TFBD May-June 2010 Series: Class 1 Notes

Hello Dancers!

Thank you for a spectacular start of this new session. I'm really excited to be working with you on hip articulations, standard dance technique, and arabic rhythms!

Here's a recap:

1. Yoga and Pilates Warm up

2. Hip Twists. Then add the feet. Experiment with when the feet is flat or on the ball; walking forward or stepping in place.

For this choreography we will step right and twist the right hip forward; place right foot flat in place. Then place the ball of the left foot in front of right foot and twist the left hip forward, including a slight torso rotation to the right side. Then place the left foot down in front. You'll end up traveling with this movement, which is essentially the "Basic Egyptian in American Tribal Style (ATS) repretoire movement" but with a slight modification in the footwork and adding the torso rotation. I learned this from the Black Sheep Belly Dance group who named this the "Budding Flower".

3. Hip Singles. Experiment with the timing, and footwork. Try with both feet flat, walking or in place. Try with both feet on the ball, walking or in place. Then try with one foot flat and the other on ball, in place or traveling side ways towards the side that the foot is on the ball.

For the choreography, we use the hip singles with left foot flat and right foot on the ball, traveling in a circular floor pattern to the right. This particular movement in the ATS vocabulary is called a "Choo Choo" or "Hip Bump".

4. Shoulder shimmy. Gentle press of the shoulder forward and back. Keep the shoulders relaxed and the neck long. Maintain a smooth motion, smaller the better!



As you've noticed, we have quite a bit of "vocabulary" going on here. Remember that belly dance is traditionally a folk dance passed down and learned in family gatherings. In the West, we've attempted to put terminology to movements. I use the Suhaila Salimpour Format terminology quite a bit in my classes because I believe they refer to the specific movement relative to the body. I also like to mention the terminology used in the American Tribal Style because that is also a well-established format. In general, there are the basics... a hip twist is a hip twist, a figure 8 is a figure8, etc. But just know there are different ways to execute a movement, to add texture, and to create variety. The more open you are and the more you learn, the more options you will give yourself when you dance!

See you on Thursday, May 27th!
Lily

TFBD May-June series starts this Thursday!

Hello!

I just got back from Tribal Fest 10 in California. Every year for the past 10 years, the artsy quaint town of Sebastopol hosts a myriad of fusion dancers from all over the world. It's a crazy and fun festival where anything goes! There are varying styles within the "tribal" genre and dancers of all levels. I had a great time meeting some new dancers and catching up with old friends.

I've have some new twists on old ATS movements and ideas for you... are you ready?!

For the TFBD May-June series, we'll be working with a drum solo called "Kholkhal Taheyya" from the album "Sabla Tolo" by Hossam Ramzy. You can find this music on iTunes or Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WIIKF2/ref=sr_1_album_1_rd?ie=UTF8&child=B000WIIJZS&qid=1274205179&sr=1-1

Have a listen before class... and get ready to dance!
See you Thursday!
Lily

Lily dances to "Visions from the Emerald Within"

Here is a video from a performance in Houston, Texas on February 6, 2010.
Enjoy!