How to jump start a dance scene in my community?

[kemintiri]

After a couple of years of lamenting the lack of bellydance scene in my community, I decided to get off my rump and make one happen (or at least try *g*).

I've started off by creating a Facebook group to connect the students from the 3 possible places within my city where bellydance is taught. Indeed, the city is very spread out and connecting people together seems to be an issue, so that was my starting point. I sent invites to the few students for whom I had an email address (and most have accepted it, yay!) I'm endeavoring to post contents that is relevant, such as what to wear to class, announcements of upcoming shows in neighboring cities, posting YouTube clips of both classic songs and ME pop, where to learn bellydance, FAQs like "What is a hafla?" etc... I've also been friending teachers who might come teach workshops some day, which is my hope. Nothing wrong with our teachers, just wanting to learn more with a bunch a dance buddies and hopefully generate enough enthusiasm about bellydance that one day we'll have our pick of which workshop/hafla to attend. I don't think it is impossible, as we are in the top 12 largest cities in the country and we have a huge Middle Eastern contingent.

Although it would be nice to have place to perform, we are not quite at that level yet. Most students have done only the level one class at the rec center, some have done level 2 and a handful of keeners have done these classes more than once. Very few (me, my teacher and one other teacher) have attended workshops. I think most ppl don't know about those, don't know about haflas but I see them congragating around the teacher at the end of the class, obviously wanting more, asking when level 3 will be offered etc...

So I've taken the first step to connect ppl together. A small one, I'll grant you that, but hey it's done, no going back now. What else would you suggest I do to breathe life into a budding bellydance scene? I'm thinking of organizing some video nights (Lord I got enough dvd lying around... .w.: ) What else could I do?

Your input is welcome! Thanks!

(Oh and if you have any advice on how to handle potential problems, that would be great. The very few teachers have been teaching for 5 years or so, and I don't want to come across as the Thunder Stealer or anything like that. But I've checked the net, social networking site, the local papers, the local art council and there is NO bellydance scene here. AT all. The only thing I could find was for the one troupe who performs at the cultural festival every summer and a couple of highschool christmas shows. To my knowledge there is nothing else.)

[tahiradancer]

Here are a few ideas.

Along with a facebook group, start a yahoo group.

get post cards made with both the Facebook and Yahoo! info on it and distribute them at haflas, festivals, etc.

look into starting a belly dance meet up group

If you have the money / interest, start a website.

Once you have the word out there, try putting together small workshops / halfas. LA Raqs did this, many times bringing teachers who were "local" but on the other side of town out for a workshop followed by a mini hafla.

If you have the ability, see about starting a MECDA chapter. As you are in Canada, this may not be possible per se but, there may be something similar which you can do.

Canvas, canvas, canvas! Once you get some of these things in place, you must get the word out. But the nice thing is that you get to go to a lot of Belly dance shows and events! Not bad.

{{{HUGS}}}

[da Sage]

So I've taken the first step to connect ppl together. A small one, I'll grant you that, but hey it's done, no going back now. What else would you suggest I do to breathe life into a budding bellydance scene? I'm thinking of organizing some video nights (Lord I got enough dvd lying around... .w.: ) What else could I do?

Your input is welcome! Thanks!

(Oh and if you have any advice on how to handle potential problems, that would be great. The very few teachers have been teaching for 5 years or so, and I don't want to come across as the Thunder Stealer or anything like that. But I've checked the net, social networking site, the local papers, the local art council and there is NO bellydance scene here. AT all. The only thing I could find was for the one troupe who performs at the cultural festival every summer and a couple of highschool christmas shows. To my knowledge there is nothing else.)

My question is what kind of bellydance scene do you want? You've got multiple teachers, a troupe, an involved student base, so there's definitely interest. It sounds like you want something "cool" to happen, so what do you think is cool? You mentioned workshops and haflas - if you're not ready to bring in a workshop teacher, you might start with a hafla in a a dance studio or a restaurant. If there's any restaurant dancing, you could organize an outing with friends. The video party you mentioned is a great idea. Basically, decide what you want to see (level 3 classes? a troupe with a different aesthetic? a theatrical bellydance show?), and then go for it (recruit friends and chat up potential teachers...create a dance with a fellow dancer, and take it to a hafla in the next big city over...correspond with Miles Copeland to see if he'd bring the BDSS to your neck of the woods).

