*buzz, static, reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee* oww

Feedback-
Anyone who has ever been to a live show, knows that horrible sound...  The monitors buzz for a brief second and everyone scrunches up their face quickly because they know that the horrible scream of feed back is about to come blasting out of the speakers.
It's just plain not a pleasant sound.
With any luck, sound techs can correct the problem and bring everything right back on line, before everyone goes horribly deaf from the ill sound. The best sound techs at this point have made mental notes about their set up and will do everything they can to make sure that mistake is not repeated.

This description applies even to dancers.  The feedback from another dancer or audience member who has watched you perform... The dancer squinches up her face for the blow.

I've worked very hard in my own world learning how to take and give feedback in a positive manner.  It makes me a better dancer.
Blessedly, in my own experience I have a few sources that give me good feedback, that doesn't come from the vicious inner critic who happens to think that everything I do is shite.
This for me came in the form of a beloved dance sister who looked at me one night and delivered the blow in a compliment sandwich... it went like this.
"I really liked what you selected for your music.  Please, don't forget that when the music phrase offers you up something juicy, where you can throw in a very powerful shimmy.  That little mistake aside, I found your ability to convey emotion in your body language, just amazing"

I found that to be a very positive thing.   Two things I could walk away with and be proud and one thing to remember to work on in the future.  Now, if you get several of these after each performance.  You get a solid picture of what you need to improve upon and what you are presently showing as your strengths.


The kind of feedback that does no good, for anyone.
"What were you thinking?  You lost me from the moment you first stepped on stage" .... *blink, blink* and the inner critic comes roaring to the surface with "Told you so.  You suck..  Why do you even bother?"
The other kind of feedback that does no good, for anyone.
"That looks fine"....   Really, Fine?  Not, good, not great, not even a poor?  Nothing specific to improve on and nothing specific that tells you that you are doing really well.

Now, I can say that even my best critique givers have come to me with an entirely negative report, as well as entirely positive reports too.  Never once have they ever given me a blanket "Fine".  Nor, have I ever given it back to them.

However, critique can come to you from everywhere.  It doesn't just have to be from your trusted sources. It can be from the photographer who looks at you and says: "Not many photos of you from the show.  You moved around way to much and well..  You didn't give me anything to shoot at."
The audience member who says: "I like your costume, but, I didn't get what you were doing"

Sound critiques come from everywhere and all should be taken to heart, chewed on and given consideration.
Sure, criticism from someone who doesn't dance, can come across as very harsh and not very helpful.  But, in reality, consider the words.  There is often more help in the words than what your knee jerk reaction thinks.

Let's use the audience member who said "I like your costume, but, I didn't get what you were doing"
That says very simply, that you look pretty and they liked looking at you -  This tells you that you got their attention.
It also tells you that you had a hard time holding their attention, but, they were still trying to appreciate what you were doing.
Long and short-  You are on the right track... but, perhaps your music choice was strange or your movements didn't match the music.
Perhaps, the next thing to do is have a critical look at your video and open a dialogue with one(or more) of your trusted sources and have them watch with you. 
It doesn't mean that you need to make any changes... since you could repeat that performance to a different audience and get rave reviews.

This brings us to the very last form of critique that is the worst of all.  Trolling.  This one really doesn't do anyone any good whatsoever.
If you've been on the internet for at least 10 years, chances are, you have run across one of these kinds of people.   Since truth told.  Trolls are everywhere.  
They are just as nasty in real life as they were in the fairy tale stories we have read.
Yes, Virginia, real life trolls exist.

A troll has NOTHING positive to say... EVER and are often quite nearly bat-shit crazy.
A troll can come in the form of another dancer, whom you may have taken some popularity from or have the potential to take popularity from.  A drummer, who only wants to drum so they can watch you shake your butt. An audience member who only likes one dancer at a show and will smack talk all the other dancers at a show, because they want to make sure that only their favorite gets attention or a random commenter on YouTube, who will say some wild and crazy things in your comments feed, just to get a rise out of you and anyone else who comments.
(Example:  "only whores dance like that" ... or... "I don't understand, why am I not seeing boobies, you MUST remove your costume".... "Old ladies shouldn't dance that way... GROSS")


It doesn't take long to figure out trolls and of course the best way to handle them, is not at all.  Don't feed them, don't respond to them... and most importantly... if they are nasty... don't let their crazy rub off on you.


Long and short.  Feedback, is often good..  should be taken with a grain of salt, paid attention too and yes, sometimes is best ignored.

Men in Belly Dance

Have you ever wondered why belly dance has so few male belly dancers?  Seriously, when you look at the sheer number of belly dancers total, the men make up such a small percentage.
Why is that?

