Thread: What is up with stragely dancers?

I was on youtube quite a bit yesterday. I noticed that there was soooo many badly groomed dancers on there. I mean brush your hair and put on some makeup. Their dancing wasnt good but it wasnt bad either, these are obvioulsy not the super pro dancers I am talking about here but the local pro dancers. They have enough sence to get a bedlah, and one better than the turkish special so they obvioulsy know quality. So why not make your head look quality too. I didnt get it, they seem like they just slaped the bedlah on and started dancing. It looked like their first set too. You see I know that after a few songs I start sweating and my hair gets napy but you can still see my makeup, and i brush it out between sets. These girls had no makeup stragly hair, and their bedlah got all messy too.........c::..c::..c::

I'm with you....this has been my pet peeve for many, many years......I will never understand why some dancers will get all tizzied up but not even bother to run a brush through their hair before going on stage....it drives me NUTS

Not all people share the same idea of what "beautiful" hair is.

Im not saying is need to be beautiful, I am just saying brush out that rats nest, take time between sets to fluff it or what ever you do to it so it doesnt look like you crawled out of bed and started dancing

basically, it is because no one is 1) teaching stage craft to performers, and 2) people are told that "It's just a hafla" and frrl that there is no real reason to do more.

{{{HUGS}}}

I like how my teacher put it: "If you wouldn't walk like that into an interview for a job you really want, you shouldn't dress like that for a public performance."
I mean, obviously sometimes I consider it an accomplishment to have put on workout clothes before heading to class, but that is class, and we're all going to get sweaty and tired anyway. For a performance, however - that, to me, is the time you get to SHINE. Thus, I always want to look sparkly, too! ;)

Fashion trends are sort of that way too I've noticed. I was thumbing through a magazine @ the checkout stand and when it came to the style pages all the young celebs had messy/greasy looking bedheads and (my peeve) chipped off nail and toe nail polish. I mean they all had raggedy nail polish. Must be the thing now.

I've noticed it as well, and I can't figure it out. I agree that it's not just differences in taste, but a complete lack of any, well, effort. As has been said, get a hairbrush at least!

Biggest pet peeve ever! People who decide to perform something should take performance classes in my opinion. That's where they learn how to do hair and makeup, present a graceful and/or glamorous demeanor and be fabulous! It's like those olympic gymnasts/ice skaters. The WHOLE world is watching and they can't even do their hair?! They just stick a bunch of those ugly clips all over their heads.

I have noticed it a lot. When I started to put a little more effort into my make-up & hair I know I was looked at a little strangely by some, like I was trying too hard. There's looking natural and effortless and then there's looking like you're playing dress-up at home and forgot you were in a show. But I think it has to do with the fact that most dancers still come from that place where bellydancing is the first serious dance hobby they've indulged in a long while and it's not really seen as something that requires full stage-craft, perhaps?

I don't need to see full-on updos & a face that's been spackled on if the venue & lighting are going to work against you, but I am constantly surprised that $$$ has been dropped on Hallahs & Emans and not on MAC & hairproducts!

Originally Posted by shimarella

I don't need to see full-on updos & a face that's been spackled on if the venue & lighting are going to work against you, but I am constantly surprised that $$$ has been dropped on Hallahs & Emans and not on MAC & hairproducts!

I completely agree! And MAC makes the best stuff. I try to remind gals that you're supposed to outshine your costume, not the other way around. Too many women are scared of makeup; and too many don't understand the idea of stage makeup. Yes you look like a drag show up close in normal lights, but when you hit the stage (even a raised hafla stage) it dies down. Don't forget the people at the BACK of the room; they need to see you too

Reminds of me of a story that Aziza of Montreal told us. She said she had a gig and didn't bother to do a pedicure. After her performance, a gentleman said to her that her dance was lovely, but asked why she didn't take the time to do her toes. She said "I didn't think anyone would notice." to which he replied "I noticed."

Only goes to show that your audience does care about your appearance, and they do notice the tiny details. So as a performer, you should do the same.

It's very strange but some gals take a long time to click that this dance deserves "Sunday Best" and you are an entertainer at a hafla as much as in a restaurant,a theatre or old folks home and therefore you get the slap on, dress your hair and otherwise get groomed!
I think sometimes it has to do with shy ladies taking up a forceful,sensual dance and it takes a while to dawn.

Originally Posted by Goldenpear

Not all people share the same idea of what "beautiful" hair is.

I know. I love just long straight hair--no crowns, no falls, no dangling bits on the forehead, etc. (those can be good, but they slide right out of my hair).

It may be that some dancers haven't figured out how to do fancier make-up or hair--I have no clue how to do anything other than put big rollers in my hair and spray it for hold. It's not so long now, but I'm also not dancing so it doesnt matter.

I think there's something to be said for shiny, pretty hair that hasn't been teased or weaved in with "pet hair" as my teacher calls some of the more pageant-y looking falls. There's a trick to making hair and make-up like that look effortless and yet effective though. When I see dancers who clearly didn't do more than slap on chapstick and put a bobby pin in their hair, I wonder why they even shelled out the $$ for their fancy costume! It doesn't ruin their perfectly good dancing ( if it was) but it does take points off, in my book. I saw someone like that dance at Yhalla Yall this year and it still befuddles me because she should know much better. I guess some dancers also feel like their dancing should make the only statement about their skillz?

Hey Im not complaining about long straight hair. Mine is long straight and curlless and will stay that way, But I do run a brush through it......

