Belly Dance Geek Blog
Geek Out with Julie Eason
The Professional Spectrum Episode 9 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, Julie Eason of the Belly Dance Business Academy, will talk about the different ways we define “professional” in the belly dance world, and what that means for YOU. Whether you’re a pro, an aspiring pro, or just curious about what the professional world looks like, there’s something here for you! Download the slides You’ll learn: The different things that “professional belly...
read moreGeek Out With Anasma and Ranya Renee
Theatrical Techniques for Belly Dance: Episode 8 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: For the first time, I have two guests on the show at once! Anasma and Ranya Renee will talk to us about using theatrical techniques to enhance your belly dance performance. (h/t to Kyomi in Baton Rouge, LA, who suggested this topic, and these guests.) You’ll learn: How theater techniques help you express yourself as a performer Why they can help you reach wider audiences Literal vs. abstract modes of expression How to create suprises...
read moreAudio Learner Poll
Your Turn This poll has closed, but the discussion doesn’t have to end! Why do or don’t you like learning via audio? What makes an audio program good for you? Are you an audiobook junkie like me? Share your thoughts in the comments…
read more4 Things Shamu Can Teach You About Stagecraft
I was obsessed with SeaWorld as a kid. I went twice: first in Orlando when I was 6, and then again in Ohio when I was 8. (That location has since closed.) I was fascinated by the animals, amazed by the pearl divers, and got my one and only fishing story about “the one that got away”. (I almost caught the largest trout in the fishing contest, but it slipped off the hook half-way out of the water.) I sometimes wonder if those trips to SeaWorld were what made me fall in love with the ocean. I even went on to study Ocean...
read moreGeek Out With Oreet
Dance vs. Dance Fitness: Episode 7 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, Oreet, will talk to us about belly dance fitness classes. We’ll approach this from both the student’s perspective and the teacher’s. So no matter where you are in your dance journey, there’s something here for you. You’ll learn: How a belly dance fitness class is different from a traditional class How belly dance fitness can fit into your training routine What belly dance teachers need in order to move into belly...
read moreVenue Poll
This poll is closed But it’s not too late to join the conversation… Why is it your favorite venue? Which other venues do you like? Which venues do you like the least, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments…
read moreThe Big 5: Ifs, Ands, & Buts
This post is part of my series on “The Big 5”. Those are the genres that an educated audience would recognize, and expect certain dance stylizations. (i.e., the genres for which just listening to the music isn’t enough.) To read more about this idea, or to find links to the other articles in the series, check out the first article in the series, The Big 5. The Big 5 is a Handy Tool When you’re familiar with these genres, you can be confident that you’ll meet an educated...
read moreThe Big 5: 9/8s
This post is part of my series on “The Big 5”. Those are the genres that an educated audience would recognize, and expect certain dance stylizations. (i.e., the genres for which just listening to the music isn’t enough.) To read more about this idea, or to find links to the other articles in the series, check out the first article in the series, The Big 5. Looking for “10 Things I Learned at the LVBDI”?I had a bad link in my last newsletter, and sent you here by accident. You can find...
read moreGeek Out With Leyla Lanty
Essential Arabic for Belly Dancers: Episode 6 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, Leyla Lanty will tell us how just a little knowledge of Arabic language can help us interpret our music with nuance and meaning. You’ll learn: The importance of the lyrics in your performance Common words and phrases found in belly dance music How to use gestures for good, not evil Why “habibi” doesn’t mean what you think We’ll also have some discussion time, so you can ask Leyla your questions. ...
read moreThe Big 5: Lyrical Veil
This post is part of my series on “The Big 5”. Those are the genres that an educated audience would recognize, and expect certain dance stylizations. (i.e., the genres for which just listening to the music isn’t enough.) To read more about this idea, or to find links to the other articles in the series, check out the first article in the series, The Big 5. Lyrical veil music What it is: A category of soft, lyrical music. (I say “category” instead of “genre”, since...
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