{"id":2097,"date":"2010-11-15T14:08:29","date_gmt":"2010-11-15T21:08:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/?p=2097"},"modified":"2010-11-15T14:15:11","modified_gmt":"2010-11-15T21:15:11","slug":"naajidah-ashiya-how-to-pro-dancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2010\/11\/15\/naajidah-ashiya-how-to-pro-dancer\/","title":{"rendered":"She&#8217;s Got the Look!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art52\/graphics52\/newbellydancer.jpg\" class=\"floatright\" width=\"300\" height=\"344\" alt=\"Placeholder\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Establishing Yourself as a Professional, Part 2<\/h2>\n<h3>by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/naajidah.htm\">Naajidah<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/ashiya.htm\">Ashiya<\/a><br \/>\n<span class=\"footnotes\">posted November 10, 2010<\/span><\/h3>\n<div>\n<p>In our last article we discussed some of the aspects of   professionalism.\u00a0 We promised more do\u2019s and don\u2019ts.\u00a0 \u00a0Before we get started,   there are a few things anyone aspiring to becoming a professional should know. <\/p>\n<ol>\n<li> Success doesn\u2019t happen overnight, it\u2019s   earned.\u00a0 It can take YEARS of working in freebies and low paying jobs to get   anywhere.\u00a0 There\u2019s no promise of success, just lots and lots of hard work.\u00a0 You   need to understand that you have to give before you receive as good paying jobs   are few and far between and you must be willing to spend the time necessary to   achieve your goals.\u00a0 Where you live in the United States plays a big hand in   how successful you are going to be.\u00a0 If you really want to be a top dancer, you   may have to consider relocating.<\/li>\n<li>Even being a professional is an expensive   hobby.\u00a0 If you want to keep being a professional, be prepared to put all of your   earnings back into costumes, music, accessories, props and marketing materials.\u00a0   Be prepared to \u2013 if you are lucky \u2013 break even.\u00a0 You\u2019ll continue to need new and   different costumes, replacements for props, more and new music.\u00a0 The   expenditures never cease.<\/li>\n<li>Take as many classes and workshops from as   many teachers and instructors as possible.\u00a0 Expand your knowledge and   repertoire.\u00a0 The more you know, the better you will be.\u00a0 Network with dancers,   not only locally, but regionally and nationally as well.\u00a0 Attend events where   other dancers are performing.\u00a0 Be supportive of them.\u00a0 You will gain immensely   from the experience.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<li> Always remember to treat other dancers   fairly and the way you want to be treated.\u00a0 No matter how much you want to   dance, you cannot infringe on other dancer\u2019s gigs. (There will be a future   article \u201cThe Myth of the Sisterhood of Dance\u201d to address this and other   problems)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>As a caveat \u2013 we didn\u2019t come up with these   arbitrarily.\u00a0 As professional dancers we have, between the two of us, over 40   years of experience dancing professionally in night clubs, restaurants, stage   productions, and festivals.\u00a0 We have gleaned these rules over the years by   observing what does and doesn\u2019t work, both for ourselves and by watching other   dancers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"highlight\">Learn to be patient.\u00a0 When you think you\u2019ve waited   long enough, wait some more.<\/p>\n<p>Jobs don\u2019t just fall into your lap.\u00a0 They need to be   earned.\u00a0 Paying gigs don\u2019t come knocking at your door.\u00a0 Simply because you are a   belly dancer, are cute and adorable and have one or two costumes doesn\u2019t mean   calls are going to start coming in.\u00a0 Just because you\u2019ve taken a year or two of   lessons doesn\u2019t make you marketable.\u00a0 You need to establish yourself, make a   name for yourself, market yourself and put yourself into positions where you might get noticed for better jobs.\u00a0 There is no shame in starting out with   non-paying gigs at such venues as ethnic festivals, nursing homes, schools,   etc.\u00a0 But, if you want to be taken seriously, you MUST treat these freebies as   you would a professional job.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<p class=\"highlight\">If you want to get noticed, then every job you do,   whether paying or not must include your best music, your best choreography, your   best costume up to and including makeup, cover-ups etc.<\/p>\n<table width=\"120\" border=\"0\" align=\"right\" cellpadding=\"5\" cellspacing=\"0\">\n<tr>\n<td>\n<iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&amp;o=1&amp;p=8&amp;l=as1&amp;asins=B000RZPW74&amp;fc1=000000&amp;IS2=1&amp;lt1=_blank&amp;m=amazon&amp;lc1=0000FF&amp;bc1=000000&amp;bg1=FFFFFF&amp;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>There are several reasons for this.\u00a0 First you   establish your unique look, you earn people\u2019s respect, and you meet people in   the audience who might recommend you or pass your name on for better   opportunities.\u00a0 Remember there will be people who might be taking pictures of   you when you dance.\u00a0 We can\u2019t even begin to tell you about the number of gigs we   have been to where people have their cell phones out taking pictures and video.