Show & Tell

Ya Salaam! Belly Dance, Live Arabic Music, just the kind of show you are in the mood for!

Shems — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:07:36 GMT

www.bellydancebaltimore.com Ya Salaam! Belly Dance Performance featuring both Student and Professional Performers Special Arabic Musical Guests: Sahara Band led by DjKimo Violin, Oud, Tabla, Riq, Ney Saturday, November 7, 2009 6pm @ Baltimore Museum of Art Auditorium 10 Art Museum Drive Baltimore, MD 21218 Tickets for Ya Salaam! $12 in advance $15 at the door or 5 for $50 tickets available at www.bellydancebaltimore.com or through Shems 202-320-8749 special guest dancers include Asharah Latifa and Banat al-Beled Naimah Nina Amaya and Belly Dance Delight also featuring Tydirah Amira Ouranitsa Murjanah Lorelei Viveca Bashusha Mariza Anisa Gilda Ghadir Group Nojoom Group Qamar and Shems Photography at Ya Salaam! by Stereo Vision Videography by JR Imaging For more information contact Shems shemsdance@gmail.com | 202-320-8749 www.shemsdance.com www.bellydancebaltimore.com

Belly Dance Classes with Shems - Fall 2009

Shems — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:25:47 GMT

Weekly Belly Dance Classes in Baltimore, MD www.shemsdance.com To let me know you are coming to class or if you have any questions please contact Shems at shemsdance@gmail.com Next regular session start date is Tues Sept 8 & Thurs Sept 10, 2009. Nojoom at Ya Habibi! March 2009 Nojoom at Ya Habibi! March 2009 - photo by Dev Inspire studios NEW THIS SESSION (Sept 8 - Oct 15, 2009) * Show Preperation - We will begin learning group choreographies in Belly Dance Basics and Belly Dance Essentials for a class performance. The show date is tentatively set for Saturday November 7, 2009. I'm still confirming details with the theater. This will actually be in the middle of the session following this one, so if you are seriously interested in performing, I'm going to request a 2 session commitment. You can still pay per session as usual. Our post performance time in the next session will be a good opportunity to do some fun non-choreographed material and for the advanced students, a chance to get performance feedback. * Fifi Abdo - the famous Egyptian dancer will be the focus of our next technique session. As we learn about this famous grand-dame of belly dance we will also be prepping solos for the performance. Class Schedule (April 28-June 4) day, time studio price Belly Dance Basics Tuesday, 6:00pm Flow $75 Belly Dance Basics Thursday, 6:00pm Flow $75 Belly Dance Essentials (Veil) Thursday, 7:15pm Energy $75 Technique and Musicality (lil' Tukish) Thursday, 8:15pm Energy $75 Location Harbor East MAC 655 President Street Baltimore, MD 21202 410.625.5000 You will love the friendly staff and the luxurious studios, wonderfully suited to bringing out your inner dancer. You do not need to be a member of the MAC to take classes. Parking The MAC validates up to 2 hours in their garage for $1.50 the entrance is on Exeter St. accross from Whole Foods. If you need to stay longer, there is a $3 all evening garage on Caroline St. across from Living Classrooms or you can look for free street parking a couple blocks up towards Little Italy. Class Prices and Registration Each 6 week session (6 classes) will be $75 ($60 for MAC members), drop in rate $20 ($15 for MAC members). If you register for more than one class per session you get $15 off the price of the of each additional class, so two classes for 6 weeks would be $135, three $195 and so on. No pro-rating or other discounts apply. Currently, registration is handled the first day of classes, please contact me to let me know you are coming and arrive early the first week to take care of registration. Make-up Classes You are welcome to make up any classes you miss by attending another class at the same or lower level within the same session, just let your instructor know you plan to do this. This doesn't carry over into the next session, it is your responsibility to make up any missed classes. Ethics & Behavior Guidelines Shems holds ethics and good behavior in really high regard and expects her students to do the same in and out of class. It is important to present the dance in a positive light and build a supportive community. Please see Shems's Ethics and Behavior Guidelines for her students here. Class Descriptions Shems' class offerings will adjust and expand over time to give you the opportunity to study a full and diverse curriculum, allowing you to reach the highest level that you desire. Belly Dance Basics Belly Dance Basics introduces and drills foundational belly dance vocabulary, body isolations, posture, movement articulation and body lines. There is some cultural background given. Special attention will be paid to proper body alignment, and clean execution of movements. This is the class you should start with if you are brand new to belly dance. It is recommended you continue to repeat this class until you have a good mastery of your basic belly dance movements and isolations. This is also a good refresher for more advanced dancers to practice and drill their basic movements and put extra work into improving the details. Open to all levels, drop ins welcome. Sept/Oct/Nov sessions - we will be preparing a choreography for performance - performing is optional Belly Dance Essentials Building on basic belly dance vocabulary covered in "Belly Dance Basics", essentials introduces more difficult techniques and explores musicality more deeply. It also delves into props. Finger Cymbals, Sword, Veil and Various special focus topics will be covered. This class is meant to be taken continuously for about a year and revisited as often as the topics interest you. Pre-req Belly Dance Basics. Drop ins with approval only. Sept/Oct/Nov sessions - We will be preparing choreography for performance, using veil and another something special (you will find out more about this in class) Technique & Musicality Steps & movements are taught, built into musical phrases. Focusing on building both dance vocabulary and musical connection, this class will delve into complex technique, layering, transitions between movements, rhythms, dance building, improvisation, and cultural context. Previous belly dance experience required, this is an advanced class. This class will be continually introducing new material and is meant to be repeated in an ongoing fashion. Pre-req Teacher Approval. Drop ins with approval only. Sept/Oct/Nov sessions - Fifi Abdo will be the focus of the session, returning to our study of famous Egyptian dancers. We will use what we are learning from one of the most loved belly dancers of all time, to help prepare for some amazing solos for our upcoming performance. I'm planning on having a live Arabic band for our show.

