Podcasts about middle eastern dance

Building the Mosaic Dance Theatre Company with Morgiana Celeste Varricchio & Samara Adell Every dance company has its own unique journey and characteristics, from how it was founded to the style of dance it specializes in. Today, we're joined by the Producing Artistic Director and Founder of the Mosaic Dance Theatre Company (MDTC), Morgiana Celeste Varricchio, and the Artistic Director for Dance and Choreographer, Samara Adell. MDTC showcases the vibrant dance and folkloric heritage of the Mediterranean, spanning North Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe. Through captivating performances and educational initiatives, MDTC brings to life the region's music, myths, and traditions, preserving and sharing its cultural tapestry. In this conversation, Morgiana and Samara share how they discovered their affinity for Middle Eastern dance, why they felt it wasn't adequately represented in the US, and how they formed the Mosaic Dance Theatre Company. We discuss the many shows they've produced, including their special upcoming 20th-anniversary show, Visions of the Near East, how they manage their creative partnership, and the challenges of running a nonprofit. Tune in to hear the full scope of Morgiana and Samara's beautiful journey, from becoming friends to running a thriving company together! Key Points From This Episode: An introduction to Morgiana Celeste Varricchio and her dance journey. How she became involved with Middle Eastern dance and met Samara Adell. The success of Morgiana's production of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. How Morgiana and Samara founded the Mosaic Dance Theatre Company in 2005. Their mission to ensure Middle Eastern Dance was properly represented in the US. An overview of their productions, including their original show, Caravan to Cairo. Their upcoming production, Visions of the Near East Some background on Samara and how she became interested in dance. Her time working in New York and the extensive global touring she did as a dancer. The inner workings of Samara and Morgiana's creative partnership. How they prepare for, plan, rehearse, and arrange all the different elements of their shows. Standout experiences during their two decades with Mosaic. “We both agreed that Middle Eastern Dance was not represented properly in the professional world of dance. It is a very legitimate dance form, but not looked upon that [way] here in the US. It was our mission, then, to bring this dance to the public.” — Morgiana Celeste Varricchio Morgiana Celeste Varricchio is the Producing Artistic Director and Founder of Mosaic Dance Theater Company.  Samara Adell is Artistic Director for Dance & Choreographer of Mosaic Dance Theater Company. For more on this episode, Morgiana, and Samara: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast For the latest, follow us on Instagram & Facebook Support this podcast with a tax-deductible donation! themovingarchitects.org/support  

From MPR News, Art Hounds are members of the Minnesota arts community who look beyond their own work to highlight what's exciting in local art.Want to be an Art Hound? Submit here.Click here. Confronting shadowsFull Circle Theater Company's thought-provoking new production “They Wear Teal Ribbons Around Their Tongues” delves deep into the dynamics of a family grappling with the aftermath of their patriarch's death.St. Paul actor Chris Collier had a chance to read the script for Full Circle Theater Company's current show, “They Wear Teal Ribbons Around Their Tongues,” and he's looking forward to the staged production. Written by Minnesota playwriter Siddeeqah Shabazz, the play follows a family reconciling with the loss of their patriarch and a burgeoning secret that threatens to shatter their long-held perfect image.  Trigger warning: the play deals with sexual assault and mental health issues within the family dynamic. “Especially as it pertains to communities of color and to black families, specifically, I think that there's such a stigma surrounding mental health and sexual assault that just doesn't get talked about,” said Collier. “And I think that this show does a great job of addressing a much-needed conversation.” “They Wear Teal Ribbons Around Their Tongues” runs through April 28 at the Gremlin Theatre in St Paul. Rhythms and threadsRevel in the vibrant energy of the Guild of Middle Eastern Dance's Spring Spectacular. MJ Gernes is a St. Paul fiber artist and drummer who has had a chance to drum before with members of the Guild of Middle Eastern Dance. For more than 40 years, the Guild has drawn dancers from around the Twin Cities and beyond to perform a variety of folk dance styles from across the Middle East as well as other American-fusion styles. Gernes loves the high energy, the beautiful costumes and welcoming atmosphere of the Guild's dance performances, and she's looking forward to their Spring Spectacular, this Sunday, April 21 at 4 p.m. at the Elision Playhouse in Crystal.  For those interested in learning new dance skills, the Guild is offering six workshops this weekend in St. Paul and Crystal. Revisiting rebellionExperience a timeless tale of struggle and satire with An Opera Theatre's production of “The Cradle Will Rock.”Twin Cities illustrator and designer Jerrald Spencer Jr. had a chance to see a preview production of An Opera Theatre's performance of “The Cradle Will Rock.” Written in 1937 by Marc Blitzstein and billed as “The Working Man's Musical,” the opera still feels relevant today; Spencer described it as “Succession meets The Producers.”  The villainous Mr. Mister (whose wife, naturally, is Mrs. Mister) seeks to control the media and crush rising labor unions. The opera is laced with some “very, very funny lines,” says Spencer, along with beautiful singing and shadow puppetry, which adds to the emotional depth of the story. The Cradle Will Rock runs April 18 – 21 at the Heart of the Beast Theatre in Minneapolis. The show is 90 minutes without intermission.  

