performance at restaurant - how to do? - Page 2

Aisha Azar · 11-14-2007, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by belly_dancer

oops was posting when you were... love that "always leave em wanting more!!" SO TRUE..
also like the exit music...!!! usually I just bow & walk (stage walk of course!) away
& love the part of cutting music shorter & shorter... I dance for this woman who throws private events 1-2x per year (about 8 years now)...
she always wants 15 min... the 1st time I realized that 10 minutes would be too much!!! SMALL SMALL (maybe 3'x6') space w/ GLASS curio shelf (FULL of GLASS curios) behind me & the back of a couch (w/ people craning around to see me) directly in front (not even lap room!!!)... & that 1st time me w/ my 12" fringe.... eeek I could not even do a decent twist for fear of breaking something/or whacking somebody!!!!)& NOwhere to escape to as people were 3 deep lining the walls/traffic corridors!!!!
so next (2nd show) I did an 11 minute... still too long/but not painful...
she complained I did not dance the whole 15 minutes... I told her based on the performance space & my experience I chose what was appropriate for HER party... couldn't believe she hired me the 3rd show... she STILL keeps hiring me for a "15 minute" show... but I keep doing what I think is right!!!

oh hey Aradia... if you do not mind me asking... what songs constitute your ALL TIME favorite routine???
(A'isha/Shazanel/Janiki & other "restaurant" dancers out there as well??!!!)

Dear Belly dancer,
For any time and place:

Parts of Soheir Zaki in Germany
Meshaal, the Hani Mehenna version
Ya Nawaem off of Best of Saidi
Ahmed Fouad Hassan's Habaieb
Abdel Halim Hafiz's version of Zay il Howa
Sahara City, the original version
Nagwa Fouad's Basha ya Basha

That's what I can think of off the top of my pointed little head.
Regards,
A'isha

Shanazel · 11-14-2007, 03:13 AM

Thank you for your input, A'isha. It is interesting as always. Authentic middle eastern bands were few and far between in Wyoming in the 1970s and early 1980s, and I retain a fondness for George Abdo to this day; he saved Wyoming girls from having to dance to Rimskey Korsakov or The Nutcracker Suite

.

Middle Eastern Restaurants? Night clubs? Those were the luxury jobs down in Colorado. Once I moved to Wyoming, dancing mostly meant cowboy bars, occasional ren faires, barbeques, and mountain lodges thirty miles from town. A couple of years ago I ran into a fellow who remembered me dancing over a quarter of a century ago for a group of paleontologists and cavers way the heck up in the Big Horn Mountains. All I had for music was people to clap and a couple of fellows drummed on a hollow log and an empty oil drum. (I could not believe how good they were.) His wife told me he still talks about me. That was the loveliest compliment I think I have ever had.

I love reading about all y'all's experiences in elegant establishments all over the world, but I don't think I'd trade dancing in the seventies in Wyoming for anything (even if we did have to settle at times for George Abdo or oil drums

).

Aradia · 11-14-2007, 05:44 AM

Hehe, I did a show in Vegas with George Abdo when I was 10 years old! He and Raja were very popular! They were watered down versions, but they were appealing to new dancers because of their western influence.

Ok favorite restaurant song changes for me constantly! I guess because I do 18 shows a week, I go nuts with my music. I also fluctuate between Egyptian, Lebanese and the occasional Turkish if we have some in the house. Egyptian music is always the safe bet when you aren't sure about your audience.

Tamra Henna from Nagwa Fouad's band, it's been re released as Ya Salaam Ya Fahtiem.
Love the original Sahara City as Aisha said!
Nebtiti men en el Hakayak Casino Opera version
Ranat el Khul Khal
right now I'm loving Talisman from Beata and Horacio

Ya Hatet maroon glacee' (not for an opening song, but great for your folklore/upbeat song) this is one of the funnest songs for me!

Albi Ashta-another favorite

For Lebanese I love Raks Amani from her blue album,
anything by Warda
Turkish--Asena or John Belizikijian (sp?)

I could go on for pages, I just don't have a favorite song, it depends on my mood and the vibe I'm getting from the room that determines the music I use, and the costume I wear! My boss thinks I'm nuts, because I'll open the curtain and look at the people before I decide what to wear, I can tell what will work best for that particular show and audience! Have I developed a 6th sense??

Aziyade · 11-14-2007, 02:40 PM

This is completely unrelated, but I just saw you're the Aradia who made the Oriental dance dvd and I'm feeling all geeky because I just wanted to say I really enjoy that dvd and I think you're a FAB dancer.

Amanda, trying hard to NOT give off the stalker vibe. LOL

Aradia · 11-14-2007, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aziyade

This is completely unrelated, but I just saw you're the Aradia who made the Oriental dance dvd and I'm feeling all geeky because I just wanted to say I really enjoy that dvd and I think you're a FAB dancer.

Amanda, trying hard to NOT give off the stalker vibe. LOL

Hi Amanda,
that's very sweet, thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the video, I welcome fellow dance stalkers!!

Aziyade · 11-14-2007, 06:37 PM

Making another one, by chance? I really like the way it was set up and you could do a bunch more. hint hint.

BTW - the shopping link on your website is down.

(waves!)

Aradia · 11-14-2007, 07:44 PM

yes, I will be doing a full series of DVD's, hopefully starting in Jan. I'm having my website rebuilt so the shopping cart will be down for a few days!

