The Bellydance Blog
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My “Vintage” Photo Surprise!
I love surprises, and I received a pretty sentimental one about a week ago from Rebecca Hagen who owns Blink of an Eye Photographic Arts. We met on Facebook where she had wanted to verify if I had ever belly danced at Taverna Opa Orlando (which I do). You see, she had taken photographs of me and her friends one night back in 2008 while I was performing and was kind enough to send them over. I want to send you the warmest and sincerest thanks Rebecca because these photos really brought back a lot of memories. I moved to Orlando in 2006 and began landing belly dance gigs in 2007. Taverna Opa has been my home here in Orlando since January 2008, and it is here where I have been able to conquer most of my shyness and become the performer I am today. I still continue to work there every week and love it because it is completely different than all my other venues in that it is non-traditional world music and I can do as much fusion as I want. I still cannot believe it sometimes that I will have been dancing at Opa for four years coming this January. It seems like time has flown since I moved to Orlando and I hope to continue to grow, inspire, and have fun in this amazing city.
As you can see from the photograph, I have always had an affinity for Turkish costumes and this blue one was a “re-fab” I did. The veil was one of the first I had ever made and I get so sentimental when I see this photograph because it lets me see how far my sewing has come and how I have grown as an artist and performer. It will be funny to look back at all my photographs five years form now and hopefully think the same. I am still shy in some situations but it is almost night and day from where I was back in 2007.
Let’s Talk Mineral Make-up
To start off, let me just say that make-up and I have never been great friends. I am allergic to just about everything and have eye lids that are extremely sensitive. That being said, after years of searching I think I have found the one line that might actually not harm my skin… Bare Essentials (yes I am late on joining the bandwagon). I have used this a few times now and here is what I have experienced from a dancers perspective:
1. It lasts! I sweat quite a bit and this holds up pretty well. The eye liner could have lasted a little longer, but everything else was fantastic.
2. The particles are big enough (I am using the natural mineral form not pressed format) that they should not enter my pores.
3. My skin texture felt smoother after I took the make up off (that’s a nice bonus).
4. The colors are very vibrant compared to what I had anticipated. They have quite a good range of colors and even metallics! I can’t use the metallics due to my eyelid sensitivity but if you can do it go for it!
5. It felt very light on my skin. I can usually feel the heaviness of the product, but this felt so comfortable and light. It’s perfect for summer gigs.
That being said, I am the type of girly that never wears foundation. I rather go pay the dermatologist to get my skin healthy rather than cover it up, and this is a really great middle ground for in between the stressful times and dermatologist visits. The ifoundation is light enough where I feel my skin can still breathe and be seen. I hope this solves all my allergy and eye lid sensitivity issues and that any other girls out there with crazy reactive skin types try it out like I did. I was skeptical, but am liking the results so far. Hopefully in a few months I can come back and update this with more positive news. Let’s wait and see…
The Divas and Divos
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no….its the oversized ego of a super diva! It is amazing the characters you meet in the entertainment industry and no other character gets my blood boiling more than the divas and divos. It is one thing to be confident and secure of oneself, but to think you are THE most amazing thing in the world and think you are just too good for anyone else is another story. I can personally speak from experience that dealing with the diva(o) leads to negative outcomes. I once had to work with a performer that although this person had limited belly dance experience, thought she was the most amazing thing since sliced bread. Now this did not ruffle my feathers too much at all (I already had met a number of these personalities) but the actions that resulted from that did. This person refused to share the spot light, would give dirty looks to other dancers while they performed their set, would purposely walk the other way in order not to cross paths, purposely would take too long getting ready so the next dancer would have to start late, would give you “tips” that frankly were designed to bring your confidence down.
