05/15/2004:  
May has been a whirlwind for those of us involved in "Elementals", the Aaminah spring show - but it was worth it! The performance went very smoothly due to everyone's hard work and good spirits, and the new format with themes and transitions was well-received. We should have the pictures from the show soon - I will keep you all informed!

The show video/DVD (filmed by Lee Witting) was especially good this year, and both are available for sale for $10 (VHS) and $15 (DVD) plus $3 shipping if necessary. The proceeds go to the performance space at the Union Street Brick Church. Please contact Lee at his email address if you are interested in buying a copy.

Now it is time to begin preparations for next year's show - please let us know if you have any ideas or suggestions for improvements!

05/23/2004:
Naya's Trance hosted a wonderful hafla in downtown Portland with great dancing, a delicious potluck buffet, quite a large audience (including passersby who peered through the windows with great interest), and a very warm and friendly atmosphere. After the engaging performances was a free beginning dance lesson and plenty of time and space for free-dancing for the dancers and the many guests. Here are a few impressions of the party:

June 12/13, 2004: American Tribal Style workshop in N.B.
Lorena Robertson presents Carrie Hiebert of Manitoba Tribal  
in a two-day workshop in St. John, New Brunswick

When: June 12/13, 2004
Where: The Millidgeville Community Centre, 99 Daniel Avenue
            St. John, N.B.
Cost: If you register before June 1st:
         One day workshop - $40.00 CDN ( Saturday or Sunday )
         Two day workshop - $75.00 CDN
         If you register after June 1st:
         One day workshop - $45.00 CDN ( Saturday or Sunday )
         Two day workshop - $85.00 CDN
         Hafla
         Free to all workshop registrants
         $5.00 CDN to non-registrants

More details on the MEDiM forum under "Upcoming Events".
To register call Lorena Robertson at (506) 847-8764 
or email: desertmagickdancers@hotmail.com

July 31, 2004: Summer Hafla for Maine Dancers
Mark your calendars! The Portland, Bangor, and Waterville area dancers are organizing an outdoor summer hafla/campout, probably in Sidney (near Waterville). There will be dancing, socializing, and mini-workshops offered by many different teachers - a great chance to try out a new style! More details will be posted on the MEDiM.org Message Board as they are worked out.

September 3 - 5 2004: Kahaz' Labor Day workshop in Bangor
Kahaz Productions presents Mesmera of California demonstrating 
both cabaret and gypsy style in a two-day workshop and a gala 
evening performance.

Where: Union St. Brick Church in Bangor, ME
When: Friday, September 3 to Sunday, September 5, 2004
Cost: $140 before August 15 or 
         $165 after August 15

For more details visit the Kahaz Productions website.

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This month's featured link:

Historical bellydancing films from the Library of Congress

These films were made in the heyday of Vaudeville entertainment and at the very beginning of motion picture technology. The style is an American stage version of "Oriental" dance rather than "authentic" Middle Eastern dance, and the costumes are very different from the ones we wear today. There are certainly no bare bellies (or much other bare skin, for that matter)! 

This first clip of Ella Lola was filmed by Thomas Edison in 1898. The flavor of the dance is different from the current style, but you'll recognize shimmies, hip circles, pelvic locks, and paddle turns. I'm fascinated by how her outer skirt moves when she spins!

The next clip, shot at the St. Louis Expo in 1904, features Princess Rajah, who treats the viewer to shimmies, "hopping" traveling steps, and a very interesting hip circle/upward pelvic lock combination, then goes on to balance a chair in her teeth while doing both floorwork and a series of dizzying spins... and she plays the zills the entire time!

The third film is not really of belly dancing, but might be interesting for all of you who enjoyed the golden wings at the "Elementals" show - here is an early version of the wings, wielded by Ameta in a 1904 clip. Her spin at the end is particularly spectacular!

All of the clips make me wish I could hear the music the dancers were performing to - was it live? Was it anything like what we dance to today (well, it's pretty certain that it wasn't like Hakim!).

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Najm and Samick are a delightful couple who share a passion for Middle Eastern music/dance and often perform together. Samick is an accomplished dancer and Najm is an excellent Tabla player. 

 What inspired you to begin drumming/dancing?

 Najm: I was interested in getting back to my ethnic roots, since I grew up in a traditional Lebanese family. We regularly got together as a family and danced and played music together. I began playing for dancers here in Maine with Baraka (a Portland-based Middle Eastern band). As a matter of fact, I performed with Baraka at the very first Desert Dancers show at the Chateau Ballroom in Bangor in 2000. That was actually my first date with Samick, and we were married shortly thereafter!

 Samick: I began dancing about seven years ago, but my inspiration began long before that - I had a Middle Eastern record that was my Mother's when she taught music appreciation. I loved that record and still play it today! It made me want to dance and to know something of other people. I still remember my first performance: I was so relieved when I finished that I left the stage without even curtseying!

 What dancers and musicians have been your greatest influences?

 Najm: Ramsey Adlebie from New York, a 
fantastic percussionist and choreographer, who taught weekend workshops with Josie Conte and Baraka. Josie is my first greatest influence in the world of Middle Eastern music/dance/drumming.

Samick:  My first teacher, Zeina, amazed me with her gracefulness and introduced me to the world of belly dance. Through the years I have had great teachers, Josie Conte and Jamileh, and they continue to inspire me, as do other dancers. I see belly dance as a continued learning experience - I have learned techniques from teachers, and now I am learning to let my heart direct my dancing through the fine opportunity afforded to me of dancing with Naya's Trance. And not to forget the never-ending quest for new costuming! [Samick designs and makes all of her own costumes. -Ed.]

 Do you play other instruments as well as the Tabla?

 Samick: Najm also plays tenor guitar, and I play zills, tambourine, and flute.

 What music do you most enjoy?

 Najm: Upbeat Lebanese folk music and “Old Time Rock’n’Roll”!

 It’s a lot of fun to watch the two of you interact as you perform. It must be a great feeling to share that experience with each other.

 Samick: We definitely feed off each other’s energy onstage! And we enjoy jamming together at home almost as much as we enjoy performing.

 Thank you for the interview, Samick and Najm!

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Check out the online forum for all Maine dancers:

MEDiM.org Message Board 

It includes a ride board, a flea market, news about upcoming events, recommendations about online vendors, class cancellation notices, rehearsal information, and whatever else you choose to post!

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MEDiM.org Message Board

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... Packing for a Workshop
Workshops are a wonderful opportunity to gain insight into a new style, or to be inspired by a different instructor. There are all sorts of workshops coming up in the area this summer - so if you have never attended one, here are some tips on what to bring (and what not to bring):

Essentials:
* Water bottle
* Energy bar/fruit/trail mix/other small snack
* Notebook and pen
* Veil
* Zills
* A quiet hipscarf (many instructors ask that you not wear a coin hip scarf because of the noise)
* Cash/checkbook/credit card (for the vendors!)
* Leggings/tights/jazz pants and a fitted top (so the instructor can see your movements. Workshop wear tends to be more casual, so you don't have to pack your fanciest bra and belt - unless you will be performing at the workshop show!)

Nice to have with you:
* Ballet slippers or other dance shoes (in case the floor is dirty, cold, or strewn with glass beads)
* Small towel
* Aspirin or other analgesic
* Baby wipes (to freshen up or to clean the soles of your feet)
* Kneepads or legwarmers (for floorwork)
* Hair ties or clips
* Tampons or pads (you never know...)

Leave at home:
* Video camera
* Cell phone (or just turn it off)
* Perfume (other participants could be allergic)
* Children
* Pets