Journal

 by sahiracc

Zill Hero Interview with Dr. Audrey Cottet

There are many dancers who play finger cymbals.
 
There are some who play them incredibly well.
 
But there are very few dancers who take the cymbals to the next level and make them the center of intense academic research.
 
Dr. Audrey Cottet is one of those few, and in this video I’m excited to share with you an incredible discussion we had regarding her experience with finger cymbals, the very unique way in which she learned to play them, and how her interest became the seed for some amazing historical research that is changing our understanding of these instruments.
 
 
 
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After watching this interview I know you will be inspired to learn from Dr. Cottet – so be sure to check out

 

You can also access the research she has previously published about finger cymbal history and usage here:

 

You can also follow Dr. Cottet on social media here and here.

*****

 

Ready to dive into your finger cymbal practice and become part of the lineage of cymbal players through history?

Start your journey here.

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 by sahiracc

Create your best year of dance in 2023 with this free resource!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🥳

It’s 2023 – an incredible new year filled with hope and possibility.

Right now, millions of people are setting resolutions for the new year.

Are you one of them?

This might surprise you… but I am NOT.

For many many years I set resolutions, but then I realized that I was going about things totally in the wrong way.

Now I allow myself to dream, set goals, and create systems. This is a much more efficient way to get what I want in the new year and the past five years has been living proof that this change in methodology was exactly what was needed.

Have you set your goals and created your systems for the new year?

To achieve your dance goals it is important that you take the time to not only create them, but also commit to them in writing with a solid plan.

My FREE 2023 Dance Goal Setting workbook is designed to help you do exactly that. This handy guide is designed to take you step-by-step through a scientifically proven method for setting AND achieving your goals in the new year. This is the exact same process I regularly use that has helped me supercharge my dance (and my life) over the past five years.

Are you ready to supercharge yours?

 
 
 
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 by sahiracc

Live Performance with the Georges Lammam Ensemble – “Raneen”

I LOVE LOVE LOVE dancing to live music.
 
Unfortunately it seems to be a dying art form, and opportunities to dance with a live ensemble have become fewer each passing year.
 
That is part of what made the “Go Live” event in San Antonio, Texas this year so incredibly special. A full weekend of studying all about the art of dancing with live music… and all done with live music.
 
Live Performance with the Georges Lammam Ensemble – “Raneen”
And not just one band – but FIVE.
 
A few I had performed with before. But this ensemble had been on my dream list for many many years and THIS was my first time sharing the stage.
 
And if that weren’t enough, the phenomenal Susu Pampanin (whom I’ve been fan-girling over for literally decades) plays the drum solo for me!
 
This gorgeous song is called “Raneen”.
 
Please enjoy this performance – a total dream come true for me – with the incredible George Lammam Ensemble.
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 by sahiracc

The Top 10 Moves Every Belly Dance Must Know – The Figure 8

Join me for just 15 minutes for some delicious movement and “you” time with today’s tutorial all about the horizontal figure 8 of the hips.

A completely quintessential belly dance movement, in this video I will take you through the isolations and concepts needed to create this movement beautifully and gracefully.

Are you ready, fabulous dancer? Let’s do it!

 

 

I totally think this move is essential to the beautiful art of belly dance! Would you agree? Post below and let me know!

 

Get the new year started on the right foot (and the right and left hip!) with the FREE 7-Day Belly Dance Jumpstart.

 

Music is from the fabulous Miss Thea. Get the track here.

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 by sahiracc

The 12 Days of Belly Dance Christmas have begun!

Hey there fabulous dancer!

The 12 Days of Belly Dance Christmas Celebration has begun… are you joining us?

Hundreds of dancers from all over the world are coming together to dance their way joyfully through the holiday season with this incredible FREE event.

❃ Free live classes and on-demand tutorials

❃ Dance goal-setting resources and downloadables

❃ Dance community gatherings, connection and challenges

❃ And festive events and prizes all with a belly dance theme

 

🎁 12 days to get into the spirit of the season as I add a little shimmy, glitter and spice to your days.

