Bhuz is having a HUGE ad sale!

We are offering 50% off all ad purchases over $50! Click here to purchase your ad. Use code May50 to get your discount. This sale ends May 27, 2013.

Advertising on Bhuz is the best way to reach the belly dance community. Every month over 100,000 belly dancers visit Bhuz - much more than any other belly dance website.

"I have seen a marked rise on site hits and increased sales and the only thing I did was place this ad on your site! Thanks!" --- David of Dhavir.com - February 9, 2010

Place your ad today and take advantage of this huge sale! CLICK NOW!

Bhuz is giving away a gorgeous costume to one lucky winner! Please go here to find out all the details and to enter the contest.

Belly dance took on an almost-cultic meaning to me the moment I took my first workshop (a Dalia Carella workshop was my first ever intro to the dance! And I stayed with it!). Three hours inducted me into a life of music and movement that I, as a good Southern Baptist girl, had never been allowed. My understanding of joy, sensuality, and the movement of the muse blossomed under the teaching of the magnificent community in and visiting Hawaii.*

However, as a teacher of belly-robics, I did not consider myself to be in the position of practitioners of the genuine art: women and men who were part counselor, enlighteners, and inspirers.

The distinction is not quite so defined here in the South. The mystique attached to belly dance overshadows the more mundane "aerobics." *My student has come to the class with the hurts of the economy, family, failing marriage, and poor body image, and she is looking to the experience as part of a life transformation.

My awareness of my own limited role in the part of change in others remains, but I am slowly recognizing that all things attached to this dance speak of feminine power and renewal. I only have to be true to my learning and abilities and offer encouragement where I can. *

..big-laugh;,

The delight of a small (ie one-person) class resides in its potential for deep personal growth and a deeper exploration of genre, music, and movement. When my student asked to learn a choreography for her husband, I was excited. A few combinations at the end of class along with the aerobic choreography might turn into a routine for later! Plus, perhaps, a happy husband.

Then she emailed.

ICP? I recognized the initials, but what....
O. Right.
Insane Clown Posse.
The song?
A 60 minute monstrosity I didn't bother listening to.
A joke?
No. The man expected a concert-length show to a group tattooed on his arms.*

She and I giggle over the ridiculousness of his request and continued our Arabic-pop journey together on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.*

Bhuz is having a Spring Sale on belly dance videos and ads!

15% off all Bhuz TV belly dance video downloads with code: bhuztv15
Click here to shop our great selection of videos: www.bhuz.tv *

30% off all Bhuz.com banner ads with code: SpringSale
Click here to place your ad and reach over 30,000 belly dancers.*

*Both sales will run until May 1st, 2013.

*Share this with your friends!!!

*love, Rosey

Carroi

For all the fusioneers out there! Rachel Brice will be in Chattanooga, Tn starting the 19th of April. Get your tickets while you still can. You really don't want to miss this!

Even as a dance teacher myself; I am always looking for good workshops to attend too. You can never can have to much knowledge of doing something you love!

Originally Posted by ajaa

..crying.:I recently had my Saroyan Sword stolen, I am CRUSHED! was in the process of searching for a second to do a dual sword technique....I did MARK my sword...being the chemistry nerd I am and working in medical laboratories, I have access to many reagents, acids...etc. Some acids have an strange effect on steel...I put a drop of 'acid' on my sword and it turned it to a bluish hue on the area by the handle - there is NO mistaking this mark. I did this in the event of attending an event so MY sword didn't get mistaken for someone else's. PLEASE be on the look out for this sword on ebay or possibly even bhuz. don't think so...I think more ebay!!!! I know most people on bhuz.com and KNOW it wouldn't be my sisters in dance- if you even suspect or see a Saroyan sword for sale, please let me know, I can identify the mark, it is in the 'shape' of something only I can describe.
Now I am desperately seeking another Saroyan, so if anyone knows of one for sale or has one, PLEASE contact me - I am beyond bummed! I will pay whatever, that was my baby..crying.: and me of all people that would give you anything I had, even if it hurt....thieves suck! Thank you. PS. even tried to call Harry S. to see if he knew of one somewhere or had one hanging around to no avail....you can privately message me at barbbellydances@hotmail.com

Originally Posted by MsGGypsy

Ginger McBride
Freelance Belly Dance
Modern Inspiration with Classic Representation

Private and Group Lessons!
$10.00 for an individual lesson!
We also offer group rates and monthly rates!
Free consultation and learn in the comfort of your own home, if you choose, or meet me at the studio!

