What Everyone Needs to...and Should Know...
For Students...
* Attend class regularly, ask questions, AND be enthusiastic about your enjoyment!
* Keep social 'chat' with others for breaks or after class, don't be disruptive-or you'll miss out on important information!
* Tell your teacher if you're not 'getting' a move or part of the choreography! Let her know how much you're enjoying class and also let her know if there is anything she can do to improve your class experience!
* Your teacher should encourage you to study with other teachers if the opportunity arises! If you do opt to take someone else's class, please let your teacher know! Disappearing students is one of the great mysteries that teachers rarely get answered! We VERY much appreciate your input!
* If another teacher has invited you to join her class or perform in her show or troupe, let your teacher know!
* If you are taking a 'break' from your classes or plan to leave, let your teacher know.
* Do NOT attend class if you are sick.
* If you are a beginner, it would benefit you to read a bit about Middle Eastern dance before attending class!
* Please remember that this is a cultural dance and not a 'sexy' way for you to seduce a mate or 'shake it like Shakira'. It is insulting to your teacher to suggest that you're learning Belly Dance to please a romantic interest. Belly Dancers dance for themselves and, if others enjoy their pleasure...awesome! ;)
* If you wear a hipscarf to class that sheds a LOT of beads or coins, remove it and save it for home use
* Please understand that the hip scarves you purchase from your teacher may lose coins/beads. A good hipscarf should wear well, but these are inexpensive, made overseas and WILL lose coins as you shimmy!
* Your teacher cannot replace coins or scarves after they've been purchased and worn!
* Bring your own props (veils, finger cymbals etc) to class
* Do not ask your teacher to bend the rules that she's created for class...they were created for a reason.
* If you come late to class, do not cross in front of the teacher/class to get to an available spot up front
* Accept WILLINGLY and GRATEFULLY your teacher's notes, corrections, dance advice and comments. They are NOT a person 'attack' on your soul...but a show of responsibility and concern for YOU...her student!
* Please take a moment to chat with other students and even your teacher after class...but be mindful that she may not be able or willing to stay for an hour to assist you with your personal problems...dance class is not a replacement for therapy session!
* Have FUN! Class should be a JOY to attend!
* Keep social 'chat' with others for breaks or after class, don't be disruptive-or you'll miss out on important information!
* Tell your teacher if you're not 'getting' a move or part of the choreography! Let her know how much you're enjoying class and also let her know if there is anything she can do to improve your class experience!
* Your teacher should encourage you to study with other teachers if the opportunity arises! If you do opt to take someone else's class, please let your teacher know! Disappearing students is one of the great mysteries that teachers rarely get answered! We VERY much appreciate your input!
* If another teacher has invited you to join her class or perform in her show or troupe, let your teacher know!
* If you are taking a 'break' from your classes or plan to leave, let your teacher know.
* Do NOT attend class if you are sick.
* If you are a beginner, it would benefit you to read a bit about Middle Eastern dance before attending class!
* Please remember that this is a cultural dance and not a 'sexy' way for you to seduce a mate or 'shake it like Shakira'. It is insulting to your teacher to suggest that you're learning Belly Dance to please a romantic interest. Belly Dancers dance for themselves and, if others enjoy their pleasure...awesome! ;)
* If you wear a hipscarf to class that sheds a LOT of beads or coins, remove it and save it for home use
* Please understand that the hip scarves you purchase from your teacher may lose coins/beads. A good hipscarf should wear well, but these are inexpensive, made overseas and WILL lose coins as you shimmy!
* Your teacher cannot replace coins or scarves after they've been purchased and worn!
* Bring your own props (veils, finger cymbals etc) to class
* Do not ask your teacher to bend the rules that she's created for class...they were created for a reason.
* If you come late to class, do not cross in front of the teacher/class to get to an available spot up front
* Accept WILLINGLY and GRATEFULLY your teacher's notes, corrections, dance advice and comments. They are NOT a person 'attack' on your soul...but a show of responsibility and concern for YOU...her student!
* Please take a moment to chat with other students and even your teacher after class...but be mindful that she may not be able or willing to stay for an hour to assist you with your personal problems...dance class is not a replacement for therapy session!
* Have FUN! Class should be a JOY to attend!
For Performers...
* Arrive on time. If you will be later than 15 minutess, let the host know. If you must cancel your appearance, let your host know immediately!
