Show & Tell
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I like to type the word "So", when I start writing my thoughts
I usually go back and delete it later, but I just think it is a funny quirk...lots of "so"s. :-)Best wishes to those in Egypt this week
wish I was there with you, I send my love to you, the Nile and the pyramids!
those aren't zits, they're spider bites and other random musings.
I'm mellowing at my place before taking on the new bookshelf project. (My home is getting more organized and homey everyday!). I just examined what I thought was my latest breakout, but realized that row of three swollen red bumps on my jawline are not zits at all, I wish I could find the villainous spider who did this, biting me means certain death.I have determined not to attend Raqs America, this weekend. On one hand I'd like to support some of the artists there, on the other, I feel the need to be a little more particular about where I spend my pennies and I know that as much as I love Ansuya and Bozenka, I don't think either is the direction I want to go with my own dancing. I was considering doing the audition, just for kicks, but I know I don't want to be a BDSS right now, even if they did want me, so why waste their time? Also, if they didn't want me, I think I'd feel a little hurt. I'm a damn good dancer and it would just feed on my insecurities (was I too fat? Did I let my posture go? was my choreography poopy?) , I'm not sure I want that this week. I would hit the show, but I well I let it slide because of a stupid thing. Lets just say I get reminded every so often that even if I've become capable and fairly accomplished at my dancing at some level, I'm not generally considered a big belly dance star. I'm always trying to remind myself that I've got to respect where I'm at now, I've done a hell of a lot with this dance and even if I don't have the big name and I can always see ways to improve, I like where I'm at now and I know I have something to offer.
on another random note - two most interesting things I've watched this year Dexter - so very dark, but strangely thought provoking and the Graduate - hilarious in a very strange, strange way. Strange is the key word for many of my most liked visual entertainments.
Art is happening in my life and I am sooooooooooo excited for the upcoming school year. I hope I can continue on to get my masters, because for the first time in my life, I really love school. I love MICA. Just give me a studio and other creative people to hang out with and you've got me happy. And the best part - a local husband. (those of you who know me well know what I mean.)
that's it for the random blog. I've also attached a random computer photo from when I was first messing with my machine and realized, hey there is a camera there that takes immensely unflattering photos. ooooh!
word.
This Summer Belly Dance is going to be Kick-A**
My new class sessions Start the First week of July 2008 at the Harbor East MAC. Get all the details here:www.shemsdance.com/classes/...m#classes then email me to reserve your spot, the come and dance!
So I've been prepping for the belly dance classes I'll be teaching this summer and they are going to be awesome!
In Belly dance Essentials we'll be working on finger cymbals (aka zills or sagat). We'll learn how to play some rhythms and basic patterns. we'll learn different tones you can make. We'll learn when to play and when not to play. We'll learn how to accent our playing and how to highlight our dancing. And we'll put in a lot of practice dancing and zilling at the same time. It will be hardcore sagat action.
In Technique and Musicality we will explore the Egyptian Oriental Entrance Piece. This is the most complex and nuanced piece in a dancer's routine. It is the first impression and the moment the dancer has to show she really knows her stuff. We will learn about the origins of this dance and the feeling connected with it. We will build and sharpen our technique and learn to utilize our muscles for polish and refinement. We will explore the music for deep understanding and we will dance like queens! The queens of raqs sharqi!
In Fundamentals of Performance Quality movement we will explore creating dances. We will analyze music, discuss how to connect with musical phrasing, delve into instrument driven movement, discuss staging, delve into building dance choreography and discuss tools for good improvisation. We will spend time with transitions between movement.
In Belly Dance Basics we will be building correct technique from the get-go. Isolations, footwork, technique building, arms, we will continue to work on these things and build in an ongoing manner. If you are just starting or still want to build your basic technique. This class will take it's time to breakdown, refine, discuss muscles to use and finding movement.
Sunrise belly dance will be moving to a new time in the wee hours of Friday morning. 6 am - This class is continual belly dance movement - we start with a nice warm up drill medium paced rhythmic steps, build into shimmy drills, slow down into undulating movements and then a little stretch at the end. I love this class because an hour of straight dance in the morning is a wonderful way to start the day. As a bonus, immediately following this class is Theresa Lummino's warm yoga flow class. Which I've taken and really enjoy (part of why I'm moving the class, so I can have that hour of belly dance followed by and hour of yoga, sweet.)
I might have to cut back on how many classes I can teach next fall due to school obligations, so help me make this summer rock in serious belly dance fashion. If you are interested, I've been dying to put together a hafla of awesome porportions - live Arabic band, both performance and open dancing, the best guest performers and you!
And if you are wondering "who the heck is this Shems person and why should I take from her?" Well, prepare yourself, I'm about to do some tooting of my own horn:
I've been studying this dance obsessively for the last 12 years, supplementing my dance education with modern, ballet, jazz, body conditioning for dancers, many, many folkloric forms, Middle Eastern history, Arabic, music lessons and more. I have studied and continue to study with many of the biggest stars of Oriental dance, American, Canadian, Turkish, Lebanese and Egyptian, the list is too long to fit here, but I post it on my website. This summer I'm off to study with Dina, Randa, Dandash and Mo Gedawi of Egypt and I've already attended the Turkish Folk Tours dance camp and taken several classes with Orit Maftsir of Israel.
