Dancing with lighted candles is a tradition that appears in many cultures, particularly Eastern. In the Middle East, candles are mostly used either held in the hand, or worn on the head in the form of a candelabra (shemadan). To the Middle Eastern Dancer the (careful!) and skilful use of lighted candles in a dance adds a beautiful and interesting feature to a performance. When planning to use lighted candles in a show, always check with the organisers or owners of the venue first, as there are strict fire regulations, especially in theatres where there are public performances.

Candles can be combined with many dance moves, but most of these will need to be executed slowly to keep the flame alight, and avoid the spillage of hot wax! When holding candles in the hand its best to use tea lights, or small flat candles, and to place them in holders with either raised sides or a wide rim- this helps to avoid spilling wax on your hand, and also keeps the candles from moving around.

Here are a few moves that can be combined with candles:

• Fig 8 (horizontal normal & reverse, vertical/sideways)
• Snake Arms/Stroke the Cat
• Camel Walk (forward and sideways)
• Hip circles & breaks
• Step-ball-step (flat footed & on raised toes)
• Malaysian spiral *( single arms & both together)
• Egyptian, Swagger & Sharki Walk
• Rib Slides & other isolations Shoulder shimmies & other shimmies (either done slowly or with great care!)

* The Malaysian Spiral is a move I learnt from a Malaysian lady who said it was typically used for dances in her country. Hold a candle in the palm of each hand. Starting with the right hand, turn your wrist inwards towards your body, under your arm, keeping your palm horizontal. When you have turned your hand about 180% to the right, (you will need to lean your upper body away from your arm slightly to facilitate it) raise your arm and at the same time circle anticlockwise back towards your head (still keeping your hand horizontal and palm upwards!). Now take your hand over your head, and move it in a circle round from the back to the front, lowering your hand. Your palm should now be facing upwards, about chest height. From this position, you can spiral back under your armpit, and keep repeating the whole sequence. This should be a continuous movement. Repeat on the other side!

Beginners Candle Routine

1. Facing front, arms raised to shoulder height, do snake arms for 16 beats. Sway body slightly.
2. Step sideways in a fig 8, right x 2 left x 2. Keep arms still, but raised to the sides.
3. Bring the arms around in front and Snake Arms/Stroke the cat to the count of 8.
4. Bring hands together & stretched out in front at chest height, and backwards camel/SBS for 4 steps.
5. Take your arms to the sides and circle the hips slowly twice around to the count of 4.
6. Starting on the right do a Malysian Spiral up & down to the count of 8 (4 up & 4 down), then repeat on the left.
7. Turn to the left. Left hand raised in front & right lowered behind SBS/camel in an anti clockwise circle for 16 counts ending up facing the front.

This routine was designed for the first section of track 10 (Immortal Egypt), from CD Immortal Egypt (Hossan Ramzy & Phil Thornton), but try it with other pieces of music, or experiment and create your own routine!

Val Rainbow July 2002