Belly Dancing for Tax-Funded Events, Do or Don't?

Maybe some of you remember that whole Philadelphia Housing Authority story, where tax-payers ended up footing the bill for a diversity party that included belly dancers.

I don't want to go into the whole controversy (you can check out Dilara's feedback here), but one of the dancers involved in the performance has finally had her say.

To give you some context for this article, here's my paraphrase:

Belly dancers (plus various other acts) performed at a party for an agency. The director of said agency is considered very corrupt, and is facing heat regarding mismanaged funds. This controversy has been referenced in many articles, mostly focusing on the belly dancers as opposed to the other performers. Having been featured (in picture) on many of these articles without credit or permission, one of the dancers in the troupe has commented on an Examiner.com article. The author of that article (Aaron Proctor) responds in an article of his own.

I'm going to skip most of the post, because really, I don't live in the area, and since I'm not a performer, I can't fully understand where she is coming from , but what I do love in her post are these words:

"However, one's job before a show is not arguing politics with your dance director. It's to arrive on time with costume, makeup and props in good order, making sure you're on stage fully in character, and performing to the best of your ability. It seems that I held up my end of the bargain."

Continue reading on Examiner.com

 

She makes a really good point. Dancers aren't responsible for the actions of the venues they perform at, nor should they expect to be held as part of an example for bad behavior when really, they did the job they were paid for. Why should they apologize when they couldn't have known where the money came from?

 

The author of the article makes a good point: "It would be the same thing as if Mayor Nutter had a $5,000 party on your dime and then we all blamed the DJ who was hired." (Thank you, Mr. Proctor, for finally writing that the focus of this issue shouldn't be the belly dancers, but the mismanaged funds).

With that being said, I wanted to ask if any dancers have performed at state/federal agency events before. Would you stop to ask if your payment was tax-funded before performing? Or does that matter?

Since I'm not a performer myself, I really don't have an opinion on the matter. What's yours?

Drinking the Koolaid

So, for a few months now I've been meaning to "get back" to belly dance class.

Ok in the spirit of honesty, I have only taken a few classes.

Ah! I know! I know, I work for HipMix and I've taken one class. I'm a horrible person. Somehow, between watching belly dance, reading about belly dance, and interacting with belly dancers, I thought I was one. Not true. I feel like a band groupie. I'm in with the crowd, but I can't really relate, you know?

They talk about shimmies, hip drops, performances, and the troubles of breaking the stereotype. I'm the eager puppy, nodding my head and pretending to understand. They just sort of smile and pat me on the shoulder. "As if you know..."

But belly dancers are a lot nicer than that. They've been very helpful. And what have I done? I'm mixing the koolaid but I don't drink it*.

Well, I am finally giving back to the community. Not only am I FINALLY taking a belly dance class tomorrow, I've recruited two partners in crime: my coworkers Kaitlyn and Haley!

Plus by putting this in writing, they can't back out. Hear that? YOU CAN'T BACK OUT!

More details coming soon!

*no belly dancers were poisoned in the making of this blog post

Haunting Photos of Too-Thin Models

Taking a break from my regularly scheduled sitcom to bring you this message:

Guys, this photo really haunts me.

From Huffington Post Article

Look at the girl to the right's shoulder bones. You can see her back ribs, her vertebrae. How is this ok?

Move along to the girl on the left. See her prominent clavicle. I'm not saying these girls are unattractive, or that they aren't "naturally" skinny. But you can't airbrush a rib out of a runway walk. So why is this acceptable?

I understand the fashion industry's need for using small models. I've written about it before, and I'll probably write about it again. It makes it easier for displaying clothes on any model around the world with minimal alterations needed. I get it. I still think you need to make your base sample a size 2 or 4, but that's me.

Shouldn't we celebrate the curves of a woman, instead of placing clothes on tall, angular, alien-like creatures who look as if they could fall over at any moment?

Like this belly dancer, doesn't she look so much happier and healthier than the girls above?

Madeline Bingham, Awesome Belly Dancer

 I mean, obviously she is smiling. That's a start. But she looks like she could wear any of the clothes from that runway show and still make them look fantastic.

On a side note, if you know her, let her know she's awesome! She designs the most amazing belly dance costumes, like a wonder woman costume, and some others.

Ok, off my soap box. Hope to bring you the story of how I scare off visitors to our office!

A HipMix.net Life: The Sitcom Begins

I have a bad habit of wanting to explain everything.

I don't know where this idea embedded in my brain that anyone might actually care, but I can't help myself. If you meet me out, I'll probably tell you my life story, embarrassing details & all, in about 5 minutes.

In the spirit of telling more than is natural, I'd like to start a series on "Life at HipMix.net" to show what's it's like working in a small office full of people passionate about Belly Dance. I'm gonna write it like a sitcom because, well, I want to.

Meet the Characters: