.com/dayton/content/index/things-to-do/

posted in Shades Of Araby - 0 replies

Vali in Cali

Valizan — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:59:31 GMT

Hola Kiddies!

Just checking in from California where I'm in my final week of studies at FatChance. So far, I've had four classes with Carolena herself (totally charming and really knows her rules of hospitality!) a class with Sandi (Girlfriend WORKED me!) and today was my first of three classes with Kristine (Who also WORKED me into the ground... and I love it!) I will have one last class with Sandi on Wednesday before I head home.

So far, we've polished a lot of moves I already know, and I've learned a few new things about my body when I dance. 1. I have neck extention problems. 2. I need to pull my arms down even further. 3. I nitpick at too many of the details. 4. I need to totally drill my Turkish Shimmy (up on toes, check angle of chest, lift feet higher each time I step). If you are one of my students, count on a style revision the first chance I get my hands on you. :)))

Kristine also worked on some combo stuff with me that I can't wait to try out at home!

The only negatives so far on this trip has been the driving. Oy vey, four hours daily on the road! Two hours to San Francisco, and two hours back to Monterey. Today I took a wrong turn and took one of the most challenging drives I've taken in a long time. I missed a turn and ended up taking hwy 152 to Watsonville, which took me over a very windy road on a very high mountain. Uhm, say YIKES with me now...

YIKE!

I had been whining about taking hwy 17 (which is also windy and dangerous) but this one had me break a sweat while I was driving! I won't make THAT mistake again.

Other things I've done include going to Alkatraz. Wow... what a foreboding place. I highly recommend it if you are coming to the Bay area. Just make sure to make reservations because it was packed the Saturday I went.

Saw Chinatown and bought some nice new chopsticks and found another chopstick case.

Rode a cable car. Fun!

Saw FatChance in performance.

Saw Rachel Brice in a small bar. She was totally thrown off-guard when she saw me standing in the crush of people. She put her hands out, pushed them back and just stared at me for a moment before pulling me into a hug! :)))

Visited the divine Ms. Ess (Amy Sigil of Unmata) in Sacramento and hung out at The Hot Pot. Got to see Ms. Kari again and met some of the Hot Pot students and the other Unmata girls. Missed seeing The Eye Of LuTay. Will have to make it up to her in the future. :)

Made it into Amoeba records. Okay... I went twice because I kept finding more and more cool music I HAD to have.

Visited Six Degrees Records, which may well be my fave record company (Next to Motown...) where I got to browse their catalogue. My VISA bill will be bleeding next month... but that's not this month... heh, heh, heh...

Home soon!

posted in Shades Of Araby - 11 replies

MY BEST WISHES

Kashara — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:48:42 GMT

My dear sister-in-law (Sophia). I wish to you , the happiest day of your life on saturday, may the godess bless you and your husban-to-be, with love, joy and hapiness... may the life bless you as I have been for the last 11 years.

Congratulation ( in advance ;))

love you both!

xxxx

p.s. see you on saturday

posted in Shades Of Araby - 8 replies

Valizan dance at Albright-Knox Gallery Of Modern Art

Valizan — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:31:34 GMT

Thanks again to Leslie for vid of this performance at the Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo, NY. The Albright-Knox is one of my favourite modern art galleries, so I was thrilled to be invited to dance there as part of their "Gusto In The Gallery" series.

This was not my usual tribal show either. I danced raks in my Egyptian costume, with only a few slips into tribalisms. ;-))))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24aiMIhKy3A

Funny story from the show (well... funny in retrospect. I was kinda irritated at the time...)

The hostess of the show had to run off to do a costume change and asked one of the other performers to announce the next act. He stepped up and did the usual, taught everyone to zaghareet. But then he told the audience that if they REALLY wanted to show appreciation, they should call out: "Agua!"

My eyebrow twitched at this. I turned to look at Adishakti who looked back at me quizzically. "What did he just say?" He said "Agua... I've never heard that at a show in all my years of dancing."

