First performance... Im very nervous

Amber · 05-03-2008, 12:59 PM

Im am still a student dancer (not a professional yet by far) And some friends of mine have asked me to perform for them during a "midnight picnic" they are having on memorial day weekend.

I want to purchase a costume (a nice one but not a Bella obviously) because I want it to feel authentic since they are putting a lot of time and effort into doing this weekend.

I need to have some questions answered though because Ive never done this and Im very nervous

My first question is: Do you think it would be ok for me to use my teachers choreography that she is using in class, and perform that for them? We are learning Leylet Hob which is one of my absolute favorite pieces of all time. Or should I do another song that is more pop-ish and more upbeat (Bin Narien) and do my own choreography?

Second Question: Any suggestions for costuming? I DO NOT want to look too much like an amateur. (I mean I know I still AM an amateur... but I don't want to look like one LOL) I also don't want to spend a gazillion dollars either.

What do you guys think? Im no nervous but Im also very excited and want to do the best job I can do.

I should probably add that the group I will be performing for has no experience with BD and has no idea what they are looking at either.

Reen.Blom · 05-03-2008, 01:10 PM

I think you should choose choreo that you are comfortable with and that you would enjoy! As long as you are confident and having fun you will be just fine!

As for costume- do you have a hip scarf or coin belt?

If you do want to invest I would say purchase a decent veil/skirt set that you will be able to use in the future with your pro costume to come one day ;-) and use it with your hip scarf, rather than buying 'budget' costume that will fall apart after a couple of times!

After all its about your smile and having fun dancing!

Best of luck and lots of hugs!!!

*hug*
reen.blom

Amber · 05-03-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reen.Blom

I think you should choose choreo that you are comfortable with and that you would enjoy! As long as you are confident and having fun you will be just fine!

As for costume- do you have a hip scarf or coin belt?

If you do want to invest I would say purchase a decent veil/skirt set that you will be able to use in the future with your pro costume to come one day ;-) and use it with your hip scarf, rather than buying 'budget' costume that will fall apart after a couple of times!

After all its about your smile and having fun dancing!

Best of luck and lots of hugs!!!

*hug*
reen.blom

*Hugs back* THANKS!

Ok so if I purchase a skirt and veil set... and use my hip scarf... what do I wear on top?

Reen.Blom · 05-03-2008, 01:27 PM

As for myself, I dont look good in bras, so I got a bare midrif sport top, plain colour to match my veil. I just stitched coins on it (to match my coinbelt...lol) was also going to iron on rhinestones, cant get around it.

So it looks glitzy, yet cheap to make, and I can always wear it with jeans to the party!, Another option is choli top of course...

Amber · 05-03-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reen.Blom

As for myself, I dont look good in bras, so I got a bare midrif sport top, plain colour to match my veil. I just stitched coins on it (to match my coinbelt...lol) was also going to iron on rhinestones, cant get around it.

So it looks glitzy, yet cheap to make, and I can always wear it with jeans to the party!, Another option is choli top of course...

Hmmmm... I didnt think of that!!! Thats a great idea... I guess I could probably go and find a pretty bra and iron on rhinestones and then make myself a belt. ( I mean all Id really need is some matching fabric, stiff interfacing and some beads right?)

Thank you so much for the idea!!!!

Reen.Blom · 05-03-2008, 01:51 PM

Link for Help with First Costume....There are plenty of belt making sites out there!!

Aniseteph · 05-03-2008, 02:44 PM

Watch out with DIY bra/belts - IMO unless you spend a lot of time and effort (and maybe money

) you can end up looking waaaaay more amateur than you would in a nice skirt, hipscarf and choli. Lingerie bras MUST properly covered and decorated, or they have a tendency to look exactly what they are - underwear. Stiff belts need to be shaped for a good fit, if they have any width to them.

I'd go for a more informal look (especially as it's for friends) - maybe a circle type skirt, colourful hip scarf and/or coin belt and a top. You can go really opulent with luxurious fabrics and layers. Then glitz it up with accessories and fab makeup to get the full-on exotic belly dancer effect!

Shira has some good suggestions and links for costuming. Belly Dancing: Costume Corner
And there's a downloadable booklet here: Davina aka Dawn Devine Brown - Author - Costumer - Dancer - Historian

Have fun!

Reen.Blom · 05-03-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aniseteph

And there's a downloadable booklet here: Davina aka Dawn Devine Brown - Author - Costumer - Dancer - Historian

Have fun!

Thanks for the link!

Amber · 05-03-2008, 05:17 PM

Thanks for all the advice!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aniseteph

Watch out with DIY bra/belts - IMO unless you spend a lot of time and effort (and maybe money

) you can end up looking waaaaay more amateur than you would in a nice skirt, hipscarf and choli. Lingerie bras MUST properly covered and decorated, or they have a tendency to look exactly what they are - underwear. Stiff belts need to be shaped for a good fit, if they have any width to them.

I'd go for a more informal look (especially as it's for friends) - maybe a circle type skirt, colourful hip scarf and/or coin belt and a top. You can go really opulent with luxurious fabrics and layers. Then glitz it up with accessories and fab makeup to get the full-on exotic belly dancer effect!

Shira has some good suggestions and links for costuming. Belly Dancing: Costume Corner
And there's a downloadable booklet here: Davina aka Dawn Devine Brown - Author - Costumer - Dancer - Historian

Have fun!