ReOrient: Artistic Perceptions of the Middle East

Shems — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:52:23 GMT

ReOrient Artistic Perceptions of the Middle East Dancers and musicians will be creating pieces inspired by art, literature, or poetry from the Middle East. Sunday, June 14, 2009 7:30pm @ The Creative Alliance at the Patterson 3134 Eastern Avenue Baltimore, MD 21224 ReOrient Show Tickets Tickets can be purchased via PayPal at http://www.bellydancebaltimore.com Or send a check made out to Nina Amaya 1020 Regester Avenue, Baltimore MD 21239 Indicate number of tickets. Creative Alliance members get a discount for the performance Contact Nina Amaya | ninadances@gmail.com | 443-834-3191 Hosted by Ariel, Shems and Nina Amaya, featuring performances by: Ariel Shems Nina Amaya Beatbox Guitar Kassar Mariyah Aszmara Lotus Niraja sound by DJ Amar ________________________________________________ Workshops will also be offered this weekend from our Guest Performers Saturday June 13 & Sunday, June 14, 2009 @ Harbor East MAC 655 President Street Baltimore, MD 21202 All workshops are $35 each, $40 at the door, except Nina Amaya's mini-workshop which is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. See http://www.bellydancebaltimore.com for full workshop schedules and descriptions. ________________________________________________ For more information contact Nina Amaya ninadances@gmail.com | 443-834-3191 http://www.bellydancebaltimore.com

The AccoLade - Saudi Girl Band Rocks Hope

Shems — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:01:45 GMT

Hope seems to be in the air a lot these days. We elected Barack Obama here in the US, a black man with a Muslim name in a country with a history of slavery and segregation and anti-Muslim feeling. A timetable has been set to pull out of an unpopular Iraq war. Global warming and environmental change is finally starting to look like an international priority, including at long last, in the USA. But the signs are both large and small, and sometimes the small ones are the most meaningful. Finding out about the AccoLade, a Saudi Arabian all female rock band, has made me suddenly more hopeful than I've felt in months. Saudi Arabia is where my husband grew up. Between his tales of his upbringing in this religiously suffocating place with it's textbooks that teach hate and suspicion to children and moral police that crack down on the most minor improprieties (married couples couldn't even walk hand in hand without harassment) and the news stories that seem to indicate that things are only getting worse as the most extreme brand of Islam is being exported via Saudi money through mudrassas and media all over the Middle East and reaching out into the world, I thought things would only get worse. As a lover of Middle Eastern dance (aka belly dance), I've been disconcerted to watch it decline in acceptability in it's homeland, Egypt, where formerly, no wedding was complete without dancers, but more recently I heard reports of professional dancers being shot at when performing at weddings in public. I saw this as just one of many examples of cultural and artistic decline in the face of religious extremism. But today I read this story in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/24/world/middleeast/24saudi.html?hp It doesn't seem like much, but in my vision of Saudi, a female rock band even existing is a big, big deal. It means that something is shifting, something has loosened up or backed off. In the article, it stated that after 9-11, Saudis had taken a little time to self-reflect and see what extremism breeds. The morals police had lightened up a little. It looks like the new generation of Saudis want change, want freedom, want something different. No culture will change overnight. But when music and art are at the heart of change, I think there is a chance for it to win those hearts and minds we always talk about. The hearts and minds of a culture that will hopefully arrive at a hard rock angry need for a better life for themselves and for a more accepting perspective of the rest of the world. Rock is something Saudis and Americans can come together on. Maybe the rock and roll generations in the West can start relating more to people in Saudi. Maybe in the future it will mean both a shift away from extremism in the Middle East and a also a shift in America to more humanitarian foreign policy towards that region. It is a dream, but sitting here listening to Saudi girls rockin' out, I have a little beam of hope. The photo is of Edmund Blair Leighton's painting "The Accolade" that inspired the name of the band. The imagery of a powerful woman is artistically provocative. Here is a link to their myspace page: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=428696521 enjoy!

It's that time again - New Baltimore, Maryland Belly Dance Classes with Shems! Swords, Shimmies and Samia Gamal!

