Thread: Belly Dance Diva Competition

Hey Ladies,
who is going to the Belly Dance Diva in Boston, Aug 27-29th?
Za-Beth - Belly Dancing, Zills Lessons & Workshops

I'll be there judging and teaching, if you haven't signed up for the workshops theirs still space available!!

I'll be there!
Rosette

I will probably go to see the show, maybe even dance in the George Abdo section.

I'm not sure yet about competing because I don't have time to prepare anything as much as I did last time (and after reading what some of the other competitors did to prepare, like travelling all over the country to take lessons with famous instructors, I'm not sure I could ever prepare enough). I may do the "Diva Live" improvisation to live band, only because it sounds like fun. Overall, I like the concept of competitions because it's a challenge, but I personally get too worked up (read: competitive) over it and I don't like that side of myself.

I've been toying with the idea--Never did a competition before and I'm afraid I won't compare to some of the fabulous talent that will be there. 'although- I always need a push, just like when I started performing in front of people--improv if must, but let the music flow thru you works--but for a competition--I think I'd fail against some of the lovely choreography I've seen.

In my opinion, It's really not about competing against other dancers as much as competing against yourself. Pushing yourself further and to the next level. Don't worry what other dancers are doing, focusing on them, takes the energy away from your own dancing!!

Also, they are offering a special on the workshops: take all three workshops for $60- per day, pretty good deal, eh?

The George Abdo show is going to be fun, I performed with him in Vegas, when I was 10 years old, I was in heaven!!

Girl, I'm coming just to take your workshop since I can't fit in a private during my mid Aug Vegas trip! Hopefully i will get to see you dance at Marrakech this time though :o)

Originally Posted by stardancer

Girl, I'm coming just to take your workshop since I can't fit in a private during my mid Aug Vegas trip! Hopefully i will get to see you dance at Marrakech this time though :o)

Yay, it will be great to see you!!

I really want to enter, and maybe take a couple workshops, but I'm very confused about how it says 7 min. next to each category. does this mean there must be a minimum of 7 entrants or the maximum dance time is 7 minutes. that has me worried. I was SO excited when i saw you'd be there and i really want to workshop with you!

Only because I know Za-Beth's email style, she means 7 minutes maximum dancing time. I believe there must be at least 4 entrants in order to run each category, and that there may be a max too but it's somewhere around 10 people.

OK, so I'll be honest, the only thing I was really disappointed by in this competition was the lack of judging sheets. I really like getting the personalized feedback of the judges. I keep hoping each year that there will be a change in this competition's policy in withholding feedback.

The first contest I did had Amar Gamal and Virginia as judges and I got such great advice in the feedback on how to become a better dancer. I really think feedback forms are THE reason to do a competition. Of course, you push yourself and you work hard on something and that's worth something in itself - it's the Input part of the equation. The feedback forms are the output that tell you how successful you were at achieving your goals.

I can't believe this month is almost over, So, August 27-29th is right around the corner, anyone coming just to watch the competition or take the workshops?

Wow! I've been looking for competitions close by whether I enter or just come to watch! I've been dying to take a work shop with you Aradia. I just don't know if I will have the money by then to get up there! Are you doing any workshops in New York between now and then?

Originally Posted by LeonineLotus

Wow! I've been looking for competitions close by whether I enter or just come to watch! I've been dying to take a work shop with you Aradia. I just don't know if I will have the money by then to get up there! Are you doing any workshops in New York between now and then?

I just taught a 2 day workshop in NY in June, so I probably won't be out there again until next summer. I'm doing a show in upstate NY in Sept, but it's a few hours away from the city

I'm hoping to make it to the workshops, but I'm juggling a lot of scheduling right now and it's not all meshing as I wish it would :-/

Preparation? What was that about preparation? I'll be "competing" and will have almost no time at all to prepare. Working 2 jobs, the grandchild, the exploding vegetable garden, everything, gack! But . . . I do in fact do this crazy dancin' stuff for FUN! Hi-ho!
Rosette

Are you still coming, Aradia? I didn't see your name on the most recent email announcement.

Originally Posted by badriya_al_ahmar

Are you still coming, Aradia? I didn't see your name on the most recent email announcement.

Nope, she canceled out all of her west coast teachers, and some of her east coast, so Zaina Hart, myself, Chandani and not sure who else. I'll be back east in Nov for Lotus Niraja's event.

I am so bummed about this!! I'll have to catch you in Vegas. I'm planning on going to Marrakech on thurs Aug 19. Are you dancing that night?

well that explains why she didn't respond when I emailed her about signing up for your workshops!
Well at least she cancelled before you got on the plane.

I did it last year, and was told that I would get feedback sheets. To me it was like a private lesson with multiple teachers. It was fun, but no feedback sheet or DVD or explanation why not. I was totally bummed and didn't feel the value from my standpoint as someone who doesn't care about taking home a trophy.

Originally Posted by stardancer

I am so bummed about this!! I'll have to catch you in Vegas. I'm planning on going to Marrakech on thurs Aug 19. Are you dancing that night?

Yes, I'll be at Marrakech, and you can always do a private while you are here. I think there are just so many events going on at the same time in her area, it's really affecting her this year. Also, I'll be in DC in Nov, and NY next June so you can always plan to attend one of those events!

that is not cool!

What Dilek said. That is so NOT cool.

That, unfortunately, is New England...and I actually was thinking of signing up last minute, but what's the point now?

Originally Posted by katebate1

That, unfortunately, is New England...and I actually was thinking of signing up last minute, but what's the point now?

Yeah, I thought she kind of jumped the gun, I know a lot of dancers wait until last minute to register for class, but she didn't want to wait any longer to see if there were registrations.

Originally Posted by katebate1

That, unfortunately, is New England...

Sad but true... Hopefully there will be other occasions!

Originally Posted by katebate1

That, unfortunately, is New England...and I actually was thinking of signing up last minute, but what's the point now?

Same here. I was looking forward to possibly taking a mini road trip to Bean Town that weekend, but now, it looks like I'll be making alternate plans. Too bad

aww shucks- I wanted to sign up for workshops and go but the website was down under the workshop page the couple times I checked- that's not good for business! :( I wonder if it's fixed now.... that's my last weekend to party before school ;)

You couldn't sign up on the website for the workshops anyway. Generally you have to send an email and then send a check.
However, the page is back up now.

Hi everyone, I'm judging as well, and if you come to me afterwards I will give you feedback. One dancer I gave feedback to, won the NEPDC last year in PA. Not teaching any workshops, but will be happy to give you feedback if I judge you.

Hey, just wanted to say I had a *blast* at this! Za Beth and her husband are AWESOME they're so fun, and they are hilarious! They're such entertainers. I liked how the event was fun and laid-back. I'm glad I took Jehan's workshop- she's amazing. the venue was great too, first hotel conference with decent coffee IMO! :)
MiaNaja you were a pleasure to watch perform, and thanks for the feedback I truly appreciate it.