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WORKSHOPS/LIVE
SHOWS
Recent:
 May 2006: Neena & Veena performed at Mariska Hargitay's baby shower. Mariska is an actress on Law & Order. The shower was put on by Joely Fisher, actress on the new show, 'Til Death, with Brad Garrett. A celeb-filled event to remember!
Upcoming:
August 25, 26, 27, 2006: "Hooray for Bollywood" Bollywood dance revue show featuring over 40 dancers. Alex Theater, Glendale, CA.
 October 27-29, 2006: (Toronto) Neena & Veena speak
at the "I Can Do It" seminar to promote their
new book, "The
Way of the Belly." For
more info, visit
here.
FILM / TELEVISION / INTERNET
"Last Comic Standing" featuring Neena & Veena
"The Janice Dickenson Project" Neena & Veena teach belly dance at a model boot camp!
"Cisco" webisodes. (Internet commercial – July)
MAGAZINES / NEWSPAPERS
AMERICAN WAY (July 1st issue): In-flight magazine for American Airlines.
 Book
Us View
our Demo Reel Dance
Company |
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BELLY POTPOURRI:
Here's a quick way to have personal potpourri for each of your own costumes! Create several little sachets (cloth "pillows") by taking your favorite cloth or silk fabric, cut them into squares, and put a variety of slightly crushed rose petals and a few drops of rose oil (or your your favorite potpourri) inside them. Fold the corners inward and rubber band them to create a little "bag." Take a fancy ribbon to "cover" the rubber band and to hang them wherever you want - with your costumes and veils. Make a variety of sachets: try different fabrics to match your costumes. Or scents to match your mood.
You can also put the sachets in the drawers of your workout wear. When you're traveling, put them in your suitcase. We love to do this when we go to India or the Middle East. Almost anything from your garden can be used to make an aromatic potpourri mixture, from dried petals of flowers to cinnamon sticks or orange peels. Some flowers that are especially good to use in potpourri are carnations, hibiscus, violets, sunflowers, and lavender. Many of the herbs that also work well in potpourri are chamomile, lavender, thyme, sage and rosemary. Eucalyptus leaves are also a nice addition to any potpourri. But experiment, and find your own belly aroma!
More beauty tips available in our new book "The
Way of the Belly"
Get
More Belly-Tip |
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BELLY ARTICLE:
MEN & BELLY DANCE
The very concept of men performing belly dance can stir a controversy. We've always been active in trying to dispel the various myths and stereotypes which prevent the art from receiving the recognition it deserves for women. But there is still an important area which has been consistently overlooked: the role of men.
Men are a refreshing addition to belly dance. Choreography for a dance routine can be enhanced with a male dancer. Some men tend to make every move strong and masculine while others may move exactly the same as women do. Whether you are male or female, everyone has their own style. Reasons men are belly dancing these days include fascination with Egyptian music, a great way to work out, and yes, a perfect opportunity to meet lots of beautiful women! Belly dance is a delightful experience that can easily be shared by both sexes. While their interpretations may vary, there is no doubt that they dance with the same enthusiasm and passion.
DID
YOU KNOW?
Belady (Beladi or Balady) means "my country" or "home town" in Arabic. Raks Baladi means "dance of the people."
BELLY WEDDINGS:
June is a favorite month for love ones to "tie the knot." More and more non-Egyptians couples are incorporating the traditional Egyptian wedding procession, which is called Zeffa. This is where the bride and groom are brought to the wedding party or reception led by one or more candelabra dancers and live musicians. The candelabra or shemadan is balanced on top of their heads with lit candles as they move to a somewhat slow-paced rhythm: Dum tata tak tak dum tak tak.
Shemadan dancing as part of the Egyptian zeffa began in the early 20th century. Prior to that time, the illumination was provided only by special three foot long decorated wedding candles and by lanterns held by members of the wedding procession. The special wedding candles remain a part of the wedding zeffa to this day.