Shems — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:15:57 GMT

Details: http://www.shemsdance.com Next regular session start date is December 4, 2008. Class Schedule Belly Dance Basics - Thurs 6:00 pm Belly Dance Essentials - Thurs 7:15 pm (sword) Technique and Musicality - Thurs 8:15 pm (Samia Gamal) No Belly Dance Classes will be held on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day or New Years Day. Location Harbor East MAC 655 President Street Baltimore, MD 21202 410.625.5000 You will love the friendly staff and the luxurious studios, wonderfully suited to bringing out your inner dancer. You do not need to be a member of the MAC to take classes. Class Prices and Registration Each 6 week session will be $60 for MAC members and $75 for non members. Drop in rate $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Currently, registration is handled the first day of classes, please come early and ready to dance. I will notify you when pre registration comes available. Belly Dance Basics with Shems Belly Dance Basics introduces and drills foundational belly dance vocabulary, body isolations, posture, movement articulation and body lines. There is some cultural background given. Special attention will be paid to proper body alignment, and clean execution of movements. This is the class you should start with if you are brand new to belly dance. It is recommended you continue to repeat this class until you have a good mastery of your basic belly dance movements and isolations. This is also a good refresher for more advanced dancers to practice and drill their basic movements and put extra work into improving the details. Open to all levels, drop ins welcome. Belly Dance Essentials with Shems - Sword! Building on basic belly dance vocabulary covered in "Belly Dance Basics", essentials introduces more difficult techniques and explores musicality more deeply. It also delves into props. Finger Cymbals, Sword, Veil and Various special focus topics will be covered. This class is meant to be taken continuously for about a year and revisited as often as the topics interest you. Pre-req Belly Dance Basics. Drop ins with approval only. This coming session will focus on sword. We will also be practicing our finger cymbals. You are required to bring your own sword and finger cymbals to class. Technique & Musicality with Shems - Samia Gamal Steps & movements are taught, built into musical phrases. Focusing on building both dance vocabulary and musical connection, this class will delve into complex technique, layering, transitions between movements, rhythms, dance building, improvisation, and cultural context. Previous belly dance experience required, this is an advanced class. This class will be continually introducing new material and is meant to be repeated in an ongoing fashion. Pre-req Teacher Approval. Drop ins with approval only. This session we will be focusing on Samia Gamal. An inspirational golden era of Oriental dance star, Samia Gamal's dancing is joyful and passionate. We will be studying her history, technique, musical interpretation and expressiveness for this entire session. This is the beginning of a series. We will be examining a new star of belly dance each session as the focus of our studies in Technique and Musicality this coming year.

Thank You Asharah

Shems — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:13:09 GMT

Just looking back at the Mira Betz show and remembering how really great it was and how honored I felt to be a part of it. Here is a clip of my performance at that show, courtesy the ever-fabulous Asharah. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqu5m-BnmAw&feature=email

Dance, Elections and whatever

Shems — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:37:48 GMT

I'm so happy Obama won! That means a lot for our country and our future. Dance has been fun lately, sword class in particular felt great yesterday, the Dalia Carella weekend workshops and show were great, so many wonderful performances in the show, I thought Ariel was particularly in her groove, Dalia, of course, was incredible, the All Season's Hafla was wonderful, my essentials class did great, Samira looked amazing in her animal print Sahar and Yasmin rocked her set. There were other great performances in both shows as well. here is youtube of my dance at the Dalia Carella show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqdxmEUkk0w I hope to see y'all soon. Who's going to Ishtar at the New Deal this weekend? Who's Going to Telesma @ the Metro Gallery?

Swords! Danger excitement, belly dance classes!

Shems — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 00:06:44 GMT

Hi Dancers, In my Essentials class we will be starting to work with swords the first week in November, Thus, 6th 7:15pm. Officially, that is the middle of a session, but if anybody is interested in sword, I can work it out so you can start then. We should be working on sword for a good session and a half at least. Let me know if you are interested. Also if you know anybody who wants to learn sword, or actually, who wants to learn kick-a** sword send them my way. I wont be holding back any of the good stuff. http://www.shemsdance.com Yours in Dance, Shems -- Shems Belly Dance Performance & Instruction (202) 320-8749 http://www.shemsdance.com

Belly Horror

Shems — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:23:16 GMT

Tribe has been down so much I haven't posted here about this show. Tonight is the last Belly Horror show performance and having been there last night, I highly recommend going. I'm doing a very special performance that I would love for my friends to see. Details here: http://www.bellyhorror.com/

Aszmara Belly Dance Workshops and show in Baltimore!