Arielle is a passionately dedicated dancer from the USA who currently performs daily in Cairo, Egypt. She teaches and performs bellydance, samba, folklore, fusion, burlesque, hip hop and many other styles of dance full-time. Although Arielle is American, she grew up in Egypt and has been performing Middle Eastern Dance since the age of 10. Arielle is the winner of several competitions and was a finalist on Egypt's first bellydance competition TV show, “Al Rakessa” in 2014. Arielle returned to Cairo in December of 2019 and has been gracing the stage all around Egypt ever since! She currently teaches online group classes every Sunday and offers pre-recorded classes as well. In this episode you will learn about:- Arielle's childhood and school years in Egypt- Knee issues and belly dancing- The effect of fibromyalgia on Arielle's lifestyle as a dancer- Decision to move back to Egypt to pursue a dance career- Changes in the modern dance scene in CairoShow Notes to this episode:Find Arielle on Instagram and Facebook.Details and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Morocco (Carolina Varga Dinicu) is a member of the Congress on Research in Dance (C.O.R.D.), the Society of Dance History Scholars (S.D.H.S.), the International Council on Dance – UNESCO (C.I.D.) and the International Council on Health, Physical Education Sport & Dance – UNESCO (ICHPER-SD). Morocco was awarded two grants by the State Council on the Arts for her choreography in 1972 and 1981, 3 NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Community Service Grants, 3 Summer Program Grants, a Materials for the Arts Grant and an Arts Exposure Grant.Since 1964, Morocco has written for several publications in her field and been reprinted in dance, medical and feminist publications internationally. A true pioneer in the field, she taught a 3-credit course in Middle Eastern Dance and Culture at the State University of New York (Purchase, NY) in the mid 1970s.In this episode you will learn about:- How Morocco came to a dance audition not knowing it was a belly dance show- The story of her stage name- How ancients the belly dance is- Researching deeper and reviewing mistakes in your own work- Teaching Oriental Dance at universityShow Notes to this episode:Find Morocco (Aunt Rocky) on FB, and her website.Check out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning April 3rd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Performer, Master Instructor, Choreographer, Director and Producer, Jillina Carlano has devoted her life to dance. From 2003-09 she served as Artistic Director and Main Choreographer for the Bellydance Superstars and performed with them for over 700 shows in over a dozen countries. In 2009 Jillina created Bellydance Evolution to take Middle Eastern dance to a higher level worldwide. Bellydance Evolution has already appeared in over 20 countries and was a featured performer at the Mawazine festival in Morocco, performing for the Queen of Morocco. Jillina has won numerous awards from International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance and the Giza Academy, including Best Modern Egyptian Dancer, Best Instructional Video, Best Dance Company and Dancer of the Year. In this episode you will learn about:- Delegating responsibilities and projects to others- Tips for hiring people- Post-pandemic performances by Belly Dance Evolution- The importance of generosity- Dealing with self-criticism and personal insecuritiesShow Notes to this episode:Follow Jillina Carlano via Instagram, FB, and website.Previous interviews with Jillina:Ep 31. Jillina Carlano: How Food Can Influence Your DanceEp 22. Jillina Carlano: Building Community Around the GlobeCheck out the next SharQui Instructor Academy beginning January 2nd. Apply at sharqui.com/teachDetails and training materials for the BDE castings are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Miasia is a dedicated performer, teacher, trainer and workshop instructor with over 19 years of cabaret and folkloric Middle Eastern Dance experience. As a performer, she has captivated audiences all over the US and around the world, including Turkey and Egypt, where she was featured on the renowned Egyptian TV show Al Rakesa. Miasia has been a performer at numerous special events, including national conferences like True Spirit. She has graced concert halls, nightclubs, restaurants and stages all over the globe, including the SF Pride Women's stage where she was presented a prize for her award-winning shimmies. In this episode you will learn about:- Lessons that Miasia learned from her teachers and students- How she got involved in the TV show Al Rakesa- The most memorable moments of the show- Getting ready and taping each episode of Al Rakesa- Dance realizations and dreams after the show was overShow Notes to this episode:Find Miasia on Instagram, FB, YouTube and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her teaching platform: the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Since 1978, Aegela's love of Middle Eastern dance has taken her throughout the US and to the heart of the art—Egypt. It was on her first tour that Aegela was awarded the coveted Lifetime Performer's license by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, an honor held by only 11 foreigners. While working in Egypt, Aegela enjoyed the privilege of studying with famed dancer/choreographer Mahmoud Reda, of the Reda Troupe, and with Madame Busi, principal dancer with the National Folkloric Company.During her teaching career, Aegela has conducted classes for the deaf and hearing impaired, and devised a format for use in occupational therapy rehabilitation programs assisting women in regaining range of motion. Recently, she developed a dance program for women recovering from strokes. Aegela frequently lectures in major universities on the topics of Middle Eastern art and music. Speaking engagements have included Emory University School of Near Eastern Studies, Georgia State University, and Mercer University. Aegela is the recipient of the 2004 Stella Award for Lifetime Achievement in Middle Eastern Dance.In this episode you will learn about:- Combing business consulting in USA with a dance career in Egypt- Receiving the Lifetime Performer's license by the Egyptian Ministry of Culture- Why Aegela left Egypt at the height of her success- Meeting Mahmoud Reda- Ten things she learned from the great master.Show Notes to this episode:Find Aegela on Instagram, FB, and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her teaching platform: the Iana Dance Club.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