Is it because female instructors are focused on making a women positive or women only environment?
Is it because a female instructor feels that she is unable to teach a man how to dance?
Is it lack of interest on the whole from the men?
(excepting of course the men who have sought out this dance..  But we already know they are a rare breed)
Or- do you think that it might be, because society still seems to have a dim view of men who dance anything but ballroom?

So...  I would really like to hear your opinion on this one. 

Making Art vs Fame Seeking.

I have Malcom McLaren to thank for the title of this topic as well as this discussion.
http://www.ted.com/talks/malcolm_mclaren_authentic_creativity_vs_karaoke_culture.html

As we have all seen in dance, there are some people who get into it because they want to be famous. They have this vision that they can make a fortune doing something they love.
Why not?  We've been taught to do the things we love and make money doing it, because that is the path to fulfillment.

However the fame that comes from being a dancer, does eventually peter out and like many other "celebrities".  Still wanted by the people who have admired you and yet, usurped by the "next best thing".
It's also true for regular celebrities too...  Singers and Bands who were "the shit" at one point haven't been heard from in years... Spawning the VH1 TV show or news articles on "Where are they now?"

For all of us... Whether it's acting, music, sports or any other art form.  We all got into it because of something that we love.  Some got famous... others, out of the lime light and are rocking their respective arts in places that are not so famous.
You can always find these not-so-famous folks in places like, community theater, pubs, community ball fields and other sporting places.  But, you can also find the formerly famous in these places too.

I am reminded that the Detroit Red Wings allegedly found formerly famous player Joe Kocur playing hockey on a beer league team, before bringing him back to play in the NHL and then consequently win the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in decades.
Why was he in the Beer League anyway?  The only answer that I can fathom, is that he was there because he loved hockey and wanted to keep playing, even though the big league was done with him.  Love and a willingness to keep himself submersed it something he is passionate about.

For me, personally, I don't teach and perform dance because I want to get famous.  I do it because I want to make art, because I love it, because I feel as though I will suffocate if I am not dancing.
Fame is the farthest thing from my mind... 
To say that I have not ever considered fame as an outcome, would be a big fat lie.
The concept of fame has crossed my mind.  Wouldn't it be cool to travel the world and meet people everywhere I go?  Wouldn't it be awesome to have left a footprint on the dance community that my name is on everyone's lips?

Why yes, it would be cool.  But, then I think with the practical side of my brain. Traveling the world and leaving such a foot print has some costs that ought to be considered.  Every time a bag is packed and I would be off somewhere. That is a period of time without my family and friends. Away from my goofy dogs and cats.  Away from the dance community I really do love being a part of....  so busy planning, plotting and trying so hard to meet the demands of that fame.  To be constantly forced to create things for the consumption of the masses.

I have come to learn that I am much happier staying home and creating things that I enjoy.  Sharing my creations with the community and the audiences that are around our community.  I have come to learn that this simple thing, this non-wishing for fame, has given me such a sense of satisfaction and rewards me in return.

No, I much prefer being the artistic, rule breaking punk, that you all know...Yes, I find much more satisfaction in creating art just for the purpose of creating art.

Think Again...

Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do. - Apple Inc.


Proud to be a Rebel!

A Sense of Community

I am very blessed to be a part of a Good Dance Community.
It's not without it's problems or it's hiccups, but on the whole it is a good and healthy community.

We've grown quite a bit in the last five years and it seems to want to continue to grow.
We are a pretty healthy dance community, the area instructors get along and are good about referring people back and forth to help get their needs met, we share information about gigs, shows and the occasional problems.  We give good and honest critiques and listen when they are given.

Fellow dancers are always willing to pin a costume, pass the eyelash glue and give one another a shot in the arm, pat on the back and even hugs when needed.
We welcome dancers from far and wide and make a point to try to extend them the same courtesy as we do to the "usual suspects"

Now, please note, I am not saying that we don't have our drama, our Diva's, snarkiness or any other kind of bad experience.  They do happen, but to me it seems few and far between, and they don't seem to last long.

I hear stories from many other dancers that I talk to, so many have complaints about under cutting, hijacked gigs and pretty vicious gossip and back-stabbing.

It seems to me that our little community is an odd one.
I could wish that other communities could take a lesson from us.
What we do is not that difficult.
It seems that the old saying "Treat others as you would like to be treated." is taken to heart and we act on that.

I will say, again and again.  I am blessed

Glitter vs Hardware

This, is actually going to be a bit personal.. No sage advice, no bits of insight..  Nope, this is just me.
Some of you may have seen me recently wearing a cabaret style costume.  It's purple, gorgeous, fits well.
But, it also feels very strange and foreign to me. In many ways, it's just not my style.

Now, I'll stop some of the arguments right away. I will not, in any way, state that it is anything other than  beautiful costume, nor will I argue that it looks good on me.   Truth is, it's gorgeous and looks gorgeous on.

