There are totally wonderful DVDs lined up for release over the rest of this year. I can hardly wait! Everything else has been in a slump, but not belly dance videos. We’ve just never had it so good before. Here’s what I’m desperately looking forward to:
Nadira Jamal’s Improvisation Toolkit
This set sounds like a treasure that’s too good to be true! If you’ve seen Nadira’s Taktaba podcasts, you’ll know that she has a way of breaking down everything so that it makes sense. Taktaba 1 was about repetition and alternation, 2 about long-term repetition of moves, and 3 was about timing patterns and how to play with them. Each of these helps with how you improvise. I think the new Toolkit is a natural evolution of these episodes. It’s to be a full exploration and practice with improvisation. And it’s going to be very beginner-intermediate friendly. The first volume, Movement Recall, should be out right about now. This is what it will be about, as Nadira says, “Without choreography, you have to think of movements on the fly, but still leave enough of your brainpower free to focus on other aspects of your performance. Your movement vocabulary is like a big tote bag: the more you put in it, the more time you spend digging around for your keys! But some purses have special pockets and compartments that make it easy to find your things. You put the items you use most often in the easy-to-reach outside pocket, so you don’t even have to think about where they are. You can just reach in and your keys will be where your hand expects them to be. You put the rest of your belongings into the other compartments of your purse. Even though they aren’t in that handy outside pocket, you can still find them quickly, because you know exactly where to look.”
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.
Body Motion: Modern Dance
After working for a good solid long time with Asharah’s strength and isolations workout, I am totally addicted. I love all the challenging exercises and the ability to push a little further each day. I’m hoping this 2-DVD set will take my strength and flexibility a bit further. And maybe give me some stamina and new movements. I haven’t done many jumps and spins and turns since I dumped jazz and ballroom classes over four years ago. I would love to recapture a little of that if I can. Here’s what this set has to offer, according to the Cheeky Girls Productions site: “Body Motion is a full body workout that uses Modern Dance techniques to sculpt, shape and tone your entire body. Level 1 introduces you to basic foundational movements that focus on contracting the abs and developing strength and control. Level 2 is for experienced dancers who are looking to fine tune their technique, enhance their balance and to continue their training. You will notice a change in your legs, arms, shoulders, buns and abs right away because each DVD is structured like a real dance class.” Yes yes yes!
Neon and Raquy’s Bellydance Rhythms Workout
I’m hoping this DVD will help with being able to improvise a little with drum solos. The preview isn’t up yet, but here’s what Neon says on her Tribe: “it has two 40-minute flows – beginner (very beginner) and intermediate. Live drumming includes base doumbek to make it easier for beginners to hear the “skeleton” of the dance rhythms. The “sound track” (it’s actually played live) designed by Raquy, NYC, is the same for both flows, so there are two versions of the dance combinations for every variation of the rhythms. The rhythms are ciftetelli, baladi, saiidi, maksoum, masmoudi – 4 variations for every rhythm, 20 beginner dance combinations and 20 intermediate dance combinations, each repeated as a drill: beginner – slow 12 times, fast 8 times; intermediate – slow 8 times, fast 12 times. There is a detailed breakdown of every combination in the Tutorial section (like in “Luscious”), plus voice cues during the flows. There is also a breakdown of the rhythms done by Raquy, where she explains the “skeleton” of each rhythm.”
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.
Sadie’s new pop-lock-shimmy videos
I’m not sure what the story is with this set of DVDs having the same (intended) name as Michelle Joyce’s immensely popular Pop Lock and Shimmy, but I will probably end up getting these. For on e, I’ve found Thrillin Drillin and Slow and Sultry to be fantastic videos and I continue to work with them slowly. Sadie’s drum solo is beyond me and it may well be that this new set will veer in that direction as well. But I still want it to see if it has any detailed stomach work and drills. The only sad thing is the prohibitive likely cost of these. They will be close to $40, I’m sure. So deeply unfair when there equally content-rich videos are now in the $14 range! If I get hit to hard by the recession – I may forget about these.
