Vaivata

Hi! I just joined and I hope you don't mind me asking this right off the bat--infact, I hope this hasn't been asked a million times and I'm just missing it--but I digress...

I've been taking lessons for a little over a year now, and I'd love to get out there and perform... but I'm not sure where to start! Any ideas? How did everyone else start off? Thanks so much in advance!

Moon

As you have been dancing only little over a year, I think it would be best to start performing only at student haflas and for your own friends and family at first.

Good luck!

sedoniaraqs

Generally, just taking a weekly class doesn't give you all the skills you need to be a dancer. You probably need private coaching sessions with an instructor that will push you to improve, give you correction, an help you polish your performances. You need to get experience in the amateur realm before trying to get pro gigs, perhaps by joining an amateur performing group -- but one in which the artistic director pushes for professionalism (by this I mean makes everyone work hard, teaches dedication, mandatory rehearsals, etc). Or perhaps by starting under the wing of a mentor that will set a good example of professionalism. You need to have seen videos of your performances so you can critique yourself and make improvements; you need to have seen videos of yourself over time so you can gauge your progress. Hands, arms, and posture are often the last technical elements to develop sufficiently.

You need to be able to choreograph and improvise your own dances. You need a large Middle Eastern music collection and you need to know and understand the music.

You need a well-developed dance aesthetic -- an understanding of what the dance is supposed to look like and what is good or bad, within the context of the styles(s) you are studying. So for example, if you are studying Egyptian dance, you need and understanding of what Egyptian dance is that comes from watching Egyptian dancers, not just from what some teacher told you was Egyptian.

You need cultural understanding of the dance, for example knowing why you don't do fusion dance to Om Kalthoum, don't dance to Turkish music to a group of Armenians, don't dance pop with politically-loaded lyrics to a multicultural group (or anyone), don't dance to religious music (and be aware album notes don't always give this information and may even give erroneous information). You need to know what the lyrics are to your music, even if you are using instrumental versions (first, of course, you need to know which pieces have lyrics).

When you are ready to perform, you need to know what the going rates are for parties, restaurants, etc. so that you dont undercut the other professional dancers and so that you don't start the precedent of low wages at venues that haven't hired dancers before. You need to know what is a paying gig and what isn't; plenty of people out there will try to pursuade you that you should dance for free at their event, because it will be good promotion for you, etc.

You need professional costumes that flatter your figure and fit perfectly. Expect to pay $400 minimum for one. You'll need several.

These are just a few things off the top of my head.

Sedonia

Yasmine Bint Al Nubia

Miss Sedonia, great way to swing that hammer...you hit every nail square on the head!!!!
Welcome to the forum Vaivata! What is your inspiration for performing?
As for me, I've been dancing for 6 going on 7 years and I started performing at student haflas, recitals and nursing homes, parades etc . I've since moved to semi-pro status. It took time,patience and dedication to this art form, before I felt comforable in accepting my first paid gig. I attended many seminars , dance camps and retreats to study with the big names. Even so there is so much to still learn. I am a dancer, who is always trying to improve and understand the music,culture and the dance itself. I am lucky to have very good mentors who not only care about me as a person, they have also guided and supported me so that I can represent belly dance to the best of my ability.
I hope you enjoy your dance journey so that you can continue to become the best dancer you can be. Happy dancing!
Yasmine

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www.visionsofthenile.com

Vaivata

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for your great responses. Maybe gig was the wrong word. I'm just looking to get out there, and though my experience is rather limited at the moment, I'm looking to move forward in my learning of the dance itself. These were all marvelous examples and exactly what I was looking for! Thank you all again!