My focus for today though is on the twist to the story…the divos! Divos are the male counterpart to the diva. I met one recently who gave me and the rest who crossed his path quite a good laugh. This person was a musician hired to do an event. I was the performer hired to perform at the event. A last minute attempt was made by the coordinator to see if we would possibly want to unite our talents for a segment of my performance. I told the coordinator yes (I love dancing to live music) and the coordinator passed on my contact information to this person…..but no email ever came. The day of the event the musician came up to me asking me when we would start. I am sorry, but until that moment I had no idea who the musician was, had never heard a solo from him in order to access his abilities, and if there is one thing about me to know, it’s that I do not do things half way. All musicians are NOT created equal. The divo presumed to grumble to the coordinator and out loud try to ruin the mood. To make a long story short, I went ahead with the show I had designed especially for the occasion and everyone was raving about the performance. In the end, the people he tried to get on his side were so disappointed in his childish behavior and will gladly work with me and not him ever again.
You have to be humble in life. If you are talented that’s fantastic, but no one will want to work with you again if you have a diva(o) attitude. Acting rudely to anyone else “in your way” also makes you have a terrible reputation. This business is about passion, talent, and personality. What goes around comes around and no one is too good to stop learning or being kind to others.
How to spot a Divo/Diva (jajajaja)
1. Listen for the person barking orders
2. Usually eying everyone up and down that crosses their path
3. Always have a pen for potential autographs handy in their costume
4. Are the first to wail when things do not go their way
5. Are the first to give themselves credit when something good happens (it is never the talented team that made it possible, it is their effort only)
Is Everyone a “Professional Belly Dancer” Now a Days?
What is this phenomenon of everyone and their mother calling themselves a “professional” belly dancer now a days? One of the big problems that exist in this industry is that there is no regulation. I realize that as an artist having the freedom to do what I please in my craft is essential, but there needs to be some ground rules in any industry, including belly dance. Costuming and Price definitely come to mind while we are on the topic…but let’s leave that for my next blog post jajaja!
Defining Some Basic Titles:
For now let’s focus on the basic issue of finding and using the appropriate title. There is no shame in calling yourself a novice, up and comer or any other of the terms below. I do not understand why so many dancers are scared to utilize some of these titles. Be honest with where you are. There is nothing wrong with dancing for a year and calling yourself an amateur… that is what the title should be! There is nothing wrong with dancing for a few years and calling yourself an “up and comer”. Here are a few basic terms that describe various skill levels:
-beginner: a person who is beginning something or doing something for the first time-up and coming
-novice: a person who has just started learning or doing something
-amateur: one lacking in experience and competence in an art or science. One who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession
-rising star: a person who is quickly becoming popular, successful, etc.
-professional: relating to a job that requires special education, training, or skill
-expert: having, involving, or displaying special skill or knowledge derived from training or experience
How Much Training Do I Need to Be Considered a Pro?
Knowing the above terms is important as they relate to the next question one must ask themselves, “so how much training is necessary to consider yourself a professional”? This is a tough one, and many dancers never reach the professional level in my opinion. There are some basics I feel should be acknowledged as far as training (these are completely my opinion):
1. At least 4 years of serious, quality training with an actual professional. Can be less or more depending on how hard you train.
2. Training with more than one teacher. You should branch out, explore, question, and create. Everyone has something different to offer.
3. Take a public speaking course of some kind. If you are a professional you must be able to effectively communicate with others from different cultures, and utilizing various platforms.
4. Learn about and study at least some basics about the cultures whose traditions call for belly dancers and study the music. You need to know what you are representing!
Have Showmanship!
While these basics are essential, they are nothing without my last note… “Have showmanship”. I see dancer upon dancer in this business who while they have a pretty face, nice costume, and decent training, are not exactly grabbing the audience’s attention. If you are blessed with good looks, good for you, but that alone will NOT make you a professional! You must engage your audience, portray the emotions evoked form the music, and get the message across. It is not enough to have a caked on smile for a thirty minute show. You need to grasp that attention and make magic with it. It is hard! I struggled with this for soo long because I felt silly for some odd reason, but wow, what a difference this makes. Without this last piece, everything else looks awkward, fake, and just does not give that presentation an audience expects of a professional caliber show.
Ok will step down from my soap box now. I leave this now to you dancers.
