Hip Mix's Remember When of 2010 (#4)

Friends of Dilara Sultan have voted that "Is Misogyny Masked As "Just Conversation" Or Am I Simply A Stupid B--ch ?" is a powerful and eye-opening blog that any woman should read. Dilara challenges you to rethink how you're treated and talked to. Read on below.


Do we still have issues of sexism?  Have people, women included, allowed behavior and comments to simply "slide" as to not cause trouble?   Is it just talk and really no biggie?  Read on as Dilara Sultan introduces a new thought on the subject of casual sexism in today's society.


Is Misogyny Masked As "Just Conversation" Or Am I Simply A Stupid B--ch ?

Hip Mix's Remember When of 2010 (#3)

Our number three pick for Dilara's Diary favorites from 2010 is a three-part series that roused a lot of discussion. Read on as Dilara talks about the controversy of inexperienced belly dancers becoming teachers, and share your opinions!


A wave of inexperienced students-turned-teachers has stirred up the belly dance community. But who's responsible? Building a community is important, but so is becoming a positive force and accepting no imitations. In this 3 part series, Dilara takes a step back and lets the community speak up about students who teach belly dance after taking only a few classes.

Click here to read Part 1 of this blog series and join in on the discussions!

Part 2: Dilara continues the conversation regarding inexperienced belly dancers becoming teachers with a listing of some of the biggest offenses in belly dance teaching. What's all the controversy about? Read part 2 now to hear the complaints, and share your own!

Click here to read the 2nd installment of the series, and don't be shy! We want to hear from you!

Part 3: Wow, the response and insights have been great to Dilara's Diary posts on the subject of Belly Dancers becoming Belly Dance Teachers ~ often too soon.  Here is the final installment in Dilara's Diary on this hot topic.

Click here to read Dilara's final entry in this three part discussion.

Hip Mix's Remember When of 2010 (#2)

When asked for readers to share with us their favorite from Dilara's Diary this past year, the number one answer was "I Used to Be a Bird and I Kicked Butt! A Belly Dancer's Memoir." Not surprising to us since it's a Hip Mix staff personal favorite, as well. Join us as we take a look into Dilara's past!

What was Dilara before she was a belly dancer?  Well, actually a lot of things, including a university mascot!  In the light of recent fights and attacks on furry, fun characters, Dilara recalls her fight with a Bearkat!  Really, it DID happen.


I Used to Be a Bird and I Kicked Butt! A Belly Dancer's Memoir

Hip Mix's Remember When of 2010 (#1)

When Dilara wrote about her thoughts on belly dance and burlesque, it created a lot of buzz in the belly dance community. It even sparked others to write their own opinions- one dancer in particular was Maha, a must-read blog post of its own. Read Dilara's message that transcends time, and please, share your thoughts! Click the link below.

Burlesque and Belly Dance????  Sparked from an email she received, Dilara Sultan addresses the question and gives us a test too.  Do these two performance arts work well together??  Share your thoughts with us.


Belly Dancers: You Gotta Go With Your GUT!

Are You Treating YOU Naughty or Nice? Ho Ho Hip+Fit

Today's workout with my trainer gave me a little surprise when I ran into an old friend.  See how seeing him shifted my thinking this holiday season... maybe it will do the same for you too. Read Dilara's blog here!

"Fair and Balanced," My Belly Dance-Ass

Stereotype is something we as belly dancers fight against a great deal. Somewhere between dance practice and performances we are routinely defending belly dance as an art form as opposed to western stereotypes of harems and hoochie-mamas.
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This blog is not the first time I’ve talked about education, how we present ourselves and upholding image.  Today is another one of those days I ask myself,  “Will the stereotype die?”
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This morning, after I bundled up and ran off to the gym, excited to get my morning workout in, I noticed my trainer was just as excited as I was. To get exercise? No. To see me? No! To tell me about a controversial belly dance party for public officials in Pennsylvania? Oh great!
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For those of you not familiar with the story, in 2006 during the beginning of budget cuts for housing subsidies, the Pennsylvania Housing Authority (PHA) sponsored a diversity training event. It’s only just now hitting.
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Ok, so not a big deal, except it was $17,000 and included buffet style dinner, yodelers, salsa dancers, karaoke, and of course, belly dancers. What’s interesting about this coverage...
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To read the full blog click here!