So… from my original Eagerly Awaited list, I now have a bunch of new videos. But am I satisfied? No, of course not. Let’s face it, I never will be.
I did get Nadira’s Jamal’s Improvisation toolkit – Movement Recall. This was one very much what I had expected. Perhaps Nadira’s descriptions were so thorough that it would have been odd to be surprised. I haven’t worked a lot with the DVD, but strangely, after watching it, I haven’t needed to. Some of the principles have just stuck in my head and although I don’t do much “noodling” or stick strictly to 3 safety moves, something about the whole idea has been guiding my improvisatin attempts. In fact, I’d say they’re no longer conscious over-planned attempts. I just sometimes get away from my strict learning and drills routines to “just dance” and it’s happening so much easier.
I got Modern Dance a few days ago. This two disk set was somehow a tiny bit disappiinting. I find the style of instruction coming in may way, for some reason. I hate it when an instructor does the “just like a real class” scenario. Unlike many people, I don’t want a class on DVD. I want personal from-her-to-me instruction on a DVD. I find Kat Worthington’s fiddling and fussing over the dancers assisting her sort of annoying and distracting. I think she didn’t need them and could show it straight with a voice over. The pacing is also not natural and comfortable. However, this is early days and I’m going to get over this and see what it feels like later. For now I want to “steal” exercises out of it to do separately. I also have to give myself time to get over the fact that this isn’t Asharah. I think, in my mind, I just want more Asharah!
Of course, I got and have been working with Bellydance Rhythms and that turned out to be more than I expected. I liked it when I first saw the ivdeo, but it’s working with it that has made me totally love it. Also, just today two people have told me that I’m losing weight by the looks of me – and that’s music to my ears! I’m going to stick to it like velcro.
I’ve also reviewed Sadie’s Pops Locks and Shimmies. I think that one was also pretty much as expected, apart from the instruction style, which I think was surprisingly amazing. Since I got the video, I’ve been checking with a friend or two and they think the video is actually much more and much better than the workshop. I haven’t got down to working with this, except for one drill. I tend to pick up a drill almost at random from here or from Sadie’s Thrillin Drillin. I find that an enjoyable way to do it. Any of these all at once can kill.
Bellydance Crash Course is one video I liked at first, but got a little disenchanted with over time. It seems to have a big chunk for beginners, a big chink for intermediates, and nothing in between. I mean, the connection between the different parts of the instruction are somehow not there. In a way you could say that the program itself has no flow. I also find some of the combinations are not really, really danceable in a choreography. For instance, the circles combo.
Now, on the top of my Eagerly Awaited list happens to be Autumn Ward’s Beautiful Technique. If there’s another dancer I totally love, that’s Autumn Ward. She is an “organic” dancer, a natural. From this preview, every movement looks beautiful. And none of it looks particularly beginner, though if she can get a beginner to do this… I’m all hers!
Here are two performances of hers I love watching:
Like the rest of the wrold, I too am waiting for Ranya Renee’s videos. First The Baladi and then Modern Oriental. Though I’m sure it’s Modern Oriental that leads to the Baladi.
I’m also waiting for Sensual Passion, the Tamlyn Dalal video I bought. I don’t quite know what to expect from it because everyone was extremely enthusiastic about it before it came – but a little more neutral after it did.
And there are still these, of course…
Combino-graphy with Bahaia
In this soon-to-be-released video, Bahaia explores similar concepts to those taken up in Nadira Jamal’s Improvisation Toolkit. How to understand your space, direction, timing, repetition, variation, sequence movment and more, She feels that students have lots of technique drills and choreography but there’s very little guidance on how to create dance. This is what she gives you in her new video. I’m looking forward to it as much as to Nadira’s videos as I’m totally sure each will bring something exciting to work with in improvisation – a struggle for so many beginning dancers. This video is from Michelle Joyce’s Cheeky Girls Productions.
1-2-3 Drum Solo with Bahaia
This video looks like a drum solos-made-easy kind of instruction, and it looks good. From the trailer it looks like one would learn a simple, confident style and moves for drum solos in general. That sounds good to me! I love drum solos and I think that audiences in India relate to them immediately. Can’t hardly wait for this one either!