Shems — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:01:03 GMT

This Event will be awesome, Go! Date & Time: Saturday, December 6, 2008 - Sunday, December 7, 2008 12:00 PM Location: MAC Wellness Center 655 President St Baltimore MD More Info: 410.625.5000 http://bellydance.meetup.com/284/calendar/8078645/ From Artemis Mourat: " Aszmara is a fabulous dancer. Run, don't walk to get a chance to study with this gifted artist!" Scroll down for a list of possible workshop songs- excellent music n Aszmara's style, and all available on iTunes. Aszmara is amazing. Every year she dances as a guest artist at the Folk Tours USA camp, and now she's coming to Baltimore! These workshops are appropriate for belly dancers of all levels. Students of Modern Dance, Salsa and other dance forms may also attend. She will be teaching in the beautiful studio at the MAC, Harbor East, with wooden floors and mirrors. On Saturday December 6, she will teach two workshops, from 1-2:45 and from 3:15-5. Sunday she will teach from 11am -1pm, then she will star in the show at the All Seasons Hafla. Some of the songs she will be using in the workshops are available on itunes, and you can purchase them in advance of the workshops. Vendors! Saturday: 1-2:45pm Dancing to the 9/8 and 7/8 rhythms Aszmara will teach the fascinating 9/8 and 7/8 rhythms. Feeling the rhythm, moving with the rhythm and improvising on the rhythm--to make these unusual rhythms feel more usual. Aszmara is a truly inspiring dancer and has loads of experience playing unusual rhythms from her extensive work with Souren Baronian's ensemble. $35 before 11/24/08, $45 at door, limit: 25 dancers 3:15-5pm Dynamic Staging Expand your range of expression with Dynamic Staging. Whether in a nightclub or on a raised stage, quite often in performance the tendency is to use the same space as we are used to in rehearsing. Through Dynamic Staging we expand our use of space to make your shows more compelling, whatever the venue. Includes level changes. $35 before 11/24/08, $45 at door, limit: 20 dancers Sunday: Emotion in Motion: The Veil Using a silk veil, you are dancing with a partner. Learn how to dance with it , using slow sensuality and hot fast moves... $35 before 11/24/08, $45 at door, limit: 20 dancers Bring a lightweight silk veil 3-4 yards long, if you have one, or they will be available for purchase from $20 and up. 1 workshop $35 before 11/24/08, $45 at the door 2 workshops $65 before 11/24/08, $80 at the door 3 workshops $90 before 11/24/08, $115 at the door Send a check, and specify which workshops you are attending, made out to: Nina Amaya 1020 Regester Ave. Baltimore MD 21239 See you there! Come early to shop! Aszmara can change her mind about the songs she will use, but I asked her for some examples of what she might use, so we could get a feel for the music. For odd time signatures: Breezy Morning (Sabah Ruzgari) by Yurdal Tokcan Georgian Girl (Gurcu Kizi) by Yurdal Tokcan (7/8 rhythm) River (Irmak) by Yurdal Tokcan For Dynamic Staging: Anadolu Oyun Havasi by Ensemble Hüseyin Türkmenler, Oriental Dance from Turkey Rumeli Karsilamasi by Ensemble Hüseyin Türkmenler, Oriental Dance from Turkey For Emotion in Motion: the Veil Hayati Inta by Natacha Atlas, Breezy Morning (Sabah Ruzgari) by Yurdal Tokcan

Down with multi-trillion dollar bailouts!!!

Shems — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:59:41 GMT

This is the letter I sent to my representatives. I feel that we are being jerked around and I wont support it. I urge you to write your representatives too. Dear ....., I urge you strongly to vigorously fight against a 700 billion dollar corporate bailout and fight for strong regulation and sweeping reforms to our irresponsible banking institutions. The way Henry Paulson wants this to pan out is completely unreasonable. He wants a blank check to bail out his buddies and let them go on with business as usual speculating themselves into another hole, but this time with my money and the money of all my fellow tax payers. Our dollar is already abnormally devalued and our living expenses inflated, do we have to suffer through even further inflation? I'm sick of it! I don't care if I take a financial hit in my 401K, I'll be damned if I see these corporations, bailed out once again and not held accountable for their actions. If an individual goes bankrupt they have no recourse, they are still expected to repay their debt even if they are completely ruined, regardless of the circumstances. A company makes irresponsible investments and the American people are supposed to foot the bill? It is outrageous. This entire system is messed up and wrong and this kind of baloney needs to end. These companies need to be broken up, sold off, regulated into oblivion or whatever it takes to set this right and never let it happen again. I'd like to see their CEOs fined to boot. I do not agree with the AIG bailout and it disgusts me to see these companies hold their tin cup out to our government like beggars. If we do this now, I see no end until our entire nation is sapped and bankrupt. Shame on our government for not providing adequate oversight to prevent these kinds of abuses and shame on Henry Paulson for trying to deceive us now. Please do not allow this corporate charity to persist. End it now!

Balance is not a four letter word.

