Everyone welcome, dance at your own pace, and have fun getting some great exercise!
We will play with learning a routine for the chance to perform in December, but that’s totally optional!
Here’s a clip of some of our past bits:
Click on this image to head over for some fun video footage!
Bellywood with Halyma Class Schedule
Registration has begun, so sign up!
FALL 2013 Dance Schedule: Byward Market: Routhier Community Centre, 172 Guigues Street, Ottawa, ON
Register online: Ottawa.ca or call 613-244-4470
Bellywood With Halyma Level ALL –Course #: 865078- $97.75
*NOTE: All dates and prices are subject to updating by the community centres themselves – please confirm with the centre for actual dates, times and rates.
This mirror, as Gilane, one of last night’s other performers pointed out, makes us all look super tall!
Catharine Crerar once again assembled an exciting cast of dancers, ranging from the dark and sultry group, Corazon, to the bodacious Basimah, from NY. Local and out of town dancers all gave their time and energy to making the 10th Anniversary Summer Sizzle a great show!
For me, since this post is all about me, it was a bit harder to get out there, and be full on 110%. While dancing rejuvenates my soul, as it does for many of my friends and colleagues, the preparation during my busiest work season cannot receive the attention I would like to be able to give it.
I would love to be able to walk into every event and honestly be present, but sometimes it’s just not possible.
Thankfully, Eurika saved a table for the “friends of Bollywood For Fun” ( my anchors these past few weeks) and I was able to settle in between two strong and calming ladies who encourage me to misbehave and behave in alternating waves of much needed silliness and appreciation. You know who you are.
I also really enjoyed meeting some of the new and returning dancers who shared their stories with me during some quiet moments away from the main area, gifting me with their joy and enthusiasm!
While I did not get a chance to speak to many of our local community, it’s always a pleasure seeing folks out supporting a local organizer. Many of us know how much work these events are and if you ever wonder, just ask.
I am unable to dance with my BFF ladies at the ICA Picnic today due to my abundance of bridal clients who need to book Saturday appointments, but I know they will be amazing as usual! So go see them if you can!
Thank you Catharine for the opportunity to perform last night, and I look forward to a much anticipated break for the most of the month of August from all of my work.
“For the Love of Dance” Multicultural Showcase and Fundraiser
Saturday June 15th (6:30-9:30 pm)
Alumni Theatre, University of Ottawa (Jock-Turcot University Centre)
For updates on the many different kinds of dance styles and performers, please visit www.annasafiya.com/events NOTE : Halyma will be performing with Bollywood For Fun and Bellywood with Halyma So come on out!!
Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for kids under 12 and all show proceeds will be donated to the All4One Charity, a foundation that helps cancer patients in financial need.
Tickets can be purchased from the recipient charity, at www.All4OneCharity.com
It took me YEARS!
I took workshops, walked along in the winter with my heavy mitts on tapping out 1,2,3 1,2,3 1,2,3…
And so now I want to give a little bit of info to help my students, and anyone wandering across this article, in their adventure with zilling!
Zills come in different sizes.
Obvious:
Small ones are great for small hands and beginners, and you can progress to the larger ones as you go along.
If you purchase “Single holed” zills, you will eventually hang them on your Christmas/Yule tree after they spin around your finger multiple times, so look for the “two slotted” zills.
Some online sites to check out:
Saroyan Cymbals – amazing quality – but sadly the store is closed temporarily as I write this post, but you can search for used Saroyans online, I am sure.
Ebay: Search and look carefully before buying. These resemble some very low-end Zills I purchased a few years ago, but would be fine to get used to the motion and having something on your fingers: CLICK HERE
Bellydance.com has some tiny ones at a reasonable price – good for starting out!
These folks just started following my Twitter stream – so check ’em out: JaggedThorns.net
And remember to search for “Zills” “Zagat” “Sagat” and Finger Cymbals to cover all of your bases.
Zill covers:
Obvious: Zills make noise.
By covering one or both of your cymbals on each hand { you are wearing 4 at a time}, you will find it easier to full on “play” them without worrying about your neighbours hearing you or your pets going whacky.
Options:
– Baby socks
– elastic wrapped around the zills – just take it off after each practice session.
And just do a quick search for “Zill Mufflers” on ETSY.COM and you will find LOADS of them – thank you crafty dancers!!
So you found zills, you found mufflers, now what?
Put them on. One on each thumb between the nail and first knuckle, one on each middle finger, again, between the nail and first knuckle.
Tighten the elastic until your fingers and zills feel like they won’t separate. No, I mean it. Secure the elastic by sewing or using a tiny brass safety pin.
Then you want to head over to some online places to familiarize yourself with the potential rhythms and beats you can achieve with practice – or find a class and join in! HEre are just a couple – again do some searching and see what you find!
This lovely instructor explains a lot of what I wrote – but here – enjoy:
Once you’ve checked her out – head over to Shimmy Goddess for some interesting rhythms written out, articles and more info: http://www.shimmygoddess.com/zills.htm
And that should get you started!! Practice all of that fun stuff while walking and then start adding it as you are dancing. Simple as that 🙂 …Kidding – it takes practice and allow yourself that time to get comfortable!
