online version here

February 2010 SnakeByte from the Gilded Serpent!

Web Magazine for Mid East Performing Arts, online now for 10 years!
New Articles
on www.gildedserpent.com

  • 2-17-10 Shimmying on the Shores of Paradise, The Dancers of the Dominican Republic by Sylvia Richards
    White sands and turquoise waters come to mind when most picture the Dominican Republic, but the Caribbean paradise offers visitors far more than its natural beauty. It may come as a surprise that the small tropical country most known for its pristine beaches and Caribbean hospitality also has a vibrant and thriving belly dancing scene.
  • 2-16-10 Digital Dancer! Belly Dancing in Second Life by Caitlin McDonald
    In Second Life, the dancing is done digitally by applying a computer program that causes one’s avatar, the digital representation of the self online, to move in a prescribed manner. Instead of learning movements and needing time to practice them, they are loaded onto the avatar just like Nero learns Kung Fu in the “Matrix” films.
  • 2-16-10 Hot Bellydance Event in Tijuana by Martha Duran
    Leila Farid from Cairo Egypt is a sweetheart! She is what many Mexican dancers aspire to look and dance like. Wow! She is gorgeous and mesmerizing - as well as extremely nice, polite and down to earth! My star struck students were amazed to catch her snacking on Mexican Rancheritos (chips) and eating breakfast like a Mexican, with tortillas! She’s so fit that we couldn’t imagine she snacked on chips tortillas like the rest of us. Her master class was magnificent.
  • 2-9-10 Carl's Camera Captures Dancers from Z to A, Tatseena's Fantasy Festival 2009, photos by Carl, introduction by Ma*Shuqa
    This festival was a festive day of good vibrations with dancers sharing their talents on the raised stage, and on the beautiful wood dance floor. The day was replendent with beautiful dancing, beautiful costumes, and wonderful music - with the bands: Al Azifoon and Light Rain. This is a favorite festival for dancers in the East Bay area.
  • 2-3-10 Bellydancer in 21 Days: My Internship with Aunt Delilah by Averill
    I am incredibly fortunate to be a junior at a very nice independent school in Toledo, Ohio. One of the programs they offer is called "Winterim". No one goes to their normal classes for a month; instead, all the students embark on some kind of intensive independent study program.
  • 2-2-10 Serena Wilson (1933-2007) A Student of Ruth St Denis, Part 2: Salome and Her Impact by Barbara Sellers-Young PhD
    When suited to the context, she also had no hesitation in using the term belly dance as she considered the dance as evolving as an Americanized version based on primarily Middle Eastern as opposed to North African influences.
  • 1-27-10 Shoo Shoo Amin, A Forgotten Treasure of the 80s by Yasmin
    Twenty years ago when I told people I had worked with Shoo Shoo Amin in Cairo, the response was “Wow!” Now, people go “Who?” Today no one seems to know who she is. For belly dance purists, this is a tragedy. Every so often, someone my age or older will wax lyrical about her on-line, but for the most part, she’s an enigma – even to young Egyptians.
  • 1-25-10 Behind the IBCC, a Talk with the Founder, Yasmina Ramzy by Laura
    I wanted it to be more scholarly, no competitions and not a festival. I felt it was important that all viewpoints were shared.
  • 1-24-10 A Fan Speaks with Nagwa Fu’ad by Najia Marlyz
    Nagwa seems to have excelled in innovation and creativity with the new compositions. She dances with the old favorites, but shines with the new orchestras playing current pieces.
  • 1-21-10 Is Belly Dancing Provocative? by Maria Strova
    This stereotype of Belly dancing has caused me a lot of displeasure; it has made me angry to see how imprisoned in negative models Belly dancing still is,and how much it had lost since it was formerly an ancient art that honors the female body.

