The Heroes from Behind the Scenes With Festival just over this is the perfect time to sing the praises of those who we don’t see on stage. Many of us are aware of the work that goes on behind the scenes but how many of us know exactly how much work goes on – with a show there are the obvious unsung heroes of the camera man who provides a visual record of the dance show, the music man or sound technician who keeps the sounds coming and sometimes is even the announcer, then there is the lighting person. They are the main background people we are aware of when in the audience I had thought about writing a piece on being prepared, if it can go wrong - it will, after the Hafla this year with my workshop participants and group members dancing TE AVISO – the objection Tango to no music, one of those beyond our control issues, but I decided that would be better for another time How many of us consider the Organizers who found the venue booked it, advertised the show or event then there is the Stage Manager, who when lucky enough has communication with the lighting sounds and curtain guy to ensure music goes on when needed – when dancers are on the stage or off the stage and cue’s the curtain puller in a big show so it runs smoothly? Then there is the runner who has the job of finding the dancer or dance group that is about to go on – including the situations where they don’t know who the groups are – especially true with MEDANZ as there are groups from all over the country and chances of having met and remembering where everyone is from is slim at best on the first night of festival. I have never had the pleasure of “stage-running“ for a show in festival – however our dancers in MEDANZ shows usually know when they are expected and are ready for their performance calls making the jobs of the background crew that much easier. I do know the stress and the joy of running for a show having done just that at the end of last year for Diane James’ student teacher show – when Belladonna was performing, it is not that I am favouring the stage runner as the unsung hero of this article it is just the one I happen to know more about. The person they had organized to be the runner for this particular show was unavailable, leaving them without one in a sizable back stage area, with having had some prior experience in a smaller venue I volunteered. Stage runner is a rewarding job as you get to meet all the dancers in the show even if it is ever so briefly. It has its ups and downs – up side is you get to see bits of the show from the wings, as well as close ups of some really cool costumes. Down sides are you rarely if ever get to see the whole of any performances, then sometimes when things aren’t going well the dancers can get snappy, all you have to do is remember not to take it personally My first behind the scene job I remember well was the show production Fatina put on called Goddesses in Training, after I moved to Cambridge Fatina invited my group the Desert Gypsy’s (yes I know some of you will be sitting there going it should be gypsies but the spelling mistake is deliberate) up to perform. During this time Fatina handed me an eyeliner pencil and had me check the dancers stage make up, why me? I think it may have something to do with my eye makeup June / July 2010 Middle Eastern Dance Association of New Zealand MEDANZ News MEDANZ News MEDANZ News ISSN 1177-2808 Information Centre 2 President’s Report 3 Meet the committee President 3 Secretary 4 Vice President 5 Treasurer 6 Rest of committee 6—7 AGM 9 What’s On—NZ 12—14 What’s On—Overseas 15 continued on Page 4
Transcript
The Heroes from Behind the Scenes
With Festival just over this is the perfect time to sing the praises of those who we don’t see on stage.
Many of us are aware of the work that goes on behind the scenes but how many of us know exactly howmuch work goes on – with a show there are the obvious unsung heroes of the camera man who providesa visual record of the dance show, the music man or sound technician who keeps the sounds coming andsometimes is even the announcer, then there is the lighting person. They are the main backgroundpeople we are aware of when in the audience
I had thought about writing a piece on being prepared, if it can go wrong - it will, after the Hafla thisyear with my workshop participants and group members dancing TE AVISO – the objection Tango to nomusic, one of those beyond our control issues, but I decided that would be better for another time
How many of us consider the Organizers who found the venue booked it, advertised the show or eventthen there is the Stage Manager, who when lucky enough has communication with the lighting soundsand curtain guy to ensure music goes on when needed – when dancers are on the stage or off the stageand cue’s the curtain puller in a big show so it runs smoothly?
