Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Welcome to the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse!

 

Most belly dance instruction focuses on the “what”

It’s easy to find classes and DVDs that teach moves and choreography. But there’s a lot more to the dance than just repertoire!

For great dancing, you also need to understand the “why” (musicality and culture) and the “how” (composition, stagecraft, performance skills, and professionalism).

But it can be hard to find help with those “soft skills”.

And for a belly dance geek, that’s really frustrating!

We don’t just want to dance. We want to know. We want to understand.

For us, dancing is way more fun with lots of yummy knowledge to back it up.

Introducing The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

belly-dance-geek-clubhouse-podcast
The Clubhouse is a place where belly dancers can get together and get geeky.

Each month, I’ll invite a different guest expert to talk to you about something cool, interesting, and useful. You’ll also have the chance to ask questions.

And you can keep the conversation going in our private Facebook group.

How it works

The Clubhouse is a teleseminar series. That’s a lot like a radio show, except we do it on a conference call instead of on the air. You can listen in live by phone, or on the web using our Zoom video conference room.

If you can’t make it live, don’t worry! Each call will be recorded, so you can listen later.

It’s fun, it’s free, and best of all, it’s geeky!

Geek Out with Nada El Masriya!

Posted by on Feb 4, 2020 in Audio, The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Nada El Masriya!

Geek out with Nada El Masriya on “Beledi – The Music, the Dance & the Culture” on Wednesday, 2/12/20 @12 pm Pacific (3pm eastern).

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Geek Out with Siobhan!

Posted by on Dec 27, 2019 in Audio, The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Siobhan!

Geek out with Siobhan Camille on “Avoiding Injury Through Science and Structure” on Friday, 1/10/20 @12 pm Pacific.

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Geek Out with Aziza of Montreal!

Posted by on Dec 9, 2019 in Audio, The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Aziza of Montreal!

Geek out with Aziza of Montreal on “How To Maximize Your Practice” on 12/30/19 @2:00 pm pacific.

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Geek Out with Sa’diyya of Texas!

Posted by on Oct 2, 2019 in Audio, The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Sa’diyya of Texas!

Geek out with Sa’diyya of Texas on “Balancing Your Belly Dance Career with Motherhood” on 10/21/19 @ 3:30 pm pacific.

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Geek Out with Zaina Brown

Posted by on Sep 26, 2019 in Audio, The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Zaina Brown

Geek out with Zaina Brown on Dealing With Booking Agents in the Middle East and other gritty secrets of working as a traveling belly dancer on 10/17/19 @6pm pacific.

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Geek Out with Tiffany (again)!

Posted by on Sep 19, 2019 in Audio, The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Tiffany (again)!

Geek out with Tiffany on “Figuring Out WHAT to Practice”, Wednesday 9/25/19 @ 2pm pacific.

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Geek Out with Dawn Devine…Again!

Posted by on Jul 25, 2019 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Dawn Devine…Again!

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #69: “10 Things I’ve Learned About Belly Dance Costuming” Thursday, August 29, 2019 @2pm Pacific time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Vanessa of Cairo

Posted by on Jul 1, 2019 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Vanessa of Cairo

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #68: Geek out with Vanessa of Cairo on living and working in Cairo. Thursday, July 11, 2019 @2pm Pacific Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with A’isha Azar…Again!

Posted by on Jun 16, 2019 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with A’isha Azar…Again!

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #67: Student oriented teaching with A’isha Azar. Tuesday, June 25, 2019 @2pm Pacific Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Nadira

Posted by on Dec 31, 2018 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Nadira

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #66: 3 Obstacles to Steady Dance Practice with Nadira Jamal

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Geek Out with Tiffany

Posted by on Oct 2, 2018 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Tiffany

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #65: Leveraging Online Learning Resources with Tiffany. Thursday, October 4th, 2018 at 5pm Eastern Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Galia Aharoni

Posted by on Aug 27, 2018 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Galia Aharoni

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #64: Liability Waivers with Galia Aharoni. Thursday, September 6th, 2018 at 8pm Eastern Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Farha – Again!