\u00a0   We have no idea where those pictures and\/or videos ended up. YouTube? \u00a0Facebook?   \u00a0Shared with friends?\u00a0 You must treat every job as if your dance career depended   on it, because it very well might! \u00a0And while we\u2019re on the subject, be careful   of how far you reach when you are first starting out.\u00a0 Those non-paying or low   paying gigs at nursing homes are a great way to learn what works.\u00a0 You need to   polish your act, learn how to work with an audience, and discover what works and   what doesn\u2019t.\u00a0 It\u2019s better to learn on smaller gigs than to get yourself a big   job right off the bat and fall flat on your face due to lack of experience.\u00a0   Even if you have other forms of dance and performance experience, don\u2019t be in   such a rush!\u00a0 Take your time to get it right, hone your skills before reaching   for the stars.\u00a0 Remember, the mega movie stars of today didn\u2019t get there   overnight.\u00a0 They all started off as bit players and worked their way up.\u00a0 They   didn\u2019t just suddenly spring onto the big screen.\u00a0 That dancer in the restaurant   where you want to be, paid her dues long before she got the \u201cdream\u201d job, so   don\u2019t expect to just walk in and have it handed to you.\u00a0 It\u2019s never ok to butt   into someone else\u2019s \u201cjob\u201d.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<p class=\"highlight\">Choose your costuming carefully.\u00a0 Like it or not, the   general public has some very strong ideas of what a belly dancer is supposed to   be.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0 She is a glamorous creature, with beautiful sparkly costumes, beautiful   hair, who looks like a movie star.\u00a0 If you want a professional paying gig you   are not going to get it wearing a cute coin scarf, a cheesy choli and some cute   harem pants you whipped up out of a remnant on the sale table at your local   fabric store.\u00a0 If you have to save for months, learn to bead for yourself, and   spend hours putting it together, you must have a professional, cabaret costume.\u00a0   It must always be in good condition and it must flatter you and fit well.   \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>On the flip side, if you are primarily interested in   doing ethnic festivals, renaissance fairs and the like, then this cabaret look   isn\u2019t going to work.\u00a0 Harem pants, cotton skirts, coin belts etc will be the   norm for these events.\u00a0 Know your venues and dress accordingly.\u00a0 But no matter   the venue, you still need to present a professional   appearance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"highlight\">Always check out your costume before a gig to make sure   everything is right.<\/p>\n<p>We went to see a dancer perform at a Greek restaurant   not too long ago, and it was obvious she was new to this kind of performance.\u00a0   While she had on a beautiful professional cabaret costume that would have been   great on stage, it wasn\u2019t fitted correctly for up close table dancing in the   restaurant.\u00a0 No place is it more important to have the top fit well than when   you are dancing in a restaurant.\u00a0 Unfortunately the cups were a bit larger than   she was \u2013 and she shifted slightly as she moved.\u00a0 She didn\u2019t expose herself,   thank goodness, but it was sheer luck.\u00a0 The day before a gig always try on your   costume.\u00a0 Make sure that the belt fits correctly, and doesn\u2019t ride too low.\u00a0   Look in the mirror, stand with your feet apart.\u00a0 Is the skirt so sheer that you   can see your legs?\u00a0 While that might be ok in a nightclub, it probably wouldn\u2019t   work in a family oriented restaurant.\u00a0 Be very careful about not offending   families.\u00a0 Do a turn in your skirt.\u00a0 Does the skirt open up too much during a   turn?\u00a0 Lean forward slightly and make sure that your top continues to cover   you.\u00a0 You will be standing and your audience will be sitting.\u00a0 Will they be   getting too much of a view if you lean over to speak to someone?\u00a0 What you don\u2019t   see at a distance on stage is very apparent when you are table   dancing.<\/p>\n<p>Is your costume in good repair?\u00a0 We once attended a   hafla where a dancer new to the area was hoping to make a good impression and   perhaps become a substitute dancer at a local venue.\u00a0 She knew that people would   be there that could help her in her career, and she knew this was in essence a   bit of an audition.\u00a0 Her costume was terrible.\u00a0 The skirt was torn in a couple   of places, the bra and belt didn\u2019t fit her correctly and there were sequins and   beading missing.\u00a0 She frankly looked tacky.\u00a0 Not a good impression to   make.<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art52\/graphics52\/underwear.jpg\" alt=\"underwear\" width=\"225\" height=\"190\" align=\"left\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"highlight\">Without the extras you just don\u2019t look professional.\u00a0   Your look needs to be from the top of your head to the tips of your   toes.<\/p>\n<p>So many times we have seen very attractive women in   beautiful costumes that must have cost hundreds of dollars and\u2026\u2026..that\u2019s it!