He then obligingly explained that bellydancers get hot and sweaty when they dance and they thirst for water, so if you shout "Agua!" you are saying they are hot. The audience quenches the dancer with their words.

I could feel both Adishakti and Zahrah's eyes on me. We all were kinda confused. In years of dancing I have NEVER heard a bellydance audience say "Agua!"

There wasn't a chance for me to talk to him directly, but I did mention to his dance partner that I thought, perhaps, he had given misinformation. She said he probably did it as a joke. Uh, but now about 150 people will think that is what they are supposed to say when they go to a bellydance show. Because for the next while, shouts of "Agua" could be heard.

I clutched my head and tried not to implode.

So David... if you're reading this... The word you were hopefully looking for was "AIWA!" which in Arabic means an emphatic "Yes!" I can't see Arabs using a Spanish word to cheer on dancers. :)

posted in Shades Of Araby - 6 replies

Happy Birthday Sofia!

Martine — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:09:39 GMT

Bonne fête ma belle Sophie ! May this special day be all about you and brings you lots of loooove and kisses !

posted in Shades Of Araby - 7 replies

Where Shade falls this weekend

Valizan — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 01:10:15 GMT

OCTOBER 13TH, 2007.
Shades Of Araby ("Salamat Ya Om Hassan" by The Sami Nossair Orchestra)
Harem Scarem 4
Windsor, ON.

I danced at last year's Harem Scarem show in Windsor, Ontario, and had a blast. This year the group will go and share some ATS goodness as we dance to the upbeat Egyptian song Salamat Ya Om Hassan. It has some nice tempo changes which will allow for each of us to do a bit of a solo.

posted in Shades Of Araby - 25 replies

Great Picture, Val!

Carlala — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:14:47 GMT

Love the picture of you and Amy and her interview is great, of course!

http://www.gildedserpent.com/art44/amyinterview.htm

posted in Shades Of Araby - 3 replies

Lady... Keep Your Effin hands to yourself ...

Valizan — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:08:19 GMT

(This will be crossposted)

:(

I had an incident in one of my classes last week, and I've been stewing about it (because that is what I do. I don't let it go, I turn it inward and stew and it either comes out like vomit at the wrong time or it sits there like a big wad of swallowed bubble gum.)

I was teaching one of my classes which, natch, is all women. At the end of the class, I asked people to put their loaned tassle belts back into the bag I carry them in. One student took hers off, and as she was putting the belt in the bag said to me "You have a good night now, hear?" as she slapped my butt. And her hand was there just a bit too long for my comfort.

I was kinda shocked. The other students present registered some shock as well.

My reaction was to turn and say politely but loudly "if I were a male student with a female teacher, THAT kind of behaviour would NOT be tolerated. Please don't violate my personal space again!"

She flushed red with embarrassment and I immediately felt really bad. All of a sudden I thought I had maybe made a bigger issue out of nothing. It wasn't like she jumped me and ripped all my clothes off. But at the same time, she made me uncomfortable.

So...

This week I taught again. She was in class and smiling. We do a warm-up at the beginning of class where we lift our chest. I was counting it when I looked in the mirror and this same woman was grabbing her boobs and lifting them with her hands (as opposed to using her muscles to lift them).

My mouth fell open and I gasped loudly, but before I could say anything one of the other students called her on it.

"WHAT are you doing? You don't use your hands to lift them, you are supposed to be using your back muscles. THAT just looks rude!!"

Girlfriend flushed red again. "I just wanted to see if they would go any higher, because he can lift his chest really high. I didn't think anyone could see me."

Other student: "We're in a studio surrounded by mirrors and you're in front... we can ALL see you!"

This time Girlfriend apologized for disrupting the class and promised not to do so again. At the end of class, she came up to me and I sort of cringed because I was now afraid of what she was going to say.

"I just wanted to say, I really enjoy this class. It makes me feel great and I love this style."

