~~Arabesque Belly Dance~~

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Upcoming News

Greetings to all my lovely students, dancers and friends!!! I hope that 2012 will be a rewarding and successful year for you.

This post is jam packed with news and activities. We have brand new adult belly dance class start in February and registrations for classes are still open. Contact me directly if you are interested

25 & 26 February 2012 – I am attending Belynder Azhaar Workshop in KLPac. Hosted by Amethyst Chew.

1 March 2012 - I am travel to Vietnam. My flight ticket was issued from AirAsia tickets during promotional period. I have no detail where and what to look for in Ho Chi Minh city yet. ;P anyway, will do some research online!

May 2012 (date to be confirmed) World Belly Dance Day 2012 in Penang – As, usual, we will perform in a group dance. Since we all have beautiful costumes, I really hope my students can come out and support the charity event.

June 9 – 20 , 2012 – Oriental Dream Turkey Tour - Here is some information about Oriental Dream. For further information please email to me. Welcome all belly dancers/students to join. There are still some details to be added but I thought I'd get this much out anyway, make sure the dates are marked in your diary.

MODF 2012 Competition

25 August 2012 – Kuala Lumpur Times Square Hotel

16 September 2012 – Taping, Perak

21 September 2012, Fridays – ALL ATTENTION!!!! Serkan Tutar Show will be in Alor Setar, Star City Hotel. We will perform again!! Belly dancers, another beautiful stage for us to dance! Our adult classes for "SHOW at Star City" are in full force! Our 1^st class to get back your shimmies & giggles on 12^th February 2012, 6.30pm.

21 – 23 September 2012 Saturday / Sunday – Show and 3 workshops with Serkan Tutar in Alor Setar, details will be announced!

29 – 30 September 2012 Saturday / Sunday – 4 workshops with Serkan Tutar in KLPac, Kuala Lumpur.

1 – 2 December 2012 – Mercedes Nieto will be Back in Kuala Lumpur!!! Details of Workshop and Show will be announced soon!!!

I'm excited to get back into it after such a long break! Cant wait to start the class and get back to our routine exercise and dance.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Chinese New Year 2012

This post will be about my Chinese New Year Week!

The week seems pass so fast and the Chinese New Year seems over now but I am still lazy and no energy to call up here and there to read on other blogger's postings or spend time doing work. BTW, I think I ate too many mandarin oranges and caused extra gas in my tummy.

Well, it has been a quiet CNY for me I didn't really go anywhere except spent time with my entire family. I didn't really go out to crowded places. Anyway, I felt quiet relax as well as family bonding over the past week…so most of time my house was in noisy sound, eating, drinking, playing, gambling….Cant imagine how my family member be able to sleep in this noisy environment! .

It'll soon be Chap Goh Meh, which is the same as Chinese Valentine's Day. The 15th day of Chinese New Year which is the "fifteenth night" in Hokkien dialect, is just two days away. As usual, Our Arabesque Kids performed on Chap Goh Meh festival last night. It was held almost 3 days earlier than the actual date (Chap Goh Meh). We were a bit late when we arrive at the Menara Telekom Tower Alor Setar.. The first thing attracted to me was the LED backdrop, very bright with the dragon in red! I took the photo of the backdrop with my camera, but the result of photo was not good, The 2^nd thing was - really surprised to see stink bugs surrounding, flied every where, my body and head…so darn annoying! Luckily the kids performance in just a 5 minutes music, we all left the place quickly because of the stink bugs.

So it looks like I will have a few days free from running around until Sunday and then CNY 2012 just about wrapped up for me already. Here are some random pics I took during CNY and Chap Goh Meh Festival. And some CNY photo I stole from my sis's album :p). And since this is a CNY post, I have to post up those CNY photos or else I would not have memories of my 2012 CNY when I’m 80 :D


Joget by Kedah Dance Associates

too concentrate on taking video...

line dancing

kek lok si light up- taken fr my sister house

yu sang ... yum yum!

