online version here

July 2010 SnakeByte from the Gilded Serpent!

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

  • 7-18-10 Belly Dance in Patriarchy, Escaping the Switzerland of the Soul by Andrea Deagon PhD
    However, I do believe that belly dance is able to attain such vitality and complexity in the modern world precisely because it’s embroiled in serious cultural and personal contestations. It is precisely clashes of aesthetic values, conflicting paradigms of sexuality and gender, and economic as well as political inequities that strike the dance’s most beautiful notes.
  • 7-15-10 Sema Yildiz, A Star of Turkish Dance by Zumarrad/ Brigid Kelly
    She was fortunate, she says, to grow up in a Roma (Gypsy) community rich in dance and music – the Fatih district, which houses the Sulukule, famous for its entertainment and considered the oldest Roma settlement in the world.
  • 7-15-10 Queen of Denial, Chapter 2: Dancing in the “City of Lights” by Rebaba
    I’m breathing very hard, and can tell I’m very, very shiny and red, even under the stage lights, but I think he likes me. And he is completely dumbfounded that an “American” girl is auditioning for a job as a “Danseuse Oriental!” I know I’m way too fat, but thank God I’m a belly dancer, and apparently a novelty, because I couldn’t get away with this in any other dance form! Fortunately, I’m only 19 years old and my excess flesh is young, tan and firm!
  • 7-12-10 Fusion: How much is too much? by Najia Marlyz
    In America, and evidently elsewhere, we dancers seem to have a voracious appetite for new steps and movements, so like hungry chipmunks, we have grabbed all we could stuff into our cheeks of Turkish and Arabic steps and gestures, resorting to incorporating and mixing of Saidi, Kaleedgi, Blue Guedra, Ghawazi, etc. We’ve chewed all of them up together and spit them out and found that they have not sufficiently nourished us.
  • 7-6-10 Mohamed El Hosseny: His Dancing Journey from Suez to Cairo, Helsinki, and Beyond Interview by Zsuzsi
    My advice which I tell all of my students is to study ballet at a beginner level for a few months. It will help your lines very much, so you have a nice bodyline without worrying about it and you can focus on learning the choreography and Oriental movements of the teacher in front of you.
  • 7-5-10-Carnival of Stars, Performers L - Z Photos by Carl Sermon
    Latifa, Leyla Lanty, Lulu, Mahsati, Maila, MaShuqa, Monica, Monifa, Naiya Halal, Nera Brent, Pepper, Raks Al Khalil, Raska a Diva, Raks Hakohaveen, Robyn Lovejoy, Safiyah, Sarah Horbeein, Shadha, Shaunte, Sister Sirens, Sukara, Surreyya, Tanja, Tatseena, Tera Lynda, Trish ...
  • 7-2-10 Megacity Megafest, 1001 Brazilian Flavors at Mercado Persa 2009 and Beyond by Paola Blanton
    So, it was with these butterflies in my belly that I bounced home last December after almost two years teaching and performing on the road. Sao Paulo, population 20,000,000+, is the iconic “megalopolis” of the futurists when they predicted the “rise of the third world”. And Brazil is making huge strides – in government, economy, and broadening international appeal. My adopted country – I was going back to set up housekeeping after gypsying around the globe for an eternity, and I was more than ready for a dose of my sprawling, energetic, chaotic, mesmerizing home.
  • 7-1-10 Ask Yasmina #13, FInd a Good Teacher, First Workshop, Non-Arab Dancers by Yasmina Ramzy
    First and foremost, take a class or two from many teachers in your area so you can make a better informed decision. Please note that slick advertising and a good website indicate good organization and good marketing skills, not necessarily good Belly dance skills, knowledge, or even teaching skills.
  • 6-29-2010 Argentine-Arab Dance and Music Charm Taiwan, Gina Chen promotes Live Music for Local Dancers by Lisa Chen
    I have to say it is quite different from any other American or Egyptian style choreography I learned before; you almost always keep your feet into ballet position and body weight is relatively higher. The physical dynamic is much exaggerated. I guess this is the Argentine style bellydance and I could see why local dancers are fond of it, owing to the quality of fluidness and lightness, very outward gestures and wonderful live music.
  • 6-27-10 Carnival of Stars, Performers A - J Photos by Carl Sermon
    Adriana, Ahava, April, Alexandria's Ghawazee, Aruba, Asia, Asura Noor, Becca, Birute, Cathy Guthrie, Cheryl, John Stanley, Crystal, Dahlena, Dancers of the Crescent Moon, Danse Maghreb, Daughters of the Pharoah, Dunia, Elizabther, Ena, Esperanza, Evil Eye, Ghanima, Hala, Heather, Jamara, Jawahare, Jewels
  • 6-21-10 Hallah Moustapha, My Costume and Dance Mentor in Cairo by Nicole
    I wish I had called her sooner, because what came out of my finally overcoming my shyness was a unique friendship, and a type of mentoring I had been wanting for quite some time.

