March 29, 2005:  
Spring is here! It's been a long stretch of snowy weather, and if you are anything like me you have been suffering from a bad case of cabin fever. Even so, there have been some great activities going on, including the Naya's Trance spring hafla and the benefit show in Waterville.

Now the skies and the roads are looking a little clearer, and there are more exciting events coming up - like the Maine Bellydance Festival in Saco, the workshop with Mohamed Shahin in Portland, and the Aaminah spring show in Bangor. See you there?

Enjoy!

March 6, 2005: Naya's Trance hafla in Portland
Nayas Trance hosted a great dance party at the Maine Ballroom Dance Studio in Portland. The audience was treated to a wide variety of performances, from modern and funky to mystical and moving, as well as a buffet of Middle Eastern specialties. Hip scarves, silk veils, and costume pieces were on sale at the bazaar, and the participants and audience alike had a wonderful time.

            
                Mira                         Azalea                 Jessica Means

        
                Jamileh          Adira, Samick, and Shahla of Naya's Trance

            
          Shahla                 MaryAnne                 Kalyani

                      
             Ahnalya, Brigitte, Azalea, and Kalyani of Naya's Trance

March 19, 2005: Benefit Show and Hafla in Waterville
An amazing group of dancers from professionals to "newbies" with eight weeks of dance experience gathered in Waterville for a fun, energy-filled show. Amity and the Thomas College Multicultural Club organized the event featuring dancers from Waterville, Portland, Bangor, Liberty, and Guilford. By the the end of the evening $380 had been raised for the Sahana Project, an American-Sri Lankan tsunami relief fund. 

The audience was treated to live drumming and solo and group dances as well as spectacular Isis wings, candle tray, sword, cane, and veil.

Thanks to all the performers for donating their time and talent: MC Kahaz; soloists Amity, Tonya, Mira, Adira, Shahla, Jessica Means, Tirzah, Samick and Najm, and Lorien; and group dancers Roxann Donahue's Waterville class, Diana's Montville class, Mira's Waterville class, the Thomas College Hiplash Dance Company, and Nayas Trance.

              
         Najm on doumbek                Shahla and Jessica Means

            
             Tirzah                          Adira                             Encyeh

                         
                                             Amity

             All photos of the Waterville benefit show by Zach Kowalcyzk.
             More of Zach's photos of the event are posted  here and here

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April 9, 2005: Maine Bellydance Festival in Saco
 Hosted by Steven and Lisa and featuring troupe and solo performances and vendors as well as mini-workshops taught by Maine instructors and open dancing. Table seating, light snacks, cash bar, and a nice new dance floor! 

Where: Holiday Inn Convention Center in Saco, ME
When: Saturday April 9, 2005 from 7 PM to midnight
Cost: $5

Email Steven and Lisa Kouyoumjian or (better) call Lisa 
at 207-459-7200  for more details.

April 15, 2005: "A Gypsy in Cairo" Dance Theater in Arlington, MA
 Johara's Snake Dance Theater presents the story of a Turkish Gypsy who leaves her village in search of love and stardom on the Hollywood-inspired stages of 1950’s Cairo. The show features: Turkish Gypsy, Egyptian, and Fusion style dance choreography by Johara;  stunning group and solo dance performances by some of Boston’s finest belly dancers; dramatic and comic scenes; colorful oriental costumes; and a spectacular Hollywood-style finale. Don’t miss this unique opportunity which brings belly dance out of the shadows and under the brilliant lights of the theater!

Where: The Regent Theater at 7 Medford Street in Arlington Center 
            (just off of Mass Ave.)
When: Saturday April 15, 2005 from 8 -10 PM
Cost: $25

For tickets call the Regent Theatre box office at 781-646-4849
For more information call Johara at 617-780-8890 or email Johara

April 30, 2005: Belly-robics in Portland
 Naya's Trance will sponsor this 1-hour workshop with Emma Holder. 
This is a repeat of the class offered in February & March. People just can't get enough! If you haven't tried it yet join us for this hour-long high energy class that will make you sweat while drilling your belly dancing skills! The class includes lots of movement to train cardiovascular stamina while strength training to build muscles involved with belly dance. Please wear appropriate clothes (no skirts), bring a water bottle and a mat. Be ready to sweat.

Where: World Arts Bodywork & Movement Studio, 
            616 Congress Street in Portland, ME 
When: Saturday April 30th, 2005 from 1 to 2 PM
Cost:  $7 pre-registered or $10 unregistered (drop-in)

For more information click here or contact either 
Emma Holder at 415-7204 or Naya's Trance at 318-0400
You can register (but not pay) for this workshop online here.

April 30 and May 1, 2005: Studio Shows in Brunswick
 Jamileh will sponsor two student showcases at Bowdoin College.