On this episode of Shake a Leg, Erica and Maritess begin their multi-part series on dance as labor. We can’t talk about labor without talking about power and we definitely discuss power and power structures in this episode. We’re thinking about how we want the world to look when we get out of this pandemic and specifically how the dance world can do better. In this episode, we focus on dance and the body, mostly from a ballet perspective. Dance in the News: "Art Moves" virtual dance event produced by our own Maritess Escueta! Info here New York Times, "What is a Ballet Body?" article here Mills College no longer granting degrees announcement Gender norms and identity Dance Magazine "What Does it Take to Challenge Gender Norms?" NPR - A Rising Star Re-Writing Rules... Pointe Magazine - Non-Binary Ballet Dancers Gender Fluid Breaking Barriers On Weight, Health etc: Battle with anorexia The truth about dancer wellness My years as a fat ballerina Dance Spirit - "How to disrupt dance class power dynamics" Body Hair and Grooming - in Middle Eastern Dance article 2 Truths and a Lie: Dance and Suffrage About Isadora Duncan and suffrage Why women dominate Modern Dance article here The history of Modern Dance is Feminist article here About Winnie Guess Perdue More on women's suffrage Register here to see our guest Karlie Budge in a free performance: Dance On! Part 3, on March 30th 8pm with the Mark Morris Dance Group As usual, hit us up at shakealegpodcast@gmail.com

Middle Eastern Dance (commonly referred to as Belly Dancing) has a deep history in its development across the world. Did you know how diverse and active the community sharing this special form of artistic dance is in Greater Phoenix? Meet Mahin Sciacca, owner of One World Dance Studio, a life long dancer and career dance instructor as she paints the story of the Phoenix Middle Eastern Dance community, the welcoming environment she creates through her studio in Midtown Phoenix, and how she's committed to sharing what she loves with everyone in Arizona.

Dance like nobody is looking!This episode join my guest, Miss Roshana Nofret and I, as we talk about her story and her passion for dance! We dive into subjects of following for passion and her journey through dance!Want to make a shout out on the next video? Text to 1-833-4A-PINUPInsta: @pinnedpodcastofficialAbout Roshana NofretRoshana Nofret is a world-renowned dance performer, instructor, and choreographer specializing in Middle Eastern and Ethno-Contemporary Dance. A Cuban-American Miami native, Roshana has been passionately devoted to her craft for over 16 years. A lifelong lover of all things nostalgic: music, antiques, classic films, vintage fashion and glamour -- she has found unique ways of incorporating these in her life, from her personal style to her artistic persona, as well as exploring similarities within the dance styles she performs. She is on a constant path of artistic exploration, consistently reinventing herself to breach new creative ground while maintaining her essence. For more informationEmail: roshana.mideasternarts@gmail.com Instagram: @roshana_nofret Facebook: facebook.com/roshanamideasternarts Website: roshanadance.com

Kristina talks about Middle Eastern dance and culture. This conversation is a follow-up to a previous episode published May 16, 2020. Learn more at http://www.divinedances.com.