I have worked professionally as a full time dancer in the past and I've been in very high demand at some of the most exclusive venues in DC. I'm respected by my peers in dance and loved by many of the venue owners and the Arabic community in DC and I'm growing in reputation in Baltimore. I've also been gaining a national reputation in the belly dance community and I've been asked to teach workshops back in Utah, North Carolina and now California, as well as here in our area in Virginia and Maryland and I've been asked to dance in selective shows in several different states across the country. I've won the hearts of several of the musicians I've worked with and could give you positive references from some pretty impressive names in our Middle Eastern music and dance community. I've won 2 awards at the 3 contests I've attended in the course of my dance career. One with my former troupe, performing my choreography and that of my troupe mate Sumra (they went on the next year without me to win again also utilizing another choreography of mine) and one as a soloist in the professional category at the East Coast classic.
I'm not just your run of the mill Belly Dance instructor who took a few years of classes from a local teacher, then decided to hang up her shingle. I know my stuff in a major way and I always continue to train. When I teach I also provide supplemental information on my website so that my students can be informed and intellectual in their understanding of the very rich dance form that this is.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not dissing all the other belly dance teachers in Baltimore, there are a few in the area I really respect for the wonderful and unique things they have to offer as well. Different people have their different strengths. I just know what I have to offer is unique and valuable.
I'm dying to find those of you who are dying to take your dancing to the next level, who want to dig deeper, go further, become above the caliber of the average professional belly dancer in our community, who want to honor this art form by really doing it extra well and have a great time in the process. Oh yes, serious dancers. I want you. I even want the not so serious dancers who do it for fun or fitness. If you can have fun, get exercise and become a great dancer in the process, why not? It's a win, win, win situation.
And those of you who think it would be cool to learn to belly dance, but have been sitting on the fence. It's time to jump in. Belly dance isn't just a few new moves to do at the club or for your husband (or wife as the case may be). It's a wonderful social community, where women bond with and enjoy the company of other women. (The occasional brave man is embraced as well!) It is a door to some of the most incredible music and cultural experiences. It is an opportunity to tap into and release deep emotions. It is an opportunity to be more glamorous then you ever thought you would have a reason to be. It is a fountain of youth, whose gentle athleticism keeps you young in heart and younger looking, because of the joy of it. It is exercise that doesn't feel like exercise. It is an opportunity to appreciate the sexiness of your own body whatever shape you are. It is so worthwhile in a hundred ways.
Come play with me this summer. Let's Belly Dance!
Spring Caravan YouTubin with Shems and Pangia
So I stuck my Spring Caravan video up for those of you that had to sneak off early or just didn't come. At this point in the night, the grand hall was filled with about 5 remaining people (I might be exaggerating here a bit), but they were pretty enthusiastic. It was my first time dancing with Pangia and it was fun. I haven't gotten official permission to post this from all the band members, so if any of them complain I'll pull it down, (oh I'm such a renegade!) but in the meantime, here is the clip:www.youtube.com/watch
Check out my lengthy and specific description. ;-)
My friend's band Kara Namodica has put out an album...
...of really nice music.Check it out:
www.karanomadica.com/
www.digstation.com/AlbumDetails.aspx
Shems's new session of Baltimore Belly Dance classes
New sessions starting May 20 & 22 - Do something wonderful for yourself, belly dance!www.shemsdance.com/classes/classes.htm
Ongoing Weekly Classes at Baltimore's Harbor East MAC
You will love the friendly staff and the luxurious studios, wonderfully suited to bringing out your inner dancer. I want to take you on a dance journey to discover the depth and richness of Middle Eastern Belly Dance. Shems' class offerings will be expanded over time to give you the opportunity to study a full and diverse curriculum, allowing you to reach the highest level that you desire.
Location:
Harbor East MAC
655 President Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
410.625.5000
Next Session Starts May 20th - Intro to Belly Dance - Tuesdays at 7:15 pm
This class will introduce basic belly dance vocabulary, isolations and musical phrases. There will be some cultural background given and a simple choreography will by taught. Special attention will be paid to proper body alignment, and clean execution of movements. Open to all levels. Each 6 week session will be $60 for MAC members and $75 for non members. Drop in rate $15.
Next Session Starts May 20th - Belly Dance Essentials - Tuesdays at 8:15 pm
This class will build on basic belly dance vocabulary covered in "Intro to Belly Dance", introduce more difficult techniques and explore musicality more deeply. Various special focus topics will be covered. This class is meant to be taken continuously for about a year. Open to all levels, Each 6 week session will be $60 for MAC members and $75 for non members. Drop in rate $15.
Next Session Starts May 21th - Sunrise Belly Dance -Wednesdays at 7:00 am
Utilizing belly dance movement, this class is a gentle and energizing workout to give you an invigorating dancing start to your day. Open to all levels, free for MAC members, drop in rate is $5 non-members.
Next Session Starts May 22nd - Fundamentals of Performance Quality Movement (aka Belly Dance Fundamentals) - Thursdays at 7:15 pm
This class will cover basic belly dance technique with special attention to the details, such as posture, arms, feet, head & body angles. Music, rhythms and culture will be discussed. Open to all levels, but will be a little more challenging to the novice than the Intro to Belly Dance class. This class is encouraged for experienced belly dancers who want to deepen and refine their movement quality and polish or to dancers who have studied with other teachers and would like a primer on Shems technique to better prepare them for Shems' more advanced classes. Each 6 week session will be $60 for MAC members and $75 for non members. Drop in rate $15.
Next Session Starts May 22nd - Technique & Musicality - Thursdays at 8:15 pm
Steps & movements are taught built into musical phrases. Focusing on building both dance vocabulary and musical connection, this class will also delve into transitions between movements, rhythms & cultural context. Previous belly dance experience required. Each 6 week session will be $60 for MAC members and $75 for nonmembers Drop in with teacher approval only.
www.shemsdance.com/classes/classes.htm
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