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September 2009 SnakeByte from the Gilded Serpent!

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

  • 9-17-09 Photos of Caravan of Secrets, Co-produced Theatre Production by Zahra Zuhair and Carolyn Krueger, Photos by Alvin and Fransisca Sugianto
    held August 15th and 16th, 2009, at the Electric Lodge Theatre, Venice, California. Caravan of Secrets navigates imaginary landscapes inspired by the cultures and contradictions found among the ancient Silk Roads, Sea Routes and Gypsy Trails of the Middle East and Central Asia.
  • 9-17-09 Sex, Belly Dance and the Afterlife by Yasmin Henkesh
    To these people, sex was not dirty, shameful, frightening or forbidden. It was a natural part of daily life and the essential prerequisite for birth - on earth or in the Afterlife.
  • 9-15-09 Photos from Spirit of the Tribes 9 Photos by Zizi Zabaneh
    A Multicultural Journey held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, May 2009. Zizi’s photos are from the Spirit of the Tribes festival which is in its ninth year. It is produced by Maja a long established teacher in Florida. The festival includes 4 days of workshops, vending, competition and performances by troupes and soloists from around the world.
  • 9-11-09 Are You Breaking the Law? Dance Workshops with Foreign Nationals by Miles Copeland
    It is the sponsor’s obligation to deduct this; if it is not deducted and the full fee paid to the foreign teacher and discovered several years later in an audit or investigation, the sponsor will be forced to pay the taxes then and may even be fined.
  • 9-10-09 A Quest for Beauty, Part II: Damn the Torpedoes and Full Speed Ahead! by Zorba
    I recognized that "femininity/masculinity" was an entirely artificial construct, and femininity/masculinity was based on reality, i.e. biology.
  • 9-9-09 Bellydance from Cairo to Los Angeles: Personal Commentary on the Bellydance Superstars by Roza Sharazad
    I remember the saying "Cairo is the Hollywood of Bellydance" is for a reason, and I think the ancient Egyptian theme takes us back to where the roots are deepest.
  • 9-8-09 Ask Yasmina #9: Teaching Differences, New Troupes, Men in Bellydance by Yasmina Ramzy
    As an ensemble becomes larger and more professional, it will find that it is more efficient and effective if it models itself like a professional company with defined roles
  • 9-1-09 Maud Allen: La Femme Fatale by Wendy Buonaventura
    For, as the trial progressed, in effect, it became a trial of female sexuality. No respectable woman, it was claimed, could possibly take on the sadistic role of Salome unless she was a sadist in real life, and sadism was regarded at the time as a practice verging on the criminal.
  • 8-28-09 Carl's Photos from The 2009 Gala Showcase at the SF/BA MECDA Event photos by Carl Sermon
    Event Presented by SF/BA MECDA (the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association) Held on January 17 at the Cubberley Community Quditorium in Palo Alto, California
  • 8-27-09 You Can Take the Dance With You! by Yasmine of Siren In Sanity
    It has been a year since we have made our big move—Sirens In Sanity has changed from being a one-beautiful-studio-in-Benicia, California, to a multi-location studio.
  • 8-23-09 Improvisation:Method Behind the Madness by Najia Marlyz
    One of the biggest mistakes we western Bellydancers have made is presuming that the dancing to which Arabs refer as the “Eastern Dance” is a theatrical dance that ought to be choreographed as if it were a ballet, or that its steps and movements are traditional like those of the Greek Hasapiko, an Arabic Depke, or a Hawaiian Hula.

Reviews

Videos

Community Kaleidoscope
PHOTOS: Dancers of Tennessee, Cairo during Ramadan, GS Party, Shabnam's baby girl!, Benefit for Bridgette,
Wiggles of the West

New letters
Zorba's quest for beauty, guys in dance, Miles and Tonya, Najia's Improv article

Special Advertising Section

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Experience an unforgettable ATS dance intensive in exotic Marrakech with Valizan. October 2 – 10, 2009. Daily ATS classes & group improvisational dance time, guided souk tours & more. Join us! www.ATSdanceholiday.com.
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Oasis Dance Camps & Retreats with Cassandra, Denise Enan, Tamalyn Dallal and Sahra Saeeda – 3 Stateside Locations Plus Luxor, Egypt.  Twenty-five years of intense dance training, beginner to professional. http://oasisdancecamp.com/
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SaftiCraft specialized exporter and manufacturer of Egyptian handmade products for dance such as costumes, hip scarves, dance accessories, folkloric costumes, Assuit fabric, shoes, Isis wings, zills, swords, shamadan (candelabra) www.safticraft.com  
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Bellydancer of the Universe Competition February 13 & 14, 2010, Long Beach, CA USA $5000.00 Cash prizes, competitions, workshops, shows, vendors. Enter now! www.bellydanceroftheuniverse.com Tonya & Atlantis producers
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Redwood Coast Belly Dance Festival, October 3-4 in Arcata, CA. Workshops with Dalia Carella, Tatseena, and Jodi Waseca. Performing spots are still open! Contact Shoshanna, (707) 616-6876 or www.redwoodcoastbellydance.com.
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Spanish Gypsy dance meets Bellydance! New instructional DVD blending ancient traditions and modern flavor! Unleash the gyspy in your hips! Available at www.shunyatabellydance.com or at www.silviasalamanca.com
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Middle Eastern Treasures Concert, Sunday, October 25 in Oakland, CA: Six piece Arabic music ensemble with Nazir Latouf, Oud and vocals; members of Aswat choir; belly dances by Amira Ariana and April Faith; Brazilian dance, Rasa Vitalia; audience dancing.  Details at www.maryellendonald.com after September 21
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Keep the Snake Alive! contact editor
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Gilded Serpent Archives contain over 1000 articles
use our now reliable search box to target your interest

Just in!
Coming soon!
Adriance report from Jillina's weeklong
Tajikistan by Robyn Friend
Rebecca's review of Astyd's workshop in San Francisco
Article by Maria Strova of Italy
Dondi writes about giving credit in dance
Keeping Love for Dance alive by Mandy
Sonja reports about Wiggles of the West Contest
Bonita reviews 2 books- Wendy's & DeAnna's

Edwina Continues the Ghawazi series with the Epilogue
PepperAlexandria's Archives- Part 2 The Banat Mazin
1 more part to Freddie's interview- waiting for photos!
More on Badia by Edwina Nearing
Bringing Raqs Sharki to College by Richey
Photos and vid clips from SF Mecca Revue
Yes, product reviews are coming!
More videos-musical instrument demos, Gig bag Checks, event collages

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