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« Reply #25 on: November 21, 2009, 05:22:20 PM » |
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First bellydancer I remember seeing? The gypsy dancer in From Russia With Love.
As I saw things at the old ballet studio falling apart, and knew we would have to leave. I had pitched the idea of bellydance classes to my daughter, to move her to a dance form where being 5'10", at the time and not done growing yet, wouldn't be an issue. At first she wasn't interested, then she saw the bellydancer in the Star Trek episode "Wolf in the Fold" and I said "that is belly dance". She was hooked. We signed up for belly dance classes shortly after that. |
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Auntie Ludmilla
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« Reply #26 on: November 21, 2009, 06:15:14 PM » |
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It is one of the oldest forms of dance, I think. And has so many variations! That's part of the attraction for me, you never stop learning. Ive been taught mainly traditional oriental up to now (raqs sharki cabaret style, baladi folk dance and bits of turkish and egyptian), but am getting into a bit of the modern tribal style and flamenco, which is tremendous fun. I really want one of those big tribal circle skirts, anyone know where i could find patterns or instructions? Can't afford to buy, so I will have to get sewing.....
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dnbsdizzy
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« Reply #27 on: November 21, 2009, 08:30:05 PM » |
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Bellydancing is so universal. When I attended country fayres there were bellydancers, at the punk rock gatherings there were bellydancers, when I went to Harley biker rallies there were bellydancers, the goth and vampyre scenes always had bellydancers, Pagan events insist on bellydancers....and steampunk. We must all really love those undulating midriffs.  I agree with the universality. First bellydancer I remember seeing? The gypsy dancer in From Russia With Love. She was my first too, very caberet she was soo cute! |
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CapnHarlock
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« Reply #28 on: November 21, 2009, 09:36:39 PM » |
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Pagan events insist on bellydancers....and steampunk. DISCLAIMER: NOT at all religion-related! Your local Pagan events are probably the best places to find people who know/understand/accept/teach various forms of non-mainstream dancing. You can find Middle-Eastern/ Caribbean/ Native American/ "stoned whiteboy in a kilt at a Dead show" styles co-existing happily and you can meet teachers/learners in an open, accepting atmosphere. Bring boots - they almost-always end up muddy  |
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Jeremiah Cornelius Harlock
At Your Service
"It's so hard to know if you're bound for a fall,
But better to have tripped than never danced at all."
"Dancing Under The Rose" - The Albion Band.
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Auntie Ludmilla
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« Reply #29 on: November 21, 2009, 11:03:29 PM » |
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I've got a mate who combines bellydancing and morris dancing. (The proper kind with really big sticks!) I hear their morris gigs are amazing (I've only ever seen her bellydance), but yes, big connection between paganism and bellydance. Not surprising really, a lot of the stomach moves serve to strengthen the muscles needed for child birth (it being quite a tricky business, although with fewer fatalities these days, fortunately), so it's bound to sit well with religions that honour the feminine. I'm god-less personally, but each to their own. And the pagans do know how to throw a good party  |
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CapnHarlock
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« Reply #30 on: November 21, 2009, 11:12:10 PM » |
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Yes, we do |
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Jeremiah Cornelius Harlock
At Your Service
"It's so hard to know if you're bound for a fall,
But better to have tripped than never danced at all."
"Dancing Under The Rose" - The Albion Band.
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Mina
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« Reply #31 on: November 22, 2009, 08:10:36 PM » |
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to get back on supject I've found some old instructional DVD's i haven't used in years, and am very excited to start back up! |
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The mind - like a parachute - only functions when open.
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
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Auntie Ludmilla
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« Reply #32 on: November 23, 2009, 06:33:22 PM » |
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Finally got a performance video on youtube. If you don't look too closely, you almost can't see how petrified with stage fright I am.... Don't know why I put myself through it really.
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Rev.Hammer
Gunner
 United States
I am against it with you!
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« Reply #33 on: November 24, 2009, 08:41:11 AM » |
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Yes, we do AYE that! |
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popuptoaster
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« Reply #34 on: November 24, 2009, 01:39:46 PM » |
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I think everything in the world is on You Tube. Star Trek
James Bond.