Posted by on Jul 10, 2018 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Farha – Again!

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #63: Cross-Training with Farha. Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 8pm Eastern Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Sahra Saeeda – Again!

Posted by on Jun 26, 2018 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Sahra Saeeda – Again!

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #62: Moulids with Sahra Saeeda. Monday, July 2, 2018 at 5pm Eastern Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Zahra Zuhair – Again!

Posted by on May 10, 2018 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Zahra Zuhair – Again!

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #61: Finding Your Creative Genius with Zahra Zuhair. Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at 8pm Eastern Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Kay Hardy Campbell – Again!

Posted by on Apr 17, 2018 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Kay Hardy Campbell – Again!

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #60: Artists and Culture with Kay Hardy Campbell. Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 8pm Eastern Time.

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Geek Out with Morocco – Again!

Posted by on Feb 26, 2018 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Morocco – Again!

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #59: Changes in the Dance World with Morocco. Thursday, March 1, 2018 at 8pm Eastern Time.

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Geek Out with Jamie Lynn

Posted by on Jan 19, 2018 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Jamie Lynn

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #58: Maqams for Dancers with Jamie Lynn. Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 8pm Eastern Time.

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Geek Out with Davina – Again!

Posted by on Dec 18, 2017 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Davina – Again!

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #57: Self-Publishing with Davina. Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 8pm Eastern Time.

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Geek Out with Origins Folkloric Dance Company

Posted by on Nov 15, 2017 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Origins Folkloric Dance Company

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #56: Folkloric Dance with Origins. Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 8pm Eastern Time.

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Geek Out with Phoenix

Posted by on Oct 11, 2017 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Phoenix

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #55: Dancing from Within with Phoenix. Thursday, October 26, 2017 at 8pm Eastern Time.

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Geek Out with Shahrzad

Posted by on Sep 19, 2017 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Shahrzad

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #54: The Market and the Professional Dancer with Shahrzad. Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at 8pm Eastern Time.

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Geek Out with Farha

Posted by on Aug 1, 2017 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Farha

  Mapping Your Dance Journey Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode 53: My guest, Farha, will talk about how to take charge of your own development.         Having the guidance of a trusted, knowledgeable, and caring mentor can be a valuable tool for a dancer at any stage of their education, opening up doors and providing essential information and advice. But not everyone has easy access to a teacher willing (or able) to mentor others. There comes a time in every dancer’s development when we want to take a more...

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Geek Out with Treasure Marshall – Again!

Posted by on Jul 15, 2017 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Treasure Marshall – Again!

Teaching Dance to Children

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode 52

My guest, Treasure Marshall, will talk about the special considerations in teaching dance to children and younger teens.

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Geek Out with Mao Murakami

Posted by on Jun 7, 2017 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Mao Murakami

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #51: Easy Costume Upgrades with Mao Murakami. Tuesday, June 20th at 6:30 Eastern Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Princess Farhana and DeVilla

Posted by on May 4, 2017 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Princess Farhana and DeVilla

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #50: Makeup for Belly Dance with Princess Farhana and DeVilla. Tuesday, May 9th at 6pm Eastern Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Shahrzad Khorsandi

Posted by on Apr 11, 2017 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Shahrzad Khorsandi

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #49: Persian Dance with Shahrzad Khorsandi. Tuesday, April 25th at noon Eastern Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Dawn Devine

Posted by on Mar 28, 2017 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Dawn Devine

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #48: Finger Cymbal History with Dawn Devine. Friday, March 31st at 8pm Eastern Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Alia Thabit – Again!

Posted by on Feb 16, 2017 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Alia Thabit – Again!

