Belly Dancing and other Delights
I know that everyone, at one point in their life, has wanted to be a Belly
Dancer. Of course, most of the complaints that I have heard were from people
who say "I just don't know where to start." It is true, sad but
true; If you don't lay the proper foundation, it'll never work out. We here
feel, at Exotica and Boxing, that we have an obligation to assist our readers
in their aspirations to be Belly Dancers. It is for this reason that I have
set out on the arduous task to be the scribe, the sacrificial limb, or is
it lamb, to be the whipping boy, to tell all everything that one could possibly
want to know about the glorious career of a Belly Dancer, and the music
associated with it. As a public service, we will print monthly career descriptions
that are related to all things exotic. In future months, we intend to espouse
the greatness about being on the waitstaff of a Tiki Bar, or being a proprietor
of an exotic beverage institution. It is this month that I will stomach
the pain of writing about this illustrious vocation.
The first thing to getting on the right path of a belly Dancing career is
the understanding of what the job entails. This job often requires long
hours in Hareems, and often THESE HAREEMS ARE ILLEGAL! I repeat, Hareems
are illegal in 49 of the fifty states. As a writer with conscience, I cannot
recommend that you accept positions in these illegal brothels. In fact,
if you are arrested for working at one of these institutions, please don't
blame me.
When you are accepted as a Belly Dancer, you will probably be presented
with a few records by which to practice. Don't worry if you don't like the
chosen musical selections, any fine institution will have live musicians.
Any Belly Dancing combo, should have a mallet instrument, a percussionist,
a sitarist, and maybe an accordionist. Now, during your performance, you'll
be expected to have good command of the language required for which to request
a number. Of course, you'll not be allowed to speak, but customers may scream
out such timeless classics as Haji-Tihin, Samra Ayouka, Mabrouk, Raqs Al-Ghawazi,
or perhaps the masterpiece Dabke Jabalieh. Since you'll not be consulting
with the musicians in between songs, you must know these dances, so that
you'll not be out of tempo when the music starts. Before you go in for your
audition, I would recommend that you attend the world famous Farid el Atrache
Nightclub in Lebanon. The great "BELLY DANCE at the Farid el Atrache
Nightclub" was recorded their.
Being an avid connoisseur of those whose stomach is their implement, I happen
to own some excellent music which is associated with Belly Dancing. Probably
the first album that anyone should own is excellent "Dance of the Hareem."
The music on this album is slower than that of other albums, so for those
who still practice in front of the mirror, this is the album to get. For
those who "Advanced," shall we say, I would recommend the hard
to find treasure "Belly Belly" this was done by the luscious Elias
Abourjailly Orchestra in conjunction with the Artie Barsamian orchestra,
you know the orchestra that produced the stirring "Belly Dance au Go-Go,
music of the Middle East," and the now legendary album "More Belly
Dance."
Unfortunately, I don't have the expertise, to offer any valid advise on
one of the most important tools of the trade, which is the costume. I can
say that for being highly ornamental, there's not much to them, if you catch
the drift of my hookah. There is much here that I have not told you, but
as your career develops, I am sure that you'll learn more. If you do have
any burning questions to ask the master of all things exotic, or if you
have any requests for this exotic job column, I recommend that you drop
us a line.
Back to the Beginning