The Russian Belly dancer Evgeniya Kopteva

I can't stop watching the gorgeous Russian belly dancer Evgeniya Kopteva...what a song! What an interpretation! What a dancer!!!

The Road less travelled...

A quote taken from the book Im reading now "The Roald less travelled" by M. Scott Peck.




"Life is complex. Each one of us must make his own path through life. There are no self-help manuals, no formulas, no easy answers. The right road for one is the wrong road for another...The journey of life is not paved in blacktop; it is not brightly lit, and it has no road signs. It is a rocky path through the wilderness. "

— M. Scott Peck

Bellydancer for Breast Cancer

Great initiative Rachel!!! Let's spread the word girls!!!

By Rachel Bond

Dear Bellydance teachers,

Did you know that 1 in 9 Australian women will suffer breast cancer? And exercise has been shown to both reduce that chance, and improve therapeutic outcomes. So it's good to know that as dance teachers, we're already helping make a difference. But funds are also needed. No doubt you've heard of the "Girls' Night In" events that, like Pink RIbbon Breakfasts, are held to raise money for Breast Cancer work.


In just under 2 weeks' time, on 30 September, I'm hosting a Bellydance-themed "Girls Night In" in Rozelle. As well as food and drink, gossip and giggles, we'll be screening Yasmina's film "Journey of Desire: A Foreign Dancer in Egypt". The whole aim of the event is to bring bellydancers - both professionals and students of all levels - together in a relaxed social environment, and together, to raise funds for this important cause.

It would be fabulous if you could spread the word to your students. For many of you, this will be in the middle of their term break, so a good way to maintain students' enthusiasm for bellydance!

You can share this link with them:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=144557105586035

I will be waiting you there!!!

Bellysamba

Bellysamba is fusion of Bellydance and Samba. This is a great combination of rhythyms as they are both very dynamic and focused on hip moves (but Samba a lot of foot work as well). The Brazilian bellydancer Soraia Zaied was one of the first bellydancers to show the world this fusion and proudly presented it on her performances in Cairo.

The gorgeous Soraia Zaied

This is two videos I performed myself with Cristina Ramon and Lisi Hannan. I hope you enjoy it!!

Ansuya - Bellydance Superstar

Bellydance Superstar Ansuya is one of the most talented and accomplished performers, choreographers and instructors in the bellydance world today. Her style is unique, blending the best aspects of belly dance with Indian, Spanish and African moves. Energetic, sensual and innovative, Ansuya is a master of improvisation, musical interpretation, emotional expression, finger cymbals, original moves and costume design. Ansuya is a multi-award winner and has been seen in movies, on television shows, music videos and commercials as both a belly dancer and an actress. She has performed for countless celebrities, and her top selling instructional videos are some of the best reviewed on the market. Ansuya is a second generation bellydancer with secrets handed from mother to daughter, adding mystique and legend to her soulful performances and dedicated instruction. From India, Egypt, Japan, Canada, Spain, Hawaii, Indonesia, to across the US and Europe, she has enjoyed international recognition and press. (From http://www.bellydance.org/articles/ansuya.html)

Interview by Jamil

You are the daughter of  'Jenaeni' a renowned belly dancer. Was she your initial  inspiration to take up the art? Or was there any other profound experience that contributed to your decision?

Ansuya - My mother has been my inspiration in life and in dance. She taught me from when I was a baby. I gave my first performance when I was four years old under her teaching. Another strong influence on me and my dance style has been Alexandra King, one of my mothers students. She became my teacher as well and has influenced me in my life also.

Ansuya, you are a member of the  esteemed troupe 'belly dance superstars'. In your opinion could you explain what the positives and negatives are of working with a  troupe?

