{"id":1155,"date":"2010-01-15T21:35:43","date_gmt":"2010-01-16T04:35:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/?p=1155"},"modified":"2010-01-15T21:36:25","modified_gmt":"2010-01-16T04:36:25","slug":"traceyffansveils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2010\/01\/15\/traceyffansveils\/","title":{"rendered":"<h3>More Fans, More Veils&#8230;<\/h3>"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/productreviewgraphics\/09\/2veilcollage.jpg\" alt=\"2 Veil DVDs\" width=\"300\" height=\"450\" align=\"right\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>DVD Review<\/h2>\n<h3>by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/tracyfarmer.htm\">Tracey Farmer<\/a><br \/>\n<span class=\"footnotes\">posted January 15, 2010<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/productreviewgraphics\/09\/fanveils2tn.jpg\" alt=\"Mahsati's DVD\" width=\"100\" height=\"142\" align=\"left\" \/>Here are 2  reviews for more advanced techniques using an extension and addition to the  standard 3-yard veil in Belly dance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"sectiontitle\">Fan Veilz Level II: <\/strong>DVD by Mahsati Janan<\/p>\n<p>I <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art45\/tracyfanveilzzreview.htm\">reviewed <span class=\"artist\">Mahsati&#8217;<\/span>s 1st Fan Veil DVD<\/a> and&nbsp;noted that I would be quite interested in seeing what she had in store for  Level II; I was not disappointed! <br \/>\nIn my  review of that 1st DVD, I remember being impressed with how much ground  material she covered with the fan veil DVD.&nbsp; I was surprised when it was titled &quot;Level I&quot; because I didn&#8217;t know how  much more she could cover. <\/p>\n<p class=\"highlight\">She&nbsp;includes a lot more ground information by using combinations, aptly named tables and turns,&nbsp;and the introduction to a&nbsp;lengthier fan veil that is&nbsp;3  meters long&nbsp;instead of the  standard 1.5 meters. <\/p>\n<p> There is  no warm up in this DVD&nbsp;as there was on&nbsp;the first, but  Mahsati advises that you should be warmed up, keep proper posture, and that this DVD is for people who already have some knowledge of  dancing.&nbsp; She gives advise on costuming concerns,&nbsp;and being mindful of your dance space. You won&#8217;t want your fan veil to land in  someone&#8217;s food&#8211;and how the silken veils can easily get caught up on costume beads and coins! Mahsati even goes into how to tuck your veils into your costume without being  awkward. <\/p>\n<p> In the 1st  DVD, you are advised on how to hold  the fan veil, how to make&nbsp;it  flutter, etc. This&nbsp;DVD  begins&nbsp;with the assumption that the  viewer has already seen this DVD or has a basic knowledge of fan veils. Mahsati&nbsp;immediately addresses&nbsp;combinations with one, then  two, 1.5 meter veils. The 1.5.  meters are the shorter, standard fan veils and the majority of her  combinations center around these.&nbsp; With the  combinations, Mahsati describes and demonstrates&nbsp;verbally, repeats&nbsp;the combination along with the music, and demonstrates from behind,  giving you a different view. <\/p>\n<p> Next,&nbsp;she moves on to 3 meter veils that are roughly 10 feet in length.  These combinations are more&nbsp;familiar in their interpretation. Mahsati reminds us that this is a lot  of&nbsp;fabric and, again, to watch your costuming and dance space. She reminds us that the steps  have to be more open and that you must make  your moves bigger in order to accomodate so much yardage. You can drape the 3 meter fan veil&nbsp;as if  it were&nbsp;a regular veil, and Mahsati shows us  different tucks into&nbsp;the  costume. The 3 meter combinations  are not as extensive, but she does  present a few double 3 meter fan veil combinations and reminds the viewer that&nbsp;there  is no limit to them. <\/p>\n<p> Masati&nbsp;next presents a 5 part choreogrpahy called <strong>&quot;Lila&quot;.&nbsp; <\/strong>She encourages us to use all of the  combinations and the choreography in our dances but always advises us to come  up with our own moves&#8211;all while being  mindful of costuming and performance space.<\/p>\n<p> The&nbsp;DVD ends with performances by Masahti and 2 guest artists, <strong>Miki Bow<\/strong> and by <strong>Lisa Zahiya<\/strong>.&nbsp; All of the music is provided by <strong>Desert Mosaic<\/strong>, <strong>Miss Rose Lee<\/strong><strong>,<\/strong> and <strong>Desert Rain<\/strong>.&nbsp;  The&nbsp;tune used for the choreography  &quot;Lila&quot; is by Desert Rain.&nbsp; As&nbsp;in the 1st&nbsp;DVD, the performances are an array of Cabaret, Tribal, Tribal Fusion and Egyptian to show you  how fan veils can accentuate all types of Bellydancing.&nbsp; <\/p>\n<p> This DVD  is produced by <span class=\"company\">Neo Films<\/span> who did the 1st Fan Veil DVD. It&nbsp;is&nbsp;performed on a stage with a  black background, which makes the colors of the fan veils &quot;pop&quot; on screen. It will be intersting to see if Masati comes out with <strong>Fan Veilz III.