1-2-3 Bellydance with Bahaia
I also look forward to this video because the trailer looks so doable and because Bahia dances so beautifully and looks like she teaches as well.
yaaaaaaaaaaaaa *clapclap*
great update! I m glad you feel the same way about Autumns dvd as well!!
At first I thought – uuuh am I supposed to do theeese moves in a beginner dvd??
then I realized I probably dont need to do the details, but her weight change and arm movement instruction looks really good and could fill some of my shortcomings..
my top 5 to get:
neon rhythms cant wait!!!!! after your diary!!
autumn
ranya baladi
bahaia 1-2-3 beginner
and then I m hesitating between Michelle s Crash Course and Bahaia Drum Solo.
and Ranya Modern Orientale and this Burlesque dvd by WDNY look so amazing too! (Fierce and firey or something like this it is called and has a gooooorgeous cover. I have so far not tried burlesque though and will need to see the trailer):
http://www.worlddancenewyork.com/product.php?proid=81&catid=29
Dina!
If I were you I’d revise my list a bit. You don’t need both 1-2-3 bellydance AND Crash Course. Specially if you’re getting Beautiful Technqiue. And you might well need Ranya’s first one before the Baladi, though I’m not sure about that. And you particularly like Egyptian.
And then you have 2 drum solo ones as well.
I think you should replace Crash Course with Combinography. Then maybe choose between BD Rhythms and 1-2-3 drum solo. I think the purpose of the two is different.
That’s because you have a budget. Else of course, I’d have said get the lot!
With all of this rich beginner’s collection, i would drop Crash Course. You surely don’t need a crash course — you’re looking for something more. Right?
But ywah, I’m most excited about Autumn Ward’s video.
And I’ve just learned that my copies of the two Bahia DVDs have shipped. Yay! However, the Tamalyn was shipped a while ago and hasn’t arrived. So mixed news there!
Oh thanks for your advice Mala!
Ya I both have an actual budget constraint these days, plus I want to restrict my buying behaviour over a longer time
like not fall into obsessive buying habits for the dvds (any more) LOL
You are right I probably dont need two drum solos at a time – I m pretty sure I ll get all of time in the long run, due to severe collectionitis
But I ll most probably restrict myself to all Egyptian ones at first (you re right – I looooove Egyptian!) and Autumn, Neon s Rhythms and most probably Bahaia 1-2-3 and combinography to start with!
I ll be so curious what you say about all Bahaia dvds and Tamalyn!! I m really tempted by all of them but will order only when Autumns is out I think. So some time to consider your advice if you will like to share
p.s. I was slow to get it – does it mean ocean state carries Bahaia? a couple of hours ago it actually did not give any results on their home page (I did the “state of ocean state media” survey and gave them excellents only – it s true!
)
But i might be misspellin her name!?
Btw yeah you re the voice of reason again – I guess my interest for Crash Course stems from the apparently very nice music used, plus Michelle s extremely clever trailer. Lotus hands, the “sit down” large hip circle, a camel against a wall… I m too easily tempted by slightly different beginner instruction trailers.
)
Plus I m a huge Michelle fan, and like to get myself on everything she does (only Drills and Pop Lock seem out of my reach at this level… so that s MY voice of reason – delaying this amazing intermediate stuff to a later point in time
But yes I ve convinced myself it s not a priority. I m aiming for only a couple of dvds per quarter of he year after not having bought for 3 months now (peeeuuu.. it s been hard!)
My check just came in, so I ordered Bellydance Rhythms today! I’m waiting for Beautiful Technique and the sequel to Luscious to show up on OceanStateMedia’s catalog so that I can order them as soon as possible.
I’m glad to hear that you’ve lost weight! You need to share your diet secrets so that we can share in your good fortune.
Sajia… I’ve been eating singularly unwisely! I bought a bunch of pastries just last evening. I had a lot of ice cream sodas. And red m. But, I’ve been doing a lot of Bellydance Rhythms! And am I going to hang on to it or what! One flow won’t be enough. Either you’d have to do the flow twice or do both flows. Amazing. Neon says that it’s easier to sustain this sort of moderate exercise which is why it can lose you some weight even though it’s not cardio and aerobic.
mala
Dina, Oceanstate does carry some of Michelle’s DVDs but doesn’t list them. Just write to Kevin at kcon at cox dot net and ask him.