Khadijah is one of the most sought after instructors, performers and choreographers of Middle Eastern Dance and Folklore! Her upbringing in an artistic family prompted her to pursue studies in music and movement in various Arabic dance styles and beyond. She has been featured in BellyDance Magazine (California), BellyDance TV (California), Al Seha TV (Cairo), Univision (Colorado), The Denver Post (Colorado), TV appearances with HBO and more! Her unique and energetic style in combination with great athleticism and grace is deeply rooted in tradition, and it has made her amazing signature style popular worldwide. Khadijah currently resides in Denver, Colorado. She is a popular performer locally in many 5 star establishments such as Mataam Fez Moroccan restaurant, Phoenician Kabob Lebanese restaurant, Sahara’s, Lannie’s ClockTower , Palais Casablanca and more.In this episode you will learn about:- Dance styles of the Gulf region (beyond Khaleeji!!!!)- Nuances and misconceptions around Khaleeji dance- The meaning of the traditional outfit- People’s attitude to belly dance in Saudi Arabia- Islamophobia around the world and inside the belly dance communityShow Notes to this episode:Find Khadijah on Facebook, and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .For more information about Jillina’s initiative #2getherWeMoveLive visit jillina.eventbrite.com.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Find out how Suhaila, Jamila and The Salimpour School have shaped the history of belly dance and fused elements of hip hop dance with traditional Middle Eastern Dance.

Artemis Mourat has been dancing, teaching and researching dance history in the United States and abroad for over 40 years. Artemis is of Greek and Turkish descent, and she has an M.A. in psychology, an M.S.W. in social work and has done postgraduate work in dance movement therapy. She was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Her research is used by Egyptian universities, the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C. and the Library for the Performing Arts in New York. She has lectured, taught and/or performed for Cornell University and Princeton University, National Public Radio (NPR), Voice of America. Artemis continues to collect antique pictures of women and dancers from North Africa and the Middle East and of the Roma throughout the world. Her collection is one of the largest in the United States and some illustrations have been used by the International Encyclopedia of Dance, the Smithsonian Institution, the largest Romany Museum in the world (in the Czech Republic), the Romany archives at the University of Texas collected by Ian Hancock, all the major Middle Eastern Dance publications and in several books.Artemis is listed in the International Dance Council (CID) Who's Who of Dance. Her photograph can be found in the International Encyclopedia of Dance under the listing for "danse du ventre" (translates to "belly dance") which is produced by the Oxford University Press. She has won the "Ethnic Dancer of the Year Award" presented by the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance (IAMED) and has won the "Most Popular Ethnic Dancer Award" from Zaghareet Magazine twice. Artemis has also won their "Lifetime Achievement Award."In this episode you will learn about:- How Artemis’s family didn’t appreciate her belly dance career at first- Vintage belly dance and the evolution of American Cabaret style- Lack of appreciation for Turkish Oriental, and Artemis’s mission of spreading awareness about it- Dealing with emotional overburn as a dancer - Funny stories from the point of view of a belly dancer’s husband.Show Notes to this episode:Check My Inner Dancer, online store for belly dancers: www.myinnerdancer.com.Find Artemis Mourat on Facebook, and website.Follow Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .For more information about BDE’s class donation for studios/teachers search for #2getherWeMove or write info@bellydanceevolution.comPodcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

Kristina talks about Middle Eastern dance and culture. Learn more at www.divinedances.com. Photo by Delise Ward.

In This Episode, Darlene and Karen Kempskie-aquino discuss: Karen began middle eastern dancing in college. She loved the music, movement and costumes. Karen realized she loves to perform and began dancing with a local group for many years. Leaving to pursue other interests, she returned to this endeavor thirty years later. Karen rediscovered her love for middle eastern dance, has studied with a variety of teachers both locally and internationally, has performed many solo acts, and was a founding member of a dance company which specializes in dance from Northern Africa and the Middle East. Recently, she joined a co-op of dancers who meet monthly and produce and perform every other month.    Key Takeaways: For Karen, the attraction to this particular form of dance was something very deep which she did not receive from other forms. Also, the “bling” was also appealing.  There are different kinds of Middle Eastern Dance including cabaret style which most people are familiar. Another major form is folklore where belly dancing originated which includes those involving men.  There is another form which is known as tribal belly dancing.  Another example of someone returning to a passion at a later chapter in life.  There are women in their seventies still dancing.  Women of all ages often share that it has opened up their world.  Dance is therapeutic. Karen strongly encourages anyone who has an interest in belly dancing, just do it!   “I am never going to be perfect but nobody is.” - Karen Kempskie-aquino   Connect with Karen: On Friday, November 15th, Belly Dance Circle Co-Op (Karen’s group) will be performing at Ancient Art Studio in Berkeley, MA. Admission is $8.00 ahead, $12.00 at the door or bring food.  Belly Dance Circle Co-Op is her Facebook Page.    Connect with Darlene Corbett: Website: DarleneCorbett.com Book: Stop Depriving the World of You: A Guide for Getting Unstuck Please visit my website, sign up for my newsletter and receive the first few chapters of my book, Stop Depriving The World of You.    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.   

