Thread: Beladi/Saidi Set questions

Hiya:
I'm putting together a routine for a restaurant gig. They are requesting something Folklorick. So, I thought I'd do doing Beladi, Saidi and a Saidi cane during the set (my faves). But, how to make it into a cohesive performance?

I was thinking of doing a song with a Baladi progression then go into a Saidi Cane dance then a straight Saidi without cane. Does this sound okay? Any suggestions?

Also, I was wondering what to wear. I was thinking of this(https://www.dahlal.com/default.aspx?...7&s1=1220&s2=0) the Minya Glitter Skirt and matching top from Dahlal. Should I wear a bra and belt set with it or just a really nice coin belt? Or would a beladi dress be more appropriate?

Thanks for your input.

PEACE - Audie
BellyRhythm.com

How long is your set? I usually do either a baladi or saidi during my set, not both. Not that you couldn't, it's just that there's only so much folkloric the gp will take.

Do you know if the patrons are arabs or gp?

I'll probably do a 15 to 20 minute set possibly with a break in the middle.
The audience will be a mix of gp and arab.
My basic style of dance is Egyptian Cabaret with a good bit of Baladi thrown in (a la Fifi). Would you suggest starting off EC then going into either Baladi or Saidi?

if your set has enough of a break, i would do a costume change.

this is how i do the beladi or saidi in a full night club set:
egyptian cabaret opening, taxim, song
costume change => dress/galabeya
beladi progression or cane or zills, etc.
finish with drum solo and out-tro music

i find that a beladi progression works best at the end of a set just before it builds to the drum solo because the escalation of excitement in the music makes for a nice "journey" for the audience.

hope this helps.

I have a 10 minute set I enjoy performing where I come in with a cane dance, then move into a baladi progression. The cane is nice and exciting as an opening, and then the start of the baladi progression provides a nice juxtaposion of slowness (and I can take a breath), leading to a big finale. If it's not a ME or bellydance audience I might use a bit of the slow baladi start to balance my cane on my head before discarding it.

On the other hand, if you want a bit of audience participation, then cane is good for that - you can hook someone and bring them up, it gives them a prop to use if they don't have great dancing skills, and there's always the fun suspend-your-cane-between-your-two-bellies-and-shimmy routine. As I like my audience participation at the end of sets (so I can do a bit of a show first!), I'd put the track there.

I really like Sabrina's suggestion.

The beladi works great at the end just before the drum solo and I wouldn't want to lose the chance for a dramatic entrance. That's the most important part in my opinion. Come in with a big bang! :-)

Oh, and have FUN!

If you don't have time for a proper costume change and their priority seems to be folkloric, I'd probably opt for a dress. In similar situations, I've worn 2 piece costumes with minimal beadwork and scooted to the wings out of view while some intro music plays to throw on a galabeya over my costume, discard my veil and grab cane/zills.

Originally Posted by sabrinabellydancer

if your set has enough of a break, i would do a costume change.

this is how i do the beladi or saidi in a full night club set:
egyptian cabaret opening, taxim, song
costume change => dress/galabeya
beladi progression or cane or zills, etc.
finish with drum solo and out-tro music

i find that a beladi progression works best at the end of a set just before it builds to the drum solo because the escalation of excitement in the music makes for a nice "journey" for the audience.

hope this helps.

I like this breakdown, although I don't do a costume change in my sets.

Thanks, Sabrina and Jewel. I really like both of your suggestions.
I'm hoping to avoid a costume change since the dressing room is a bit dodgy. And I would like some audience participation. Which is a little bit of a stretch for me since I usually perform on stage.

So I'm sencing that the two piece is a no go?

PEACE - Audie

Originally Posted by audie

Thanks, Sabrina and Jewel. I really like both of your suggestions.
I'm hoping to avoid a costume change since the dressing room is a bit dodgy. And I would like some audience participation. Which is a little bit of a stretch for me since I usually perform on stage.

So I'm sencing that the two piece is a no go?

PEACE - Audie

Costuming - that's tricky, because I think it depends upon the audience. I get concerned that a non-Middle Eastern general public audience won't 'get' it if I wear a dress or gelabaya, and may be disappointed if I'm not all the glitz and bling they expect. And I think that your typical restaurant audience expect glitz and bling. If you have a glitzy dress or gelabaya, that is probably your best choice (given that the management are asking for folkloric).

As for the Dahlal costume in the link you posted, I think it's still like a bra-and-belt, so not truly folkloric, but doesn't have the advantage of much bling. So it's kind of neither here nor there.

I think that if you dont' have a glamorous baladi/saidi outfit, then a beaded two-piece with straight skirt would be the next best option, because at least it's still sparkly (and I think in a restaurant that's usually expected).

Hmmm...Given the restaurant seem quite specific about the choice of music, I'd be asking them what their expectations are. Perhaps they have a more conservative clientelle, or lots of Middle Easterners who want to get nostalgic about their baladi roots???

I have very trad baladi dress which is nice but no zing so I wasn't considering it. I have a glitzy two piece with a straight skirt as you mentioned -lots of coverage -almost a dress. I've been wearing it to death lately (comfort & sparkle combined -can't beat it) and hoping to branch out a bit but, I guess I'll drag it out again. Unless I could muster up the energy to finish the dress I started two months ago.
I will ask about the audience though. I'm not afraid to go totally trad, but if they are looking foir glitz I don't want to disappoint.
THANKS - Audie