Dance Crush of the Week: Hatem Hamdi

My dancer crush of the week, Hatem Hamdi. He is an Egyptian dancer and instructor with the Nile Group. The first video is cheeky and fun (I actually have the first song in my collection.) The second video is a classic piece. Both performances are explosive, theatrical, and of course his costuming is amazing.

Bellydance Inspo for When You're Down

Next time someone says Bellydance isn't appropriate for general audiences remember this photo full of approving, smiling, adult, faces. Everything is right in the world. Those other people just haven't caught up yet.

DIY Emergency Costume Sewing Kit

Every dancer should have an Emergency Costume Sewing Kit in their bag. Even if you can't sew well, chances are you will be at a performance with other dancers who can help you out in an emergency as long as you have the supplies on hand. This kit uses a few items from around the house and is easy to assemble.

Supplies

• Empty pill bottle
• Thread
• 2 needles
• Safety pins
• Hooks and Bars
• Seam ripper
• Paper clips or bread wrapper clip
• Scrap of paper

Wrap about a yard of thread around the paper clip or bread wrapper clip. Most of my sewing emergencies involve hooks coming loose so I use upholstery thread.

Fold the scrap of paper into a long rectangle. Fold the paper in half and poke holes through it with the needles.

 Flatten out the paper. This will keep your needles organized and easy to find.

Fill the pill bottle with the needles, thread, hooks and bars, safety pins, and seam ripper. DIY Emergency Costume Sewing Kit done! Toss it in your bag and you're good to go.

I had to remove the cap of the seam ripper so it would fit in the bottle. I stored it face down so I don't get stabbed in the finger when I remove it. I chose the seam ripper over a pair of mini scissors because it serves double duty of cutting thread and ripping out those loose and broken hooks and bars for repairs.

Times to use your sewing kit

• The obvious - repairing loose and broken hooks on bras and belts
• Cutting off broken fringe or stray threads
• Use the thread to tie together broken necklaces and bracelets as a last minute fix to get you through a performance.
• Store beads, sequins, and jewelry that break during a performance for later repairs.
• Safety pins - enough said
• Make a fish hook and line with the paper clip and thread to pull rings, keys, etc. out of sinks, vents, and other tight spots. (Hey, you never know.)

 Good Luck and have fun!
~N

Mazaag

I am completely enamored by this promo shot for Mazaag with George Sedak, Amani Jabril, and Jonatan Derbaq.

Alterations for Naia in Red

 Original hem.

Here are a few pictures of the 4-5 inches I added to the bottom of Naia's new red costume. The pictures are a bit blurry and dingy, no thanks to my old yellowed cutting board that's been around since I was a kid. The new red hem actually matches much better than it looks. It makes the dark red sequins really pop.

 Tape added to protect beading when cut.

Snip

Beaded trim removed to be sew back on to new hemline.

Shiney red fabric added, bead trim reattached, additional beaded "leaves" added to extend the design.

New beadwork. Sequins and beads are different sizes from original but close enough to fool the eye.

Veils and Needles

Where did I put that needle?

As promised, the rest of a post I deleted back in January.

Before I get to the x-ray picture at top I need to back up the late summer of 2011. Naia tried selling me a turquoise costume at a local bazaar which I turned down for money reasons. I did on the other hand talk her into letting me alter her purple costume and out of selling it.

Jump to some time at the end of 2012. I never have liked veil much, not having the personality for those classic, sometimes cheese-tastic, veil tricks and ALWAYS feeling like I was wrestling the veil more so than dancing with it. So I had made an agreement with Naia that she should choreography and teach me a veil number that I would have to learn and perform. I in turn would choreograph and teach her a drum solo which she would learn and perform. Both of us exchanging knowledge in our strong points for a chance to work on our not-so-strong points. A deal was struck and we began to casually hunt music for our new project.

Come December we were invited to perform in the opening show for the Bellydance Superstar Tour coming to town at the end of January 2013. Our veil/drum project suddenly became a one month crunch to create a duet in time for the show. The time crunch also made costuming a minor issue. Not having the time or money for new matching costuming Naia traded me the turquoise costume for classes, alterations, and other dance related services. I would wear the turquoise costume and she would wear her black (with blue) costume.

Bellydancer "headband" and strap extensions shown matched with beaded gauntlet. Old worn out plastic O-ring removed.