All I did was smile, but I am worried that I should apologize for humiliating her in class.

posted in Shades Of Araby - 11 replies

Cartwheels Of Joy

Valizan — Sat, 31 May 2008 03:15:49 GMT

::bouncebouncebouncecartwheelTUMBLESMASHTINKLE::

There is a blog coming out of this soon... but I just need to share my joy, lest I burst and spread grey matter all over my already messy floors!

Carolena said "YES!"

I can go out to SF and do privates with her in August, and the classes won't cost me a testicle to do!! I am so excited I may plotz!! :))))

posted in Shades Of Araby - 12 replies

Thank you Shades!!!!

Carlala — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:35:53 GMT

From all of us at Shimmy for a Cure and from Erie.... thank you so much for coming down and Astrosexying us!!! You were fantastic and it was awesome that you made the trip for the cause! We love you!!!

posted in Shades Of Araby - 1 reply

Astrosexy in Erie!

MissBoo — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:42:51 GMT

Thanks to Rachel, we all have a great video to gawk at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ0vbfMi6F8

.... Shades, doing their 'Astrosexy' piece, at Shimmy for a Cure, in Erie PA!

D00tD00tD00t!

posted in Shades Of Araby - 2 replies

Male Bellydancers Denied Permits In Egypt

Valizan — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:33:16 GMT

This has been crossposted in a number of tribes, but I thought I might share in my own tribe as well. :)

So more male dancers have been appearing in Egypt, no doubt lured by the fame and fortune that Tito Seif is reaping, but now the goverment is denying them permits to dance because they have "feminine" names.

I'm of two minds on this one. I hate to think guys just can't dance, but at the same time, I've heard that male prostitutes will use this dance to attract customers. "Hip Bump" indeed! I could understand Egypt not wanting to give licenses to male hookers, but it really looks like homophobia on the surface.

http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008/05/11/49679.html

posted in Shades Of Araby - 2 replies

Valizan interviews Turkish Dancer Özgen on The Gilded Serpent

Valizan — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:27:36 GMT

Gilded Serpent editrix Lynette Harris has uploaded video of me interviewing male Turkish dancer Özgen Ozgec at the International Bellydance Conference of Canada.

During his appearance on the Main Stage, Özgen danced with a rope that he twirled around his body while he was dancing. It was fascinating to watch, and he was damn good with it. I was backstage (I had just danced with The Righteous Rogues Of Raks) questioning him about the rope when Lynette happened along and asked to tape the conversation:

http://www.gildedserpent.com/newsgraphics/ComKaleidoscope.htm#ozgen

The irony of me saying "You're going back to Turkey... No one will know..." is ironic since this is now loaded onto the net! :)))

posted in Shades Of Araby - 0 replies

Registration is up...Zafira in Erie!!!

Carlala — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:57:36 GMT

We can't wait to host Shades of Araby at our Gala show...and here's the info on our workshops with Zafira!!!

