Thread: Wear shoes please!

I know some bellydancers go barefoot, and I used to, until I started getting plantar warts. ..c::

But . . . . another reason why you should . . . .

I was just getting my things together for a performance I have tomorrow evening, and you'll never guess what I had to dig out of my dance shoe . . . . GLASS. It was stuck in the leather pretty deep too. OUCH! All I can think is, "Thank God it was in my shoe and not in my foot!"

Yikes!!! Be careful ladies!!!!

Yes, it might be quite dangerous, especially when you dance in restaurants. It depends on where one dances...

Unless you are dancing in a sultan's 5 inch deep Persian carpet, please don't dance barefoot. I always wear shoes but i forgot them one time. i got so many microscopic cuts in my feet and this was from an area that was like a square meter. i had to bathe my feet in vodka right after the show to disinfect the cuts. the bartender looked at me like i was insane.

Shoes always when I dance is because you never know what kind of dangerous stuff like glass even bread crumbs or crud on floor who wants to step on spilled hummus or drink?

Alrana

No feet no dance! I take care of mine! I wear the cutest and cheapest shoes :) If you think they are too expensive, think again. You can find a comfortable and pretty pair for 35 USD! Any colors is available

Especially if you dance a lot and have to change them frequently... and it looks so much better :)

Originally Posted by Zepora

I know some bellydancers go barefoot, and I used to, until I started getting plantar warts. ..c::

But . . . . another reason why you should . . . .

I was just getting my things together for a performance I have tomorrow evening, and you'll never guess what I had to dig out of my dance shoe . . . . GLASS. It was stuck in the leather pretty deep too. OUCH! All I can think is, "Thank God it was in my shoe and not in my foot!"

Yikes!!! Be careful ladies!!!!

I've trodden on the odd bit of fried onion and I have had glass in my feet, but I've been really lucky in that in all the years I danced in restaurants, I never got a badly injured foot. Mind you, my feet are quite tough because I dance barefoot always. Never had verrucas or warts. I simply cannot dance in shoes. I hate it.

Originally Posted by Krystina

No feet no dance! I take care of mine! I wear the cutest and cheapest shoes :) If you think they are too expensive, think again. You can find a comfortable and pretty pair for 35 USD! Any colors is available

Especially if you dance a lot and have to change them frequently... and it looks so much better :)

Where do you get your shoes? I use Bloch jazz boots for tribal, but that won't cut it for cabaret . . . All the ballroom shoes are over $60 and that's a lot. So . . . where do you get these $35 shoes??? Do tell!,r:;

Originally Posted by kharis_UK

I've trodden on the odd bit of fried onion and I have had glass in my feet, but I've been really lucky in that in all the years I danced in restaurants, I never got a badly injured foot. Mind you, my feet are quite tough because I dance barefoot always. Never had verrucas or warts. I simply cannot dance in shoes. I hate it.

I totally understand. I feel more grounded when I dance barefoot, but I just can't anymore. Even though it's easier to dance barefoot . . . it's too risky for me.

I was just a "student" dancer for a while and always danced barefoot, but when I went professional (dancing 1 or 2 nights per week in a restaurant) I had 3 plantar warts within a month. I can't prove to you that that's what caused it, but that's all I can think of. I started wearing jazz booties (which are almost like being barefoot) and then I stopped getting plantar warts.

I have many dancer friends who go barefoot and have no problems . . . . but after pulling that glass out of my shoe today . . . I'm a little nervous for them. Yikes!

AHHAAHAHAHA SECRET !!!


No no here is the link to all the beauties in every color! Henry G Dance Shoes, Dress & Accessories - Henry G dance shoes, dress & accessories

I even have this to put on the heel when I practice at home! : Henry G Dance Shoes, Dress & Accessories Henry G dance shoes, dress & accessories

Originally Posted by Zepora

I totally understand. I feel more grounded when I dance barefoot, but I just can't anymore. Even though it's easier to dance barefoot . . . it's too risky for me.

I was just a "student" dancer for a while and always danced barefoot, but when I went professional (dancing 1 or 2 nights per week in a restaurant) I had 3 plantar warts within a month. I can't prove to you that that's what caused it, but that's all I can think of. I started wearing jazz booties (which are almost like being barefoot) and then I stopped getting plantar warts.

I have many dancer friends who go barefoot and have no problems . . . . but after pulling that glass out of my shoe today . . . I'm a little nervous for them. Yikes!

