http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd?format=rss Tribe.net. Local Connections http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#9ebb28c2-1993-4010-b5d6-774285c5f375 i've had these for years... actually i'm not a bellydancer but a sambista... i've trained for years barefoot and love it... however this is going to call for something else... as you know, its A LOT of intricate footwork and swivelling... combined with african... these are the shoes i just started my flamenco in (althouth they aren't real flamenco shoes) Thu, 01 Jul 2004 20:14:05 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#9ebb28c2-1993-4010-b5d6-774285c5f375 ~M 2004-07-01T20:14:05Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#ba9f9022-e511-456c-b3bf-553c2faaecdd although I reccommend NOT standing in the embers of the burnt man in your good shoes! I totally melted one of mine a bit... Thu, 01 Jul 2004 19:45:41 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#ba9f9022-e511-456c-b3bf-553c2faaecdd Happy Mel 2004-07-01T19:45:41Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#14fd32bd-cece-4da3-8284-45e49f5543bc that's why I asked if it's part of her usual thing... I know that if *I* put on a pair of tall shoes and tried to dance, I wouldn't be able to duplicate my normal style, if I could dance at all... but I've never done any cabaret, so there you go. I have a pair of heeled dance shoes... I wear them with a lot of my non-belly costumes, and recently out to a club as you suggested... I totally agree :) Thu, 01 Jul 2004 19:45:02 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#14fd32bd-cece-4da3-8284-45e49f5543bc Happy Mel 2004-07-01T19:45:02Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#aa4162f6-0083-4591-8b04-8cf4abc91225 ""dude, 1.5 inch square? that will be fine as far as playa goes, but will significantly affect the style and feel of your dance. Do you always dance in heels? "" They sound like character shoes or something similar. I've danced in those for both belly (cabaret) and non-belly dance performances. I actually like them a great deal, and one of my Broadway choreographers had the best advice--find a stylish pair of dance shoes you like and wear thsoe out to clubs and stuff. they're specially designed to dance in and be comfortable and support your feet. They're great to wear for hours dancing. ...This PSA brought to you by Ivy and her crazy smartass choreographer... Thu, 01 Jul 2004 19:22:43 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#aa4162f6-0083-4591-8b04-8cf4abc91225 Ivy 2004-07-01T19:22:43Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#d918e2d6-7de6-4b4c-9a3f-3b710d660035 dude, 1.5 inch square? that will be fine as far as playa goes, but will significantly affect the style and feel of your dance. Do you always dance in heels? as for the barefoot thing, I frequently go au naturale out there... but after a while (30 minutes, 5 hours... it varies) my feet start to feel... playatized... and I find a tub to wash and soak them in for a while before applying lotion, clean socks, and sturdy shoes (hiking boots are my favorite at that point.) it's like tucking them in for the night :) I had my first instance of playa foot this year, and it was cuz I stopped caring for my feet but kept wearing sandals (although I stopped going totally bare.) It was minor, but I have no desire for more. Wash, lotion, cover! DO IT! it's also noteworthy here that I have notoriously thick-skinned feet. It seems likely that the reason I don't generally suffer is because it takes a long time for the playa to burn through my layer of dead stuff... Nope, I'm not a girly-girl, and I couldn't care less. Pretty feet are not a priority for me :) Thu, 01 Jul 2004 19:00:37 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#d918e2d6-7de6-4b4c-9a3f-3b710d660035 Happy Mel 2004-07-01T19:00:37Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#92374b47-bc9e-46a7-9368-953e7bfdd7b6 oh... mine have a square 1.5 inch heel... Thu, 01 Jul 2004 16:42:55 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#92374b47-bc9e-46a7-9368-953e7bfdd7b6 ~M 2004-07-01T16:42:55Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#8bad51db-ffba-47b4-8cdd-91e82fdc9789 My Mary janes are all flats. Thu, 01 Jul 2004 16:25:52 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#8bad51db-ffba-47b4-8cdd-91e82fdc9789 Ivy 2004-07-01T16:25:52Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#d689de04-0c49-40ea-b81d-87a06051acab aw crap! your poor feet! glad i asked... now one more question - has anyone danced in mary janes out there for a long time and did your heels get caught in the playa cracks... or something like that? Thu, 01 Jul 2004 16:17:48 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#d689de04-0c49-40ea-b81d-87a06051acab ~M 2004-07-01T16:17:48Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#a7effd0f-3832-4602-b2cf-618c78c5cf83 Hull-O Ivy and Bellies! The first year I danced barefoot. What a huge mistake! The playa ground deeply into my skin with every twirl. The corrosive alkali also burned my feet. I thought I thoroughly removed the playa