Shems — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:46:23 GMT

I have been trying to sort through several articles, editorials, political responses and various explanations printed in the last couple of weeks concerning our most recent economic tank. I’m specifically referring to the Bear Stearns, Fanny Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman’s, AIG, Merrill Lynch, American International Group, Washington Mutual situations and government bailouts and bailout proposals. There have been complex and detailed descriptions, charts and graphs and various levels of spin put on this, but I think the answer we seek is relatively simple: Regulation is required to keep our "free market" benefiting American people. When oversight is eliminated, abuses run rampant; the free market becomes off-balance, monopolies and cartels form and wield their power, and risky speculation of communal monies goes unchecked. And the people who end up suffering the greatest consequences are every day working Americans. In the last few years we've seen pensions eliminated, individual's health care costs rise, energy and fuel costs rise, food and commodity prices rise, housing prices skyrocket, foreclosures running rampant, education costs rising, while wages stagnate, unemployment increases, people are forced to work longer hours and take 2nd and 3rd jobs and most households now require two incomes just to make ends meet. We are watching our government spending increase our national deficit to amounts barely fathomable, add to that our recent rash of corporate bail outs, and I'm left with a strong sense of foreboding, because I know sooner or later that will be our future tax burden. There are various causes one may cite for all the problems I've listed above, but I believe all of them can be related in part or in full to poor choices made in government concerning oversight and regulation of industry. In simple terms, the theory of the self-regulating free market is that competition will keep things affordable, fair and growing. That's all fine and good in theory, but in practice it is less than perfect. Historically speaking, the "free market" hasn't turned out to be that free at all, with virtual monopolies and cartels manipulating the system often for the greatest short-term benefit for the few at the top. We have seen many companies growing in power and abusing that power through market manipulation, speculation, environmental abuses, depressing wages and more. How often have we seen record profits enjoyed by the elite with complete disregard for the lives and livelihoods of those on lower rungs of the economic ladder? Perhaps a few reminders are in order...oh so many to choose from, which should we start with? How about Enron? A company, who consistently wheedled looser government regulations by buddying up with the most powerful people in politics, then abused the leeway in the most disgusting way. Rolling power outages in California shortly after the deregulation of the power industry there ring any bells? People died because of that, not to mention the huge financial cost to California businesses and taxpayers and the abrupt shift in political power. And then we can go on to the ultimate demise of Enron and all it's ugly aftermath, particularly for it's workers and general shareholders, with very few being held accountable because their fantastical accounting practices for the most part weren't strictly illegal. Sure you can blame that on the greed of a nefarious few at the top, but it is also the sign of a broad failure on the part of government, loosening restrictions where restrictions were needed to protect everyday citizens. I want to site a local example. The power industry was deregulated in 1999 in Maryland, under pressure from Enron among others, and the transitional price cap set at the time officially came off in 2007. My gas and electricity bill has shot up over 100% in the last year. In theory, competition was going to keep the costs down. In theory, I have a choice, but in reality, I am energy dependent, the competition isn't strong, the rates are set high and power companies, well mostly Constellation Energy who owns most all of my "choices", are making record profits off of me and the rest of Marylanders stuck with this situation. The Public Utility Holding Company Act in 1935 that regulated the power industry to begin with was meant to protect consumers in an industry susceptible to speculation. At the time, power company profits were minimized in the interest of stability. The argument to remove regulation was that the industry had stagnated; however, I believe this could have been corrected by adjustments in the management or regulation without removing all protections to the consumer. Now consumers are at the mercy of a few energy dealers, who control a much larger portion of the industry than they should. I would like to briefly address the Government’s push towards privatization of one of the main villains in the deregulation gang of policies. At this point in time several things that were traditionally done in house are now contracted out. The idea is that it is a push towards smaller, more efficient government by a decrease of direct government oversight. In reality it has significantly increased the operating costs of many government agencies and overall efficiency seems to have decreased. It is a myth that private industry is always more efficient than government. And I’m honestly quite alarmed that we are actually outsourcing things such as security clearance interviews, military security details (think Blackwater) and other things of that nature. Let’s speak about the one thing dearer than money, human life. At least it should be dearer than money, but to many big businesses it is not. Whether we are talking about Uranium mines in Utah leaving behind radioactive tailings for children to play in while an entire community is slowly decimated by cancer or faulty tires knowingly fitted to Ford Explorers blowing and killing families out for a drive, the message is the same, many businesses consider the bottom line before they consider your life. Most everyday people wont argue against health and safety regulations placed on businesses, although businesses still fight these, but many every day people don't seem to value regulations that protect the health and safety of our economy, or more importantly the economic status of the working class, buying into the free market theory they've been sold, often to their own detriment. We need our government to break down monopolies. We need real oversight, particularly when it comes to industries we are all dependent upon. We need our government to run some of its own important operations. We need protections in place to minimize the abuses of our wealthy corporations, to keep inordinate speculation in check and to keep our working classes strong. We need a balance between free market competition and regulation. Our government has fallen way out of balance over the last few decades as we have slowly forgotten all the lessons of the great depression. Many cry "socialist!" when regulations are recommended in any moment but the most compelling of crises. Now that we will be suffering the effects for the next several years of our most recent economic crisis, I think we should take advantage of this opportunity to pressure our lawmakers to regulate industry to the best interest of the majority of Americans. Democrat or Republican, we should no longer let rampant deregulation fly. It is time to obtain balance.

Shems's Fall session of Baltimore Belly Dance classes are starting NEXT WEEK! EEEK!

