(As printed in the Fall 2006 Issue Oct/Nov/Dec of The Belly Dancer Magazine)
Angels in Dance
By: Nizana
So many times, I have come across an "angel" in the dance community, and I appreciate those encounters and try to return that karma. These angels can be in the form of a stunningly talented dancer that catches you up in the beauty of the dance, and takes your breath away, or the kind soul that saves you with a safety pin or quick fix. I think many of us have been in the position of needing, or being, an angel.
Kindness in the dance community further bolsters the sisterhood of the dance. It is a joyous dance that can be shared with everyone, it is uplifting, and it can take many forms depending on the mood and the music. When you see a performer dance from the heart, you can feel it. It can leave you spellbound, and you walk away afterwards feeling really good.
Then there are those times when you are preparing to dance or drum, and something happens that is stressful or distracting, and someone comes along that makes it better, or at least bearable. You forgot something, you can't find something, your makeup gets smudged. The kind move of an angel could be as simple as letting someone know their belt is crooked or they have an underwear tag sticking out. It could be you that you help someone catch a hook, let them know the stage pitfalls if you dance before others and discover them, or just that you share your mirror. I remember one time when I was performing at the Kismet Festival in Salt Lake City, and the elastic on my skirt went wacko, and the coin hip scarf was not enough to keep it on, and safety pins weren't cutting it. My turn was coming up, and I started to panic. Can't go out there with your skirt falling off… An "angel" in the dressing room loaned me a red elastic band. THANK YOU!!!! Worked just fine, and I was able to camouflage the color (didn't match the costume) under my hip scarf. I really appreciated this a lot!! What an angel!!
Producers who sponsor an event, keeping in mind little touches and important things that make the event special, are also angels. As I continue to dance and attend events, I see more and more dancers who have health issues, and for sponsors (and others!) to keep that in mind is really nice. For example, there are those who can only wear a costume so long and it begins to become painful. Having an organized lineup allows dancers not to have to be uncomfortable for too long. Granted, there is often lineup issues, but to start off with a lineup, and to try to stick close to it can really be an angelic thing to do!
Giving one another tips and hints at costume care or accessories or where to go to get this or that are other kind gestures. Sharing information about events makes you an angel to the event promoters. Being true to the dance and its culture makes you an angel, especially to those that is very important to, which would be the people of the Middle Eastern regions and beyond, of which the dances come from, as well as really good instructors and dancers who appreciate the art form. Being a knowledgeable and thorough instructor is being an angel to the students.
As you journey through the fabulous belly dance world, be an "angel," and the angels will watch over you, too!