Shimmy for a Cure Gala Show and Workshops Event has got

~~~Zafira~~~

for two Sunday workshops, on June 1st
at The Avalon Hotel in Erie!!!

Registration page available at:

www.shimmyforacure.com/workshop.htm

or

www.theflemingschool.com/workshops.htm

ooooh we are gonna party!!!!

posted in Shades Of Araby - 1 reply

The Trials Of Being A Male Dancer...

Valizan — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 03:30:17 GMT

This was posted on the Men Of Middle Eastern dance tribe, and I thought I'd share it here too because it's pretty cool.

Ballet dancer Sascha Radetsky wrote an article for Newsweek about the treatment of male dancers, and his opinions on the matter struck a very strong cord with me because they apply for Male Bellydancers as well.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/120061

posted in Shades Of Araby - 1 reply

Jim Boz coming to Beckley, WV!!!

Kali_Tribal — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:42:51 GMT

As usual another terrific workshop and show sponsored by Alexandria!

Jim Boz will teach a workshop at the Tamarack on May 10, 2008!!! There will a show during the evening (also at the Tamarack) with dancers from seven states!

The workshop is $65 if paid by April 19, 2008, $70 if paid by April 30th and $75 at the door.

Donations for the American Cancer Association will be welcomed at both the workshop and show. If you give a donation, you will receive a ticket to win a door prize.

For more information/flyers contact Alexandria at :

theshadesofamber@hotmail.com

posted in Shades Of Araby - 0 replies

Shimmy for a Cure Bellydance Gala and Workshops!

Carlala — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 14:24:18 GMT

Join the ShiCu and Erie Pa Bellydance tribes to stay posted:

http://tribes.tribe.net/charitybellydanceevent08

http://tribes.tribe.net/eriebellydance

To benefit: The John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation www.johnkanziuscancerresearchfoundation.org
Saturday May 31, 2008, show starts at 7:30pm
Doors open at 6:30pm
At the Erie Playhouse Theater, 13 W. 10th St, Erie PA 16501
www.erieplayhouse.org/

Proudly presenting: Zafira Dance Company (voted dance troupe of the year 2007
by Zaghareet Magazine)
also featuring the talents of: Shades of Araby with Valizan (Toronto CA), Sadiqa (Pittsburgh, PA) Euphraxia Buffalo NY), Gypsy RaQ, Evil Peanut Butter, The Houdani Dancers (Eastside YMCA), Jessica Stadtmeuller (Erie Art Museum) and Kadri (Buffalo NY) and more!
Also, see the special “Candle Bellydance” in Honor/Memory of Cancer Survivors/Victims….
Enjoy..
Chinese auction, Henna artists, Vendors, Live music featuring Gypsy RaQ with Carlala, Cash bar

Gala Tickets
Regular seats $15,
Gold seats $30, (includes up front seating and special after performance meet the dancers reception with Wine, Cheese and Chocolate buffet)!
Tickets NOT YET for sale, but will be available at the Erie Playhouse Box office and via the Shimmy for a Cure website

Zafira Workshops!!! (not part of benefit)
(To be held at the Avalon Hotel) Hosted by The Fleming School of Dance (Carlala) www.theflemingschool.com/

“Bellydance Bootcamp”
Saturday. May 31, 2008 from 1-3pm
This bellydance workshop includes aerobic dance combinations and conditioning exercises to build strength and endurance, while hip, chest drills and belly work are used to develop technique. Bring a yoga mat and some water.

“Zafira Choreography”
Sunday. June 1, 2008 from 11am-1pm
Let Zafira share some of their secrets of choreography creation. This workshop works on stage presence, posture, working with other dancers, and shows how to make even a simple choreography dynamic. Also, We will work in pairs/small groups to learn a short choreography.
Registration info TBA very soon!
Hope you all can come and be a part this very special event!

posted in Shades Of Araby - 0 replies

He's big in Buffalo, you know...

Valizan — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 07:01:37 GMT

... it is all that chocolate he ate over the holidays! ;-)

Our friends in BuffBuff do a monthly feature-a-dancer thing and I was the lucky stiff (due to the cold) for the month of January. Thanks to Miss Boo for the interview and amusing main pic (which I plan to steal and put in this here tribe too!)

http://tribes.tribe.net/buffbuffbellydance/thread/fd836f03-686f-4be2-b50e-96f8116f1454

posted in Shades Of Araby - 12 replies

Facial Markings Site

Valizan — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:59:43 GMT

This came up as a resource on the Men's Bellydance Costuming Tribe:

http://www.harquus.com/

Lots of informative articles on tribal markings like we put on our faces.

