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As a teacher for
over 15 years, it occurred to me one day that
most dancers don’t know the difference in what
it takes to perform in different venues. This is
only because it takes practice and the chance to
perform at as many venues as possible. So for
all of those dancers out there who are
performing and trying to figure out the dynamics
of stage presence and articulation , this is for
you. First of let’s take restaurant performing, which
I love. Not all dancers enjoy restaurant dancing
because you are always having to make sure you
don’t knock over the wine glasses, hit someone
with your veil or cane or dance right into one
of the wait staff. That doesn’t include making
sure you don’t trip over the customers while you
are trying to entertain them. But as I tell my
students it is a great education in learning how
perform in situations that aren’t always
perfect. This is where spontaneous choreography
comes into play because quite frankly you can
play and enjoy yourself while you are
entertaining your audience. Also it gives you
the chance to work on layering and level changes
and any new moves that you want to try out for
stage or night club performing. Now read this
carefully because this is very important to
know: Restaurant dancing sometimes can be
devastating to the ego. There you are doing a
vibration with a chest circle and maya to boot
and no one is looking at you. Maybe you are
dancing for a grumpy crowd and they don’t care
what you do.
This is where the professional in you comes out
and you perform your best anyways. As time
passes on an incredible thing happens, you start
to understand your audience’s moods and you can
slowly but surely bring their spirits up because
the bottom line of restaurant performing is that
you are there not for yourself but for the
audience. A dancer that performs out of love
always gets her crowd eventually. And restaurant
dancing will challenge you but in the end it
will make you a better dancer for stage
performing and night club performing.
So maybe some of you have done restaurant
performing and decided you don’t like it, and
stage is where you want to be - any stage,
workshop shows, gala events, or student
recitals. Believe it or not, the restaurant
dancing can really help you out here. Why do you
ask? Because when you perform in a venue that
gets you to learn the psychology of people moods
and attitudes you will instinctively dance more
dynamically on stage. Also remember that when
you perform in a restaurant you must have eye
contact. That is essential because you give
people permission to look at you or different
parts of your body. And if I am doing a
difficult move, I want people to watch the move
and know it’s ok to watch. Now take that kind of
ability to the stage and you have just added
another dynamic factor to your choreography.
Because on stage, whether it’s a big space or
little, you always look at your audience and
invite them into your dance. There might be a
few I look at in the front rows, if I can see
them,d and I will smile and actually acknowledge
them. On stage whether you do spontaneous
choreography or major choreographed pieces,
story telling with the body is vital. How you
interpret the music is how the audience will see
the song because in our dance we are the link
between the music and our audience.
Night club performing is all together another
art form. First of all, most night clubs have
live bands and you can’t always practice with
the band before you perform. This happened to me
many times when I drove from Fort Worth, Texas
to Houston. I would get there in the nick of
time to get dressed and get ready to go out and
perform with the band. And sometimes I didn’t
know what the band was going to play for me. So
this is where spontaneous choreography comes
into play. I’m sure there are many dancers out
there who work with a band on a regular basis so
this doesn’t concern you. I’m speaking to those
dancers who may be a guest dancer and travel
like I did to perform.
I danced at “The Mirage” in Houston and the band
was incredible so I lucked out. But they kept me
on my toes. I remember slipping on my skirt just
enough to have to change my combination I was
doing and most people didn’t catch it but the
band leader did. So for me night club performing
was the most intense and challenging but what a
statement it made. If you can dance at a night
club then you can dance anywhere.
Night club performing is a little bit of
restaurant and stage put together. People at a
night club come not only for the music but also
for the dancing. So it’s great because you have
a wonderful audience that wants to be
entertained and see you dance. Plus you have the
room to move around and of course the best part
is the live music.
Put all three venues together and do them all
and I guarantee you will be a dynamic dancer.
Always remember that in order to be a great
dancer you must come from a great place inside
yourself. There you are already the queen of
belly dancing and if you dance from this place,
people will not only be touched by you but they
will never forget you.
Many Blessings 
Dance With Confidence and Create a Style of Your Own Previous Page
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