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Articles, Papers & Collected Works
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Articles, Papers & Collected WorksThis is just the first part of this, there will be much more... I will be adding to this regularly, but there's not much here yet... so check back...
* Humor * On Being Professional *
* On Teaching * On Husbands and Boyfriends * On Being a Student *
* Belly Dance Olympics * Search Words Used To Find Belly Dance Sites *
Belly Dance Olympics
Olympic Committee Update: 9/2/01
Well, this whole war stories thread got me thinking. We have all these Belly Dancer of the Year and Belly Dancer of the Universe competitions, but somehow they don't define the TRUE talents of a veteran dancer. So I am proposing the Belly Dance Olympics to determine the True Queen of the Dance.
We are still looking for a site for the 2001 games. If your city is interested in hosting the event please contact the Belly Dance Olympics committee. -- Natasya Katsikaris, Belly Dance Olympics Committee Chair
The Belly Dance Olympics Committee has not yet finalized the selection of competition events. If you would like to propose an event, or propose modifications to an existing event, you may submit it here. Eligible events will be added to this report as they are submitted, so please check back for updates. -- Aziza Sa'id, Belly Dance Olympics Event Coordinator
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Belly Dance Olympic Events |
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In this event, dancers will perform a 15 minute routine with a full 4-minute veil number on a regulation 3' x 3' BD Olympics dance floor. Waiters carrying large trays loaded with mixed drinks and messy saucy foods will be released every 1.5 minutes to walk across the dance floor. A score of 10 is awarded for a perfect routine. Point deductions given for spilled trays, breaks in dance form, or food on veil. Additionally, judges will be seated surrounding the dance floor and deductions will be assigned for hitting the judges' faces with the edge of your veil. -- Natasya K.
Olympic Update: 8/24/01 Extra points for completing a sword dance without stabbing a wait staff or losing the sword during avoidance manuvers. Deductions for losing balance while performing avoidances. -- Roya, Spirit-Dancer
For this event dancers will be placed in a regulation sized Olympic dressing room measuring 18 inches x 18 inches. Mirrors are not permitted and at least 3 waiters' uniforms must be hung in the dressing room. This is a timed event. Dancers are required to enter the dressing room, close the door and then safety-pin themselves into a sequined cabaret bra & belt with NO hook and eye closures. Then dancers are required to dance a 5-minute drum solo. A perfect score of 10 is assigned for the drum solo with points deducted for losing either the bra or belt or for breaks in form caused by dancing while holding the costume in place. The score is a composite of highest points with lowest time rating. -- Natasya K.
Olympic Update: 8/21/01 Dear Bellydance Olympics Committee,
I was delighted to read of the Safety Pin event and the Waiter Dodging event. What skills could be of greater use to the professional dancer? Definitely we need to encourage greater awareness of these necessary competencies in our less experienced dancers. And yet, I noticed that the skill I use most in my professional career was not included among the events.
I work in a cafe where every third person is smoking a shisha pipe. The pipes block all of the paths between tables down to about 1 ft. wide, and my employer insists that I dance around the tables. Also, the shisha pipes have VERY HOT GLOWING COALS on top of them. The customers knock them over and knock the coals onto the floor. Yes, I could easily bump into these pipes and knock the coals onto myself when I am going around the tables. In addition, the waiters I am dodging are often carrying braziers on long handles containing FRESH HOT COALS!
I propose expanding the indoor events to include the skill set required to work in such a setting. In addition to dodging waiters carrying hot coals on the regulation Olympic 3' by 3' dance floor, the dancer must go around to the tables at least twice during one five minute number, zilling and smiling and executing complex hipwork all the while. The regulation 1.5' wide Olympic Inter-Table Pathways should be strewn with hookahs. Dancer must dance close to drunken patrons smoking shishas while barefoot.
Thank you for considering this event, -- Sahar bint Salim, Chairwoman of SPipDANA - The Shisha Pipe Dancer's Association of North America
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Letter from the Olympic Committee: Ms. Bint Salim, At your suggestion, the Olympic Belly Dance Committee commissioned a study on the general prevalence of Shisha Pipes. We were surprised to find that their use was generally wide spread, as we had previously only seen them on rare occasion. After great discussion, and based on our study statistics we have decided to include the Shisha Pipe event in the Belly Dance Olympics. Your proposal is accepted with the following notations: Points will be deducted for the following activities:
Also, in accordance with the International Belly Dance Competition Treaty, the dancer may elect to wear shoes, but if she does so, a 2 point penalty will be assessed. Thank you for your submission. -- Aziza Sa'id, Belly Dance Olympics Event Coordinator. |
This event is only open to dancers working in Greek restaurants. Dancers are required to do a 5-minute veil routine on the regulation Olympic dance floor. At 1-minute intervals, waiters will walk to the edge of the dance floor and light a plate of saganaki on fire. 10 is a perfect score with points deducted for setting your veil on fire or breaking form to avoid setting your veil on fire. -- Natasya K.
