Mm Mm Monday - Hahbi Ru at Rakassah - John Compton Tribute

Past and present members of Hahbi 'Ru performing pieces from their classic repertoire, including the Cymbals Dance with a bevvy other guest dancers who had learned the routine elsewhere. There really need not be any other words for this than *sigh*.

Mm Mm Monday - Ruby Beh

Ruby Beh is definitely one of my cabaret bellydancer crushes. She is absolutely gorgeous, her performances are so full of energy and emotion, and she simply inspires me. Enjoy!

WORKSHOP: Performance Makeup with Deep Roots Dance: Basics and Beyond

THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 16th
Performance Makeup with Deep Roots Dance: Basics and Beyond

In this workshop will explore the key elements of performance makeup, and will also include some more advanced tips n' tricks to take your look to the next level. Dancers of all styles will find these techniques useful in creating their own stage-worthy look.

Perfect for dancers performing at Cues & Tattoos and/or Med Fest who want to learn some new tricks, or get in some guided practice with their performance makeup skills. Shay puts an emphasis on economical makeup options, helping students focus on the right tools for the job without breaking the bank.

You can come and watch and take notes, or you can bring your own makeup (or purchase some of the suggested makeup materials and tools prior to the workshop) and follow along step-by-step as Shay walks the participants from start to finish. Even if you don't wear makeup in "real life", performance makeup is a must for any performer, and Shay will make the process painless and even fun!

Materials list provided upon registration. A detailed handout with tips and tricks will be given to participants to take home.

2 hours - $25
Saturday, March 16, 12pm-2pm
Phinney Neighborhood Center, Room 3

Register online now at http://www.deeprootsdance.com/p/workshops.html

Mm Mm Monday - Amanda F'ing Palmer

A little divergence from the normal Mm Mm Monday themes, I offer this video of Amanda F*cking Palmer's TEDTalk. In it, she weaves an excellent story from her humble beginnings as a street performer to her current-day musical adventures, centering on the theme of exchange, gratitude, trust, and ultimately asking for what we need without shame. Life lessons all artists can learn from.

Do More With Less - The Power in Simplicity

I have been thinking a lot lately about the phenomenon in the bellydance world of favoring volume over quality. Teachers are pushing students through levels (Six weeks in the beginner level? Welcome to intermediate!) or constantly introducing new concepts in lieu of polishing current skills (because they are bored themselves? are afraid of not being relevant?); and in turn instilling in their students the perceived higher value of lots and lots of movement and variety above the value of honing a manageable set of skills before adding on new things. I am seeing a lack of emphasis on repetition, control, discipline, and intention over flash. In doing so, we undermine a strong work ethic and diminish a sense of pride in the fundamental elements of Good Dance.

At the risk of sounding curmudgeonly and over-dramatic, at the center of it all I think we are failing as a community to nurture a mindful generation of dancers. What we need to make our mantra in this day and age of "sensory overload and on-demand streaming video constantly pumping overwhelming amounts of data into our skulls in a world which honors style-over-substance" is this powerful idea: "Do more with less."