Children’s Birthday Belly Dance Party!
That being said, what better way to get your little girls birthday party going this summer than to have her and a group of her friends wear hip scarves, dance to fun music, and see a mini show? Children have always been some of my best fans and so I enjoy allowing them an outlet that not only boosts their confidence, but improves their coordination and form of expression.
If your daughter is usually timid, not to worry! In my experience the shy ones usually come around when they see how much fun the others are having and I always pay extra to them as I was once very shy myself as a child and completely understand how they feel.
So what is included in the “Cgildrens Birthday Belly dance Party”? Here is what you and your little ones receive:
– start off with a belly dance mini show where Orlando Professional Bellydancer Jennifer performs a 4-5 minute routine to wow your guests.
– Hipscarves for all your children are provided ( there is an option to purchase them for the group)
-Once all hipscarves are on, your children will begin with a nice stretch and then onto a fun upbeat belly dance class to get those hip belts shaking!
– After about fifteen minutes the children can now show off some of their new moves in a fun dance circle as a finale.
Overall the belly dance package lasts about thirty minutes and your children and guests are not only able to enjoy a professional belly dance show, but to remember this day forever by learning and dancing themselves. If you have any questions by all means visit my CONTACT page or feel free to call me. Have a great summer and hope to shimmy with you soon!
How To Prepare for a Belly Dancer at Your Wedding
Last night I performed at a wonderful Persian/American wedding. I am writing this blog as a than kyou to the many brides I have met who have been as organized, kind, and open as my latest bride was....
What’s With All the Criticism!
What is the one thing that can turn even the most talented and beautiful person to a wretched beast......jealousy. Yes, this is the entertainment business and granted, everyone will always have...
How Orlando Belly Dancer Jennifer Got Here….
Before I knew it ten ten years had passed, I had performed my last show in competitive marching band and was relocating to Orlando Florida to begin college. During those ten years I became the top clarinetist in my band (as well as captain) and had won various awards and tittles for all my hard work and dedication. Upon moving I suddenly felt lost without a band, and none of my friends were there. I decided to attend a salsa class nearby one day to try to keep myself in shape and make new friends. Unfortunately the salsa class was not the level I was hoping for, but I did see a flyer for Belly dance classes in Orlando on the door, and decided to give it a try. A week later I came by and could not believe my eyes when I saw a gorgeous woman at the head of the class teaching everyone to move their bodies in such a confident and unique way. I fell in love with the dance, the music, the cultural traditions and of course the sparkles! I was able to lose myself in dance the way playing clarinet had done, and the strict adherence to technique and regimen (what I had been used to) made me feel like my old self again. One class a week quickly turned into three classes per week, and soon I was helping my teacher run warm-ups, choreographies, and other activities.
Weeks quickly turned to years, and one day my teacher told me of a restaurant in Orlando that was looking to hire belly dancers. I went not knowing what to expect and was hired on the spot! Soon after I doubled my training and decided that I would do whatever it took to become a professional. Years passed, and I was soon dancing at various restaurants, events, and parties, and unofficially started my business. At first it began with just referrals and time and time again I was asked by my clients to post up a website, a video, something! I did not…I had a fear of putting myself out for the world to see (it sounds dumb but it’s true). After a while I slowly began collecting videos of my performances, posted a few photographs, and slowly began breaking down my own barriers.
2010 was the year that changed it all for me. I was invited to perform at some fantastic events and after much urging from family and friends, I gained a tremendous amount of confidence and decided to begin constructing my website. After years of training, hard work, and ups and downs, I felt proud enough about my progeress with belly dance to show my work to the world. Before I knew it, it was 2011 and my website went live.
I now am at the point where so many opportunities keep pouring in and the possibilities are endless. Orlando has provided me with a great life, and the ability to belly dance full time, and meet some amazingly talented people. I cannot wait to see what the future holds, but who knew this band geek from New York would have ever become a Orlando belly dancer who is the face of billboards, in magazines, and performing all around Florida at high end parties and events.
