| Watch Professional Shows Frequently Patronize the | | | | Non-profit organizations in your community may have |
| restaurants and nightclubs in your community that offer | | | | fund-raisers where local amateur performances might |
| performances by local professionals. If possible, try to | | | | be welcome. |
| see a variety of different dancers, so you can see | | | | In these shows, try to have some group performances |
| how different people approach their dance styles, | | | | that are choreographed, and some solo appearances |
| relationships to the bands, use of props, choice of | | | | by individual group members. |
| costuming, and approaches to audience interaction. | | | | Belly Dance Events Some communities have several |
| In your own mind, compare the different dancers you | | | | belly dance teachers, some of whom organize events |
| see. Draw conclusions about what you like and what | | | | for everyone. These could include festivals, seminar |
| you don't like. | | | | shows, or haflas (parties). Try to perform as a group |
| Organize Student Recitals If your teacher doesn't | | | | or as a soloist at each such event, if possible. |
| create opportunities for you to perform at least a | | | | If your community doesn't have any such events, |
| couple of times a year, band together with your | | | | check into whether the belly dancing teachers in |
| classmates and set up your own recitals. Even if your | | | | neighboring communities have anything like that. They |
| teacher doesn't have time to arrange recitals, she | | | | might. |
| might support your efforts if you and your classmates | | | | If there is a dearth of belly dance events in your |
| do most of the work. Find a place to hold it, create | | | | community, then start your own! Organize a party. |
| promotional flyers, decorate the facility, and bring in the | | | | Invite attendees to bring potluck snacks and drinks to |
| necessary sound equipment. | | | | share. Invite each of the belly dance teachers in your |
| Try to do some choreographed numbers as a group | | | | community to perform, and take the opportunity to |
| (maybe you can persuade your teacher to provide | | | | perform yourself. Offer performance opportunity to |
| some choreography in class), and also do some solos. | | | | others who may wish to bring a costume and dance. |
| Invite friends, family, and coworkers, and urge all your | | | | Try holding one of these parties every 3 months. Put |
| classmates to do the same. | | | | on some "open dance" songs in which everyone gets |
| Organize A Student Troupe If your teacher doesn't | | | | to have a turn to get up and dance. |
| already have a troupe of her students, organize one | | | | Or, set up a monthly "student night" program. Each |
| yourself. Your teacher might not have time to organize | | | | month, feature the students of a different teacher in |
| and lead a troupe, but she may be willing to help you | | | | your own community or a neighboring one. Each of |
| by providing choreography and suggestions. | | | | that teacher's students gets to dance, and then the |
| You and your classmates can share the responsibility | | | | teacher herself closes the show with a performance |
| for hosting rehearsals at your homes, setting up places | | | | of her own. |
| to perform, making the cassette tapes with the songs | | | | Create flyers for these teachers to distribute to their |
| all in the right order, etc. | | | | own students and the families of their students. |
| Student performances are usually welcomed as "public | | | | Attend Workshops Polish your performing skills by |
| service" gigs such as schools, nursing homes, hospitals, | | | | attending workshops featuring big-name dancers. Even |
| retirement communities, and similar settings. These can | | | | if you have to drive a few hours to another city, these |
| be very rewarding because audiences are usually | | | | offer tremendous opportunities to build your overall |
| delighted to have you, and they show it. Older women | | | | dance skill. The corresponding shows will give you an |
| often love to see the glittery fabrics up close, and feel | | | | opportunity to see performances by a variety of skilled |
| them between their fingers. Children frequently find the | | | | dancers. |
| strange music and bright costumes to be fascinating. | | | | Consider attending a weeklong belly dancing retreat. |
| Most communities have some kind of annual festival | | | | This total immersion for an entire week will really |
| that showcases local amateur talent, and this could be | | | | develop your dance skill. |
| a good place for your troupe to appear. Don't limit your | | | | Most workshops are followed by a show featuring |
| thinking to the town you live in--look into dancing in | | | | appearances by local dancers plus the featured |
| neighboring towns, too. County fairs are another | | | | instructors. Don't miss these opportunities to see a |
| possibility. | | | | variety of dance styles! |