* Be courteous backstage, no rehearsing in the dressing room, loud chatter, billowing clouds of hairspray or glitter or perfume!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* Do not pile your 'stuff' on top of someone else's 'stuff'. Find a spot in the dressing room and make it your own. Try not to 'spread out'...leave room for others.
* If another dancer asks...help! Getting in and out of costumes can be very difficult.
* ALWAYS bring a cover-up. A veil is NOT a sufficient cover up. You should NEVER appear off-stage in your costume...it spoils the mystery and ROBS performers of their moment in the spotlight. Stay COVERED or
change into street clothes if you aren't on stage.
* Make certain that your costumes are 'stage ready'. Loose hooks, snaps or too-sheer skirts can cause a 'wardrobe malfunction' that can be terribly embarrassing.
* "Genie" costumes from Party-type stores or mix-n-match sequined items from clothing stores are NOT costumes to be worn when dancing for the general public. Student costumes can be home made, but should
be saved for haflas and dance studio recitals.
* Smoking, drinking and eating should NEVER be done while in costume. Ever. Period.
* ALWAYS credit the person who created your choreography in print or out loud if you're being announced!
* If the show host has asked you for a bio, it is a common courtesy to thank your teacher!
* Leaving immediately after your performance is considered very bad manners. Unless you have an emergency or a pressing engagement, stay and be a good audience for the other dancers in the show.
* Please do not take videos or photos of another dancer's performance and post them online without showing them to her first and asking permission. Ever. Period.
* If you are booking yourself for pay, make ABSOLUTE CERTAIN that you know the going rate for your services in your community. Taking less pay for ANY job is 'under-cutting' and it will not only drive down prices for EVERY dancer in your community, but also keep you from being referred jobs by dancers who know that you're booking work for less money.
* Remember that NO dance job is EVER worth your safety, your sanity, or your friendships. There will ALWAYS be another gig...if you feel pressured to do something that you don't want to do...don't do it. If you
desperately want/need/gotta have that dance job, get it through hard work and talent, not by offering yourself 'cheap' to any client!
* ALWAYS work with a contract and get a non-refundable deposit.
* Do not offer your services as a teacher until your TEACHER says that you're ready to instruct. Most dancers do not even begin train as a teacher until they've studied 5 years or more!
* ALWAYS dance with respect for yourself and the culture that this dance represents.
* LEARN the difference between Egyptian, Turkish and American Classic Styles.
* "Fusion" is not a style. Fusion is the fusing of TWO or more styles, all of which should be mastered before making a 'new' dance style.
* Do not use a prop or play finger cymbals on stage until you have MASTERED it!
* Don't be in such a rush to perform that you present yourself as an over-dressed student, rather than an up and coming performer! An expensive costume and pretty appearance does NOT take the place of a FULL education! "Feeling" the urge to perform or "wanting" to so deeply that you 'can't stand it' is great...but it's not a license to perform.
* BE PATIENT! The first impression you make in your dance community will last a lifetime!
* Be courteous backstage, no rehearsing in the dressing room, loud chatter, billowing clouds of hairspray or glitter or perfume!!!!!!!!!!!!!
* Do not pile your 'stuff' on top of someone else's 'stuff'. Find a spot in the dressing room and make it your own. Try not to 'spread out'...leave room for others.
* If another dancer asks...help! Getting in and out of costumes can be very difficult.
* ALWAYS bring a cover-up. A veil is NOT a sufficient cover up. You should NEVER appear off-stage in your costume...it spoils the mystery and ROBS performers of their moment in the spotlight. Stay COVERED or
change into street clothes if you aren't on stage.
* Make certain that your costumes are 'stage ready'. Loose hooks, snaps or too-sheer skirts can cause a 'wardrobe malfunction' that can be terribly embarrassing.
* "Genie" costumes from Party-type stores or mix-n-match sequined items from clothing stores are NOT costumes to be worn when dancing for the general public. Student costumes can be home made, but should
be saved for haflas and dance studio recitals.
* Smoking, drinking and eating should NEVER be done while in costume. Ever. Period.
* ALWAYS credit the person who created your choreography in print or out loud if you're being announced!
* If the show host has asked you for a bio, it is a common courtesy to thank your teacher!