This event is open to all dancers. On a regulation Olympic lacquered wood parquet dance floor, a full bottle of champagne and several ice cubes will be spilled. Dancers are required to do a 3-minute entrance number with at least 20 spins. A perfect score is 10. Points will be deducted for falling on your a**, breaking form, or in any way appearing to be ice skating rather than belly dancing. -- Natasya K.
On the regulation Olympic floor (highly polished wood parquet), a Tahitian group performs first, scattering raffia all over the floor. Contestants are required to dance in shoes, with a minimum of 20 spins in their routines, while remaining vertical. Points are deducted for falling, slipping, or attempting visibly to avoid falling or slipping. -- Robyn C Friend
Points given for being able to keep your skirt and veil away from playful cats who think the moving material is a wondrous toy. Technique points for being able to keep dancing while large dogs lean on you or sit right at your feet during a belly gram performance. Extra points awarded depending on the dog breed. Most points for Great Danes.
A sub-event for playing the best zill combination that sets off the most howling by dogs. And bonus points for dealing with the pet owners who insist "they won't be any problem" during the show. -- Tamara
Olympic Update: 8/15/01 Extra points if the guest of honor's dog actually bites you during your performance. A bonus is appropriate if no one realizes the dog has bitten you until the dance is over and you show them the teeth marks. -- Vashti
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Olympic Update: 9/2/01 An open letter to the Belly Dance Olympics Events Committee: Our Dog Avoidance Athlete's Guild would like to suggest that the most points should be awarded for Mastiffs, rather than Great Danes. Although Danes are taller, Mastiffs tend to outweigh them considerably. Mastiffs are also highly praised for their "slinging" ability. Extra points should be awarded for velvet costumes that survive unscathed by drool. Extra points should also be awarded for staying on beat while two or more Mastiffs jump around in circles and bark in the Dhawgallah rhythm. Thank you for your consideration. -- Maeve and Phoebe Ruth, Dog Avoidance Athlete's Guild |
A perfect score of 10 is awarded for getting a tip off a drunken horny guy without getting groped. -- Natasya K.
Bonus points for every pat, poke, touch, grope or pinch avoided. -- Nadira
Olympic Update: 8/24/01 Contestants must perform as many zill patterns as possible in complete timing while confronted with the enthusiastic response of a Western audience, without breaking rhythms patterns. -- Lydia Ash
Point deductions for playing off beat when audience is louder than the music emanating from the Regulation Olympic Boom Box. Extra points for maintaining zill precision on 10/8 Samai, 9/8 Kashlimar, 7/8, or 5/8 Karachi rhythms while audience claps in standard 4/4 time. -- Aziza Sa'id
Olympic Update: 8/15/01 I would like to propose an additional event: This would be a 24hr event to completely sequin a bra and belt, in preparation for a performance. I propose three categories: Promising, Hopeful, and Ambitious. Regulations:
This competition will have no breaks, except a one-hour dress rehearsal for the performance midway through, at which stage participants are expected to wear their costume in whatever state it is in. At the end of the event, participants are expected to have completed their costumes and be able to perform straight away after doing their makeup. The winner to be decided on a points-based system. Points to be awarded as follows:
-- Shannon
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Letter from the Olympic Committee: Ms. Shannon, Your proposed Costume Marathon has been discussed by the Belly Dance Olympics Committee and has been accepted with the following notiations:
Thank you for your submission, Aziza Sa'id, Belly Dance Olympics Event Coordinator. |
Olympic Update: 8/24/01 Bonus points should be given for creatively substituting other costuming parts for forgotten or unfinished pieces. Also, points deducted for forgetting dance briefs, with bonus points for creative use of costume pieces and draping to mask said unfortunate mistake. No points for borrowing or buying new ones. -- Roya, Spirit-Dancer
Dancers are judged on their ability to perform with poise and calm while dealing with some (if not all) of the various competitions (please note, dancers may be expected to do more than one competition at a time). -- Najida
For dancers who perform mostly at outdoors festivals. Keep dancing/playing for a half hour while a bucket of ice-cold water is poured over your head every five minutes. Repeat four to six times over the course of 8-10 hours. Alternately, dousing is continuous for each competitor's first show, but the stage area remains covered in ankle deep water or mud for the rest of the day. Points awarded for sheer endurance; makeup staying on; costume/instruments surviving undamaged. Points deducted for crying, falling or sneezing; shivering during the slow parts; splashing the audience. Special award for smiling while covered in mud to the eyebrows. -- D.Hillers
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Letter to the Olympic Committee: It seems like there is no schlepping relay mentioned. I propose a prop and costume relay race. Unpack the dancers' vehicle to the dressing area, and then pack all items back into the get away vehicle (without forgetting any and with no items hanging out the windows.) All at a run and handling as many items as one can. Could be a solo or team event. Also, the long distance event. Vehicle is forced to park a block or more from the event. Schlep all equipment long distance without dropping or spraining fingers. -- Zemyna |
My GOD, you are right! Thank you for pointing out this grievous oversight. The schlepping event will be added to the Official Belly Dance Olympics Events List immediately. Yes, as you so correctly pointed out, there should be a Solo Schlepping Event and a Relay Team Troupe Schlep event. The distance for both of these shall be 50 meters and it shall be called the 50 Meter Schlep.