Then there is the runner who has the job of finding the dancer or dance group that is about to go on –including the situations where they don’t know who the groups are – especially true with MEDANZ asthere are groups from all over the country and chances of having met and remembering where everyoneis from is slim at best on the first night of festival. I have never had the pleasure of “stage-running“ for ashow in festival – however our dancers in MEDANZ shows usually know when they are expected and areready for their performance calls making the jobs of the background crew that much easier. I do knowthe stress and the joy of running for a show having done just that at the end of last year for DianeJames’ student teacher show – when Belladonna was performing, it is not that I am favouring the stagerunner as the unsung hero of this article it is just the one I happen to knowmore about. The person they had organized to be the runner for thisparticular show was unavailable, leaving them without one in a sizable backstage area, with having had some prior experience in a smaller venue Ivolunteered.
Stage runner is a rewarding job as you get to meet all the dancers in theshow even if it is ever so briefly. It has its ups and downs – up side is youget to see bits of the show from the wings, as well as close ups of somereally cool costumes. Down sides are you rarely if ever get to see the wholeof any performances, then sometimes when things aren’t going well thedancers can get snappy, all you have to do is remember not to take itpersonally
My first behind the scene job I remember well was the show productionFatina put on called Goddesses in Training, after I moved to CambridgeFatina invited my group the Desert Gypsy’s (yes I know some of you willbe sitting there going it should be gypsies but the spelling mistake isdeliberate) up to perform. During this time Fatina handed me an eyelinerpencil and had me check the dancers stage make up, why me? I think itmay have something to do with my eye makeup
June / July 2010
Middle Eastern Dance Association of New Zealand
MEDANZ NewsMEDANZ NewsMEDANZ News
ISSN 1177-2808
Information Centre 2
President’s Report 3
Meet the committee
President 3
Secretary 4
Vice President 5
Treasurer 6
Rest of committee 6—7
A G M 9
What’s On—NZ 12—14
What’s On—Overseas 15
continued on Page 4
Page 2 MEDANZ News June / July 2010
Committee Details
President - Amanda BoundHm: (06) 758 1097Cell: (027) 478 9029
Lets meet some of our committee—and who better to start with than our President:
Hi, my name is Amanda Bound or Aaminah and I feel very privileged to be your President for a
second year. I am passionate about MEDANZ and middle eastern dance. I am always keen to be
learning new techniques and more of the history of our dance form and just love learning or creating
new choreographies.
My husband is a self employed accountant and I am a Registered Legal Executive working in Estates
Administration, Family Trusts and Conveyancing. My boys are growing up and I now have one at
University studying a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Marine Biology and Chemistry, and the other at a
local tertiary institute studying to be a Chef.
I sometimes think I may have been Egyptian in a previous life, because the music just gets into my soul
and makes me want to move with it!
Meet the Committee - Amanda Bound
Page 4 MEDANZ News June / July 2010
My name is Karen Walworth—dance name Karen. I also have my “other “
dance persona—Adilah. I have the honour of being elected the MEDANZ
secretary for the coming year and I hope to be able to bring my skills from
previous jobs as an administrator to help this role go smoothly. I started
belly dancing with Fatina (Liz Irvine) in 1999 and have been a member of
MEDANZ since 2000. Dancing has been a passion for most of my life
having trained as a ballroom dancer while a teenager. I now teach Middle
Eastern dance and run the Waikato based belly dance group Desert Gypsys. I have organised several
performances showcasing my student’s talents and well as taught a number of workshops. I look
forward to being on the committee and helping make the next year a successful one.
Yours in dance
Karen
being quite extreme and very visible even from a large distance! My job then wasto ask the dancers especially first time performers - to apply more eye make-up if it was too light or notvisible from a set distance I adapted the line “I think you need some more eye liner or would you like meto do it for you” which was the intention behind the black eyeliner pencil .
Funnily enough every dancer I asked came back and checked with me to see if their eye make-up wasvisible and they didn’t avoid me
So a few tips from what I have learnt over the last 11 years belly dancing
BLACK is the only colour you need for your eyeliner - However if you’re very pale blonde and
can’t cope with the black I recommend a nice dark brown paired with smoky grey eye-shadow
Line under the eye not inside it makes the eye area wider
To have Lips on stage you can’t go past a nice Vibrant red or hot pink – those lovely browns
just get lost under lights and dark reds can go black which is very cool if you’re doing gothic bellydance, and remember a little blush can help keep your cheeks prominent
Having a stage name can reduce performance anxiety when I first started dancing mine was
Adilah – which I have since dropped but still I acknowledge she is my inner dancer, however I nowuse Karen as my dance name. We don’t need to have multiple personality disorders to be dancers butsometimes adapting a stage persona like an actor can help
Always test run your costume and Accessories before performing in public, that is practice all
routines you intend to use in your costume with accessories first, some of us are nodding our headsthinking about the time those new earrings got stuck or we shimmied off a belt that didn’t fit rightthat had miraculously stayed on during less vigorous routines
When in a major show make sure you’re ready to go on in plenty of time and have checked
your costumes first – some checks I like to do now –Shimmy’s Hips and shoulders, chest circles,chest pops and - this may seem weird - a little jump on the spot and raise the arms over head whileinhaling – this for me I find usually helps prevent the instance of the costume malfunctioning, at leastthe only time I have ever had a bra go pop while dancing was in class when practicing for a Haflaperformance, My worst experience was MEDANZ rehearsals when a hook I had replaced on the bra Iwas going to use just folded over – it wasn’t the usual hooks I use
& SAFETY PINS are a belly dancers best friend – if something does go oops have someone help
you when in a group that’s easy when solo there is bound to be someone willing to lend a hand
SMILE on stage, I am still working on this one too and yes there are the exceptions with music and
choreography which call for no smile but they are few and far between
In conclusion
Thank you to all our show and workshop organizers and behind the scenes support people without youthere would be more stress more headaches and less events!
Karen - Desert Gypsys
Continuing from Page 1
Karen Walworth (Secretary)
June / July 2010 MEDANZ News P age 5
Oriental, Fusion and Cabaret Belly Dance Classes
Did you know that A’mal is currently teaching Oriental and Cabaret belly dance classesin Christchurch?
Thursdays, School of Contemporary Belly Dance (SCBD)
L3 Oriental 6.30-7.30pmThis class focuses on developing good base technique, understanding and interpretingME rhythms and music, veil and zill work, and developing the inner goddess:transitions, performance and working towards your own/group choreographies.
Mixed Level:7.30-8.30pmThis is a revolving topic course, delving into some of the many luscious types ofbellydance out there.
Previous topics have included: Lebanese Belly Dance/Isis Wings Technique andChoreography and The Karsilama Rhythm
Current Topic: Turkish Cabaret: Old School bellydance with spins, big hip articulation and heaps of energy(and zills )
Sundays, School of Contemporary Belly Dance-Starting end of May!Advanced Belly Dance and Technique. Time TBC (90 mins): 45 mins of A’mal drills & Technique, followed bysome of ChCh’s finest bellydancers who will further work their class in a particular style/technique.
A’mal also runs private lessons, workshops and performances to suitnationwide, as an Oriental and Fusion teacher and performer, and as part ofthe quirky Red Queens.
CONTACT DETAILS
A’mal - www.amal.co.nz (Txt: 027 301 5897) · S C B D - www.belly.co.nz
Hi I’m Fern and I amthrilled, honoured and not a small bit terrified to be not only your VPbut also the Librarian this year.
I started belly dancing in Dunedin in 1997, I think, (numbers are notmy strong point). Upon coming in contact with Fat Chance Tribal Styledance I felt compelled to follow the Tribal path and became one of thefounding members of “The Lost Tribe”. Since 1999, a passionateaddiction to drumming was also kindled and I soon formed TheUnfortunate Repercussions, and I can now be found bouncing betweendancing and drumming. I also have a less then secret passion forTurkish Rom 9/8 rhythms and Spanish and Indian fusion. Occasionally you may find me dancing bymyself but I have a tribal heart and I’m not really happy unless my dance and drummy buddies arewith me.
I also really enjoy learning about the history of bellydance and although I perform under theumbrella of Tribal improvisation and Tribal fusion I love many forms of belly dance and have beeninfluenced by many different styles of dancers and drummers. I am more drawn by a teachers skill,passion and warmth then by a specific style. And the less fortunate of you may occasionally see mein the back of a veil workshop tying myself in inelegant knots or performing less then gorgeousarabesques in an Egyptian class.
In Dunedin we are also indebted to the wonders of Belly dance DVDs. It sometimes seems uncool
or slightly shameful to admit I don’t travel to America or Cairo myself, but instead I learn a lot offDVDs. But today I am coming out of the closest and proudly claiming my DVD addiction. Hey it’s abetter option then kidnapping teachers and chaining them in my closet, or hijacking planes.
When I’m not dancing you will find me sculpting Clay, that is if I’m not bunking off to play with my
horses or scratching in the garden with my chickens.
Bronwyn Mohring (Vice President)
Page 6 MEDANZ News June / July 2010
Kia ora,
I’ve been a member of MEDANZ for 8 years and thought now timely tojoin the Committee and give something back.
I’m a daughter, sister, aunty, friend and lover.
In my free-time I like to massage, specialising in workplace massagewhere I have therapists working throughout the country. I’m a yogateacher, inspired by Anusara Yoga and studying with IYTA. I’m a bellydancer currently working on bringing forward my Kai Tahu and Fijianheritage with my Middle Eastern Dance – a Pacific Fusion.
Gendi was my first teacher in 2001, she introduced me to both Orientaland Tribal. I dance with Kiwi Iwi and Red Queens and have been attend-ing Tahitian Hula and Kapahaka classes.
I love teaching belly dance and watching women grow taller as theyblossom and begin to feel better in their body.
Maarie xx
Hi
I am looking forward to my 2nd year on the Committee and working with
this lovely group of women with whom I share this passion for dance.
Tauranga is my home town, I have lived here for most of my life and have
enjoyed belly dancing for over a decade. I lead the group Arabian Spice
and teach several belly dance classes a week in and around the Tauranga
area. Seeing dancers from my various classes joining together and dancing
at haflas, shows and community events is a real delight.
We are very excited to be once again hosting the MEDANZ festival next
year. As well as being dubbed “Ground Zero” person for festival, I hope to
be able to bring the messages from members to committee to facilitate
positive change. If you have a ‘wish list’ on how you would like your or-
ganisation run or something specific you would like MEDANZ to achieve—
please let me know.
Linley
Linley Duncan
Hi
I have the honour of being your Chancellor of the Exchequer for the next
twelve months as well as your current Newsletter Editor. I am married
with no children and live in Tokoroa on a “Boutique Farm” running 120
dairy cattle. Dancing came late in life to me. I just worked it out - I
have only been dancing two years (!!!)—seems like it has been a part of
me forever. I belong to the Cambridge troupe Desert Gypsys (yes the
spelling is correct—and yes it plays havoc with my OCD) with my teacher
Karen ( aka our Secretary) as well as our local Tokoroa dance troupe
Keshet Sorellenza (the Rainbow Sisterhood) . I am involved also in our
local dramatic society but my only claim to previous dance experience
was 12 mths in ballet at 8yrs old. But I am making up for it now. And
not only have I got the bug but I have also infected my step daughter
who is learning down in Wellington. I am looking forward to the coming
year working with such a great team. PS keep those articles coming please !
Maarie Hutana
Lynley Murphy
(Treasurer)
June / July 2010 MEDANZ News P age 7
Hi, my name is Sharnie,
I live in Katikati – the lovely “Mural Town” of New Zealand.
Having done a term of belly dancing at college night classes (beginner level) I
booked in for several workshops at the MEDANZ Festival held recently in
Tauranga and also managed to join the committee! Nothing like jumping in the
deep end :-)
Since I am relatively inexperienced in the whole dance/committee area I'm sure I
will be learning as I go and maybe I can bring a fresh point of view on things as
required.
A bit of personal background - I am happily married with 3 children, we live on a
small lifestyle block with a producing olive grove and a menagerie of animals.
I am a mixed media artist and enjoy creating artworks from a diverse range of
elements – clay, glass, mosaic, canvas, metal, paper etc. I sell my art through
retail outlets and am never sure what I will be working on next, it just depends on what inspires me at
the time. (I absolutely LOVE it and it gets me out of having to have a 'real' job).......
I am a happy, positive person and am looking forward to being part of the MEDANZ Committee for the
next 12 months.
Sharnie Riley
When I was born maybe my parents found the need to compensate forthe surname Smith because they named me Sherrill Dianne Smith.
That’s right two r’s, two l’s and two n’s. Then to complicate mattersmore they set about referring to me by my second name Dianne becauseDianne Sherrill Smith didn’t sound right. (Also the initials spell somethingnot so nice!)
Around the time of my birth Bing Crosby was crooning his version of“Smile for me, my Dianne”. (Possibly has only one n?) Anyway the pointto this is that although lovely names, they have caused me problems agreat deal of my life.
There were many times at school when a cross teacher read my namefrom a list only to be ignored. Of course any official form states full nameetc and then I have to explain to every one who I am. Then at last aform was invented that asked for a ‘preferred name’. Oh bliss! At last I can be me!
No sorry most times that doesn’t work either even if you under line it in red ink or highlight it inorange Nah! The phone will go and “can I speak to Sherrill please?”
So one might think I would choose Sherrill as my dance name perhaps?
Well no and probably because I have been well taught in the art of ambiguousness I decided Iwould make a play on my now surname, Thompson and the fact that I am a Gemini and use theHebrew name for the female twin Thomasina.
Now that is explained hello lovely Belly Dancers and MEDANZ Members. I have newly beenelected to the Committee at the 2010 festival held in Tauranga.
I am a member of the Taupo Mirage Middle Eastern Dancers and had my first Bellydance dancelesson at the end of 2005 but didn’t get really cracking until 2006. I got hooked and now bearthe traits of a magpie and when I listen to music I am always thinking “Can I Bellydance tothat?” Sounds familiar huh?
I am happy to be available to serve you all and look forward to helping with next year’s festivalso keep your ideas for what tutors you would like and other stuff rolling in.
Have happy times everyoneThomasina
Dianne Thompson
Page 8 MEDANZ News June / July 2010
June / July 2010 MEDANZ News P age 9
For those of you that could not make our AGM, here is a quick run down of what was decided.
MEMBERSHIP: if you read your little red Annual Report book, you would have noted that a remit was put forward to
standardise the membership year to end on 30 June each year. The purpose behind this was to streamline the
workload of the membership secretary. Much discussion ensued believe me. Some felt that having a little bit to do
each month was better than having a huge load at one time but—and this is speaking from experience—having it all
happen at once means that there is less chance of missing out someone—and you the members will all know that if you
haven't received a reminder notice by the end of June then
there is something amiss. Unpaid subs will also be easier to
monitor and not slip thru the cracks. It also lessens the
workload come festival time with renewing members and
festival costs getting mixed up and going astray—as so
often happens. The remit was passed with an
overwhelming majority.
So within the next few weeks you should all be getting a
renewal notice taking you up to June 2011. For those of
you who have paid your sub for the coming year already,
you will receive a catch up invoice based on $3 per month
between the time your subscription runs out and June
2011. For those of you who have paid more than 12
months in advance, you will not be receiving a catch up
notice this year. Which brings me to another point that was
raised. If you wish to pay in advance—please feel free to do so— $35 per annum for as many years as you desire. The
added advantage of this is that should the sub go up, you save on the increased amount. You may direct credit—bank
account details are on Page 2.
Introductory members will still be entitled to the reduced rate of $20 for twelve months from the date they joined.
Once their 12 months has passed, they too will be issued with a catch up invoice taking them to 30 June.
If you have not received a notice before the end of June, please contact the Membership Secretary via the email. In
fact any problems regarding your membership, please do not hesitate to contact me. However please be aware that
there are going to be teething problems this first year but with everyone pulling together, we should get thru without
too many problems.