posted in Shades Of Araby - 3 replies

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Anartha — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 05:01:22 GMT

Well it was 2008 here close to 15hrs ago but to everyone here still i we wish you a Happy New Year and a stellar 2008 hope all our resolutions and wished come true

Anartha & Amara

posted in Shades Of Araby - 3 replies

Words from Wolgemut

Valizan — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 03:38:48 GMT

Okay, this was probably my last cheap thrill for 2007 (which doesn't say much for my New Years... does it? ;-)))))

We did a show in Guelph and performed to the music of Wolgemut. Skudrinka is a piece we've danced a couple times with varying levels of success, while Dodetium is practically a SoA standard at this point.

Well... Micha from Wolgemut posted to our video of the Guelph show:

"Greetings from Wolgemut, Micha here. Thank you for posting this video. It is always a pleasure to see great dancing and these interpretations of "Skudrinka" and "Dödetium" are beautiful to watch and very "wolgemut" :) Cheers!
/Micha"

::bouncebouncebounce::

posted in Shades Of Araby - 10 replies

Shades of Araby in Guelph!

sofia — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:04:10 GMT

Hey guys, here is another of our performance. In Guelph this time!
yiipppi!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6exyecxjmE

posted in Shades Of Araby - 3 replies

Merry Christmas

Anartha — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 02:21:21 GMT

Merry Chrissy to Valizan and the entire Shades Of Araby Troupe ant the Shades Of Arabay Tribe hope you all have a safe and happy Chrissy and New Years let the alcohol flow freely and dont do anything i wouldnt do LOL (dont leave you much to do tho)

Have a safe and happy holiday everyone

Anartha

posted in Shades Of Araby - 3 replies

Sofia's solo at Audra's darkside

sofia — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 18:56:05 GMT

Here is one of my solos I did quite a while ago now at Audra's Darkside 3.
Enjoy! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L31s6TROk0c

posted in Shades Of Araby - 0 replies

Who influenced your dance?

Valizan — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:41:13 GMT

I had responded to Anartha on the video thread, but I'm curious to hear about all you folks too. What teachers influenced you? What did you learn that sticks with you to this day?

I had responded to Anartha (who is male) that one didn't need a male teacher to inprove as a male dancer. The technique is the same no matter the sex (assuming we're all human beings, of course. If you're not... cool! I got non-human friends who dance!!!) And then I started to list the people who have influenced me and how:

Most of my teachers have been female. And some have influenced me more than others:

Rayah - My first ever teacher. Former army drill sergeant.

Moria - Instilled all my basics for a long time.

Roula Said - taught me fluidity does not equal female.

Jillina - taught me new ideas for travelling and using an area while dancing.

Rachel Brice - realizing the inner strength and applying it to make the outer strength stronger. Confidence in self.

Carolena Nericcio - The power and joy of dancing in a group (learned this in the SCA when I started with Rayah and Moria, but this is a lesson I needed to relearn). Smiling. What a difference an arm makes.

Yasmina Ramzy - taught me folklore, how to work on big stages, gave me loads of experience, has been very supportive in a number of ways, is working on instilling more Egyptian technique.

The men who have influenced me:

Francisco Carranza - His way of carrying himself and presenting himself on a stage is what I strive for: He's upright and masculine without being arrogant. He doesn't look like a caricature of a man when he takes a stage. And seeing man doing clean technique still drives me to this day.

Jim Boz - In his early Tribal days he was one of the few images of male dancers that I had to go on for costuming ideas and examples. He continues to set an example for me with his drive for technique.

Aziz - Can do the sparkly costume thing and still not be mistaken for anything but a man. He did the cabaret costume thing, but there was a masculine twist. Wish I could have studied with him before he retired to become an artist. And again, clean technique.

How about you? What part of you as a dancer came from whom?

posted in Shades Of Araby - 1 reply

Videos from BellyUp Christmas party!

Maral — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:45:56 GMT

Yay! We had an awesome time and everyone was so fun and welcoming.

