online version here

August 2011 SnakeByte from the Gilded Serpent!

Web Magazine for Mid East Performing Arts, online now for 11 years!
16 New Articles
on www.gildedserpent.com

  • 8-18-11 Arabian Nights at 12 Adler Place, North Beach Memories, Part 1:1961 by Aisha Ali
    Leona had introduced me to her friend Josephine, whom she described as a lovely Sicilian American woman who had recently taken the stage name of Jamila.
  • 8-18-11 Dallas Observer’s Recent Belly Dance Ruckus by Jasmine June
    The silver lining in all this is witnessing the wrath of Belly dancers scorned.
  • 8-15-11 “Ghannili Shwayya, Shwayya”, (Sing for me a little, a little), Musings: Music Choices at BDUC 2011 by Hana Ali
    Thirty-one contestants and thirty mergencies later, I had my answer. GS VIDEO
  • 8-13-11 Your Stage Name, Choosing the Right One by Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan
    Beware of letting others name you! Years ago, dancers were often surprised before going on stage to dance as they were announced by musicians or club owners by a name unknown to them that they hadn’t selected.
  • 8-10-11 From Town to Goat Track, A Tour of the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan by Robyn Friend PhD
    One lithe young girl twisted her way through this crack and into the tiny cave, and brought back some mineral crystals, said to have healing powers. GS VIDEO
  • 8-8-11 Becoming the Object of Your Own Fantasy, "Perfumes of Araby" in the 1970s, Part 2 by Stasha Vlasuk
    We are packed tightly shoulder to shoulder, impulsing to the dramatic beat with great solidarity: traditional hand gestures, chest drops, all very serious and trance like. This mood was broken however by a guy at the back of the 200 plus audience, who stood on his chair, raised his beer glass and shouted "The one in the yellooooow…." then actually fell completely backwards like a tree that had just been cut! I hope he was OK!
  • 8-5-11 Carnival of Stars, Page 4: O-Z Photos by Carl Sermon
    The Carnival of Stars Festival is produced by Pepper Alexandria and Latifa at the Richmond Auditorium each year at the beginning of August. The stage at this facility is hard to beat. The wonderful lighting and the large stage make every dancer feel like a diva! Once again, Carl has done an amazing job catching the character of each dancer.
  • 8-4-11 Intervew with Ahmet Ogren, Bringing Gypsy Dance to the People by Maria Grayson
    Ahmet is a sexy and masculine dancer who combines a sense of playful humor and has the dedication and drive of a consummate professional. He pushed us hard, laughed, and encouraged us. GS VIDEO
  • 8-2-11 Carnival of Stars, Page 3: I-O Photos by Carl Sermon
    The Carnival of Stars Festival is produced by Pepper Alexandria and Latifa at the Richmond Auditorium each year at the beginning of August. The stage at this facility is hard to beat. The wonderful lighting and the large stage make every dancer feel like a diva! Once again, Carl has done an amazing job catching the character of each dancer.
  • 8-1-11 Incredible Helena Vlahos! Magic, Mojo and Inspiration by Surreyya
    There was this beautiful, magical Belly dance woman who was bold, confident, and paving a wave of inspiration and independence. GS VIDEO
  • 7-29-11 Dancer Cancer, Part Two: Who? Me? by Najia Marlyz
    Still, the human heart is woven with threads of hope, and mine did not doubt that if I could make it through the onslaught of doctors, surgeries, pain, and gymnastic therapy, I would, someday dance again.
  • 7-26-11 Carnival of Stars, Page 2: D-H Photos by Carl Sermon
    The Carnival of Stars Festival is produced by Pepper Alexandria and Latifa at the Richmond Auditorium each year at the beginning of August. The stage at this facility is hard to beat. The wonderful lighting and the large stage make every dancer feel like a diva! Once again, Carl has done an amazing job catching the character of each dancer.
  • 7-25-11 Dance Festival Warms Oslo Winter, Oslo Oriental Dance Festival 2011 by DaVid of Scandinavia
    This competition is not open to professional dancers, and judges are required to give constructive feedback to encourage growth.
  • 7-24-11 Bellydance 'n All that Jazz, Trends in Tribal Fusion by Jasmine June & Kim Mackoy
    For some dancers, it can be easier to relate to music from one’s own culture than it is to music from halfway around the world.
  • 7-22-11 Turkish “Roman Gypsy Dans”, Melting Any Heart! by Gul
    This dance of the Gypsies is about becoming a life-like character. It contains a wide range of moods and feelings for the dancer to express: The gray quality of everyday tasks turns into colorful dance that does not distinguish between the relative value of one color over another.
  • 7-21-11 Japan, Post-Tsunami BDSS Tour by Miles Copeland
    The dates were nearly sold out already; the dangers had been grossly exaggerated.

