It can be so frustrating sometimes to do what we love when what we love isn't guaranteed, doesn't make a lot of money, or is incredibly competitive. I think belly dancing fits into all of those categories. It's not guaranteed: you never know when it will end, whether because of a change in your life, a venue closing, or (heaven forbid) something happens to you physically or to your health. It doesn't make a lot of money: as an engineer, I can safely say that I will be guaranteed to have at least $50k a year after I graduate - I definitely can't say that about dance. It goes without explanation that belly dance is competitive, just like any art. 

I made a New Years resolution to post once a week. Well, it's almost mid April and this is my first post since New Years. I don't exactly feel great about that. January was lost with final exams, February started an internship, and the rest is just being too tired to even want to post. Poor excuses (except the exams). 

So many dancers I feel have the same problems as I do, just for different reasons. Money plays a major part in how we grow as dancers. I don't think that it can be avoided. Taking lessons takes money. Having the time to dance means taking time away from something else. Buying shoes, dance clothes, accessories, partaking in workshops, traveling, competing...it all takes money. So many of us get stuck in a rut when we can't afford - either with time, money, or both - to focus on our dance. It's usually a choice, for example, when we decide to have a family, or for me, when I decided to get my masters and PhD. 

I've been incredibly frustrated this year because last year was the first time I was really able to focus on my dancing. I went to multiple workshops, I started a certification program, and I even competed for the first time. This year, thanks to an error by the French government with my visa, I lost thousands of euros (remember, I live in France) and haven't been able to feed myself or pay rent, let alone focus on my dancing. There have been so many unnecessary inconveniences concerning our finances that the only thing I've been able to do (again, barely) is keep up with my once-a-week group lessons.

I think frustrating is the best word for it. I know it's only temporary. After all, I can only be a poor student for so long. This fall I'll be starting my PhD (finally, I get paid to go to school!). With a PhD in engineering, I know I will always be able to find work and afford a home and food. I am so blessed to be able to pursue this career. But sometimes it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'll be 29 this summer and not once in my life have I ever made enough money to afford all of my rent AND pay for food for one month. I'm honestly just getting a little tired of it - and I know I'm not the only one out there who is in a similar situation or feels the same way.

My mother always led me toward a degree in either math or science. She is an artist, and saw early on that I inherited her talent, but she never wanted me to depend solely on art for a living. She knew that I inherited her intelligence as a scientist and mathematician as well, and therefore pushed me toward those subjects, telling me that I can always do art on the side. Honestly, even though it's frustrating right now, I never regret listening to her. Belly dancing is amazing, and I have the utmost respect for anyone who lives solely off their art, but I like the idea of one day having a guaranteed job, guaranteed money, guaranteed paid time off, etc.. There are plenty of places around the world who hire engineers - I'll always be able to apply for work. I'll get a real contract, not just for one day or one month. I'll be paid an actual salary. If I get sick, I can have paid leave. If (again, heaven forbid) I end up in a wheelchair or something happens to me physically, I can still be an engineer.

So, I'll continue to wait. I'll continue to work. One day (and every day is closer to that one day), I'll have a great job with a great salary and be able to afford lessons and costumes and workshops and a nice house with a dance studio - and everything will have been worth it.

So if you're feeling frustrated about not being able to focus on your dance, just be patient. Have a plan to eventually get there, but be kind to yourself. As long as you're working toward your goal, you'll make it. :)

This lecture is from a panel discussion in the Diwan 2009 conference at The Arab American National Museum in Deerborn Michigan, USA. The audience are fellow Arab artists from various fields. Karim Nagi discusses the Americanization of Arab dance in America, and how Arabs can reintegrate into the developement of their own art forms.

I was on facebook awhile ago and one of my fellow bellydancers posted a question about a song. She knew the song by ear, but not knowing Arabic and not having a name, she was searching for a way to find the title of the song for a future performance. One of the first comments was from another bellydancer suggesting certain websites, male Arab friends of hers, and the general advice of finding some Arab guy, singing what you can of the lyrics, and seeing if he was familiar with the particular song. This other bellydancer added in parentheses that she could find an Arab girl "if you're sure she's not going to become a professional bellydancer and 'steal' all of your great finds to use in her own sets". 

