Thread: Bellydance associations

Hi, everyone!
I think there's another thread on the subject, but I still have lots of questions and doubts about this.
I'd like to know more about bellydance associations, because the first bellydance association in Portugal, called ANDO, was created recently. Two days ago there was a dinner with a show (in which I performed) to present it officially. There is no website yet, but I think there will be one soon.

Here's some questions about bellydance associations I'd like to ask:

- What's their aims?
- Do you pay an annual fee? How much?
- Are you a member yourself?
- Is it worth the affiliation?
- Does the association provide professional or teacher trainning?
- Does it improve bellydance professional recognition?
- What sort of events does it promote?
- What's you opinion about these associations?
- Is there a difference between associations and organizations?
- Can you also post any links to associations websites, please?

Too many questions... But please give me all the feedback you can. Every information which might help us is welcome!

Thanks in advance!
Ana

Hello Ana!

There is an association here in New England....with chapters in MA, RI, NH, VT, ME and now CT...It’s called NORTHEAST BELLY DANCE ASSOCIATION …here the website: Northeast Belly Dance Association

I started the one in CT ( I was also a member of MEDAH when I lived in Hawaii)...it's just a good way to get everyone in the community involved and work together as a team….we promote the art in a stronger way and get more funds to create bigger events and workshops opportunities…
We only charge $10/yr for membership….members get to perform for free and get discounted prices at all the shows/haflas/workshops sponsored by all NBDA’s…The CT chapter have been together for about a 1 ½ yr, started with just a group of maybe 7 of us with only one hafla a year...Now we have around 40-50 members and do 2 bigger shows per year….We are really excited because we just got enough funds to sponsor workshops with the amazing Blanca this Spring! ..g.:

Overall, I think they are a good thing if you have ‘hard working’ and strong board members who make things happen! So far, I like the experience…it can be a LOT of work but I think is worth the time in the end

Congrats on bringing in Blanca!!!

..g.:

That's excellent news!!!

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Congrats on bringing in Blanca!!!

..g.:

That's excellent news!!!

Yes, save the date!! April 10th! @ Dragon's Egg in Mystic!

Originally Posted by ANA_bellydancer

Hi, everyone!
I think there's another thread on the subject, but I still have lots of questions and doubts about this.
I'd like to know more about bellydance associations, because the first bellydance association in Portugal, called ANDO, was created recently. Two days ago there was a dinner with a show (in which I performed) to present it officially. There is no website yet, but I think there will be one soon.

Here's some questions about bellydance associations I'd like to ask:

- What's their aims?
- Do you pay an annual fee? How much?
- Are you a member yourself?
- Is it worth the affiliation?
- Does the association provide professional or teacher trainning?
- Does it improve bellydance professional recognition?
- What sort of events does it promote?
- What's you opinion about these associations?
- Is there a difference between associations and organizations?
- Can you also post any links to associations websites, please?

Too many questions... But please give me all the feedback you can. Every information which might help us is welcome!

Thanks in advance!
Ana

I belong to two here in the UK. MADN provides me with my PLI, togther with the membership fee, the charge is much less than getting an individual policy. I get a thrice yearly mag and there is an AGM and a show.
Standards are encouraged by them and by NADA (Welcome to NADA - Northern Arabic Dance Association). I have a lot more to do with this association,beng a member of the committee and editor of the magazine that again comes out 3 times a year. At the AGM, there is a free and also a subsidised workshop for members. We will sponsor platforms in our name; There is one in Yorkshire in the New Year and there has been one recently in the NE of England. Other events are in the pipeline. PLI is being investigated and we hope to provide this also.
We don't provide training apart from maybe individual workshops but would recommend organsiations those hoping to teach to attend courses run by such as JWAAD. Our membership was orginally from the North of England nd Scotland but we have all sorts of foreigners such as Southerners now as members and some overseas.

The aims of NADA are on the website.

Ana..PM'd ypou but your inbox is full....

In the Netherlands, we have two associations. It is not clear to me what both associations stand for, besides 'raising the level of bellydance'. I intend to become a member of one of them, but I'm still waiting for the moment that I will actually benefit from being a member of this organisation.

Sofar, the only benefit is that I can attend workshops organised by the association for a reduced fee. I think it's really important to clearly state what you're doing, who you are doing it for, how you want to reach your goals and why people should join.

Originally Posted by lizajuk

Ana..PM'd ypou but your inbox is full....

I've just cleaned my box ,r:;

Originally Posted by Sahari

Yes, save the date!! April 10th! @ Dragon's Egg in Mystic!

Sweeeeeeeeet!

I belong to MECDA (Middle Eastern Culture & Dance Assoc.) It is a national organization with many chapters across the US. Info here: mecda.org

I also volunteer as an officer for our Arizona chapter. You can find info what our chapter goals and activities are here: index.htm

I believe it has been a beneficial thing in our AZ community. We have put on many events - workshops, festivals, we're marching in a Christmas parade on Saturday!