Reviews

Videos

Community Kaleidoscope
PHOTOS: Lynette Harper and Rahma's performance, SF De Young Concerts- Moh Alileche Ensemble (Algerian), Aswat Music Ensemble (Arabic), Gordon's Mystery Snake Dancer photo,Surreyya and friends at Liz Strong's birthday party, Ahava and friends at ethnic Dance festival Auditions,

New Letters
re: Bd Provocative? Teen Bellydancer, Carl's photos, finding lost relatives

Special Advertising Section

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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MAJA's SPIRIT OF THE TRIBES #10  - May 28 to 31, 2010 - Ft. Laud, Fl - largest Tribal Fusion on the East Coast - International - Cultural - Bazaar - Competition -  4 days classes - 2 Shows - www.majanile.com
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Randa Kamel in Wash DC, March 5-7, 2010- presented by Little Egypt and Faten Salama. Faten also teaching Techniques for Dancing with a Live Band. www.littleegypt.com
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March 15-21, 2010 Dominican Republic Resort: Fifi Abdou, Randa Kamel, Saida and Alabina in concert at Festival Isis de Baile Oriental! Top ten beach in the world! www.festivalisis.com
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Nourhan Sharif www.nourhansharif.com  is proud to present  2010 North American Tour with Egyptian Born Superstar Mohamed El Hosseny the Reda of the 21st century! For Entire Tour Details www.egyptianacademy.com !
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Tamra-henna presents DANCE HISTORY for BELLY DANCERS- a four part series of weekend intensives! Dance History for Belly Dancers bridges the gap between information and artistry, cultural understanding and individual expression. First intensive is March 27-28, 2010! www.middleeasterndancer.com/dancehistory.html
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Raqs LA, a two day celebration of Bellydance –Glendale, CA. April 17th &  April 18 *Open Stage Dancing *All Day Vending *Workshops with Sonia, Suhaila, Bozenka, Zoe Jakes, Kami Liddle www.raqsla.com
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Don’t wait. Join today the Custom Dancers Dream Tour to Egypt April 2010 with Samra. Cairo, Nile Cruise, Red Sea, and exclusive extras. Culture, dance, and adventures.
www.samra40.webs.com  www.egyptnationaltours.biz 276-236-4533
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Mary Ellen performs at Rakkasah in Richmond, CA Sunday, March 14 from 3:15pm to 4:00pm with Nazir Latouf, Hannah Romanza and others, beautiful music for extended dance practice and performances available from www.maryellendonald.com
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New ad package :The 1 Month Blast" Lush Lady ad graphic for one month (150 x 400), 1 snakebyte ad (30 words text w link), 1 scroller listing (12 words linked, front page) . For that last minute promo of events, only $95 GS adguide
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Volunteer! ~^^^^^^^^^^^<>~ Write! ~^^^^^^^^^^<>~ Advertise! ~^^^^^^<>~
Keep the Snake Alive! 2010 is the year to take out an ad on Gilded Serpent! Contact editor
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Gilded Serpent Archives contain over 1500 articles
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Get involved in a Community Project #1-Habibi Magazine Index:
Compiling a complete list of articles contained in all issues of Habibi Magazine
This link takes you to a google document where owners of issues of the now out of print magazine can all contribute a little bit of our time to a project that will benefit the community. Thanks!

Coming soon!
if you don't see your submitted article listed here, let us know!
The Birth of Belly Dance in Indonesia by Christine
Sonja interviews Samara
Photos and vid clips from SF Mecca Revue
Carl's photos from Eva Cernik and Rachid Halihal event
Carl's photos from Carnival of Stars.
Carl's photos from Spring Caravan,
Serena Wilson, Parts 3 by Barbara Sellers-Young PhD
Resource page- Bellydance books of the 70s & 80s
Resource page- How to Write an Article by Najia

Zorba, part 3
Life as Bellydancer by Najia
Kristina reviews a show by Zoe and Beats Antique
Rebaba begins her story
Fitness and Belly Dance by Hadia
Coaching vs Teaching by Najia
Costumes made in China or Egypt- does it matter?
Report on Rocky's Weeklong
Can a non Arab really Belly Dance?

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