How much is too much? - Page 3

Twilight Spiral · 07-04-2008, 01:23 PM

Gooood question, Zorba. I don't know the answer XD

I know where you are coming from and I am glad you are voicing your opinion but we have gone from chop top to bra now. I think I had better post the outfit, even though I look like hell, my hair is a complete mess and I need to comb it down.

Sorry for the picture beings so big, my brain is shutting down at moment.

It is not a bra in so many words, but does have pull strings to make it one. The skirt, as you can tell is a gypsy style skirt, very wide so it can be lifted without showing all and swished about. Since I have no "class" to go to and I only have DVD instructors I wear to it and a belly-dancer sash to see if I moving correctly.

Quote:

In my dance life, I wear them when the dance calls for one, i.e. the dance includes skirtwork. I otherwise tend NOT to wear them performing as I realize that my audiences most likely do NOT consider them a unisex garment and I don't want to warp their brains any more than I already do by my mere presence. But again, if the dance calls for one, I'll gladly wear one - if someone can't handle it they can leave. I'm not going to spoil my fun because of stupid cultural norms - and most of my audiences seem to love it. Remind me to tell you about the time I was asked to demonstrate skirtwork in a workshop because I was the best in the class at it!

My thoughts exactly! If my audiences doesn't like they can leave, I enjoy what I do. Another thing I am noticing is that, this is my "first" costume, I am sure I will buy another or make a different top. Who knows.

This was one of first rules of acting I learn and I believe it the same for Belly-Dance. "Enjoy what you do. Laugh and have fun. Everyone will have a different form of acting that they prefer, so stick with what you like best." Of course some times a actor must bend to fit the part, same here too.

My outfit choices may change, maybe not. In the end it really doesn't matter. As long as I enjoy myself an do what I love, I am fine. ^^

da Sage · 07-04-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twilight Spiral

Oh, I just bought a belly dancer sash with coins on it from a local shop. I can use that, I was going to keep it with the outfit...Hehehe, I don't know what I was thinking.

<snip>

da Sage- A necktie?

I'm sorry, but I have never heard of a use like that before. Sorry, I don't mean to laugh, but I find this funny.

I know you're on a budget, and I figured you might already have a necktie. I know it's not performance wear, but I didn't want to send you out to buy something else right away!

There was some famous male film star* who wore a tie as a belt though...can't remember who.

*Edit: It's Fred Astaire. And that's a lovely costume in your picture above!

Aniseteph · 07-05-2008, 09:51 AM

Informal scene in old movie where saucy dancer pinches some guys tie and dances... it'd work! Fifi could have pulled it off, easy.

gisela · 07-05-2008, 10:21 AM

I often wear ties as belts in everyday life because there are so many fabulous patterns on neckties from second hand stores.

Zorba · 07-05-2008, 05:34 PM

I have to say that that costume suits you - it looks good on you.

As for neckties - they should be banned.

sedoniaraqs · 07-06-2008, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twilight Spiral

One thing become clear when I started the DVD Basic and Beyond, my body can't bend much like a instructors. Now I knew this would happen, but I am curios on how males dancers adjust to this movement?

I'm not sure exactly what you mean here, but you can't move like the instructor because you're a beginner, not because you're a guy.

Quote:

How many practice in semi grew? At the moment I have only plain clothes and well I can't really tell if my hips are moving correctly. Shoulder yes, but hips not so much. I would buy different clothes but I am short on cash.

Hmm...I don't know what "semi grew" is, or even whether its a noun or a verb. But as an instructor, I strongly prefer my students to wear something formfitting like tights or leggings or a unitard so I can see if their posture, alignment, and movements are correct. You need something for visual contrast tied at your hips. It can be anything that creates a horizontal line low on the hips.

I especially need to see the knees and feet, so I dislike students to wear skirts or harem pants or any big baggy pants.

I also generally advise students not to invest much in costuming. Put your money into building a good library of Middle Eastern music (and listen to it *all* the time), videography (performance is more important than instructional), classes, workshops, live performances, finger cymbals. Costume should be the very lowest priority.

I danced for five years before purchasing a real belly dance costume, but by that time I had probably dropped several grand in music and videos.

sedoniaraqs · 07-06-2008, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aisha Azar

I am not too overly fond of the bra look on men because I think one needs breasts to really do that look justice. I also like just something like some bead flatwork on the chest with attached strands, rather reminiscent of the chest plate thing but less warrior-like!
Regards,
A'isha

Raffa in Utah did something I always thought was snazzy and clever. Took a women's Egyptian bedlah (the extra fringey kind popular in the early 1990s), wore the belt, and took the bra apart and put the cups on each shoulder like epaulettes. I think there was a form-fitting shirt or tank or body mesh of some kind. Lycra pants to match the costume.

Okay, this sounds corny in print but through my baby dancer eyes I thought it looked good.

khanjar · 07-06-2008, 06:40 AM

That is all I am doing, since there is no class until the fall, I have one instructional DVD, but loads of music. I started with BD specific music, but have now moved into Arabian club music, which is mostly Egyptian and Turkish, and some Lebanese. The BD beats are still there in this music, the darbuka being the underlying instrument that drives the rhythm.