I know people think Facebook is the ultimate networking tool, but I think it has serious limitations. If someone searches "YourTown" "Belly dance" in Google, they will probably not find your Facebook page. I recommend that you also either join/create a Meetup group, or better yet create a real, old-fashioned website that lists teachers and upcoming events.

[beafarhana]

I think you've done well already and it's great that you can get different teachers & student groups together. That's the making of a community in itself.

You said you weren't thinking of performing, but how about suggesting a Student Recital, or haflah, for all the various classes, only open to students and their family & friends. It doesn't need to be high level, just to give the teachers something for their classes to work towards. Also I know how much students love to see their teachers performing, and it gives them inspiration.

Can you find a venue where you could hold a club night, maybe every two or three months? Get a dj who can play plenty of bellydance music.

I love the idea of a video party. Most of my students really enjoy them and we try to make a fun evening of it, even though it's technically a class. We all bring snacks to share, and I usually try to bring some henna for doodling with.

On the social side, a local(ish) teacher is organising a Harem Afternoon, with a couple of beauticians, and masseuses on hand, she is calling it "an afternoon of dancing, shopping, cakes and pampering", which sounds blissful.

All these things do need a fair bit of work in planning & carrying out, though, so I would suggest getting a couple of friends on board, to help with admin & networking. Maybe those local teachers, especially, so they get a sense of ownership of these events, and have an incentive to make them work.

[Nouria]

After a couple of years of lamenting the lack of bellydance scene in my community, I decided to get off my rump and make one happen (or at least try *g*).

I would suggest a "jour fixe" in a place where there's Arab music played and where you can get up and dance, just to bring the private hobby in a more public sphere and there you connect and network.

[maurazebra]

Anthea posted an interesting thread on Tribe that described how she jump-started a belly dance community in Virginia in the late 90s.
starting a bellydance community - The Biz of Belly Dance - tribe.net

[LiesaB.]

A Bellydance Club is another idea: An actual meeting once a month of interested folks.
Purpose: To get together in a fairly loose social way in person to chat about Bellydance stuff, brainstorm, socialize, have topics, themes, guest speakers etc.
I started this in my area about 4 yrs ago. Since I "jumpstart" a lot of stuff already, my goal was to have someone else take over as organizer. We met at different homes the (approx.)first Sun. of the month 1-3 pm. At end of the meeting, the next meeting place would be volunteered by someone. Whoever was the host chose the "theme". You could also meet in public places, restaurants, or go on field trips.You joined the group by invitation from someone in it.
We had no dues. Was discussed as possible for future.
Unfortunately it only lasted about a year, no one was able to really take on the role of organizer(s). However, we had some great meetings, and some day I may resuscitate it as I grow older and do less performing. Everyone really enjoyed it!
We had:
1) Beading workshop
2) Makeup workshop
3) Videos & snacks
4) just hangin'
5) Decorating little storage/jewelry boxes
6) Videos & snacks
7) Bon voyage
8) just hangin'
9) Demonstation of moves learned in a recent workshop
Someone such as yourself who is highly motivated could perhaps get this going. Our pool of dedicated dancers is very small in my area.

[beafarhana]

Liesa- I love that idea!

[kemintiri]

Along with a facebook group, start a yahoo group.

look into starting a belly dance meet up group

If you have the money / interest, start a website.

{{{HUGS}}}

Thanks Tahira. Just a few questions: what's the advantage of a yahoo group? (None of the students so far has a yahoo email, hence the question.) Also, with a FB page, Yahoo groupd and a website, would there be a chance that ppl would get confused as to where to go?

What's a meetup group exactly? Like a practice group?

[kemintiri]

what kind of bellydance scene do you want?

-a fun, varied and inclusive one. Everyone teaches Egyptian right now. Which is cool, but what about Turkish? Or Tribal? Or what about sword classes? That sort of thing.

might start with a hafla in a a dance studio or a restaurant.

-actually, I'm thinking of putting together a Halloween hafla or a holiday hafla that would give people enough time to prepare, I think. Do you think both would be too much?


If someone searches "YourTown" "Belly dance" in Google, they will probably not find your Facebook page.

-actually, it's good you mentioned, I was able to change the setting of the page to make it show in searches.

Thanks!

[kemintiri]

Can you find a venue where you could hold a club night, maybe every two or three months? Get a dj who can play plenty of bellydance music.