But, I am far more comfortable as a dancer in my "normal" costumes.

Truth told, it's hard for me to stand behind my statement that "Boxes are for dancing ON. Boxes are NOT for dancing IN" 
That is part of the reason you have seen me recently in this particular kind of costume.  It's to shove me out of my comfort zone. 

I can say that I have done it.. I've tried it, but, I would like my dance pants, t-shirt bra and fender washer belt back...  please!!

Presently, I feel like a drag queen in this style of costume still.  I am not going to say that you won't see me in something like this again..  Maybe you will.  But, perhaps it will be something of my own design, with my own punk/rebel edge to it.  (there are a few in the works that would fit MY comfort level, but still have that glamorous kind of look).

But, for now, it is time to return me to my regular scheduled dance wear.   The kind I can sit on the floor in and not have a care if I pull a string....  at least that string doesn't have THOUSANDS of glass beads attached.
We will see what the future holds...

I am likely going to get into my box and see what other kinds of toys I can throw out onto the floor.  We all know that will be interesting.  But, I am not getting in that box to stay.

Oh...  if you really want to know why I am addicted to dance pants....

It's because it feels like I am dancing in my jammies!

The 4th Wall

It's defined as: The fourth wall is the imaginary "wall" at the front of the stage in a traditional three-walled box set in a proscenium theatre. (paraphrased)  The idea was explicit by Denis Diderot

As belly dancers we don't always get to experience the 4th wall, in the same way that performers in traditional theatre comapnies, get to experience it.

For them, it is a pretty real thing... well as real as air can be.  But, to them, it is very real and tangible.
That blackness that is beyond the footlights of the stage creating a barrier between the peering eyes of the audience and themselves.

More often than not, our audiences are right there, for us to see all of their expressions.   If we dance in a restaurant, we can find severs and costumers alike wandering through our space to get to places that are around us.  That dance space can sometimes be invaded my the small child who has the very unashamed exuberance to come and dance with us.


It can be hard for us to actually have the experience of the 4th wall without a theater. 

But, we actually do create them.
You begin to create the fourth wall as you perform, by perfecting the "Thousand Yard Stare"...  Where you look over the heads of the audience, when you look down at the floor, toward back stage....  any where but into the eyes of the audience.

But, that is not the only time we create it.
For some of us we begin building this wall during our performance preparations, for some, it could go much farther back....  to the moment where you have chosen a "stage name"..  Separated by some degree or completely from your real name.
The security of the stage name has a pretty rich history...  Many performers have done this to create a semblance of anonymity/mystery or to disguise their nationality...  (example: Lady Gaga is really....... Martin Sheen's real name is.............), it was also done to give a performer some privacy from the lime light as well as a safe haven from Fanatics (more commonly known as Fans.

Now, not everyone takes a stage name.  That is a matter of personal choice and not one made lightly. Since as belly dancers we tend to take on a name from a culture that we are not always from.  The selection of a name can take some careful planning.  You have spelling variances to consider, this that can connect you to a region.. the meanings of the names and maybe even learning how to pronounce them correctly.  (after all, a mispronunciation can take you from being "beautiful eyes" to "dog faced elephant" very quickly)

There's one building block for some and the foundation of the wall for others.

After the name, the creation of the 4th wall is much more tangible.  It begins as we physically prepare ourselves for the show. 
For me, personally.  It starts when I begin putting on my make up, this marks the point where I am becoming Fajera. 
(Now, to the dancers who are backstage with me...  You see the real ME more than the audience does. Of course, it is hard to be my stage self... when you have seen me in my spanx and have held up a veil or been a peeper blocker backstage.)
The audience, who know my stage me and whom have never talked to me post show.  Have no idea that I snort when I giggle hard enough or that my nose gets numb after a couple glasses of wine.






Some dancers are fantastic about maintaining that 4th wall and some insist on it staying there. They will not shimmy chase a server across the carpet, shoulder shimmy the 80 year old man who's out for birthday dinner.  I'm leaving out the kid, because no one can really ignore the cute 3 year old shaking their diaper. (or bigger... either way, all kids have carte blanche for stealing the show, just for being cute... )But, they will accept the praise from the audience.
They are NOT going to invite them to be familiar and join us all as we take ourselves out for post-show breakfast.

Other dancers, don't mind being accessible to the audience. For them, it's kind of a half of the 4th wall.  They don't mind looking out and engaging the audience, encouraging them to clap in 4/4 time to a 9/8 song, flirting with the same 80 year old man or anything else that may take us to their level, only because we engaged them.
Again, this kind of dancer will always be gracious to the audience, but, no post show Toasties...

Then, there are the dancers who are totally comfortable with complete familiarity.  I personally, do not know anyone like this.  I am sure they are there...

The 4th wall, even for us, is there even if we don't have the blackness beyond the footlights.