dust with daily treatments of mild vinegar and water solution followed by soap and water and generous application of foot lotion. The resultant damage did not show up immediately. When I got home, the heels of my feet became hard, deeply cracked and ugly. It’s taken two years of many intensive pedicures and heel shavings to get back to soft, pretty feet. I learned my lesson! For dancing on the playa I now use comfy soft dance slippers with the tiny cuffless athletic socks. I also use an intensive barrier type cream to protect my feet. Thu, 01 Jul 2004 15:05:06 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#a7effd0f-3832-4602-b2cf-618c78c5cf83 Connie 2004-07-01T15:05:06Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#b7495197-991c-4c79-ad1c-ea2e046f8dd0 I've done it. Not for any extensive period of time, maybe like an hour or so. I've never had any problems (knock on wood) but I've always taken good care of my feet and never had any problems wearing sandals or the like, either. One thing I have noticed--spins and turns really that grind your feet into the ground can be a problem. I always have a problem with that just dancing ordinarily, sometimes how your skin sticks to the groud but you keep turning, you know? It hasn't happened to me yet but I wouldn't be surprised to find myself tearing up the botom of my foot doing a turn and having alkali dust in there on top of that wouldn't be pleasant. Wed, 30 Jun 2004 21:24:47 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#b7495197-991c-4c79-ad1c-ea2e046f8dd0 Ivy 2004-06-30T21:24:47Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#90551721-4fae-4bea-9b34-1a510cd445ad has anyone EVER danced barefoot on the playa? if so, for how long and was there any damage? Wed, 30 Jun 2004 20:24:44 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#90551721-4fae-4bea-9b34-1a510cd445ad ~M 2004-06-30T20:24:44Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#19cbf46b-53ff-4471-a755-b67948404f34 Well everyone can wear what they want and what they are comfy in reguarding footwear, you can always slip off the shoes to perform barefoot. Thats what I do! :) Carrie Thu, 27 May 2004 05:37:09 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#19cbf46b-53ff-4471-a755-b67948404f34 $item.owner.firstName 2004-05-27T05:37:09Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#adf9bb8a-f479-4f00-874b-33449cdde5e8 Hey Isa, We're talking specifically about footwear on the playa here. But your suggestions are good for other places like you mentioned. Wed, 19 May 2004 20:12:50 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#adf9bb8a-f479-4f00-874b-33449cdde5e8 Ivy 2004-05-19T20:12:50Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#375ed725-5b46-4312-be79-2a082f07690f I very seldom go barefoot..especially in restaurants! (gag) sorry, just my opinion. depending on the flooring I will either use black ballet slippers, or sometimes jazz shoes. I find jazz shows are great for scruffier surfaces, like brick or concrete since they have padding on the bottoms and wont tear our ballet shoes apart. also, there are Gillies, Irish dance shoes that criss cross across the top and tie arount the ankle that are especially snazzy lol. Wed, 19 May 2004 19:50:50 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#375ed725-5b46-4312-be79-2a082f07690f ~ISA'S 2004-05-19T19:50:50Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#4ffcdc16-16c1-4477-abae-3b43490ea6c5 Hey, Ivy. great suggestions. My favorite dancing shoes for outdoors are Minnetonka Moccasins, the ankle length ones with soles that zip in the back. These are as comfortable as slippers, but stay on no matter what, and they look great with tribal wear--harem pants, long skirts. They don't go well with cabaret costume skirts. Also, because they are suede, they stink in the rain (but so do any dancing shoes). Best, Jeannine Mon, 10 May 2004 16:32:20 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#4ffcdc16-16c1-4477-abae-3b43490ea6c5 Jeannine 2004-05-10T16:32:20Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#895f8afe-211a-46e0-a662-35371d8a3d6f I drum... and I'm very happy to be lured. ;) G Mon, 03 May 2004 18:42:30 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#895f8afe-211a-46e0-a662-35371d8a3d6f Gecko 2004-05-03T18:42:30Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#f1ac8606-07b4-44e0-ad09-e55795e79c3d There's great information here -- EVERYONE going to the playa should read y'all, not just dancers (and their drummers and fans). *Oh -- hi, Ivy!