Costuming for the dance - Page 2

Aisha Azar · 10-06-2007, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by belly_dancer

most "restaurant" dancers who do sword would probably be classified as "cabaret" dancers..... meaning that they do a whole 15-30 minute set without costume change that would include among other things some sort of balancing act (sword/candle/tray/etc) & most cabaret dancers that I have seen tend to wear some variation on the bedlah....
If the sword dance you will be performing is your ONLY dance, then I agree w/the poster who said to pick your costume regarding your musical choice... ethereal? techno? goth? traditional? etc etc etc... if it is part of a set, then you have to take into consideration the REST of the dances/music/etc, as well.....
PLUS for me.... it is important to think about the movements as well.... are you dropping to the floor???? (in a restaurant??? no pale colors... plus prints work better at hiding little spots/etc)... are you "rolling" around on the floor??? then avoid long fringe.. plus the cool "rag" idea could turn into a tangle on the floor depending on the moves... (not to mention a split skirt with slits that got "misplaced

!!!!!)... oooh... & any little loops on the bottom of a skirt (yep I have experience here!!! a skirt w/ beaded trim in the form of little loops all around the hem......) ... not fun to try & stand back up & find one of your toes caught in a loop!@!!!....
oooh & do not even TRY floor work in a tight mermaid style skirt.... & anklets are killer tooo......( & skirts w/ heavy beading... killer on the tops of feet if caught btwn your feet & the floor.... not to mention killer on the bead work!!!)
damn... I am missing out on sooo many cool wardrobe options..... on the off chance I may want to drop to the floor at any minute!!!!!

Dear Belly_dancer,
Actually, if your rags are not overly long, then they do not tangle. I have done floorwork in a rag style skirt before and had no problem. I think you might be thinking long strips of fabric, where I am not thinking exactly that.
Regards,
A'isha

Shanazel · 10-07-2007, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Costume should be used to enhance the dance.So many people forget the purpose of the costume and the dance gets lost in the fringe, so to speak!

Dear A'isha,

Message received, understood and agreed with. I thought maybe you found the swing of the fringe was always a beat behind the music or something (which certainly can be true of the long fringe). I once saw a dancer with thick fringe on the bra cups, fringe below the bra and fringe on the belt, all of which blended together, making her look like a perambulating door curtain from the 1960s- or a beaded Cousin Itt from The Addam's Family.

My pet costuming peeve- well, it goes beyond a peeve to genuine detestation- is bells on the ankles. Very cute while standing still, but an immediate annoyance as soon as the dancer moves, and a serious irritation in class.

What would you suggest for nice chubby teachers of a certain age and minimal waistline who are still being forced to dance on stage at rec center recitals? I have been eyeing Maria Aya's latest costume with awe and envy.

Sincerely,

Not so tiny dancer

Aisha Azar · 10-07-2007, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanazel

Dear A'isha,

Message received, understood and agreed with. I thought maybe you found the swing of the fringe was always a beat behind the music or something (which certainly can be true of the long fringe). I once saw a dancer with thick fringe on the bra cups, fringe below the bra and fringe on the belt, all of which blended together, making her look like a perambulating door curtain from the 1960s- or a beaded Cousin Itt from The Addam's Family.

My pet costuming peeve- well, it goes beyond a peeve to genuine detestation- is bells on the ankles. Very cute while standing still, but an immediate annoyance as soon as the dancer moves, and a serious irritation in class.

What would you suggest for nice chubby teachers of a certain age and minimal waistline who are still being forced to dance on stage at rec center recitals? I have been eyeing Maria Aya's latest costume with awe and envy.

Sincerely,

Not so tiny dancer

Dear Shanazel,
I have that same body and age thing going on!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you look on my website and on Baharat!!'s website. (Raqs Azar and Baharat!!) you will see what I am wearing nowadays if you look at the dresses instead of the bra/belt photos. I quit wearing the bra/belt thing about 5 years ago. There is an age where I think that style of costume us just tooo youngish, no matter how it is put together.
Regards,
A'isha

Maria_Aya · 10-08-2007, 06:50 AM

Very interesting thread !!!!
Thank you for posting, and thank you Aisha for all the knowledge you are sharing with us.

Kisses
Maria Aya

10-08-2007, 06:50 AM	#14 (permalink)
Maria_Aya Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 2,245	Very interesting thread !!!! Thank you for posting, and thank you Aisha for all the knowledge you are sharing with us. Kisses Maria Aya __________________ ... www.orientalexpression.gr