<\/strong> <\/p>\n<h3 align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/productreviewgraphics\/3zils.gif\" alt=\"Rating-3 zils\" width=\"110\" height=\"36\" \/><br \/>\nRating-  3 zils<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"sectiontitle\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/productreviewgraphics\/09\/shoshanna4ydveiltn.jpg\" alt=\"Shoshanna's DVD\" width=\"111\" height=\"150\" align=\"left\" \/>Fabulous Four Yard Veils with Shoshanna<\/p>\n<p>This is  another quality instruactional DVD from <span class=\"company\">Cheeky Girls Productions<\/span>. <\/p>\n<p> <span class=\"artist\">Shoshanna<\/span> does an excellent job explaining veil work. She begins with an introduction, explaining what will transpire in the DVD; then she tells of her own dance experience and &quot;coming in to your own&quot; as a dancer&#8211;as she has  done.&nbsp; Shoshanna is known for dancing with veils so who better to do a  veil instructional? Exceptional veil  work is her trademark. <\/p>\n<p class=\"highlight\"> With the  four yard veil, you work with more material  and it does require work on technique.&nbsp; This DVD is useful for all levels,  for&nbsp;a beginner to learn, and even more advanced dancers to re-learn from the beginning.&nbsp;  The technique and moves&nbsp;become more advanced as Shoshanna goes through her clear  instruction. <\/p>\n<p> After her  introductions, Shoshanna demonstrates a sampling of veils that are most popular&nbsp;such  as silk, rayon chiffon, polyester chiffon, and circular veil.&nbsp;She ends the sampling&nbsp;with  a&nbsp; beautifully luminescent 5&nbsp;yard veil.&nbsp; She explains how  each fabric&nbsp;can give off a  different flow or &#8216;fluff&#8217; depending on the material and its shape.<\/p>\n<p> The  instructional matter&nbsp;starts off with a  warm-up (which is a good idea with all  of the flipping and tossing in the upcoming chapters).&nbsp; Shoshanna starts with the basics on how to hold your veil, as  well as positioning&nbsp;your arms and fingers.&nbsp; I would have liked&nbsp;her  to include information on&nbsp;holding the veil with  finger cymbals in your hand since&nbsp;in  old-school American Cabaret, I was  taught that you never put you zills down.  (Perhaps that&#8217;s just me being nit-picky.) <\/p>\n<table width=\"124\" border=\"1\" align=\"right\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\">\n<tr>\n<td>\n<iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&#038;o=1&#038;p=8&#038;l=as1&#038;asins=B001DHLZNU&#038;fc1=000000&#038;IS2=1&#038;lt1=_blank&#038;m=amazon&#038;lc1=0000FF&#038;bc1=000000&#038;bg1=FFFFFF&#038;f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"no\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>The 1st  section is basic flipping and tossing  and the &quot;around the world&quot; moves. This is great for beginners! From here, Shoshanna progressed  into more intermediate and advanced moves that incuded turns, reveal and  conceal, tossing and catching the veil, and much more.&nbsp; Shoshanna advised that there can be a good amount  of turning with veil work so it is&nbsp;imperative to know how to do turns, to  start off slowly and practice so that you won&#8217;t get dizzy or bounce up and down. There are a lot of  combinations on this DVD with which you may work&nbsp;that&nbsp;might  take a couple of viewings.&nbsp; You may want to stop the DVD at points and just practice (and perfect) 2 or 3 combinations at a time. Just a couple of these combinations would give you an  acceptable&nbsp;veil choreography&nbsp;for a short taxim or a great entrance&#8211;if you are an Egyptian style dancer. The advance moves include more  spinning with your veil&#8211;and  though quite a sight to see&#8211;please  heed her advice and practice before trying to&nbsp;perform a dazzling Pinwheel. You&nbsp;wouldn&#8217;t want to get dizzy after 2 turns. <\/p>\n<p> Shoshanna (and the students accompanying her) use 4 yard veils, but she reminds us that all of these combinations  can be&nbsp;accomplished with&nbsp;a standard 3 yard veil. Shoshanna reminds us that four  yards of fabric&nbsp;is a bit more material, so you must &quot;step out&quot; or extend your arms more  to get that height and fluff and not get tangled and to not be afraid, it does  take practice.&nbsp; Shoshanna is 5&#8242; 2&quot; and admits&nbsp;her  instructor told her that she&nbsp;only needs 2 1\/2 yards  for her small&nbsp;frame, and as you can see, she&#8217;s  not intimidated by the length! <\/p>\n<p> All of  these moves are accomplished while facing the  viewer with the 2 students in the background. When we get to the combination  choreography, it is done in front of a  mirror with her back facing the audience,  giving you the feeling of being&nbsp;part of the&nbsp;class. The choregraphy is then performed in a group but would  work also&nbsp;with a solo dancer. <\/p>\n<p> At the  end, we are treated to a&nbsp;satisfying Shoshanna performance with a 4 yard veil, which is featured on the <strong><em>By Dancers by Dancers Vol. IV <\/em>DVD<\/strong>.