Supplies Recommended for Shira's

Belly Dance Classes in Iowa City, IA

Autumn, 2009

This page is intended for the students who attend Shira's belly dance classes in Iowa City, IA.

Table of Contents

Belly Dance Level 1

Set of Finger Cymbals

Beginning the 2nd or 3rd week of class, I'll introduce finger cymbals. Although they're not mandatory for Level 1 students, I definitely recommend them.

You need to buy these in sets of four. After obtaining them, follow the "Preparing Your Cymbals for Use" instructions on my "Introduction to Finger Cymbals" article. Recommended sources:

• Demizo's Dance Supply. Located in the Clock Tower Plaza shopping center on the Coralville Strip. 1801 2nd Street, Coralville, IA 52241. Recommend calling ahead to find out store hours and make sure they have them in stock. Phone number is 319-358-7191.
• Sold at Amazon.com
  • Nefertiti made by Harry Saroyan. Nice quality.
• "Student Zills" sold by Mid-East Manufacturing. Lower price, but the quality and sound aren't as nice as the Nefertiti zills.

Music

The CD containing the song used for the choreography taught in class is Gems of the Middle East, Volume 1, performed by Mary Ellen Donald and Mimi Spencer.

• You can buy it from me in class, for a price of $15.
• You can buy it from Mary Ellen Donald's web site.

Belly Dance Level 2

This 7-week session will serve as an introduction to "How to Create Your Own Solo Choreography". Entire college courses in dance departments teach the art of creating choreography, and in a 7-week class we can barely scratch the surface. This class will provide just a starting point in understanding how Middle Eastern music is structured and how to dance to it.

I plan to schedule a recital in November, and you will have an opportunity to perform your own choreography at the recital provided you choose a song that I approve and you create an acceptable choreography to it.

Set of Finger Cymbals

Any of the following are acceptable sources. You need to buy these in sets of four. After obtaining them, follow the "Preparing Your Cymbals for Use" instructions on my "Introduction to Finger Cymbals" article.

• Demizo's Dance Supply. Located in the Clock Tower Plaza shopping center on the Coralville Strip. 1801 2nd Street, Coralville, IA 52241. Recommend calling ahead to find out store hours and make sure they have them in stock. Phone number is 319-358-7191.
• Sold at Amazon.com
  • Nefertiti made by Harry Saroyan. Nice quality.
• "Student Zills" sold by Mid-East Manufacturing. Lower price, but the quality and sound aren't as nice as the Nefertiti zills.

Music

In class, we will work with the song "Habibi Ya Eini" on the CD titled Amira Mor. If you want to create your own personal choreography outside of class, it must be to Middle Eastern music. This music list offers suggestions for CD's with suitable music. If you want to use something that does not appear on this list, check with me to get your choice approved.

• Amazon Link to the Amira Mor CD. This is the CD with "Habibi Ya Eini", the song we will be using in the classroom.
• Gems of the East, Volume 1. You can buy it for me in class for $15. Or, order it from Mary Ellen Donald's web site. Recommended song: "Aziza". This CD also contains the song "Al Ataba Ghazzaz", which will be used for one of the group numbers in the November recital.
• Gems of the East, Volume 2. Recommended song: "Tamrihinna". You can buy it from Mary Ellen Donald's web site (see link above).
• Amazon Link to Belly Dance for Fortune and Fame. Recommended songs: "Ay Ya Zein" and "Me Alli W'Oltelu".
• Amazon Link to Greatest Hits of Amr Diab. Recommended songs: "Amarain", "Wala Ala Baloa", "Ana Ayesh", "Tamally Maak".
• Amazon Link to Art of Belly Dancing by George Abdo. Recommended song: "Gameel Gamal".

Other sources of these songs are acceptable so long as the tracks are under 4 minutes. Other Egyptian songs may also be an option - check with me for approval.

Belly Dance for Exercise

You don't need these the first night or two of class - at first, you'll want to focus on learning how to move your body, without worrying about a prop. But once you feel comfortable doing the dance moves, you may want to add the prop.

I bring a few of each of these items to class each week for loaners, but usually not enough for everyone to borrow. So if you want to be sure of having one to use, it's best to buy your own.

Set of Finger Cymbals

Any of the following are acceptable sources. You need to buy these in sets of four. After obtaining them, follow the "Preparing Your Cymbals for Use" instructions on my "Introduction to Finger Cymbals" article.

• Demizo's Dance Supply. Located in the Clock Tower Plaza shopping center on the Coralville Strip. 1801 2nd Street, Coralville, IA 52241. Recommend calling ahead to find out store hours and make sure they have them in stock. Phone number is 319-358-7191.
• Sold at Amazon.com
  • Nefertiti made by Harry Saroyan. Nice quality.
• "Student Zills" sold by Mid-East Manufacturing. Lower price, but the quality and sound aren't as nice as the Nefertiti zills.

Veil

The veils we use in class are rectangles 3 yards long and 45 inches wide.

• Make Your Own. Click this link to a page with instructions.
• Purchase One Already Made. This link goes to the L. Rose Designs web site, and any of the veil choices offered at this link is acceptable for class.

Cane

This is a special kind of cane used for Lebanese and Egyptian folkloric-style dance. In the Belly Dance for Exercise class, this folkloric dance style is used for the aerobic section of class.

• Amazon.com. This cane is like the loaners used in class.
• From Dahlal.com. If you want a gold or silver one.