\u00a0 No   makeup, hair flying around, no shoes, no jewelry.\u00a0 A beautiful cabaret costume   is just the beginning of your polished glamorous look. \u00a0Your audience will be   looking at and judging you as an entire package.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<p>Makeup is a must.\u00a0 And not the kind of makeup you would   wear to go to the office or even on a date.\u00a0 Depending on the gig, stage makeup   is needed if you want people to see you from the back of the room.\u00a0 You can\u2019t   just throw on some blush and eye shadow and call it good.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t know how   to apply makeup, invest in yourself by going to a salon or makeup counter and   having someone show you how to do this.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We also strongly recommend that you   learn to apply eyelashes.\u00a0 They enhance your eyes and let the audience see your   expressions.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<p>It doesn\u2019t stop there!\u00a0 Look at pictures of top   dancers, the really glamorous ones.\u00a0 Their hair is beautifully coiffed.\u00a0 Can\u2019t   do your own hair? \u00a0(Believe us; we empathize because we are horrible at doing   our own hair).\u00a0 Invest in yourself!\u00a0 There are many beautiful hair pieces that   can be put on to polish your look.\u00a0 On the day of a gig run down to your local   cheap haircutters place and have them wash\/style your hair for you.\u00a0 Even if   it\u2019s just blown dry and curled, flat ironed or styled and hair spayed, it will   give you a much more professional look for not a lot of money.\u00a0 And what about   an outdoor event?\u00a0 You can still look professional with the hairpiece or with   your hair in a ponytail \u201cI dream of Jeanne\u201d style.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<table width=\"120\" border=\"0\" align=\"right\" cellpadding=\"5\" cellspacing=\"0\">\n<tr>\n<td>\n<iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm.amazon.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&amp;o=1&amp;p=8&amp;l=as1&amp;asins=B002COJ0RG&amp;fc1=000000&amp;IS2=1&amp;lt1=_blank&amp;m=amazon&amp;lc1=0000FF&amp;bc1=000000&amp;bg1=FFFFFF&amp;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>You\u2019re still not done!\u00a0 You need jewelry, and not   a cute necklace in the back of an Avon catalog that would look great on a date.\u00a0   We\u2019re talking major bling!\u00a0 Necklace, earrings, bracelets, a headpiece if you   can.\u00a0 You need jewelry that can be seen and sparkle clear at the back of the   room.\u00a0 A little chain from the sale table at Wal-Mart may look great with your   sparkly top on date night, but it\u2019s not going to match the rest of your   glamorous outfit. <\/p>\n<p>And don\u2019t forget your feet.\u00a0 You have no idea where you   will be dancing at some gigs, so you\u2019ll need a good pair of dancing shoes.\u00a0 If   you are in a restaurant or nightclub, they are a must!\u00a0 From flat sandals to   higher heels, you\u2019ll need good shoes.\u00a0 Not the Capizeo dance sandals for class,   not the flip flops you wear to the beach, or (gag!) ballet slippers, but good,   quality, nice looking shoes.\u00a0 Imagine a lawyer arguing a case in a courtroom.\u00a0   She\u2019s wearing a high powered executive suit, her hair is perfect, she has   tasteful jewelry on, nice makeup, hose and nice pumps.\u00a0 Now, picture the same   lawyer but instead of the pumps imagine her in tennis shoes.\u00a0 Does it look   professional?\u00a0 Of course not.\u00a0 Too many dancers skimp on footwear thinking   nobody will see their feet.\u00a0 And they probably won\u2019t, but wear ugly or   inappropriate footwear and they WILL notice.\u00a0 Watch Dancing with the Stars and   look at those ladies.\u00a0 Stunning blingy shoes, blingy costume, blingy   accessories.\u00a0 They bling from head to toe and everything in between.\u00a0 That is   what you need.\u00a0 You can\u2019t cut corners in any of these areas \u2013 not even the   shoes!\u00a0 <\/p>\n<p>One last thing.\u00a0 Gloves and arm covers.\u00a0 Some dancers   love them and some don\u2019t, but they are not only a glamorous accessory, they help   hide a number of arm flaws.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<p>Getting the idea?\u00a0 Every gig you do you must consider   that the public is seeing you, and judging you, and evaluating you based on your   look.\u00a0 Dress your absolute best! Dress as if your dance career depended upon it   \u2013 because it just very well might.\u00a0 You need to be the professional dancer from   head to toe and everything in between.<\/p>\n<p class=\"highlight\">Right or wrong, the average person hiring dancers has   certain expectations.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m sure that this next part will cause a lot of   controversy.\u00a0 And believe us when we say we hate being judged for the way we   look.\u00a0 We didn\u2019t make up these observations; we have discovered them over the   years.\u00a0 It may not be fair, it may not be right but it\u2019s the truth.\u00a0 You can be   a little overweight, a little older, a little short, tall, etc.\u00a0 But you aren\u2019t   going to get good, recurring jobs unless you are attractive.\u00a0 Is it fair?