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #47: Opening Yourself Up to the Audience with Alia Thabit. Monday, February 27th at 8pm Eastern Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Elizabeth Joy

Posted by on Dec 14, 2016 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Elizabeth Joy

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #46: Improv Roulette with Elizabeth Joy. Thursday, January 26th at 8pm Eastern Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Hiba Al-Kinani

Posted by on Dec 9, 2016 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Hiba Al-Kinani

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #45: Cultural Appropriation Considerations with Hiba Al-Kinani. Tuesday, December 13th at 9pm Eastern Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Zahra Zuhair

Posted by on Nov 1, 2016 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Zahra Zuhair

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #44: The Power of the Positive Dancer with Zahra Zuhair. Tuesday, November 29th at 8pm Eastern Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Lisa Allred

Posted by on Oct 27, 2016 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Lisa Allred

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #43: Dealing with Difficult People with Lisa Allred. Sunday, October 30th at 8pm Eastern Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with A’isha Azar

Posted by on Aug 29, 2016 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with A’isha Azar

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #42: Why Shaabi Isn’t Belly Dance with A’isha Azar. Sunday, September 4th at 8pm Eastern Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Sausan

Posted by on Jul 12, 2016 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Sausan

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #41: “The Egyptian Dance Code” with Sausan. Join us live on Monday, July 18th at 8pm Eastern time, or check out the recording afterward.

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Geek Out with Roberto Mejía

Posted by on Jun 9, 2016 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Roberto Mejía

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #40: “Men in Belly Dance” with Roberto Mejía. Join us live on Thursday, June 30th at 8pm Eastern time, or check out the recording afterward.

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Geek Out with Ranya Renee, Anasma and Kelley McKinnon

Posted by on Jan 22, 2016 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Ranya Renee, Anasma and Kelley McKinnon

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #39: “Narrative Arc” with Ranya Renee, Anasma and Kelley McKinnon. Join us live on Tuesday, January 26th at noon Eastern time, or check out the recording afterward.

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Geek Out with Sahina

Posted by on Dec 7, 2015 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Sahina

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #38: “Getting the Mentoring You Need” with Sahina. Join us live on Friday, December 11th at 8pm Eastern time, or check out the recording afterward.

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Geek Out with Shadia Tohme

Posted by on Nov 10, 2015 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Shadia Tohme

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #37: “Costuming to Flatter Every Body” with Shadia Tohme. Join us live on Tuesday, November 17th at noon Eastern time, or check out the recording afterward.

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Geek Out with Julie Eason – for a third time!

Posted by on Oct 19, 2015 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Julie Eason – for a third time!

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #36: “How to Write for a Dance Audience” with Julie Eason. Join us live on Wednesday, October 28th at 8pm Eastern time, or check out the recording afterward.

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Geek Out with Kay Hardy Campbell

Posted by on Sep 21, 2015 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Kay Hardy Campbell

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #35: “Khaliji Dance” with Kay Hardy Campbell. Join us live on Tuesday, September 29th at 8pm Eastern time, or check out the recording afterward.

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Geek Out with Nadira of Virginia – Again!

Posted by on Aug 30, 2015 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Nadira of Virginia – Again!

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #34: “How to Promote Yourself Beyond Your Local Area” with Nadira of Virginia. Join us live on Tuesday, September 1st at 8pm Eastern time, or check out the recording afterward.

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Geek Out with Assala Ibrahim

Posted by on Jul 6, 2015 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Assala Ibrahim

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #33: “Iraqi Kawliya Dance” with Assala Ibrahim. Join us live on Saturday, July 18th at noon Eastern time, or check out the recording afterward.

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Geek Out with Amia D’Itri

Posted by on Jun 15, 2015 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Amia D’Itri

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #32: “Contracts for Belly Dancers” with Amia. Join us live on Monday, June 22nd at 8pm Eastern time, or check out the recording afterward.

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Geek Out with Roxxanne Shelaby

Posted by on May 13, 2015 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Roxxanne Shelaby

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode #31: “The Early Days of Belly Dance in Los Angeles” with Roxxanne Shelaby. Join us live on Tuesday, May 19th at 8pm Eastern time, or check out the recording afterward.

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Geek Out with Terri Allred

Posted by on Apr 16, 2015 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Terri Allred

The use of props in ATS® with Terri Allred. Join us Tuesday, April 28th at 8pm eastern, or sign up to get the recording.

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Geek Out with Katayoun

Posted by on Mar 12, 2015 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Katayoun

How to know when you’re ready to teach with Katayoun. Join us Thursday, May 26th at 8pm eastern, or sign up to get the recording.

