Piper Recommends
Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of belly dance resources, but rather things/events/teachers that I can recommend because I have experienced them personally.
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General Belly Dance Info on the Web
www.Shira.net This site is a treasure trove of information, history, articles, how-tos, and links
www.OrientalDancer.net Articles, Interviews, Song Lyrics, and so much more. The news is constantly updated, so you truely get the latest
www.GildedSerpent.com The web's premier belly dance magazine
www.JoyOfBellyDancing.com Yasmina's Joy of Belly Dancing - lots of interesting info
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General Web Shopping
Maqam Music
I like this site because their prices are good and you can usually listen to clips from several songs per album.
Discount Dance Supply
For general dancewear, these are the best deals around! Good quality and great prices. Check out their Last Chance Sale page!
Scheherezade Imports
Lucy has everything from trinkets and accessories to custom made-to-order costumes, and if somehow what you want isn't included in all that, she can get it for you on her next trip to Egypt. If you are a new teacher looking for wholesale hipscarves or finger cymbals for you students, or if you need to outfit an entire troupe, this is the place to go.
Audrena's Belly Dance Store
Beautiful website with great photos of everything you need and wish you could afford! It's not cheap, but everything I have purchased from them was top of the line for quality.
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Bodywork
Half of the job of dancing well is utilizing the correct muscle groups for each move. The other half is RELAXING the rest of the body. For many people, this is a nearly impossible task when it comes to the mid-back. Jeannine Olson, 443 799-1330, certified Rolfer, has done wonders for my neck and back that years of massage, acupuncture, and chiropractry were unable to accomplish. I highly recommend her! Her office is near I-83 and Cold Spring Lane in Baltimore.
Chiropractry isn't the cure-all that many practitioners claim that it is, but if you are in pain because your spine is out of alignment, it'll cure what ails you! I really like my chiropractor, Jason Meyerson in Ellicott City. He's quick and efficient, his prices are very reasonable, and he has no problem with children climbing around his office while he works on you back.
As a molecular biologist, I can't explain how acpuncture works, I just know it does! I go to Sheng Wang (offices in Baltimore and Rockville) and to Rebecca Snyder (offices in Silver Spring and Ellicott City) to keep my hormones on an even keel, and to boost my immune system and energy level, but they are expert at treating many other issues as well.
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Baltimore/DC Belly Dance websites
Maryland Middle Eastern Performing Arts
Find local restaurants that feature dancers, find local events or a dancer to hire for a party.
Washington Area Mid Eastern Dance Association
WAMEDA is a great resource for info about events, local teachers, workshops, etc. Become a member! Their newsletter is interesting and informative, plus you get discounts on events and workshops.
Raqs Baltimore
This Yahoo group has nearly 200 members. A great place to chat, ask questions, find out the inside story on Baltimore happenings.
Baltimore Belly Dance Meet Up
This is the best place to find out what is going on in the Baltimore Belly Dance community! Lots of class and event listings.
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Graphic Design
Shoot the Moon
They did a fabulous job designing Rhea's "Graceful Arms and Hand Gestures plus Cymbals Made Easy" VHS and DVD covers, as well as the lovely BellyPalooza t-shirts. For excellent work, fast turnaround and reasonable prices, they are tops!
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Other Baltimore/DC area dance teachers
If you are truely interested in learning to dance, you should study with many teachers. Everyone has a different teaching/learning style, so you will maximize your own talent by multiplying your dance influences. If you can't take more than one regular class per week, at least take a few workshops with as many teachers as you can.
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| CLICK for more images of Artemis! |
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Artemis is a world renown expert in Turkish Style dance, but that doesn't mean her Egyptian Caberet isn't fab! We are lucky to have her as a resource so close to home. I find her workshops interesting, informative, and inspirational.
Turkish Çengi
Turkish Oriental
Turkish Romany
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| Latifa studied Oriental dance with the legondary Bobby Farrah in NYC. Many of my students say they especially like her chorograhies and have fun perfoming in her shows. I always enjoy her scholarly and highly informative seminars.
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| Lotus Niraja specializes in Lebanese Style Belly Dance, and Hip Hop/Belly Fusion. Her choreographies are fun and her performance tips are tops. Her classes are very popular, and dancers transitioning from student to performer find private lessons with her very helpful.
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