* Leaving immediately after your performance is considered very bad manners. Unless you have an emergency or a pressing engagement, stay and be a good audience for the other dancers in the show.
* Please do not take videos or photos of another dancer's performance and post them online without showing them to her first and asking permission. Ever. Period.
* If you are booking yourself for pay, make ABSOLUTE CERTAIN that you know the going rate for your services in your community. Taking less pay for ANY job is 'under-cutting' and it will not only drive down prices for EVERY dancer in your community, but also keep you from being referred jobs by dancers who know that you're booking work for less money.
* Remember that NO dance job is EVER worth your safety, your sanity, or your friendships. There will ALWAYS be another gig...if you feel pressured to do something that you don't want to do...don't do it. If you
desperately want/need/gotta have that dance job, get it through hard work and talent, not by offering yourself 'cheap' to any client!
* ALWAYS work with a contract and get a non-refundable deposit.
* Do not offer your services as a teacher until your TEACHER says that you're ready to instruct. Most dancers do not even begin train as a teacher until they've studied 5 years or more!
* ALWAYS dance with respect for yourself and the culture that this dance represents.
* LEARN the difference between Egyptian, Turkish and American Classic Styles.
* "Fusion" is not a style. Fusion is the fusing of TWO or more styles, all of which should be mastered before making a 'new' dance style.
* Do not use a prop or play finger cymbals on stage until you have MASTERED it!
* Don't be in such a rush to perform that you present yourself as an over-dressed student, rather than an up and coming performer! An expensive costume and pretty appearance does NOT take the place of a FULL education! "Feeling" the urge to perform or "wanting" to so deeply that you 'can't stand it' is great...but it's not a license to perform.
* BE PATIENT! The first impression you make in your dance community will last a lifetime!
For Fans and Audience Members!
* Smile! Be attentive! Clap along, Zaghareet, cheer! Belly dancers perform BEST when their audience is giving feedback!
* Tips are ALWAYS welcome!! This is a sign of respect and a tradition in Middle Eastern dance! Showering bills over the dancers head when she's performing is most traditional...if you wish to tip by placing money
in her costume, wait for her to direct you as to where she is comfortable taking your tip...some dancers do NOT want to be tipped on their bodies!
* Other dancers should ALWAYS tip their dance sisters as a sign of respect and appreciation of her hard work!
* If a dancer asks you to get up and dance, please do! If you don't wish to dance, politely decline.You should never be 'forced' to dance.
* Please do not take videos or photos of a dancer's performance and post them online without showing them to her first and asking permission.
* DO NOT EVER attempt to place money in the front of a dancer's costume, top or bottom.
* DO NOT EVER touch the dancer.
* DO NOT EVER take a dancer's finger cymbals, veil, cane or sword or other props unless she hands it to you!
* Belly Dancers are NOT strippers or Burlesque performers. Do not hire us to dance at Bachelor Parties ask us to sit on the lap of the birthday boy, pop out of a cake or make inappropriate comments or suggestions. To do so is EXTREMELY insulting.
* Do ask the Belly Dancer to pose for photos, to get guests of honor up to dance, to show you how to do a move that you like!
* Tips are ALWAYS welcome!! This is a sign of respect and a tradition in Middle Eastern dance! Showering bills over the dancers head when she's performing is most traditional...if you wish to tip by placing money
in her costume, wait for her to direct you as to where she is comfortable taking your tip...some dancers do NOT want to be tipped on their bodies!
* Other dancers should ALWAYS tip their dance sisters as a sign of respect and appreciation of her hard work!
* If a dancer asks you to get up and dance, please do! If you don't wish to dance, politely decline.You should never be 'forced' to dance.
* Please do not take videos or photos of a dancer's performance and post them online without showing them to her first and asking permission.
* DO NOT EVER attempt to place money in the front of a dancer's costume, top or bottom.
* DO NOT EVER touch the dancer.
* DO NOT EVER take a dancer's finger cymbals, veil, cane or sword or other props unless she hands it to you!
* Belly Dancers are NOT strippers or Burlesque performers. Do not hire us to dance at Bachelor Parties ask us to sit on the lap of the birthday boy, pop out of a cake or make inappropriate comments or suggestions. To do so is EXTREMELY insulting.
* Do ask the Belly Dancer to pose for photos, to get guests of honor up to dance, to show you how to do a move that you like!