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Geek Out with (Another!) Nadira

Posted by on Feb 24, 2015 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with (Another!) Nadira

Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode 28: The role of the community in producing successful events with Nadira of Virginia. Saturday, February 28th, at 1pm Eastern Time. Sign up now to join us live, or to be notified when the recording is ready.

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Geek Out with Amity Alize – Again!

Posted by on Jan 13, 2015 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Amity Alize – Again!

Taxes for Dancers with Amity Alize. Join us Saturday, January 24th at 4pm eastern, or sign up to get the recording.

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Geek Out with DeVilla

Posted by on Dec 12, 2014 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with DeVilla

  Somebody’s Gotta Steer the Ship Episode 26 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, DeVilla, artistic director of troupe Isis-Siren-Sekhmet, will talk about how to run a troupe with style, grace, and ease.           You’ll learn How student, amateur, and pro troupes differ – and what’s universal Whose vision is this: group leadership vs. a single leader Why a dance company needs to set goals and have a mission statements How to style your troupe for a cohesive look Why your members...

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Geek Out with Rosa Noreen and Jonatan Gomes Derbaq

Posted by on Nov 11, 2014 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Rosa Noreen and Jonatan Gomes Derbaq

  Finding space in the rhythm Episode 25 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guests, Rosa Noreen and Jonatan Gomes Derbaq, will talk about finding space within continuous drum beats, so you can stop and be in the moment.       If you’ve ever felt like the drum was running away with you, this call is for you!   You’ll learn: Why pauses add drama to a drum solo How to pull pauses out of fast music with a continuous beat How to navigate unknown music by using the rhythms We’ll be approaching this from...

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Geek Out with Julie Eason – Again!

Posted by on Oct 6, 2014 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Julie Eason – Again!

Crowd-funding & performing arts Episode 24 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, Julie Eason of the Belly Dance Business Academy, will talk about how to use crowd-funding services like Kickstarter to fund a big project.       You’ll learn: What crowd-funding is What kind of projects can be funded through crowd-funding How to create a crowd-funding project How to set your project up for success We’ll also have some discussion time, so you can ask Julie your questions.     Special Thanks to Blue...

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Geek Out with Sahra Kent

Posted by on Sep 16, 2014 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Sahra Kent

  The Puzzle of Egyptian Folklore Episode 23 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, Sahra Kent (aka Sahra Saeeda), will talk about how understanding the context is the key to making sense of Egyptian folklore.     If you’ve ever wondered why so many videos of the same folkloric style (such as Saidi) can look so different, Sahra’s breakthrough “tables” approach can help you make sense of it. So join me and Sahra for a geek-tacular discussion on how to put together the puzzle pieces so you can...

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Geek Out with Amira Jamal

Posted by on Aug 22, 2014 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Amira Jamal

The Power of Learning Styles Episode 22 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, Amira Jamal, will talk about different learning styles. We’ll approach this from both the teacher and student perspective.     You’ll Learn: What learning styles are How they help teachers get through to their students Specific techniques for accommodating different learning styles Why understanding your own learning style helps you get more out of class AND practice time What to do if your teacher isn’t accommodating your learning...

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Geek Out with Treasure Marshall

Posted by on Jul 23, 2014 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Treasure Marshall

  How to Use Costuming to Enhance Your Performance   Episode 21 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, Treasure Marshall will talk about how to use costuming to help your show make more of an impact on your audience.       Download the Slides   You’ll Learn: How to costume yourself for large vs. small stages How to choose skirts for skirtwork and other types of dance Considerations for quick changes And a LOT more! We’ll also have some discussion time, so you can participate too.   About...

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Geek Out with Rhea

Posted by on Jun 13, 2014 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Rhea

  The early belly dance scene in San Francisco   Episode 20 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, Rhea of Greece will talk about the early dance scene in San Francisco.     You’ll love her stories! Rhea will tell us about her time in Jamila Salimpour’s troupe Bal Anat, the hippie movement, her decades-long international dance journey, and much more. We’ll also have some discussion time, so you can participate too.   About Rhea Rhea of Greece has captivated students and audiences worldwide with...

