Belly Dance Velvet

Something I Said - Interview with Mankwe Ndosi

Something I Said - Mankwe Ndosi

Dwight Hobbes - Twin Cities Daily Planet

Mankwe Ndosi is a one-woman clearinghouse of accomplished artistry. For going on a second decade, after establishing herself at a young age on Penumbra's stage in Keith Glover's masterpiece Coming of the Hurricane, Ndosi steadily has built a flourishing, multi-faceted career, never letting renown at one artform pigeonhole her into limited horizons.

For instance, she's long been heralded as a fixture in Twin Cities spoken word—one who, around 2000, segued into singing and musical improvisation. For the full lowdown, her press bio reads, "Mankwe Monika Nkatuati Ndosi, vocalist, producer and multidisciplinary performer, has been working for over a decade in the mediums of theater, dance, music, spoken word, and improvisation." She is a part of Douglas R. Ewart & Orchestra Inventions (an improvisational group rooted in creative black music and based in Chicago), is on the board of Speak-Out Sisters, and works with the group "in the belly" on creative workshops for youth and incarcerated populations. She orchestrates a "freestyle playroom for all creative disciplines," the Friday Front Porch, from 4-7 p.m. at Bedlam Theatre on Minneapolis's West Bank every other Friday through June 18th.

This week, you can catch her performing with Aimee K. Bryant, Sarah Greer, Libby Turner-Opanga, and Kenna Sarge in
As the Rhythm Changes
: songs, improv, and movement devised by Ndosi featuring instruments by Ewart. For this work she curates conversation and concepts to examine and illuminate aspects of the one constant in our lives that never stays the same, change. A daughter of Minneapolis—she'll pipe right up and spiritedly tell you, "I was born at the University of Minnesota"—she met me right after shuttling in from her other base of creative operations, the Windy City. Last week, gearing up for the premiere of
As the Rhythm Changes
, she met with me at Mapps Cafe on the West Bank and chatted over tea and coffee.

You called from the airport. Where were you on your way in from?
Chicago. I had a gig out there. I've been going back and forth about ten years. Doing [work with] the creative music community there, at places like the Velvet Lounge. Actually, Douglas Ewart is collaborating with me on As the Rhythm Changes, letting me use some of his instruments.

Is the group Poetree still goin' on in Chicago?
I'm not sure. I've been less involved in the spoken word community and more with musicians. I did a lot of spoken word. Was in a group Arkology with e. g. bailey. I'd been singing, but I've started doing more [of it]. Douglas heard some of the experiments I was doing and started bringing me to Chicago about ten years ago. I've kind of had two very different performance communities. As the Rhythm Changes is at the intersection.

Where'd It come from?
I started mulling around in my head, to look at, okay, what is the crux of change, what makes us change, when is change real. There are different rhythms, different lengths, like musical phrases. Starting and stopping to some of it. Sometimes, like, look at Haiti. New Orleans. There's no going back. Having a child, there is no going back. You're never going to be the same. I try to talk about these things without getting didactic, too preachy. I started to do some residencies around the issues, to talk to people and think deeply about how do you start a conversation. Ultimately, in performance or not, just in terms of relationships, it feels like stories are are what help us see each other. Even across differences, across paths. We see each other in very small windows. We make judgments based on those windows. Our stories allows us to link up with each other.

You started with residencies?
I figured [they] involved too many people. So, I began doing interviews with people in the Twin Cities. A little bit in suburbs. I have a relationship with a community in Wykoff, a farming community. There's a woman, Eva Barr, a theatre artist. She and her husband run an organic farm, Dream Acres. In the summertime, they have a creative camp for kids, an artists camp. I came out and did performance with the [children] for a couple of summers. It's called Flourish. Now it's for adults as well.

How'd go about bringing in artists to do As the Rhythm Changes?
I gathered together women who I really enjoy singing and performing with. Who I've also done improvisational work with. I love to harmonize with Aimee. She's an amazing performer.