He also celebrate CNY, very naughty and fierce Genie

Monday, January 16, 2012

Serkan Tutar is coming back to Malaysia - September 2012

Arabesque Announcement !!!!!!!!! I am very honored to be His Malaysia organiser again in 2012. He will be teaching a weekend Master Workshops to all Malaysian belly dance lovers!!!! Check out the detail below :

Serkan Tutar

INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNING BELLY DANCER & TEACHER

“MALE BELLY DANCER OF THE WORLD 2008” AND

“WINNER OF “BRANDON OASIS 2006”

WORLD RENOWNED MALE BELLY DANCER IS COMING BACK TO MALAYSIA!!!

Serkan Tutar, a passionate with excellent references, is very well known in Belgium for his lots of great performances and education methods with clear didactic lessons and workshops. Serkan Tutar, has performed and instructed workshops all over Belgium　 and all European countries like Holland, France, Germany, England, Turkey, Italy, Austria, Greece, Czech Republic, Croatia, Bonia, Sweden, Switzerland,...Also Egypt,

Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan, Russia... and more....!!!!

To read more about Serkan Tutar’s biography visit http://www.serkan.be or add him on Facebook Now!

An amazing, fun & energizing workshop with Serkan Turtar will be held at :

29^TH & 30^TH SEPTEMBER 2012 (SATURDAY & SUNDAY)

Venue : Studio 5, The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac),

Sentul Park, Jalan Strachan, 51100 Kuala Lumpur

SATURDAY, 29^TH SEPTEMBER 2012

I LOVE MY VEIL – SINGLE & DOUBLE VEIL TECHNIQUE (2HRS) 11:00AM – 1:00PM (RM130)

Veils are the favorite props to most of the belly dancers due to the beauty and grace. Some people like classical styles while other prefer modern styles. Since both styles have their unique veil techniques and combinations, you can now learn from the Veil Expert, Mr. Serkan Tutar, to create magical and visually stunning veil dance. Silk veil is referred.

MAGIC VEIL CHOREOGRAPHY (4HRS) 2:00PM – 6:00PM (RM200)

This is a highly required workshop by last year’s veil workshop participants after they attended Serkan’s veil technique workshop. You will learn a full veil dance choreography with lots of grace and beauty of veil. Silk veil is preferred.

SUNDAY 30^TH SEPTEMBER 2012

SUPER CRAZY DRUMSOLO CHOREOGRAPHY (4HRS) 11:00PM – 2:00PM (RM200)

Forget about all the drum solo techniques that you have learnt till now with this “Super Crazy” drum solo”. Come and enjoy this Serkan’s style drum solo that is modern, dynamic and never been seen before with lots of shimmies, techniques, combinations and a “super crazy” drum solo choreography that is highly entertaining and technically challenging.

SHAABI DANCE CHOEREGRAPHY (3HRS) 3:00PM – 6:00PM (RM150)

Shaabi style of Bellydancing, is playful, flirtatious and, a little “cheeky”, with a strong folkloric influence. The movements are grounded and earthy, so less spins and big traveling steps than Classic style Raqs Sharqi. The steps are mostly on flat feet rather than on ball of the feet. The movements are not complex but full of feeling. Serkan’s Shaabi style is fun and funky. You will definitely enjoy learning and dancing to it.

COURSE FEES FOR ALL 4 WORKSHOPS (13 HOURS) – RM680.

** SPECIAL EARLY BIRD RATE** REGISTER ALL 4 WORKSHOP BEFORE 10^TH SEPTEMBER 2012 – RM550

DON’T MISS OUT THE SPECIAL PRICE SAVINGS!

PAYMENT BY CHEQUE OR CASH TO ARABESQUE BELLY DANCE CENTRE or HONG LEONG BANK ACCOUNT : 0077-10-014645-7

CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE will be provided only for participants who have attended all 4 workshops by the end of the workshop series.

PRIVATE CLASS WITH SERKAN TUTAR IS AVAILABLE DURING HIS STAY IN MALAYSIA, PLAN AND MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!!

For questions or registration, please contact : ANNIE ONG 012 – 489 5395

EMAIL : annie_arbq@yahoo.com

Website : www.arabesquebellydance.com.my

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

My First DSLR Photography Workshop

There is plenty to look forward in 2012. I am dreaming of bigger things!! First - 3 things I want – Secrete of success : Dream to achieve, a plan as to how am I going to achieve, and dedication to follow my plan. Now I am giving myself a good "Start" with my new hobby.