One of our favorite songs to perform a shemadan is Zeina. The song is available on Bellydance Fantasy.
BELLY MUSIC
Instruments:
The Egyptian tabla or tabla (not to be confused with the Indian tabla) is also known as darbukkah or dumbak. This single-headed hand-drum found in most Arab music ensembles. The goblet-shaped body was traditionally made out of fired clay, and the sounding head was made of goat or calf skin, or fish skin (more expensive), which was stretched and glued permanently on the body. In the past 20 years, an instrument with mylar head and a cast iron body with modifiable skin tension has become the norm. Many Egyptian tablas are intricately decorated, some with wood, tile or bone inlay, etched metal, or paintings of geometric or other designs typically found in the Near East.
The drummer can produce a great variety of sounds using both hands, but we will concentrate on two sounds. The right (or dominate) hand strikes the tabla at the center of the skin to produce the dum, resonating lower tone or the slap muted dum. On the edge of the tabla will produce the tek, a high, crisp tone. The fingers of the left hand can strike close to the circumference for the various fillers. Syncopated rhythms and rolls are also common.
BELLY RHYTHM
The most common rhythm in Arabic belly dance music is maqsoum or belady as many belly dancers call it. Here’s a simplified version:
Dum | dum | space | tek | dum | space | tek | space
1 |& |2 | & |3 | & |4 | &
Adapted from "The
Way of the Belly"
WORLD
FESTIVALS & CELEBRATIONS
Madaraka Day:
June 1st. A holiday to mark the anniversary of Kenya's self-government.
Queensland Day:
June 6th. Celebrating the history and development of Australia. The date marks the anniversary of Australia's birth as a self governing nation.
Flag Day:
June 14th. A day for Americans to show respect for the flag which stands for independence and unity as a nation.
Father’s Day:
June 18th. A day dedicated to Dad! Time set aside to show your love and appreciation for your dad.
Summer Solstice:
June 21st. Officially the first day of summer, daytime is at a maximum and nighttime is at a minimum. Recognized as Midsummer, Thing-Tide, Gathering Day, Vestalia, and many more this special day is recognized in one way or another by a majority of religions world wide.
Information
adapted from The
Holiday Spot
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HAPPENINGS
By James M. Daley
 As the Director of Development and Production, I want to welcome the loyal fans of Neena & Veena to a new feature that I will be writing every month in the newsletter. "From the Development Desk" is my way of letting you what's going on here at Bellytwins Productions. So, lets kick it off with...
The Way of the Party
 Neena & Veena had a blast at their book launch party for "The Way of the Belly" on May 11th. The party was held at the hottest new club in Hollywood "The Day After." Delicious organic food (many from their own recipes), open bar, great live Arabic music and, of course, the awesome entertainment by the twins and their dance company. The room was filled with fortunetellers, henna artists, magicians, sword shallower, snakes, fire-eaters and many of Hollywood’s movers and shakers. It was really great to see the twins hang out with many of their close friends and enjoying the success of their book. The night ended with MTV’s DJ Skribble. You can also see more photos of the party in 944 magazines on newsstands or order a copy on-line.
East Side story...
 Bellytwins Productions presents "Hooray for Bollywood!" A broadway-style musical/dance revue, with a Bollywood twist. We'll be featuring performances by Neena & Veena, their dance company, and breathtaking costumes and sets. It has a limited engagement run at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. Shows will be playing Aug 25 (Friday), Aug 26 (Saturday), Aug 27 (Sunday). Tickets will go on sale in July. Download pdf flyer from Bellytwins.com
Strike a Belly Pose...
The twins just recently worked with reality show producer Stuart Krasnow (Average Joe, Manhunt, and Cold Turkey) on his newest project for the Oxygen network, "The Janice Dickinson Show." Neena & Veena did a little "model boot camp" belly dance training (both male and female models) and showed them a few belly moves to help them loosen up before their runway show at Virgin Mega store. Their episode also unveils the limited edition Bellytwins "whites series" workout tee shirt, which will be available soon on the website! Airdate: TBD |
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Cool-as-a-cucumber Mediterranean Salad
(A cool vegetarian favorite in the Middle East!)