Shems — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:10:19 GMT

It has been such a busy summer, I haven't put the announcement out. Fall belly dance classes will be starting, next week! The first week of September means returning to school, that includes the school of belly dance. Classes will all be on Thursday nights. The new schedule starting Thursday, September 4th is: 6pm - Belly Dance Basics - for those new to belly dance and those wanting to build their foundation technique 7:15pm - Belly Dance Essentials - in here we are working on finger cymbals and preparing a choreography for performance 8:15pm - Technique and Musicality - we have been working on Oriental Entrances this summer. This fall I want to take this into a hardcore focus on drilling and really getting in the body difficult technique that can be applied to Oriental Entrances as well as belly dance across the board. We are talking technical hip work, foot work, level changes, complex undulations, combinations, arms, turns etc. All classes are held at the Harbor East MAC 655 President Street Baltimore, MD 21202 410.625.5000 http://www.macwellness.com/trainerfinder/websites/60046/harboreast/directions.html There is cheap parking available with validation at the MAC - It is a beautiful facility in a very nice area. Please show up early on class day to register officially. The cost is $75 per 6 week session. If you are a member at the MAC you get a $15 discount on that fee. For more information you can visit my website here: http://www.shemsdance.com/classes/classes.htm For those of you currently attending classes, classes are being held as usual this week on Tues, Wed morning, and Thursday. I hope to see you all there. Please forward this message on to all your friends and whomever you think might be interested. Thank You, Shems

An Addendum to Answer Brandon's questions about my "Important Information" post.

Shems — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:00:03 GMT

Q. Is Northern VA venues included in the ''DC'' part of the DC and Baltimore areas? Are theirs different than all others in the ''DC Metro Area''? A. Yes, I am of the opinion that if a good chunk of the community are regularly commuting from that area to work in DC, it counts as the DC metro area. I would certainly count Alexandria, Arlington, Crystal City, Falls Church and Vienna. Jobs that are out in more rural areas, might even require a higher pricing if the dancer has to add travel time to get out there. If there is a local dancer in a truly isolated community, she can set her rate, but if I were her, I would take advantage of the fact that I'm even more rare in that community and charge accordingly. Q. If a show is 15 or 20+ (let's say 25) minutes, is the rate adjustable by the dancer or the hirers? A. Yes, the rate is adjustable, however, I don't adjust down, only up. The reason being, whether I dance for 5 minutes or 45 minutes I still had to do all the same preparations, select my music, negotiate with the client, put on my makeup, do my hair, drive my car, wear my costume, etc. The majority of expense for the dancer happens before she even reaches the gig. If I am even going to bother to walk out my door I have to be compensated the minimum amount I've set for myself (which is above the minimums listed on the rates posted for our community.) In my original posting I provided a link to an article I wrote called "Behind the Rates". It talks a little bit about what goes into a belly dance show and how expensive it is for the dancer to do what she does (and only becoming more so every day.) Q. Some dancers has the pleasure of dancing solo on a given night in a 2-3 hour time frame when they have numerous dance sets. Do they charge the listed amount PER SET, or is that included as a package rate deal in agreeance with the hirers? A. If I arranged the gig, I charge the same per set, no discount. Some dancers in the past felt that since they only have to drive there once it saves them a little time and effort to dance twice or more, so they felt like it was okay to give a discount. I don't agree with this reasoning because every new show, even a short show means more work for me. I have to craft a special CD for each show. I have to make sure I don't have any over lapping songs. I have to add variety each time, maybe that means I'll be hauling extra props, it certainly means a costume change or changes and more practice and preparation. Any time I saved by not having to drive to a new location is more than eaten up in the extra prep time it takes to put together multiple unique shows for one location. In a way their discount is me not charging the venue extra for my extra work. I should add, that any wait time at a gig is also unpaid time. The more time spent at any location is another potential gig you can't take. Certainly a restaurant is much less lucrative than a party that a dancer could potentially be doing at the same time. Her time is at a premium and shouldn't be wasted. A discount for multiple sets is inappropriate. Q. Should dancers in the area have a seperate ''feature'' performer rate seperate from the basic standard dance-in-restaurant rate? A. Is this your way of asking should a restaurant pay their better dancers more? Typically, when I hear the words "feature performer" it is in relationship to a dancer run group show. Since I know group shows profit inconsistently and sometimes are not very lucrative and I think it is positive for the dancers in a community to get together, network and see one another dance, I make special exceptions for group shows. I have danced at several dancer run group shows for cheap or free as my way of showing community support. I hope and expect that if I put on my own group show other dancers in the community will do the same for me. A sponsor just can't afford to put on a group show and pay each and every performer well. Sometimes a group show will feature a particular performer. It could be a guest from out of town or a local professional. When this happens, the featured performer is usually paid, even though not all the dancers in the show are paid. This is one way to bring a performer in who might not otherwise be able to do community shows because she has bills to pay and paying gigs that always take priority. I think this is a reasonably fair practice and generally accepted in this community. I know of at least one group show held regularly where the featured performer is paid above the restaurant minimum currently slated in our community, Nina's All Seasons Hafla . I appreciate, the kind support shown from this dancer toward other dancers in the community. If you are asking not about group shows, but about a regular restaurant that happens to hire multiple dancers, the words "feature dancer" don't typically apply. In most restaurants what is advertised is generic anonymous "live belly dancing" and no dancer is featured. Also in these venues dancers typically all make the same unless some one has individually negotiated a hire wage. It is considered undercutting and unethical if a dancer agrees to a lower wage than the norm at an establishment. I personally do not like the anonymous "belly dancing" approach of most restaurants. I prefer when a restaurant invests in the individual talents of their dancer or dancers and advertise them by name. I see this happen occasionally, but not often enough. Q. Depending on the event one participates in, does she ''have the right'' to waive or re-adjust the fee situations to her own liking withOUT it infringing on any1 else where it appears as undercutting? A. If the dancer is performing for a) a charity event where none of the other entertainment is being compensated and she isn't the sole entertainment b) a family or friends event c) a dancer run group hafla or seminar show or d) when collaborating with other artists who are also sharing some portion of the financial cut or risk, then I believe the dancer has some lee-way to adjust her fees or her portion of the take accordingly. For pretty much everything else I think she should be charging at least the minimum professional rate for her services. If a dancer has a question about what to charge in what situations, she can always discuss the specifics of her situation on a pro dancer forum for her area. In our area we have 2: dc pro dancers and md pro dancers Q. Should future rates be based for dancers in any area as: --Weekday/night (Mon-Thrs) --Weekend (Fri-Sun) --Special (Weddings, Engagements, Private Functions, etc.) --Holiday Events. A. Professional dancers do adjust their rates on all these variables. For example a dancer might take a $75 / set gig on a Wednesday, but she only works $100 + per set gigs on Saturday. On holidays dancers are expected to charge double, especially New Years Eve. Most dancers charge extra for weddings because they are usually extra hassle. Q. And if so, how does one set a rate for a beginning pro vs. the rate that can be set for dancing veterans in the area? A. Any dancer that has done her time in training and at haflas and is ready to go pro is expected to stick to the same guidelines as the rest of the dance community. If she wants to start working parties as a professional, she should be asking for at least the minimum recommended amount for professionals in her community. If she auditions at a restaurant that pays all its dancers the same amount and gets hired, she should be paid the same as the other dancers at that restaurant. If she opens a new restaurant gig for herself, she should negotiate at or above the recommended amount set by her community for a new restaurant gig. And so on. The veteran dancers in the area are have usually already negotiated higher wages at the places they work, they charge more for parties and they work at higher paying venues. The rate guidelines are set as a minimum standard for those just starting their careers as well as more seasoned pros. Just starting out is not an excuse to undercut, especially not in our community. There is a lot of work available if a dancer has what it takes. If she has to undercut to get a job, she isn't good enough to be working that job and should either train more before she decides to go pro and/or look for a different venue to get her start. And finally: "Sorry for being nosy, but this topic is important, and it's hard for every1 to be on the same page at times, including those of us who are trying to just encourage patrons to tip dancers (because they assume the dancers are paid a lot just to be performing)." I realize this isn't a question, but even if dancers are paid at the top end for their services, they are still barely scraping by as artists. I don't know a single dancer outside of the Middle East who is making 6 figures a year, even the belly dance super stars. We are hardly rolling in the dough. Even though, I don't like the idea of patrons tipping because they feel sorry for the dancer. Patrons should tip because they truly enjoy and appreciate the performer and want to show that appreciation and be a part of a cultural tradition. I hope this clarifies some things for you.