For the Solo event, dancers must schlep a full cabaret costume while wearing 2.5 inch dress heels and a regulation Olympic black dress.
For the Troupe Schlep Relay Event, dancers must schlep full Tribal costumes with at least 3 full skirts and 10 lbs of silver Turkman Jewelry, a sword and basket for each Troupe member, as well as a second costume and prop: a Beledi dress, and a cane. Additionally, the Troupe leader is required to schlep a cabaret costume and a first aid kit in addition to the other items mentioned. However, jeans and sneakers may be worn for this event--dress heels are optional.
The Long Distance Event shall be called the 200 Meter Freestyle Schlep. Same rules apply. -- Natasya Katsikaris, Belly Dance Olympics Committee chair.
Olympic Update: 8/22/01 The Schlep Triathalon is composed of 3 events:
Part 1: Sprinkler Schlep: Dancer must carry a full load of costumes and/or equipment across a large baseball diamond or uneven grass field. Load will be composed of a large boom box plus either a full armload of costumes on hangers or a full load on a handtruck or cart. The regulation Olympic Sprinkler System composed of both high-volume, high-pressure rotating Rainbird sprinklers and standard pop-up sprinklers shall be turn on when participant is halfway across the field.
Point deductions for:
Automatic disqualification if boom box fails to operate due to water damage.
-- Aether & Aziza Sa'id
Part 2: Costume Sprint: After depositing costume load or handtruck at the back of unsecured Regulation Olympic Portable Stage Risers, the dancer must change into costume in a regulation Olympic Port-A-Potty located not more than 15 yards from the stage. The Dancer's music will be started 3 minutes after arrival at the stage area.
Point deductions for:
-- Aether & Aziza Sa'id
Part 3: High Gale Guedra: The High Gale Guedra portion of the Schlep Triathalon shall be conducted as described below. Performance must include veil work and must be conducted entirely on the unsecured Regulation Olympic Portable Stage Risers. Extra points will be given if stage riser sections vary in height by more than 1 inch or have inter-riser gaps of more than 2 inches. -- Aziza Sa'id
Sudden gusts of high winds cause veils, hair, costumes, swords, baskets etc to behave in odd manners. Either wrapping around the dancers head, exposing parts of the dancer's body or simply go blowing off, as if having a mind of their own. . -- Najida
Wildlife (not excluding small children) will find their way in the dancers path, whether it be bugs attracted by the lights and fire dance, a doggie looking for a fire hydrant, a toddler wanting to stroke the pretty sparkles, or a fellow dancer's snake having decided to make a run for it. . -- Najida
Dancers will be expected to not only stay upright, but continue dancing with a combination of 110 heat index, 90% humidity, layers of heavy costumes, no breeze, no shade on the open stage, and water in short supply. Extra points will be given for make-up that doesn't melt off. . -- Najida
Performers will be tested by various types of audience members mimicking those often found at Renfaires, street fests and other events where The Getting Drunk and Rowdy Olympics are being held in conjunction. Dancers will be judged on how they handle weirdoes getting up on stage and trying to boogie with them, bizarre, lewd or simply funny noises being emitted by audience, nutbars grabbing the drums and trying to play, and staying out of reach of the "groping-grab-asser"... -- Najida
Dancers will be judged on their poise in the face of various other dancers including:
The "I Am Here To Do My Solo, Mr. DeMille" troupe member who hasn't been to practice in months, but appears at a public outdoor event expecting to perform her 'solo', complete with spectacular costume, family in tow and video camera set up to film her. Extra points will be given for not hunting her down and strangling her after she manages to squeeze her solo into Hawaiian Dance Troupe's performance.
The "Nobody Told Me This Was a Family Event" dancer who has cross competed in the "Drunk and Rowdy Olympics" or has decided that her size D cleavage is just fine in her size C bra, or that her harem pants where giving her a rash and she doesn't need them under her multi-split skirt. Extra points will be given if there are multiple religious groups present and performing also.
