Thread: Pops, Locks, & Shimmies DVD-Sadie & Kaya

Look, it's finally out

Belly Dance Update from IAMED - 28 October 2008

Originally Posted by Zamira

Look, it's finally out

Belly Dance Update from IAMED - 28 October 2008

Interesting cover.

I find the direct use of words "To prepare you to Pop, Lock & Shimmy at your best, .." pretty lame.
So they now made sure googling "Pop, Lock & Shimmy" (the direct title of a well-known smaller scale producer) will give their product description.
Smart one could say, personally I think predator business mentality. .p::

Edited to add: never mind -- it's been explained to me.
This sounds like some SERIOUSLY misguided marketing to me. How many other people are going to think they already bought this dvd?



Ok, I'm confused and I'm behind the times. I have (and really like) this dvd, but it's Michelle Joyce and it came out last year. Did IAMED repackage this?

Originally Posted by aziyade

Ok, I'm confused and I'm behind the times. I have (and really like) this dvd, but it's Michelle Joyce and it came out last year. Did IAMED repackage this?

No. Different DVD, featuring Sadie and Kaya, very similar name.

Originally Posted by aziyade

Edited to add: never mind -- it's been explained to me.
This sounds like some SERIOUSLY misguided marketing to me. How many other people are going to think they already bought this dvd?



Ok, I'm confused and I'm behind the times. I have (and really like) this dvd, but it's Michelle Joyce and it came out last year. Did IAMED repackage this?

No, there was a highly controversial thread on the name issue here some weeks ago.
Got deleted because it turned into a major "war" thread.

I did NOT mean to refuel the original controversy and discussion per se (Pop Lock & Shimmy vs Pops Locks & Shimmies), I was - as a dvd buyer/collector, non-professional bellydance lover, and thus "outsider" to the scene from my POV - *VERY* disappointed with seeing Michelle Joyces exact dvd title used in the product description, which means everybody who learned about Michelle s hit dvd from countless raving reviews online and googles the *exact title of Michelle s dvd* will have this product description appear.
Where in the google ranking your internet entry appears depends on payments to google, so there s major room for manipulation, sadly.

Originally Posted by dinavienna

Interesting cover.

Woah. I'm no prude (hell, I even have a black pleather costume myself), but those costumes seem a little over the top for the cover of an instructional Drum Solo video. I sell some DVDs in my classes, and I'd shy away from bringing that imagery into the classrooom. If it were a DVD on doing edgy, sexy fusion, I guess I could see it, but to me it gives me what I assume is the wrong idea about the content.

And before everyone jumps on me for "trashing" IAMED or Sadie and Kaya, I'd just like to say I hope it's okay that an IAMED customer is making a comment on a marketing choice for their product. If there were something about my product that discouraged someone from purchasing it, I'd personally want to know about it.

I´m not buying this-
even though it´s an IAMED and I highly recommend other IAMED DVD:s.
(I also think that Sadie is a good dancer.)

First reason:The name.

Second reason:The cover.IMHO it looks tacky.


Very tacky.


Flambeé me in cognac,but Kaya´s facial expressions was irritating me so much I couldn´t concentrate on her dancing when I watched her on DVD.

I agree on those S&M costumes - a bit much and stretching even the fushion issue if that's an excuse they may want to use. To me, the costumes cross the exotic to erotic or at least questions it. I thought IAMED had more class than this.

Whoa. S&M anybody?

I'm going to buy it to see what all the buzz is about...but for that much money it better come with one of those costumes ... just in time for Halloween. LOL.

..l;,

Originally Posted by laura 2

Woah. I'm no prude (hell, I even have a black pleather costume myself), but those costumes seem a little over the top for the cover of an instructional Drum Solo video. I sell some DVDs in my classes, and I'd shy away from bringing that imagery into the classrooom. If it were a DVD on doing edgy, sexy fusion, I guess I could see it, but to me it gives me what I assume is the wrong idea about the content.

And before everyone jumps on me for "trashing" IAMED or Sadie and Kaya, I'd just like to say I hope it's okay that an IAMED customer is making a comment on a marketing choice for their product. If there were something about my product that discouraged someone from purchasing it, I'd personally want to know about it.

Yep, that is one I can't bring home and have laying out with four young daughters. Whew!