\u00a0 Of   course not, but the person paying the bill gets to call the shots, and the   general public has very, very strong opinions about what they want.\u00a0 They want   someone pretty, they want someone glamorous, and in addition they want someone   who is a good dancer.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"highlight\"> If you are older, kind of a plain jane or obese you   simply are not professional material.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0 If you really want to be a professional   dancer and you fall into any of those categories, then we strongly urge you into   considering a good diet, a good gym and a good image consultant to help you.   Almost any woman can learn to look more attractive.\u00a0 Through diet and exercise,   hair and makeup, whatever it takes.\u00a0 If you are truly serious about wanting to   dance professionally, then you absolutely need to work to make yourself look the   best that you can.\u00a0 Unfortunately that\u2019s the way the world works.\u00a0 We\u2019re sorry   but it\u2019s true.\u00a0 We are living examples of this bias.\u00a0 As we have gotten older we   have been passed on for any number of gigs for the younger, newer versions.\u00a0 We   don\u2019t like it, but it\u2019s a fact of life.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<p class=\"highlight\">Now, there is also an additional point to this.\u00a0 Just   because you are young, beautiful and have a great costume doesn\u2019t make you a   professional either.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p> The look is a huge part of this.\u00a0 You can\u2019t get by without   it, but you can\u2019t get by just on looks alone.\u00a0 Your looks will get you noticed,   but what will get you hired and recommended is a solid dance ability.\u00a0 You can\u2019t   have one without the other \u2013 and get professional gigs.\u00a0 Some of the gigs we   were initially passed on we wound up getting.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Because even if we were   \u201colder\u201d we had the dance skills necessary for the gig.<\/p>\n<p>Another controversial item, but we\u2019ve found over the   years that it\u2019s true.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<p><span class=\"highlight\">If you want to dance professionally, you must dance   cabaret.\u00a0 You must learn zills, and veil, and using props such as cane, sword,   candle, tray, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n<p> We love to watch good tribal dancing.\u00a0 It\u2019s definitely a   beautiful art form.\u00a0 But it ain\u2019t gonna get you professional gigs.\u00a0\u00a0 We have had   guest dancers at our regular restaurant gig in the past, and have invited tribal   dancers to perform with us.\u00a0 The reaction?\u00a0 The customers didn\u2019t like the music   or the costumes.\u00a0 The general public doesn\u2019t understand.\u00a0 Like it or not, if you   want to get hired for certain jobs you aren\u2019t going to as a tribal dancer.\u00a0 If   your passion is tribal dance, then be prepared for not dancing at certain   venues. <\/p>\n<p><em>In our next installment we\u2019ll discuss choosing music,   picking dances, and other fine tuning for turning yourself into a   professiona<\/em>l<\/p>\n<\/div>\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<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<!--end ready4more --><\/p>\n<div class=\"articlelist\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-13-07<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art41\/naajidacoverups.html\">Where Have All The Cover-ups Gone?<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Ashiya and Naajidah<\/span><br \/>\nWhat happened to professionalism? Mystery? Decorum and good taste? <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-5-06 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art38\/NaajidahEthicsFusion.htm\">The Ethics of Fusion<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Naajidah<\/span><br \/>\nIf the culture that you&#8217;re borrowing your moves from objects to your fusion, does it matter? Are you being respectful or exploitative if you borrow steps from a culture that doesn&#8217;t want their music and dance used that way? <\/li>\n<li class=\"articleauthor\">The Devil&#8217;s Details, Show Ethics for Professionals by Yasmin<\/li>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">5-4-07 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art39\/YasminProPartyP1.htm\">Part 1- Booking a Party<\/a><br \/>\nWhen a dancer looks good, she, or another, will get called back to perform again. When she looks bad, customers might be turned off to our lovely art form forever. Therefore, a bad dancer not only ruins things for herself, but for all of us <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">8-29-07  <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art39\/YasminProPartyP2.htm\">Part 2- The Cross Cultural Factor<\/a>  <span class=\"articleauthor\">by Yasmin <\/span><br \/>\nWarning. There is a great deal of passive aggressive face-saving behavior in this profession. It is not always woman friendly either. Respect is not a given&#8230;<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">10-15-07<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/art41\/YasminProPartyP3.htm\">Part 3- Separating the Girls from the Women<\/a>  <span class=\"articleauthor\">by Yasmin <\/span><br \/>\nIf a performer conducts herself as a professional she is much more likely to obtain repeat engagements and referrals. No one wants to be seen knowingly hiring an amateur. It is bad for business and a customer&#8217;s image. