Laugh out loud

I can't stop watching this cute video made by Gia al Qamar. It has made it rounds on Oriental Dancer and facebook but if you missed it take a look.



My new catchphrase is, "I don't put mascara on my left eye for $25"

Workshop Etiquette

As a beginner attending my first workshop, I was never spoken to about proper etiquette but I understand that most of these things are common sense. Because we have all experienced workshop participants with bad or rude behavior, I think it should be a goal (especially if you are an instructor) to make sure those around you are familiar with proper workshop etiquette.

1. Arrive on time. This can be hard if you are in a new city and not familiar with the location. Allow plenty of time  for U-turns and if you arrive the night before then please find the workshop location to ease your commute in the morning.

2. Put your belongings as out of the way as possible. The organizers will usually have chairs or a sitting area. Keep your things out of the way so as not to cause a tripping hazard.

3. No unnecessary noises. This means no coin scarves or other noisy accessories. I have heard some workshop participants when asked to take their coin scarves off say they need it to feel the movement. On one hand if this true then you should be practicing without it to get away from that crutch but it is possible to get a heavy fringed or beaded scarf that will give you the same feel without the noise.

4. No talking. Not all instructors project their voices, like noisy accessories, talking can be a big distraction. If you need to talk to someone leave the room. Keep your phone off unless you are on call, and if you do need to make a call leave the room.

5. If you need a break don't be a distraction. All of us need a break every now and then. When you sit down do so quietly and keep out of the way. If you plan a lot of breaks whether from fatigue or for taking notes, keep you position at the back or side of the room so your constant up and down is not distracting.

6. Changing lines. Occasionally, an instructor will ask the room to change lines. This usually means that the first few lines move to the back and everyone else moves up. When an instructor makes this request please do so quickly and quietly. If you are in front you should always move. As a petite person, I always arrive early to get a spot in the front where I can see. If asked to change lines, I will do so to give the others an opportunity to see better. It is my responsibility to now position myself in the back to see as best as I can.
If you are in the back because you are a beginner or just shy and do not wish to move forward then please let the others come from the front and then reposition yourself if necessary.

7. Filming! Always ask if you can film. Never assume you may, in most cases it is not allowed. I find can you ask most workshop instructors to play the music again right after the workshop has ended so you can dance while the material is still fresh in your mind. Other participants might join in and have someone film them as well. If you can't film the instructor, never assume you can film another participant. Ask first! If I am alone and not getting the material, I will look for someone who is and ask if I can film them if I send the footage to them. So far everyone has said yes, but I do have close friends who will not let anyone film them.
Never ever post workshop footage that includes anyone but yourself on YouTube or similar sites! -This is why less and less workshops will allow cameras.

Please feel free to comment if you have any additional suggestions or would like to bring up less than flattering behaviors that you have seen at a workshop.

Upcoming Workshops and Events

September 11-12 - Momo Kadous in Knoxville, TN
September 18-19 - Sahra Saeeda in St. Louis
October 7-10 - Camparet in Ingram, TX
November 7 - Bellydance Superstars in Louisville, KY
November 19-21 - Dona Mejia and Karim Nagi in St. Louis

Momo Kadous 5 Day Intensive in Knoxville, TN

You don't want to miss it! Find out more and download the registration form here.

A Public Face

So today, I feel like crap. Poop, if you prefer.

I woke up with a headache, my neck has been bothering me for a week, etc.

I took some pills and slept in a bit, as I do.

When I finally rolled out of bed, I didn't put my normal hour into my morning routine. Hell, people are lucky I put on deodorant. Fortunately for me while my day job is in the business world, it is not that sort of business and I can wear yoga pants and t-shirt to work to on most days. If I had an important meeting then that would be different.

What hit me as I was driving out of my neighborhood sans make-up was What if I meet a potential student today? or a someone with a potential gig? The last thing I look like today is a bellydancer.

This all got me thinking. Are these things to be considered when ever we go out into public where the potential clients hang out.

Upcoming appearances

May 28 - Black Orchid Danse Retreat in Atlanta, GA

June 4 - Friday after 5 in Owensboro, KY (5:45 pm)

June 5 - Posey Co. Relay for Life in Posey County, IN (11:00 am)*

June 11 - Dancing in the Streets in downtown Evansville, IN time TBA*

*with Evansville Bellydance

Workshops

I just took a survey about what I am looking for in a workshop. So I ask you, dear readers, what do you look for in a workshop?

