Finally, performing with a live band:)

[MissVega]

So while I have performed with a live band before and a live drummer a couple of times, I hadn't yet performed with a live arabic band. I did the Al Khaima workshop at Yasmina Ramzy's Arabesque in Toronto which was a 3 hour workshop on performing with live music taught by Yasmina Ramzy, Bassam Bishara, and Suleiman Warwar. The workshop had the option of performing at the studio that evening with the band so of course I had to try. It was an awesome workshop although 3 hours was not nearly long enough. LOL so much more to learn!:lol: I had to cut the intro off of the performance since the video was too long for youtube. This is actually from May 15th, I hadn't posted it yet because honestly I wasn't sure if I liked it lol. I got great feedback though and for the first time, had an audience member stand up at the end of my performance. He was an older Egyptian man and had some really kind words, so I figure I must have done something right lol.

It was improv, I had no idea what the band was going to play, I just a knew i was getting a song and I had the choice of a taxim or a drum solo, I chose drum solo. Actually if anyone knows what that first song is or recognizes it please do post what it is

Band:
Lead vocalist and oude player - Bassam Bishara
lead dumbek player - Suleiman Warwar
Back up dumbek - George Barbas
Violin - Eddy Sulaiman

 

[nightdancer]

How could you not like that? That was fun! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Sirène]

I had no idea what the band was going to play, I just a knew i was getting a song

You could have fooled me.

Nicely done!

 

[BellaBohemian]

Bravo! :clap:

I agree, it looked as though you knew exactly what you where doing the whole time. I love your energy! So lively!

 

[MissVega]

Thanks everyone I figured the band would give me something upbeat which they did so that helped lol

 

[Starmouth]

HOLD EVERYTHING.

Right at the beginning there, did you do a couple of omis at about a thousand miles an hour? Are you magical? :lol:

Loved it, very nice performance. I want you to be my teacher!

 

[PracticalDancer]

Have I told you today that you are one of my favorite dancers?

(swoon)

Anala

 

[Ariadne]

Fantastic, it looked like you had a lot of fun.

Am I the only one who was looking at the background though and trying to estimate the yardage of the fabric? :redface:

 

[~Diana~]

That's it! I have to save up money and make a road trip out west to take some lessons from you.

Great job! Dancing to a live band is very challenging and you did great.

 

[Greek Bonfire]

That's great - another step up in your dance education! BTW, I'm jealous!

 

[Darshiva]

The only issue I have with your very lovely dancing is at about 3 minutes into the video you did a lovely backbend, and in doing so pointed your crotch straight at an unsuspecting drummer. It's a good idea to remember that a good drummer/musician is paying attention to what you are doing as a dancer and adjusting their playing accordingly, so keep that in mind when performing.

I was very pleased to see you give some love to the band during the performance. A lot of people forget to do that in their excitement.

 

[Yame]

The only issue I have with your very lovely dancing is at about 3 minutes into the video you did a lovely backbend, and in doing so pointed your crotch straight at an unsuspecting drummer. It's a good idea to remember that a good drummer/musician is paying attention to what you are doing as a dancer and adjusting their playing accordingly, so keep that in mind when performing.

IMO band members should be used to getting crotched and, well, "assed."

Often when performing to live music, our audience takes up 3 out of 4 sides of the room and the band takes up the 4th. If we're not "allowed" to bend back with our crotch towards the audience or bend forward with our butt towards the audience, the only remaining direction is where the band happens to be. Better to do it towards the band.

Honestly, I doubt they would actually mind

 

[MissVega]

THANK YOU EVERYONE I appreciate you taking the time to watch and /or comment

The only issue I have with your very lovely dancing is at about 3 minutes into the video you did a lovely backbend, and in doing so pointed your crotch straight at an unsuspecting drummer. It's a good idea to remember that a good drummer/musician is paying attention to what you are doing as a dancer and adjusting their playing accordingly, so keep that in mind when performing.

I was very pleased to see you give some love to the band during the performance. A lot of people forget to do that in their excitement.

As with what Yame said above, I had audience members in a complete U shape around me. In order to do a backbend someone would have had to be crotched, same with any exterior hip circles, someone will get "bummed". I figure better the band than the audience as Yame pointed out since they are probably far more used to it as then are often set up behind the dancers dance space. The only other option would be to not do such moves.

Honestly as I was in 2 full skirts and you couldn't see anything I don't see a problem with it. But that is just me. I've worked hard to maintain a shimmy during a backbend like that, I'm not going to leave it out when I feel it fits the music because I have a band instead of just a wall behind me.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion

 

[MissVega]

That's it! I have to save up money and make a road trip out west to take some lessons from you.

Great job! Dancing to a live band is very challenging and you did great.

come out here anytime

 

[Yame]

I'm not going to leave it out when I feel it fits the music because I have a band instead of just a wall behind me.

I feel the same way. I think it would be weird, and extremely limiting, if we started to treat the band as audience members. The band is not our audience... they aren't paying to watch us and most of the time they are in fact being paid to play for us.

The band is a part of the show. We should treat them well by interpreting their music beautifully, by paying attention, by interacting with them at times, but there is no reason why audience "rules" should apply to the band... the audience are the people we are performing for. The band are the people we are performing with. At least, that's how I look at it.

I mean, if you feel awkward or rude having your crotch pointed at a band member, you definitely don't have to do it! But if you're fine with it I don't see the problem.

 

[Darshiva]

I commented because of the look on the drummer's face. It's entirely up to you whether you take it on board & put 'dancing with live band behind me' into the 'no backbends today' basket or the 'they're professional enough to deal with it' basket'.

There was no intention on my part to be rude or malicious, just to point out something that may not have come to your attention otherwise.

 

[Yame]

I commented because of the look on the drummer's face. It's entirely up to you whether you take it on board & put 'dancing with live band behind me' into the 'no backbends today' basket or the 'they're professional enough to deal with it' basket'.

There was no intention on my part to be rude or malicious, just to point out something that may not have come to your attention otherwise.

I think it's a valid concern and you didn't come off rude or malicious or anything. I just thought I'd offer my perspective

 

[MissVega]

LOL Yame beat me to saying what I was going to say:lol:

It's all good. I didn't find it malicious or anything like that at all. I think it is fair and food for thought for many dancers. For me the band will just have to deal with it. I didn't notice any change in his facial expression though to be honest. If I had of done something to offend this particular band, the lead drummer would have made sure to tell me about it lol, he isn't the slightest bit shy.

 

[Darshiva]

Lol!

 

[Greek Bonfire]

The band members should be used to this because a lot of dancers have to do this when there is nowhere else to "point." I would say the musician was unprofessional about it. But I think that all of the above points are valid - it would make me uncomfortable too knowing that the musicians couldn't handle it when they are supposed to as part of their knowledge on playing live for dancers.