Over the years, I’ve helped a lot of my students create their first belly dance choreography. This method works! Whether you’ve never created a dance before or you’re trying to get unstuck, give it a try.
Read More »9 Steps to Create a Belly Dance Choreography
What is Zar, exactly? And what does it have to do with bellydance? Let’s take this apart and figure it out.
Read More »Bellydance Styles: Zar Ritual in BellyDance
Finding belly dance music that moves you — literally— is one of the most daunting tasks for a dancer. Here’s help.
Read More »How to Find Great Belly Dance MusicAre you planning to hold a silent auction or raffle drawing at your event? Here’s an e-mail template you can adapt and use to ask for donations from local businesses.
Read More »Donation request template for raffle/auction itemsHere are some quick tips that might help you organize your event and maximize your fundraising. Your event is your own, you’re not “required” to do these things. Take what works for you!
Read More »Quick tips to raise maximum funds
Here’s a template based on an e-mail I’ve used successfully to secure a venue at a reduced rate. Feel free to use this as a starting point and tailor it for your needs if you haven’t lined up a venue for your event yet.
Read More »E-mail template to approach venues
Several of the organizers who sent out our press releases in the past were able to get good local coverage for their events!
Read More »Press Release Template for Organizers
People who’ve already paid for a ticket to a charity show are often willing to make more donations throughout the night, if you remind them why the funds are needed and make it easy for them to give. Here are some ideas that have worked for other organizers.
Read More »How to Maximize Donations at Your Event
Use these images to promote your local event.
Read More »Event Banners and Images
If this will be your first event, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to organizing an event.
Read More »If You’re New to Event Organizing, Start Here
ALL photos in this article are by Yasmina of Cairo Hey, Lauren?” My new friend Sabrina is peeking around a fluffy drapery. I’m sitting in… Read More »Yasmina’s B&B: A Slumber Party for Dancers in Cairo
What does it mean to dance Egyptian Style? How is Egyptian Oriental different from other bellydance styles? Who are the most famous Egyptian dancers? You’ve come to the right place for answers.
What is American Cabaret belly dance? Is it authentic? How is it different from other belly dance styles? Who are the main influencers in this style? Let’s explore the topic in depth.
Read More »Learn Bellydance Styles: American Cabaret
Turkish Oriental dance (aka Tansi Oryental) is an exotic, fiery whiz-bang style that is simply not getting enough attention these days. Let’s demystify it a little.
How to dance to a magency — with video examples, music recommendations, and more.
Read More »Magency: The Oriental Entrance
What is Egyptian baladi style dance, and how is it related to other styles of bellydance? Here are all the answers, with lots of video examples.
Read More »Learn Bellydance Styles: Egyptian Baladi
What is Iraqi Kawleeya (Kawleya, Kawliya, Qawliya) dance? How is it different from the Khaleegy styles bellydancers have done in the past? Why is it suddenly so popular? Where can you learn it?
Read More »Learn Bellydance Styles: Iraqi Kawleeya Dances
Unlike ballet students, who learn body lines from the beginning, bellydance students learn from the center outward. Beginners obsess over hipwork, intermediates struggle with their arms, and advanced dancers remember to point their toes and have elegant fingertips.
The head and neck come last, if at all — but they add a gorgeous finish and are the mark of a pro.
Read More »The Final Touch: Using your head and neck in belly dance