Reviews

Belly Books:
The BellyDance Book: Rediscovering the Oldest Dance edited by Tazz Richards. Whatever you’re looking for, it’s here. Everything you want to know about bellydancing from the history, props, costumes, makeup to going professional. What I really found interesting is most of the articles in the book are compiled, by, yes, Bellydancers! Shira, Mary Ellen Donald, Carolina Varga Dinicu… If I could only have one bellydance book in my collection – this would be it!

Hip Droppin' Music:
Belly Dance with Kamaal & Anja - If you want just one CD in your collection, this is the one for you! It's got everything from pop, traditional, finale, rhythmic, veil..... And all the selections are awesome!
Shake Me Ya Gamal - Although a couple of the pieces on this CD are found on numerous others, overall I luv it! If these groovin' tracks don't get you up dancing, I don't know what will. It is also great for rhythm review and includes tracks with Saidi, Malfoof, Maqsum, Ayoub, Khaliji , and Fallah.

Harem - Sarah Brightman (review submitted by the lovely Barbara Tomporowski): Although this disc was billed as being inspired by the sounds of the Middle East, there is almost nothing Eastern about it. Blending classical sounds and modern pop elements, this music will appeal to Westerners who love Brightman's beautiful voice but who do not know anything about Middle Eastern rhythms. A belly dancer might be able to use some of the lyrics for a fusion piece, but otherwise, this disc is not recommended.

Nomad - Jesse Cook (review submitted by the lovely Barbara Tomporowski): This disc fuses Middle Eastern rhythms with flamenco guitar to create passionate music. Cook's mastery of guitar is enhanced by his partnership with Hossam Ramzy, who did the percussion. Some songs use a rumba beat that could accomodate veil dancing, and there are two songs in particular - "Leila" and "Qadduka-l-Mayyas" - that are suitable for belly dancers. This is Cook's best cd so far, showing how he has matured from his early music by incorporating Latin, jazz and now Middle Eastern influences into his music.

Shimmy-on Videos:
Hadia's Raks Sharki Volumes 1-6. She is the queen! Hadia shares everything she knows - and she knows a lot! This is a must have collection for every dancer. If you can only pick up one, Volume I is a great beginner video. Volume 6 looks at Tunisian which is really a great workout if your more into the exercise side of things. And you gotta check out her newest DVD series! Again she just shows she is the diva of bellydance and just keep on getting better.
Jillina's Pop Choreography and Drum Solo (2 separate videos). If you are into fun, flirty, technically challenging moves - this is the gal for you. She has some of the coolest choreography I have seen.
Suzy: Raks Sharki, An Introduction to Bellydance. This is a great beginner video. Suzy has a real knack for breaking down all of the basic bellydance moves in a simplistic way (and we all know those moves ain't simple!). If you're not a beginner, I really found it a great technique video as Suzy is very precise. There are 5 more volumes in the works! I'm impatiently waiting!

Wonderful Workshops
Hadia - The first time I saw Hadia was in 2000. I couldn't believe that I had danced for almost 10 years and no one let me in on the secret. I can't thank Aschera Rose enough for bringing this wonderful dancer to Regina. She completely revolutionized how I felt about bellydance. She is so aware of body alignment, proper posture, muscle use, etc. Every dancer in the room came out improved. I was fortunate enough to spend a morning with Hadia in 2004. To our advantage the group was small and she really connected with everyone giving hints about posture, shimmy technique (and, man, can she shimmy), warming up, arm positions, relaxing and just being part of the dance. Wow, what's not to luv! But 3 hours was not enough! She has so much to share, is willing to share it, cares about your well-being and just loves to dance. It is just a pleasure to be around her.
Suzy - From Aidre, Aberta, Calgary, this little spit-fire is one up and coming star! Her knowledge and luv of Middle Eastern Dance radiates from every muscle in her tiny frame. She has a very unique and very helpful way of breaking down moves, especially the very difficult chest isolations. As well, she has a great eye for her students and takes the time to watch them individually and offer any advice she can. And watch out for her shimmies! Suzy has a series of videos in the works which, if there as personable and well thought out as her workshops, will be very much worth adding to your collection. Book her now while you can!
Aziza - What more can you say about the 2003 Cabaret Dancer of the Year, 2002 Bellydancer of the Year, 2002 Bellydancer of the Universe, 2001 Entertainer of the Year! She can perform! But can she teach? Yet bet she can! Her drills, interesting combinations, layering of shimmies (for an excruciating 21 minutes), to die for veil work... I can't name it all was very well thought out, broken down, and presented. I was truly inspired. Aziza has earned every title she has received (and future ones she will receive). She will work your butt off, but she does it all so flawlessly and with a gigantic smile!