Improv Evaluations

General Information & Guidelines
Sa'diyya, a multiple award winning belly dancer, is the producer of this event that is meant to be a fun, supportive and nurturing environment for dancers looking to challenge themselves and grow from the experience.  Performers will receive constructive written feedback that they can apply to their dance training.  It is open for any advanced/professional dancer of any belly dance style.  
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The live music will be provided by Badrawn!  Dancers will know the song list ahead of time, but the actual songs won't be revealed until the dancers step on stage, making it a true improv challenge.

Improvisational dancing is at the heart of belly dance, and all belly dancers should have this ability.  

The only way to get it is to DO IT! 
-Any style of belly dance is accepted. 
-For soloists only.
-All performances and costuming must be family-friendly. 
-Props may be used.
-All performers must be 16 years of age or older.
-Performers do not have to buy a show ticket but if the theater is sold out then there's no way for the dancers to watch the show unless they purchase a ticket.  
​-Performers are not required to take any workshops, although it is encouraged, especially the "Improv Toolkit" workshop!
-All participants authorize the use of photos and video for promotional purposes. 
-Performers will receive more detailed information in an electronic packet after registration.  This will include things like the song list, stag dimensions, arrival time, etc.

How It Works:
1) Pre-register to be in the evaluation lineup.  There is a $40 registration fee that must be prepaid in order to reserve a spot.  Register HERE.
2) Review the list of possible songs below and be familiar with all of them.  Performers will not know the song she/he will be performing to until they step on stage!
3) Invite your family and friends!
4) On the night of the evaluation, performers will draw numbers to determine the order of the performances.
5) Each performer will perform to one of the songs listed below (the songs are shortened to be 3-4 minutes long) immediately followed by a drum solo (approx 1 minute).  
6) Performers will be given the score sheets and written feedback immediately following the conclusion of the show on the same evening.  
7) Order a professional quality video of your performance for $25.  Contact Ben Britt to order your video.

Song list by Badrawn: Listen to Badrawn's music on their YouTube channel HERE.
Nasam Alayna
Bir Demet Yasemen
Rompi Rompi
Al Nadada
Salt
Hadouni Hadouni
Uskudara Gideriken
Lama Bada
Raqs Jamal
Yesilem
Bint EL Shalabiya
Ya Ein Moulayetin
Judging Criteria for Evaluations
In addition to receiving extended written feedback, performers will be evaluated using a scale from 1-5 (5=Spectacular!, 4=Pretty Good, 3=Run of the Mill, 2=Needs Improvement, 1=Focus A Lot In This Area) on the following technical and artistic concepts listed below:

-Entertainment/Performance Skills
-Is there a proper entrance and exit?
-Does the performer engage the audience?
-Can the performer convey different emotions/moods?
-Does the performer keep "character" while performing?

-Musical Interpretation
-Does the performer acknowledge changes in the music?
-Does the performer use a variety of tempos and moods?
-Does the performer show knowledge of rhythms?

-Technical Execution of Movement
-Are the movements clear and isolated?
-Are hands,arms, feet and posture polished-looking?
-Does the performer appear to be fluid and "dancerly"?

-Costuming/Presentation
-Is the costume flattering and appropriate for the style of dance performed?
-Is the costume well-accessorized?
-Does the performer make use of glamorous, stage makeup and hair styling?
Professional Esteemed Judges for Evaluations
Vanessa and I asked our very first instructors of bellydance to be judges with us!  We thought, "What a great way to honor our teachers and the legacy they continue to contribute to the world wide bellydance community!"  Thank you Miabella and Isis!
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Miabella is the owner and primary dance instructor of Fort Worth, Texas’ only belly dance school – Crescent Moon Belly Dance Studio.  She was the first instructor in Texas to be certified by The National Certification Association For Middle Eastern Dance and was certified in the Al Massraweya Program by Faten Salama.   She has studied with many great notables – Aida Nour, Fifi Abdo, Najwa Fouad, Dina, Mona el Said, Faten Salama, Mahmoud Reda, Dr. Mo Geddawi, Amaya, Jamila & Suhaila Salimpour and many more…She is the director of the Crescent Moon Belly Dance Co.  Her troop is in high demand for corporate events and parties and known for their innovative choreography and lively performances.
 
Miabella has been featured on several local television stations, graced the cover of Caravan Magazine and was featured in Zaghareet, Fort Worth magazine, and Texas
Highways magazine.  She was voted “Best Belly Dancer” in the Fort Worth Weekl;y magazine in 2006.
 
She is one of the few belly dancers in the United States who receives standing ovations for her breath-taking sword performance and soulful veil dance.  Her ability to break down the intricate moves as well as her emphasis on smooth transitions makes her one of the most sought after instructors in Texas as well as seminars nationally and internationally.
 