Ingredients:
2 cups, plain goat milk yogurt
2 whole cucumbers (preferably organic and refrigerated)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup fresh mint (chopped)
1/3 cup flat leaf parsley (chopped)
Extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt (to taste)
Fresh ground pepper (to taste)
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Pinch of ground ginger (to taste)
Pinch of ground fenugreek (to taste)
Pita bread
Directions:
Peel cucumbers and thinly slice them. Crush garlic into paste, and stir in yogurt. Add cucumbers, parsley, mint, and spices. Drizzle with olive oil. Serve onto cold plates (optional) with pita bread.
Chocolate Nutty Smoothies
(Cool, refreshing, and very high in anti-oxidant! Great alternative to a chocolate shake.)
Ingredients:
1 whole banana (preferably organic)
2 cups almond milk
2 teaspoons raw chocolate (powdered)
¼ tsp (or to taste) of muscavo or raw sugar
Sliced or slivered almonds
Fresh mint (optional)
Nutmeg (optional)
Iced cubes
Directions:
Blend all ingredients in high speed blender. Pour into 2 glasses. Sprinkle a dash of nutmeg. Top with almonds and one fresh mint leaf.
Got
a great recipe? Share it with
us! |
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Gorgeous Yoga Vacation
June 23rd - June 27th
Elixir de Careyes, Mexico and yoga inspires creativity and renews body & mind.www.elixirdecareyes.com/yoga
Treat yourself today.
Come with us and embrace your love for life!
Sign up today! Ask us about our sale! Only a few spaces left!
For more info, contact Kelly Wood
Phone:
323-665-6242
Email: kwood@karunayoga.net |
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The
Way of the Belly
Neena & Veena are excited to announce their
new book, "The
Way of the Belly" - Order now!
BELLY
LETTERS
Dear Neena and Veena,
Thank you so much for your wonderful belly dance DVDs. They have helped me so much! I love the way you teach and make everything so easy to learn. I have
been belly dancing for a while and there isn't anyone out there that has better instructional DVDs. You have inspired me and helped raise my self confidence. I have recently purchased an authentic belly dance costume and will be performing for a large family reunion. Thank you both so much for your teaching and support. Thank you for helping me and many other women to discover the dancer inside ourselves!
Your friend,
~*Brittany*~
Camden, South Carolina
Dear Neena and Veena,
I just wanted to give you my sincere appreciation for having such wonderful products. You have really inspired me to try to 'return to my old self' but better. I thought the good news I would have for you would simply be that I have burned off almost 40 pounds plus 9 belly inches since receiving Indi-Hop and Core Conditioning in Jan, but there's more. I just learned that in the individuals category for weight loss in the 'Lighten Up Louisiana' competition, I am the top winner this year in the entire state! Just wait until the competition officials find out that most of that weight loss came from bellydancing!
I have been enchanted by belly dance since my introduction to it with your Arms and Abs video a few years ago, but things interrupted my studies of the art form. Since the recent natural disasters in Louisiana, I have been determined to try to literally reach my belly goals.
I knew the new DVDs would be wonderful because you have always produced very comprehensive and FUN workouts.
I won't name names but I've noticed some other artists whose DVDs seem to concentrate on just showcasing them without worrying about whether or not the workout is effective. Your workouts demand effectiveness, and it's a nice touch that you mention which muscle areas are being sculpted - very high quality.
I have about 4 more belly inches and 20 pounds to lose, but I know I'll get there thanks to you! Please keep on creating more wonderful workouts and thanks again!