&nbsp;  All of the music provided is by <strong>Qadim<\/strong> featuring <strong>Eliyahu Sills<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"highlight\"> Shoshanna  covers a lot of&nbsp;basic information concerning veil work on this DVD.&nbsp; She even has a  &quot;troubleshooting&quot; section&nbsp;in which&nbsp;she talks about getting caught in your costume or hair piece and  how to get out of it (which is&nbsp;helpful  for me&nbsp;because veil has never been my forte and  getting &quot;caught&quot; in my veil is one of my nightmares).<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp; Shoshanna also reminds us that when using a 4 yard veil,&nbsp;you should try to&nbsp;have  plenty of space around and above you because you don&#8217;t want to get caught in  the chandelier above or toss your silk veil in someone&#8217;s food.&nbsp; This DVD  is recommended for anyone interested in veil, 4 yards, shorter or longer,  intermediate students or anyone interested in new ideas for dancing with a veil. I believe the brief appearance of that&nbsp;incredible 5 yard veil is a hint&nbsp;concerning Shoshanna&#8217;s next level of veil instruction via  DVD. <\/p>\n<h3 align=\"center\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/productreviewgraphics\/4zils.gif\" alt=\"Rating-4 zils\" width=\"150\" height=\"36\" \/><br \/>\nRating- 4 zils<\/h3>\n<p class=\"sectiontitle\">Summary<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Instructional&nbsp;Skill:&nbsp; <\/strong>Both ladies are qualified and give clear instruction  and explanations. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Quality of Production: &nbsp;<\/strong>Mahsati&#8211;medium quality, similar to the same used in her 1st <strong>Fan Veil DVD<\/strong>.<br \/>\nShoshanna&#8211;exceptional, professional quality. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Level of Instruction:&nbsp; <\/strong>All  levels on both DVDs <\/li>\n<li><strong>Ratings:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong>Mahsati&#8211;3 zills,<br \/>\nShoshanna&#8211;4 zills <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Purchase information:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Shoshanna&#8217;s Four Yard Veil DVD<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.cheekygirlsproductions.com\/catalog\/shoshanna-veil.html\" target=\"_blank\">Cheeky Girls Productions<\/a> , <a href=\"http:\/\/www.shoshannaland.com\/dvd.html\" target=\"_blank\">Shoshanna&#8217;s site<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Mahsati&#8217;s Fan Veils II DVD<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.mahsati-janan.com\/dvds.html\" target=\"_blank\">Mahsati&#8217;s site<\/a>, <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/graphics\/acommentbox.jpg\" alt=\"use the comment box\" align=\"right\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"ready4more\">\n<p>Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or <a href=\"mailto:editor@gildedserpent.com\">Send us a letter!<\/a> <br \/>\nCheck the &quot;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/let2ed.htm\">Letters to the Editor<\/a>&quot; for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n<p>Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--end ready4more --><\/p>\n<div class=\"articlelist\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-18-08 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art45\/tracyfanveilzzreview.htm\">Fabulous Fan Veilzz w\/ Mahsati Janan<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">DVD Review by Tracey Farmer<\/span><br \/>\nLike I said before, this video is for those who are familiar with belly dance already. The fan veil is a new concept and performance skill , as well as a new prop in Middle Eastern dance. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">5-9-09 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/05\/09\/tracey3instrdvdsbeg\/\">3 Instructional DVDs for Beginners:Wide Range in Quality: A Course in Belly Dance by Galit Mersand, Aziza&rsquo;s Ultimate Practice Companion, 1-2-3- Belly Dance with Bahaia <\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">Reviewed by Tracey Farmer.<\/span><br \/>\nI am going to review 3 videos that are mainly for beginners or practice.&nbsp; They are from 3 vastly different dancers who each have unique styles.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">5-3-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/05\/03\/tracevreviewsensualdvds\/\">Sensual not Sexual:Exploring Sensuality in Bellydance, DVD Reviews of &ldquo;Sensual Belly Dance with Blanca&rdquo;, and &ldquo;Sensual Passion with Tamalyn Dallal&rdquo;<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Tracey\tFarmer <\/span><br \/>\n\u201cSensual Passion\u201d (the DVD) is not about sensuality!  Again, like Blanca\u2019s \u201cSensual Belly Dance\u201d, this DVD is not another \u201ccharm your man and get him to fall in love with you\u201d instructional\tDVD.