Belly dance Crash Course
Though this is a basics video, I’m waiting for mine to arrive because I’d welcome a new, flowing drill of the basic movements along with a bunch of sweet, simple combinations. Much like Neon’s Luscious, which gives me endless pleasure to just do along. I’m also eager to see if this will be a good new option to recommend for those absolute beginners who keep asking for recommendations. That would include my brother-in-law!
These are in order of awaitedness — for me. Some actually tie. October and November 2008 are good DVD months!
hi mala!
what a great summary of the videos to come!!!!
I ve sworn to myself, my partner and my parents to not purchase ANYTHING again this year (I went crazy over bellydancing dvds last December, and collected a number I am ashamed of telling within one year..)
but in the new year nothing will stop me from them!!!
hmm I d like to add something personal on the Pops, Locks and Shimmies by IAMED:
I find the use of the same name as Michelle’s (unless she gave her consent) to be highly immoral, and I d guess Michelle could even take legal action against it (which, as I judge her, she is too nice and relation-oriented to do):
However, I as a fan especially of Michelle’s (you mentioned the GREAT dancer-friendly prices by WDNY and Cheeky Girls, I second that, they re a gift to low to medium budget dance fans..) I cannot help but get mad at a bigger company taking advantage of the creativity of a smaller company (again, if she consented forget my whole point).
I read about this title just yesterday on gildedserpent saying there had been controversy on the use of a title previously used by Michelle after the “surprise success” of Michelle s then all-new company and program..
I must say I ll watch discussions more carefully, and if it turns out IAMED uses the title against Michelle s will, I ll be boycotting it because it is bad business style, especially in a small community, and completely not ethically responsible on the side of a company.
What do you guys think, care about this or rather not?
thanks again mala for the great overview, I did not know about Nadira Jamal at all!!! what is a podcast?? can that be downloaded? I started using a Mac computer just the other week, is is playable on that one? thanks
Aw, that’s very very tough — holding you back from buying any DVDs this year! If I were you though I’d hand them a list and remind them Christmas is coming. I’d totally die if someone told me not to buy any bellydance videos!
I’ve put in links now so you can reach Nadira Jamal’s Taktaba site. Yes, I think there very much are Mac versions of everything. follow the links and see what happens. The Taktaba podcasts are nice and long. Lots of learnings in them that sort of drop into place as you listen to her explain them — with diagrams and examples.
What’s a podcast? Well, it’s a way of putting up a sound file (and now a video file as well) so that it can download automatically in software like iTunes. You can also go and manually download these files or view them online without downloading, if you like. The big deal about them is that suddenly (a few years ago) everyone could become a publisher/podcaster. You don’t have to depend on radio channels, television or anyone.
Yes, it’s very odd about IAMED using the same name as Michelle’s video. But I’d want to hear the other side of the story as well and no one’s said anything much yet about that. For instance, is it true that Sadie’s shimmy workshops have been called that for a long time? I did read that someplace. I also find it extremely odd that IAMED, who must know their business, would put out a DVD with an existing title, probably at 3 times the cost, and ignore all the controversy and ill will it would generate. Is the same so earthshakingly important that they’d want to do that? In the end, if there are two items with the same name and one costs a huge amount less than the other… who does it help? But no, it has NOT been done with Michelle’s consent, that’s for sure.
Dina, I see on Bhuz that there’s been an absolute war on this issue of the DVD name! Huge one. Many on the group have taken up this issue and finally Suzy Evans has come in with a response and then an explanation from Sadie. It looks like neither side set out to steal the name from the other. It’s just sort of happened. Pops Locks and Shimmies seems to have indeed been Sadie and Kaya’s workshop name since 2004. Suzy Evans is however rather rude (in my book) and says “shame on you” for saying stuff without hearing both sides and demands an apology and says thank you for it in advance!
hi there mala!!
the christmas list is such a nice idea!! I fear no one will jump to it, though, as they will say they re not “supporting my addiction” 
I ll absolutely check out Nadira s podcasts as soon as possible, though, and I participate in her “lottery” (she s giving away dvds at the date of release, have you noticed? maybe something for you too!!)