"Santa Maria", part 1
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Yfa4xTJON-A

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTfNaKBX-WI

Valizan's drum solo part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEacWyaVuFU

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRFmOX1uM_U

posted in Shades Of Araby - 6 replies

Milwaukee Pura performance video!

Maral — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:06:32 GMT

I finally got sick of waiting for better quality, so I put up the one from my camera. It's not that great, but it's all we have ATM.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY1oiNYT2Z8 (part 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfQS04-NjqY (part 2)

posted in Shades Of Araby - 18 replies

Mish Mash Belly Bash!

Safiya — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 03:46:17 GMT

Hope to see fans of Shades of Araby out at Ishra's 5th Mish Mash Belly Bash this coming Friday, November 23rd, at Guelph's beautiful River Run Centre. Tickets available at www.riverrun.ca
They'll be performing, as part of Ishra's fantastic line-up of many of the area's funkiest fusion folks, for a show that's all about making art and loving dance!

Looking forward to performing with you again! (woo-hoo, twice in one week!:)
-S-

posted in Shades Of Araby - 2 replies

Valizan returns to Khizmet Studio to teach ATS!

Valizan — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 06:59:29 GMT

After a fun and successful workshop last spring (look for the footage on YouTube!), I will finally make a triumphant return to MizzKhizz's studio in Cambridge with a weekly class in American Tribal Style (ATS) bellydance.

ATS mixes Bellydance, Flamenco and Indian dance in a group improvisation format that forgoes set choreography for dancing “in the moment” while celebrating the bounce of a hip. Learn the basics of ATS, from cueing to formations, posture to working as a team, and the palette of moves that make this a fun form to dance with friends.

This flavour of bellydance, started 20 years ago by Carolena Nericcio of FatChance Bellydance in San Francisco, is where the modern tribal movement began. Jill Parker, Kajira Djoumanha, Paulette Rees-Denis all learned from FatChance Bellydance before breaking out and creating their own fusion and ATS styles.

Classes commence Tuesday January 8th, 2008 at 5:30 pm. at the Khizmet Studio in Hespeler.

Valizan began teaching American Tribal Style bellydance at Arabesque Academy in 2004. He recently completed the FatChance Bellydance General Skills Certification and the Arabesque Academy Professional Course. (If I need to mention that I perform ATS with my troupe Shades Of Araby... nah... no need. :)))))

Valizan will be handling registration himself, so please contact him at valizan at Pathcom dot com for more information.

posted in Shades Of Araby - 0 replies

Setting up a lifeboat in case the ship sinks...

Valizan — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 07:33:31 GMT

Hey all, just in case you haven't heard the rumours, Tribe is apparently in some kind of problems that may extinguish the lovely community we have online.

This makes me sad. ------->Unhappy Smiley to follow: :(

I've met so many wonderful people here on Tribe (and some of you in person due to Tribe), learned so much and laughed at the creativity.

A lifeboat has been set up at http://triberfugeebellydancers.ning.com and I am in the process of setting up Boat #24 as a Shades Of Araby boat to replace this tribe on Tribe. This is just a preventive measure against the horror of the Good Ship Tribe actually sinking.

Hope to see you there.
Hope to see you here.

V.

posted in Shades Of Araby - 0 replies

International Bellydance Conference Of Canada 2008. April 23 - 27th 2008

Valizan — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 18:16:17 GMT

If you missed it last year, you missed a spectacular experience that will likely be wonderful again.

We have a great line-up that will satisfy most of the passions people have in bellydance, whether you like Tribal Fusion (Amy from Unmata), Egyptian Cabaret (Tito and Aida Nour), American Cabaret (Bozenka) or Turkish (Ferda Bayazit blew people away on the Main Stage last year with her Turkish ROM, which is why she was invited to teach this year.)

For the price, you get more bellydance that you can possibly handle. Trust me, I did it last year and spent my day running from place to place because there was so much to see, from panel discussions to the Open stage. But the IBCC also recharged my bellydance battery. Being immersed in a bellydance atmosphere with people who shared my passion for raks was just such a wonderful feeling.

