Thread: Question about doing a bellygram?

I got a call today about doing my first actual belly gram for an 83 year old Arabic man. I spoke to his sister in law on the phone and she said for me to bring the CD player and then she would supply the CD, but I am nervous going into music I am not fimiliar with. I would like to download some familiar arabic songs to put on a CD to be familiar with it. Any suggestions. It is a 15 min set. Something that is very fun and easy to dance too. Thanks. It is on Sunday.

You can ask her what songs she would like to hear. It's possible that the songs are very special or important to him and she wants something extra for his party.

Don't be afraid to ask her if you can have a copy before hand. I've done parties and weddings where the person doing the hiring gave me either a list of songs or a cd ahead of time.

The thing is that it is this Sunday. I was hired through an entertainment company, so the family didnt have any idea, until I called her to explain that I was a gift to her brother in law. She said she would play Nagwa Fouad, but I dont have any of her music to listen to and I looked for it on itunes and they have nothing. She then suggested that he would like anything, so just bring my music, but I dont want to offend them in any way. Should I do one long piece that is an actual arabic routine, or stick to my 5 part routine. Please help. I dont want to go there and make them or myself feel uncomfortable. Also are there certain moves I shouldnt do?

From what you've told us, I think Egyptian classics would be a good way to go. Are you familiar with some of the widely-used songs like Aziza, Leilet Hob, Habena, Zeina, Tamra Henna, etc? You could use an Egyptian pop song for audience participation, maybe include a drum solo and/or a nice sinuous taqsim. If you have an existing Arabic routine that you like and feel familiar with, it could be a good choice, but if you don't maybe you can assemble piece parts that achieve the same goal.

I don't recommend trying to dance to whatever random CD she might choose - most of the Egyptian classics have rhythm shifts, accents, etc. that could make you look dull if you miss them.

For dos and don'ts... Do Egyptian-style veil entrance if you like veil entrances, but no need to do it if you don't want. Don't do American style veil work, especially not the peek-a-boo stuff. Don't do floor work. If you like playing finger cymbals AND you're familiar with the music you'll be using, you can use them, but you don't need to if you prefer not.

That is good advice. I dont think there will be too much audience participation. There will only be like 3 or 4 people, which makes it harder I think. I was thinking to use George Abdo. Raks Mustafpha. I usually do for a normal set. Entrance of the Stars, habibi ya eini, a slower number, drum and chicky. I know that this will not be appropriate. That is good advice about the veil. I have to try to get the music together tonight. I think I have Zeina or Aziza. I just want him to enjoy it.

Is anyone familiar with Tales of the Sahara. It is on belly dance superstars 3 #12. I was wondering if I can dance to this before the George Abdo song. I need to do at least 15 mins. I dont know if that wil work together or not. Maybe i am over analyzing this. I just want to be right.

There's a really nice version of this song on one of the Jalilah albums too. It's the full routine version of it.

Katina, for an older Arab, I would probably have chosen more traditional music, or music from his era.

BUT at this point, it's more important that you're familiar with your music, there isn't time now to learn new pieces!

I wouldn't worry too much about what goes together with what this close to the show. Just pick music that will make you feel happy when you hear it, so you can communicate that joy to them. And music that you know really, really well so you can be relaxed while you dance.

I took a look at your website to see what kind of costuming you usually wear, looks pretty traditional (I have the same gold bedlah that's in a lot of your photos, isn't that fun to dance in?) Any of the costumes I see there would be good (no bindis, of course).

I think someone already said it, but if you do stick with your 5-part routine, don't do any American-style veilwork (no wrapping/unwrapping)

Should I resort back to what I already know Lauren. Should I come out covered in veil and then unveil to get it off. Or should I just come out with the music and no veil. Zills or no zills. You think i should wear the gold costume. I was going to wear one of my newer pharonic costumes. It is pink. It was just such short notice. I would have been more prepared if I would have had a few more days.I was referred by another dancer who cannot make it.
I also did download the longer version of Tales of the Sahara Nepenthe. I may use that because i am familiar with that song. The long version is 12 mins. well i dont have much time, so i guess it wil have to do.

I wouldn't come out covered & uncover. I've never seen an Arabic dancer do that and I've been told that Arabs think it looks like stripping. You can enter holding the veil & wave it around a bit & discard it, or no veil.

If you've comfortable with zills, I'd do it. I don't know exactly where your group is from, it's not really in fashion in Egypt these days, but then your GOH (guest of honor) will remember when it was in fashion! If you're not fully comfortable with zills yet, though, it's not necessary.

A newer pharonic would be lovely, I just thought it was fun that we have the same gold bedlah! I mainly just looked at your profile to see if your costuming was traditional, rather than fusion, tribal, gypsy, etc. Looks like you lean toward traditional, classy costuming, so wear whatever you're happy with. Just leave off the bindi, that's Indian not ME.

Also, I probably wouldn't do floorwork, balancing, etc.

Make sure you're familiar with the music so *you* can be happy & relaxed & focused on your audience, rather than feeling self-conscious. I wouldn't try to learn new music in one day, there's always enough to do with burning a CD, etc.

This gig is a little odd because it's such a small group. Usually with Arabs you can count on them to want to get up and dance WITH you for most of your set, but it's harder to know what to expect in this case. Be prepared to go either way. If they want to dance with you, great! Then you'll know they had a good time & it makes your job really easy.

It is more or less that someone from out of state is giving this to him as a birthday gift. So he has no idea and neither did the person I contacted.I just want to be comfortable with what I am performing and have fun. I will definately come out with veil and discard. Do you think 11 mins is long enough for this type of bellygram. I think that is why i am stresing out, becuase when there is a bigger crowd you can play up to the audience. I have to update my website. I have been trying to get some new pictures up. Eventually I am going to have a friend redesign it, but i guess it is alright for now.

Just wanted to let everyone know that the gram went great. I was worried for nothing. The birthday boy was so cute and really liked it. Thanks for all the good advice. I danced the long version of Tales of the Sahara. I really like the longer version. Thanks nepenthe