Important Information for DC VA MD belly dancers

Shems — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:34:20 GMT

This is an email I sent out to every belly dancer I know in the area...at least whose email addresses I have. And I'm posting here in case I missed anybody. <3 Hello Belly Dance Teachers, Professionals and Students in the Northern VA - DC - Baltimore area, There has been some discussion on the DC pro dancers board about rates again. There have been no names given, but I thought I'd take this opportunity to spread the word to every body about the importance of respecting our art form, ourselves and our community. In general the situation is that a dancer has gone into a restaurant and undercut the going rate in that establishment significantly. It has also been said that there is a teacher who is booking her students at this same very low rate as well for another restaurant gig. I don't know who these individuals are, but this is a story that we've heard far too often. I'm not accusing anybody, but I would like to share and/or remind everybody in our local dance community that we as dancers need to support each other on rates. Several professionals in our community have come together and formed a general consensus on what the going rates should be in our DC and Baltimore metro areas. The discussion is always ongoing and open to all professional belly dancers. All you need to do is join the DC pro dancers Yahoo group to put in your say. Here is the link to DC Pro Dancers: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dcprodancers/ You need to be approved by the moderator Lucy to join (it is closed list so that professional dancers can feel safe discussing their concerns openly) her email is: lucydances@gmail.com The rates recommendations were made based on what wages were in the past adjusted for inflation, what it has been proven the market can bear, what a large portion of the dancers are already making and on the expenses and investment required to be a working professional belly dancer in our area. The recommended minimums should be adhered to by every dancer in the dance community. If you you are just starting your career in the professional belly dance community and don't think you are worth as much as a more seasoned professional, you shouldn't use that as an excuse to undercut. Most seasoned professionals are already making above the recommended minimum or going rate. If you have been working for a while at a place that hasn't raised the wages to the recommended minimum, please ask for a raise or look to work someplace where the pay is better. We shouldn't be supporting venues that continue to pay wages that are inadequate for the requirements of our profession. Now to the rates for our area: Washington DC and Baltimore, MD: ** Parties $200 and more per 20 min show ** Restaurants currently are $70-$150 per 20 minute show. New venues should be started at a minimum of $100 per show. You will always find these posted on Samira Shuruk's site here: http://www.samirashuruk.com/standardrateslist.html Quite honestly there are dancers making more than $150 per dance set at a restaurant show in our area these days and more than $200 for 20 minute shows at a party. The above recommendations also don't include added expenses for travel, or gigs that have special requirements like weddings or holidays. It is standard practice that dancers ask for double their usual rate on holidays such as New Years Eve, Christmas and Valentine's Day when dancers are in high demand or their time is worth more. If you are dancing for less than these rates, then you are being taken advantage of. If you are asked to split one show into two for the price of one show, your not being paid for your extra time and you are being taken advantage of. If you are charging less than $200 for parties, you are selling yourself short. If you are a professional, don't let yourself be taken advantage of in this way. If you are a teacher, please communicate this information clearly to all your students. If you are an aspiring performer, make a commitment now to always charge an appropriate rate for professional performance when the time comes. Please do not dance for less than the going rate at any professional venue, such as a restaurant, night club, private party, etc. The appropriate places for non-professionals to perform include student haflas and recitals and for friends and family. If you have any question about whether you might be inadvertently undercutting or what is a professional venue and what is not, please discuss it with your teacher. If you don't understand why the rates are what they are, I recommend reading some articles about the subject: http://www.shemsdance.com/event/event.htm#rates http://www.samirashuruk.com/standardratesguidelines.html http://www.casbahdance.org/PRICEUP.htm Please forward this email on to all your students, professional dance colleagues and fellow teachers so nobody will be ignorant of this subject.