What's next?
I've working on a second CD [following Do Gooder Blues] with Medium Zach of Big Quarters. I just came from doing some work with Nicole Mitchell at the Museum of Contemporary Art. I'll be doing some work in Chcago. And in my garden

About the Author

Coming: "Angels Don't Really Fly" EP by Dwight Hobbes & The All-Star Hired Guns featuring Alicia Wiley. The crew: Me, Alicia Wiley, Stanley Kipper, Chico Perez, Jeff "Boday" Christensen, Aaron "Orange A.C." Cosgrove and Yohannes Tona. Singer-songwriter Dwight Hobbes recorded the single "Atlanta Children" (BeatBad Records) and gigged 10 years in the Long Island/NYC area, including The Other End, Kenny's Castaways and My Fathers Place. Fronted the Boston blues band Midlight. In Minneapolis, Hobbes opened for David Daniels at First Street Entry, James Curry at Terminal Bar, sat in with Yohannes Tona, Alicia Wiley at Sol Testimony's Soul Jam, The New Congress at Babalu, Willie Murphy at the Viking Bar and Wain McFarlane & Jahz at Lucille's Kitchen. Dwight Hobbes still drops in at the occasional open mic around town. Dwight Hobbes has written for ESSENCE, Reader's Digest, Washington Post, Minneapolis Star Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer Press, City Pages, Mpls/St. Paul, MN Law & Politics, Pulse of the Twin Cities, Twin Cities Daily Planet, Women & Word, San Diego Union-Tribune, The Circle, to Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (where he contributes the commentary columns Hobbes In The House and Something I Said. He's spoken his mind over National Public Radio, Minnesota Public Radio and KMOJ in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Was regularly featured as guest commentator on NewsNight Minnesota (KTCA-Minneapolis/St. Paul) and Spectator (Minneapolis Television Network). His monthly column "Hobbes In The House" in MN Spokesman Recorder comments on domestic abuse and rape. His plays are Shelter - produced at Mixed Blood Theatre by Pangea World Theater, Dues - produced by Mixed Blood Theatre, University of Southern Illinois in Point of Revue, selected for Bedlam Theatre's 10-Minute Play Festival and published by Playscripts, Inc. You Can't Always Sometimes Never Tell - produced by Theater Center Philadelphia, Long Island University, reading at The Kennedy Center and published in the anthology CENTER STAGE, In the Midst - produced by Long Island University, starring Samuel E. Wright. Hobbes spoke on the panel "Farewell To August Wilson" at the Guthrie Theater, broadcast on Conversations With Al McFarlane (KFAI, KMOJ). Twin Cities Daily Planet articles archived at www.tcdailyplanet.net/dwighthobbes

belly dance hip scarves?

Velvet hip scarves are a little more than the chiffon versions. For a belly dancer is it more preferable to purchase a velvet one? Is movement the same? Basically belly dancers out there...should I get a chiffon or a velvet? The velvets are prettier but I'm worried about fit and movement of my body...and the skirt. Thanks!

Chiffon will float more on your turns and shimmies. Velvet adds a bit more bulk, and being heavier, doesn't add as much movement as the lighter fabric. However, velvet is beautiful and luxurious. It depends on the look and effect you want. I'd suggest getting a remnant of each from the fabric store and trying them in your practices in front of mirror -- you might like chiffon for fast dances and velvet for slow, or prefer one of the fabrics over the other for all of your dances.

VELVET HALL 02.01.2011 BELLY DANCE

Belly Dancing Hip Scarf - Dark Blue (Velvet) $29.29 This belly dancing hip scarf measures 45 inches around the waist.Three rows of silver color coins decorate the hip scarf....

Royal Blue Belly Dance Hip Scarf with Gold Coins $2.25 Royal Blue Belly Dance Hip Scarf is great for Belly Dancing, Zumba or casually wearing with Jeans, Skirts, Swimwear or with just about anything. They make beautiful music when you dance with 160 Coins embroidered in 3 layers of lightweight Chiffon Fabric. Size: Each Hip Scarf is 5 Feet long so you can tie the rest around your waist. Lots of Colors Available, and Choose either Silver or Gold Coins....

BellyLady Belly Dance Hip Scarf, 480 Gold Coins, Deluxe V-Shape, Tote Bag Included $13.99 Color: available in black only. Dimension: Wrap measures 63 inch (160cm) in length, which fits slim to 31.5 inch (80cm) waists. Fabric: velour. Coins: 480 gold coins. Features: ** Simple and special, perfect for practice or just as a fashion accessory!** Beautiful color Egyptian belly dancing hip wraps hand crocheted delicately with multiple rows of beads and coins. ** Jingly, this scarf got all c...

BellyLady Belly Dance Hip Scarf, Gold Coins Waves Style, Tote Bag Included $5.49 Color: available in rose red only.Dimension: Wrap measures 63 inch (160cm) in length, which fits slim to 31.5 inch (80cm) waists.Fabric: chiffon.Coins: 128 gold coins.Features:** Simple and perfect for practice or just as a fashion accessory!** Beautiful color Egyptian belly dancing hip wraps hand crocheted delicately with multiple rows of beads and coins.** Light weight and jingly, this scarf got...