Ansuya - I feel the beauty of working in a dance company that has a strong leader can be a magical experience of comraderie, self discovery, and inspiration. Dancing in my mothers company and having a company of my own has taught me the immense value of team work, friendship, and genorousity. When the intention of the leader is to build that esteem into the company, I think a troupe can be a completely positive experience. If the intentions are mixed with competitive values, unhealthy physical conditions, and dishonesty, then a dance company can be a negative experience. With the Bellydance Superstars, I am proud that our show seemed to represent to our audiences the values that I hold most dear on the outside. However, behind the scenes was a different story. I felt it was my duty to progress the Bellydance industry by continuing to participate in BDSS for as long as I could, but I am also proud of my decision to work on my own so that I can better progress the spirit of the dance without compromise.

Your dance style is a beautiful and  technical amalgamation of soft controlled movements and harsh joyous shimmies. Could you please let your viewers in on what main  expression you feel that you are able to convey in your particular  dancing style?

Ansuya - Thank you for the compliments! I feel every emotion when I am dancing according to the music I am using. I just finished a show that began with an Indian fusion piece that put me in my highest level of joy, immediately followed by a song that put me deep into passionate meloncholy. For me, dance, as in life, knows no bounds when it comes to emotion. If I were to describe an overall message with my dance, it would be to convey the art of sensual and spiritual discovery. I hope to inspire others to find their power within to unlock the keys of the universe by becoming in touch with their body, mind, and soul through dance.

What hints could you offer to  professional dancers that want to make it as internationally renowned  as yourself?

Ansuya - My best advice for ambitious performers is to trust their own talents for art and for business. As a Bellydance entrepenur I have discovered that I am a very savvy business women. Many artists doubt their abilities in this area. But, having seen managers and business leaders at work has only increased my self confidence and helped me to discover that I have had all I have needed from the beginning to create my own enterprise. The best way to find your own direction is to connect to your inner intuition, focus on your vision, and trust in the universe. I like to follow the Law of Attraction in life, business, and art. I recommend trusting yourself and the Law of Attraction above all other advise.

I have never been introduced to the concept of an 'online class'. What was your initial aim of beginning such a project and what should students who enroll to participate in  it expect?

Ansuya - My online class project is constantly developing. My goal is to provide my worldwide student base access to classes with me on a weekly basis so that they don’t have to wait years for me to come to their city. Students can expect to have great breakdown of combinations in every style of Bellydance by me in my studio. We are upgrading the payment system now based on the feedback we have received from students so that the classes can be more easily accesses and enjoyed by a wider audience.

 With already so much recognition nationally and internationally as a soloist and a troupe member, what plans do you have for the upcoming future? Any projects that your Australian followers should  be aware of?

Ansuya - Along with my online classes, I plan to offer my international student base the opportunity to come in small groups to my studio to study with me. My studio is located in the beautiful, tropical, vacation destination of Naples, Florida. I am excited to suggest to students that they combine a beach vacation with a Bellydance intensive at Ansuya’s Bellydance Studio. Interested students can contact me at ansuya@ansuya.com. I have attached a photo of my studio. I hope to see the Bellydancers of Australia at my studio soon!

Sydney Middle Eastern Dance Festival

Congratulations Leonie for putting together The Middle Eastern Dance Festival! Unfortunately I could not stay the entire concert on Saturday night but the Bellydance Showcase on Sunday was great! Beautiful performances...and it was good to meet bellydancers from other States!

This is the second year Attar Troupe performed at the Festival and it was an amazing experience. This year we had  the supporting dancers: Amy, Emelly, Salpi, Angie and Kristie. Thanks girls for the wonderful job! Without you the choreo wouldnt be the same!!

Girls, stay tuned for the next events (Go to Events Section)!! There are soo many ones coming up!

If you are interstate, please send me your Event info...it will be a pleasure to post it here!

Dansensation: Bellydance Beyond Imagination

Danielle lopes & Jamil Halaby presents....

Step into the unforseen dimension of DANSENSATION... it is Bellydance Beyond Imagination!!!

on Sunday the 23rd of May you are exclusively invited to witness the brilliance that is DANSENSATION! An amalgamation of bellydance and the dance vocabulary of other international genres is presented to you by Sydney's top performers. The night will be explosive and dynamic, mysterious and unique!

Please contact Danielle or Jamil to be a part of this spectacular event.