When will Arab Men learn to hold themselves accountable for their own actions?

Shems — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:45:11 GMT

I understand the Arabic caption roughly translates to "A veil to protect, or eyes will molest" or some variation on that theme, encouraging more women to veil. I find this ad disgusting. Here is an article about the rise of veiling and the rise of sexual harassment, molestation and rape in Egypt: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/16/AR2008081602063.html If you ask me, if a man has no more self discipline than a fly, then it's time for society to invest in a really big fly swatter.

Ahlan Cairo Nights - Stars, Egos and Exhaustion

Shems — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:53:11 GMT

I returned Monday from my first Little Egypt weekend. This one featured Dina, Randa Dandash and Dr. Mo Gedawwi and had an adjoining competition. It was strangely overwhelming. It isn't the duration. I've been at several week long type events and though they are physically exhausting, this one was somewhat overwhelming in a different way. I competed in the contest, did well, but didn't place in the top 3. The winners were all very lovely dancers whose dancing was really great that night, so I can't complain. I also took pretty much all the workshops I could fit in. Randa's were very athletic and had the most structure. Dina's was very musically connected and Dandash's were strangely simultaneously comforting and confusing. Dr Gedawwi's was simple. The shows were excellent, particularly Dina who was emotionally on the money and all class at this event. Randa was fantastic and very athletic, but I felt like she was playing up to Dina for some reason when she performed and didn't seem to ease into her own dancing until her 3rd number, which was my favorite. Dandash was highly entertaining, but after a while she tended to overwhelm me with her really strong personality. It was quite a spectacle for me though and I was glad to witness it for the most part. I did get the sense of there being a strange mix of egos in the room, the stars, the singer, the dancers coming from all over the world who were stars in their own little communities. I'm not sure what it was about the mix that got to me but it left me with a strange and uncomfortable feeling at the end of the weekend. I did my best to shake it off and have a good time, but it put me in a thoughtful mood which I hope didn't annoy my friends too much. I'm sure part of it was the fact that I didn't place in the contest, despite the fact that I felt I did quite well over all. That always bothers me, but there is always more for me to improve on, so oh well. An unfortunate occurrence was the disappearance of one of my favorite necklaces. I reported it to the hotel, but they didn't really do anything about it. So if anybody was there and came across my silver hamsa necklace will you please send it to me? <3

Politics have arrived in my inbox

Shems — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:49:53 GMT

I've just received my first email tearing down one of the political candidates for president. It will probably not be the last. I have to say though, I was disgusted by the outright bigotry, lies and racism it displayed. Are Americans so low as to be swayed by that kind of approach? I'm not putting forward my support of any candidate right now, but Americans! Have some pride and don't let this kind of race-hate-lies stuff fly. (I'm not going lower myself to replicate it here.) Please! Vote on your measure of the candidates ideas and merits and not on fear garnered by incendiary language and lies.

I like to type the word "So", when I start writing my thoughts

Shems — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:51:22 GMT

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

Shems — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:49:58 GMT

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.

Shems — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:35:48 GMT

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**

Shems — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:12:00 GMT

My new class sessions Start the First week of July 2008 at the Harbor East MAC. Get all the details here: http://www.shemsdance.com/classes/classes.htm#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

Shems — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:53:15 GMT

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: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y30rdIsQ2w Check out my lengthy and specific description. ;-)

Anybody Attending the Zafira Event in Catonsville & Baltimore, MD?

Shems — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:29:06 GMT

Who's going?

My friend's band Kara Namodica has put out an album...

Shems — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:56:29 GMT

...of really nice music. Check it out: http://www.karanomadica.com/ https://www.digstation.com/AlbumDetails.aspx?albumID=ALB000019649