April 23-27th, 2008. Toronto.

Tito (Egypt),
Aida Nour (Egypt),
Bozenka (Florida),
Amy Sigil of Unmata (California),
Aisha Ali (California),
Mayyadah & Amir (Germany),
Lesya Starr (Spain/Ontario),
Yasmina Ramzy (Ontario),
Nath Keo (British Columbia),
Ferda Bayazit (Turkey/British Columbia)

We are absolutely delighted to host such an amazing roster of talent at this event!

Register Now!! 50% Sold Out!!
* Anyone who was registered in the 2007 conference receives an extra $100 off the conference package!!!

www.bellydanceconference.com

Early Bird rate is $599 CDN** limited quantities!!
($499 for past participants)

Regular rate: $699 CDN

Conference Package includes:
¬ Lectures, Panel Discussions
¬ Music and Drum classes
¬16 Dance Workshops
¬ 8 spectacular Performances
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posted in Shades Of Araby - 1 reply

An etiquette question about video

Valizan — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 01:18:03 GMT

Here is a thought I was having and would love to get some input back.

Let us say you are a dance troupe of some sort. You are not so huge that you demand a fee when you get invited to dance at gigs. You dance and the host videotapes the show.

Is it good form on the part of the host to offer a copy of the performance tape free since they aren't paying the performers to come dance? Or more to the point, is it tacky or in bad form to charge anything other than the price of a DVD disc to get a copy?

My thought was that if I pay my gas to get to your gig, put on make-up, and then perform for no pay, and you are charging people to come in to your show, the least you could do is give me a free DVD of the performance. Giving me an order form to order a copy at $20 seems wrong somehow.

Or am I wrong?

posted in Shades Of Araby - 8 replies

Waaz Your Name?

Valizan — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 22:55:08 GMT

Because I'm often given to thinking of things other than what I should be focussing on at that moment, I was wondering (instead of fixing my dinner or putting away my laundry) why did you name your troupe what you named it? Or if you are a solitary dancer not using your own name, why did you pick what you did as a stage name?

I chose the name Shades Of Araby for a number of reasons.

Anaheed out in California has a troupe called Perfumes Of Araby, and I thought the name was so very evocative... exotic scents that tease the nose. MMmm Myrrh, Rosewater, Frankinsense and so much more.

So I thought, no one in the troupe is truly Arabic (one of the Ladies has Armenian heritage...) but we are united in our iinterest in the culture and the dances. When we step into the light (be it the light of knowledge or the stage lights) we are not representing Arabia, but are reflections... shades... of that light.

When we dress in our costumes and paint on our snap, we show the various skin tones in Arabia, from porcelain white to rosy blush to earthy brown. Again, not quite Arabian, but a reflection.

When we get around to doing some fusion we may explore the darker meaning of "Shades"... dark spirits with an Arabic twist.

How's about you?

posted in Shades Of Araby - 20 replies

Back from Montreal!

sofia — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:40:18 GMT

So Maral and I are back from Montreal. What a weekend! We had to dance and pose for a painter for 4 hours/day for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Fffiou! It was lots of fun, but very tiring. It is one thing to dance, but to keep a pose for 5-10 min so that an artist draws and paint.... ayayaye. We have happy but stiff muscles! The pictures that I posted are from Michel Julien. He is a professional photographer and he also is a journalist at LaPresse. He took some amazing shots. More to come later!
Chanty from Les Trib'elles joined us on Friday and Sunday! She also brought her lovely daughter (my wonderful godchild) Sarah. She was dancing with us and playing zills! (she is only 2 years old!)
We were dancing on the mix from DJ Seb. Great experience.
We missed you Val!

posted in Shades Of Araby - 11 replies

PURA snaps

Valizan — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 04:05:37 GMT

Thanks to Jen of Trillium for dropping two pictures from PURA: Milwaukee into the photo section.

If anyone has any other pics, please feel free to put them in the gallery.

posted in Shades Of Araby - 3 replies

Two Shades Of Araby, One Trib'elle... posing in a pear tree.

Valizan — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 03:20:32 GMT