I d love to read about the dvd title controversy, I googled it yesterday but no bhuz entry showed up.. I did see Sadie s workshop, that is why I stressed I do not know the background..
I completely agree with you that answer is rude!
I must say so far the exaggerated price kept me from this video line.
However, I get disgusted by such snobbish attitudes, and will think well if I want to support them..
But I m very much of an activist/boycott type anyway I d understand if ppl do not mind it as long as the content is good
take care mala!!
hello again!
thanks so much for explaining the podcast!
downloaded three episodes – they look great!!
could it be you who is quoted at the beginning of the second?
look.. a new Bahaia one!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuqW2pMg80M
man, controlling myself will be hard.
take care Mala!!
Hi!
I’ve now added the Bahaia drum solo video to the eagerly list. Better tell all your friends, foes and family that you want all these! Though why a positive addiction like this would bother your family, I haven’t quite understood. If you’re addicted to dancing and dance instruction — so what? It’s going to do you no harm. Except to the wallet, of course.
Yes, it would be me on mentioned on that episode. that is so sweet.
hi mala!
mmmh my family and partner stress they like me doing the dance (Mum had trouble accepting it, I ve wanted it since at age 10 I saw a dancer on TV, but she found it shameful and would not let me take classes..)
problem: I am spending fortunes on dvds and clothes to do the dance in, and spend more time researching scarves and costumes and the latest dvds than doing the dance!!
Unfortunately I am a “collector”, and could show some compulsive buying habits.. I need to collect less and benefit more from the videos I have already.
Trying to be reasonable.
But if you re the collector/”want everything!” type of consumer that is hard to do I fear
That’s just my splurging habits too – I’ve been buying quite a few dvds, but can’t do more than 20 minutes of practice at a time. I have Jenna’s Basics (which I lent to a friend), Ariellah’s dvd, Asharah’s, Michelle’s Drills X 3, Blanca’s Sensual Bellydance, Elsa’s zils dvd, and Luscious. Well, at least I can sort of do the hip bumps with chest squares layer that’s at the end of Michelle’s drills dvd. I’m thinking I might get the Modern Dance Workout, because that’s a form of dance I’ve always wanted to do.
Oh, and should I eventually get the Suhaila Salimpour Jazz-Pilates-Yoga-Buns series? My teacher taught us the glute squeeze while straddling the floor move, so I’m thinking she’ll be teaching us more Suhaila exercises as we go on.
I splurge my head off on DVDs. And music. But I’ve made copies of all and use those while leaving the original untouched. I’ve instructed everyone to sell them carefully when I pop right off — which will probably be from over exercising.
Not that I’m overexercising that much. i try to do 2 hours a day. But 2 hours of tough stuff.
Sajia, I don’t think you need to get Suhaila’s fitness fusion set. Most of those exercises have been incorporated into other workouts. Asharah has most of them and her teaching is better organized and cued – probably because it’s beena long time now and people have learned a lot more about how to instruct on video. My opinion is really to work with the Asharah video and you’ll definitely be able to keep up with Suhaila exercises in class. You could do some pilates in addition, of course. Check the Pilates on fifth post I put in long ago. You could learn one a day, maybe.
Modern Dance may be worth it though. Let’s see when it comes. But it won’t be any less hard work, so 20 mins won’t cut it.
8-] think I m not getting something here..
Mala I hope I misunderstood you. Did you say you leave your dvds untouched in order to have your family resell them as quasi new when you pass away?
Honey, please dont say that is what you are thinking of!!!
This will NEVER happen, never ever.. at least we can think so, please?
Too much “after the unspoken” talk today for me. My parents are making arrangements on what happened if either of them passed away. I cant stand the talks, even if it s the reasonable thing to do.
One would not believe I ve majored in law, as sensitive as I am to inheritance cases
oooohh yeah the Delilah problem I can SO see!
Got myself the Absolute Beginner by her and it would freeze AT FIRST. Then it was ok, but still I let them know so they cannot say I did something about it.
But as I am not working with it for the moment, I can probably not ask for another one in a years time..