Videos

Community Kaleidoscope

  • Buruc's photos from Ozgen in Istanbul Workshop and tours
  • Carnival of Stars photos posted withing 24 hours!
  • Duane Steven's photos from HalfAdira June 11 2011
  • Amina's iphone video from musicians point of view
  • Lammam Ensemble at Sausalito gig
  • Zorba dances in the woods

New Letters

  • re: Hana's Egyptian Music Choices
  • Re: Helena Vlahos article
  • Re: Najia's Dancer Cancer articles

Special Advertising Section


MASSRAQS Belly Dance Festival: Sept. 9-11, 2011 in Boston, MA. Workshops by Hadia of Canada, Karim Nagi, Katia of Boston, and Meiver; shows; party; and discussion panels.  More info: www.massraqs.com
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Oasis Dance Camps and Retreats: NORTH-Sept 14 - 18-rural camp outside Traverse City, Michigan; WEST-Oct 12-16- beaches and trails, Port Townsend, Washington; MOROCCO- Desert Moonlight, Nov 1-15; SOUTH- Jan 11-15, 2012- beach villas on Jekyll Island, Georgia www.oasisdancecamp.com
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Desert Dance Festival Sept 23-25, 2011, returns to the SES Hall for DDF 2011 with the debut of the Metropolitan Troupe Competition, workshops by Zahra Zuhair and the DDF Extravaganza. www.desertdancefestival.com
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Arabian Nights at Sea! Sept 23-26, 2011, Long Beach, California to Ensenada, Mexico cruise with Jill Parker, Fahtiem, Ava Fleming and the shimmy sisters. www.arabiannightsatsea.com
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RAKS CRUISE FESTIVAL Mediterranean Sea October  9-16 Holidays and Bellydance Workshops, Shows, Contest, Parties featuring NESMA and OZGEN. Enjoy dancing and visiting Barcelona, Roma, Napoli... www.rakscruise.com
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Congratulations to Anahid Sofian entering her 40th year of teaching!  One of the country's premiere studios, with instruction from Beginner - Professional levels, Anahid is also available for workshops and professional coaching.  www.anahidsofianstudio.com
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Sharifwear! Best Prices! Top Quality! Made in the USA! Club, Dance Wear, Salsa Wear, Tribal Wear, Salsa Skirts, Tribal Tops, Gypsy skirts, Belly Dance Gear! Made for Divas that dance!  www.sharifwear.com
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New SADIE DVD now available: “Sadie’s Signature Combinations” - Exciting and unique mini-choreographies. Learn bellydance technique and combinations for Oriental style, Beledi and Sadie’s specialty, Drum Solo. Add vocabulary and spice to your performance! Get your copy at http://www.HollywoodMusicCenter.com
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Black Orchid Danse presents Najm al Raqs, A Bellydance Affair with Hayat El Helwa, & Nath Keo, October 14-16, 2011, Dolce Atlanta-Peachtree, Peachtree City, GA.  http://www.blackorchiddanse.com/
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Special Sale for SnakeByte Readers Only:  Purchase volume one of Practice Music for Drummers and Dancers CD and get volume 2 for free ($18.00 value).  Mention this ad in your order.  Sound bytes and description at www.maryellendonald.com ~<:>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'
Volunteer!~^^^^^^^^^^^<>~ Write! ~^^^^^^^^^^<>~ Advertise! ~^^^^^^<>~
Keep the Snake Alive! 2011 is the year to take out an ad on Gilded Serpent! Contact editor
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Gilded Serpent Silk Screened Tshirt - We have a few left!

Coming soon!
if you don't see your submitted article listed here, let us know!

Just in:
Testimonials of 3 Dancers from South Africa , Charlotte, Jaie, Shalimar
Leyla Lanty's Cairo Diaries
Amina, "Are You a Hippy?"

--Awaiting Layout-
Stasha- Diane Webber and the Perfumes of Araby of LA- Part 3
Ling Shien on the Tribal Forum
Claudia's report on Bahaia's Camp
Aubre in Taiwan by Lisa Chen
Neferteri on record keeping
Stasha on Radio Bastet
Renee's FCBD show report
Silvia on the Zambra
Najia's Golden Age (not!) part 1 & 2


-Photo prepping needed-
Ling Shien on tours to Europe
Tribal Fusion scene in Mexico by Martha Duran
More of Carl's Photos from
DDF 2010, SFBA MECDA, Mendocino Camp 2011
Brian Lin's photos fo Venus Rising event

Revisions, proofing and prep still needed- want to help?
Brigid review Cory and Said's DVDs
Samar writes about the BD scene in India- revisions
BD and Samba by Isis Zahara- revisions needed

Videos:
BDUC, gigbag checks, category reports, interviews,
Bellydance Fashion Show, One more night from IBCC 2010
Promised
Davina's Costume how -tos

Thank you for your sssssupport!
gildedserpent.com

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