I love taking photos when my students perform on stage. I used to considered my Nikon DSLR D5000 as my best friends, but I will admit, I have a very limited knowledge of my camera. Until now, all I know is, set in automatic and shot … and never learn how to use the most basic features. Some of my friends told me I can learn by self–taught. However, it was not. Being self-taught cant help me learn much especially I am the one who are just starting out.

Due to my limited knowledge of photography, therefore I went to search for photography courses and found the workshop hung at roadside banner by http://zazfotomedia.blogspot.com. I called and booked it immediately. Last Friday, I went to the workshop. The principle was a Malay retired man. I had so many ‘aha’ moments when practice using my digital SLR in manual mode. I know what is the secret of the right exposure - the three pillars of photography, Aperture, ISO and Shutter Speed. It was great fun and perfect amount of theory and practice! Just going through the pictures taken at the workshop, I’m still amazed at the fact that it was me behind the camera taking those shots. I found the workshop is helpful and it helped me to better understand my camera. I love my camera after the workshop, I have learnt to appreciate it even more. That 'Auto' mode is definitely a thing in the pass.

I'm still trying to digest everything I learned and I'm reading my notes. I'm still trying to figure out how some of the DSLR lessons apply to my camera. I am really getting serious with my photography. I really want to take my photography to the next level, I want the tips to help me in one way to another and I just want to know everything there is to know about photography. Now somehow it feels really different. I guess I am just too excited...

These are the pictures that I took during the workshop. Through the close to 8 hours workshop I gained some of knowledge & skill about Photography. Its worth to go for this workshop, totally worth it, the hours the money spent..

shoot on moving.... camera tried to capture the image throughout the action and make the background blurred.

One day workshop entitled Cert from En. Azani (Zazfotomedia)

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Auto-City New Year Countdown!

First time at Auto-City New Year Countdown! Alamak!!! It was badly jammed and I reached home at 4am!!!!

The New Year Countdown is the biggest event in Auto-City though it might be a problem of traffic jam. My car was stuck in the traffic jam for hours while going out from there. Can't imagine so many car were queued up for so long!!

I am going to tell you this is a place which could let you enjoy your nightlife very much. If you like the nightlife - Dream, Highway Star Lounge, SOHO’s English Pub & Restaurant is the pub that you can find in this wonderful City. It is nearly 40 over nos of restaurants in Auto-City too. Various type of food you may found here. First of all is the restaurant is good for meeting, chit-chatting and coffee! Oh…my main purpose is not to introduce you Auto-city, my purpose was to judging the belly dance competition. More detail click the link to take a look : www.autocity.com.my

I am pleased to be there with 2 Five Step Inter School Belly Dance Competition. Many students showcase their talents and now without the name list in hand, I cant remember who won the champion. Congratulations to the winners, and also to the team who put in winning efforts too!

Beside the crazy jam, the atmosphere over here is really good during festival. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the fireworks Countdown at Auto-City!! See you all next time!

Photo from Auto-City's photographer

I shot it from the stage during the 5-4-3-2-1......

Taiwan Artist Concert - Alien Huang (小鬼)

Me and Alien Huang (小鬼)

The champion in kids category

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Let’s Go Countdown ......

I hope you and your family and friends enjoyed a beautiful Christmas. I'm almost done with my holiday with lots of food and great shopping for new clothes. I also have a great time during Women United 2011. We whined and played games and sang. And ate too much. I love the holidays and all the food, Thanks goodness it is almost over. Sure I don't have to eat but I do. And there's still lots of goodies that I need to buy for Chinese New Year too, it’s just a start!

Women United 2011 photos :

My students participated in 70s Rock & Roll

Let’s the Countdown begin…. Say cheers! It's a Happy New Year. Every person would be planning to celebrate new year in a very special manner. My friends have been calling me for weeks saying “What are you doing for New Year’s Eve?” I thought for awhile…I usually not going to restaurant to pay the expensive price menu or to stand in a crowded nightclub watching a bunch of strangers get drunk just because of New Year Eve. So many people make such a big deal over “5-4-3-2-1 Woohoo Happy New Year!” but I am not the one. My best New Year’s Eve is with family and friends sitting around having some good food, good drinks and good chat. For me, this is the most perfect night to gathering. I don’t need to be around with strangers. I don’t need to try to hook up with somebody just because it’s New Year’s Eve.