Do you rip them to your external drive? (If you do not do so already, I suggest you invest a day’s work and burn all of them to dvds.. my first hard drive suddenly “popped off” last year (after having been in use a year or so), the seller did repair it but warned me all data could be lost 8-S fortunately, it wasn’t, but the risk is there..)
I own some dvds (Amira Mor) which did not allow me to copy them when I first tried.. but that was years ago, and I attempted with Nero (which most copy protections will know best I guess..). So what program do you suggest?
you give me an idea to do the same for my (cough) close to 50 dvds so that I do not get mad at myself over them not working suddenly without having been played (hardly) ever..
hmm a rip is probably between 700MB and 1 GB? So a collection would comfortably fit on a 100GB drive?
Is there a couple of things in your collection you think you could have done without? I, for my part, bought WAY too many different beginners to have variety.. I should have sticked with Cheeky Girls and WDNY videos only, instead I bought a whole lot of other stuff (Hannan Sultan, Veda Sereem, Delilah, BDSS, Bellyqueen, Victoria and many others) which probably adds nothing new ;-(
I just dropped into a collection craze earlier this year *ouch*
take care Mala
Hi,
For making a copy, you could use DVD Decrypt. If you want to move them to a back up disk, take the Video folder and burn that. Then it’ll work like a DVD when you pop it into a player. I use my DVDs on my laptop so there are many different ways it would work. Oh, I do back them up to disk and external hard disk but haven’t got around to doing all. It takes ages. But I am getting quite worried and have done of the Delilahs today. And to my horror, it first made a lot of angry clicking sounds before it finally decided to play! I really don’t want to lose any of my videos especially as I often pick up old ones that I couldn’t work on when I bought them and now have a go at them.
No, my collection would not fit on a 100 GB drive. It’s about 160GB (the drive, that is) and is already full. I have about 200 DVDs, I think.
Are there any in my collection I could have done without? Yes, many. There’s Narah and Jala’s Tribal Fusion, Technique Fundamentals, there’s Bozenka’s Every Shimmy, Celeste’s Turbo Shimmy, Shamira’s Upbeat Beledi and Taqsim Maksoum Beledi, Elsa Leandros’ World Dance Workout, and many of Saqra’s which duplicate stuff. Perhaps I should make a proper list sometime!
Hello! Thanks for the suggestion!
Looks like DVD Decrypt has been taken from the market as it was bought by a movie company or something similar. Looks like I ll try out dvdfab, unless anyone here says it s not good?
thanks for all the suggestions
Hmm I was thinking about getting Shamira s no frills dvds.. are they not so nice?
I own her two sensuous workouts, have not worked with them, though. Just watched. And she s one great dancer to me, one of the few with the charm of an oriental woman from the offers available on dvd.. really love her style.
So I got myself the zils and Zeina choreo (no frills), too..
I did not see she has two beledi dvds?? just saw the upbeat beledi.. how come it is not useful? I was intending on getting this one for myself once I ve worked with her stuff. Plus, she has a no frills sequel to her 2 workouts with advanced combos.. have you checked out that one?
I d be curious in what is not so useful about these, because she s on my future list
so is (was ) celeste’s.. would be great to know what s not so nice about that one , too?
well the world dance workout.. I was not sure about getting it judging from the trailer.. everything looks a bit sloppy?
And, yes, i ve regretted myself buying some self-produced lines by dancers which basically duplicate what there is on the mainstream market. Stupid me, should ve known it would not bring great enlightenment to me
200.. wow, you re my master
Shamira, who I’m quite fond of, made some of her no-frills DVDs qite a while ago probably not using a very good camera. Some of them don’t have very high visibility. I’d recommend them if I’d felt the content was unique and rich, but now, given what there is available, probably not. Upbeat Beledi has just 5 little combinations and these are very simple step-lift step-lift ones. All those patterns will be superfluous to someone who has the two Sensuous Workouts and Zeina. I don’t have her drum solos but can tell you that I outright didn’t like Taqsim Maksoum Beledi.