Bringing a whole new twist to performance art, Maral and Sofia will be joining Chanty (who is Sofia's twin sister, and parrt of Montreal tribal troupe Les Trib'ellles) in Montreal. If anyone is in that area go take a look!

Sofia and Maral will dance all week-end at an art exhibit in a lounge bar and an art gallery!
And Chanty dances with them on Friday night. Sofia, Chanty or Maral can answer questions about what they will be doing. And I'm hoping they'll come back and share with me (and all you all) how it went.

The supposed plan is for "Des Femmes D'Ombre Arabienne" to be dancing and posing for the artist Jasmine Nadeau as she will sketch them in action to the music of DJ Mr Seb !

Here is the info:
Free admission
Friday Sept. 28th, 17h - 21pm
Salon Officiel (lounge bar)
351 east, Roy street, corner Drolet, Montreal

Saturday and sunday sept. 29-30th
13h - 17h
Galerie Jasmine Nadeau
656 Marie-Victorin,2nd floor
Boucherville

information: 450-449-5559

posted in Shades Of Araby - 2 replies

That first message on the tribe

Valizan — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 04:51:07 GMT

Okay, so despite my misgivings, I have started a tribe for Shades Of Araby and myself. The spectacular Traci from the equally spectacular Trillium Tribal in Milwaukee inspired this move since she wanted somewhere to post kudos for our appearance at Tribal: PURA Milwaukee.

We have been doing shows on a pretty regular basis, so I figure we should have a tribe just like the big kids! :)

This also gives everyone a chance to know where we are performing, how Maral managed to make that super special bit for our costumes (She IS the costume goddess... tarry not lest she smite you!) and where any of us may be doing gigs either with the troupe or solo.

I will probably also post a calendar as a thread which will get updated on some kind of basis... maybe... sorta. :)

Welcome all.

Maral? Sofia? Anything to add?

posted in Shades Of Araby - 12 replies

Trillium and Stefanie's performance of Its All Bellydance

Valizan — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 19:22:16 GMT

I was going to post this under the PURA thread, but this deserves mention on its own merit.

There were some spectacular dances at PURA, but this particular segment stands out because it affected so many people. Trillium Tribal (A tribal troupe, natch) and Stefanie Masters (American Raks) joined in a piece called "Its All Bellydance" to show that the division that seems to exist between Tribal dancers and Raks dancers is so unnecessary, and that we are all creating beauty in this form we love and dance called Bellydance.

Stefanie and Trillium worked for a year on this piece, after Trillium member Marie was inspired by something FatChance Bellydance creator Carolena Nericcio said: "Its all bellydance..."

I held my breath through most of it. Moria says she cried. Miss Boo taped it and it is on YouTube for all to see. Please take a look and give proper kudos to those who created a beautiful moment in art.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmALQZBh3yI

posted in Shades Of Araby - 2 replies

Love the pics. Need man-dancing advice

melissaclarinetchick — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 17:04:10 GMT

You all look great in the photos.

I am looking for online video footage on male bellydancing. Anyone have links they can post or send to me?

posted in Shades Of Araby - 8 replies

Performance Calendar

Valizan — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:22:15 GMT

Our schedule for the next month or so:

NOVEMBER 23rd, 2007.
Shades Of Araby ("Skudrinka & Dodetium" by Wolgemut.)
Mish Mash Belly Bash
Guelph, ON.
(Dancing in Ishra's show in the middle of Ontario's bellydance triangle.)

Sunday NOVEMBER 18TH, 2007.
Shades Of Araby ("Santa Maria de Buen Ayres" by Gotan Project)
Rhaehana recital.
Cambridge, ON.
(A little Sunday afternoon something for Rhaehana.)

OCTOBER 13TH, 2007.
Shades Of Araby ("Salamat Ya Om Hassan" by The Sami Nossair Orchestra)
Harem Scarem 4
Windsor, ON.
(Going West again to dance in Kathy and Victoria's show. )

posted in Shades Of Araby - 0 replies

hello, just joined the tribe.

Jumanah — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 18:10:33 GMT

thanks for the invite Valizan. Did you know your one of the first middle eastern people i met in the sca? very cool.

posted in Shades Of Araby - 3 replies

Tribal:Pura Milwaukee performance

Traci — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 18:46:30 GMT

Fabulous! Beautiful! I'm so happy to have gotten to see you dance again and to meet Maral and Sofia!

It is quite an honor that you travelled all the way back here to participate.

Why not just move to MKE????

posted in Shades Of Araby - 1 reply