Vintage Costumes - Setting Dyes, Preserving Colors

In the tribal bellydance world, we love our vintage and hand-made items. Particularly we heart imported Indian costuming, such as Banjara cholis, Rajasthani or Jaipur skirts, and bandhani tie-dye style dupattas. Whether old or new, they are subject to dye transfer and fading, and are difficult to clean. Here is a method that will help set dyes for longer wear, and is a good method for freshening up older garments which may have "vintage odors" to go along with our own bodily contributions while dancing.

If doing multiple items, I suggest doing them each in their own separate baths to avoid color transfer between them.

1. Fill your kitchen sink or large tub with cold water. Add a 1/2 cup of white vinegar plus 1/4 cup sea salt or similar.
2. Swish around to dissolve salt as much as possible.
3. Put item in the sink and gently squeeze the vinegar/salt water into the fabric.
 NOTE: With any items with sequins/pailettes, be careful not to fold/scrunch them.
4. Leave soaking for 30-60 minutes.
5. Drain sink and rinse thoroughly with cold water.
6. Lay out to dry (do not hang, it will stretch) in shady spot. NEVER dry in direct sunlight, it will fade the colors and can damage vintage fibers.
    6a. If you are doing a small item like a choli, and have a rack in your
        dryer on which you can set items so they don't tumble, set to cool
        and lay item as flat as possible.

Mm Mm Monday - Z-Helene

You want some more ultra-inspiring finger cymbal playing? Prepare to have your mind blown. 1:10 particularly makes me just go Mmmmmmm Mmmmmmmmm! But that is just a warm up for what comes later... watch the whole thing, my friends.

Permission to Make Mistakes

One thing I emphasize in my classes is that everyone should feel free to make mistakes. In fact, it is the only true route to growth, since humans by nature are imperfect and learn through trial and error. (Check out my blog entry "I Release You From Perfection". Go on. I'll wait...)

We have a tradition at Deep Roots Dance called "pre-apologizing". Before drills in class, I make my students promise me they will make mistakes, then we turn to our partners and pre-apologize for any "screw ups" that might occur. This is a promise to our partners and ourselves that while we may make mistakes, we won't stop or hesitate when there are flubs, and instead will dance through it all with confidence and poise. After all, the audience doesn't know what is right or wrong, only we do; and only our faces and demeanor will reveal those mistakes. By dancing through our mistakes, both as leaders and followers, we mask them entirely. Ideally, all the audience sees are dancers moving in unison, gracefully, joyfully.

The REAL 10 Golden Rules of Dance Class Ettiquette

 Early last year I posted a set of dance class etiquette rules I found on another bellydance website. I didn't add much detail or express my personal opinion on then, I simply put it out there for discussion. Quite a bit of discussion ensued on the Deep Roots Dance Facebook page, and then later it was brought up on Yip! Podcast as well, generating still more discussion.

What I didn't mention at the time was that I actually had seen the original page many years ago and posted it over on my troupe website at the time (inFusion Tribal), and it made some rounds back then. The original being a 1997 article by Miramar from Jareeda Magazine. I should also take this opportunity to mention that in the original post, the author's name appeared to be removed by me. I did not remove it; actually the site from which I took the edited rules had removed it--that was just cut and pasted verbatim. I felt this version as it was edited was thought-provoking and worthy of discussion.  

The Wasted Energy in Comparing Ourselves to Others

The very first night of our six week series at Deep Roots Dance, we have about a 10 minute orientation. During this orientation, we cover the practicalities such as how to check in for classes, the lay of the land (restrooms, parking, water fountains, etc), and class ettiquette (no shoes in the studio, being on time). We also cover some other important topics, such as how they will need to repeat Level 1 multiple times to reach a level of competency and comfort before moving to Level 2, how practicing at home and/or taking more than one class a week will reinforce and accelerate their learning, and one of my personal most important notes: one should never compare themselves to others in the class.

It's so easy to do, and a very human instinct, to look at others we perceive to be doing the same thing as us and make little assessments, even harsh judgements, about ourselves and our progress. I remind them that Level 1 is called "Foundations" not "Beginner", as the skills we learn in Level 1 are not just for beginner dancers--they truly comprise the foundations of all our future work. Because of this, not only do students work at this level for several months to a year or more, but consider that students of all levels return to Level 1 to reinforce their skillset throughout their dance life. So walking into a room of "Level 1 dancers" can mean you are observing dancers of all levels, from students taking their first bellydance class to semi-pro and professional dancers refining their foundations or exploring their dance roots.

Mm Mm Monday - Melanie Moore

I have watched every season of So You Think You Can Dance since it began 10 years ago. In all the years, Melanie has always been the one I remember. When I think of the show, when I think of winners, when I think of my favorite...it's always Melanie.

Here is a brief solo from the Top 6 episode...she moves me!

Mm Mm Monday - Turkish Gypsy Dance

Amazing piece with all the fire and control one would hope from a Rom dance! The first piece had me completely riveted, and then there was MOOOOORE! Mm Mm.