Christ, I've danced on some real skanky floors and never gotten warts. How bad is that. What kind of floors were you dancing on? Someone else must have been working those floors with warty feet!!!! It could also be that you are more susciptible to this. Perhaps I'm not.

I am happiest barefoot but had no trouble switching to Tina Sargent's Bold Expression shoes in the lowest heel after an encounter with some broken glass at a restaurant. The promo price is very, very nice, and I'm really pleased with the looks and quality. I ordered mine with street soles so I wouldn't have to worry about ruining suede. Check 'em out!
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-danc...mo-pg-2-a.html

Originally Posted by kharis_UK

Christ, I've danced on some real skanky floors and never gotten warts. How bad is that. What kind of floors were you dancing on? Someone else must have been working those floors with warty feet!!!! It could also be that you are more susciptible to this. Perhaps I'm not.

It never really looked like a skanky floor, but I would always have to scratch sticky black stuff off my feet when I got home. Yeah . . . I'm probably just sensitive to whatever caused it . . . . but I am definitely sticking with shoes from now on.

Originally Posted by Krystina

AHHAAHAHAHA SECRET !!!


No no here is the link to all the beauties in every color! Henry G Dance Shoes, Dress & Accessories - Henry G dance shoes, dress & accessories

I even have this to put on the heel when I practice at home! : Henry G Dance Shoes, Dress & Accessories Henry G dance shoes, dress & accessories

WOW!!!!! GREAT PRICES!!!!!! I don't do heals cuz I have a bad back . . . so what style has the lowest heal?

Originally Posted by Zana

I am happiest barefoot but had no trouble switching to Tina Sargent's Bold Expression shoes in the lowest heel after an encounter with some broken glass at a restaurant. The promo price is very, very nice, and I'm really pleased with the looks and quality. I ordered mine with street soles so I wouldn't have to worry about ruining suede. Check 'em out!
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-danc...mo-pg-2-a.html

Lovely . . . I can see my money flying out of my purse to buy shoes!!!! But I NEED them, right???

You neeeed them. Trust me. Shiny AND tax-deductible!

Every time I substitute teach the 'protect your feet' speech is given, coupled with where to purchase foot wear. Still see the same dancers practicing bare foot. At least they can't say no one ever told them.

Warts are the least of your worries. Personally, I've worn shoes ever since spending half of a Saturday morning digging broken glass out of my feet. But considering how MRSA is on the rise these days, aka necrotizing fasciitis, which is when an antibiotic-resistant strain of staph infection goes nuts, I'm not taking any chances. Seriously, I read one instance of a woman who cut her finger in her kitchen, treated it with alcohol, and the next thing you know she's having her arm amputated. It can easily kill you. Anything that reduces frequent exposure to cuts & nicks is good.

Not to be alarmist or anything! :-)

Originally Posted by deelight

Warts are the least of your worries. Personally, I've worn shoes ever since spending half of a Saturday morning digging broken glass out of my feet. But considering how MRSA is on the rise these days, aka necrotizing fasciitis, which is when an antibiotic-resistant strain of staph infection goes nuts, I'm not taking any chances. Seriously, I read one instance of a woman who cut her finger in her kitchen, treated it with alcohol, and the next thing you know she's having her arm amputated. It can easily kill you. Anything that reduces frequent exposure to cuts & nicks is good.

Not to be alarmist or anything! :-)

HAHAHAAHAH!

I preferred barefoot dancing, too. However, once you realize all the funk you can pick up off the floor besides glass & such, I mean, no thanks - I'll protect my feet.

I used to go bare foot ALWAYS, I got to hot with shoes on. It made all the differance BUT one night I was dancing in a restaurant with carpet and got a gnarly rug burn on the top of my foot. I still bare a big scare!

i always wear shoes. i was reminded why when a waitress dropped a cup of hot coffee on the floor and it broke. it would have been hot coffee and cup in my feet had i not been wearing shoes

there are a lot of good options for the "bare feel"

you could go for lyrical sandals if you really cant deal with a full foot covering (I've tried Leo's and Capezios, the Leo's are far better), or for Hermes.

I adore the Leo's Hermes sandals I got, so cushy and they make turns so much better. You just need to get a little used to tightening them properly


PS. those heels are now on my wishlist :)

I almost always wear shoes, but my slippers were dirty from a performance prior to a gig on Canada Day so I went barefoot.

Well, I danced onto a heavy duty staple - it went in all the way. Let me tell you, it wasn't so glamorous or professional to be jumping around on stage to get it out, nor was bleeding all over the place while I danced.

The next day I had to teach, and my foot was sooooo sore and swollen. Not fun.

