Safiyah Dances | Blog | Cleveland, OH Belly Dancer
New prop! Fan veils
I ordered a Christmas present for myself about a month ago and they finally arrived yesterday! I've been wanting to try out fan veils for a while now, but wanted to get a "starter set" before taking the plunge on something more expensive. A quick ebay search led me to the seller asiaemporium, and I found a pretty set for $30 (including shipping from Hong Kong). Sounds good to me!
Here's what they look like:
Here's what they look like:
Now, the photo shows it fading to a darker orange at the top, and that's not really accurate. Once it fades to orange it stays the same color. Also, when I got the veils there were sequins on the staves of the fan. I removed them—they were falling off anyway, and I think it looks better without. Also, the length of the veil is (I think) shorter than a lot of other vendors'. This isn't much of a problem for me since I'm 5' tall but I might graduate to something longer once I get the hang of it. (I'm the kind of person who loves lots of fabric; a 4 yard veil is next on my list!)
So what's it like to work with them? Well, they're not the same as double veils, that's for sure! I've only played around with them for an hour or so, so I don't have a lot of tricks yet. Definitely not enough to perform an entertaining choreography. Also, I'm finding that keeping them open is giving me cramps in my hand. If you don't hold them open they'll collapse as you move around...overall they're a lot of fun to play with and I highly recommend picking up an inexpensive pair from ebay so you get a feel for this cool prop.
For more information, visit www.safiyahdances.com
So what's it like to work with them? Well, they're not the same as double veils, that's for sure! I've only played around with them for an hour or so, so I don't have a lot of tricks yet. Definitely not enough to perform an entertaining choreography. Also, I'm finding that keeping them open is giving me cramps in my hand. If you don't hold them open they'll collapse as you move around...overall they're a lot of fun to play with and I highly recommend picking up an inexpensive pair from ebay so you get a feel for this cool prop.
For more information, visit www.safiyahdances.com
Happy New Year
Well, it's 2010; the beginning of a new decade. I'm very excited for this new year, as I have a lot of great plans in store. It sounds like a lot of people out there are equally as positive; it has been a very rough few years for everyone so it would do us all good to have some positive changes.
So, as a dancer, I always set a few goals for myself...here is what I'm planning on accomplishing in 2010:
-Continue to work on posture, grace and stage presence
-Practice at least 3x/week and record/analyze each session. This should be totally do-able.
-Develop at least two original choreographies for me to perform (this is very do-able, but if you know me, I have a tough time picking a piece of music and sticking with it to the end. I usually end up with a bunch of half completed routines.)
-Take some steps towards teaching. This includes getting my group fitness certification, developing a basic business plan so I know what to charge, registering as a business, planning a 6-week course (including a beginner's choreo), and searching for studio space. Ideally I would like to be teaching by this fall. With school starting up I'm not sure how it'll work out but we'll see!
-Compete? I'm not sure. I competed for the first time last year and had a very positive experience. I am just not sure, with school etc., if I'll be able to devote the amount of time I need in order to make a routine that I'm comfortable and satisfied with. But I want to make it a goal, and am already searching for music.
-I only got a chance to attend 1/2 of a workshop in 2009 (got sick), so I REALLLLLLY miss learning new material. I'd like to attend 2 workshops this year if possible.
I think that's it. Oh, and if you're curious, I'm very excited/nervous about going back to school for a major career change. I am hoping to be accepted into the physical therapist assisting program. This will (I believe) give me a lot more job satisfaction than my previous day jobs, and I think it will positively affect both my own dancing and my ability to teach others proper form. I have to wait a few months until I find out if I made it in the program, so wish me luck!
For more information, visit www.safiyahdances.com
So, as a dancer, I always set a few goals for myself...here is what I'm planning on accomplishing in 2010:
-Continue to work on posture, grace and stage presence
-Practice at least 3x/week and record/analyze each session. This should be totally do-able.
-Develop at least two original choreographies for me to perform (this is very do-able, but if you know me, I have a tough time picking a piece of music and sticking with it to the end. I usually end up with a bunch of half completed routines.)
-Take some steps towards teaching. This includes getting my group fitness certification, developing a basic business plan so I know what to charge, registering as a business, planning a 6-week course (including a beginner's choreo), and searching for studio space. Ideally I would like to be teaching by this fall. With school starting up I'm not sure how it'll work out but we'll see!
-Compete? I'm not sure. I competed for the first time last year and had a very positive experience. I am just not sure, with school etc., if I'll be able to devote the amount of time I need in order to make a routine that I'm comfortable and satisfied with. But I want to make it a goal, and am already searching for music.
-I only got a chance to attend 1/2 of a workshop in 2009 (got sick), so I REALLLLLLY miss learning new material. I'd like to attend 2 workshops this year if possible.
I think that's it. Oh, and if you're curious, I'm very excited/nervous about going back to school for a major career change. I am hoping to be accepted into the physical therapist assisting program. This will (I believe) give me a lot more job satisfaction than my previous day jobs, and I think it will positively affect both my own dancing and my ability to teach others proper form. I have to wait a few months until I find out if I made it in the program, so wish me luck!
For more information, visit www.safiyahdances.com
Kelli Belly's Holiday Show
It's the holiday season, and that means another opportunity to see the best belly dancers in Northeast Ohio. This is shaping up to be a really great event; the Akron Public Library has a brand new theatre; there's also going to be a great A/V setup and a professional-quality videographer (!!!) so be sure to place your DVD order 
Where:
Akron Public Library
60 S. High Street
Akron Ohio, 44326
When:
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Ticket Prices:
$12 at the door; $10 in advance
I hope to see you there!
For more information, visit www.safiyahdances.com
Where:
Akron Public Library
60 S. High Street
Akron Ohio, 44326
When:
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Ticket Prices:
$12 at the door; $10 in advance
I hope to see you there!
For more information, visit www.safiyahdances.com