* And I know drummers, so be sure to let me know some times and such. (We have several in The Glom, plus a few others coming from Florida and N.C.) Sat, 01 May 2004 06:27:58 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#f1ac8606-07b4-44e0-ad09-e55795e79c3d Joe 2004-05-01T06:27:58Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#46a6e015-e48e-4ca8-8163-d6545afea363 Ivy D asked about footwear in another thread. I wrote this last spring when people started asking for footwear suggestions. I know other people chimed in with more suggestions that just the things I've listed here, so please feel free to add to the list! Feet! I know a majority of belly dancers like to dance barefoot. This past eekend, some friends and I were pondering alternatives to dancing arefot on the playa. Here's what we came up with: -I personally have a pair of dance sandals that I plan on earing. You can get them at most dance stores but they are a bit pricey, and,imo, uncomfortable until you really break them in. You can also buy hem online at a significant discount from a place likewww.discountdance.com, but keep in mind that dance shoes are sizeddifferently than regular shoes and if you've never bought a pair ofthat particular shoes, you might be better off trying them on first -ballet slippers are good. They usually run about $12-15 and comestandard in tan, pink and black. Also at dance stores. -instead of ballet slippers, you can get those Isotoner type slippersat places like Target, K-mart, mervyns, etc. They usually come in avariety of colors but they are seasonal (xmas) so they might not haveas good a selection right now. I don't like them as much becuase theytend to slip off my heel, but you could always add and elsatic strap(similar to the ballet slippers) -Chinese sandals. You know, those velvet kind that looks like MaryJanes. I've dances outdoors in these before and they're quitecomfortable and flexible, if not durable. I've only seen them inblack and in black w/embroidery. Supposedly you can get them in anychinatown area; I got mine a Cost plus a while ago. I don't recommened wearing any fancy or expensive shoes that you'renot willing to deal with ruining. Or you can dance barefoot, I like to do that when I'm in camp, butkeep in mind that we will likely be traveling a great distance. Ifyou choose to dance barefoot, please please PLEASE take care of yourfeet. Make sure your shoes are broken in, blisters suck. Any other shoe/foot sugestion are welcome. This has been a public foot service announcement brought to you byIvy. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming. Tue, 16 Mar 2004 21:49:22 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#46a6e015-e48e-4ca8-8163-d6545afea363 Ivy 2004-03-16T21:49:22Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#665a6897-a10c-4872-82ee-a952c98d0866 Ivy's not kidding about 'traveling a great distance'! Remember to bring some sort of bellydance-gear-compatible water bottle or plan on having someone be your water-boy/girl. Oh yeah, footwear is the topic... I wore my very comfy (and well broken in) Doc Maarten boots. I may have been ready to pass out from the heat and sun but my feet were very happy! Nola Thu, 18 Mar 2004 17:35:04 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#665a6897-a10c-4872-82ee-a952c98d0866 Kiki 2004-03-18T17:35:04Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#cc467c19-c9a6-4979-9d4b-3ec2d30dd88d Great distances! What a euphamism. One time I was on this art car that quit out in the middle of no where. The walk would have been terribley far, if we were heading back to camp. But oh no, we took the bikes that night and left them at an Irish pub, clear at the opposite side of the playa. By the time we got there, it hurt just to ride my bike. Like you, I thought I'd wear my super broken in 20 eye dr. martins, and I wasn't so lucky. They were sooo broken in that the indents all along the ankle area ended up digging into my ankles & bruising really bad. Needless to say, I stuck to my silly flip flops the rest of the week. I think I'll do the ballet shoe thing this year!!! Sat, 17 Apr 2004 04:30:31 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#cc467c19-c9a6-4979-9d4b-3ec2d30dd88d LaRa 2004-04-17T04:30:31Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#6f66599f-e484-46c9-85df-e996481f9a2f thanks so much ivy! i really like the china flats that i get in venice beach. they are $7 and have the metal tab thingy that goes through the starp, unlike the ones in china town. they have them in maroon as well. and the ones that aren't velvety are of a thickly woven stiff fabric, unlike the ones at china town. so here's a question, do drummers generaly come along on our travels? Sat, 17 Apr 2004 16:19:51 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#6f66599f-e484-46c9-85df-e996481f9a2f katherine 2004-04-17T16:19:51Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#622742d1-9b39-4939-9f24-32bc52f31ff7 >so here's a question, do drummers generaly come along on our travels? Yes, absolutely! and it its your job to recruit as many drummers as you can to join us...last year when we left the pyramid scheme we had 4 drummers and like 40 dancers! this year we must infiltrate the drummers and lure them to our side! :) Sat, 17 Apr 2004 16:53:17 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#622742d1-9b39-4939-9f24-32bc52f31ff7 Ivy 2004-04-17T16:53:17Z http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#44dd0b38-8728-47c8-832a-e5111e6f61a2 Kat, where in venice do you get the china flats? Tribal Bazaar? Sun, 18 Apr 2004 04:51:43 GMT http://burningbellies.tribe.net/thread/40428576-84eb-455a-b699-4ae54b459fbd#44dd0b38-8728-47c8-832a-e5111e6f61a2 LaRa 2004-04-18T04:51:43Z