What do you know about the historical figure of Little Egypt? Be ready to be shocked after listening to this episode, because Donna Carlton shares her extensive research on this topic, and unveils a lot of misinformation circulating on the Internet!Donna Carlton established the International Dance Discovery in 1987, selling dance accoutrement. She began teaching group classes at Lynda Mitchell Yoga Studio in 1989. She published the “Middle Eastern Dance Video Sourcebook” annually from 1989-2005. In 1995, she published her book “Looking for Little Egypt” about the history and perceptions of Middle Eastern Dance in USA.In this interview we discussed such questions and topics:- How did Donna get involved in the research project about Little Egypt?- What was significance of the 1893 Colombian Exposition in Chicago?- Scandalous performances of Little Egypt.- Was Little Egypt a real person?- The origins of Hoochy Kootchy melody.- Does Little Egypt have anything to do with original Middle-Eastern dancers?- The origins of the term “belly dance” in English language.- The influence of Little Egypt on the modern belly dance scene.Show Notes to this episode:Find Donna Carlton on Instagram, FB, her website. Her book Looking for Little Egypt is available at lulu.com. Also check Donna’s Fb page All About Bellydance.Find Iana on Instagram, FB, Youtube, website .My Inner Dancer: myinnerdancer.comPodcast: www.ianadance.com/podcastBellydance Evolution and information about their new program and casting: bellydanceevolution.com

Shauna Branche explains how featuring your talent in teaser postcards can help fill seats. She talks in detail about how she designs the postcards, how she includes them in her marketing, and how she uses them to make additional income at her shows. Shauna is the founder and co-owner of Sweet Cheeks Cabaret in Anchorage, AK. She has been a dancer for 17 years, primarily focusing in Middle Eastern Dance, Classical Indian Dance, and GoGo Dance. For the past 4 years, she has been producing shows and performing with Sweet Cheeks Cabaret. Typically, you can see her perform at least once a month at various events around Anchorage. She currently teaches Burlesque Workshops and Classical Indian Dance. Show Notes: Website - www.sweetcheekscabaret.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SweetCheeksCabaret/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sweetcheekscabaretak/ Email - sweetcheekscabaret@gmail.com Download the Teaser Postcards - https://wellattended.com/blog/042-teaser-postcards-featuring-talent-shauna-branche/ - Download our free marketing resources at https://wellattended.com/resources

Yasmin Henkesh , Author of Trance Dancing with the Jen, is a dedicated performer, teacher, trainer and workshop instructor, with over 40 years of cabaret and folkloric Middle Eastern Dance experience. She studied Arabic at the American University of Cairo and researched Egyptian trance dancing.She taught Egyptian style Middle Eastern dance at Joy of Motion, a premier dance school, until she opened her own studio in Bethesda, Md., Serpentine Dance. She is known for her lively, fun and invigorating classes that help students connect with their natural rhythm and passion. Her widely acclaimed international workshops are known for her depth of research, grasp of the region’s dance history and easy-to-follow movement explanations.In 2005 Yasmin created Sands of Time Music to share with her students the rich, multifaceted music she fell in love with in Egypt.

