Articles by Arabella

• Articles
  • Dance Technique
  • Middle Eastern Music
  • Costume Ideas
  • Related Advice & How-To's
  • Opinions & Ideas

• About Arabella

Middle Eastern Music

• The Beginner's Guide to Finding Bellydance Music. Shopping tips.
• Not only Books... You Can't Judge a Tape or CD by Its Cover! Warnings about music to avoid.
• An Introduction to Middle Eastern Music Rhythms. Explanation of common Middle Eastern rhythms
• Why Is Arabic Music So Confusing?
• Setrak: Song Titles from CD Covers. Help in determining which CD's by Setrak Sarkissian have the same music as which of his tapes

Costume Ideas

• Easy-to-Make Baggy Pants.
• Quick Salwar (Pantaloons).
• Narrow Salwar (Pantaloons). Uses only 1 1/3 yards or meters of fabric!
• Pharaonic Collar, Headband, Wristbands, and Dress. Inspired by ancient Egypt

Related Advice & How-To's

• The Mysterious Zar: What Is It? What Can It Do For You? For releasing stress.
• Hints for Remembering Choreography.
• In Search of Authentic Middle Eastern Fabrics.
• How to Become a Better Dancer Without Really Trying.
• Learn the Arabic Alphabet! Book recommendations.

Opinions & Ideas

• The Term "Belly Dancing".
• Dreams Can Come True!
• Why Middle Eastern Dance Is the BEST Kind of Dance! The perspective from someone who has studied many dance forms

Arabella began her dance studies with Russian Ballet classes. Frustrated by ballet's impossible ideals, and curious about more ethnic dance disciplines, she moved on to study various other dance forms. Moving further east each time, these included Spanish flamenco, Escuela Bolera, Middle Eastern, and East Indian Odissi.

Arabella, based in Toronto, Canada, is also a certified Mastercraftsman in crewel embroidery, with a special passion for metal thread and ethnic embroidery. Currently she particularly focuses on Palestinian and East Indian embroidery.

In addition to this web site, many of Arabella's articles have also appeared in the Canadian magazine for Middle Eastern dance MID-Bits.

In the photo to the right, Arabella wears a Bharata Natyam costume. Photo by Arabella's embroiderer friend, Lucy Garvin.