Where: Kresge Auditorium (Bowdoin College) 
When: Saturday April 30th, 2005 at 6 PM and 
           Sunday May 1, 2005 at 2 PM
Cost:  $3

For more information email Jamileh or call her at: 207-773-2966 

May 21, 2005: Workshop with Mohamed Shahin of Cairo, Egypt
Jamileh and the Center for Cultural Exchange present a workshop and show with Mohamed Shahin, an internationally acclaimed performer and instructor of Egyptian Folklore and Tanora. Mr. Shahin has worked with many famous for Egyptian Dance including Hassan Afifi, El Gedawi Ramadan Group, and Mahmoud Reda Private Group. He will be bringing his delightful style to Portland for one day only. A wonderful opportunity to expand your repertoire beyond cabaret!

Where: Center for Cultural Exchange, 1 Longfellow Square, Portland
            (Workshop venue to be announced)
When: Saturday May 21, 2005
           Workshop I (Saidi): 10 AM - 1 PM 
           Workshop II (Fellahi): 2 PM - 5 PM 
Cost:  Both workshops + show: $85 before May 7 or $95 after May 7
          One workshop: $45 before May 7 or $55 after May 7
          Show only: $15

For more information email Jamileh or call her at: 207-773-2966 

May 21 and 22, 2005: Workshop with Aziza in St. John, N.B.
The Caravan Dancers present Aziza (of Portland Oregon & Montreal, Quebec) in Saint John, New Brunswick for a two day dance workshop and Saturday evening performance.

Where: Gothic Arches, 95 Wentworth Street, St. John, N.B.
When: Saturday May 21 and Sunday May 22, 2005
Cost: Two-day workshop + show: $170 (Canadian) or $190 after April 30
         One day workshop: $85 (Canadian) or $95 after April 30
         Show only: $15 (Canadian)

To register or for more information, email Ma'isha (Marilyn Paris)  
or call her at 506-642-2772

June 4, 2005: Workshop with Alia Thabit in Bangor
 Kahaz Productions presents an three-hour afternoon workshop with Alia Thabit of Vermont.

Where: Union Street Brick Church in Bangor, ME (directions)
When: Saturday, June 4, 2005 from 11 AM to 2 PM
Cost: $35

Email Kahaz or call her at 207-944-7510 for more details.

June 4, 2005: Aaminah Spring Show in Bangor
"A Night in the Casbah" hosted by the Aaminah School of Dance and featuring performances by dancers and groups from Bangor, Calais, and Waterville, as well as Naya's Trance of Portland and Alia Thabit of Vermont. 

Where: Union Street Brick Church in Bangor, ME (directions)
When: Saturday, June 4, 2005. 
          Doors open at 7 PM, show begins at 7:30 PM
Cost: $10 (open seating)

Email Mira or Lorien for tickets or for more details.

June 15, 2005: Studio Show in Portland
 Jamileh will sponsor a student showcase at Portland High School.

Where: John Ford Auditorium (Portland High School)
When: Wednesday June 15th, 2005 at 7 PM
Cost:  $4

For more information email Jamileh or call her at: 207-773-2966 

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Adira is a beautiful dancer, massage therapist, fitness trainer, member of the Nayas Trance troupe, and a teacher of both belly dance and belly dance fitness classes in the Portland area.


  MEDiM: When did you begin dancing, and what inspired you to start?

Adira: When I was little, my family lived all over the world, as my father worked in oil exploration. I don't remember much now, as we settled in Canada when I was 6, but one of the places we lived was Turkey. My parents brought back to Canada carpets, beautiful metal urns, and a record with a green-costumed bellydancer. I learned how to use the record player so I could play that record.

Many years later...
I started dancing when I moved to Boulder (1993). I had just finished my Masters degree, and we went to Boulder so Dave (my then-fiance) could start his. There is a thriving latin community there, and I learned salsa, bolero and Cuban son from a really marvelous dancer called Carmen Nelson. The rhythm just flows through her, it looks like she is floating along effortlessly on the sound. When I moved to Portland (1997), I went to a demonstration at the Full Circle Synergy school of Tai Chi and saw
Capoeira, Bellydance and Tai Chi demonstrations. The bellydance demo given by Jeanne Handy and her students evoked the memory of the long-ago
record and dancer. I was hooked from then on. Since then, I have also taken Argentinian Tango and Swing. (I have no idea how to dance ballroom.)

  MEDiM: What aspects of the dance are most important to you?

Adira: Jinglies and Sparklies. Wheee!
But on a deeper level, I find this form of dance very healing. I have noticed this effect in many women who try bellydancing. I started bellydance for many reasons, but one of the biggest was to reconnect to
my center and my femininity. After surviving a health crisis from the age of 23, I was living from the neck up - meaning intellectually, not really in touch with my body and the signals it gave me. Since I started
dancing, I feel much more connected with myself. I see now how all human interaction is really a dance with the other person, a form of body communication, connection and signals, transmitting and receiving information back and forth.

