I found that DVD very entertaining and insightful, though I kind of resent Bellydancing becoming so "commonplace." Kind of like when Lord of the Rings became mainstream, you know?
Yes, I know -- but actually, I don't resent it. Having come up with it from the *huge* flurry of the 70s that they talk about on the DVD, it's so much better now. Back then, there *was* a lot of ridiculous hype about "how to make your husband a sultan" and it seemed like every unfulfilled woman on the planet, or maybe just *every* woman, was taking lessons. And only the few stuck it out to arrive here today. It's an ebb-and-flow thing that I see with lots of dance... folk-dancing, for example, had its heyday and now is dying slowly out. There's not the interest (so far) from the younger set. So it's wonderful to see belly dance change and grow and continue to attract women. It's a little more mature now as an art form, more grown-up -- and attracts a more serious clientele, if you will. Like you and your troupe -- women who really feel a calling, as opposed to an urge to "let loose and shake it." And I have to say, I'm not sorry to see that the belly-gram hasn't resurfaced! Oy.
Oh, how I wish we could take a class together too! I'm really wanting to go to some of the big events, so if something happens in Portland -- who knows? Maybe we can at least do a workshop together! Since you're more in touch than I am, be sure to keep me posted on what's happening. Someday I'll even make it to Rakkasah (sp?).
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Yes, I know -- but actually, I don't resent it. Having come up with it from the *huge* flurry of the 70s that they talk about on the DVD, it's so much better now. Back then, there *was* a lot of ridiculous hype about "how to make your husband a sultan" and it seemed like every unfulfilled woman on the planet, or maybe just *every* woman, was taking lessons. And only the few stuck it out to arrive here today. It's an ebb-and-flow thing that I see with lots of dance... folk-dancing, for example, had its heyday and now is dying slowly out. There's not the interest (so far) from the younger set. So it's wonderful to see belly dance change and grow and continue to attract women. It's a little more mature now as an art form, more grown-up -- and attracts a more serious clientele, if you will. Like you and your troupe -- women who really feel a calling, as opposed to an urge to "let loose and shake it." And I have to say, I'm not sorry to see that the belly-gram hasn't resurfaced! Oy.
Oh, how I wish we could take a class together too! I'm really wanting to go to some of the big events, so if something happens in Portland -- who knows? Maybe we can at least do a workshop together! Since you're more in touch than I am, be sure to keep me posted on what's happening. Someday I'll even make it to Rakkasah (sp?).