Quote:
Originally Posted by Caroline_afifi
I understand the compeletly what you are saying but.. 
Having worked around the Bellydance superstars for the past three years, you would not be believe how ordinary they are.
I see them in their civvies before they get dressed and I see them at breakfast etc. and they dont swan around saying 'HEY Look I AM A SUPERSTAR!!'
They look like they get spots and cold sores like the rest of us. they dont look surgically enhanced, and if they are they were very careful about it.
They dont wear make up, wear glasses and trudge around in their old trackies. they look the opposite of what you imagine. They are young to 40's in age and Jillina is not size zero but a healthy womanly shape.
I think the title of Superstar and the stage image actually gives people the wrong impression about the real individuals whom participate in this show.
Perhaps it is the package people have the problem with? |
Dear Caroline,
My problem with the BDSS is that they are usually neither superstars nor great belly dancers for the most part. There is the occasionally truly talented person, but often they are hidden under mundane choreographies and parlor tricks. The show waters down considerably a very difficult art form and makes it appear plastic and easy. Then there are the unreasonable dimensions that have no place on a stage at all unless someone is truly talented, such as "Bellynesian", which is an insult to two distinct cultures. Sabbah is the best thing they have, and she is truly talented in her fusion style. Is it belly dance? No. Is it ballet? No, but she has created, with the help of Hallah, a new art form that is just beautiful.
Some years ago on this forum, I had a knock down drag out with Miles Copeland about the quality of the work they were presenting. ( You think the thing with the male dance shows is bad???) He ended up buying me tickets to the show and after we spent 4 hours discussing things in a nearby lounge. We found that we liked each other well enough as people, but that we will continue to disagree about the show. He finally did admit to me that he knows little or nothing about belly dance and does not care about the technical dance elements. He is a producer, not a dancer, but I wish he would feel a little more responsibility to the dance itself.
Regards,
A'isha