If it Shimmies like a Duck Part II

The response that came from Dilara’s entry, “If It Shimmies Like A Duck,” was overwhelming.  Today, Dilara takes the theme further and encourages belly dancers to examine their own actions... both on and off the dance floor.

Read part II here.

Belly Dance & Politics: When To Take A Stand

It's not always appropriate to take a stand. Our time on stage is a gift given to us by the audience, and we should always think of their needs before our own. But in those rare moments when desire and opportunity collide, sometimes all we can do is dance and hope for the best.

An excerpt:

"One Lebanese dancer, Johanna Fakhry, decided her role as an artist was to use the stage to show her resolve for peace. At the 2011 Hellfest music festival in Clisson, France, she took stage with an Israeli metal band, Orphaned Lands, to dance. This act alone is illegal in her homeland, as having public dealings..."

Read the full blog in Dilara's Diary

Is Rihanna Belly Dancin'-Dancin'-Dancin'?

"We've converted another! It appears that rumors are floating around the celebrity gossip mill that Rihanna has been recently entranced by belly dance. And the news... is shocking!

Not that we're surprised Rihanna is belly dancing - for someone with a reputation for trendsetting, edgy glamour as well as breaking the Western Pop Culture Standard of size zero pop stars, the transition makes complete sense to us HipMix.net-ers. What's intriguing is the way the news is covering her new interest..."



Curious? Read Dilara's Diary on HipMix.net!

If It Shimmies Like A Duck...

The Holiday Break Belly Dancer

Do belly dance and vacations always mix?  Depends on who your are: the performer, the audience or the business-owner.  Does art play a role in the presentation of belly dance at resorts for holiday tourises?  You tell me. 

"...Now, what someone chooses to do on their own time: That’s their business.  But when someone misrepresents belly dance so completely in front of an impressionable audience IN ONE OF BELLY DANCE’S SACRED CITIES, well yeah. I considered applying for James Bond’s license to kill..."

Continue reading this blog about "What Gets Dilara's Goat" in Dilara's Diary on HipMix.net!

Problem With Belly Dance Moves? Motivation Comes In All Sizes

Belly dancers need to surround themselves with creative doses of motivation to achieve goals.  That is belly dancer Dilara Sultan's theory, and today she introduces us to her new pint-size motivational guru.  1 minute and it will change your day - Visit Dilara's Diary.

New Belly Dance Stereotypes?

You think you've heard it all when it comes to belly dance and what it brings to the minds of others? Maybe not. After Dilara asked belly dancers what the strange responses they've gotten to belly dance, a few surprising 'studies' on the art have cropped up.

See the results here!

See You On the Other Side

“Never let the odds keep you from pursuing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.”

It's not just belly dance, but about our lives.  With a goal in your mind... no matter how small, move forward!  Read on as Dilara shares her (silly?) little secret.

Another Viral Chick Fight Video... But Wait, This Has Dancing & More!

We've all seen drama on stage, but the bitch at the end was a real surprise... See what Dilara's showing on her blog today! 

Hip and Hassle Free Flying -Just Leave the Kids at Home

Belly dancers would agree with Dilara Sultan when it comes to seating locations on a plane: "I prefer the 'Jerk-free' section please... and yes, I’ll pay a little more for it."  Is that only a wish? Maybe not.  Ryanair’s kicking off a new exclusive flight plan this fall.  Perhaps HipMix.net and Ryanair can help belly dancers out.

Click here to read Dilara's thoughts on the new flight plan!

Up Next: Belly Dance on America's Next Top Model

It's always a hit-or-miss situation when belly dance is being 'presented' in mainstream media and it's not by belly dance professionals.  Dilara's giving us a head's up for tomorrow night's America's Next Top Model where Morocco's the destination and Belly Dancing is their challenge.


See Dilara's Diary for the video preview and stay tuned for Dilara's follow-up blog!

Aging Gracefully? Belly Dancers Hold The Secret!

Belly dancers have different beauty tricks up their sleeves and helping you stay young is one thing that belly dance will do.  Inspired by an anti-aging video today, Dilara Sultan shares as only she can, the good, bad and horrible in the quest for beauty. 

Check out Dilara's post here.

From Ballet to Belly Dance, DON'T Be A Natalie Portman

Dancers have passion and dancers have pride in their art.  If you think belly dancers are any different, boy are you mistaken.  Dilara Sultan chimes in on the ongoing buzz with Natalie Portman, Sarah Lane and connects it with the ongoing buzz in the belly dance world. Read Dilara's thoughts on the matter here.

Are You On The Belly Dance Bandwagon?

On again, off again... whether it's belly dancing, a fitness routine or any other personal goals, there's a time when we can all fall off the wagon.  A recent trip to Belize and Honduras reminded Dilara Sultan of that.  What direction is your bandwagon going? Click here to read Dilara's Diary.

Gucci Designs for Fiat? That's Nothing, See What a Belly Dancer Does for Dodge.