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Geek Out with Alia Thabit – again!

Posted by on Apr 23, 2014 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Alia Thabit – again!

Midnight at the Crossroads: Has belly dance sold its soul? Episode 19 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, Alia Thabit will give us a preview of her upcoming book, Midnight at the Crossroads: Has belly dance sold its soul?       This will be a frank and provocative discussion about: The essential values of oriental dance How we’ve strayed from them (and why) How to stay true to those values – without stifling ourselves or the evolution of the dance We’ll also have some discussion time, so you can...

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Geek Out with Linda Faoro and Anasma

Posted by on Apr 3, 2014 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Linda Faoro and Anasma

Building a career in fusion Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse Episode 18: My guests, Anasma and Linda Faoro of the International Urban Belly Dance Collective, will talk to us about how to build a successful career as a fusion artist, both from an artistic and business perspective.   (We’re going to focus on the special needs of fusion dancers, but even traditionalists like me can benefit from thinking beyond the “belly box”.)     You’ll learn: How career-building differs for fusion vs. cabaret dancers How the...

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Geek Out With Samira Tu’ala

Posted by on Mar 24, 2014 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out With Samira Tu’ala

  How to get the most out of a big event Episode 17 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, Samira Tu’ala, will talk to us about how to get the most benefit out of a large dance event without running yourself ragged.   If you’ve ever come back from an event with a case of “festival fatigue”, but not much else, this call is for you!     You’ll learn: Why knowing your goals is the key to getting the most out of a large event The 6 things you may be looking for in an event How to make sure...

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Geek Out With Aegela

Posted by on Feb 10, 2014 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out With Aegela

  The Legacy of Mahmoud Reda Episode 16 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, Aegela, will talk to us about the life and work of Mahmoud Reda, founder of Egypt’s famous Reda Troupe.       You’ll learn: Who Reda is The history behind the Reda Troupe How his work is seen in Egypt vs. in the West How it differs from traditional folk dance His impact on modern Egyptian belly dance We’ll also have some discussion time, so you can ask Aegela your questions.   About Aegela Aegela, originally from...

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Geek Out With Morocco

Posted by on Jan 23, 2014 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out With Morocco

  The Early Days of Oriental Dance in New York Episode 15 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: The Clubhouse is back after our December break! My guest, Morocco, will talk to us about the early days of oriental dance in New York City.   We’ll also have some discussion time, so you can ask Aunt Rocky your questions.   About Morocco (Carolina Varga Dinicu, aka Aunt Rocky) With 53+ years researching/assimilating/performing/lecturing/teaching classes & master seminars internationally (including in Egypt, Morocco &...

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Geek Out With Oreet – Again!

Posted by on Nov 7, 2013 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out With Oreet – Again!

    Make Competitions Work for You Episode 14 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, Oreet, will talk to us about belly dance competitions.         You’ll learn: 4 benefits of competiting (even if you don’t win) How performing in a competition is different from a regular show What judges look for How to tell if competitions are right for you How to tell if a particular competition is right for you We’ll also have some discussion time, so you can ask Oreet your questions.   About Oreet...

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Geek Out with Amity Alize

Posted by on Sep 27, 2013 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Amity Alize

  How to host a workshop without driving yourself crazy. Episode 13 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, Amity Alize will talk about the mistakes workshop organizers make that cost them money and sleep.   Whether you’re a professional sponsor, or thinking about organizing your first charity event, there’s something in here for you!     You’ll learn: How to avoid common pitfalls in workshop hosting Important tax rules and reporting when hiring dancers Helpful tips on how to organize yourself so you...

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Geek Out with Alia Thabit

Posted by on Aug 21, 2013 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Alia Thabit

  3 Things You Can Put in a Dance – Besides Steps Episode 12 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, Alia Thabit will talk about elements of dance other than the moves and steps.       You’ll learn: How to free yourself from just the moves What “emotional timbres” are What “feel the music” actually means Why the audience makes a difference in your dance How to find a balance between abstract & narrative elements in Oriental dance We’ll also have some discussion time, so...

