Advance Your Bellydance Series
Read all about the making of these two new DVDs!
"Advance Your Bellydance - Vol. 1: Drum"
This DVD teaches an intricate drum solo routine to Frank Lazzaro's "Cairo to Casablanca," also found on Middle Earth's "Lavender" CD. The variety of rhythms featured, coupled with the precise locks, isolations and layering Rachel is famous for make this piece a treat for dancers looking to expand their repertoire of performable drum solos as well as ideas for movements to add to their own choreographies. This choreography is technically challenging while portraying a mood of sassiness and fun.
"Advance Your Bellydance - Vol. 2: Lyrical"
Volume 2 features choreography to Om Koulsoum's "Ayla". The piece is sensual and dramatic featuring the haunting classic as played by none other than San Diego's own "Middle Earth". The "Alf Leyla" track can be found on their latest CD titled "Lavender". From dramatic backbends and turns, an extensive floor work section and a healthy amount of complex layering throughout, this choreography is sure to inspire and challenge beginning/intermediate through seasoned professional level dancers.
"Lavender" by Middle Earth
About the "Advance Your Belly Dance" series, by Vilia
With so many "how-to" bellydance videos out on the market these days, I was excited when I got a call from my friend Rachel informing me of her plans to release her own line. I knew this would be good not only because Rachel George is one of the most technically talented Middle Eastern dancers on the scene, but because she was also determined to produce the videos herself to make sure they were done her way! The videos blend technique and choreography instruction employing Rachel's strong, Suhaila-influenced methodology of breaking down and performing Vthe various bellydance movements and isolations.
I was flattered when Rachel invited me to participate in the videos as one of the dancers in the performance demonstration section. We met a few times prior to the film date in order for me to learn the choreography so that I could practice and prepare for it on my own. What I found most helpful were the detailed choreography notes Rachel provided me with which broke down the movements using the same notation methods we had learned in Suhaila's Level III workshop! Rachel let me know of her plan to include these notes with each video so that students could refer to the steps in written format in addition to viewing it on the DVD.
Filming the performance portion of the DVD was a real treat. Four of us arrived from four different cities to rehearse together for the first time the night before filming. It was a tribute to Rachel's teaching ability and detailed notes that we were able to perform together so flawlessly after only practicing together for a short time. I was honored to be featured in the video along with three wonderfully talented dancers from the North West. Nadira of Seattle is a beautiful and graceful dancer as well as recipient of 5 national bellydance competition titles including Bellydancer USA and Bellydancer of the Year. Sedona of Portland, is an accomplished dancer who also holds a number of titles, directs an award winning dance troupe and is a certified yoga instructor. Aleta of Salem, is an award winning dancer pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Dance and Exercise. All of the performers were beautiful, talented, professional and tall! Given Rachel's above average stature, it made aesthetic sense to feature other talented dancers of a similar height. Crystal and bead encrusted cabaret costumes made by Sim Moda Evi of Turkey, each of us wearing a different color of the same style, finished off our look.
Filming took place at the Caravan Dance Studio, owned and operated by famed Tribal dancer Paulette Rees-Denis and home to the acclaimed tribal dance troupe Gypsy Caravan. The dance studio had been transformed into our film studio with colorful backdrop, lighting and cameras. The crew was doing sound and lighting checks and had already begun to work with percussionist Frank Lazzaro who had arrived from San Diego early that morning. Frank was busily recording and reciting the various drum solo rhythms into the camera and running through the entire drum solo multiple times for use during editing. Meanwhile, us girls made ourselves comfortable in the large back dressing room applying our makeup, fixing our hair and having a great time adding the finishing touches of body glitter, make-up and jewelry to complete our look. I never realized how much hard work went into filming a dance video. Take after take was done to make sure there was plenty of material and camera angles for later editing. By the end of the day, we were exhausted and ready to drop. Rachel treated all of us to a sumptuous meal at Santorini's; a popular Greek style restaurant were many of Portland's top dancers perform. 
* Vilia is a professional Middle Eastern dance performer, instructor, choreographer and troupe director based in San Diego, California. She is currently Level II certified in the Suhaila Salimpour dance format (www.viliadance.com).