Very Loose Women reports from Arab Women Artists Now, a pilot one day festival held in March at the Rix Mix in Shoreditch, showcasing female first and second generation Arab artists. Arab Women Artists Now was organised by Arts Canteen. We meet Arts Canteen Founder & Director Aser El Saqqa, and Katherine and Emma interview three panel speakers from the day including Irish-Palestinian playwright Hannah Khalil. Hannah discusses how her Palestinian identity and experience growing up in Dubai has influenced her work; from her Meyer Whitworth Award nominated Plan D and latest play Scenes from 68* Years due to be staged at the Arcola Theatre in Dalston in 2016, to her recent BBC Radio 4 play, Last of the Peal Fishers, which examines the treatment of migrant domestic workers in the Arab world. Katherine and Emma also meet film curator Yasmin El Derby, currently working with the Nour Festival, and Tania Diggory, founder of Pioneers History Dance, tells us about the social origins of Middle Eastern Dance and... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ladies and gentlemen, beautiful bois and grrls, I am INSANELY pleased to announce that THE FIRST NEW EPISODE OF ECLECTICA IS NOW OFFICIALLY ALIVE AND KICKING!!! ^_^In this first, brand new episode, the show is ALL about bellydance!  In fact, this show is dedicated to all the amazing dancers in my life, as well as every single amazing dancer out there; male or female, big or small, young, old, able-bodied or otherwise, who is moved and inspired by this incredible, empowering artform. ^_^  To every single one of you; you guys ROCK.  This is for you. ♥♥♥ ^_^-And in honor of that artform (which has basically, blessedly, eaten my brains ;)) I've structured this first show a little like a bellydance class- or a multi-faceted Middle Eastern Dance show. :D  So.. without further ado- here goes!  On with the show! ^_^ If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element (Click here to play in a new tab, or right click "Save As" to download the full show- for free!)Band Names = Links to each band's official web site- where available).Song Names = Links to where you can BUY each musician's work- LEGALLY.  :)Background music:  TsG TrIB - GsY MixDeirdre Flint - Introduction to BellydancingShanghai Restoration Project - Babylon of the OrientBeats Antique (featuring LYNX) - She's Looking for SomethingThe Glitch Mob - Drive it Like You Stole It (Mixtape Version)Solace - BounceBrothers Of The Baladi - Nebtidy M'nain El Hakiah(Where Do We Begin Our Story?)Michael Beach - La Casa De Malfouf (The Malfouf Rhythm)Arabesque - Rak's en NarSchmoolik & DeScribe - Modern Day Moses(The Stolen Casios Remix)Pentaphobe - I Cash RadiiDJ Tomasc - Romica StepDead Can Dance - The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove♥The first portion is stuff to get your ears intrigued, your blood pumping, and your body eager to MOVE. ^_^  The second portion is more directly inspired by Eastern and Middle Eastern music, (which some associate more with Cabaret-style bellydance).  And the last segment offers music with a more modern twist, but still touches of various types of Eastern influences.  (Think more Tribal & Fusion inspired work. :))  Each part of the show was designed to flow well from one section to another (so you may notice a little blending or overlap of styles at the edges of each segment at times).  But no matter what style or section of the show you're listening to, I hope it ALL makes you wanna dance- move, shimmy & strut- even if you've never taken a SINGLE bellydance class. ;D  (And if you like what you hear, srsly, go out and BUY this stuff from the musicians.  Every little bit helps to support new and interesting music to be made by these awesome and often unsung artisans of audio! :D)Of course future episodes of Eclectica will have all KINDS of other music interspersed within, but as bellydance has become such a HUGE part of my life, you'll find a good many of the shows from here on out featuring music that'll make you wanna shake your money-maker in all KINDS of marvelous ways.. ;D  -And to those who fear the show will -just- be Middle Eastern from now on, FEAR NOT!  Songs of -all types- make me want to get up and dance- be they fast, slow, Jazz, Folk, Blues, Rock, Pop, and on and on, so whether a show is bellydance-inspired or not, Eclectica will -still- be Eclectic- and feature all KINDS of great music. ^_^And of course, this is just the start of the coolness I have in store for future episodes of Eclectica, so if you like what you hear, please, let me hear from you! ^_^  Feedback from listeners means SO MUCH to us li'l indie podcasters (as it lets us know that our music is being heard), so every little bit of interaction counts more than you could possibly know. :)  (And since we appreciate it so much, we're also more likely to get back to you with responses, which is not something always experienced w/the bigger, more fancy types of entertainment media. ;))  Plus, as this is also a proving ground to see whether or not the show will continue (and if so, in what direction), the more feedback I get from you, the better the show will likely be! :D (Plus- the more likely that the show will be tailored to you. ;D)  So if you have any comments, questions, thoughts, ideas, suggestions, or concerns, please drop on by and leave a comment- either here, on Eclectica's Facebook page, or via my e-mail addy, at; djselchie @ gmail . com.  (W/spaces omitted, of course. ;))  ^_^Thank you so much to -everyone- who's helped and supported Eclectica in previous years, as well as in this new incarnation, and thank all of YOU out there who're listening!  Plus, extra-special thanks go out to Deirdre Flint, Beats Antique, LYNX, Pentaphobe, DJ Tomasc and Dead Can Dance's Brendan Perry, who kindly gave their exclusive permissions for their music to be played here on Eclectica.  (To each and EVERY one of you guys; thank you thank you thank you thank you- SO MUCH! *beams*)  And to ALL of you; my bands and my listeners, supporters, signal-boosters, onlookers and all; I love y'all.  I hope that you dig what you hear, and brightest of blessings. ^_^Yours Forever in Song,DJ Selchie♥♥♥☼

