Having problems perfecting that move?  Don't know what to do to make that costume just right?  Going to your first workshop and you don't know what to expect?  Well let us advise you, after all why reinvent the wheel when you don't have to.

Costuming     Going to workshops     Learning moves     Performing

Costuming

"I've gotten to the point where anything that sparkles or with an animal print is a neutral."  Princess Farhana said this to a few of us at Shimmy Fest this year and it can't be more to the point.  It's nearly impossible to go too over the top with costuming in belly dance.  So be brave and go for it.

Consider making a swatch packet of your wardrobe.  I try to have a little swatch of fabric from most of my pieces as well as bead samples and coin tones and I keep it all together in a ziploc.  That way when I go shopping I take my packet with me and its easy to match colors, textures, prints, etc.

Always have safety pins with you and remember there is no such thing as too big of a safety pin.

Re-enforce all hooks and fasteners.  Some suggest using dental floss for this, as it is hard to break.  Others suggest upholstery thread.

Allow your costumes to air out after you have performed in them to cut down on odor build-up.

If you notice your costumes starting to smell put them in a plastic tote and add a cup that is full of activated charcoal.  The charcoal will absorb the odor.

Always rehearse in a costume before you perform in it.  Costume malfunctions are always better in the privacy of a rehearsal instead of a public performance.

Always wear appropriate undergarments while dancing.  There's nothing worse than revealing thong underwear when your skirt flares up.

When making your own costume it is always easier to make a bigger costume smaller, and it's really hard to make a smaller costume bigger.  So measure 3 times and cut it a little bigger than you think you'll need.

Going to workshops

Consider wearing troupe t-shirts at workshops.  It will help you find each other in a large crowd.  And it's a great way to advertise your troupe, no matter if your troupe goes as a group or if you are there by yourself.

When attending a sword workshop if you start to get tired and feel soreness in your neck from the weight of the sword try practicing with your scabbard or take a cane along too and switch to it when you are tired.

When attending a veil workshop take a veil with you that is see-through.  This will allow you to continue to see what the instructor is doing when you are learning moves that entail you hiding or wrapping up in the veil.

Always take paper and something to write with.  I take tons of notes during workshops giving moves that I've learned my own names so I'll remember them better.  And even if you aren't a note take you might want to use the pen and paper to exchange address with a new friend you've made.

Be patient with yourself and try not to judge yourself by how fast others may be picking up moves.  We all learn at our own pace.

Listen to your body.  Take plenty of water and snacks.  If you get tired sit and take notes on what is being taught so you can try it later at home when you have more energy.

Learning moves

A great way to help you learn hip circles and hip figure 8's is to use one of those exercise balance balls.  They really help you isolate your hips and allow you to feel what those moves should feel like when you are doing them standing up.

To help you with chest lifts and drops try practicing them while you are sitting down cross-legged and hold on to your knees.  It helps you isolate your chest from the rest of your body, so you can concentrate on the movement in your chest.

Having trouble with stomach rolls?  Practice them while sitting all the way back in a chair with a tall back so you can't move anything but your stomach.  If you live in an area where you experience a lot of traffic jams let your stomach doing the rolling when your car can't.  After all what else are you going to do while waiting for the traffic to get better?

Performing

Always take extra copies of your music (i.e. two copies of the CD) and consider taking your music in one other medium (i.e. a cassette tape or an mp3 player with cables that can connect it to a sound system).  You might also consider taking a jambox stereo.  Its not as good as a sound system, but if something happens to the sound system a jambox will be better than nothing.

Prepare a written introduction to either read yourself or ask a friend or event personal to read it for you.  Include information on your style of dance, the music you are using, props you might be incorporating, etc.  Also if you are  asking someone else to read it include a pronunciation guide when needed.

Know the size of the stage (area) you will be performing on.  Also practice for both large and small spaces.

Check for obstacles in your performance area before you dance.  Always be mindful of sound equipment or stage decorations that might be in your way.

Drink lots of water the day before, the day of, and the day after a performance so you won't get dehydrated.

If you are new to public performing do not look directly at audience members.  Look slightly above their heads so you appear to be looking at them when you are not.

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