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shiredancer) wrote2006-05-21 10:53 pm
shiredancer) wrote2006-05-21 10:53 pm
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Belly Dancing!
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klostes! The belly dance post.
I've been meaning to post about my recent thoughts on belly dancing, and got some extra incentive tonight. I just saw the most amazing DVD -- it was a documentary, really, about the creation of the Belly Dance Superstars by the entreprenour Miles Copeland. Now, I've been sort of out of the belly dance scene the last few years, and didn't really have a good concept of what these Superstars are all about. I know they've danced in our town the last couple of years, but I haven't been able to get to the shows and wasn't sure what the deal was. Some kind of contest? Sort of like the Miss America of Belly Dance thing that goes on? Which always struck me as a bit cheesy, so hasn't caught my interest.
Instead, this DVD made it clear that the Superstars are basically Copeland's concept of The Next Big Thing. Apparently belly dance is hotter than EVER, and he decided that a touring show could be as successful as a touring rock concert. So there's lots of footage of the initial conversations, interviews, bouncing around of ideas, etc. And then there are interviews with dancers. Most of whom I've met. One, Ansuya, I've known almost her whole life -- her mom was one of my main teachers, and Ansuya was a little tyke of about four when I started taking lessons from Jenaeni. I remember when she became a young teenager, just starting to really dance, and I gave her a bunch of my costumes. It was my little effort to support the next generation of belly dancers. And I have to say, I was very proud of how articulate she was on the DVD. Suhaila Salimpour, too, another dancer I've watched since she was little -- her mom's troupe were the very first belly dancers I ever saw, at the Northern California Renaissance Faire way back when. I don't actually know Suhaila, but have taken workshops with her (well, who hasn't?), and again, I was impressed by her views. Then there was Morocco, who taught at the very first Belly Dance Camp in the Mendocino Woodlands -- the only time I attended. I remember her costume for her big performance that week -- it was a seafood costume! Sequined lobster claws on each boob, and I think a crab across the rear, and the whole thing was draped with fishnets. She was one outrageous lady, yup (and still sounded that way on the DVD). The whole thing was just exhilirating to watch, and made me so proud of my belly dancing sisterhood.
A few weeks ago I'd attended a little potluck hosted by another longtime friend, teacher, and fellow dancer, Alexandra King. It was like dipping my toes back into the water -- such a treat to see her, and be exposed to the dance world again! My friend is taking lessons with her so brought me along -- it was mainly an event for her students, but she was happy to see me. We got to reminisce about the good ol' days. Lots of good music, yummy Middle Eastern food (I brought a big platter of couscous and Moroccan veggies), and we watched another DVD that night, called Evolution: American Tribal Fusion (or something like that). Whoa -- this is the very latest in the belly dance world, and I was *amazed*. The Middle Eastern traditions of belly dance are being blended with rock, jazz, hip-hop, and even Japanese Kabuki -- it's just incredible. Some of it I loved, and if I was young again, I'd be *so* doing that! They dance in tight pants now, some of them, low slung of course, and hair is gathered up into all kinds of intricate braids, pony tails, whatever, strung through with shells and bits of feathers or clacking things. Make-up is pretty serious stuff, and tattoos are everywhere. So cool. Lots of gimmicks, too ("you gotta have a gimmick") -- some of them had me laughing hysterically. One girl did a hula hoop dance -- she had that thing circling *everywhere*, and it never stopped. I swear, she was in a circus or Cirque du Soleil or something before she took up belly dance. Likewise the ones doing the -- swear to Buddha -- New Zealand Maori-influenced didgeridoo dance, with flaming everything. Including the didgeridoo! Putting flaming torches out in *their mouths*? Just nuts. And overall, I can't say I liked the fusion with Japanese dance -- but then, I've never been into Kabuki-style, with the make-up and fans and all.
Alex and I got to talking about how great it is, this fresh new approach to belly dance, and how the younger girls are making it *theirs* and keeping it alive, albeit somewhat changed -- it's all just so good. I feel a renewed interest myself, and plan on taking a summer class that Alex thinks will be right up my alley. So who knows? 52 doesn't *have* to be too old for belly dance -- does it? *Shimmies off*
klostes! The belly dance post. I've been meaning to post about my recent thoughts on belly dancing, and got some extra incentive tonight. I just saw the most amazing DVD -- it was a documentary, really, about the creation of the Belly Dance Superstars by the entreprenour Miles Copeland. Now, I've been sort of out of the belly dance scene the last few years, and didn't really have a good concept of what these Superstars are all about. I know they've danced in our town the last couple of years, but I haven't been able to get to the shows and wasn't sure what the deal was. Some kind of contest? Sort of like the Miss America of Belly Dance thing that goes on? Which always struck me as a bit cheesy, so hasn't caught my interest.