Crazy the way life turns out huh?
How to Tip a Belly Dancer
How to Tip a Belly Dancer
The question on the appropriate way to tip is one I decided to devote an entire blog article on because of all the misconceptions and varying answers associated with this practice. I am one of the most strict dancers I know when it comes to my policy on how to accept tips, but before I explain my method, it is important to share a little cultural insight. You see, in the middle east it is customary to tip your belly dancer for putting on a spectacular show. Often times the money is given to her in a couple of ways:
1) By placing it directly into her costume/ accessories
2) Throwing it over her dance area or above her head in a money shower
Unfortunately the extent to which a dancer allows her clients to place tips on her costume has different interpretations. I rather not go into detail but with some “belly dancers” it can get darn right raunchy! The good news is that these are almost always not professionals. The majority of real professional belly dancers will allow body tipping only in the form of bills being tucked into the sides of their belt or into their accessories. Bra tipping is still used by some (it is up to the dancer) but I am strictly against it personally.
Opposed to the norm, I only allow tipping in my hand or in a money shower. Clients have often asked me why “said belly dancer over at another restaurant” allows them to tip her in the bra and I don’t, and the answer is simple….we are not in the middle east. While I see nothing wrong with the practice of generous clients body tipping a dancer, I am here in a country where it is not part of the regular custom or culture to have a belly dancer. While belly dance has been highly embraced here, I find that many times clients base their tipping perceptions off of movies, t.v. and other often inaccurate and misconstrued representations in how to tip a performer. “This is NOT a strip club”. I do not want anyone to touch me in any inappropriate area and I find that working in Orlando (Florida in general) with a myriad of cultures and customs, the best way to prevent those situations in general is to just not allow body tipping. For that reason, I will happily accept your tip by hand only or as a money shower. In very rare occasions if the guest is quite elderly or under the age of 5 I will allow them to place their tip in my armband.
While some of my clients are middle eastern, they too must uphold my standard even though it is part of their culture to have a belly dancer. While it can be a bit disappointing for them at first, they soon see that it is still fun to tip me by hand or in a money shower. It is just a simple sign of respect that I maintain. I do want to not offend any of my clients from varying parts of the world so strict adherence to this is appreciated. About 99% of my clients and their guests display appropriate behavior but that 1% is enough to make me always be wary of my space and safety.
How Not to Tip Jennifer
A great spin-off to this post (and based upon actual accounts mind you), is for me to explain a few ways NOT to tip me. It is rare when these happen but if I even hear these requests I simply will walk away or have someone escort the person out of the establishment. Plain and simple. So here it goes:
1) Placing the bill in your mouth and asking me to grab it out using my mouth!
2) Placing a sweaty bill on my forehead
3) Sneaking up behind me and trying to place a bill on the back of my belt or costume bra
4) Acting like your about to hand me a bill and then pulling it away as I reach my hand
5) Deliberately placing the bills on the floor and expecting me to go pick it up
Hiring a Belly Dancer for your Orlando Wedding, Birthday, & More..
The time change has come along, and the days are beginning to feel warmer. Spring is here and what better way to celebrate your birthday, wedding, or corporate event than with a sophisticated and professional belly dancer! Although I belly dance full time in Orlando, from Spring until the end of Fall I get numerous calls asking me to perform all around Florida and beyond to add an exciting touch to your special day. So why hire a belly dancer for your wedding, birthday and, special event? Well, it comes down to a few common reasons:
– You want to add a unique and fun performance that will break the ice and have your guests up dancing
– You would like to give a nod to your cultural background with a classy middle eastern performance
– Your sick of seeing the same old routine at every wedding/birthday and want to stand out and be remembered
– You have seen me perform, think I am fantastic, and were looking for an excuse to hire me right away!
The list can go on and on but when it comes down to it, the decision to hire a professional belly dancer really boils down to the fact that someone wants to make a lasting impression at their event. It does not matter what your cultural background (in fact I have performed at many non-middle eastern events) belly dance adds a unique twist to your party. Whether you want to surprise the birthday boy/girl, challenge the groom with a dance off at the wedding reception, leave your Quinceañera in awe, or have your co-workers laugh hysterically as your boss attempts to do the shimmy, a high end belly dance performance can make your special day remembered forever. Whether it was something as simple as bringing a smile to a nervous Quinceañera face or a bride’s laughter from getting her father-in-law up to dance with me, it is a day to celebrate and I want to help you make it unforgettable.
What will you Perform at my Wedding?
I get this question all the time and here is a quick breakdown of what a belly dance show for a wedding includes: (Birthday packages are similar)
– A grand entrance with Isis Wings or veil maybe even double veil
– An upbeat track to get the guests eager to dance
– A beautiful balancing act with either sword, or a candle tray
– A dynamic drum solo to captivate your guests
-To finish it all off (I specialize in getting the party started) I end with a fun song where everyone can dance and get familiar with the dance floor.
More specialized packages are available if you would like an original choreography to perform or a fun idea for a bridal shower. If you would like more information about hiring an Orlando belly dancer for a wedding, birthday, or other special event, please visit my Hire page and you are more than welcome to watch my performances on my Videos page.
Let’s Get a Few Things Straight!
It happens to all of us at one time or another…getting hit-on by a client, a stranger asking us to marry them, or the occasional “I bet if you go on one date with me, you’ll want me forever”. How about NO! Oh boy, where do I start? One common and annoying misconception about belly dancers is that we are eternally single i.e. not married or in an actual SERIOUS relationship. Now while some belly dancers are single out there that does not mean they are all over their clients trying to get dates! I personally, am happily taken. In fact having a partner in life who supports me has to be one of the most fulfilling and wonderful things to happen to me. Just because I belly dance and make people dance does not mean that I am flirting, cheating, or anything ridiculous of that nature. I am a true professional who is putting on a fun and appropriate performance for my guests and nothing more. I am writing this blog as a thank you to all the men in belly dancers lives who “get it”. Who know that this dance is nothing erotic in the correct hands. For the men who are more of a man than any others because they trust in their women and support their business smarts and independence. This is to thank our partners who come with us to private events, parties, haflas’, and pretty much everything else, because they know it will make us happy and they make sure we are kept safe.
I have met so many fantastic belly dancers who have had boyfriends who did not support their entrepreneurial decisions, choice of belly dance career, or in fact, made them feel demeaned for being professional dancers! It is terrible, I have experienced it in the past myself, and it is due to insecurity. When you find the right person, all those false and negative misconceptions simply disappear. Having the right partner makes you feel more confident and secure in your own career, and provides a support like no other.
So please, no more random calls, texts, e-mails, etc… from you single men! I have a boyfriend who I adore and cherish and in no way will I or any of my girlfriends out there with the same issue ever jeopardize the fantastic men we have in our lives. While I can honestly say that I love to be told that I look beautiful when I am wearing my regalia, it by no means gives any authorization to flirt with me. This girl is taken, and thank you to all the loves in women’s lives for supporting us in what we do and!
Belly Dancer Jennifer & Her Love
Celebration Hafla!
amazing people who have supported Jennifer and her passion for bellydance. Ten amazing dancers will be featured who have exemplified what it means to be true bellydance sisters in a sometimes dramatic industry.
Who: Hosted by Professional Bellydancer Jennifer of Orlando and featuring ten surprise dancers
When: May 22nd, 2011 (Sunday)
Time: Act I 5:30pm-6:10pm
Intermission with games and raffle
Act II 6:30PM-7:10PM
Where: Takis greek & Italian Restaurant
13761 US HWY 441. Lady Lake, FL 32519
ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF SEATS ARE AVAILABLE!
Tickets are on sale right now through PRE-ORDER ONLY.
Tickets are $5 each and children under 10 yrs of age are free.
Please contact Jennifer to order your tickets and reserve your seat.
Tel: (407) 247-1097
E-mail: [email protected]
Join our Facebook page: Celebration Hafla