Don’t be too curious about what I’ll say when I get the Bahaias. I am Egyptian-clueless!
So Dina, you haven’t got Michelle’s Drills x 3? That’s her best video of all. And there’s lots there that a beginner can do. Pop Lock can wait
Oh really Mala? I now rmmbr Michelle had advised me to get Drills when i asked her something in summer.. I had forgotten! So Drills is now on my “absolutely to get” list. Oh I m still curious how you like the Bahaia dvds. SOOOO curious
hmmhmm I m not aiming at losing weight, but at having some fuuun dancing around for pretty long time. I m doing mostly Jenna s video these days (basics), plus live classes. the live classes are pretty “lively” in that we move around, but at home I could take some serious “jam” session
I need to try Jillinas Shape up the first 2 workouts looked pretty doable for me, plus Lusious I am keeping for the Christmas holidays.. something “yummy” for a special season
There s a SEQUEL to Luscious comingout?
Cant wait! How come I overlooked it?????????
I believe the GOOD thing with the workouts that keep you moving is you CAN actually eat all those sweets. I rmmbr when I was doing thai boxing a couple of years ago I was eating the most unhealthy sweets after it and just kept building nice muscles
Dina, Drills x 3 is one of Michelle’s most popular videos. I would definitely say it’s the one not to miss from all of hers. The Killer Ziller is pretty good too, if you want to get into zills and don’t plan to use alternate hands (use a lead hand).
Drills has a rich variety of content on it. Now it isn’t one of the videos that will make you feel like you’re dancing (during the exercises) but it does have combinaitons and interesting drills like her “zig zag drill” and grapevine drill and her isolation drills with changing foot and arm patterns. These are very much accessible by the beginner. The thing with this video is that you take away a chunk of exercise and go do it to other music.
Shape Up is all move move move and is good for a light aerobic workout as well as for the dancing feel. You can actually use those sequences and moves (modified to suit you) while just dancing around to music. Luscious is just that — totally Luscious. Simple and beautiful moves and I don’t consider it a workout. I call it a danceout. Bellydance Rhythms is as much a workout as it is dancing. Shape Up and Rhythms tire me out to the same extent in the same way.
Luscious 2 (which MAY be called Love Potion) is something to wait for. Haven’t put it on the list because there’s nothing there yet. I’m even looking forward to their costumes! I’m not sure they’ve started filming it yet.
wooohooo! where do you get this information from!!! Sadly Neon s tribe is pretty silent resently, else I guess I would not have missed out on these fantastic news of a follow up to Luscious!!! Did you see some time ago there was Sensual bellydance variations by Blanca up on the wdny news page scheduled for may 2009..
maybe she delayed it because of Luscious II?
or maybe she merged her project into the follow up to Luscious? Did she tell you something when she went to India? Sadly Blanca is shyer than Neon on the web
I ve never got to talk to her!
Drlls sounds really good, you convinced me to definitely order it along with Bahaia!
my detox of bellydance dvd addiction will be over pretty soon and I ll slowly pick it up again 
Are you into training gear at all? I am completely in love with Jillina s outfits on Shape up and the other 3 dvds. Apparently she s designed them for her own clothing line Hipalicious, but has no time for production yet. I d be getting any of the outfits on these dvds, drop dead gorgeous! What you think? Or are you not tempted by the clothing side of the dance at all?
No, Sensual Variations has nothing to do with Luscious 2 as far as I know. I guess everyone just has their own pace.
So.. what drills videos do you have already? If none at all, Drills x 3 may be a good option. Asharah and Arieela’s DVDs would count as drill ones, I think.
I am very interested in the costume angle of belly dancing. I think the costume is a huge, huge part of the whole feel. Unfortunately, I just don’t have access and time for it. I’ve got some odds and ends but nothing really fantastic. I don’t trust buying that sort of stuff from the US because I think it just won’t reach!
I do remember Jillina’s outfit on Shape Up. The one with the off shoulder like design and a strap across? But I think I want full fledged dance costumes more than I want fitness apparel.