Plus, I've just gotten rid of a bunch of plantars warts. My canvas shoes are worn out, and I don't like the leather ones, so taught barefoot for a month or so. Dingbat move.

Yep. Wear shoes.

Being an ex-Aikidoka, I love the feeling of dancing and moving barefoot, but I hate warts, tearing my feet open, and having crap stuck in my feet, so I wear Freed's of London low-heeled ballroom shoes, which were a) not very expensive at On Stage on 36th and Madison, and b) look classy with every costume I own. Gives me a sort of Samia Gamal look that I can't do without.

There's yet another reason to wear shoes, though I think it's optional: I've heard that it's looked down upon to perform barefoot in certain circles. A teacher once told us, "Mahmoud Reda says he hates to see dancers' dirty feet". Take that or leave it. I choose to take it, but then again, doesn't Randa Kamal dance barefoot? However, she probably has multiple minions available to personally scrub her dance floor between sets. At our local joints, we don't get that. No way am I dancing barefoot in New York City! And why would I want audiences to see dirty bare soles flashing beneath my beautiful skirts?

- Leela

Originally Posted by flimflamgirl

Being an ex-Aikidoka, I love the feeling of dancing and moving barefoot, but I hate warts, tearing my feet open, and having crap stuck in my feet, so I wear Freed's of London low-heeled ballroom shoes, which were a) not very expensive at On Stage on 36th and Madison, and b) look classy with every costume I own. Gives me a sort of Samia Gamal look that I can't do without.

There's yet another reason to wear shoes, though I think it's optional: I've heard that it's looked down upon to perform barefoot in certain circles. A teacher once told us, "Mahmoud Reda says he hates to see dancers' dirty feet". Take that or leave it. I choose to take it, but then again, doesn't Randa Kamal dance barefoot? However, she probably has multiple minions available to personally scrub her dance floor between sets. At our local joints, we don't get that. No way am I dancing barefoot in New York City! And why would I want audiences to see dirty bare soles flashing beneath my beautiful skirts?

- Leela

Can you pm me their number and store hours if you know them off hand. thanks

Alrana

I picked up a cellulitis infection dancing barefoot at a student show. A few days later my foot swelled up and got all itchy. The doctor said that if I'd waited 2 more days to come to him I'd have ended up in hospital. Apparently cellulitis is often picked up through cuts in the foot, then travels up the body and into the brain, where it can do serious damage. I know two ladies who have ongoing illnesses and occasional trips to the hospital with cellulitis. So, I'm not taking any chances!

I often dance in heels, but have never bought proper dance shoes, as I find their high, thin heels too unstable, and they're way expensive. I've always managed to find cheap, strappy evening shoes that do the job, sometimes with the help of an added rubber sole. I have a photo of a cheap pair that are great for dancing in the following article. For baladi style dancing I sometimes wear clean ballet shoes or hermes sandals. http://www.jewelbellydance.com.au/ar...in%20Heels.pdf

Disclaimer - I am in the business of selling shoes. However, I have been dancing and wearing dance shoes much longer than I have been selling them. My question is why do we gasp at spending $100 (standard ballroom price, although cheaper options exist) on shoes, which can be worn over and over with multiple costumes (if they are in a neutral color) when we spend hundreds of dollars on one costume?
I agree with all of the practical health reasons for wearing shoes, and I think it completes the look. I remember Bert Balladine saying that you would never see a woman dress for the evening in an elegant gown with bare feet. It's true. If we take care to wear a nice costume, make-up and hair, why should it stop at the ankles?

To Tina - Like many, I MUCH prefer bare feet for MED, but the arguments for wearing shoes (particularly in restaurants) speak for themselves.

I know different styles work for different folks, but have you gotten any feedback from dancers touting the comfort of any particular styles on your website (or maybe make some recommendations based on your own experience)?

I see many lovely styles and your prices are competitive, I am just wondering if you are free to specifically mention popularity of some shoe styles over others, from the perspective of comfort. My reasoning - partly since I've found the standard "character shoe" (from Capezio, etc.) to be one of the least comfortable shoes I've ever bought (less comfortable than many street shoes, for example), with most of my (non-MED) theatre/dance friends in agreement.

Thanks for any input,
-Devora

Did anyone else read Shira's new article about feet yet?

Devora- I bought a pair of Tina's shoes and they are one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I own. As a matter of fact, I just ordered a neutral color in a street sole so I don't mess up my gold ones that I ordered from her. I highly recommend ordering from Tina.