This special event is only available to you NOW right here:

→ SahiraBellyDances.com/12days

 

This is the last day to join, so don’t delay! I can’t wait to celebrate with you there.

 

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 by sahiracc

12 Days of Belly Dance Christmas Gifts for YOU! 🎁 Begins December 8th.

Are you ready to dance through your holidays with joy and grace?
 
 
Join me for my annual 12 Days of Belly Dance Christmas celebration – a festive belly dance-themed event where I will share with you over a dozen special belly dance gifts to move you joyfully through your holiday season.
 
❃ Free live classes and on-demand tutorials
❃ Dance goal-setting resources and downloadables
❃ Dance community gatherings, connection and challenges
❃ And festive events and prizes all with a belly dance theme
 
🎁 12 days to get into the spirit of the season as I add a little shimmy, glitter and spice to your days.
 
The 12 Days of Belly Dance Christmas begins on December 8th. But this special event is only available to folks who register in advance.
 
So head on over now get your invitation at:
 
 
I can’t wait to celebrate with you there.
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 by sahiracc

Sahira presents “Feel Good Groove” by Miss Thea

This performance video is very special to me.
 
Earlier this year I was invited to create a performance to an original song by the amazing Miss Thea, in celebration of the release of her album “Rosewater”.
 
I absolutely love this woman’s music, and have been using it for my online classes for a couple of years now. So I was thrilled by the opportunity to interpret her music through my artistic lens.
 
The project became so much than a dance choreography for me.
 
Submissions were due just a week after my family took a long vacation to the east coast, and I thought what better way to dive into this “Feel Good Groove” than on a magical vacation with the most important people in my life.
 
What you see here is what happens when fabulously fun music combine with amazing scenery, gorgeous weather, and the incredible love of family.
 
Enjoy!
 
Music is “Feel Good Groove” by Miss Thea from her album “Rosewater”. Get your copy at her Bandcamp.
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 by sahiracc

Belly Dance Folklore | Saidi Style – The Saidi Basic

There is an ancient and rich culture behind the beautiful art of Arab dance – or belly dance – and one of my absolutely favorite folkloric styles is Saidi.
 
From upper Egypt, this powerful dance form uses several steps that are not part of the regular belly dance vocabulary, but are a must to include if you are dancing to music that references the rhythm of this style.
 
In this video I walk you through the most essential Saidi style movement – The Saidi Basic – with special attention paid to the stylization and attitude that are the hallmarks of this step.
 
So if you are ready to explore the beauty and power of Saidi style dance, join me here.
 
Let’s dance!
 
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 by sahiracc

Sahira and the Shimmy Sirens perform at The Crimson Vagabond Roadshow 2022 | Zekrayat

My students are amazing!
 
In this video I am ridiculously proud to present to you a new original flutter fan veil choreography to the song “Zekrayat” by Dr. Samy Farag.
 
I am joined on stage here by my incredible students Kala, Tiffany, Amy and Rachel – “The Shimmy Sirens”.
 
We had the opportunity to share this beautiful piece with an incredible crowd at the 2022 Crimson Vagabond Roadshow at Talento Bilingue in Houston, Texas.
 
Enjoy!
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 by sahiracc

Saroyan Backstage Tour “From Metal to Music” Part 2 – The Machinery

In this video I’m giving you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how my absolute favorite finger cymbals are manufactured from start to finish!
 
Vince Fesunoff, owner of Saroyan Mastercrafts takes us step-by-step through the process – from the huge coil of metal that enters the workshop through to the nearly finished product.
 
I don’t know about you, but learning more about all of the detail and thought that goes into these beautiful little instruments make me appreciate them even more than before!
 
So join me for these never-before-seen videos of the inside workings of the Saroyan manufacturing process.
 
And once you’re feeling inspired and exciting about all the amazing work they do there, you can get your hands on a set of finger cymbals for yourself right here:
 
 
Enjoy!
 
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