Tips for a successful show

Music, the structure 

by Amani

The Main goal of a dancer - teacher or a performer is to be famous.

Amani of Lebanon 

Being famous or a public figure doesn’t mean always “success”, sometimes repeated scandals would make someone renowned. A similar renowned person get eclipsed the first he stopped his scandals. If he would persist on the same path, he would be considered a low standard person.

While in art, a successful artist means a person loved and admired by the mass of people for his art or who has a large popularity and followers.

Samia Gamal

Success is everybody’s goal.
However the best book sellers are the one who hypothetically supposed to guide you to a wealthy successful life. I believe, there are few things or goals that we can achieve ourselves with hard work, and on the contrary, lot of things that we cannot even reach whatever we do.  This is what I believe called “destiny. No one has any factual explanation, why someone is successful or rich and someone is not.

Lately, I have been receiving many emails asking some particular advices that I thought to put them on a few installments.  Hope they will be resourceful for all dancers

Music selection tips for a successful show structure (for solo dancers)

The main goal of a solo dancer-performer is to capture the audience attention the first she enters on stage and to preserve a strong subtle contact with the gallery

There are many factors that a dancer can work on for her success.  It is a scale built of a correlative steps attached one to another.

Step one is our subject: The show structure for a successful dance routine

Generally speaking, the music selection of a dance show routine, whether is for a cabaret show or a restaurant or a theater, makes a fundamental structure of the dancer’s impact on stage and a main factor for people’s attraction!

This could be surprising!

Most of the dancers are considering that choreography and some athletic movements and tricks are the one and only factors for a best entertainment!

Elegance

Yes, choreography is one of the main factors but also your choice of music plays a main factor that is primary and prior to the choreography! A choreography is a music interpretation.

Imagine a dancer swaying on a music that is not attractive. The audience will be watching her for few minutes than they will turn their sight away feeling like tiresome… While, watching a regular dancer interplaying professionally on a beautiful melody or various rhythms, keeps them tide in a subtle attraction till the end of her presentation.  However the choreography of the dancer would be classical or regular, audience will be reacting to the music too.   

If the audience are Arabs, or acquainted to Arabic music, they will enjoy the music and your dance at the same time. If the audience are at their first Oriental dance show, they will not be frustrated, on the contrary they will enjoy the music and the dance.   

Furthermore, beautiful music urges for inventing beautiful choreography.

 

Amani dancing 

Some notes to add:

         1.   Should you take into consideration that beautiful music are not all compatible for dancing, some are made only for listening

      2.  Choose the music you love BUT the most important is that you should NOT forget to choose the music the attendees love as well.

General music selection for a dance show routine: A dance show routine differs from a cabaret to a restaurant to a theatre or to a wedding. Each has a different perspective, different mood and different audience and sometimes different format. A dancer should know how to manage her routine according to each place.   

I borne through my long expertise in dance how to connect with people whatever the origin of the audience is : Arabs or not, acquainted to Arabic music and dance or not, therefore what is compatible with the majority of the audience at different places and occasions:

Amani Shamadan on the head and Sagat in the fingers

1. The first music, called “ Mise en scene”, is a French term for the entrance dance ( the first music and the first dance that a dancer would use to enter on stage ). This term is frequently known by a misspelled word “ Mejance” . Make sure to choose a rich and active dance, it is the first impression the audience will have on you. They will be observing your costume, your hair, your turns and all different details. Make sure to be just perfect.
2. If your previous dance came perfect, then, the audience are now in to the dance mood and  they are excited for the next.  Therefore, the second dance should display the best authentic dance (Oriental of course) you have. Choose the medium speed of oriental rhythms, a classical oriental music that boast your talent and highlight your dance and give the space for the attendees to appreciate your art. Medium speed varies from Moderato to Allegretto and Allegro moderato  
3. On your choice and/or depend on where the dance is taken place:

a. Some “takasim” can be integrated if you are on a stage with appropriate lighting. Avoid being boring by make it short. You can extend it if you are in a cabaret. Skip it if you are dancing in a restaurant or at a wedding

b. You might add instead of “takasim” some beautiful Classical “Tarab” music with low speed (I am using “Tarab” term according to the concept that has spread among “oriental dance communities” around the world, “Tarab” is more wide though)   BUT Choose what is easy to listen to. Skip it if the audiences are not Arabs or at a wedding

c. Another choice, it is the perfect time for an oriental dance (not folklore) with a prop.

Samia Gamal, a shade of beauty

4. Change the mood of music and enter with a new style, like any kind of folkloric costume and dance: Lebanese, Egyptian, Kaleegy, etc... Of course music rhythm should be active and thrill the soul. If it is quite possible for you, changing your dance costume is required.
5. After that, a selection of music hit (old or/and new) to enjoy the audience. Be happy and make them happy. You can have a variety of dances and add some tricks to enjoy their sights
6. As a final dance I prefer to end my dance show with solo table or percussions that help the  dancer to boast off her talent by challenging her body vs rhythms.

If your dance show would not exceed 20 minutes as a time length, therefore select the 1, 2, 4, and 6 or 1, 2, 5 and 6 (4 pieces of music) would be enough.  If less than 20 minutes therefore choose any 2 dances that are different in styles.

At the End, nothing last but the memories. Try to offer an unforgettable shade of beauty; make sure to avoid all movements that disgrace your image and try to reap, with your beautiful elegant dance, the respect of the audience. Leave an impressive impact on them.

Amani 25/08/2016

Beirut / Lebanon
Amended by Audrey Doherty

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