The "But I Am SOOOO Hungry" dancer or family member who cannot resists the lure of the various food vendors and decides to buy in bulk, eat and/or set out dangerously close to other dancers and their costumes items like: Nachos with extra cheese, chili dogs, bright blue raspberry slurpies, sausage pizzas and grease dripping blooming onions. -- Najida
Olympic Update: 8/23/01 Contestants must search for the cleanest closest porta-privy at Festival, and be able to use it with minimum of disrobing. Extra points for more than one extra large coffee per show. -- Lydia Ash and Roya, Spirit-Dancer
Olympic Update: 8/21/01 The following announcement is being made in response to a formal protest by BIBDaM - the Brotherhood of International Belly Dance Merchants.
The Belly Dance Olympic Oversite Committee has determined that a significant percentage of the dance community - Vendors and Merchants - have been denied access to Olympic competition. In an effort to rectify this regrettable situation, the Committee is extending the submission period for new events to allow interested parties to submit new suggestions for Vendor events. -- Aziza Sa'id - Belly Dance Olympics Event Coordinator
Olympic Update: 8/21/01 The vendors shall have a 30 minutes maximum set up time allowed before the public comes in door. Vendors must set up at least 2 tables and 1 rack of merchandise to finish event.
Vendors shall compete in heats of 3 vendors at a time. From a busy street, all three Vendors must park a full Van or Truck in the regulation Olympic Narrow Parking Strip, then unload it onto a busy sidewalk without blocking walkway. There is a 15 minute meter limit and high meter-reader activity.
Volunteers chosen by the judges shall be provided as a free agents / extra team members. Each vendor is allowed to choose one volunteer to help schlep wares into elevator, carry up stairs, or across a large field. Volunteers will drop off whatever they carry at a single central location to be determined by judges.
Each vendor shall be entitled to three 8' tables as promised by the event coordinator, however only five 8' tables and one 4' table shall be provided for each set of 3 vendors. All tables must be hidden on a separate floor than the setup area (for indoor events) or in a locked area on the opposite side of the field (for outdoor events).
Points shall be deducted for:
-- Aether
Point deductions for acquiring only one or two 8' tables, with a half point deduction for being stuck with the 4' table. Additional deductions for costume vendors failing to bring a full length mirror. -- Aziza Sa'id
The Rising Star Solo Vendor Schlep and Setup
Olympic Update: 9/2/01 This event is geared toward the up-and-coming vendors. Similar to the Vendor Schlep and Setup, but with further restrictions as follows. Warning...this is NOT for the faint of heart!
Vendors shall compete in heats of 3 vendors at a time. Vendors must successfully load a SMALL sub-compact hatchback vehicle with enough merchandise to fill at least 2 tables and 1 rack for a busy three-day event without the possibility of replenishing their stock. Vendors may preload the car prior to the start of the competition.
As in the Regular Schlep and Setup, the vendors shall have a 30 minutes maximum parking and set up time allowed before the public comes in the door. Vendors must park on a busy street with limited available parking in the regulation Olympic Narrow Parking Strip, then unload it onto a busy sidewalk without blocking walkway. There is a 30 minute meter limit and high meter-reader activity. In addition, rough surfaces or steps may make trolley use difficult or impossible.
Vendors must set up at least 2 tables and 1 rack of merchandise to finish event. Volunteers chosen by the judges shall act as free agents. Vendors do not have the option of choosing volunteers to help schlep, setup, or vend wares. Volunteers will wander freely through the event, and either ignore, hinder, or assist the vendor's efforts at will. Example: opening doors for you, helping you unfold your table, accidentally upsetting your trolley, stealing items when your back is turned, or attempting to browse and purchase wares before the merchandise is set up and the event doors are officially open. Any random assistance provided will be for a maximum of one minute at a time.
Vendors must supply their own tables and racks, which will be transported in the same sub-compact hatchback vehicle as the merchandise. Vendors will not be provided with an accurate description of their assigned vending space prior to entering the event. Vendors must successfully arrange their tables, rack, and merchandise to optimize the display space provided.
Points shall be deducted for:
Extra points granted for:
-- Nimeera
Olympic Update: 9/2/01 Vendors must successfully man their tables through a very interesting three hour event. Vendors must remain within 5' of the table at all times without leaving for food, drink, bathrooms, or to watch/browse the event. Merchandise must remain neatly displayed, with a maximum of 15 seconds to re-organize between customers. No assistance is permitted during this event, asking an adjacent vendor to watch the table constitutes grounds for immediate disqualification. -- Nimeera
Olympic Update: 9/2/01 This category would be open to vendors who wish also to participate in the dance events. The vendor, having completed any one of the Schlep and Setup events, may chose any of the Indoor Performance Events to complete the Biathalon.
To qualify as a Vend and Dance Biathalon, all rules of both events must be complied with, and in addition, the following notations apply:
Points deducted for the occurance of these events during the vendor's performance:
Extra points may be granted if another vendor actually conducts business on the performing vendor's behalf during their performance. -- Aziza Sa'id & Nimeera
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