OK, so it is not just me.
Those costumes soooo do not say "drum solo" to me.

Originally Posted by laura 2

Woah. I'm no prude (hell, I even have a black pleather costume myself), but those costumes seem a little over the top for the cover of an instructional Drum Solo video. I sell some DVDs in my classes, and I'd shy away from bringing that imagery into the classrooom. If it were a DVD on doing edgy, sexy fusion, I guess I could see it, but to me it gives me what I assume is the wrong idea about the content.

Is it me or are they posing in front of a strippers' pole? ..c::

Hmm, controversial dancers, controversial DVD name, and controversial cover art, but WTH, I ordered it.

I'll let you guys know how it is.

I don't think the costumes are that bad myself. It's Kaya's porn face that makes it look naff to me. I swear, she can't close her mouth. Does she have very large veneers or something?

You know, Kaya gets a lot of flak for her dance persona, but I've been in her class, and she's actually a very good teacher. Believe it or not, but she's very serious and concise in her explanations, kind of like a cross between a professor and a drill sargeant. ..g.:

I'm interested in seeing the two in action together....(as soon as I can come up with the money). They remind me of my bad little cousins.

Originally Posted by Zamira

You know, Kaya gets a lot of flak for her dance persona, but I've been in her class, and she's actually a very good teacher. Believe it or not, but she's very serious and concise in her explanations, kind of like a cross between a professor and a drill sargeant. ..g.:

Hmm I can imagine that.. I must say I DO NOT like her dance. I recently saw her perform on a youtube video simply entitled "Kaya" she used a very nice classical instrumental song, and I felt OFFENDED by her dancing. Both the movements, and the face.
I can imagine she s a cool teacher, though, coz I really liked her comments on the Temptation of BD trailer she apparently produced (anyone got it and cares to share how they like this performance dvd?).
Would be cool if you shared some experience on how she teaches, and what.. not that I ll be in the US anytime soon, but I d be curious.
Oh that s the performance I was talking about:

[ame=http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=yFDVarRZZq4]YouTube - kaya[/ame]

WTF!!! is with al thwe mouth opening sexy shrugs, hair tossing etc etc etc

I don't think the costumes look too raunchy just rather silly!!!

I think she's a great dancer and really beautiful, I just think the expression of sexuality feels, to borrow a phrase from other internet zones, a bit pastede on yay.

I think Sadie seems sexier to me because she *doesn't*, she just looks slightly naughty and lets her body do the talking.

ETA: That said, there is something about Sadie and Kaya that feels very cheesy 60s album cover to me. I like that aspect of them very much.

I think it is harsh to criticize Kaya's face so much.

I'm not keen on some of her expressions when she dances, but even her neutral face has that sexy look, she has very low eyebrows, and full lips. Even if she tried her hardest she would struggle to look wholesome-home-baked-apple-pie-girl-next-door!

Originally Posted by jencUK

I don't think the costumes look too raunchy just rather silly!!!

Hmm, I think it's the trouser/chaps/nappy things that are the problem for me. The bedlahs are nice, if they were teamed up with skirts of some kind they would look great. As they are, they don't really say 'bellydance' to me.

If you watch the trailer they look a little bit better in action.

Originally Posted by firefly5

I think it is harsh to criticize Kaya's face so much.

I'm not keen on some of her expressions when she dances, but even her neutral face has that sexy look, she has very low eyebrows, and full lips. Even if she tried her hardest she would struggle to look wholesome-home-baked-apple-pie-girl-next-door!

I have to agree! Besides all of that, just by this youtube I can tell she's an excellent dancer. Thanks for posting it. I'm really looking forward to the new dvd.

Originally Posted by vron

I have to agree! Besides all of that, just by this youtube I can tell she's an excellent dancer. Thanks for posting it. I'm really looking forward to the new dvd.

Well you re welcome! I m glad if you liked it.
It s interesting how observers from different parts of the world perceive the very same video in completely different ways.
I d guess this video shown to American bellydance fans will yield many reactions as yours, while shown to Arab ones I d bet all my money on a high majority vote of "everything s wrong with this dance" like my reaction was.

But I was aware she must have many fans in the US, and I m glad for her she can live out what she wants to express, and for the people who enjoy what she s doing, which has nothing to do with my negative opinion on the dvd title.