She stays busy performing at weddings, restaurants, seminars, and parties.  When dancing, she believes you should savor the moment…savor the movement – making each movement an “ahhhh movement” and not a “blah movement”.
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Isis Bartlett recognizes the breadth of the cultural community—the importance of arts, folk-life, heritage, historic preservation, and the humanities. She helps makes culture accessible and enhances the lives of those who otherwise would not have the opportunity to participate in cultural activities. She understands that culture offers its communities several intangible benefits. It helps to create a community spirit and develop a comforting “feel of home,” to result in better, more livable communities. A thriving cultural scene is more likely to attract the highly desirable, knowledge-based families that use their intellectual side more than their physical side. Isis places a high value on quality of life to the cultural sector and has become a champion for cultural goals.  Isis Bartlett is known around Texas and the Belly Dancing Community as ‘Isis’ or ‘Isis of Texas.’ She is the owner of several community-based companies that work along side of each other in concert to promote diversity and cultural education. As one of Texas’ most accomplished women in business and in the performing arts arena, Isis proudly holds the following positions:
-Owner of The Isis Academy of Performing Arts Studio in Bedford, Texas, offering group belly dance and cultural dance and drum classes, private lessons, and instructor certifications.
-President of The Isis Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to the preservation of Middle Eastern dance and music. Their latest addition to achieve this goal is the creation and support of The Cultural Dance Team. (with support from Texas Commission on the Arts)
-Executive Editor and Publisher of The Belly Dance Chronicles International Magazine, which she and her husband Del Bartlett started in 2003.
-Owner of Belly Dance Treasures, a flourishing dance and music boutique featuring belly dance and cultural dance costumes, music CDs, belly dance DVDs, musical instruments, and other dance theatre props.
-Owner of Isis Productions, this branch edits and produces the audio/video for the Isis Academy of Performing Arts including the individual dance performance DVDs for students and instructors, The Isis Foundation-sponsored dance event DVDs, and music CDs for studio choreographies. Her instructional videos and belly dance music CDs are top sellers in the marketplace.
-All of the Isis Performing Companies, including The Wings of Isis Professional Performing Company, have won numerous awards for technique and entertainment, both as companies and individuals. A large number of Middle Eastern Dance Teachers in the Metroplex have received their training at the Isis Studios.
Isis has performed for many celebrities. She is a master choreographer whose ideas are energetic and splendidly creative. Her creative style is spontaneous and sensual. Passionate about her work, her life and her dreams, she radiates a bold enthusiasm to everyone she meets. Her natural instinct comes into play when she hears a unique musical composition and begins to create the choreography in her mind then transfers that choreography through dance to her students. Using her entertaining expressions, innovative moves, and brilliant costume designs, her students and audiences are awestruck by her unparalleled skill as an entertainer and master instructor.  Isis celebrates two Lifetime Achievement Awards for Artistic Dance Excellence. Her strong leadership and loving direction is instantly recognized as seen by the unparalleled support of her students, peers, artisans and artisan communities that share her vision. An internationally renowned entertainer, master instructor, choreographer, and dance visionary who has given selflessly for many years to provide a venue for dancers, musicians and performing artists across the United States. 
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Vanessa is an international performing artist, instructor and choreographer.  Vanessa is an on-staff master teacher at the Nile Group Festival in Cairo.  

Living and dancing full time in Egypt since 2008, she is currently contracted at several 5 Star Hotels, notably the Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah.  

​Vanessa has been featured in video clips for Egyptian singers, as well as performing for diplomats and officials, the King of Bahrain, the former president of Lebanon, princes and family royalty from Saudi Arabia.  

Residing in Cairo, she instructs private/group classes in all styles including many of the Egyptian folklore dances.  

Previously based in Sharm El Sheikh, one of Egypt's most prized tourist destinations, Vanessa is believed to be the first American woman to start a production company in Egypt.  

Vanessa Show Productions provides a variety of group dance shows specializing in Egyptian Folklore, Orientale, International and Latin Dance employing dancers from Egypt and all over the world.
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Sa'diyya is an internationally recognized belly dancer based in Dallas, TX.  

​She has been involved in belly dance since 1996 and is an accomplished performer, instructor, choreographer, costume designer and event producer.  

She works as a full time, professional dancer who teaches group and private classes during the week and performs at special events on the weekends.

Sa'diyya also travels nationally and internationally to teach and perform at belly dance events and festivals. 

She is well known for her savvy ability to choreograph in many different styles of belly dance.  Sa'diyya's style of belly dance is dominated by the jazzy American Cabaret style with a heavy influence of Egyptian Raks Sharqi.  

Her solo and troupe performances have won more than 20 awards in national and international belly dance competitions, including Season 2 of "Project Belly Dance, America's Next Top Belly Dancer."  

Sa'diyya now has her own line of downloadable instructional videos that have sold all over the world!  Find out more about "Sa'diyya ONLINE" HERE.  

Sa'diyya has been on a semi-hiatus for almost 2 years because of a long and wonderful journey of trying to become pregnant, getting pregnant and then having a sweet baby girl!  ​​