Danielle: 0404 737 701

Jamil: 0415 737 818

Tickets -

$100 VIP (50 places available)

$55 p.p. (70 places available)

(includes huge Arabic banquet and unlimited softdrink)

Strict seating limit applies of 120, book early.

Dancer list:

Danielle Lopes

Jamil

Sophie Alize

Magda Boz

Lisi Hannan

Emily

Angie

Amy

Laura

Rachel

Johara

Nancy

More details available at: http://www.attartroupe.com

Dina in Australia!!

Here are some general informations about Dina in Australia. This is an event you can't miss out!!!

Amera’s Palace Proudly Presents:

BellyDance and Arabic Music Extravaganza 2010

20th - 22nd August 2010

For the First Time in Australia - For One weekend only with

Superstar Dina, Egyptian Super Star Belly Dancer of Screen and Stage LIVE !!

Supported by Australian BellyDance and Music Stars

BellyDance Workshops presented by Dina

Straight from the Famous Khan El Khalili Market Place in Cairo, Egypt - Mahmoud Abdel Ghaffar

20th August 2010 - Evening - ""Belly Dance Star Awards"" with Special Guest Star Judge DINA !.

21st August 2010 - AM - Workshop with Dina

21st August 2010 - DINA Live in Concert

22nd August 2010 - AM & PM- Workshops with Dina

"Khan El Khalili " Market Place Open from 6PM 20th August till 6PM 22nd August

And don't forget about the Bellydance Star Awards!

Informations about this event on http://www.ameraspalace.com.au/

Thanks Aisha from Greece!

If you didnt go to any of Aisha's performance certainly you missed a great show! Aisha was
in Australia for a special Tour and she performed in the main restaurants in Sydney...myself and Cristina Ramon (Samba dancer) also participated of the shows with a fusion of Bellydance and Samba.

I would like to thank Aisha for her suberb professionalism and also for providing a fantastic performance to Australian audience...

Thanks for Sydneyrestaurants.com and Eurobis for supporting this art and bringing over a top bellydancer artist!

And finally thanks for all friends that came over to watch us and support our bellydance community! If everyone helped each other certainly we would have more events like this happening in Sydney!

My favourite videos

I'm addicted to Youtube. Are you? I suppose all bellydancers spend hours and hours seeking for new videos, new inspirations, new moves...definately youtube is a great source for research! Well, I have seen
so many good dancers around the world...and I would love to share with you what I have been looking at recently! If you have any good video to share here, please send it to me and I would be happy to post it! This is my favourite from this week...I visited Aida's website but it is all in other language...unfortunately I dont know much from here but I think she is a great dancer...what do you think??

Teacher Training Certification Intensive

How important is to be prepared to teach belly dance? Do I feel enough prepared to teach?

These are some questions you must ask yourself before entering the teaching world. It is not an easy task and definetely it is not only shaking your hips that will guarantee that you are a good teacher. There are many other elements involved such as: choosing the right methodology, how you communicate with your students, how you assist them and how you perceive their process of learning and so on.
I had teachers that simply asked us to copy what she was doing without teaching the process of the move...is this teaching?? Noooooooooooooo

Well, I am only talking about this topic because we have a excellent coourse coming up in May:

Teacher Training Certification Intensive

Mon 3rd & Tue 4th May 2010

Leonie Sükan's Newtown Middle Eastern Dance Centre, Sydney

 

Bookings:

To book: http://www.shemiranibrahim.com/teacher-training/

STRICTLY limited spaces

Costume Exchange at Amera's Palace

Come along and buy, sell or swap previously loved costumes seeking new homes.

Sunday the 7th of March 2:30-5:30pm @

Amera’s Palace

85 Enmore Road NEWTOWN

Free Entry

Palace stock will also be available

Silk Bazaar

Designer Costumes from Egypt

Complementary Lebanese sweets

Fashion Parade

Stall holders $25

Seamstress on site for immediate alterations

INFO: Contact Magda 0401255617

devicdance@hotmail.com