Belly dancer Dilara Sultan takes inspiration from Gucci and Fiat, and shows, yet again, that the best design ideas come from a belly dancer. Will Dodge agree and drop the “Got A Hemi?” slogan for “Got Shimmy?”

Check out this post in Dilara's Diary on HipMix.net

Shimmy with the Stars: Celebrity Belly Dancers We Would Lose Our Zills Over

If you haven’t heard, Sienna Miller has been cast in a new movie “Just Like a Woman” as a Chicago housewife turned belly dancer who runs to Las Vegas to compete in a belly dance competition. Miss Miller isn’t our first choice for the celebrity-belly dance crossover, but it did get us all thinking in the HipMix.net office about our dream line-up of celebrity dancers. Join us for a HipMix.net created imaginary recital that you’d sell your favorite costume to see!

Plus, let us know if we're missing anyone! Leave a comment in Dilara's Diary with a celebrity you would like to see bellydance!

Shimmy On The Rocks? No Thanks, I'll Pass

Oil and water, don’t mix
Nor do politics and religion 

or Charlie Sheen and smart decisions.

~And the same certainly holds true for Belly dance and ice skates. 

Read Dilara's Diary here.

Bombers Beware: This Belly Dancer's Got Plans For you!

In the news once again is the TSA, security issues at airports and the ultra sensitive issue of full-body scanners.  It seems that belly dancer Dilara Sultan has an interesting solution, but one you may not totally agree with.


Read Dilara's solution here!

So, A Belly Dancer Walks Into A Fitness Gym... (or When Dilara Was At A loss For Words)

The life of a belly dancer is anything but typical.  And that's absolutely true when it comes to Dilara Sultan's life... today was a perfect example.  What started out as a "normal day" at the gym... well, turned out to be anything but.  Too bad more people don't belly dance!

Click here to read Dilara's Diary.

Miss San Antonio Can No Longer Fit Into Her Crown?

What do you think a belly dancer would say about the pagent industry & its latest scandal?  What would you expect a belly dancer would say about beauty & body issues for women?  What belly dancer Dilara Sultan has to say may surprise you.


Click here to read Dilara's thoughts on the Miss San Antonio controversy!

Belly Dancer Steps Aside: Dilara Gives Her Diary To A Non-Dancer *gasp!*

Dilara is crazy busy & when she said she felt she’s been neglecting her diary… her new assistant Haley JUMPED up to the task. “Pleeeease let me do a guest installment.” What happened when she first met Dilara and learned she’s a belly dancer???  YIKES! … here it is.

How Haley Became Hip

Honey, I Have A Confession... I'm A Belly Dancer

I love the emails I receive from readers and belly dancers here on HipMix.net.  Not too long ago, I received an email from a dancer who had a unique question: At what point in a dating relationship do you reveal that you are a belly dancer? * 

Well, my love of belly dance developed after I was married... so I let my mind wander.  Then I let my attitude take over.  Now I’m putting my fingers to work.  I can't wait to read and see what you thoughts are on this subject.

Visit Dilara's Diary on HipMix.net to read my full blog!

Yet Another Belly Dance "Controversy"

Usually, when something is considered an "ancient art form" it isn't contested, nonetheless banned. But an interesting turn of events has set into motion a chain of events that baffles both me and my belly dancer friends.


Click here to read what happened!

Belly Dancers: Time To Throw 'Em Out & Move On

Started a new project in my home: a total tear-out and re-do of my kitchen and one of my bathrooms.  Many people said I was nuts, some say I’m nuts whether I’m doing anything or not.


"What? Right after the new year?" I heard. Yep, as if waiting another month would be any better or worse.
To be honest, I’ve been waiting 10 years to do this job... and I’m tired of waiting.


So, before New Year’s arrived... in fact, 2 days after Christmas - all signs of the holidays were gone: It’s time to purge.  The cabinets, the clutter, the closets. Something many of us do at this time of year anyway, right?


So, while we're all still in the mood to "revitalize" or “re-do” our lives, I thought I'd discuss a book I came across recently titled "Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life" by Gail Blanke. While I haven't gotten around to reading it yet, the topic alone was intriguing enough to get me thinking.


Click here to read the discussion.

Too Wired? Really, What is our Reality?

The new year has already shown us how technologically dependent we are - iPhone's New Year's glitch, for example.  Read on as belly dancer Dilara Sultan points out the good, the bad & the just plain creepy (robot pillows) of techie lives. 

"How dependent we have become on our gadgets is interesting.  We can’t wake up without our phone alerting us, and we can’t fall asleep without our tech-forward pillow spooning and cuddling with us at night. Huh?  Yeah, you read it right.  It seems that 2010 was stupendous in the tech world. We can now overcome our loneliness with a new robot pillow.  Words fail me in attempting to describe it... you MUST watch the video for yourself."

Click here to watch the video and read Dilara's full blog!