Belly Dance Velvet Octopus Skirt & Bra-Top Costume Set 2-Piece Velvet Bellydance Octopus Design Skirt & Bra-Top Costume Set ,This set is one of our best selling costume. You can wear for your individual or troupe performances....

Belly Dance Velvet Skirt- & Bra-Top Costume Set Beautiful Combination of skirt and a bra-top!!...

Belly Dance Velvet Harem Pants - Choli Set Velvet harem pants and a choli-top set makes a perfect costume ensemble together....

Black Velvet Sword Cover For 36 Swords-#WK061 $4.99 Black Velvet Sword Cover...

Dance Off the Inches: Belly Dance $16.98 Dance Off the Inches: Belly Dance

Fat Burning Belly Dance $16.97 Fat Burning Belly Dance

Belly Dance Instrumentals $8.36 Belly Dance Instrumentals

Amira Mor:Soul Belly Dance $12.86 Amira Mor:Soul Belly Dance

Amira Mor:Belly Dance For Fitn $13.09 Amira Mor:Belly Dance For Fitn

Arabian Dance Fever - Belly Dance Performances (DVD) $14.33 Be inspired by the belly-dance moves of the talented dancers in these performances.

Bra - Belly Dance $49.99 Bra - Belly Dance This shimmering Bra makes for a sexy belly dancer costume. Solid sequin with coin trim. Please note we cannot accept this item for return unless it is in the original packaging, unopened and sealed.

10 Minute Solution: Dance Off Belly Fat $16.97 10 Minute Solution: Dance Off Belly Fat

Ballroom Basics Vol. 4: Belly Dance $11.99 Ballroom Basics Vol. 4: Belly Dance

Princess Farhana: Belly Dance Basic Workout $19.99 Princess Farhana: Belly Dance Basic Workout

The Dance $17.5 A celebration in verse of the silent poetry of dance and the dancer, this anthology features a dizzying range of subjects: Chinese dagger dances and Hindu festival dances, belly dancers and ...

The Way Of the Belly $15.16 The Way of the Belly is about more than belly dance, in all its mysterious, soulful, feminine sensuality. This book with DVD is about the dance of life itself...

Love to Dance Ballerina Belly Ring $7.99 Love to Dance Ballerina Belly Ring Love to Dance! Prima ballerina navel ring designed with a pink heart shaped charm and surgical steel navel barbell. Artisan crafted body jewelry. Specifications: 14 Gauge (1.6mm), 7/16" (11mm), 316L Surgical Grade Stainless Steel, 5mm Ball Belly Button Navel Ring Body Jewelry

Belly Dance for Body Shaping - Abs (DVD) $10.37 Professional belly dancer Neon utilizes the ancient dance form as a springboard to fitness in the fun and innovative exercise series BELLY DANCE FOR BODY SHAPING. Through a combination of Neon`s step-by-step instruction and personal trainer Andy Troy`s easy-to-follow safety tips, viewers not only learn the sexy art of belly dance but also enjoy the health benefits of a full-body workout that burns fat and tones muscles. This volume presents three 15-minute belly dance workouts that focus on sculpting the abdominals.

Belly Dance for Body Shaping - Buns & Thighs (DVD) $10.28 Professional belly dancer Neon utilizes the ancient dance form as a springboard to fitness in the fun and innovative exercise series BELLY DANCE FOR BODY SHAPING. Through a combination of Neon`s step-by-step instruction and personal trainer Andy Troy`s easy-to-follow safety tips, viewers not only learn the sexy art of belly dance but also enjoy the health benefits of a full-body workout that burns fat and tones muscles. This volume focuses on belly dance moves that sculpt the hips, thighs, and buttocks.

Belly Dance for Body Shaping - Floorwork (DVD) $9.83 Professional belly dancer Tanna utilizes the ancient dance form as a springboard to fitness in the fun and innovative exercise series BELLY DANCE FOR BODY SHAPING. Through a combination of Tanna`s step-by-step instruction and personal trainer Andy Troy`s easy-to-follow safety tips, viewers not only learn the sexy art of belly dance but also enjoy the health benefits of a full-body workout that burns fat and tones muscles. This volume presents three 15-minute belly dance workouts that focus on floorwork.

RARE 1.5m long hand made Chinese Belly dance silk fan $14.69 RARE 1.5m long hand made Chinese Belly dance silk fan