RioDancerCO · 11-14-2007, 09:04 PM

lol, I knew there was a reason I liked you Aradia!

I've been to your restaurant (unfortunately on one of your off nights due to the IBDC) and it was fantastic! I can totally see you peeking through to gauge your outfit

I'm a bit of a costume horse myself so I can only envy you the space to change outfits like that. If you ever find yourself up in Colorado again for a workshop, let us know! I very much enjoyed the one you put on for Marjorie in Wyoming.

Aradia · 11-14-2007, 09:57 PM

Thanks Rio,
I think the closest I'm booked to you in 08 is Arkansas this summer, I'll let you know if I get sponsored in your area, I'm hoping to fill up my 08 calendar before the new year, I still have a ways to go, LOL!!

Shanazel · 11-15-2007, 11:29 PM

Quote:

I very much enjoyed the one you put on for Marjorie in Wyoming.

How did I miss that one? I usually get Marjorie's e-fliers. When were you here?

11-14-2007, 03:13 AM	#12 (permalink)
Shanazel Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rocky Mountains USA Posts: 4,664	Thank you for your input, A'isha. It is interesting as always. Authentic middle eastern bands were few and far between in Wyoming in the 1970s and early 1980s, and I retain a fondness for George Abdo to this day; he saved Wyoming girls from having to dance to Rimskey Korsakov or The Nutcracker Suite. Middle Eastern Restaurants? Night clubs? Those were the luxury jobs down in Colorado. Once I moved to Wyoming, dancing mostly meant cowboy bars, occasional ren faires, barbeques, and mountain lodges thirty miles from town. A couple of years ago I ran into a fellow who remembered me dancing over a quarter of a century ago for a group of paleontologists and cavers way the heck up in the Big Horn Mountains. All I had for music was people to clap and a couple of fellows drummed on a hollow log and an empty oil drum. (I could not believe how good they were.) His wife told me he still talks about me. That was the loveliest compliment I think I have ever had. I love reading about all y'all's experiences in elegant establishments all over the world, but I don't think I'd trade dancing in the seventies in Wyoming for anything (even if we did have to settle at times for George Abdo or oil drums).

11-14-2007, 05:44 AM	#13 (permalink)
Aradia Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 38	Hehe, I did a show in Vegas with George Abdo when I was 10 years old! He and Raja were very popular! They were watered down versions, but they were appealing to new dancers because of their western influence. Ok favorite restaurant song changes for me constantly! I guess because I do 18 shows a week, I go nuts with my music. I also fluctuate between Egyptian, Lebanese and the occasional Turkish if we have some in the house. Egyptian music is always the safe bet when you aren't sure about your audience. Tamra Henna from Nagwa Fouad's band, it's been re released as Ya Salaam Ya Fahtiem. Love the original Sahara City as Aisha said! Nebtiti men en el Hakayak Casino Opera version Ranat el Khul Khal right now I'm loving Talisman from Beata and Horacio Ya Hatet maroon glacee' (not for an opening song, but great for your folklore/upbeat song) this is one of the funnest songs for me! Albi Ashta-another favorite For Lebanese I love Raks Amani from her blue album, anything by Warda Turkish--Asena or John Belizikijian (sp?) I could go on for pages, I just don't have a favorite song, it depends on my mood and the vibe I'm getting from the room that determines the music I use, and the costume I wear! My boss thinks I'm nuts, because I'll open the curtain and look at the people before I decide what to wear, I can tell what will work best for that particular show and audience! Have I developed a 6th sense?? __________________ Aradia of Las Vegas.....www.AradiaLV.com Last edited by Aradia; 11-14-2007 at 05:46 AM.

11-14-2007, 07:44 PM	#17 (permalink)
Aradia Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 38	yes, I will be doing a full series of DVD's, hopefully starting in Jan. I'm having my website rebuilt so the shopping cart will be down for a few days! __________________ Aradia of Las Vegas.....www.AradiaLV.com

11-14-2007, 09:04 PM	#18 (permalink)
RioDancerCO Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 74	lol, I knew there was a reason I liked you Aradia! I've been to your restaurant (unfortunately on one of your off nights due to the IBDC) and it was fantastic! I can totally see you peeking through to gauge your outfit I'm a bit of a costume horse myself so I can only envy you the space to change outfits like that. If you ever find yourself up in Colorado again for a workshop, let us know! I very much enjoyed the one you put on for Marjorie in Wyoming. __________________ Rio

11-14-2007, 09:57 PM	#19 (permalink)
Aradia Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 38	Thanks Rio, I think the closest I'm booked to you in 08 is Arkansas this summer, I'll let you know if I get sponsored in your area, I'm hoping to fill up my 08 calendar before the new year, I still have a ways to go, LOL!! __________________ Aradia of Las Vegas.....www.AradiaLV.com

11-14-2007, 02:40 PM	#14 (permalink)
Aziyade V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornfields of Evansville Indiana. Posts: 1,049	This is completely unrelated, but I just saw you're the Aradia who made the Oriental dance dvd and I'm feeling all geeky because I just wanted to say I really enjoy that dvd and I think you're a FAB dancer. Amanda, trying hard to NOT give off the stalker vibe. LOL

11-14-2007, 06:37 PM	#16 (permalink)
Aziyade V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornfields of Evansville Indiana. Posts: 1,049	Making another one, by chance? I really like the way it was set up and you could do a bunch more. hint hint. BTW - the shopping link on your website is down. (waves!)