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What kind of Dancer are they ?

Newcomer : the clues are that they haven't been dancing for more than a few months, your house still looks normal, and they don't play Middle Eastern Music all the time. They will love anything to do with Bellydance, and need books, CDs and costume bits and pieces. See below for suggestions

Tribal : You can tell a tribal dancer because they have beautiful posture, are strong and assertive. Their musical tastes are probably not radio one or two--think Goth, punk, industrial or rock. Most of their bellydance costumes are black, their jewellery is chunky, silver and their make up is a bit scary.

American Cabaret : Glamour is the word for these dancers. If the dancer in your life is always well groomed, paints their nails to match their costume, which is sparkly and bright, moves gracefully yet is always full of energy then they are into the cabaret style !

Folkloric : When preparing for class the folkloric dancer layers up skirts, pants and belts, grabs a stick and sometimes wraps her hair in a large scarf. The music she listens to is "stompy", yet she seems light footed and smiles with an inner joy as she dances.

Academic : These dancers want to study every detail of the history of middle eastern dance and probably already have a shelf full of bellydance books. If they correct the BBC pronouncement of Arabic words then that's a give away.

Fitness dancer : For these students the key is how the dance is improving their fitness. They probably also do other forms of fitness including Yoga or Pilates. When dressing for class they think of practicalities first--probably sports trousers with a matching hoodie to stop any chills after class. They practice every day, including 100 rib lifts in the car on the way to work.

Fusion dancer : these are easy to spot as they can see the influences of Bellydance in everything. They dance all day long to any music they hear--this can be embarrassing in the supermarket. Their wardrobe contains charity shop buys of everything and anything sparkly, gothic or glamorous.

Now you know your bellydancer take a look below for some suggestions of the perfect present !

Newcomer:

From Letsbellydance: The Personality Cloud baseball T--£16.90

Stocking fillers: Subscription to Taqasim Magazine £9 (electronic) or £12 (paper)--email subscriptions@taqasim.org.uk

Must have : Coin belt from (Go for the same colour as their brightest, favourite t-shirt) - www.simplyshimmy.com/

CD choice :The Best of Bellydance--£5.95 --www.aladdinscave.com/acatalog/EUCD1358.html

Bit of a Treat : Tickets to see one of the local shows or Hafla--and you can go with them. (see diary for details)

Luxury : A weekend festival such as Celebrating Dance (afraalkahira.com) or Fantasia

Cabaret:

From Letsbellydance : Our fabulous Pink T-shirt ! - £13.90

Stocking fillers: False nails or eyelashes from Superdrug

Must have : Aziza's video - $39 - www.azizashop.com/aboutdvd.htm

CD choice :Anything from the Bellydance Superstars--£10--www.aladdinscave.com/acatalog/Compilations.html

Bit of a Treat :Silk veil--www.akaisilks.com/index2.htm--these are the ones everyone lusts after. The UK supplier is www.afraalkahira.com

Luxury : Stunning Dresses from Farida Souk - www.faridadance.com/farida_souk.htm Personally I like the Hanan….

Folkloric:

From Letsbellydance ; Umbrella--£16.90 (it doubles as a stick for practice)

Stocking fillers: Finger cymbals from www.hilarysbazaar.com/bazaar_frames.html

Must have :Esmerelda belt from Whirling Dervish--£22 (also look at their gypsy and folk costumes)--www.whirling-dervish.co.uk/

CD choice :The Best of Saidi dance--£13.50-- www.aladdinscave.com/acatalog/HMC1058B_.html

Bit of a Treat : Cotton Pantaloons from Nefertitis Closet--£21--www.nefertitiscloset.com/?view=contents/trousers

Luxury : Sword from www.whirling-dervish.co.uk/

Academic:

From Letsbellydance : Class Kit Bag-- £18.90

Stocking fillers: Sparkly pen and note book from Monsoon or WH Smiths

Must have : subscription to Mosaic magazine--www.mosaicdance.org/magazine.html

CD choice :anything by Jalilah--www.aladdinscave.com--search for Jalilah (the link is too long to include, but I suggest Raks Sharki 2) - £13.95

Bit of a Treat :looking for little egypt by Donna Carlton--£12 from Amazon--http://www.amazon.com/Looking-Little-Egypt-Donna-Carlton/dp/0962399817

Luxury : A weeklong trip to New York to study with Morocco--see my review--http://www.casbahdance.org/

Fusion:

From Letsbellydance ; Anvil Baseball T--£13.90

Stocking fillers: Coin earrings from £3--www.easternemporium.com/merch_jewellery.htm

Must have :Indian style belt from Eastern Emporium--£25/£30 : www.easternemporium.com/merch_belts_Indian_sequin.htm

CD choice :Desert Roses--£10 --www.aladdinscave.com/acatalog/MM182_.html

Bit of a Treat : Gypsy skirt from Nefertitis Closet--£52--www.nefertitiscloset.com/?view=contents/skirts

Luxury : There are many Bellydance holidays you can treat yourself to. www.afraalkahira.com/dancehols.htm for a full list !

Fitness

From Letsbellydance : Red Spaghetti top--£11.90

Stocking fillers: Spicy shower wash from Boots or Moroccan Spice from Crabtree and Evelyn

Must have : Rachel Brices DVD Tribal Fusion (for Tribal and non Tribal dancers alike) - £12 - www.milescopeland.net/store/index.php?crn=211

CD choice :Indestructible arabian beats--future sounds of the souk--£7.99-- www.amazon.co.uk/Indestructible-Arabian-Beats-Future-Sounds/dp/B000089HCB

Bit of a Treat : I've tried to keep everything here from the UK, but these really are the dream trousers and I havn't seen anything so nice available in the uk… - I would go for the Sash in maybe Eggplant. Remember that we all loose two sizes when we buy in the US so I go from a UK size 16/18 to a US size 12/14--www.melodiadesigns.com/

Luxury :Trip to El Cerrito in California to study with Suhaila Salimpour. She organises 5 day sessions throughout the year.--www.suhailaschool.com/

Tribal:

From Letsbellydance :Personality Cloud strappy T--£11.90

Stocking fillers: Bindi packs from Claire's or Superdrug

Must have :

The Tribal Bible by Kajira Djoumahna--£39.50 -- www.pedralta.com/shop/books/012-001.htm

CD choice :Anything by Solace--£13.95-- www.aladdinscave.com/acatalog/EVE04.html

Bit of a Treat : Hair falls from Black Willow--£25 -- www.emmapyke.co.uk/blackwillow.html

Luxury : Tickets to Tribal Ford-- www.faridadance.com/tribal_ford.htm