An Interview with Dahne

You have training in other styles, such as Modern and Ballroom, how did you discover belly dance and how does your previous training come into play?
A fellow bellydancer friend of mine actually suggested bellydance to me during a time when I was looking for a new activity. She gave me some tapes to practice at home and the rest is history. My previous training in Modern and Ballroom dance just adds to my own sense of style when I am performing bellydance. All dances are interconnected through creativity anyway, so I just let whatever comes out when I am performing.

What initially attracted you to this genre of dance and what keeps you interested in it?
I was initially attracted to the earthiness of Middle Eastern dance. I feel grounded when I am dancing. It is a lot like meditation because the central focus is your pelvis and hips which is also where your center lies. This dance keeps me interested because I am learning to dance in ways that we as Westerners don’t learn as children. It excites me and makes me feel accomplished when I can get a muscle to move the way I want it to or execute a move that is particularly difficult. It makes me giddy and I want to learn more.

Which artists, well known or otherwise, have influenced your style?
I have been influenced by Randa Kamel, Tito Seif, Naemet Mokhtar and Naima Akef.

How would you describe your style to someone familiar with belly dance?  To someone unfamiliar?
To someone familiar with belly dance I would say my style is traditional Egyptian Oriental with a theatrical flair. To someone unfamiliar I would say my style is earthy, Middle Eastern traditional dance incorporated with modern dance.

As a member of the Atlanta Raqs community, do you see any opportunities to improve as a whole?
I am pretty new to the community so there is a lot I have to learn about the people in the community. So far, I have heard the usual gossip and stories, but I don’t put much faith in them. I take people and experiences as they come and let people prove themselves to be true. So far everyone has been really kind and supportive of me and I see that extends to most in the community. There is always a drama queen or a pot stirrer anywhere you go so I just stay away from those people.

What do you love most about the Atlanta Raqs community?
I love how supportive and loving everyone is. It is hard for me to put myself out there both as an artist and as an individual. It feels really good that there are people in the community who have reached out to me in support of my dance and to just be friends. It means a lot to an introvert like myself.

What separates a great performance from a good performance?
A good performance is one that makes you happy you saw it and piques your interest enough to want to see more of it. It’s aesthetically pleasing but not soul stirring.

A great performance is one that stirs your soul, contracts your muscles and leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat captivated. It makes you jump up, zhagareet and leaves you wanting to know who, what, when, why and how can I learn about this??! It leaves such an impression you can’t help but want to talk about it and relive it with others.

Do you recall when you were most nervous about a performance? When you were most confident? What is the best way for a dancer to achieve confidence?
I have stage fright so I am always a nervous wreck. However the worse so far was when I decided to dance a beledi for Ranya Renee when she was hosted by Samora. I learned how to dance beledi from Ranya’s beledi CD so I wanted to make sure it was special.

As for confidence, I am never confident when going to the stage. I always think I am going to suck. I just get up there and do what my body and heart tell me to do. Whatever happens, happens. I am always shocked when I get a good response or review, but then I am my own worse critic-so far.

I think the best way for a dancer to achieve confidence is to just do the best she/he can. If the dancer knows the music, has taken pride in his/her appearance and is dancing for pure enjoyment, then confidence will come naturally. By the way, I am much better at giving advice than taking my own so it may be best to find an egomaniac and ask them the same question.

What inspires you when you’re choreographing a number?
I don’t use choreography that much. Choreography goes right out of my mind as soon as I hit the stage, which is why I try not to do too many group numbers. I use a few choice moves for certain sequences in the music, but the rest is all improvisation. The music inspires me and tells me what to do. I find choreography limiting at times and I chose to be in the moment by letting creation happen while I dance.

What is one piece of advice would you give a new belly dancer? One word of warning?
Don’t worry about how your body looks. We are all imperfectly perfect and built the way we are suppose to be. Your body is your spirit in motion. If you allow your spirit to be free in this dance and in life, then you will always be beautiful.

A word of warning: Don’t get into the habit of gossip or criticism. Negativity will only backfire and help you make more enemies than friends. Maintain your dignity and grace by not participating in such activities.

What’s getting play lately on your iPod?
The same songs I have had on there for years now. It is a combination of 80’s, 90’s and current music that I use to workout at the gym. I have some P-Funk, The Killers, 50 Cents, KC and the Sunshine Band and Prince. All kinds of weird combinations are on there.

What’s the last thing you do before you take the stage?
Take a really, really deep breath.

Where do you see the Atlanta Raqs community in 3 years and what role – specific or general – will you have played in the evolution?
I think the Atlanta Raqs community will continue to grow in the next 3 years. Black Orchid Danse Festival started here and has gone on to become such a success that it will be nice to see the start of more events of that caliber. I hope to continue to have a role as critic, writer, reviewer and supporter of the community as much as I can. I want to educate audiences about this craft and assist this community that has continued to bring me much joy these past few years.

Where and how often do you rehearse/practice?
I am a bit of a slacker so I really don’t rehearse or practice until I have a gig lined up. Even then I tend to procrastinate and stress myself out up until the actually performance. No wonder I have stage fright huh? I do take classes on a regular basis, weekly if I can and I attend workshops at least every few months to stay educated and abreast of different styles. In a way I practice all the time because even when I am idle or going about my day, I always find an opportunity to shimmy.