Natasha Thomas is a graduate of the University of North Dakota (MS, Special Education, BM Music Therapy, BA Honors Program) & Board Certified Music Therapist, serving individuals statewide through North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind (NDVS/SB) and ND School for the Deaf, in addition to private clients she sees in the home and in settings like LISTEN Day Services and the LISTEN Drop-In Center. Natasha is also a member of the American Music Therapy Association and regularly attends their annual conferences. She enjoys educating her community on Music Therapy, supervising UND practica students, and teaching/performing Middle Eastern Dance in her spare time (when she has it!) Her twitter handle is @MusicMovesND. You can email her at Natasha.MTBC@gmail.com

Natasha Thomas is a graduate of the University of North Dakota (MS, Special Education, BM Music Therapy, BA Honors Program) & Board Certified Music Therapist, serving individuals statewide through North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind (NDVS/SB) and ND School for the Deaf, in addition to private clients she sees in the home and in settings like LISTEN Day Services and the LISTEN Drop-In Center. Natasha is also a member of the American Music Therapy Association and regularly attends their annual conferences. She enjoys educating her community on Music Therapy, supervising UND practica students, and teaching/performing Middle Eastern Dance in her spare time (when she has it!) Her twitter handle is @MusicMovesND. You can email her at Natasha.MTBC@gmail.com

This week my guest is Natasha Thomas. Natasha Thomas is a graduate of the University of North Dakota (Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy, 2008) and Board Certified Music Therapist, serving individuals statewide through North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind (NDVS/SB) and ND School for the Deaf, in addition to private clients she sees in the home and in settings like LISTEN Day Services and the LISTEN Drop-In Center.  As part of her work with NDVS/SB, Natasha is a regular transcriber of the Braille Music code, and also signs in ASL for her work with the ND School for the Deaf.  Natasha is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Special Education (UND, 2012) to supplement her work with these populations.  She is a member of the American Music Therapy Association and regularly attends their annual conferences.  Natasha enjoys connecting with other Music Therapists (her twitter handle is @MusicMovesND) educating her community on Music Therapy through her newspaper affiliated blog, http://musicmoves.areavoices.com, supervising UND practica students, and teaching/performing Middle Eastern Dance in her spare time (when she has it!)   You can contact Natasha by email at natasha.mtbc@gmail.com

This week my guest is Natasha Thomas. Natasha Thomas is a graduate of the University of North Dakota (Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy, 2008) and Board Certified Music Therapist, serving individuals statewide through North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind (NDVS/SB) and ND School for the Deaf, in addition to private clients she sees in the home and in settings like LISTEN Day Services and the LISTEN Drop-In Center.  As part of her work with NDVS/SB, Natasha is a regular transcriber of the Braille Music code, and also signs in ASL for her work with the ND School for the Deaf.  Natasha is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Special Education (UND, 2012) to supplement her work with these populations.  She is a member of the American Music Therapy Association and regularly attends their annual conferences.  Natasha enjoys connecting with other Music Therapists (her twitter handle is @MusicMovesND) educating her community on Music Therapy through her newspaper affiliated blog, http://musicmoves.areavoices.com, supervising UND practica students, and teaching/performing Middle Eastern Dance in her spare time (when she has it!)   You can contact Natasha by email at natasha.mtbc@gmail.com

