Performance Games - Improvisation!The Heart of BellydanceThe wisdom of bellydance calls a dancer to be ripe with the miracle of love and the mystery of life. There is a definite form to bellydance (born of sacred shapes), but it is innate, rather than logical. It calls forth emotion, sensitivity, and instinct, rather than thought and commentary. Hence, the heart of bellydance pulses pure and powerful through improvisation. The dancers' ability to surrender to the bodies, spirits and space that constitute "The Moment" is a never-ending journey.
photo by nikoretro
Within this framework of unpredictability and suggestion, comes an excitement and fascination that gives rise to joy and fulfilment in both dancer and audience (if there is one). That is how bellydance stimulates health and healing.
Let's Play with Bellydance!
photo by bandita Soft light, pillows, incense, refreshments and merry friends. Ah, it's a perfect space to get playful with bellydance!
You're gathered with dancers, and many of them like to 'play' and improvise with dance. It may be fun to incorporate some performance games to inspire spontaneity. The games aim to stretch the comfort zone of the dancer and create a certain intimacy that only comes when you live 'in the moment'.
Performance Games - Your Turn!
photo by D.L.
Volunteers put names in a basket (bucket, hat, etc.). When a name is drawn, it is their time to share a dance. Music is their choice or live-band choice, or random.
RANDOM MUSIC
A volunteer draws a song/piece from a random selection of music, or one is drawn by the host/hostess. Ideally, it is a song they have not heard before. The dancer proceeds to 'wing it' and 'shake it'.
DANCER'S CHALLENGE
Find a piece of music that has obscure rhythms, or choose a piece from a different genre or culture(ie. rock, classical, etc.). Let the dancer hear it once (or not), and then perform to it "on the spot".
PROP CHALLENGE
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