BELLYGRAM OUL TANI KEDA

Hello guys. How have you been? I have just uploaded a dance i did for a private belly function. Its oul tani keda by Nancy Ajram. The audience was just awesome. The space was pretty small but i managed somehow. I have been really busy with shoots and therefore the lack of homevideos. I am planning to show you guys the choreography of this song. Its pretty easy to work with and learn. I would rate it intermediate actually.

Spacial reality

I just thought of bringing this up. People perform for gigs not quite knowing the amount of space they have to work with. If you know, thats great. If you don’t know just learn to expect the unexpected.

Many of us choreograph. Some of this choreos do have lots of spins and turns or just dance on the spot. When we realize a lack of space, it does get a little disorientating. But we all have to learn to work with the space given or just improvise. I know this sounds very basic. But i guess its imporant for those who are just starting to perform.

So what do i do?

Well its hard to say, unless you know exactly where you are performing. The best you can do is to ENQUIRE. Ask them where exactly you are performing. Some weddings provide you with stages. Smtimes they are big…smtimes just small.

I usually go by guessing

If i hear there;s a stage, i would enquire how big it is. Or when i take a look at it before stepping, i make a mental calculation on how big my steps should be. 

Private birthdays

This one…you can expect a tiny spot. You might want to do away or minimize your spins cos if you are gonna spin, you’ll sure hit someone.

Small stages

You can have spins and turns here for sure, Just make sure you dont spin out of the stage

Sometimes your audience would gather around you in a circle. So its important to do steps facing them all. Rather than just the front audiene getting the best of your dance steps,

Being a dancer is not easy. Its all about adjustment. Sometimes the music can just stop halfway or things can just happen. It has happened to me twice. Its how you mask it and move on. Its hard to concentrate on alot of things. But just it let it loose and be mindful of your audinece. Try to give your 100%. I cant say this was my best. But we just have to work around it. 

Thanks for all the comments and encouragement. Keep your questions coming in…

 

Sabreena

TARKAN BELLYDANCE/ TIPS ON A BELLYGRAM

Its been a long time since i posted a home video. I did this cos i needed to choreograph more songs for gigs. Apart from drum solos. And i needed a sort of workout with my upper body isolations. I realised i need to like oil my joints so i can have faster smoother and even tinier movements during layering. Quite honestly, it works for me very well. I usually do such isolation stuff before a gig.

What i do right before a gig

I am a bad planner. And pretty much last minute. So im the worst person for advise. But there are somethings i would wish to do. Like follow a proper schedule or something. In terms of preparatory exercises, i definitely do have some good stuff i do.

Preparatory exercises

People usually just practise and repractise their choreo. I used to do the same. But well just like an old machine needs oil. Preparatory exercises makes your performance smoother.

Isolation exercises

I usually do rip cricles to a whole 5 minute song. With my hands up high. It hurts like crazy. But it smooths your movement. Wen your hands are held up, your ribs need to do more work to move. And by the end of 5 minutes, you’d be cursing the music to end fast.

Other than rib circles, i do chest pops all the way. 5 minutes non stop.

Or vertical figure 8’s not on toes. All the way to a song. This really hurts!

And yes i would lie down and belly roll and flutter to a full song.

I am trying to do the same with snake arms. But its just too painful.

You can try it at the pool though. Hurts less. Just alot of people think you are drowning…

Things i wish i’d do

Make sure ur makeup is ready and your hairstyling stuff.

Pick your bellydancing attire a day earlier. So you can save time searching for it. Cos i often end up doing that.

Earrings accesories whatever. I NEVER wear fake eyelashes even though people feel bellydancers should! But ive no patience im pretty happy with what i have.

CD. That should be burned and tested days before your gig

Pack a bottle of water or something you can eat. Cos you wouldnt wanna drink anything there or expect someone to feed you. Its better not to…

If you are bringing a cam. Make sure its all charged and ready.

Dont forget name cards and whatever stuff you give to your client as a token of appreciation

Please bring along a shawl or anything that covers you when you are not dancing. This saves alot of bad impressions or saves you from sneaky bastards…

I usually bring a male friend along for all my gigs. It acts as a sort of protection too. My male friend (Chin Eng) also happens to be my cameraman.

Just remmeber to be early. I was late once. And i didnt really feel good about it. Though the hostess was really nice and all.

Tips after the gig

Do leave your name cards with your hosts or some token. I give them this “genieshanu” thank you card. So they would remember me. And i feel since they pay you, its best you thank them in some form. Its really funny when you have to make cards of yourslef. But well….

Dont hang out after the party! Really. They would invite you in most cases. But it just spoils your image.

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These woud be tips from my own experiences. Just thought i would share with you. Do feedback to me. You can now safely expect more videos from me. Its just ive been so busy with school. I would upload some of my gigs and homevids soon….

Sabreena