Although I didn't respond to that particular comment, it really upset me. Where did we get the idea that music produced and performed by someone else is "ours" and we can't share it with anyone because they'll "steal" it? Is it because it's in Arabic and we are American bellydancers, many of whom don't speak the language, so that "finding" a song is like finding buried treasure?

Now, don't get me wrong, if you made the music yourself, by all means, do what you want with it...but if you made it yourself, I would assume that you're a musician and would like to expand your fan base. If you cut and edited the music yourself, is it all that painful to say the names of the songs, then clarify that you did the editing for your own performances? You know, share the source material. Throw me a freakin' bone here...

I have seen so much of this "it's mine" stuff when I began bellydancing professionally. "I'm sorry, but this is my music." Oh, really? When did you record it? And why do you sound like a man when you sing? "This is my restaurant." Oh yeah? When did you guys open? And just to let you know, there's this guy over there running the place saying that it's his...

I'm not condoning dancers who go into a restaurant where another dancer currently performs and try to undercut her pay by offering a lower price in order to get the dancing job for herself - not at all! If ya do that, get out of this business. I'm also not condoning dancers who hear someone else's set and then "magically" perform the same numbers the next week, or who hear a song and then "magically" have almost the same choreography to the same piece at their next show. But, is it really that hard to tell someone, "The song is called ____ by ____. I really like it and I'm glad you do too." ??

My fellow bellydancers, it's a competitive business, like any other art/entertainment/dance business. It's based on talent, connections, timing, hard work, and a little bit of luck. You can be replaced at any time. One accident can take you out. But let's not let that get between us. Let's not gang up on others, let's build each other up. Let's be a community. We really have something special here: a dance form that has room for improvisation, personal influences, and the dreaded "c" word: change. 

I think we can all agree that helping another person never brought us down, but rather helped us, too. If someone takes advantage of your kindness, it's not a valid reason to stop being kind or to stop helping. Remember, there's kharma ;) So share your music if someone asks: our dance is beautiful, other languages are beautiful, so why not share it? I'm sure the artist would appreciate it as well...

Let me know what you think, and as always, Happy Dancing <3

My idol and one of the reigning queens of bellydancing, Sadie, put out a great piece on the business of bellydance:

"The two most important factors of creating a successful career, and not just a few gigs here and there, are your product (your dancing) and your community ties and networking. You have to put in your dues so to speak. Like any other career there is a path to success and it doesn't happen overnight. In order to get out there and get noticed you have to attend and support events such as festivals, workshops and competitions. The community wants to support people who support them and in our business that just makes sense. It is our version of social security. Not only do promoters need to see that you are invested into the community but they also need to see your product and be wowed. What do you offer the community that is unique as a performer and/or teacher? Are you a pleasant person and easy to work with? What are your selling points? Why would someone want to take a chance on you? While there are many more opportunities for bellydancers within the community than there ever was even 10 years ago, the competition is stronger than ever too. The bar is being raised."

To read the full article, click on the link below:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Sadie-s-Bellydance-Newsletter---Confirm-your-subscription-.html?soid=1116012907584&aid=FrVeMq0BGjs

What you think you're paying for:

• someone to perform some music

What you're actually paying for:

• someone to perform some music, plus:
• equipment, instruments, costumes, makeup, dance shoes, ...
• hours of rehearsal time
• rehearsal space
• transportation to and from the venue
• the amount of money spent on lessons and training to become the musician or dancer that they are
• promotion and website costs
• the percentages that go to income taxes
• telephone and internet bills spent organizing the performance and its rehearsals
• any manager, agent, or other booking fees
• insurance

     Not to mention...

• the payment has to cover food, housing, bills, and all other living expenses 

Still think that offering "exposure" and experience is a fair price?

You wouldn't expect a plumber, carpenter, hairdresser, doctor, dentist, optician, electrician, chef, mechanic, dressmaker or shop owner to work for free, would you? 

(Note: I have changed all names used in this post to avoid using anyone's real name, or actual stage name)

When I first started belly dancing professionally, I began to meet or at least hear about other dancers in the area. I remember the very first restaurant I went to: I had to show the owner my driver's license to prove to him that the name I gave him was actually my real name. He couldn't believe I had an "arabic" name (in reality, I have no arab origins whatsoever). He told me that the "most famous dancer" there was Jasmina, but her real name was Melissa.

