Divine Chaos Interview + Tribal Offer

Zameena

Because Bellydance is Everything

Welcome to July's newsletter from Zara's Zouk. As you can see we are now going by our new name, Zameena (meaning intelligence & knowledge). Our aims are still the same - to bring you bellydance news, information and exclusive offers! We feel the name better reflects the content of our newsletters.

This month we are lucky enough to catch up with Shannon Conklln a fantastic Tribal Fusion dancer and co-founder of Divine Chaos, renowned for her AMAZING skirt AND fan technique, so check out her interview below.

Divine Chaos's
Shannon Conklin

Shannon is a the co-director of Divine Chaos, (DC) Arizona's prized and most favourite Tribal Troupe. She is a well established Tribal dancer with a strong Domba ITS (improvisational tribal style) foundation. She is famed for her original and exciting FAN AND SKIRT FUSION dances. We catch up with her during her visit to the UK and see what makes her creative juices tick.

Shannon, thanks for giving us your time and welcome to the UK. I hope you are having a great visit. Tell us what you and DC have been up to here!

Hey Zara, No problem. While in the UK we had the honour and privilege of being featured instructors at the Tribal Gathering in York; were hosted in Glasgow by the amazing Deirdre MacDonald and in Letchworth Garden City with Samantha Hough. We had a grand time teaching, performing, and enjoying the UK dance scene.

Have you enjoyed your time with the UK tribal dance community?

The tribal dance community in the UK has been extremely hospitable and inspiring. We absolutely loved the eclectic styles and variety represented and were pleased to be a part of it. Performers and students alike brought such an eagerness to learn and to extend their knowledge base. I love that education is such a key focus in the UK community.

Where did your inspiration come from for your Divine Chaos skirt AND fan fusion? I have to say I LOVED your workshop on it!

My inspiration for creating skirt and fan fusion began with the love of skirt dancing and constantly trying to make sure it was unique and beautiful. Every year in Phoenix, Arizona we have an event, Fully Fusion, that challenges you to do something never done before. To fully fuse two styles of dancing or a concept not already out there. Since DC had long been known for their skirt dancing and double fan dancing, my mind naturally put the two together... And the creativity soared..."well what if I did this...oooh and what if I did this..." I wanted to make sure that we danced with both props equally and simultaneously. I didn't just want to do individual prop work while holding the other. This has led to the creation of skirt and shawl dancing, interpretive dance featuring sign language and bellydance, with the goal of always creating from the heart and pushing the envelope.

Are there any rules or things to consider when fusing dance styles?

The rules I always consider when fusing styles together are simple. Does it make sense to your body? Can you explain it in a simple way? Is your right foot ready to step on count 1? If you can't answer those questions then something isn't quite right.

I feel that when styles or props are fused together it's always important to have balance and represent both styles with respect.

What are your top tips for dancing with a skirt?

The tips we most emphasize while dancing with skirt are posture, elbows up, and keeping your balance within your core. Dancing with a skirt is so magnificent when done properly and with a strong presence. I would always recommend dancing with a full 4 Tier, 25 yard skirt to get the dramatic lines and flairs that have become a known requirement for DC skirt dancing.

What are your top tips for dancing with a fan and skirt?

Dancing with fan and skirt together is always a challenge because of the multiple layers happening. While we are dancing with two props we are still performing bellydance foundational movements. Again, tips for dancing this style successfully is to have the right equipment. Have a right handed fan, with plastic tines, that isn't too heavy for the hand and isn't hard to snap open and shut. The skirt needs to be 25 yards and can easily extend above your head without compromising the flow of the skirt or hem line. And honestly, the sky is the limit on what can be done.

With those truly inspiring words, Shannon, I want to say a BIG thank you for this lovely interview and I can't wait for when Divine Chaos is back in the UK again!
Neither can we! See you then - Shannon x

_________________
Find out more about Divne Chaos by joining their facebook page:
www.facebook.com/DivineChaosTribalFusion
and checking out their website:
http://www.dc-tribal.com/

Zara's Zouk Offer Of The Month

This month why not try out some of Shannon's Skirt tips and buy a 24 yard skirt and other exciting items from our Tribal Section?

BUY Anything with a TOTAL Value Â£40.00 or more from our Tribal Section this month and get a FREE Kuchi pendant worth
Â£5 - Â£10!!

Just go to the checkout on the website as normal and we'll pop your Tribal Goodies in the post with a pendant, picked at random. These pendants are all different shapes and sizes. They are genuine Kuchi pendants all with their own individual character!

Click here to see our Tribal Section

At Zara's Zouk skirts come in different lengths so there shouldn't be a problem BUT

What to do if your skirt is too long:

Make it shorter from the top tier
Can't sew? Try tucking it into your belt or Try turning over the elasticated top.

What to do if your skirt is too short:

Wear it over another, longer skirt, for a fun, colourful, layer effect

The events you just have to go to.......

In the mood for a bit of tribal and fusion now? Check out:

Firewater Show
For a party night of tribal and Indian fusion

Friday, 5th July
The Nave, 1 St Paulâ€™s Road, Islington, London, N1 2QU
Doors Open: 7.30pm
Tickets: Â£14 in advance through PayPal

More info: Click here

It is finally here, the event of the year...

Bellydance Trophies THE FINAL

Sunday 7th July sees the final of Bellydance Trophies, after no less than 9 MONTHS of competing the final seven competitors (which include me) will be dazzling you with all their talent!

The competitors will be performing one chosen song and then later in the evening they will be improvising with the live band to a song that they find out that evening - testing their musicality, technique and interpretation skills. It will be a MASSIVE party. Hope to see you there:

SUNDAY 7th JULY 7.30 pm

Maya Lounge

763-765 Harrow Road

Sudbury

Wembley

HA0 2LW

More info here: http://www.bellydance-trophies.com/BDT2.F

Belly Dance Tip of the Month:

Around the 9th of July will see the start of Ramadan the Islamic holy month. Ramadan Kareem to all our readers. This month must be treated with care in the dance world. In Islamic countries traditionally dancers don't perform and use this time for a holiday. If you dance in a restaurant or at events which have Muslim and Arab customers I STRONGLY recommend you talk to your employer to see if it is appropriate to continue dancing. Most of the time is is fine, BUT remember BD is predominantly a cultural dance of Islamic countries and people from these countries may find it a bit insulting if you dance during this time. Dance with care and use your professional experience to know if is appropriate.

Thank you for reading our newly named Zameena newsletter. We hope you enjoyed it. If you liked it please share with friends using the links below.
Love and shimmies, Zara & Sandra

P.S. Next month we have Santa Maria Bellydance helping us out with some student questions.......

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BUY Anything with a TOTAL Value Â£40.00 or more from our Tribal Section this month and get a FREE Kuchi pendant worth Â£5 - Â£10!!

At Zara's Zouk skirts come in different lengths so there shouldn't be a problem BUT What to do if your skirt is too long:

What to do if your skirt is too short:

Bellydance Trophies THE FINAL

BUY Anything with a TOTAL Value Â£40.00 or more from our Tribal Section this month and get a FREE Kuchi pendant worth
Â£5 - Â£10!!

At Zara's Zouk skirts come in different lengths so there shouldn't be a problem BUT

What to do if your skirt is too long: