March 2005 SnakeByte from the Gilded Serpent!
New Articles on www.gildedserpent.com -Web Magazine for Mid East Performing Arts

• 3-16-05 About my teacher Magana Baptiste by Horacio Cifuentes
  At the time when her husband placed second in the Mr. America body building contest, and mind you, these were the days when body builders took no steroids and were true examples of healthy humans, Magana placed first runner up in the Miss USA beauty competition held in Los Angeles in 1951.
• 3-15-05 Rakkasah From a Vendor’s Viewpoint by Aziza!
  Ah, Rakkasah! For many years the highlight of my vending year! A wonderful idea that has gradually faded over time….
• 3-12-05 Keti Sharif’s A to Z Advanced Stage Instructional DVD and booklet review by Monica Berini
  It is rare that an instructional video marketed to advanced dancers follows through to actually challenge experienced students or performers. This one does.
• 3-11-05 Wings, The Complete Technique, a private lesson with Ayshe a review by Mara al-Nil
  Well, I have to say that I must take a bit of an issue with the title of this DVD. “A private lesson” with Ayshe? More like an intensive, private seminar! This 2-hour “workshop” is one of the most comprehensive instructional DVDs for dancers I’ve seen.
• 3-9-05 Tatseena's Fantasy Festival October 16-17, 2004, photos and text by Amy Luna Manderino
  The Festival lived up to it's name, with two days of creative and innovative dance that broke the mold and showed the versatility of American Bellydance.
• 3-8-05 Belly Dance Super Stars Video Review by Amina Goodyear
  Produced and Directed by Jonathan Brandeis Executive Producer: Miles Copeland. "... However, as there is no audience, most of the dancers have a difficult time conveying the emotions of the dance to the video viewer. Only Jillina and Dondi seem to overcome this obstacle. "
• 3-6-05 The Folk Tours Dance & Music Camp Review by Piper (and baby pics too!) Photos by Carl Miller, May 2004
  Once upon a time, in far away lands, I performed five shows a night, seven nights a week to great live music. I don’t miss the wily club owners, late nights, or cigarette smoke, but I do miss the music.
• 3-5-05 A Book Review: "Also Known as Sadzia! The Belly Dancer" written by Merrill Joan Gerber, review by Karen Roberts
  The dance information portrayed in the book is, largely, sound, (although Sandy’s instant success as a “natural belly dancer” is a bit unbelievable!) and Sandy’s growing self-acceptance and brightening future are compelling.
• 3-3-05 The BDSS Experience and Miles Copeland; Doing What He Does Best by Sausan
  Even though Miles Copeland’s vision is similar to that of mine and the majority of belly dancers I have canvassed in my lifetime, he and I differ in our mission approach to elevating the dance, and this is where the discussion became a heated debate.
• 3-2-05 The Blind and Bellydance by Zaheea
  She had a genuine joy in her smile as she shimmied and swayed to the music as her husband sat and enjoyed his wife's enthusiasm.
• 2-28-05 A Question of Style by Bert Balladine
  Since most of us have chosen Oriental Dance for the pleasure of doing it, being a zealot about purity and ethnicity will just hamper getting the fullest enjoyment out of the dance.
• 2-26-05 A Report of the 2004 Ya Halla Y’all Saturday Evening Show, by Leigh Allen and Tamara Campbell, photos by Craig Campbell.
  Isis’ annual August shows are always great and professionally presented but the show on Saturday truly lived up to its billing as ‘A Gathering of Stars’. We can’t wait for next year!

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Don't miss Morocco's Mid-Manhattan Mideastern Magic - a wonderful Summer Weeklong Aug. 6-12, 2005 3 routines + SAQRA, ROBYN FRIEND: Uzbek dance, TAHYA, music cassette & certificate morocco@casbahdance.org
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Tour Egypt with Scherezade Imports/ Attend the Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival 2005. June 23-July 5 or June 23-July 9, offering a variety of trip options to fit your specific needs.http://www.home.earthlink.net/~sherzade/id2.html
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Morocco, the very BEST dance tour organizer will take YOU to CAIRO/GIZA for RAQIA'S AHLAN WA SAHLAN FESTIVAL & optional Nile Cruise June 24-July 5 or 9, 2005 includes opening gala! http://www.casbahdance.org/Cairo2005.html
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Brand new from Mary Ellen Donald! 8 recordings originally released on cassette now all on CD's! Check out the very useful PRACTICE MUSIC FOR DRUMMERS & DANCERS great for teachers and students alike. www.MaryEllenDonald.com
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DANCE OF LEADERSHIP: A day with: Fahtiem, Mésmera, Aziza Said, Marguerite who share their experience of leading through dance. April 17th,10 am – 4 pm; Palomares Community Center, Pomona, CA. www.danceofleadership.org
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Turquoise International has the best quality costuming and the best customer service! Teacher and wholesale pricing is available. Come by the booth at Rakkasah West this weekend! http://www.turquoiseintl.com/
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American Bellydancer, an inside look at the exotic, riveting art and lifestyle of belly dance in the USA will begin playing in select theaters on February 8. Please visit http://www.milescopeland.net/bellydance/calendar/ for city, date, location and ticket purchase listings.
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