After this encounter, I continued to hear about other dancers: Azizah (but her real name is Heather), or Leila (but her real name is Karen). Honestly, I thought it was the stupidest thing I've ever heard of in my entire life. Why would these women lie about their names? Firstly, once they walk in, it's obvious that they're not Middle Eastern at all. They have natural blond hair and blue eyes or a blatantly Italian or Hispanic last name. Secondly, changing your name to an "arabic" name doesn't really change anything, does it?

I still don't know how I feel about stage names. Is it something like Beyonce vs Sasha Fierce? Does performing under a different name give you some kind of confidence? Do belly dancers with stage names feel that it somehow adds some kind of legitimacy? Or is a stage name given to hide your true identity?

I also started asking myself how I would feel if I didn't have an "arabic" name. I know that when the internet first started becoming popular and AIM came, followed by myspace and now facebook, twitter, etc, I for sure didn't want anyone to know my real last name, and I still feel that way (which is why I changed one letter of my last name...yeah, ok, so that doesn't do much, nor does it affect the pronunciation or the "arabic-ness"). But if my name weren't Sarah....Lisa maybe...and if my last name was very ethnic, like O'Hara or something...would I want a stage name?

For me, I still think the answer is no. I'm brutally honest about most everything in life, so there would be no way I could "lie" about my name or identity. It would make me feel uncomfortable. But, I know some dancers who rarely even use their real names - I wouldn't be surprised if their driver's licenses said their stage names - and some of the names are very pretty.

This website addresses the "stage name" phenomenon very nicely:

http://www.shira.net/name.htm

If you're a dancer or a belly dancer, what do you think about stage names? For example, some of my favorite stage names are from burlesque dancers. Do you have one? Why or why not?

Happy Dancing <3

Today I started updating my youtube account. It needed an overhaul. Well, it still needs one: that is, I need to post new videos. The last video I have posted is from two years ago. A lot happens when you finish two bachelor degrees, move across the world, and start a master's degree, but I'm very excited to finally have some time to focus on my dancing. That being said, new videos to come! :D

On that same note, I went to the account of a friend of mine, who had a video posted of me dancing. It received two thumbs down and three negative comments. I totally agreed with the comments. Firstly, the video was very poorly shot. The camera was shaky, there are people talking loudly in the background - in short, it's a mess. It's always been difficult to find people to video tape me, and to do it well, so my current video repertoire is not very strong. More importantly than this, the comments were correct about my dancing. Granted, we are each our own worst enemy; that is to say, we judge ourselves more harsh than we judge others. So, it goes without saying that I almost hate to see myself on tape, but I honestly was not ready to dance at that time and I was ill prepared for that particular performance. However, I responded kindly to the negative comments because I really appreciated the honesty of the people. It has given me an even greater drive to do well and redeem myself (and my cinematography). Also, it's been two years and I have grown a lot in that time, both mentally and as a dancer. I'm very excited to see the difference between my videos then and now.

For any future belly dancers out there who wish to be professionals (hindsight is 20/20), I recommend getting all of your things in order before going public. What does that mean?

1. Build up your repertoire. Get involved in social media and make it professional. Have more than a few very good professional photos and videos prepared of yourself and keep making them. Post them everywhere. Social media is huge now, and it acts as your resume, so make every site count and take the time to do it all. If you're like me (aka poor), this will take some time. Be patient!

2. Go into your interviews (restaurants, other venues) with a plan. Bring a sample of your music on a cd and on an ipod with you. Bring your business cards. Ask if you need to do a demonstration, and even if they say no, be prepared with a little choreographed something when you go just in case (even if you don't have an dress with you). Don't be nervous, you're the professional. If you believe that, so will they.

3. Research other dancers. It's not against the law to go and see another performance or watch someone on youtube. Go to their website, go to their social media sites, see what they're doing. Get ideas. As always, don't blatantly copy someone in every way, but take pieces of what other dancers have and add them to your own style. Become well rounded.

4. Have an idol. Have someone to aspire to. This will keep you motivated.

5. Love yourself. There will always be someone who doesn't like your dancing. There will always be someone who will tell you how you can dance better or who will have some comment about what will make you better. Especially on social media and the internet, people will say whatever they want because they don't have to say it to your face, so take it at face value. Accept the good and the bad and go back with new information every time to improve upon your art.

These are just a few thoughts that passed through my mind today :) Happy dancing <3