7:50 p.m. - 17 March, 2009
shimmy thoughts
"True dancers do not BAN movement." ~DaVid of Scandinavia
I’ve been reading the debate on one of the dance forums over the Bellydance Superstars show (BDSS, regarding non-fusion and tribal fusion dance). Maybe it’s just me and the fact that I’ve only been bellydancing regularly since 2006, but I loved the show. The dabke (sp?) was not my cup of tea, but overall, I was in awe of the athletic, technical, and artistic abilities of the dancers. Sonia dances in practically everything, and Zoe Jakes is phenomenal. Both of their drum solos were inspiring! I wish that I could spin like Petite Jamila, and Sabah’s energy was infectious. (There was only one “back-up” dancer who looked like she was going to shimmy out of her skirt--that made me cringe a bit.)
I liked watching the counterbalance of cabaret and tribal fusion. To me, it was like branching the divide between the two styles...an extension of camaraderie, if you will. It was especially fascinating to watch a cabaret and tribal fusion dancer do the same choreography. They were alike, yet unique at the same time. I think that the show might have made a bigger impression on me because it was my first BDSS experience. Maybe it has something to do with fresh eyes and a lack of preconceived notions about the BDSS? I am definitely Raqs America bound.
I really do enjoy so many of the styles that fall under the “bellydance” umbrella. I love watching American cabaret, Egyptian, Turkish, Persian, ATS, and tribal fusion dancing. I’m fascinated by movement, and I’m very appreciative of dance as a whole. (Strike that--very appreciative of GOOD dancing. I’ve seen some awful stuff, haha.) Being involved in bellydance is a wonderful thing. Not only do I get to dance, but I also have several opportunities to experience all of these styles come to life through incredibly talented dancers.
I know that I am very fortunate to have so many resources at my fingertips. I’m an “American cabaret” student, but I’ve taken Turkish, Egyptian, and Persian workshops. I want to learn more about those styles, and I eventually want to try tribal fusion once I’ve obtained a more solid grasp on my current style. Bellydance has been nothing but a positive experience for me, and I hope that it remains so. There’s so much negativity in the world, and as a scientist in a cancer program, I encounter it frequently. I believe that we all need an outlet to shed light on the goodness and beauty that exists. Dance is my sanctum.
I wonder if other new dancers feel like they’ve stepped wide-eyed into a shimmering, music-filled Candyland sometimes?
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