Instead, this DVD made it clear that the Superstars are basically Copeland's concept of The Next Big Thing. Apparently belly dance is hotter than EVER, and he decided that a touring show could be as successful as a touring rock concert. So there's lots of footage of the initial conversations, interviews, bouncing around of ideas, etc. And then there are interviews with dancers. Most of whom I've met. One, Ansuya, I've known almost her whole life -- her mom was one of my main teachers, and Ansuya was a little tyke of about four when I started taking lessons from Jenaeni. I remember when she became a young teenager, just starting to really dance, and I gave her a bunch of my costumes. It was my little effort to support the next generation of belly dancers. And I have to say, I was very proud of how articulate she was on the DVD. Suhaila Salimpour, too, another dancer I've watched since she was little -- her mom's troupe were the very first belly dancers I ever saw, at the Northern California Renaissance Faire way back when. I don't actually know Suhaila, but have taken workshops with her (well, who hasn't?), and again, I was impressed by her views. Then there was Morocco, who taught at the very first Belly Dance Camp in the Mendocino Woodlands -- the only time I attended. I remember her costume for her big performance that week -- it was a seafood costume! Sequined lobster claws on each boob, and I think a crab across the rear, and the whole thing was draped with fishnets. She was one outrageous lady, yup (and still sounded that way on the DVD). The whole thing was just exhilirating to watch, and made me so proud of my belly dancing sisterhood.
A few weeks ago I'd attended a little potluck hosted by another longtime friend, teacher, and fellow dancer, Alexandra King. It was like dipping my toes back into the water -- such a treat to see her, and be exposed to the dance world again! My friend is taking lessons with her so brought me along -- it was mainly an event for her students, but she was happy to see me. We got to reminisce about the good ol' days. Lots of good music, yummy Middle Eastern food (I brought a big platter of couscous and Moroccan veggies), and we watched another DVD that night, called Evolution: American Tribal Fusion (or something like that). Whoa -- this is the very latest in the belly dance world, and I was *amazed*. The Middle Eastern traditions of belly dance are being blended with rock, jazz, hip-hop, and even Japanese Kabuki -- it's just incredible. Some of it I loved, and if I was young again, I'd be *so* doing that! They dance in tight pants now, some of them, low slung of course, and hair is gathered up into all kinds of intricate braids, pony tails, whatever, strung through with shells and bits of feathers or clacking things. Make-up is pretty serious stuff, and tattoos are everywhere. So cool. Lots of gimmicks, too ("you gotta have a gimmick") -- some of them had me laughing hysterically. One girl did a hula hoop dance -- she had that thing circling *everywhere*, and it never stopped. I swear, she was in a circus or Cirque du Soleil or something before she took up belly dance. Likewise the ones doing the -- swear to Buddha -- New Zealand Maori-influenced didgeridoo dance, with flaming everything. Including the didgeridoo! Putting flaming torches out in *their mouths*? Just nuts. And overall, I can't say I liked the fusion with Japanese dance -- but then, I've never been into Kabuki-style, with the make-up and fans and all.
Alex and I got to talking about how great it is, this fresh new approach to belly dance, and how the younger girls are making it *theirs* and keeping it alive, albeit somewhat changed -- it's all just so good. I feel a renewed interest myself, and plan on taking a summer class that Alex thinks will be right up my alley. So who knows? 52 doesn't *have* to be too old for belly dance -- does it? *Shimmies off*
no subject
And that seafood costume sounds extreme! LOL!
no subject
Yeah, it's really fun to watch a DVD and realize you know, even casually, a bunch of the people featured in it. That gives me, what, two degrees of separation from Miles Copeland and three degrees from the Police!!?? (The group he was most famous for managing.)
no subject
One of the gals in my troupe goes to a workshop with Morocco every year here; I didn't go this year because I decided to focus more on my writing. That Tribal Fusion DVD is interesting; I didn't care that much for the Japanese dance, either, but there was some very cool stuff on there. If you want to be further entertained, there's a Gothic Bellydance DVD; I've seen bits and pieces of it and it's...interesting. ;-) Some incredible stuff and some WTF? moments, too.
I want to go to class with you!
no subject
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?).