  MEDiM: Tell us about your upcoming projects.

Adira: I am working on getting a few new projects off the ground. Along with the troupe I belong to (Nayas Trance in Portland), I have introduced a new class type called "Belly-robics". Wow - fun fun fun! We had 18 people at the first one! It's an hour long class of working out bellydance-style, and strengthening core muscles used in the dance. we'll be doing it once a month (info and registration on the Nayas Trance website).

Recently, I have been intrigued by tribal costuming and accessories. I taught myself how to make dreadlocks out of wool, and am also creating
some tassel belts. I'd like to give a couple of workshops later this year in making head dresses and personalized tassel belts.

 Thank you for the interview, Adira!  

Adira of Portland

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• information about your upcoming events
• articles about your dance experiences 
• how-to tutorials
• interesting internet links
• descriptions of items to swap or sell
• ideas and feedback for this newsletter
  
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This month's featured link:

Shira.net

A reader recently suggested that I feature Shira's website in this section, and it boggled my mind that I hadn't thought of it before. It is a comprehensive online resource which offers:

• Solid, well-researched articles about many different aspects of Middle Eastern dance (history, belly dance styles, travelogues...)
  

• Advice, tips, and "how-to"s for playing finger cymbals, learning choreography, bringing expression to your dance, going professional, costuming, makeup, etc.
  

• Articles on Middle Eastern music and rhythms
  

• Translations of many classic songs (some with audio clips)
  

• Thorough reviews of belly dance-related books, instructional and performance videos/DVDs, and music
  

• Belly dance-themed artwork, poems, and essays contributed by various dancers
  

• Contact information for teachers and performers all over the world
  

• Links to many other informative websites

And there's plenty more - visit Shira's site and see for yourself!

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Well, just as a reminder, cover-ups are an important part of your costume. As important as your bra or belt, I would say. If you are a performer, your performance is special, removed, set apart from your everyday self. Your audience wants it to remain special and apart. When you appear off-stage without something covering your costume, you destroy the illusion of the performance. Plus, anytime you wear your expensive costume without a cover-up, you risk damaging it. Just running out to say “hi” to your mom could be disastrous if someone nearby spills a drink on you or you snag your fringe on a door hinge and spray beads everywhere five minutes before you go on. Cover-ups are important, ‘nuff said.

I know they are always an afterthought and easy to forget. So, why not keep them permanently packed? I keep mine folded in my makeup case. It’s always there when I need it. I don’t have to remember to pack it. You could also keep it on a hanger in your garment bag or suitcase that you use to transport your costumes in. Or in your dance bag. Why not do it right now? Before you forget.

So, for those of you who are always saying “Gee, I really need to get/make one of those things.” And never do…..here are some ideas for cover-ups you may already have in your closet: a graduation gown, a fancy bathrobe or housecoat, a Halloween costume, a plus-sized dress. If any of these things are not already in your closet, head down to your local vintage or thrift store. You can get them there for a few dollars. Go couch-diving for change, if you have to.

Want to make your own? Have a few yards of fabric lying around your house? How about some old curtains or a light bedspread? Here’s how to make a simple cover-up. Don’t tell me you can’t sew… all you need is scissors!

1) Take 2 to 3 yards of fabric and fold it in half.

2) Now fold it in half the other direction. You should have a rectangle with one corner having two sets of folds. This is the center of the fabric. 

3) Lay the folded fabric down. Starting at the center, measure out about 3 inches along one edge. Start cutting toward the other edge, aiming for about the same distance down from the center. Cut in a curve. If that’s too tough, cut a straight line, it doesn’t really matter.

4) So now you have a rectangle with the center corner cut out. You can stop here if you want. You have a cover up! Really. Take the fabric and open it up…Voila! Your standard Charlie Brown ghost costume. Stick your head through the hole in the middle and you’re done. If the hole is too small, cut it larger. Want to get fancy? Grab a scarf and use it for a sash.

5) Another option is to open up the fabric and cut down the middle of one long side so you can slip it on like a cape. The opening is in the front. You can keep it closed with a belt or safety pins if you don’t want to sew buttons or a zipper.

6) If you want to get fancy, you can sew up the sides about 2/3 of the way. Leave plenty of room for your arms to get through. Don’t want to sew, but do want the sides closed? Attach a button, hooks/eyes, snaps or safety pins to close the sides.

7) Make sure you finish all the edges by either hemming, or running some "FrayChek" along the raw edges. You can also buy something called “Stitch Witchery”. It’s an iron on tape that lets you hem things without sewing.

Okay, no more excuses for not having a cover-up! Find one, make one, pack it away. Do it now, before you forget. Oh, and while you’re at it, why not pack two? Just in case I forget mine.

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