Here I am going to tell you, I am going to Auto-City New Year Countdown Fiesta 2012. Yay!! I will be there for judging the belly dance competition. It was quite a surprise that knowing Auto-City having a belly dance competition. The location is at the public area, the stage is right in front of KFC restaurant. I don’t have the details or flyer event to share here, no public announcement as I know of. I was told I have to be there at 6pm for judges briefing and the competition will start at 7pm and ends at 8.30pm. If you happen to be there, do come to support the girls!

Once again, Happy New Year!! All of you have made my year really special. Thanks for your comments and for your support. I look forward to making 2012 an amazing year with all of you!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Celebration Behind the Scenes of a Dance

I had a great time for our celebration dinner although not all of my dancers can come, some of you left for vacation and other dinner but never mind, we will have another gathering party during Chinese New Year , Year of Dragon 2012 ! As I say, the dinner was a “Celebration Behind the Scenes of a Dance” ! On other hand, Behind the Scenes of a Dance, the celebration is marked of the success, team work of the production and the hard work! Thank you for touching my heart….you follow my passion and make my dream come true! Indeed, dancing is about life; and life can be expressed in the form of music and dance. Real inspiration.....

Cheers to mark the completion of the hard work by all!!!!!

One week until Christmas! It's that time of year again-the time of busy shopping days, holiday baking, and twinkling lights. It's the season of "holiday cheer." It’s a season to be merry, so let’s put aside dancing for awhile and celebrate the year’s end! Merry Christmas to you all! I hope you find peace and joy in this holiday season!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

RICH of SUCCESS!!

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Just about to settle down for a while ....

Had a looong day today, getting everything done from here and there….Tired but was fun and happy. I just want to say my 2011 events were almost ended and I can honestly say that this was the best year that I have done!!! The "Fantasy Oreintal Night" and the "4th Annual Exotic Raqs Sharqi Gala Show"! In general, most of my students, family and friends have been very positive and supportive of it, I appreciated very much!! But , there have been a few naysayers that have made me think for a second! “What am I doing?” But only for a second!! I’m not going to let other people’s negativity stop me from following my dream. Think I’m too stubborn to let that stop me too. Always keep my positive energy develop one way to another.

Looking at my new 2012 calendar, with my red biro marks next to all the events I wanted to attend, I can say the 2012 would be another spectacular year!!! I guarantee it. First, I am travel to Istanbul n June 2012 and continue to Nile Group Festival!!!! Yippe…. I am truly honored and can’t wait to get started! I am set my mind into doing something… I do it, and put my best foot forward and do my fantastic job.

The big news at my studio is the new schedule and new students of classes. And actually that can be big news to the beginner students, they will jump up to intermediate class, we all develop out thought being challenge, I had a great time with this before, I believe that I was also working on becoming a better dancer and better teacher! Beside that 'entertainment point' , it is a lot of hard work! Right now am waiting for the dinner and celebration of the joy with my students on this weekend, 9^th Dec at Sentosa Regency Hotel, and one more dinner to celebrate for Women United on 19^th December at Anggrik Seafood Restaurant !! Yahoo....See you there!!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Most Rewarding Day!!!!

A BIG thank you to all my students who performed on the 4th Annual Exotic Raq Sharqi Gala Show night! It was a huge success!!! And the past few days have been the most rewarding days of my life! When I see the results in all of the smiling faces, I know all of them had the best time at the stage!! Life feels more memorable, hence I become more memorable. Following my dreams take unexpected turns and challenges. Those challenges help me grow as they make me step out of my comfort zone. I can't express how happy, proud and touched because of the girls' hard work and dedication to the dance, I am proud of your efforts, Girls, keep up the good work. I look forward to dance with you again!!!

And a special thank you to all of you who helped behind the scenes with ticketing, money collection and ushered. We appreciate all of you and we couldn't do it without you. Thank you for supporting us and the arts!!! Enjoy the students performance’s photo here!