Things I Like

I have an MBA with a concentration in Marketing so I should be good at building a brand, right?

Well, starting from scratch is hard. Although, I am lucky in that my brand is very niche. Bellydance lessons in Owensboro, KY.

Here are some things I like and don't like:

Facebook - I use this because I am already on it personally. I begged friends to become fans and begged them to beg their friends but that is all you can do unless you run a

Facebook Ad - I am currently running two ads on Facebook. I have had 113,138 impressions but only 23 clicks. Now I am targeting women in my local area and according to Facebook there at 52k such users. All 23 clicks came on the single day Facebook ran my add upwards of 60k times. Otherwise nothing. I like Facebook ads because you set your max daily budget, I don't like it because you can't say that you want your ad run more.

Weebly - I made my website with Weebly. Weebly is super easy. Actually it is probably too easy for me because I like to tweak things but it looks good and kept me from having headaches. (like the 20 times I redesigned this blog) It is also really easy to update. If you have very little skill and/or time then I really recommend Weebly. My site will definitely stay with them until I get a lot more free time or money to hire someone.

Mailchimp - I admit I was going to just write plain text e-mail newsletter and send them out to a group in my address book. Then someone on Bhuz mentioned mailchimp. A free account includes 500 subscribers and up to 3k e-mails per month. Well, I will never have that. Wow! You can customize your sign up form for your site. They have great templates, and excellent tracking. I can't recommend them enough.

Cafepress - I am sure you have bought something from them but have you ever looked at what it takes to make a store. If you already have digital artwork, all you do is upload it and pick your items. I like this method because you don't have to order X number of smalls, etc. People just order what they want.

Update

For any reader who doesn't know me outside of reading this blog, some major changes have just happened in my life.

My husband and I have moved in order to work for my family's business. We are in house limbo, waiting for our old one to close and trying to find a new one. Once we have a home, I plan to take up teaching. I am also registered for some great workshops in 2010 and think the year will bring many big changes to my life including my dance life. So hang in there.....shimmy on....

Momo Kadous Seminar and Show

I admit that I took too long to post this but I was tired.... and then it was my birthday, and then I went to Mexico for a week, and then I was tired again. I then I got it done but needed to upload the pictures... you know how the story goes.

Momo Kadous was sponsored by Turquoise International with Shahira and Sabylla being the local hostesses. We had a hafla on Friday night at The Mirage. I was very happy that Ali (from Turquoise) and Momo were able to attend. We had some great dancers from all over Tennessee and the surrounding area.

Me, Laura and Jessica with Momo

If you have never taken a workshop with Momo, I have to warn you...his English is not very good. He also tends to go back and forth from English to French to German. I attended a workshop with his last year and this year I was prepared and that made it easier for me to understand. Several fellow attendees said by the second day they were doing much better.

Both choreography's he taught were incredible. I dream at night that art like that will ever come from my mind. I was also flattered that he thought enough of us on the first day to give use a second, long, complicated orientale piece.

He allowed us the film the class (just not him) which is great since our notes were all filled with things like "Opa, opa, hep, hep, step". You would think it would be hard with a language barrier to be funny but Momo is a laugh a minute. If the class doesn't look like they are getting it he will say "Do you understand?...Say no" or "say yes" if he is ready to move on. The jewel sound bite of this workshop was, "Is beautiful, yes? Then why you no dance it good".

If you ever have a chance to study with Momo, take it! I can't put into words the masterfullness (which is not even a word) of his choreography's. Even of you never danced them, the technique and ideas for creating your own choreography are endless.

The only possible complaint about the workshop is that the materials said that the last afternoon of the seminar would be folklore and instead Momo taught the same Oreintale choreography before and after lunch. I don't know when he changed his plan and surely hope no one was really disappointed. I hate it only because having danced one of his folk numbers, I know how great they are.

The show on Saturday was amazing as far as performance but attendance left something to be desired. The show competed with a UT Football which, around here, is like church.

Unfortunately, I spent most of the night in the dressing room and got to see very few numbers. My husband and friends were astounded by Raksanna, Linda of Nashville, and Mahsati Janan among others.

Both my troupes danced Momo choreography's that we learned on his 2008 circuit. Here is Shahira's Troupe Hyetti doing an oreintale piece

and BellaBelly with a Bedouin Folk number.

I think it is safe to say that this number stole the show!

Momo himself ended the night with a great performance.