Let your keyboard do the walking...
How to use the Internet if you are interested in Bellydance:
The World Wide Web is an indispensable resource for current and historical information on Middle Eastern dance. There are very few readily available books (that you would find in bookstores or the library) on this form of dance.
Begin by typing in "bellydance" or "middle eastern dance" into your search engine. This will produce hundreds of references. Going over a few of these sites will give you a general background sketch of Bellydance.
For a teacher or classes in your area, type in "bellydance" plus your city's name.
For costuming and the special clothes dancers wear to classes, seminars and shows, type in a search for "bellydance costumes". There are countless vendors with everything from professional costumes to accessories and exercise wear for the dancer.
Zareena Recommends...
The Background of Bellydance
Below are some good links of some professional dancers who also have added great background information on the site for the history of Bellydance.
Keti Sharif
www.ketisharif.com
Soraya
www.bellydancebysoraya.com
Cassandra
www.jawaahir.org
Jasmin Jahal
www.jasminjahal.com
Shira
www.shira.net
Morocco
www.casbahdance.org
Desert Moon Dance Academy
http://www.desertmoondance.com/Dance.htm#Origins%20of%20Belly
Music
Hossam Ramzy
www.hossamramzy.com
Ark 21/Mondo Melodia Records
www.ark21.com
Maqam Music
www.maqam.com
Some of my favorite dancers' sites
Amira Mor
www.amiramor.com
Bellyqueen
www.bellyqueen.com
Jodette
http://www.jodettes.freeservers.com/index.html
Aziza Said
www.zilltech.com
Dina of Cairo
http://www.joyofbellydancing.com/bdstars.htm
Neena and Veena
www.bellytwins.com
Hiba al-Kinani
http://www.rakassehstudio.net/VideoClip.html
Suhaila Salimpour
www.suhaila.com
Nourhan Sharif & Yousry Sharif
http://www.nourhansharif.com/
Fatima and Jamilla Al-Wahid
http://www.fatimasbazaar.com/
Malika Negwa
http://www.malika.com/
Bozenka
http://www.bozenka.biz/
Magdy El-Leisy
http://www.magdy-und-azza.com/
Astryd
http://www.danceastryd.com/
Old Stars of Oriental Dance
Look for information on these classic dancers from Egypt: Samya (Samia) Gamal, Nagwa Fouad, Tahia Carioca, and others.
Hossam Ramzy
www.hossamramzy.com
Bellydance Museum
www.belly-dance.org
Go Bellydance/Bellydance Shoppe
www.gobellydance.com
Bellydance Supplies
Need bellydance costuming, dance practice clothes, videos, or jewelry?
Bellydance Shoppe
www.bellydanceshoppe.com
MoonDance Bellydance Supplies
www.moondancebellydance.com
Dahal Internationale
http://www.dahlal.com/
Shimmy-Shimmy.com
www.shimmyshimmy.com
Scheherezade Imports
http://www.scheherezadeimports.com/
Recommended Home-use Video Series
For fitness and those who have never taken a Bellydance class:
This series features and is produced by the "Bellytwins", "Neena and Veena" Bidasha.
Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Slim Down
All-over workout using classic and folk dance moves.
Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Hips, Buns and Thighs
This non-aerobic video tones the lower body.
Bellydance Fitness for Beginners: Basic Moves
Helps dancers and non-dancers alike.
The twins also have a series titled "The Sensual Art of Bellydance" for those with some Bellydance experience. Learn step-by-step movements with a simple routine: Basic Dance, Beyond Basic, and Mystic Dance.
Available from www.bellytwins.com and other bellydance and fitness outlets.
For Choreograpy:
(For dancers who have basic and advanced skills)
Suhaila Salimpour's series is a great way to start mastering the classic Egyptian style. All these are available at www.suhaila.com.
Beginner Choreography-Start with a pretty dance fit for royalty.
Intermediate Choreography-More advanced. Leave an audience spellbound.
Advanced Choreography-Percussive drum solo.
Bellydance On-line Video Clips
Yasmina's Bellydance Site
http://www.joyofbellydancing.com/index.htm
Egyptian Castle Arabic Culture
www.egyptiancastle.com
Cultural Resource with Music and Dance
www.syrialive.net
Latest Arabic music with video clips http://hometown.aol.com/musicaxis/belly.htm
Other resources- Atlanta, Georgia
My current instructor:
Zi'ah Ali, Director
Awalim Dance Company
www.tribalbellydance.com
Mezcolanza dance studio hosts Zi'ah's and other multicultural dance classes.
Audi Lopez, Director
http://www.mezcolanza.org/
Books
There are books available from the above sites. I recommend -
"The Bellydance Book: Rediscovering the Oldest Dance" by Tazz Richards.
"Grandmother's Secrets: The Ancient Rituals and Healing Power of Belly Dancing" by Rosina-Fawzia Al-Rawi (translated by Monique Arav).
Although it is out-of-print, I found "The Compleat Bellydancer" at a used book store. It was written in 1973 when the Bellydance idea really took hold in modern America. It accompanied the feminist/post-hippie movement and is written with alot of great information including stretches, posturing, and costuming ideas. Black-and-white photos. By Julie Russo Mishkin and Marta Schill.
"They Told Me I Couldn't: A Young Woman's Multicultural Adventures" by Tamalyn Dallal is a story of the beginning of Tamalyn's numerous courageous trips throughout the world. Available at her site and from Amazon.com (where I got mine). Tamalyn, a social activist and professional dancer, has performed for Madonna, The Saudi Royal Family, and other celebrities and diplomats. Visit her site at http://www.tamalyndallal.com/
Movies
Satin Rouge (2002)
Directed by Raja Amari
Tunisian, English subtitles
A film that was released in the U.S. in art theater houses and small cinemas, Satin Rouge is a very personal story about a 40-ish woman who discovers the camaraderie of other dancers along with a repressed, but vibrant part of herself when she starts to bellydance. See reviews and information at http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/satin_rouge/
Human Rights
See the warning signs of an abusive relationship early. In 2003, three women a week were killed by her partner.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
http://www.ndvh.org/
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