I brought the costume home about two weeks before the show for fitting. The skirt and top were connected by a plastic O-ring that I seam-ripped out and replaced with a metal one. I also added a snap so the skirt would detach from the O-ring and make it easier to get in and out of. I then found an old "Bellydancer" tank that I never wear and cut it up to make matching strap extension turning the original halter into a cross-back. Naia couldn't find the costume's headband so I used the rhinestone-lettered strip from the tank top to make a new one. I fixed loose beads and adjusted the elastic. Last but not least, hemming.

Fitted costume. Can you spot the troublemaker hiding in this photo?

The night of the show I did one more fitting and added some extra elastic to the skirt to keep it from sliding around. Satisfied with the fit I went on to do my hair and make-up. Ten minutes before I intended to walk out the door I heard my husband yell my name with a tone of voice I've never heard him use in the 13 years we've known each other. Fear.

I dropped the hairspray in hand and ran to the dining room to find him sitting in the floor pinning our gray cat, Augustus, on his back holding his mouth open with his fingers. "He swallowed a needle!" I peered in to see a sewing needle part way into his throat and part way still in his mouth. The cat was kicking too much to stick my fingers in to pull it out so I ran for a pair of tweezers.

I failed try after try to pull the needle out while the cat kicked and the Husband Person had a mini panic attack (literally shaking and close to hyper-ventilating.) I couldn't get the needle to slide out so with one last college try I grasped it and gave it a good yank. It pulled loose. The cat failed wildly. The needle fell back into his mouth and disappeared. Augustus swallowed, licked his lips, and acted as though nothing happened.

Stunned is not quite the right word but the Husband Person and I sat blankly, unmoving, mouths gaping, in silence for a comedically long time staring at the cat in disbelief. I've never felt so confoundedly frozen to the spot. Apparently, the needle had stabbed into the roof of the mouth just enough to keep it from being swallowed. When I yanked it free the cat kicked because it ripped the needle out causing pain. The Husband Person called the Emergency Animal clinic while I ran for the cat carrier and my purse and off we drove with cat and needle.

We sat in an examination room while the vet did x-rays. Me in plain clothes with full dance hair and make-up. The Husband Person hands shaking. I sent a text to the show host and told her I would miss the pre-show lighting rehearsal but would make it by show time. As you can see from the x-ray above the needle had safely made it to the stomach. We were instructed to allow Augustus no food, water, or heavy activity. We were to take him to the animal hospital first thing in the morning where they could endoscopy the needle out without it passing through the body.

I drove the Husband Person and Augustus home and made it at the venue in time to change and perform the opening number.

Smiling with veil in hand - a first for Naima. With Naia Abla.

My favorite kind of picture - mouth open, belly out. Mid-tabla stomach pop, with Naia Abal.

A sleepy picture taken right after the show. Please ignore the boobs and notice the newly replaced metal ring and detachable top.

The next morning the Husband Person took Augustus to the animal hospital to an awaiting team of vet and students excited to observe an endoscopy procedure. But alas, after new x-rays it was discovered the needle had passed into the intestines overnight and all they could do was wait. A few hours of observation and one kitty enema later the needle along with a pretty serious hairball were produced. Apparently, the hairball helped to encase the needle making it pass without incident. Whereas the needle helped push the hairball through before becoming another emergency vet visit in itself.

Back from the vet the Husband Person presented me with a small cup containing the needle. I took a quick peek inside and sure enough the thread attached was the same blue of my costume. Augustus had been chewing on the thread, swallowed it and pulled the needle along for the ride. To this day, Augustus has no idea why he was "punished" by stabs to the roof of his mouth, being denied food and water, pokes, prods, and enemas.

The ironic thing is I had just been thinking about doing a post for pet and child safety around costuming supplies. Needless to say, never leave the room without putting all needles, pins, and other pointy objects away in a box or drawer even for just a bathroom break. Learn from my mistake. Think of the new costumes I could have bought with what I spent on vet bills.

The Bellydance Superstars were awesome by the way. And I made it through a veil number with some grace and elegance for once.

~N

Used needle with blue thread and other sundry items $429

All of the Props are Belong to Camelia

Camelia with stick and veil.

Aside from Camelia being a master with her props all of her costumes are seriously intricate including little matching biker shorts and crazy straps. I can barely believe the costumes survive such energetic performances.

~N

Camelia with veil


Just Camelia

All of the Props are Belong to Us

Camelia of Egypt dancing with Shamadan, Finger Cymbals, and Stick.