I agree about the make-up thing. But I am a huge costume and make-up snob when it comes to belly dance. I hate hate hate the "patchouli" dancers who look like they'd be happier dancing with their dogs around a campfire. Long bedraggled hair, no eye make-up, the choli/hip scarf costume and, sadly the dance bio that says she's been teaching and performing for 20+ years.

AAAAAHHHHH!!!!

This brings up a question for me. I'm a diehard MAC addict. I've learned how to use a straightening iron and a subtle fall after seeing the back of my hair in a vid of a show in which I was in several numbers!! Eek! But, I have been trying to go natural with my nails. I used to have gels, but since growing them out, I have a VERY hard time keeping a manicure. It takes so much time, that I don't have, and then cracks or chips so quickly!

So, my question is, how important do you think a mani/pedi with polish is to your performance? I've been doing all the prep stuff, but not painting, or just doing a clear or nude. Is that horrible?

Originally Posted by mish_mish

I agree about the make-up thing. But I am a huge costume and make-up snob when it comes to belly dance. I hate hate hate the "patchouli" dancers who look like they'd be happier dancing with their dogs around a campfire. Long bedraggled hair, no eye make-up, the choli/hip scarf costume and, sadly the dance bio that says she's been teaching and performing for 20+ years.

AAAAAHHHHH!!!!

..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;,

Originally Posted by mieldance

This brings up a question for me. I'm a diehard MAC addict. I've learned how to use a straightening iron and a subtle fall after seeing the back of my hair in a vid of a show in which I was in several numbers!! Eek! But, I have been trying to go natural with my nails. I used to have gels, but since growing them out, I have a VERY hard time keeping a manicure. It takes so much time, that I don't have, and then cracks or chips so quickly!

So, my question is, how important do you think a mani/pedi with polish is to your performance? I've been doing all the prep stuff, but not painting, or just doing a clear or nude. Is that horrible?

I almost always just paint my nails with a pinkish nude polish. I think as long as your nails are neat and well groomed, light polish can look very classy. Another option if you don't want to mess with polish is to use a buffer on your nails. It makes them very shiny and healthy-looking.

Chiming in on the buffer. I intermittently bite my nails and don't like false ones, and lately I've been buffing and really like the effect. It works very well on feet, also.

PS I have to say..many people think I can't do anything with my wayward hair..they're right but it is staying blonde!

Originally Posted by tanith

I like how my teacher put it: "If you wouldn't walk like that into an interview for a job you really want, you shouldn't dress like that for a public performance."
I mean, obviously sometimes I consider it an accomplishment to have put on workout clothes before heading to class, but that is class, and we're all going to get sweaty and tired anyway. For a performance, however - that, to me, is the time you get to SHINE. Thus, I always want to look sparkly, too! ;)

No Kidding!!!

Originally Posted by mieldance

So, my question is, how important do you think a mani/pedi with polish is to your performance? I've been doing all the prep stuff, but not painting, or just doing a clear or nude. Is that horrible?

I paint my toes. I do not paint my fingernails unless it is a french mani. I do it myself. I am more likely to paint fingernails for a stage performance or for a party than for a restaurant gig, because I dance at a restaurant too often to keep up with my fingernails ever time

Thank YOU to the OP. I know part of it is that I'm a makeup artist and an unrepentant lover of all things beauty-related, but when a dancer steps onstage in her $800 costume, with a face that looks like dishwater and scraggly hair, I really just want to fight her. I do.

Some people hate makeup or shaving or whatever have you. I don't understand it, but I also love makeup.

I think there's always an element of people not knowing. I've only seen a handful of workshops dedicated towards polishing your appearance compared to the many workshops dedicated towards technique. Not saying that there should be more workshops on makeup than technique, but it seems like it may be lacking slightly

I look at the grooming thing as a facet of the performance itself - an integral part that shouldn't be lacking. Stage makeup takes practice, just like your dancing does. People do NOTICE what you leave out, because they have an expectation that you will put forth the effort. It's a simple fact of life that appearances COUNT. It may not be fair, but that's the reality of it. I would no more appear on stage or dance floor without full attention to makeup, hair and nails than I would appear with a wrinkled, stained costume. I sincerely believe that your audience deserves nothing less than the "total package!"

When you're at an event, what you want from the audience is an excited "Wow, you're the BELLYDANCER!" and not the derisive "Um, ..c::YOU'RE the bellydancer?"

I will speak up. After 7 years of dancing in public I am just now starting to do the whole "glam" thing. Why?

Well - my teacher at the time was never one to say "you should go all out". So - no one ever explained to me that glam is accepted. It wasn't until I got out on my own and started experimenting with hair and make-up that I realized I was doing it "all wrong".

I am still learning but at least I do not look like I am going to my "day job" at an IT company. I really like the idea of having "another look" for dance.

My point - no one ever explained this to me. And my only experience with stage make-up was the ballet school red lips with heavy blush.

Just had to learn...

So I am guilty of the "no glam" look....

Originally Posted by indigostars

Some people hate makeup or shaving or whatever have you. I don't understand it, but I also love makeup.

I think there's always an element of people not knowing. I've only seen a handful of workshops dedicated towards polishing your appearance compared to the many workshops dedicated towards technique. Not saying that there should be more workshops on makeup than technique, but it seems like it may be lacking slightly

In my opinion, it's part of an instructor's job to instruct on appropriate appearance, too.

Tim Gunn please forgive the paraphrase...

"You should wear the Bedlah, the Bedlah should not wear you"

I think you should look at least as nice as your duds. 'Course...the puppies and campfire don't really care *wink*