On the social side, a local(ish) teacher is organising a Harem Afternoon, with a couple of beauticians, and masseuses on hand, she is calling it "an afternoon of dancing, shopping, cakes and pampering", which sounds blissful.

Well, teachers have yet to respond and there's one that I have no contact info for, although I've looked all over. I've suggested haflas before, but I think people are too busy to organize one. I happen to have some free time (no kids yet), business skills and contacts in the printing industry, so why not make my community benefit? I'm totally cool with it if they are too busy to do anything like a hafla or student concert, I'm just afraid it would come across as too forward or something. (but if I keep on being afraidof being too forward, we won't have a hafla. I want a hafla!!!)

I love the idea of the club night and harem afternoon!!! Taking notes!!!

Thanks!

[kemintiri]

I would suggest a "jour fixe" in a place where there's Arab music played and where you can get up and dance, just to bring the private hobby in a more public sphere and there you connect and network.

do you need to get permission from the owners for something like that?

[kemintiri]

Anthea posted an interesting thread on Tribe that described how she jump-started a belly dance community in Virginia in the late 90s.
starting a bellydance community - The Biz of Belly Dance - tribe.net

Thanks for that!

[kemintiri]

A Bellydance Club is another idea: An actual meeting once a month of interested folks.
Purpose: To get together in a fairly loose social way in person to chat about Bellydance stuff, brainstorm, socialize, have topics, themes, guest speakers etc.
I started this in my area about 4 yrs ago. Since I "jumpstart" a lot of stuff already, my goal was to have someone else take over as organizer. We met at different homes the (approx.)first Sun. of the month 1-3 pm. At end of the meeting, the next meeting place would be volunteered by someone. Whoever was the host chose the "theme". You could also meet in public places, restaurants, or go on field trips.You joined the group by invitation from someone in it.
We had no dues. Was discussed as possible for future.
Unfortunately it only lasted about a year, no one was able to really take on the role of organizer(s). However, we had some great meetings, and some day I may resuscitate it as I grow older and do less performing. Everyone really enjoyed it!
We had:
1) Beading workshop
2) Makeup workshop
3) Videos & snacks
4) just hangin'
5) Decorating little storage/jewelry boxes
6) Videos & snacks
7) Bon voyage
8) just hangin'
9) Demonstation of moves learned in a recent workshop
Someone such as yourself who is highly motivated could perhaps get this going. Our pool of dedicated dancers is very small in my area.

Would love this!!! Partners in beading!!!

Well, I've sent invites for a video night (will try to work up the courage to mention it again at class, not much of a public speaker, I'm afraid...) and I'm having quotes done for flyers and promo cards.

It feels good to be doi g something,ike this, but it is a bit scary too

[Ainsley]

The very few teachers have been teaching for 5 years or so, and I don't want to come across as the Thunder Stealer or anything like that. But I've checked the net, social networking site, the local papers, the local art council and there is NO bellydance scene here. AT all.

I'm totally cool with it if they are too busy to do anything like a hafla or student concert, I'm just afraid it would come across as too forward or something.

If you're filling a niche in your community, you're doing everyone a service. Don't be self-conscious!

Thanks Tahira. Just a few questions: what's the advantage of a yahoo group? (None of the students so far has a yahoo email, hence the question.)

Yes, I wonder the same thing. So few people have Yahoo IDs now, and I know I'm not usually a fan of having to join a new service to access information. Is there a benefit to Yahoo groups in particular? The one that I'm a member of I honestly find a bit cumbersome to navigate.

[khalida777]

I think it's great! You are creating more community involvement via events that would be new to your area, searching for collaboration, very conscious of not stepping on people's toes, communicating your intentions to the local teachers to seek their input. . . . Go for it!


Khalida

[tahiradancer]

I am on several Yahoo! groups. Some are very active, some not so much. For me, I like the fact that the e-mails come straight to my e-mail box and I don't have to then go to Facebook, log in and see them again. (I have e-mail notification on Facebook as well.) Personally, I would probably have both. But in my perspective, it's like doing both TV and Radio advertising: more coverage.

You put your main source of info in the signature on the fornums which drive traffic. If the website is the main hub, then FB & YG's are what helps deliver a stream of information which has people go to the Website. Also, FB could allow people to "chat" in real time, while YG allows a different level of interaction and the website gives more detailed info.

{{{HUGS}}}

[tahiradancer]

Oh, and to explain what a meet up is:

Do something, Learn something, Share something, Change something - Meetup.com

{{{HUGS}}}