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-5-07 <\/span><a href=\"art41\/YasminProPartyP4.htm\">Part 4 &#8211; What NOT To Do<\/a>  <span class=\"articleauthor\">by Yasmin <\/span><br \/>\nShow up drunk or stoned. No more needs to be said<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-28-08 <\/span><a href=\"art41\/YasminProPartyP4.htm\">Part 5 &#8211; Beauty<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">by Yasmin <\/span><br \/>\nFor new dancers, mastering the art of glamour can be daunting. But take heart, while internal sensuality requires character work, external beauty is easier to fix <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-12-10<\/span> &quot;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2010\/11\/12\/angie-moe-pregnant-bellydance\/\">That&#8217;s a little risque for you to be doing as a momie!&quot; Belly Dancing and Resistance to Cultural Discourse<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Angie Moe PhD.<\/span><br \/>\nThus, while the pregnant woman symbolizes maternal potential, she also becomes aesthetically problematic. She is both an admired subject and a physically unappealing object, according to contemporary standards of beauty. As such, the postpartum torso is to be modestly clothed and\/or masked according to culturally appropriate standards.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-11-10<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2010\/11\/11\/surreyya-floralia-fest-2010-2\/\">Our Desert Roses, Photos from the Floralia Festival 2010<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, Photos, video interview, and text by Surreyya, photos are also by Nyla Crystal and Bob Lindbloom<\/span> <br \/>\nHeld April 29-May 2, 2010 in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, Produced by gleaming ray of light Selena Kareena, the Floralia Festival is held annually in TorC, (Truth or Consequences) New Mexico, and features a wide spectrum of dance and dancers from throughout the southwest, South America, and beyond. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-10-10 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2010\/11\/10\/tasha-banat-fire-dance-disaster\/\">The Dumb and the Restless: Fire! A Lighter Outlook on Belly Dance<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Tasha Banat <\/span><br \/>\nYes, the audience was eating out of my hand when someone from the back of the room yelled \u201cHey lady! Your hair is on fire!\u201d<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-8-10<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2010\/11\/08\/aziza-hungary-physiological-book-ch1\/\"> The Physiological Effects of Oriental Dance, Excerpt from Health and The Oriental Dance, Chapter 1<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">, by Aziza of Hungary<\/span><br \/>\nThere was no information subject available like &quot;the technique of Belly dancing&quot;. I had to construct it myself. It took a lot of research in regards to both its theoretical and its practical sides.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-7-10<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/archives\/musicalinstrumentlibrary.htm#ergunSaz\">Ergun Tamer on Saz<\/a>,<span class=\"articleauthor\"> Musical Instrument Tour Video<\/span><br \/>\nErgun is one of the organizers of the Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp held in Mendocino, California, each year in August. Ergun plays many instruments. In this video he tells us about the Turkish saz. The saz has many names depending on the country, such as bazouk or bazouki. This instrument also comes in many sizes. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-3-10<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2010\/11\/03\/jasmine-june-intro-tribal-fusion-belly-dance\/\">An Intro to Tribal Fusion<\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\"> by Jasmine June<\/span><br \/>\nSince Tribal Fusion Belly Dance is a relatively new dance form, it is especially important to treat the genre with a level of professionalism, or else one runs the risk of discrediting the work of dancers who have dedicated their lives to creating and elevating Tribal Fusion Belly Dance.<\/li>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Establishing Yourself as a Professional, Part 2 by Naajidah and Ashiya posted November 10, 2010 In our last article we discussed some of the aspects of professionalism.\u00a0 We promised more do\u2019s and don\u2019ts.\u00a0 \u00a0Before we get started, there are a few things anyone aspiring to becoming a professional should know. Success doesn\u2019t happen overnight, it\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/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\/2097"}],"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=2097"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2097\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2097"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2097"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2097"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}