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Geek Out with Princess Farhana

Posted by on Aug 13, 2013 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Princess Farhana

  Posing for the Camera   Episode 11 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, Princess Farhana will talk about how to make the camera love you.       Download the presentation slides If you’d like to see the photos Her Highness critiqued on the call, you can download the slides.   You’ll learn: Composition and posing techniques for dance shots of all kinds How to relax in front of the camera How to create beautiful facial angles and body lines A sneaky trick to make your arms look more toned in...

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Geek Out with Valerie Lovely

Posted by on Jun 26, 2013 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Valerie Lovely

  Copyright for Belly Dancers   Episode 10 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest, music attorney Valerie Lovely will talk about music copyright concerns for belly dancers. We’ll also be joined by paralegal and dancer Joie Grandbois (Selcouth).       Whether you perform, teach, produce videos, or just want to post your hafla performance on YouTube, there’s something here for you!   Note: Copyright law varies from country to country, and Atty. Lovely can only address US copyright law. The general...

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Geek Out with Julie Eason

Posted by on May 31, 2013 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

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...

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Geek Out With Anasma and Ranya Renee

Posted by on May 10, 2013 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek 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...

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Geek Out With Oreet

Posted by on Apr 18, 2013 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek 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...

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Geek Out With Leyla Lanty

Posted by on Mar 15, 2013 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek 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.  ...

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Geek Out with Mahin

Posted by on Feb 5, 2013 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Mahin

  Dancing Safe & Strong: Fitness, Injury Prevention and Improving Your Dance with Exercise Episode 5 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest is Mahin of the Daily Belly Dance Quickies.       “Dance safe, dance for life” Belly dance is much gentler on the body than many dance forms, but all physical activity comes with some degree of risk. Mahin will share important knowledge and tips to help you protect yourself and your students.     You’ll learn: The elements of fitness (and how they...

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Geek Out with Zari

Posted by on Jan 10, 2013 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Zari

  “What to do when clients ask you to dance for an hour” Episode 4 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest is Zari of San Francisco.         Clients don’t always know what they want. Party clients often ask for an hour-long show. But that’s way too long! You’d get exhausted, and the guests would get antsy. As the dancer, your job ISN’T to give the client what they ask for. It’s to give them what they really want: a show that makes their party exciting and special. But that...

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Geek Out with Amy Smith

Posted by on Dec 7, 2012 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Amy Smith

  “Boston’s Belly Dance Legacy” Episode 3 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest is Amy Smith. Did you know that the first Middle Eastern nightclub to feature live entertainment in the US was probably Boston’s Club Zahra? The American Cabaret style didn’t have any single source. But as the home to large Middle Eastern diaspora communities, Boston was one of its earliest hotbeds. Learn about the melting pot of cultures, influences, and people that sparked the evolution of belly dance in the US.  ...

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Geek Out with Rosa Noreen

Posted by on Nov 3, 2012 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out with Rosa Noreen

  “Stillness Snafus” Episode 2 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse: My guest is Rosa Noreen, who will debunk the myths and mistakes that keep dancers from using stillness effectively in their dance.       About Rosa Rosa Noreen is a dedicated teacher and an elegant performer. Her singular style of belly dance is influenced by her ballet background and years of study of Egyptian dance. Known for her classical lines and thoughtful approach, Rosa delights students and audiences alike. A leader in her...

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Geek Out on the Egyptian Routine with Yasmin Henkesh

Posted by on Oct 16, 2012 in The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse

Geek Out on the Egyptian Routine with Yasmin Henkesh

  Announcing our first Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse call! Episode 1 of the Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse In this summer’s Rock the Routine course, we geeked out on the 6-part routine, as used in Vintage Orientale (aka old-school American Cabaret).   But many of the participants asked about how to adapt that material for Egyptian style.     So I’m bringing in the big guns! My first guest for The Belly Dance Geek Clubhouse is Yasmin Henkesh. Yasmin is a seasoned performer with a decades of experience performing in...

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