Reviews

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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Oasis Dance Camps: North -Traverse City, Michigan, September 15 - 19; West - Vashon Island near Seattle Wash, October 6-10; South Retreat Dance Camp- Jekyll Island, Georgia, November 3-7; all feature Cassandra, Ava Fleming, Nicole LeCorgne. http://oasisdancecamp.com/
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Rakstar 2010, Oct 28-31, Miami, Florida! featuring Yousry Sharif, Asmahan, Amir Thaleb, Jillina ,Virginia & Karim Nagi. 5 legends, 4 days of workshops, 3 nights of events, including Rakstar Competition, Theatrical Production "ONE", & Fernando Corona Fashion Show! www.rakstar2010.com
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Unforgettable MED Professional Training For Dancers & Teachers with Nigma in Bali (Indonesia): Section I: Sept 3-12, Section II: Sept 17-26. Excellent course on a magical island. www.nigmabellydance.com/ProfessionalTraining.htm, nigma@el-oasis.org
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Desert Dance Festival 2010, Sept. 25-26 at S.E.S. Hall, Santa Clara, CA; Zahra Zuhair and Suzanna Del Vecchio workshops; visit www.desertdancefestival.com for details on dance slot reservations and mailing list sign up.
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Mohamed Hosseny 2010 Tour of US, Canada, and Venezuela, sponsored by Sharifwear! June through Sept. Check site for workshop date near you!. http://egyptianacademy.com
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Rags Mass Sept 24-26, 2010, Medford MA, Bozenka, Cassandra, Shadia, Meiver. Workshops, Panel, Showcase and Gala show, Register now- Early Bird rates available!  http://www.massraqs.com/ 
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Join Helene Erikson and Rowan Storm for  a 5-day Rhythm and Dance Retreat. August 4-8-, 2010, Seattle WA. Immerse yourself in the dance, rhythm and song of No Africa, Balkans, Mid East and Central Asia. helene-eriksen.de/
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Middle Eastern Music and Dance Camp in Mendocino- August 15-22, 2010 www.middleeastcamp.com
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Books and CD's available with detailed explanations on technique for playing finger cymbals, doumbec drum, and arabic tambourine: thorough treatment of Middle Eastern rhythms with recordings to play along with. Visit www.maryellendonald.com
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New ad package :The 1 Month Blast" Lush Lady or Full Page 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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Community Kaleidoscope
Congrats to Sadie and Kaya!
Yousry in San Diego
Ozgen's interesting science gig

New Letters
Jillina endorses Hallah Mustapha
comments on many of the above articles- Loyalty, Professionalism, Coaching...

Coming soon!
if you don't see your submitted article listed here, let us know!
The Birth of Belly Dance in Indonesia by Christine
Photos and vid clips from SF Mecca Revue+
Carl's photos from Carnival of Stars.+
Carl's photos from Spring Caravan,+
Resource page- How to Write an Article by Najia
Kristina reviews a show by Zoe and Beats Antique
Report on Rocky's Weeklong
Michael Baxter's Tribal Fusion Faire photos+
More photos and videos from IBCC
History of BD in Quebec
The French Connection by Tasha Banat

Dancing Identities by Lynette Harper
Bellydance Fashion Show
Naajidah- Professionalism Part 2
Najia's "Towline"
Jessica writes about Lotus's East Coast Competition
Surreyya writes about Floralia Festival in Texas
BD as Recreation by Aziza of Hungary
Medusa, the Gaze by Emma
Delilah by Barbara Sellers-Young

Thank you for your sssssupport!
gildedserpent.com

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