* SPECIAL *
For every 2 students referred get one free!
Huntsville, Alabama 35815
USA
http://www.freelancebellydancestudio.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Freel...1933928?ref=hl

I got a job offer in Alanya. Should I take it? And just when this nomadic belly dancer was starting to put down roots. . .

In Istanbul, Tuesday through Friday, I spend two or three hours on two nights a week teaching dance classes, and three hours on two evenings week tutoring kids. I rehearse with my drummer and his violinist friend about once a week. On weekends, and less frequently, during the week, I have other gigs--last night was Monday, and I performed with nine or ten other dancers at an album release party for a singer called Alişan, on stage with a big orchestra, kind of like a backup dancer. Some of the gigs I get are really random. Mostly, though, it's weekend stuff--boat parties, weddings, birthday parties, and concerts (which I love). It's fun, but it's really irregular and unpredictable.

The job I was offered in Alanya is performing at a dinner show (as the star!) in a historical building seven nights a week. The building itself is centuries old and gorgeous, the stage is delightful, and the decor inside is delightfully gaudy. The people I'd be working with are so considerate and treat me the BEST. The apartment I'd be staying in overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and is steps away from it, too. I might just find myself in a roommate situation with a trio of Argentinean dancers, but that's not yet confirmed. If so, wouldn't it be lucky if they were tidy, friendly, fun vegetarians?

But Istanbul is exciting. I just got a sweet apartment that is beginning to look like a home, friends from different corners of the world visit me here, my adoptive Turkish family :o) live here, and there's always something to do. . . . Alanya is full of tourists (mostly Russian and German), seasonal workers, and the year-rounders. What would I do in Alanya outside of work, beach, hiking and sight-seeing for SIX MONTHS? Will I be lonely? Will I get restless? How could I get by without a dishwasher?

I certainly wouldn't miss the commute, or mind getting away from the litter and the traffic of Istanbul for awhile. But I would probably have to sublease my cozy place. And I wouldn't be able to perform at any music festivals with any cool bands or travel to any other countries for half a year. But on the other hand, in Alanya, I would have complete artistic freedom and SPACE to be creative on stage, and might do some work with live musicians. And of course, practice makes perfect--well, better--and I'd be performing every night. . . .

Plus, I'm language/play tutor to one family's seven year daughter and play tutor to another family's daughter and son. I won't be missed terribly as a play tutor (they'll get over it), but my seven year old tutee! She's at the top of her class, she loves me, and she is darling. (She'll get over it, too, actually, but still.)

What should I do? Woe is me. Well, not woe, exactly. Indecisiveness is me.

:heart:
You can follow my nomadic belly dancing adventures at: La Vie et la Danse.

I did not intend to return to Upstate SC, but a very sudden separation from an abusive situation led me and my baby to an area without a strong belly dance presence within a 20 mile radius (Greenville has a troupe, but they only meet in the evenings).

Having healed enough from the C-section to focus on returning to pre-baby shape, I decided to teach if I couldn't take (I had over five years of experience before getting pregnant, so the hubris isn't as intense as it sounds).

*I knew I was in no position to rent out a studio, so I contacted a variety of ballet and jazz studios to hire myself out.

No interest.

I reassessed.
I researched.
I contacted pole dance studios. *
One was highly interested.

However, since the emphasis in the studio is on fitness, the dance class needed to be tailored to that end, so I joined the ranks of the bellyrobics instructors.

In our marketing articles, I noted the difference between belly dance/technique and bellyrobics. I also have made clear my desire to teach technique classes and eventually start a troupe.

So far the interest has been high, but the turnout low. For my first session, I will have one (maybe two) students. However, this is a beginning, and I will be able to learn how to teach. As well, the pole dance instructors are interested in a class, and I'll be able to have free pole dance lessons! Benefits all around.