Here’s my conversation with Sandra Catena, popular belly dance instructor and performer, personal trainer and author of “The African Belly Dance”–the first murder mystery to feature a belly dancer as its protagonist. BOOK FACTS “The African Belly Dance” is a murder mystery featuring Santina Cole, a first generation Italian-American from Newark, New Jersey. Santina was raised in a blue-collar family with deep Catholic roots and much to the chagrin of her family, becomes a belly dancer. Santina is a feisty, funny, red hot woman from the hood who finds herself in the middle of trouble. While performing in West Africa at a Lebanese nightclub, a murder occurs. Santina is in the thick of it and helps find the killer. Get on this magic carpet ride that takes the reader from Newark, New Jersey to Manhattan to West Africa! BIO Sandra Catena has performed in Europe, West Africa, Canada and the United States. She has also performed on national television shows such as MTV, The Joy Brown Show and WB11 News. Since 1980, Sandra has performed in New York's Oriental nightclubs, theaters and colleges. Sandra starred in a 14-week run of "A Belly Dancer's Story" (10/96-2/97) in New York City. "A Belly Dancer's Story" was written, choreographed and performed by Sandra. She also produced and choreographed the following shows in theaters in New York: "A Night of Middle Eastern Dance" (6/01&02/00); "A Belly Dance Extravaganza" (11/18/00); "Belly Dance Nights" (01/07&14&21/01); "Arabian Nights" (06/03&04/01); "Holiday Exotica" (12/18/01); "Belly Dance Fever" (5/25/02); "Holiday Hafla" (12/15/02); "Oriental Dreams" (7/03/03); "A Belly Dancer’s Story" (3/14/04 and 6/15/04); and belly dance recitals at Lafayette Grill (6/12/05, 10/23/05, 3/23/06); “Modern Egyptian Rhythms” (12/3/06). Sandra Catena is a master teacher of Oriental dance. She teaches private and group classes regularly in New York City. Sandra also teaches at Shakti Yoga, The 14th Street Y and has taught at New York University, City University of New York, Sarah Lawrence College, The New Age Health Spa, The Hospital for Joint Diseases, The Seminar Center, The Discovery Center, Asphalt Green, Carmine Street Recreation Bureau, Broome Corner Studios, Rod Rodgers Dance Studios, Dance Theater Workshop, Joyous Life Energy Center, Five Points Fitness and Djoniba's Drum and Dance Center, all in New York. EVENT Wednesday, March 26 (6:30-8:30pm): Book signing party (with performance, reading and cash bar) at Boucarou, 64 East 1st Street, East Village, Manhattan LINKS Sandra Catena http://www.bigapplebellydance.org Boucarou Lounge http://www.boucaroulounge.com Body and Soul is the official podcast of InfiniteBody dance blog at http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Subscribe through iTunes or at http://magickaleva.hipcast.com/rss/bodyandsoul.xml. (c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa This material may not be reproduced in any way, either in part or in its entirety, without the expressed written permission of Eva Yaa Asantewaa.

Here’s my conversation with Sandra Catena, popular belly dance instructor and performer, personal trainer and author of “The African Belly Dance”–the first murder mystery to feature a belly dancer as its protagonist. BOOK FACTS “The African Belly Dance” is a murder mystery featuring Santina Cole, a first generation Italian-American from Newark, New Jersey. Santina was raised in a blue-collar family with deep Catholic roots and much to the chagrin of her family, becomes a belly dancer. Santina is a feisty, funny, red hot woman from the hood who finds herself in the middle of trouble. While performing in West Africa at a Lebanese nightclub, a murder occurs. Santina is in the thick of it and helps find the killer. Get on this magic carpet ride that takes the reader from Newark, New Jersey to Manhattan to West Africa! BIO Sandra Catena has performed in Europe, West Africa, Canada and the United States. She has also performed on national television shows such as MTV, The Joy Brown Show and WB11 News. Since 1980, Sandra has performed in New York's Oriental nightclubs, theaters and colleges. Sandra starred in a 14-week run of "A Belly Dancer's Story" (10/96-2/97) in New York City. "A Belly Dancer's Story" was written, choreographed and performed by Sandra. She also produced and choreographed the following shows in theaters in New York: "A Night of Middle Eastern Dance" (6/01&02/00); "A Belly Dance Extravaganza" (11/18/00); "Belly Dance Nights" (01/07&14&21/01); "Arabian Nights" (06/03&04/01); "Holiday Exotica" (12/18/01); "Belly Dance Fever" (5/25/02); "Holiday Hafla" (12/15/02); "Oriental Dreams" (7/03/03); "A Belly Dancer’s Story" (3/14/04 and 6/15/04); and belly dance recitals at Lafayette Grill (6/12/05, 10/23/05, 3/23/06); “Modern Egyptian Rhythms” (12/3/06). Sandra Catena is a master teacher of Oriental dance. She teaches private and group classes regularly in New York City. Sandra also teaches at Shakti Yoga, The 14th Street Y and has taught at New York University, City University of New York, Sarah Lawrence College, The New Age Health Spa, The Hospital for Joint Diseases, The Seminar Center, The Discovery Center, Asphalt Green, Carmine Street Recreation Bureau, Broome Corner Studios, Rod Rodgers Dance Studios, Dance Theater Workshop, Joyous Life Energy Center, Five Points Fitness and Djoniba's Drum and Dance Center, all in New York. EVENT Wednesday, March 26 (6:30-8:30pm): Book signing party (with performance, reading and cash bar) at Boucarou, 64 East 1st Street, East Village, Manhattan LINKS Sandra Catena http://www.bigapplebellydance.org Boucarou Lounge http://www.boucaroulounge.com Body and Soul is the official podcast of InfiniteBody dance blog at http://infinitebody.blogspot.com. Subscribe through iTunes or at http://magickaleva.hipcast.com/rss/bodyandsoul.xml. (c)2008, Eva Yaa Asantewaa This material may not be reproduced in any way, either in part or in its entirety, without the expressed written permission of Eva Yaa Asantewaa.