Belly dancing has never been more popular. Many people have belly dancing on their mind even though they may not know it yet. Belly dancing is working it's way into our popular everyday culture in very positive ways. People are becoming more and more aware of the beauty, complexity of expression, and discipline of techniques under laying the dance. They are seeing it's holistic and therapeutic benefits and how it helps women develop a healthier body image. There are so many outlets for this dance to take shape; fitness, therapy, spirituality, dramatic art, occupation, fantasy escape! So many styles, avenues of enjoyment and ways to move with it. This is a very exciting time for belly dance.
And it's going to get even bigger!
In the early spring a new movie documentary is going to be released on HBO
"The American Belly Dance"
It will tell our story of belly dance .
SHOW TIME VENUE
Performances can be varied. Sirocco and I are into small performance venues of about 140-200 people. We can do bigger or smaller but we think belly dance is best when it’s close up and personal.We did a small 140 person theater in Seattle with box office ticket sales. The audience wrapped nicely around on 3 sides. It was very special. We’ve done a high school auditoriums a few times. In Bellingham we did a funky arts theater, and a while back we did a dance studio like they do in Germany. We had everyone bring pillows who wanted to sit in front. It was very intimate. Other potential venues are Odd Fellow Halls, church auxiliary rooms, hotel banquet facilities, maybe a large private home.
Sometimes some one in the community will pay the bill for the entertainment so a worthy charity can through an event and generate revenue. We ask you to keep all sorts of possibilities in mind. Please keep in mind we will have high over head being on the road and will need to generate incomes but we want to have fun while we do it!
Trust be!
WORKSHOP TIPS
Planning the events:
Who do you want to aim your event towards? There are many possibilities and we encourage you to be creative and broad in your approach. We want to meet lots of new folks as well as old friends!
See our high resolution Caravan Images Page to create your own materials using downloadable photos and graphics!
• The established and blossoming belly dance community in your area?
Lots of cool moves, dances and insights to share with fellow dancers
We have a data bases, web site, e mail and print advertising
We encourage phone trees and email lists and networking
• Out side potential belly dance community?
Host a beginning Belly Dance Sampler with live music or a Belly Dance Appreciation Course (see workshop menu).
• Fund Raiser
We still need to be paid
but we are happy to be a vehicle for raising money for worthy causes
•Specific Special Interest groups
HOW WILL YOU GET THE WORD OUT?
Hard work pays off. Devise a plan, net work ask people for help. Send out press releases. Is there a local arts radio program, news paper you can plug into?
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