If you really love Shamira’s work though, I do think her Smokin Hot is very nice. She still does use the same moves she usually does, but the combinations are easy and can be used to lots of different music — as she demonstrates throughout the video. And she gets nice and fast with those so that you learn to develop speed.
Of course, if you’re only planning to spend very little on DVDs for a while, you have to go through all your choices carefully! I’ll bet I’d have made a while spreadsheet on this — and then bought whichever ones I felt like. Or all.
Ah well, let me share with you my wishlist:
1. Jenn’s Next Level and Heartbeat of Bellydance
2. Fantasy Bellydance, 3-DVD set
3. Sadie’s Thrillin’ Drillin’, Sultry Slow Moves and Drum Solo
4. Aziza’s Ultimate Bellydance Companion
5. Shakra’s Industrial Strength Workout
6. Bodies in Motion: Modern Dance Workout
and maybe Ansuya’s Lavish Layers and Luscious Layers.
Oh, and Autumn Ward’s Cabaret Fusion! I’ve been waiting for a dvd by her since I saw her on Youtube.
I have most on your list. I was looking at Jenna’s Next Level only today — revising my Celebration of Rhythm choreography. Each time you dance it after a gap, you learn something new.
Autumn Ward, you mean the WDNY DVD? I wonder how long off that one is. I don’t think it’s in filming stage. I’ve put down the ones that are coming real real soon…
Mala I am not sure have you reviewed the Next Level? I d be curious for your thougths
And yeah I m really looking forward to seeing what cabaret fusion will be, as well as the Ranya Renee 3 Egyptian volumes, and Blanca s follow-up to Sensual Bellydance..
Lucky me these are too advanced to think of buying them
Sajia, you re really aiming at the more advanced ones, arent you?
I own some, but cannot touch them yet.
THe Lavish Layers by Ansuya looks pretty doable at (advanced) beginner level, but I have not tried it.
Well, I think I have all the beginner DVDs I want, and my habit is to do 10-15 minutes of a set of drills two to six times a day. I can do quite a few basic moves moderately well, except for undulations and shimmies, which I am hoping my classes will help me with, along with the footwork. As soon as my midterms are over I hope to be practicing more regularly and for longer periods at a time.
The intermediate/advanced DVDs on my list are basically there so that once I get them, I’ll be so frustrated that I’ll start working again with the beginner DVDs I’ve neglected. Seriously, I’ve found that looking at a different teacher’s technique will help clarify an earlier teacher’s instruction. Though it can be confusing, and I used to be confused as to whether you shimmy by contracting your glutes or bending your knee. I now know why the former is superior in that it’s easier on your knees, but that doesn’t mean I can squeeze my glutes at all, let alone easily.
oh that s a good idea of motivating yourself with the difficult ones!
does work with me and jenna s next level.
i think i could do her upper body drill, i m way better with the upper body and layering. cant get my hip shimmy going really well. might be coz i ve got a slight knee damage from sports and am therefore to unrelaxed with it.
oh i think i ll be doing some tonight after all this chitchat on videos to get
i have not tried many of my wdny beginners, farhana s, and many many others. shamira s above all..
yeah i love shamira s style. she s so simple and sweet in her moves, trully “Oriental” i think.
I recently got one by Galit Mersand a great Israeli/English teacher. her material looks great too in that she places movements into context, makes you really dance which i often miss in very technical (but of course good) beginner instructionals.
shamira and galit are great exceptions.
galit s is a 2dvd edition with basic moves, plus a very nice practice cd with steady beats. this is a recent buy i do not regret at all, i could have done without much bdss and individual dancer series stuff..
take care girls, happy dancing
good lord sajia six times a day is super ambitious 8-))
be careful to not overstrain your joints though.. I used to do several hours of fitness, almost every day – and suddenly my knee injury due to overstrain, which left a slight defect and quite regular (light) pain.
better prevent that outright..
Howcome you do small and frequent sessions instead of one solid session? How do you warm up for so many sessions? And don’t say you don’t warm up!
Ok, big Jenna Next Level review for you. I really thought I’d done it sometime and was horrified that I had not.