Eshta · 05-04-2008, 12:34 AM

Hi Amber, good luck to you!

If this is your first performance, I wouldn't cough up for a full-on costume just yet - remember there is NEVER any economy in buying a cheap costume as they will fall apart very quickly, so when you do buy your first costume one day, it's worth buying a decent one (that doesn't mean a Bella!!)

I totally agree, a nice skirt, hipbelt & top would be more than fine, and also practical as you can wear the skirt to the picnic!

Sharifwear have some nice things, including little lacey tie up shrugs. I use these for class & for practice but they are very pretty & then practical for you to wear in class too! But they have some nice skirts too...

If you are dancing outdoors, pay attention to thinking about appropriate footwear, and try to factor in the effect of the ground on your choreo - if it is uneven, muddy, grassy, etc, it will be difficult to dance in compared to the nice wooden floors of your dance studio!

Oh and come back & let us know how it goes! A midnight picnic sounds very romantic!

05-03-2008, 12:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
Amber Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 69	First performance... Im very nervous Im am still a student dancer (not a professional yet by far) And some friends of mine have asked me to perform for them during a "midnight picnic" they are having on memorial day weekend. I want to purchase a costume (a nice one but not a Bella obviously) because I want it to feel authentic since they are putting a lot of time and effort into doing this weekend. I need to have some questions answered though because Ive never done this and Im very nervous My first question is: Do you think it would be ok for me to use my teachers choreography that she is using in class, and perform that for them? We are learning Leylet Hob which is one of my absolute favorite pieces of all time. Or should I do another song that is more pop-ish and more upbeat (Bin Narien) and do my own choreography? Second Question: Any suggestions for costuming? I DO NOT want to look too much like an amateur. (I mean I know I still AM an amateur... but I don't want to look like one LOL) I also don't want to spend a gazillion dollars either. What do you guys think? Im no nervous but Im also very excited and want to do the best job I can do. I should probably add that the group I will be performing for has no experience with BD and has no idea what they are looking at either.

05-03-2008, 01:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Reen.Blom V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: SA now UK(Newmarket) Posts: 2,250	I think you should choose choreo that you are comfortable with and that you would enjoy! As long as you are confident and having fun you will be just fine! As for costume- do you have a hip scarf or coin belt? If you do want to invest I would say purchase a decent veil/skirt set that you will be able to use in the future with your pro costume to come one day ;-) and use it with your hip scarf, rather than buying 'budget' costume that will fall apart after a couple of times! After all its about your smile and having fun dancing! Best of luck and lots of hugs!!! hug reen.blom __________________ Join WORLD BELLY DANCE DAY! www.worldbellydanceday.com

05-03-2008, 01:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
Reen.Blom V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: SA now UK(Newmarket) Posts: 2,250	As for myself, I dont look good in bras, so I got a bare midrif sport top, plain colour to match my veil. I just stitched coins on it (to match my coinbelt...lol) was also going to iron on rhinestones, cant get around it. So it looks glitzy, yet cheap to make, and I can always wear it with jeans to the party!, Another option is choli top of course... __________________ Join WORLD BELLY DANCE DAY! www.worldbellydanceday.com

05-03-2008, 01:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
Reen.Blom V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: SA now UK(Newmarket) Posts: 2,250	Link for Help with First Costume....There are plenty of belt making sites out there!! __________________ Join WORLD BELLY DANCE DAY! www.worldbellydanceday.com Last edited by Reen.Blom; 05-03-2008 at 01:54 PM.

05-04-2008, 12:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
Eshta Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 292	Hi Amber, good luck to you! If this is your first performance, I wouldn't cough up for a full-on costume just yet - remember there is NEVER any economy in buying a cheap costume as they will fall apart very quickly, so when you do buy your first costume one day, it's worth buying a decent one (that doesn't mean a Bella!!) I totally agree, a nice skirt, hipbelt & top would be more than fine, and also practical as you can wear the skirt to the picnic! Sharifwear have some nice things, including little lacey tie up shrugs. I use these for class & for practice but they are very pretty & then practical for you to wear in class too! But they have some nice skirts too... If you are dancing outdoors, pay attention to thinking about appropriate footwear, and try to factor in the effect of the ground on your choreo - if it is uneven, muddy, grassy, etc, it will be difficult to dance in compared to the nice wooden floors of your dance studio! Oh and come back & let us know how it goes! A midnight picnic sounds very romantic! __________________ Eshta - South West London Belly Dancer

05-03-2008, 02:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
Aniseteph V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sussex, England Posts: 1,443	Watch out with DIY bra/belts - IMO unless you spend a lot of time and effort (and maybe money ) you can end up looking waaaaay more amateur than you would in a nice skirt, hipscarf and choli. Lingerie bras MUST properly covered and decorated, or they have a tendency to look exactly what they are - underwear. Stiff belts need to be shaped for a good fit, if they have any width to them. I'd go for a more informal look (especially as it's for friends) - maybe a circle type skirt, colourful hip scarf and/or coin belt and a top. You can go really opulent with luxurious fabrics and layers. Then glitz it up with accessories and fab makeup to get the full-on exotic belly dancer effect! Shira has some good suggestions and links for costuming. Belly Dancing: Costume Corner And there's a downloadable booklet here: Davina aka Dawn Devine Brown - Author - Costumer - Dancer - Historian Have fun!