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Auntie Ludmilla
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« Reply #35 on: December 15, 2009, 11:46:43 AM » |
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Hope this link works (still stumbling around the technology). Brilliant bellydance to a version of the Dr Who theme by Pavlov's Hips.......
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TribalWren
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« Reply #36 on: December 16, 2009, 08:50:38 PM » |
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Hope this link works (still stumbling around the technology). Brilliant bellydance to a version of the Dr Who theme by Pavlov's Hips....... YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.That is the awesome!! Thanks for posting! I think I've been inspired......*shimmies off to practise some new choreography* |
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On ne voit bien qu'avec le coeur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.
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Auntie Ludmilla
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« Reply #37 on: February 01, 2010, 01:54:12 PM » |
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Yet another chorecgraphy to Abney Park. I just find them so easy to dance to....
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SirValdemar
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« Reply #38 on: February 01, 2010, 03:43:14 PM » |
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I sought to learn bellydancing, but then I saw what outfits the males were wearing for performances, and I said to meself: "I could never pull off 'gay Alladin'". Now, (and apparently I'm of an unpopular opinion here), when I see a bellydancing performance (formal OR informal) and there's a dude up there, I pretty much feel: "Get out the way, ya damned fool, yer blocking the view of the dancers."
In my defense, however, I think ALL MEN SHOULD LEARN TO DANCE! I did African dance for a year, Capoeira for three years, and Ballroom for year, focusing on the Waltz and the Tango. And of course I hit the clubs on the regular.
How you gonna pretend you're a good lover when you don't know how to dance, fellas? And it's a fun way to get in shape. You oughta see the ladies reaction to a male dancer's sculpted body.
I will second you on the matter of men and belly dancing as a nono simply because belly dancing for as long as I can remember from the 1970's as a child forward had always been portrayed as a womens dance of femininity and sensuality emphasizing the alluring curves of a woman that no man has. I'll also agree with others that gears are not needed for the outfit of a belly dancer and that all is needed is period specific garb and an appropriately furnished room, garbed musicians with period instruments and garbed guests. |
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Discovering the mysteries of brass copper and hard wood is only half the thrill, combining them together in a useful bit or bauble is the real treasure.
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teainwonderland
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« Reply #39 on: February 01, 2010, 07:05:51 PM » |
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Loving the performances that everyone's posting! I've wanted to take bellydance classes for a long while, but the one's in my area are usually expensive or inconvenient.  When I was younger I did ballet, tap, and jazz but that was about 8 years ago now, and I did Nia while in theatre school (blends jazz/duncan dances with akido/tae kwon do/yoga/etc - really good exercise). There are a few other styles I'd like to explore eventually, but bellydance is at the top of the list. |
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Mina
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« Reply #40 on: February 04, 2010, 01:30:43 AM » |
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wow, it's been quite some time since i've been on the forum, lots of catching up to do! i myself am going to re-take up belly dance lessons with my best friend, and I'm trying to talk my mom into it as well. I really want one of those big tribal circle skirts, anyone know where i could find patterns or instructions? Can't afford to buy, so I will have to get sewing.....
just cut out a giant circle with a smaller circle the circumference of your hips/waist, and the length from inner circle to edge of outer the length you want the skirt to be. don't forget allowance and hems, either. |
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The mind - like a parachute - only functions when open.
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
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Malcom Kane
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« Reply #41 on: February 04, 2010, 04:20:20 AM » |
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As a man who has been bellydancing on and off for 20+ years YES men bellydance, you see it in Egypt all the time. Stick dances esp.
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To Break the Chains,
To Shatter the Walls,
To Wake the Sleepers.
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Auntie Ludmilla
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« Reply #42 on: February 04, 2010, 08:52:27 PM » |
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I'd like to learn some more saiidi (probably spelt wrong....) stick moves, we've done a couple of dances with our troupe, and they are always fun. There are definately lots more men involved in the scene than when I first started, even if just as drummers. I'm all for it, I love watching men dance too.
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Malcom Kane
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« Reply #43 on: February 05, 2010, 04:34:44 AM » |
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Wish I could help, but all the teachers I know are here in the US.
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To Break the Chains,
To Shatter the Walls,
To Wake the Sleepers.
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