Who’s Galit? I haven’t heard of these DVDs! Give me some links pplease. I’d like to see what these are aboug.
whoohooo I ll sure give you the links but PLEASE let me read the Jenna review first soooo curious
)))
hello again!!
but could not see immediately what it actually taught.
wow thanks so much for the in-depth review! i had a look at the next level at a friends place and was amazed
I ll be working with her Basics for quite some time, before aspiring higher
so to galit:
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=Mersand
this is her youtube channel.
NOtice her specialty a cute Fifi Abdo inspired shisha dance, and also she got a programm Bellylicious which is cabaret (the traditional cabaret I want to say!) like where she is a sole entertainer, making jokes, telling anecdotes on her life as a bellydancer, and performing dance! Love it, she said she might release it on dvd
On the second site of her youtube channel, there s a great cane dance with her in black, light background..
that s her website:
http://www.galitmersand.com/DVD.html
You can see she has a shisha dance instructional, where she does not teach choreography, but wants to inspire everyone to do a sassy shisha dance on one s own. I love just watchin her on that one, she s doing many typically Egyptian, sometimes folkloric styles. I love it how many Israeli dancers seem to be so close to the Egyptian style of the dance.
I really like that.
Then you see the beginner instructional.
I have not danced to it, but listened to the music – very nice! and watched most of it. She s teaching classic beginner moves, what I like is, much like Shamira, she adds her beautiful hands and a bit of a “context” to the movement. Her style reminisces great Egyptian classics to me.
She honestly reminded me a bit of Samia Gamal in some of her movements. She s got class, really
I ll definitely love watching her do the dance with lots of soul and Egyptian like style aside my (very useful) technique videos.
Hope this helps!
Once I work with the dvd, I ll let you know more
take care and thanks a lot for the review of Jenna s most recent one!!!
Er, Mala-ji, most of the time I forget to! I’ll be bored and I’ll start working on my figure 8s or chest squares/hip bumps layers, only for a few minutes. Though the funny thing is, yesterday afternoon, I persisted and did 40 minutes of the Asharah warmup/workout, without having to stop. I even managed to do a couple of minutes of the up-to-down undulations, which I’d never been able to do before. So I’m thinking my problem right now is not so much endurance as getting frustrated.
My one-minute warmup is to squat and stretch my arms and ribcage in various directions, which is based on exercises I’ve seen on Asharah’s DVD and Michelle’s Drills X 3 DVD.
My “warm up” actually takes up most of the time! I can’t hear to let go of the Asharah workout because I’m so happy with the results. I also think it’s important to stick with a particular workout for a certain length of time so that you actually see the difference. Each workout gives something — but you have to give it a chance to work. I’ve managed to stick with Ariellah and Asharah for a good long time, which is why I see the difference. I think the Modern Dance videos may take up a fair amount of time, when they arrive though.
When I want a quick warm up, I do the first segment of East Coast. Since it’s in distinct segments, one can actually do 5 mins, 10 mins, 15 mins, etc.
Thanks for the Galit link and description, Dina. I looked for her and found her easily enough last night. She seems to dance well. I’m not sure I’ll add her DVDs to my shopping list thought because I’m up to my ears in basics videos. Sick of ‘em. I want to get on with some dancing, already! Drills, choreographies and imrpovisation is what I plan to work with for a bit.
I do however often go back and do my basics with one of the videos. Including Jenna’s. And I too still have to work with the traveling steps and combinations sections of her basics and beyond. Too many videos too little time!
Yeah I thought it might be too basic for you even though I find it very nice.
What about the shisha dance, interested in that one?
If I figure out how to rip dvds and put a small excerpt on youtube I ll send you a glimpse of what she s doing. She s not calling it improvisational training, but it sort of is, as she s basically doing playful Egyptian movements for the sassy shisha dance.
