The holidays are here and many of you are wondering, "What can I get for my bellydancing spouse/friend/family member?" I put together my first list of suggestions a few years ago, now let's add to it:

For beginners (keep it simple, she's just getting started!):

• Search for these items at Bellydance.com: square sequins scarf, turquoise finger cymbals (small or medium), chiffon veil.
• Gift certificate to continue classes.

Advanced beginners (dancing at least 6 months) likely already have a few hipscarves and such, so try:

• A DVD focused on learning improvisation techniques.
• "The Heartbeat of Bellydance" - drum solo instructional DVD.
• "Arab Folk Dance" by Karim Nagi.
• "Aziza's Ultimate Bellydance Practice Companion" DVD.

For intermediate/advanced dancers:

• Cash for that workshop she's been talking about for weeks. (Wrap it up in a special little cymbal pouch from Bellydance.com.  Search for "zill bag.")
• Gift certificate for your local cosmetics store (Ulta, Sephora, MAC).
• "Egyptian Music Appreciation" set from Bellydance.com.
• Ranya Renee's instructional DVDs, such as "Bellydance Taqasim."
• "Rhythms of Oriental Dance" by Nesma of Spain.

Even though I'm based in Fredericksburg, where I teach weekly bellydance classes and perform a couple times a month, I spend just as much time, some weeks more, dancing in the Northern and Central Virginia areas. If you are interested in finding classes and events within a 60 mile radius of Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Spotsylvania, visit these sites. Several of them have the option to sign up for a newsletter and/or connect on Facebook.

TyphrodisiaBellydanceAndBeyond.com - Severna Park, MD
Serpentine.org - Maryland
SaharaDance.com - Washington, D.C.
SaffronDance.com - Arlington, VA
QueensOfThe Universe - Richmond, VA
MosaiqueCenter.org - Sterling, VA
MarizaDance.com - Baltimore, MD
Kawakib.com - Fredericksburg, VA
IlluminationDanceStudio.com - Richmond, VA
HipnoticBellyDancing.com - Chesapeake, VA
HardestWorkingWomanInShowBusiness.com - Richmond, VA
Born2DanceStudio.com - West Vienna, VA
BintBeled.com - Severna Park, MD
BellyDanceWithMiramar.com - Winchester, VA

And so many more! A quick Google search will surely give you more results. Hope to see you at a workshop, restaurant show, theater event, or dance class soon.

Mention that you "bellydance" and you'll get all sorts of interesting reactions. There will be a few that hear "ballet dance", so make sure you enunciate! Next, you may see a look of shock, nostalgia, fun, or puzzlement. To the shocked and puzzled, I sometimes try to explain how its origins are as a social dance, women dancing for women at parties, and so on. But I can't control what they've previously experienced, I can only present my own "definition" through my actions.

How do bellydancers themselves define it? Check out this discussion on Bhuz.com from a few years ago. Around page five, Nadira Jamal contributed this wonderful diagram:

Join us Wednesday, August 14th, 2013 for a fun night at Aladin! Arrive no later than 7 pm, dancing starts by 7:30. Enjoy bellydance performances by Kiyaana and her students, as well as guest dancers. (Rte. 17 location in Fredericksburg, exit 133B off of I-95). Print a flyer from this PDF.