I decided even before I left Canada, that I wanted to put a lot of focus into dancing when I came to Israel. To help realize this goal, I packed one of the two pieces of luggage I brought with costumes only! How's that for self-actualization?
Since I've been here, things have been st… Continue
Added by Meaghan Shields on June 25, 2009 at 5:45pm —
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If pressured to say, I would easily call Sera my favorite dancer right now. I have loved her video (many times over) of her troupe Solstice at Tribal Fest 7. It's a definite keeper.
I have recently had the pleasure of viewing their new work from TB 09, and frankly, this is the really good shit. Storytelling, mime, musicality to the teeth, and some damn cool moves. Excellent dancers all around, especially Sera the mastermind behind the body work.
Get ready to experience some truly… Continue
Added by Meaghan Shields on May 26, 2009 at 3:26pm —
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Departure Fête: A Celebration of Dance, Music, Love & Travel
SUNDAY, JULY 27 @ The TRANZAC • Doors @ 7:30PM • Show @ 8PM • $10
MULTI MEDIA GOODBYE PARTY!!!!!
With a mere 2 weeks left in this timezone, Meaghan Shields & Yotam Be'eri extend an invite of epic proportions… Continue
Added by Meaghan Shields on July 22, 2008 at 12:46pm —
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SATURDAY, JUNE 14 ~ Three great events to choose from... or come join us for ALL!#1: RM2 @ Luminat'eau
Join Roula Said & The Roulettes:RM2 (featuring Mayada & Meaghan Shields) as they provide a refreshing take on bellydance at the 2008 Luminato Festival of Arts & Creativity. RM2 will deliver two performance and workshop presentations as part of Luminat'eau: Carnival H2O, giving focus to the delicious fluidity of bellydance. This weekend-long water carnival transforms… Continue
Added by Meaghan Shields on June 13, 2008 at 10:46am —
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I am posting this for use by the Om Laila Troupe, my Level II class and anyone else who it might be of interest to.
Music Agri Dagindan Uctum by Turku
Choreography by Meaghan Shields
02 -Agri Dagindan Uctum.mp3… Continue
Added by Meaghan Shields on June 7, 2008 at 1:49pm —
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FUNKaBELLY June 14
Forbidden Flowers: A Full Bloom FUNKaBELLY
Hosted by our Mistress of Shimmies Roula Said
http://www.roulasaid.ca
http://www.omlaila.com
Special Guest DJ Billy Bryans!
http://www.misterbryans.com/
Warm-Up Mini-Class @ 9:00pm
Dance Party @ 9:30pm
$10 @ th… Continue
Added by Meaghan Shields on June 6, 2008 at 9:23am —
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It is with great pleasure that I finally sit down and pen a few things about the recent International Bellydance Conference of Canada that went down in Toronto April 23-27, 2008.
Overall, it was a truly amazing experience, with a bevy of diverse offerings both in the workshops and the performances. Internationally-renowned artists from around the world descended on the Hungarian Cultural Centre to fill their eyes, ears, bodies (and closets:) with the beauty that is bellydance.
I received somet… Continue
Added by Meaghan Shields on May 30, 2008 at 1:50am —
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Musicality, in my opinion, is integral to dancing from a place of grounding and authenticity. This is true in all dance forms, and most certainly in bellydance.
This video of Nour, a popular Russian dancer in Cairo, exemplifies channeling the music and having it serve as a source of inspiration for movement.
Watch and learn!
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Added by Meaghan Shields on May 22, 2008 at 12:14am —
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I found this great group on MySpace called Black Mirror and am absolutely loving it.
Call me old fashioned, but I find something deliciously texturally appealing about vintage music.
Enjoy it here. Continue
Added by Meaghan Shields on March 15, 2008 at 12:53am —
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In preparation for the piece I am performing at the upcoming FUNKaBELLY (March 8!! WOO-HOO!!! www.funkabelly.com) I have been watching the iconic Egyptian greats to see how it is done best :)
Nagwa Fouad
Suheir Zakhi… Continue
Added by Meaghan Shields on February 27, 2008 at 11:55pm —
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My students have been asking me for music recommendations lately. Here are my long awaited suggestions:
Turku, Nomads of the Silk Road (cool American Tribal stuff)
Raquy & The Cavemen, Naked (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE second track Missr!)
Fatme Serhan, Best of Saidi (fun music with a lot of earthiness to it)
Tabla Beat Science, Tala Matrix (this is definitely Indian-fusion music, but I dig it)
Amy Winehouse, Back to Black (call me a sellout, but I love it!)
Saad El… Continue
Added by Meaghan Shields on February 25, 2008 at 11:04pm —
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Wow, so it's been a long time since I've done a move of the week, so here goes!
Undulate/Reverse Undulate on a See-Saw Step:
-moving laterally to the right, step right foot front on reverse undulation, leave chest elevated (in preparation for undulation)
-catch-up with left foot, step right back on undulation
-repeat, repeat, repeat!!!
Variation:
-take the undulation & reverse undulation on a diagonal Continue
Added by Meaghan Shields on February 25, 2008 at 10:42pm —
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This past Monday, I took a weight-lifting class with my mom at her gym. It's called Body Pump, and is offered at Good Life as well. It basically involves doing various barbell repetitions, targeting the major muscle groups, all set to intensely bad music. But, a good workout nonetheless.
As I went through the rowing moves, the bicep crunches, the tricep curls ("to the brain! to the bottom bra-line!") I found myself gravitating into my dance stance; opening the soles of my feet,… Continue
LOVE LOVE LOVE this video. Phenomenal lead dancer (http://www.seradance.com), smart choreography and kick-ass music. It's 9 and a half minutes, but watch the whole thing! You won't regret it...
This is why I love Soheir Zaki. Despite the rather distracting 70's film techniques used in this clip, her finely articulated hip work is really well depicted and her sweet sauciness is oh so alluring.
Om Laila closed it's doors for the rest of the year on Sunday (to re-open on Jan. 7 YAY!) so I am taking every opportunity I can this week to be a student and take classes at other studios. I have been craving the chance to take a back seat in a class, and dissolve into the glorious anonymity of being a participant, as opposed to being the leader. Not that I don't love teaching. I truly do! But even teacher's need their wells filled sometimes, and I am certainly due for an infusion of som… Continue
Added by Meaghan Shields on December 19, 2007 at 12:09pm —
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I have made reservations at Myth for 8:30pm for tomorrow's Om Laila Night Out... the res is under my name, and the table will most likely be up on the balcony... I made it for the 8 people who rsvp'd to me. FYI, cover is $10...
Sunday, December 9 is the last Layali bash of the year and will be a blast. It's at Myth on the Danforth and features an amazing 8-piece Arabic band, and will feature a soloist doing two sets of improv. It's a lot of fun and there is ample opportunity for gettin' up and showing your moves!
I'd like to make a reservation sooner rather than later as it will probably be pretty packed… Continue