I am curious for her teaching though, as I said earlier, and am not meaning to offend her personally at all. Just expressing her dance offended me (undesiredly, I take it) a little, culturally I guess.

Originally Posted by vron

I have to agree! Besides all of that, just by this youtube I can tell she's an excellent dancer. Thanks for posting it. I'm really looking forward to the new dvd.

It's not a clip that I am particularly enamored of, but she is a very proficient dancer.

However I think they are both incredible in this one:

[ame=http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=3BY76G578Qk]YouTube - BELLY DANCE LIVE_Sadie & Kaya[/ame]

Originally Posted by dinavienna

Well you re welcome! I m glad if you liked it.
It s interesting how observers from different parts of the world perceive the very same video in completely different ways.
I d guess this video shown to American bellydance fans will yield many reactions as yours, while shown to Arab ones I d bet all my money on a high majority vote of "everything s wrong with this dance" like my reaction was.

But I was aware she must have many fans in the US, and I m glad for her she can live out what she wants to express, and for the people who enjoy what she s doing, which has nothing to do with my negative opinion on the dvd title.

I am curious for her teaching though, as I said earlier, and am not meaning to offend her personally at all. Just expressing her dance offended me (undesiredly, I take it) a little, culturally I guess.

Hmmmmm... I'm getting a little uncomfortable. Maybe I'm just being stupid. But who are you again?

Originally Posted by dinavienna

I am curious for her teaching though, as I said earlier

What is it you want to know about her teaching? Kaya and Sadie usually trade off on teaching the weekly class, but sometimes they both teach, which is nice because one leads the class while the other one moves around and provides individual feedback and assistance.

Their classes tend to focus on technique and conditioning and be physically intense. Once class, we spent almost the whole hour at the barre, standing on one leg like a stork (I forget the ballet term) and practicing hip lifts and drops using the glute on the standing leg and then the lifted leg, and then switching directions and doing the exercises again in reverse. Kaya's classes tend to be a more intense physical work-out. Once in a while, Sadie dedicates a class to jazz and ballet type movements.

When I dance, my style is nothing like Kaya's or Sadies. Well, obviously I'm not that good, but also I prefer old fashioned Egyptian style dance. However, I can say that my dancing definitely improved from all their drilling. That's why I'm getting the video, to have something to practice with between classes or sessions.

Originally Posted by Zamira

What is it you want to know about her teaching? Kaya and Sadie usually trade off on teaching the weekly class, but sometimes they both teach, which is nice because one leads the class while the other one moves around and provides individual feedback and assistance.

Their classes tend to focus on technique and conditioning and be physically intense. Once class, we spent almost the whole hour at the barre, standing on one leg like a stork (I forget the ballet term) and practicing hip lifts and drops using the glute on the standing leg and then the lifted leg, and then switching directions and doing the exercises again in reverse. Kaya's classes tend to be a more intense physical work-out. Once in a while, Sadie dedicates a class to jazz and ballet type movements.

When I dance, my style is nothing like Kaya's or Sadies. Well, obviously I'm not that good, but also I prefer old fashioned Egyptian style dance. However, I can say that my dancing definitely improved from all their drilling. That's why I'm getting the video, to have something to practice with between classes or sessions.

sounds great!!
Who I am? Nobody, no pro at all, as I said

Originally Posted by firefly5

I think it is harsh to criticize Kaya's face so much.

I'm not keen on some of her expressions when she dances, but even her neutral face has that sexy look, she has very low eyebrows, and full lips. Even if she tried her hardest she would struggle to look wholesome-home-baked-apple-pie-girl-next-door!

It's the expressions I don't like, not her actual face.

And low eyebrows are innately sexy now? Fascinating.

It's sad that Kaya gets a lot of flack for her harsh xxx facial lines and looks, she s seems to be a very good dancer with quite a bit of control going on. She makes most of her costumes too, although this costume was a very bad choice and the posing does look like she is straddling a pole. The Kaya/Sadie class description reminds me of a Suhaila class description (I've taken a few of Suhaila format classes but never a K & S class). Did Kaya ever take any Suhaila classes or was she certified and just decided to incorporate the technique to create her own classes? What's Kaya's dance history regarding teachers? Sorry to take the discussion off topic here.