Finding that modern club music is so so similar to BD specific music, reinforces my understanding that the music and the dance of the region is intertwined, the dance being an expression of the music and the music is to dance and enjoy oneself too.

I listen to ME music most of the time now and even when I am out and about via a personal minidisc player. The odd thing is, my friends are into the music now.

Costumes, well, that for me is a long way into the future, I did think about something involving chain mail, but now that idea is going in a different direction, a friend has an interest in it as club wear. But really, I will stick with my t-shirt and shorts, and tracksters for classes in the fall.

I agree with Zorba, neckties should be banned, a totally useless item of clothing.

Twilight Spiral · 07-06-2008, 07:06 AM

Don't get my wrong if that's what you want to use go for it...Wait it was a really tie? No way, I have seen people wearing belts that looked like ties, I just thought it something from Hot Topic. Hehe, never under estimate the tie

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedoniaraqs

I'm not sure exactly what you mean here, but you can't move like the instructor because you're a beginner, not because you're a guy.

True, but my anatomy's study on the muscle seem to nag me the other way, then again the muscle can stretch very well. Gah, double thoughts.

Quote:

Hmm...I don't know what "semi grew" is, or even whether its a noun or a verb. But as an instructor, I strongly prefer my students to wear something formfitting like tights or leggings or a unitard so I can see if their posture, alignment, and movements are correct. You need something for visual contrast tied at your hips. It can be anything that creates a horizontal line low on the hips.

That wasn't my main problem. The only long mirror I have is on a closet door in the front door entrance. I needed something to help me tell if my hips were lifting and lowering correctly. I have the problem fixed.

Quote:

I also generally advise students not to invest much in costuming. Put your money into building a good library of Middle Eastern music (and listen to it *all* the time), videography (performance is more important than instructional), classes, workshops, live performances, finger cymbals. Costume should be the very lowest priority.

I danced for five years before purchasing a real belly dance costume, but by that time I had probably dropped several grand in music and videos.

Funny thing is...The outfit was got me into the dance that and I look good in it

So it is kind of late. I understand what you mean and one thing at a time for me. I learn the dance, study others movements and invest in music and what not.

We all start somewhere.

khanjar- Lucky, you have class

You're friends are interested? That is great, there is so much more to the world then rap and what not. Wow, I feel like I am talking to my friends when we choose music.

Chain-mail? Do it! MedievalBelly Dance! I would pay to see that. Oddly enough I can see it being done. A chain-mail top, shirt, little trinkets. *writes down ideas*

Oooh I beg to differ! Neckties have helped me look good for a job interview. Plus if you ever need a short rope.

khanjar · 07-06-2008, 07:27 AM

Chain mail already exists in BD, those coin chain belt wrap things, some are made up of a mesh of mail with multi coins hung on the mail. The mail not being as mobile, the coins move independently with the slightest movement. I can see now, I am going to end up making costumes and the associated jewellery, as I have ideas based upon the mamluk.

Hey, aside from one friend, the others who are starting to absorb my music are definetely not interested in dancing, though one of their girlfriends is hahaha

07-05-2008, 10:21 AM	#24 (permalink)
gisela Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denmark Posts: 797	I often wear ties as belts in everyday life because there are so many fabulous patterns on neckties from second hand stores. __________________ You need chaos in your soul to create a dancing star-nietzsche

07-05-2008, 05:34 PM	#25 (permalink)
Zorba Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 742	I have to say that that costume suits you - it looks good on you. As for neckties - they should be banned. __________________ -Zorba "The Veiled Male" http://www.doubleveil.net

07-06-2008, 06:40 AM	#28 (permalink)
khanjar Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: England Posts: 314	That is all I am doing, since there is no class until the fall, I have one instructional DVD, but loads of music. I started with BD specific music, but have now moved into Arabian club music, which is mostly Egyptian and Turkish, and some Lebanese. The BD beats are still there in this music, the darbuka being the underlying instrument that drives the rhythm. Finding that modern club music is so so similar to BD specific music, reinforces my understanding that the music and the dance of the region is intertwined, the dance being an expression of the music and the music is to dance and enjoy oneself too. I listen to ME music most of the time now and even when I am out and about via a personal minidisc player. The odd thing is, my friends are into the music now. Costumes, well, that for me is a long way into the future, I did think about something involving chain mail, but now that idea is going in a different direction, a friend has an interest in it as club wear. But really, I will stick with my t-shirt and shorts, and tracksters for classes in the fall. I agree with Zorba, neckties should be banned, a totally useless item of clothing. __________________ I am a dream to some...and a nightmare to others.

07-06-2008, 07:27 AM	#30 (permalink)
khanjar Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: England Posts: 314	Chain mail already exists in BD, those coin chain belt wrap things, some are made up of a mesh of mail with multi coins hung on the mail. The mail not being as mobile, the coins move independently with the slightest movement. I can see now, I am going to end up making costumes and the associated jewellery, as I have ideas based upon the mamluk. Hey, aside from one friend, the others who are starting to absorb my music are definetely not interested in dancing, though one of their girlfriends is hahaha __________________ I am a dream to some...and a nightmare to others.

07-05-2008, 09:51 AM	#23 (permalink)
Aniseteph V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sussex, England Posts: 1,486	Informal scene in old movie where saucy dancer pinches some guys tie and dances... it'd work! Fifi could have pulled it off, easy.