My mother has promised to send me a lehenga for bellydancing as a gift for my birthday in July. It’s been years since I wore one, although actually I’ve been wearing salwar kameez every day since I moved back to Vancouver six years ago. Quite a few women wear salwar kameez here.
Sajia, I deleted your comment by mistake. I keep doing that sort of thing! I’m so sorry. But you were saying your mom was going to get you a lehanga? Just today a friend of mine at the office was over the moon because her mom gave her one for her birthday. It was pretty and she got me to put the chunni around me. I don’t really wear them myself… nothing against them but they’re wedding wear to me.
Yes, she’s sending me a lehenga! Of course in Bangladesh lehengas are for weddings and Eid and dancing; for everyday wear we wear salwar kameez and saris; my mother has told me about anarkali kameez, which a lot of women wear there these days – it seems to be a kameez cut like a frock-dress.
Mala, I think my comment had gotten deleted, too. I forget what I said, though. I am very much looking forward the followup to Luscious and can’t wait for Blanca’s next. Sensual Bellydance DVD is the first time I actually FELT like a beautiful bellydancer.
Oh dear! Tami, I’m so sorry. My eyesight is so bad that I probably end up clicking the Delete link instead of Approve
Do you mean you’re looking forward to the new Luscious? Neon did say somewhere, didn’t she, that it’s all new moves and not just more of Luscious 1? Luscious has been one of the most gorgeous DVDs to have come out this year
Hmmm Mala very wise of you not to order costumes from overseas..
I did in thinking giving my exact measurements and ordering from highly reputed sellers rather than ebay or something would be safe.
Hmm it hasnt been, I now have several semiprofessional costumes none of which actually fits me (even though they re stretchy they re too large at important “locations”).
So well after having been crazy for the more “costume” kind of dressing for the dance (I own no high end costume though
) I now find pretty workout clothes for dancing very appealing.
Jillina s top/scarves matches from her new 3 dvd set are gorgeous. I dont know if you have them (the dvds), I actually dont but could watch them at a friend’s. In the Lebanese choreography one she wears a VERY pretty halter top (glittery) and matching scarf with beads. And in the introduction choreography she wears the most gorgeous turquoise sleeved shirt/scarf with bead and fringe. Also the peacock print scarves from Shape up I find veery pretty.
Sadly there s no trailer (why do the BDSS not produce them??!! they re SO helpfuL!) where i could show what kind of workout clothes I am talking about..
But for sure the “real” costume stuff is the best
wish I had a reeeeal costume 
Does anyone know any details regarding new Luscious and Blanca? They re not on the news WDNY site. And YES those costumes will for sure be stunning!!
I do have Jilllina’s 3 DVD set. Just went and looked at the hip scarf and bras. Yes, they’re very nice. The blue one is very rich and pretty. And the bra fits her very well so it just looks so good. Very nice.
Ya I agree!! Seems she s a very creative designer as well!
I think these might be selling really well if she decides to produce them for online sale as they re unusual as dancers want them, not like the things widely available, designed and made by non-dancers most often
I didn’t see them in her ‘shop” at her website…
No unfortunately!
SHe said she had intended to begin bigger scale production after the release of the dvds, but she did not because of touring!! she seems to be postponing it only I HOPE!!
Sorry to see that there is a lot of stuff missing eg reviews and particularly intreview with Neon which brought me to the site in the first place! But it’s a great site – just what I needed another way to waste time!!
Thanks
Hi,
Missing? The reviews are there in the reviews category and Neon’s interview is also there in the interviews section. I mostly write about belly dancing but also throw in whatever else catches my fancy.
Hi Jen
did you follow the recommendation on Neon s tribe? Mala s site is great, nothing missing
I just loved the clips of Autumn dancing — where can one buy her DVD? It sounds so, so useful. She really has established her own style, and seems like a wonderful teacher.
Oh Shaia… you’ve missed the interview with her. It’s in the interview category. Her video will be out by the 27th of Jan. Dhe really is making what one would think of as basic moves look amazing. I can hardly wait for her video!
I agree!
Her dancing looks so different, with so much appeal.. cant wait either!
preordered ranyas, she has a gift performance dvd coming with it and only 5$ shipping to any country for a short while!
autumn will offer a booklet as a present if one orders through her!