Personally, being involved has given me the opportunity to learn how to plan *large* events (90+ dancers - 4 bands!). It's also put me in contact with so many performers, instructors and style in our community. Yes, it has been a lot of (fun!) work but it has been completely worth it to volunteer my time.

Once I've stepped down from my turn as an officer, I plan to remain involved as an atendee and volunteer to help put on events.

Good luck getting your's going...

Mahin

Curious

How many associations include the local musicians

Sean

Originally Posted by sblanck

Curious

How many associations include the local musicians

Sean

We don't have many musicians in the area...not that lucky around here ,r:;

But the ones we do have are always invited to take part of all the events...actually they have played at our past few shows...We love Live music! ..g.:

Originally Posted by Sahari

We don't have many musicians in the area...not that lucky around here ,r:;

But the ones we do have are always invited to take part of all the events...actually they have played at our past few shows...We love Live music! ..g.:

Oh goodness, yes!!! I wish we had more musicians to collaborate with, because they make us better dancers and they make our experience so much richer. Like I said in a previous thread....I feel like a golden retriever when musicians come to town. I get so excited, it's hard for me NOT to want to lick somebody's face!

Hmmm maybe the band should make a trip to Ct and play a show or two

Originally Posted by sblanck

Hmmm maybe the band should make a trip to Ct and play a show or two

Now I would come up there to see Satin lick your face! .w.:

Originally Posted by Fotia

Now I would come up there to see Satin lick your face! .w.:

LMAO! As long as you don't put it on YouTube ,r:;..l;,

In all seriousness, though, Sblanck, that would be great!

Any other ideas?

More opinions? .w.:

Re: local bellydance associations - we have one of long standing ( Guild of Oriental Dance Home Page ), and one which started last month ( TC TRIBAL )

- What's their aims?
G: Originally, it was to protect club/restaurant dancers' wages and working conditions. They still do that, but they also provide performance opportunities, professional and social networking, and non-dance classes. The #1 most useful thing they do is keep a calendar that shows all local events (assuming that one of the organizers is also a guild member, and lists it).
T: At first I wasn't sure why this organization was created, but here it is in their words: "The missions of TC Tribal is along with being your one location to stay up to date on all goings-on but also to help foster and build a strong Tribal dance community."

- Do you pay an annual fee? How much?
G: Yes, $24
T: Yes, $5

- Are you a member yourself?
G: Yes
T: Not yet

- Is it worth the affiliation?
G: Many of the Guild's benefits apply to those who aren't affiliated with it - anyone can access the event calendar, or use the performer and teacher listings to find performers and teachers. I joined because I thought the calendar was incredibly useful, and I wanted to support it. The parties and classes are worth the $24/year to me. But if I say I'm in the Guild, it doesn't really impress anyone. It's not as if they turn people away!
T: If you win the quarterly gift basket, it would totally be worth it. Or if you got into a tight workshop because if it, it would be worth it. Otherwise, the benefits have eluded me.

- Does the association provide professional or teacher trainning?
G: The classes that are offered occasionally are always something like bellydance-associated skills or history classes - never movement classes. The Guild considers those the province of dance teachers, and doesn't want to steal that business away from its own members.
T: Not at the current time.

- Does it improve bellydance professional recognition?
G: Yes. As a member, you are listed on the most visible local bellydance website (if you wish) as a performer and/or teacher. This increases the likelihood that potential customers will consider you. If you are not a member of the Guild, other dancers will usually wonder why.
T: Probably. It's an association website, and while it's not as well known as the Guild's, it's another way to get your name out there, and has the added benefit of "branding" members with the tribal style.
w/b continued below

continued from above
- What sort of events does it promote?
G: Any bellydance or Middle Eastern Music related event organized by one of its members - anything from a week-long workshop, to a charity event that features bellydancers, to a variety show featuring a magician and burlesque act as well as bellydancers.
T: Events organized by its members, presumably those related to tribal bellydance.

- What's you opinion about these associations?
G: Has been effective in maintaining pay rates in a market FLOODED with experienced and aspiring pro-level bellydancers. Provides a valuable service to anyone interested in bellydance through the calendar and professional listings, and to members through the many events/classes it runs. The annual scholarship drawing (for all members) is awesome...isn't it my turn to win?
T: Should be effective at promoting its professional members, but I see limited value for non-professional members. Pretty much the big draw for me is the quarterly gift basket drawing - at $5 for 4 drawings, it's the equivalent of a few raffle tickets.

- Is there a difference between associations and organizations?
I suppose so. You can check out the links and decide how you'd define what we have...g.:

- Can you also post any links to associations websites, please?
Guild of Oriental Dance Home Page
TC TRIBAL

,r:; Very elucidative ideas!