Frequently Asked Questions
What do I wear to class? Do I wear shoes or is it ok to go barefoot?
Wear comfortable clothes, suitable for a good workout. Many women wear yoga pants, a form-fitting t-shirt or sports bra and a hip scarf. You are not required to expose your belly; however, belly dance is accepting of women of all shapes and sizes, therefore there is no reason to feel self conscious. Most women dance barefoot, but dance shoes are ok too.
Where do I get a hip scarf to wear in class or belly dance music to practice at home?
Check out Viva Belly Dance. You can find a variety of items for belly dance practice and performance here like Hip Scarves , Silk Veils , Finger Cymbals , Swords , Canes , Dance Shoes , Yoga & Dance Pants , DVD’s, Books and CD’s.
Where can I see a belly dance show in Dallas?
The ladies of ABDE perform regularly at area restaurants around town. Check out the website for the latest and greatest calendar.
http://belly-dancing.net/calendar/
I want to perform! How can I get into that scene?
Practice and dedication! Beginners are welcome to show off their shimmies at our monthly hafla at Stratos Greek Taverna and House of Blues! Harem Nite is an open forum for dancers- beginners to professionals alike. It is a supportive environment, and all students are encouraged to perform with their class when they feel ready. Check out our website for more information.
http://belly-dancing.net/about/harem-nite/
Resources for Beginner Belly Dancers
Little Egypt
http://www.littleegypt.com/costumes.htm
Located in Garland, you can find costumes, props, hip scarves (and much more)
Shira.net
A popular web site dedicated to Middle Eastern music, dance, and culture! This site offers over 1,000 articles related to belly dancing: historical & cultural information, poetry, translated song lyrics, tips & tricks.
Dance Names
http://www.bdancer.com/med-guide/names/fnames.html
It’s a good idea for performing belly dancers to have a dance name. This site has many appropriate Middle Eastern names to choose from.
Forums – BellyDanceForums.net
http://www.bellydanceforums.net/
Forums and more – Bhuz.com
Belly Dance Classifieds
http://BellyDanceClassifieds.com
If you are ready to buy your first costume, save money and check this site out first before buying a new costume from a retailer or vendor. BDC is a website dedicated to the Belly Dance Community where dancers can buy & sell pre-owned costumes and props.
