BellyUp Travels

I've decided to submit regular entries into our BellyUp blog so that our students can have a glimpse into the behind the scenes life of working bellydancers, teachers and aspiring bellydance students. We invite you to comment, share ideas and your experiences with bellydance. Thursday is usually my day off from teaching thought doesn't usually turn out that way. It's mainly a day for me to sleep in a bit, and then get caught up with BellyUp admin work, writing choreography, creating class plans, workshop curriculums and of course the endless chore of costume alteration. If you're like me and your weight fluctuates constantly, you're always taking in or letting out bellydance costumes. I recently purchased a gorgeous Egyptian dress that was about 12 inches too long for me. If only I had that height! lol. I spent the morning hemming and putting extra safety clasps on the bra. Don't need anymore more bra disasters! I plan on wearing this beauty of a costume this Saturday as I'm performing at an Egyptian wedding in Mississauga. I'll also be wearing my new Shamadan for the Zeffah. The Shamadan is a brass candelabra that the dancer wears on her head. The Zeffah is the procession that will have me leading the new bride and groom into the reception for their official introduction as husband and wife. The bride is excited that I have a blue and gold costume that will match the bridal party colours. One of my student's, the lovely "Samra" will come with me to the wedding. It's her first Arabic wedding performance and her role will be to help with the audience participation. At a large wedding like this, it's great to have another dancer with you to help engage the audience. After the wedding, Samra and will I hop aboard the BellyUp Hummer, aka "Zsa Zsa", and head over to Tarboosh for a quick costume change for our Saturday night Cabaret show where we'll do it all over again sans Shamadan! Tarboosh has become a second home to all the BellyUp troupe dancers and students too. Samir and Nagua are the most hospitable hosts and have made us feel most at home. It's a relationship I deeply value and I am always thankful of the support they have given me and continue to give BellyUp as we evolve as an oasis for bellydancers. I always look forward to my performances at Tarboosh especially when I'm able to get Samir and Nagua to dance with me. The audience always loves this part! Baby BellyDance class is tomorrow. I really love this class and have become very fond of all the Moms and their little ones. I tie a soft, fluffy teddy bear to my stomach so I can feel somewhat the weight of what the Moms feel when they're dancing. I cannot believe how well all these Moms have done. I swear it's due to the baby weight. Never seen a group of beginners get the 3/4 shimmy so fast. I taught it to them as an experiment and voila...there they were 3/4 shimmying all over the studio. lol. More tomorrow!

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Saturday, January 31st Tarboosh Tent Bellydance Cabaret Sunday, February 1st Star Power Workshop with Joharah Thursday February 5th Egyptian Choreography Workshop with Joharah Saturday February 14th BellyUp's Valentine's Day Party with Live Arabic Band Sunday, February 22nd BellyUp is at Burlington Women's Show We're exhibiting as well 1:30-5:30pm. BellyUp performs and gives lesson from 3-3:30pm. on mainstage. Saturday, February 26th Bellydance Cabaret at Tarboosh Tent, Oakville Thursday, March 12th Girl's Night at Tarboosh Tent, Oakville Saturday, March 21st Bellydance Cabaret at Tarboosh Tent, Oakville

Wednesday, March 25th

BellyUp Student Hafla at Tarboosh Tent. Come celebrate the end of the Winter Session and Winter in general!

Sunday, April 5th BellyUp's Student Recital Saturday & Sunday April 18th & 19th BellyUp Presents "Jim Boz" Bellydance Intensive Saturday, April 18th BellyJam Party with Jim Boz at Tarboosh Tent, Oakville

Revised Winter 2009 Schedule

Mondays: 10-11am. Bellydance Level 1 6:30-7:30pm. Bellydance Level 2 7:30-8:30pm. Bellydance Level 1 8:30-9:30pm. Bellydance Level 2 7:30-8:30pm. American Tribal Style Beginners with Valizan 8:30-9:30pm. American Tribal Style Advanced with Valizan Tuesdays: 11am.-Noon Nia with Leslie McHugh 6:30-7:30 Dumbek Drumming Basics with Kevork Geurgerian 6:30-7:30pm. Bellydance Level 1 7:30-8:30pm. Bellydance Level 2 8:30-9:30pm. Bellydance Level 3 Wednesdays: 10-11am. Bellydance Level 2 5-6pm. Bellydance for Kids with Samra and/or Joharah 6:45-7:45pm. Bellydance Level 1 with Samra 7:00-8:30pm. Bellydance Intensive Term Class - Class is now Full! 8:30-9:30pm. Sensual Movement in Bellydance (soft, slow, fast & sexy) - All Levels Thursdays: 7:30-8:30pm. Funky Tribal Combinations with Shelina 8:30pm-10:30pm. Tribe Maya Fire Rehearsal Fridays: 10:30-11:30am. Bellydance for all levels 11:30am-12:30pm. Baby Bellydance (Moms & infants in carriers) No toddlers please! Saturdays: 9:15-10:15am. Hatha Yoga with Liz Cloudt 10:30-11:30am. Bellydance All Levels 11:30am.-12:30pm. Level 1 & 2 Choreography Class for Recital Students - $5 per class Noon - 1pm. Nia with Leslie McHugh Sundays: Troupe Tarab Rehearsal 3-6pm What Level Are You? Level 1 - Beginners start here - learn Foundation and basic travelling steps Level 2 - Continuing to Advanced Beginners Level 3 - Intermediate to Advanced