I did focus on technique, posture, and quality movements for the first class and only used a few basic moves to make certain my student didn't hurt herself or begin to develop bad habits. Much sweating was done, so I'm excited! Plus she has ideas for moves/music she wants to learn, and she wants to make a costume! The prospects are fun.*

After long post-New Year’s hiatus during January and most of February, my performance schedule started to pick up toward the third week of February, starting with my show in Van, then the listening party for a pop singer called Arman, where I performed with incredible percussionist Bünyamin Olguncan, and some other great musicians at Ghetto Music Lounge. (Don’t ask me why it’s called that, but it’s a cool place.)

This Friday and Saturday past, I performed with Besidos, the Balkan-gypsy-pop quartet of Germany in their shows at Nublu Istanbul. Performing with them was incredible.

Yesterday was pretty cool, too. I, along with 29 other dancers, performed an oryantal choreography in a music video for Israeli singer Dudu, to be released this summer in Israel. We also had to sing a bit. In Hebrew! The filming took place in a beautiful hotel on the Bosphorus in the Tarabya area of Istanbul and lasted allllllll day. I met some cool dancers, and a few weird ones, too.

I've been having so much fun! Hope this trend continues!

:heart:
Follow my nomadic belly dance adventures at La Vie et La Danse.

Working hard on the first-ever Shimmy Mob in our Nation's Capitol -- hope everyone comes out to enjoy in our events.

Please take the time to visit www.shavei.net to find out how you can volunteer or make a secure online donation of $10 to our partnered charity Calvary Women's Services of SE DC.

Our March Mob-ness campaign includes "It's All Business" give aways -- come to one of our sponsoring haflas, enter your business card for a chance to win a prize from:

Nourhan Sharif Karim Nagi Amir Sofi Amustela Dance

Gerson Kuhr - The Fitness Pharaoh Ishtar 2013 Shimmy Mob - DC Team

Upcoming in March:

Mar 29 Java Hava in Westminster 7 pm
Mar 30 Sacred Soul Hipz 2 pm

Upcoming in April:

Apr 20 One-80 In April with ISHTAR featuring Sha'vei & Friends at Casablanca Restaurant Noon-3pm

Upcoming in May:

May 11 Amir Sofi Salon featuring Sha'vei & Friends - our official post-party.
Details coming soon!

May 18 Fiesta Asia - TBA
Raq Out - Old Parish House, College Park 7pm

On behalf of our inaugural team -- THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND LOVE! WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU!

I am looking for a couple of great dancers to be apart of a show, coming this october!!

It should be a fun and creative experience. Message me if you are interested!!!

So we all generally agree, rant, rave, and explain tirelessly that belly dance is for EVERYONE no matter what age, size, gender,ect right? Well lately I've been hearing so many comments of "No one wants to see this" or "I feel so old next to these young dancers, its time for me to retire". With that, it seems to me that some of us may not believe what we are telling others. Don't get me wrong, I also know and seen a lot of older and heavy dancers own that stage better than anyone else and embrace the fact that belly dance is for everyone by celebrating themselves in the dance. It's just how can we educate others that this is the true beauty of this dance if we don't believe/ practice it ourselves? I know we all have our insecurities but id like to believe that belly dance is where they end and beauty and confidence is where it begins. And these harsh comments about themselves aren't from newbies but very well seasoned dancers that are highly familiarized with this dance. WHY is that stereotypical ideal about how belly dancers should look or be still embedded in minds of well rounded dancers that should know better?????? I would expect such comments and expectations from the general public but from our own communities???I don't know about you guys but I just wanna dance. That's it. I just wanna dance. Life is so busy and so hectic enough. why worry about some false ideal and let it haunt us even though we have come so far with breaking these misconceptions and have so many internationally renowned seasoned dancers to look up to? I say, when your ready to retire and hang up the hip scarf, your body will tell you.Not misconceptive ideals from society. And as far as weight goes, if you can dance than BLOODY DANCE! Don't care about others ignorance and let it cloud the true celebration that is this dance. Made by women, for women. Embrace it, own it, cherish it, CELEBRATE IT, and DO NOT further let your insecurities further plant negative seeds for what we've worked SO hard to rid of..no.: