"What should I wear to my first bellydance class?"  I have been asked this question several times recently through email.  I had the same question when I started taking classes.  My quick response for someone taking a class with me: comfortable exercise clothing such as yoga pants and a close-fitting t-shirt, socks or ballet slippers are optional.  That's what I wear to most every class I teach and workshop I attend.  Oh, and I bring extra hipscarves for my students to borrow during class.

My long response that can apply to almost all bellydance classes:
Look for information in the class description regarding what to wear or ask the teacher, if possible. If you are not able to do this, you should feel comfortable in most bellydance classes wearing yoga pants and a close-fitting t-shirt. Avoid baggy clothing since it makes it more difficult for your instructor (and you) to assess if you are executing the movements correctly. If you have some sort of scarf you can tie around your hips, especially one with some fringe, bring it. Hipscarves help make your hip movements more visible. Avoid hipscarves with coins until you know if the teacher allows them or not. (Some find them too noisy and too messy since they often shed coins and beads.)

For your feet, there are many options. Ballet slippers are a good choice and are easy to find at your local dance supply store. For your first class, you can even wear socks until you figure out what you would like to use. Many dancers teach and perform barefoot, considering it the most stable, but this is dependent on personal choice and floor surface. Some other options are lyrical sandals, foot undeez, jazz shoes, and dance sneakers.

Once you attend your first class, you will have a better idea what your instructor expects you to wear. Until then, I hope my tips help you feel confident and prepared for that first day. Have fun!

Music I'm loving right now:

Bellydance Seduction (check out Nesrin dancing to it here) This long track has a classic Vintage Oriental (or American Cabaret) continuous fast-slow-fast-slow-etc. set-up. It really takes you on a journey of musical variety with a live band, Middle Eastern club in the 70's/80's feel.  Dancer Norma of Detroit recently said on Bhuz, "My teacher used to use these piece of music for her advanced students. She said if you could dance to every section of this music you were ready to become professional." (She also pointed out that it was originally the second track of the album, "Belly Dance! Spectacular Rhythms."

From Cairo With Love From the recently released album of the same name, this song is a great entrance piece for the type of shows where I perform. The length is just right (5:40) and there is plenty of variation throughout the song to get you and your audience warm-up for the rest of the show.

Ya Habaybi Ya Ghaybine I have linked to a remix (but not overly so, in my opinion) version of this classic originally performed by Farid El Atrache. I already liked the song when I first heard it, but then really fell in love when I saw this clip of Farid singing and the lovely dancers performing in the background.  They look like dancing candy.  :)

Ala Rimsh Eyounha This link is to the album "Aheb Masr" by Yasmina. Track 5 is certainly one of my current song crushes! It's fun, Middle Eastern patrons/audiences love it (and will probably sing along), and the lyrics make you want to wear your best fake eyelashes. 

Well, she (or he) is still a bellydancer, but it sure is a nice skill to have! In fact, many, many times when I've performed in restaurant settings, if I haven't yet played my cymbals, one of the customers will ask, "Where are your bells?" accompanied by hand movements that loosely indicate playing cymbals. 


History and Info:
A brief history of finger cymbals on the Saroyan site.

Rhythms to use when playing finger cymbals (and a copy of a nice article by Artemis Mourat).


Purchase Finger Cymbals:

Buy finger cymbals directly from Saroyan Mastercrafts (and listen to sound samples).

Buy a set of Arabesque cymbals from Bellydance.com.


Instructional DVDs and CDs:

Killer Ziller: Belly Dance Finger Cymbals

Bellydance with Zils

We're two weeks into our special veil session at Strictly Ballroom and have been swishing and swirling around!  Here's some info for you regarding where to find more info about using veils with bellydance, where to purchase veils,  and links to inspiring veil performances.

History of the Veil in Bellydance:
"The Veil and Oriental Dance" by Elizabeth Artemis Mourat. As Shira explains at the top of the page, this is an excerpt from a longer manuscript. Definitely worth reading!!!!

Article by Najia El Mouzayen, scroll down to "Part 2 - The American Veil Dance". Najia briefly explains the role of the veil in a Vintage Oriental type routine and give a list of tips for handling the veil.

Purchasing Veils:
Habotai silk, poly-chiffon, organza (try to avoid the organza), and other fabrics can all be utilized in dancing with veils. When you are first learning, something medium-weight, like a poly-chiffon, is usually best. Once you have the basics down, you can branch out with other materials. 

I still have my first veil - really nice, lightweight chiffon from G-Street Fabrics. (It's in this photo.) I hemmed the cut edges and left the selvage edges alone.  Three yards of 45" fabric is all you need!  If you don't sew, you can apply Fray-Check to the cut edges to keep them from unraveling.  Most fabric stores will likely have a light chiffon for $3-$5 per yard, so a practice veil can be very affordable. 

For the gold-trimmed veils (half-circle or rectangular), try GaneshaBazaar.com. They have them in solid colors, two-tone, or multi-color with silver or gold.

So far I have purchased all of my silk veils and have not yet dyed any of my own.  If you are just starting to work with silk, go for an 8 mm weight. I have two veils from a USA vendor who sold through eBay that I really like, but I can't locate her at this time.  Another dancer recommended Nahari Silk Veils to me. (They are 4mm or 5mm, which is very light.) I have been happy with my 5mm solid color veils from Fairy Cove Silks.  You can also purchase your own un-dyed silk by the yard from a company such as Dharma Trading Co.

Inspiring Veil Performances:
Dancing with a veil can be a quick 30-second "prance around the stage and toss" to start a performance, an integral part of a Vintage Oriental routine, or a stand-alone performance piece.

One of many clips of the multi-talented Aziza, demonstrating classic Vintage Oriental veil styling to "Jemileh".

Mariyah of NYC with live music. Gorgeous use of a chiffon veil, nice contrast with slow & fast movements. She really knows how to work with that veil. Note how she's able to do SO much in such a small space!

Marya shows about two minutes of really nice veil incorporation at the beginning of an entrance song.

Azad Kaan, demonstrating a very energetic entrance piece with a little over a minute of veilwork at the beginning.

Nagwa Fouad in a movie from the late 60's/early 70's, not really dancing with the veil, more like draping the veil on the head, holding onto it, and dancing.  :)

Ooh La La bellydance troupe (bellydance showgirl style!) from San Francisco expertly use veils to frame movements and illustrate the music.