Color Blocking Choreography Notes

I decided to color code the lyrics of the next song I intend to choreograph so I can keep track of each section better. I will print this out with 2-3 lines of space between each verse so I can add choreo notes in between.

Samira Said - Howa Ana Geet Ganbak (Did I do something to you), from Aweeny Beek. (3:09)

Howa ana geet ganbak / Did I do something to you (literally: did I come next to you)?

Tab dana belzat omri maz'altak hata bikilma / Especially when I never made you angry even with a single word.

Howa ana geet ganbak / Did I do something to you?

Tab leh makhasemny wa za'lan minni / Why haven't you talked to me and you are angry with me?

Ana keda mush fahma / I don't understand this

REPEAT Howa ana geet ganbak / Did I do something to you (literally: did I come next to you)?

Tab dana belzat omri maz'altak hata bikilma / Especially when I never made you angry even with a single word.

Howa ana geet ganbak / Did I do something to you?

Tab leh makhasemny wa za'lan minni / Why haven't you talked to me and you are angry with me?

Ana keda mush fahma / I don't understand this

Za'lak keda mabea'gibnish / I don't like your being angry this way.

Wa law asa'lak betquli mafish / And when I ask you, you tell me there isn't anything [wrong].

Tab leh el hira deya / So why do you make me wonder?

Min gher kalam teza'l fi sokat / Without words you are angry silently.

Min gher sabab ta'mil hekayat / Whitout reason you make stories.

Erham nafsak shwaya, erham nafsak shwaya / Give your self peace!

Kol youm teza'l wana / Everyday you are angry and I

olt lik aish el haya / told you to live your life,

aishha keda bishula / live it simply.

Quli leh ta'mil keda / Tell me why are you doing this?

Di el haya bil shakl da / Life this way is

haga mish ma'qula / just something impossible.

REPEAT Za'lak keda mabea'gibnish / I don't like your being angry this way.

Wa law asa'lak betquli mafish / And when I ask you, you tell me there isn't anything [wrong].

Tab leh el hira deya / So why do you make me wonder?

Min gher kalam teza'l fi sokat / Without words you are angry silently.

Min gher sabab ta'mil hekayat / Whitout reason you make stories.

Erham nafsak shwaya, erham nafsak shwaya / Give your self peace!

JKH Revisit

Where's Naima in the sea of dressing room mirrors.

I had this really nice long post typed up about the past 2 months of dance and then I deleted it by accident. I have no clue how I did it and I was so upset at loosing all of my work that I haven't worked on the blog in weeks. I've decided to split the post in two in case I delete it again. That way I'll only loose half the work. Also, I am recovering from the plague. Anything could happen.

Anyway, I had the opportunity to dance at the Multicultural Festival with the Malaika Dancers back in January. It is hosted at Jaunita K Hammons Hall of Performing Arts every year on Martin Luther King Day. I had danced there as a baby dancer with Troupe Sarrab around 2001-ish. I thought it would be nice, after a decade, to revisit the largest stage I've ever danced on. This is also the stage I first saw Gita perform.

Malaika was given 2 sets, 1 on the "balcony stage" and 1 on the main stage. The balcony stage is intended for musical performances, not so much dance. It is crammed in the corner of the main atrium above the first floor but below the auditorium balconies. Only the patrons above us could see the performance and even then it was far and detached. I will say it was an interesting feeling to look up at the audience throughout the entire performance. It was also vibrantly sunny in our little corner and got quite warm dancing.

Despite the less than desirable stage placement, we chalked the balcony performance up as a practice run for the performance on the big stage. The main stage is seems huge in comparison and easily makes you feel quite tiny in its vastness. The professional lighting also means you cannot see the audience very well and makes emoting into the blinding light feel a little silly. The super cool thing about the day was the HUGE dressing room we were treated to. It had long rows of mirrors, lounge chairs, and even a private bathroom with a shower. The audio from the stage was also piped in through speakers so we could hear the performances live. All it needed was 4 dozen pink and yellow roses and a bowl of green M&M's.

~N

Video from the closest "audience" location. Looks like I'm dancing for team America with that big flag displayed in front of me.

Dancer's view off the Balcony Stage at JKH.

Malaika Dancers on the Balcony Stage at JKH.

Malaika Dancers on the JKH stage that made me break my rule of never dance without sandals.

Baby Bellydancer Naima in a borrowed palette dress on JKH stage 2001.

This is what happens when you take video instead of a picture. Doh. (I bought that dress for $7 at a garage sale!)