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-7-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art47\/Traceyreviewszils.html\">Thrillin&#8217; Zillin&quot;; DVD Review of &quot;Belly Dance with Zills <\/a>&quot;<span class=\"articleauthor\"> review by Tracey Farmer<\/span><br \/>\nThis is helpful for dancers who have a problem playing zills while dancing, or who are OK with just a drum playing the rhythm but get confused when playing to a song.&nbsp; Elsa uses some familiar songs in this DVD which will give you the feeling of&nbsp; &quot;Oh, I&#8217;ve danced to this before; maybe next time I&#8217;ll add my zills&quot;.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">8-2-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/archives\/gigbagvideos.htm#17\">Gigbag Check with Mahsati<\/a><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-30-05<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art33\/TammyHabibiHI.htm\">Paradise Found at Habibi Hawaii 2005<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> A Report by Tammy Yee<\/span><br \/>\nAzure skies and sun-kissed palms provided the perfect backdrop for Habibi Hawaii, Honolulu&#8217;s Premier Bellydance Festival and Celebration. <em>Shoshanna featured<\/em><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">3-31-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/03\/31\/mina1001arabnts\/\">Mina&#8217;s 1001 Arabian Nights<\/a>,<span class=\"articleauthor\"> photos by Michael Baxter, text by Mina, the producer<\/span><br \/>\n1001 Arabian Nights started with asking several of the community troupe directors and teachers I&rsquo;ve known over the year if they would like to create a show with me. They all seemed very excited about the prospect of doing something   &quot;different&quot; in the dance community.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">5-23-02<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/articles18\/festivalnilevideosadira.htm\">&quot;Festival   of the Nile XXI&quot; from Beledi Productions Featuring Shoshanna<\/a>,<span class=\"articleauthor\"> Video Review by Sadira<\/span><br \/>\nTo market such a video for profit is a travisty, in my opinion. <em>Shoshanna featured<\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Carnival\tof Stars 2008<\/em> by\tCarl Sermon<\/strong> November 9, 2008, Event Sponsors- Pepper Alexandria and Latifa. 1-28-09 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art46\/cssCarlCOS3.html\">Sunday, Page 3: M-R <\/a> <em>Mahsati featured<\/em><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-13-10<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2010\/01\/13\/marthareviewsgalitshishadvd\/\">Galit Mersand Teaches the Shisha Dance<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">DVD review by Martha Duran<\/span><br \/>\nThis is a unique dvd for the performer who wants to widen her horizons.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-8-10 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2010\/01\/08\/kristinareviewsjillinabe\/\">Jillina Advances Dance Theatre, A Review of Jillina\u2019s Bellydance Evolution<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">,by Kristina Nekyia, photos by Carl Sermon<\/span><br \/>\nBellydance Evolution is a full-length theatrical event directed by dancer and choreographer Jillina, ushering belly dance into the world of dance theater. The production is a melding of narrative with a wide variety of traditional and cutting-edge Middle Eastern dance and music. I saw the dress rehearsal of Bellydance Evolution when it debuted in Glendale, California in August, 2009.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-13-09<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/12\/13\/surreyyareviews2zilproducts\/\"> Two Finger Cymbal Products reviewed: Belly Dancing Book &amp; Kit Zill Speak, CD and Booklet by Artemis<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">Reviewed by Surreyya <\/span><br \/>\nThe finger cymbals:  The cheapest money can buy, likely made by orphaned children in a third world country, yet an exceptional value for $9 at Borders books. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-4-09<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2009\/12\/04\/sonjareveiws3drumsolosdvd\/\">Drum Solos: 3 Masterful Approaches, 1-2-3 Drum Solo with Bahaia, Arabic Rhythms Combinations with Tamra-henna, Dynamic Drum Solo: Technique &amp; Choreography with Sadie<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">Reviewed by Sonja Oswalt <\/span> Overall, if I were an advanced beginner through advanced intermediate student with only enough money for one of these videos, I\u2019d purchase Arabic Rhythms and Combination with Tamra-henna.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here are 2  reviews for more advanced techniques using an extension and addition to the  standard 3-yard veil in Belly dance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1155"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1155"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1155\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1155"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1155"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1155"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}