ACCOUNTS It was decided that this year, as it was Janine’s last year we would audit the accounts. This is already
underway.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP We awarded Glennis Jones a life membership—Kim and Angela spoke glowingly of her invaluable
contributions to the association over the years. I understand that our original life member—Diane was also going to
speak but was somewhere between Auckland and Tauranga stuck it traffic.
Decisions from the Annual General Meeting
FESTIVAL 2011
Tauranga Boys High 16 - 19 April 2011Start preparing your party pieces NOW !!!!!
FESTIVAL 2012
Christchurch April 2012Start saving now
Page 10 MEDANZ News June / July 2010
SUZEY of CINCH DANCE UNLIMITEDSENDS A BIG HUG TO ALL WHO SUPPORTED CHELSEA, HAYLEY & MYSELF AT FESTIVAL
WE HAD HEAPS OF FUN AND WE LOVED SEEING YOU ALL
* BINDIS $2 * BEGINNER ZILL SETS $15 ** ISIS WINGS WITH CARRY BAG $120 *
* BEADED FRINGING FOR BRA & BELT $90 * COIN SCARVES $25 ** VELVET COINED BRA & BELT SETS $70 * BEADED BUTTERFLY TOPS $25*
* STRETCH VELVET CHOLIS $20 * CHIFFON GOLD COIN BELTS $25 **CHIFFON GOLD COINED & BEADED PAYETTE BELT $40 ** VELVET COINED BELT $50 * BEADED KURTI TOPS $60 *
Visit my webstore at www.cinchdanceunlimited.comOr come to the shop at 12b Homestead Drive · St Johns · Auckland
If you cannot come in person you can reach me bye.mail: [email protected] · phone: (09) 5272350 · mobile: 0211158548
A WOMAN’S PRAYER
Before I lay me down to sleep,
I pray for a man who's not a creep,
One who's handsome, smart and strong.
One who loves to listen long,
One who thinks before he speaks,
One who'll call, not wait for weeks.
I pray he's rich and self-employed,
And when I spend, won't be annoyed.
Pull out my chair and hold my hand.
Massage my feet and help me stand.
Oh send a king to make me queen..
A man who loves to cook and clean.
I pray this man will love no other.
And relish visits with my mother.
June / July 2010 MEDANZ News P age 11
Tribal Style, Tribal Fusion
& Base Belly Dance Classes
Have you ever wanted to try Tribal Fusion or American TribalStyle, but weren’t sure what classes were out and about? Wellevery week Pip E-Lysaah teaches classes in both styles inWellington AND Christchurch.
Every Saturday Pip E-Lysaah teaches Tribal Style Level 2, Level3 and Mixed Level Tribal Fusion at the School of ContemporaryBelly Dance in Christchurch. Tribal Style Level 2 covers the
essential cues, formations and movements of American Tribal Style, TribalStyle Level 3 steps up the challenge by adding shimmies, levels and layers tothe technique, advanced formations and props such as sword, veil and fingercymbols.
Mixed Level Tribal Fusion takes students through an exciting 35 min belly drillsection, which leaves you warmed and sweaty, and then into the combo-graphy portion of the class. Combo-graphy is choreography by combination,learn a combination and then add then together with a modern twist onmusical stylings.
Saturdays, Christchurch
School of Contemporary Belly Dance, Level 1, 82a Lichfield Street,Christchurch
Tribal Style Level 2: 1.30 – 2.30 pm
Tribal Style Level 3: 2.45 – 3.45 pm
Tribal Fusion: 4 -5 pm
Every Tuesday Pip E-Lysaah teaches classes in belly dance at the TarrantDance Studio on Cuba Street in Wellington. Building Blocks of Belly Danceare revolving six week courses, that cover technique for major parts of thebody from ‘ The Belly’ , through ‘Arms and Turns’, ‘Shimmies’ and ‘Travelling’.Tribal Style is a class for those learning Tribal Style Belly Dance, focusing onadvanced combinations and technique. She also teaches Tribal Fusion classesthrough private instruction.