Its kind of “instinctual” improv and creativity training I think, even though she does not term it that way. Very Egyptian like, though.
hey.. I posted a comment here very late at night, but my connection was bad..
maybe it did not come through?
anyways, I was pleased to see the Neon Drum workout has a trailer which looks sooo nice
enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFRiz1Wzd_Y
awe sorry you added it already!!! i cant delete this useless post sorry
Ah, that’s ok, Dina! Hey, doesn’t the rhythms dvd look really good?? I really like the look of it. Lovely long, long preview too. 5 minutes almost.
yeah it looks amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
I love the long trailers.. they give such a nice idea of the product, very consumer-friendly.. i so hate those 50seconds/20 seconds standard stretch Hollywood Music trailers!!
Neon is the loveliest as usually
Something to add:
Ranya Renee speaks about her 3 upcoming Egyptian WDNY instructionals: Modern Oriental, Classical Orientale, and a 2-dvd set Baladi!!!
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/product-news-reviews/19812-wdny-egyptian-dvds-ranya-renee.html#post277569
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/belly-dance-student-instructor-center/18886-baladi-dvds.html
Her posts are at the end of each thread… Curious curious curious!!
finally there s a new trailer:
http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=F8R_bHWtqh4
pops locks and shimmies.. I still find the dvd title highly immoral, but I thought you sure want to add the trailer
Oooh. Thank you, Dina! First time I ever heard Kaya speak. I still find so much hardness in her face. Oh well, one can’t judge people’s faces, I guess.
The name… ah well… Bet you it won’t matter in the end.
ya.. I try to ignore her pretty raunchy faces in some of her dances coz i think she s a great dancer, movement-wise.. some have called it “p*rn faces” on bhuz and youtube, and I m afraid I ll have to agree ;-(
Well she may have a hard time with facial expressions on camera I guess (there s a trailer where she s talkin about the temptation of bellydance, her performance dvd, where she s all relaxed (talking though) and gorgeous..)
Hmm I wish her she will be able to make say more relaxed/comfortable faces while dancing!
btw, mala, have you tried Hadia s instructional set? It s a 4 dvd set, I believe, I d be interested in how it is if anyone knows it?
Dina, I do have one of Hadia’s instructional videos — the one with chiftitelli and cane on it. The cane is beyond me. The chifti is okay. I’m not awfully comfortable with Hadia. I have some of her choreography videos. Maybe if I get more familiar with Egyptian style, it’ll work.
All the Ranya DVD stuff sounds most interesting. Amazing. Apparently WDNY will even try to keep the price of that two DVD set down close to a single DVD. Nice thought, if they can manage it.
wow those price news are good news
sooo great of neon.. however even if bad for myself i might be telling her she should think twice about it.
i mean, baladi is a niche many dancers will be crazy for. and i prefer them earning some money for future projects than economizing too much..
Yes, she should charge more. I’m sure the cost of making it was a lot. Interviews and all.
heeeeeeeeeyyyyyy
i just found michelle joyce s lovely dance friend sandra is finally releasing her long promised fundamentals dvd in february!!
cover and short description can be found here:
http://www.cheekygirlsproductions.com/catalog/sandra-isolations.html
i so love sandra s style and therefore look forward to it a lot!!!!!!!
hope there s more to come on her snakey very elegant way of moving!
Yes, I saw this and was waiting for a clip. I wonder if I’ll need it. Enough basics videos already! I didn’t know this dancer though. Any clips of her around?
Oh you didnt?
I actually knew her before I came across Michelle Joyce! (I probably came across Michelle when I discovered this dance crush of mine (as she called another dancer on her tribe) was on a performance dvd, By Dancers for Dancers).
This is the video I fell for and watch for a whole summer (2007).
http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq25Ic4971A
you probably know this song from amar gamal, tales of the sahara.
it was the first time i heard the song and loved it and her performance instantly.
it s still my favourite performance of hers, the other ones on BDFD I do not fancy as much. I like her held back, lady-like, snakey style of dance a lot.
Ya I imagine you ll have to see what is covered to know if you can use it. I actually do too
Ah, very pretty. Now I seem to remember a Sandra on one of the By Dancers videos. Actually I only have one. You must be quite over the moon if you’re so fond of her!
Waiting for the preview!
euuuhh … what does “quite over the moon” mean? something with full moon, werwolves?