online version here

May 2010 SnakeByte from the Gilded Serpent!

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

  • 5-18-10 Sula, An Artisic Life by Monica
    Sula continued to study with Bert through the early 1970s, though by 1972 she called him “my ex-teacher and now equal partner”. Bert was extremely proud of Sula, as she was among the first students he trained who began teaching seriously.
  • 5-17-10 A Bust to Be Proud of... by Yasmin Henkesh
    When she introduces me to her dance friends, it’s the first story out of her mouth – eighteen years after the fact. We still laugh about it.
  • 5-10-10 IBCC 2010, Wednesday April 21, Opening Gala Report From The International Bellydance Conference of Canada by Gilded Serpent Staff
    Because Gilded Serpent didn’t quite make it to the hall until the show was over, we are very grateful that Brigid Kelly consented to give us her report from the Wednesday evening performancec. The dance photos overlayed on this video are by Samira Hafezi.
  • 5-6-10 Queen of Denial, A Tale about Life and Belly Dancing, Part 1: The Safety of the Stage by Rebaba or Rita Alderucci
    For many years, the most secure and safe place for me was on stage–dancing and acting. Performing gave me the security and love for which I yearned (both with and without drugs).
  • 5-5-10 Bellydance in Utero by Keti Sharif
    When pregnant, I practiced Belly dance moves each day in preparation for giving birth, mainly focusing on the circular, soothing and stretching movements but avoiding shimmies and moves that were contra-indicated by midwives and sports professionals.
  • 5-3-10 A Very British Kind of Bellydance by Charlotte Desorgher
    This incongruity is something that characterizes the English bellydance scene. Many of our festivals are held in historic sites, such as castles or ancient towns, and we are used to the surprising sound of Arabic music floating across an English lawn.
  • 5-2-10 IBCC 2010, Thursday Activities Report From The International Bellydance Conference of Canada by Gilded Serpent Staff
    We begin our video reports with the Thursday Activities: dance workshops by Amel Tafsout, Sema Yildiz, Delilah, and Aurora Ongaro lectures on The Anatomy of Bellydance, Dr Sawa on Rhythmic Notation for Bellydancers, Shira on Mass Media, Mass Stereotypes and a Panel on Feminism & BD led by Andrea Deagon.
  • 4-28-10 Nights Out in Cairo, Part 2: Sunday Through Tues day by Nicole
    I realized that I’m more at home on a felucca sounded by Egyptians with Shabii music blasting than in a hip hop club, with girls in short skirts rubbing up against guys. In my life in San Francisco, my friends and I were living a combination of both, but we had to have Arabic music at the end of the day, because that was what moved us.
  • 4-27-10 San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Middle Eastern Culture & Dance Association (SFBA MECDA) 2009 Fall Gala Showcase Photos by Oscar Cwajbaum, Introduction by Davina
    We were fortunate to have a new photographer at our last gala show on November 14, 2009. It was Oscar’s first belly dance event, and though I invited him purely to get photos of my own costuming work, he spent the entire day snapping shots from our show and has fallen in love with our art form. Here are some of my favorite shots from that day.

Reviews

  • 5-18-10 3 Music CD Reveiews: A Dancer's Choice, by Tracy Benton
    Amera – Asal: Music for Arabic Dance, Soul Nahawnd – Music for Kitty, Leila presents Sukara: Egyptian Bellydance Music Vol. 2. It’s always intriguing to find music presented by or influenced by a particular dancer. What does it mean for the album in question: was the music composed for the dancer?
  • 5-18-10 The Art of Listening, Faisal's CD, "Madar" reviewed by Amina Goodyear
    This CD is best for dancing in the mind, not in the class. (There are, however, several tracks that are dance pieces.)
  • 5-13-10 "Where the Middle East Meets the Frozen North", Review of Eva Cernik’s Performance on Friday, October 2, 2009 by Melissa Wanamaker-VIDEO
    On stage an ageless, timeless beauty, her 30 years as a professional dancer have given her poise, wisdom and a huge range of emotional expression. Her great expressive eyes dominate an elfin face that will pull you into her pain or disgust one moment and crack you up with a sparkle, head slide and lip shimmy the next, all washed down with a wink and natural smile that says not to take that too seriously either.

Community Kaleidoscope
PHOTOS: contestants list of Belly Dancer of the Year 2010,
Dilek photos from BDUC win
Rachel Brice Workshop in New Mexico
Surreyya's photos from Floralia Festival in New Mexico

Anne White of UK

New Letters
re:Rebaba's Queen of Denial Mark's Gigbag Check, Brigid's article,Taaj's review of 3 CDs,

Special Advertising Section

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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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The New York Theatrical Bellydance Conference - July 8-11, 2010,  NYC
Performance Technique Workshops for BDers of all styles, with top instructors! Concerts, Open Stage, & Panel Discussions! Ranya Renee & Anasma, co-directors. http://theatricalbellydance.com 
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Classes in Lafayette, CA and now Hercules, CA! Study with an award-winning dancer, international performer and certified pilates instructor.  Mixed and advanced level Belly Dance classes offered, as well as pilates based methodology to improve core strength and flexibility and prevent injury.  For schedule and more info contact Surreyya Hada -  www.surreyya.com
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New Beginner Doumbec Class, Saturday's, Oakland; call (510)654-3786. If you like classic traditional Middle Eastern music, visit maryellendonald.com and hear sound bites from Gems of the Middle East, featuring qanun and Practice Music Drummers and Dancers, featuring oud.
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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Coming soon!
if you don't see your submitted article listed here, let us know!
Davina reviews 3 Tribal DVDs
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
Coaching vs Teaching by Najia
Costumes made in China or Egypt- does it matter?+
Report on Rocky's Weeklong
Michael Baxter's Tribal Fusion Faire photos+
Ashiya and Naajidah write about professionalism
More photos and videos from IBCC
Tasha talks about the Dabke
reviews of Serpentine CDs

reviews by Tracey Farmer*
History of BD in Quebec*
Building Community by Mary
The French Connection by Tasha Banat*
Choosing Finger Cymbals by Lara Lotze*
BD as Recreation by Aziza of Hungary*
Medusa, the Gaze by Emma *
Delilah by Barbara Sellers-Young*
Sonja interviews Samara*
Loyalty, is it out of Fashion by Beata and Horacio
Hallah Moustafa by Nicole
Dancing Identities by Lynette Harper
Andrea Deagon -Patriarchy and BD
Bellydance Fashion Show
Paolo tells of Brazil's Mercado Persa
*needs proofing, +needs misc details 'Want to help?

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