Yours truly from an extremely satisfied customer,
Laryssa Dright
Dear Neena and Veena,
I've been studying bellydance from "Discover Bellydance" and most recently, "Core Conditioning." and I've decided to do alittle dance for my husband this father's day. I'll let you know how it goes!
Thanks for the help,
Kirsten Patrick
Eugene, OR
 Send us your letters... We would love to hear from you!
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CLASSIC HIP DROPS:
A common belly dance movement for the maqsom rhythm is the classic hip drops.
Start by standing the right foot in front of the left (the right foot toe pointed), and lift the right hip upwards by contracting the right side of the obliques and then release the hips downwards, keeping the standing knee slightly bent. Lift the hip and drop the hip. With the maqsoum rhythm, try dropping the hip on the DUM, and lifting the hip on the TEK. Great! Try the other side. Remember to keep your inner thighs together, the weight on the back leg, and most of all, have fun!
Hip drops are featured in Discover Belly dance (Basic Dance) and Bellydance Core Conditioning.
Visit Here for more info
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"Getting to know you… getting to know all about you..."
When
someone asks "what's your sign?" - they really
mean your Sun Sign, which represents your direction
and focus. It is the sign of the zodiac that
the Sun was in at the time of your birth. The
Sun rules willpower and ego.
This month is Gemini
(May 22nd to June 21st)
Birthstone: Pearl
Flower: Rose
Gemini, the sign of the Twins, is dual-natured, elusive, complex and contradictory. On the one hand it produces the virtue of versatility, and on the other the vices of two-facedness and flightiness. The sign is linked with Mercury, the planet of childhood and youth, and its subjects tend to have the graces and faults of the young. Most Gemini have a keen, intuitive, sometimes brilliant intelligence and they love cerebral challenges. They are affectionate, courteous, kind, generous, and thoughtful towards the poor and suffering. However, they take up new activities enthusiastically but lack application, constantly needing new interests, flitting from project to project as apparently purposelessly as a butterfly dancing from flower to flower. To them life is a game which must always be full of fresh moves and continuous entertainment, free of labor and routine. Changing horses in the middle of the stream is another small quirk in the Gemini personality which makes decision making, and sticking to a decision, particularly hard for them.
(Information adapted from www.astrology-online.com)
DANCE & FITNESS / GEMINI:
Geminians need to be constantly inspired to work-out and commit to a fitness regime. One type of physical activity will bore them, and they may lose interest in working out all together, so they prefer to switch up their routines frequently. Geminians love belly dance because of it’s variety in movements, music, and costumes. Often, they will add props to their dance routines when performing - again because of the variety. The Gemini dancers are also often good instructors because they can relate to many types of personalities in their dance classes. For our sweat-loving Geminian dance and yoga students, Indi-Hop dvd offers a vigorous, fun, and unique alternative to running and/or hiking. For the pure belly dance enthusiasts, Core Conditioning contains variety in belly dance workout movements - however, the "twin" in them switch enjoy working out to both styles.
Celebrity B-days in June:
Alanis Morissette, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, Noah Wyle, Prince, Jenny Jones, Tom Jones, Dana Carvey, Joan Rivers, Kanya West, Natalie Portman, Johnny Depp, Michael J. Fox, Courtney Cox, Barry Manilow, Paul McCartney, Donald Trump, The Olsen twins, Paula Abdul, Carson Daly, Meryl Streep, Chris Isaak, Mike Tyson.
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  Dear Twins,
How young is too young for a girl to belly dance. My daughter is 8 years old and she gets excited when I dance but, my mom feels she is too young to learn the dance.
Sincerely,
Kendra Colon
 Dear Kendra,
It's never too early (or too late) to belly dance - or any other style of dance. At family gatherings, we always saw little girls as young as 3 or 4 belly dancing. Unless dancing is against your own religious or personal beliefs, kids shouldn’t be deprived of something that makes them happy.
Best Belly Wishes,
–
Neena & Veena
Ask
the Twins a Question |
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June
2006
TOUCH
