da Sage

Well, I think they ARE trying to prove something, that is the whole point. And I disagree that such a show will look like a comedy version. The idea is to create a show where large is normal, where their skills and interpretation become the focus. Maybe some of the women who participate wish to not be "the biggest one on stage" for once. Of course, someone always has to be the biggest in every show.

It shouldn't be necessary, but...if it's strongly desired, it probably has its place.

Caroline_afifi

Prove what exactly? does that mean we need a big boob/small boobs shows to prove that small breasted women are as good as big ones?
where does this end?

Like I said, if that is what people want to do then so be it...but, in the real world do you not think that fat is used as comedy? as a fetish? very sad but I am afraid it is true.
In trying to prove something, the opposite may occur and this would be my primary concern.
Why cant fat people be appreciated as part of any show? for me it is the opposite of the male only show. In a male only show, I would argue that the fact they are all men would reduce the novelty value, I am not sure a fat belly dance show would be the same, infact I think the opposite.
For me it is like saying 'we know we are not as worthy but we will try to prove we are'.
A big fat risk me thinks.

da Sage

There are already threads on tribe which proclaim the superiority of small-breasted-dancers' figures. But I doubt anyone will get any closer to a small-busted show that the BDSS has, already.

It is true. But if fat women fear being used for "comedy", they would never leave the house.

That is the tricky part of this idea, and why I am (as I said previously) not so enthused about the idea myself.

There is that side of it, but I will not try to restrict people from saying what they want to (and how they want to), even if I think they could say it better another way. Freedom of speech = freedom of art.

Caroline_afifi

[Well thank goodness I do not belong to tribe.

it is really not about this. It is about slapping a label on something. Women of all shapes and sizes are just women when they are joined together doing something. Like A'isha said earlier, it is about the dance not about anything else.
I am just trying to be truthful about what I think may happen.
If larger women stayed in doors then the streets would be empty and nothing would get done.


[/quote]
Agreed but it is nice to have a discussion on the topic to explore all eventualities. Ater all, it is what this forum is about.

TribalDancer

What threads are those exactly? I belong to a ton of bellydance tribes, and don't recall anyone touting superiority of any particular body type over another in the bellydance world. On the contrary, they tend to have similar feelings as on any board--that all body types are welcome and have their own beauty!

But the problem is, by creating size/sex/whatever specific shows you send the message that there does in fact need to be separate events. By creating what you see as "opportunities" for a specific cross-section of dancers, you are sending a message to dancers and the public alike that they are different/separate and/or they need to be separated for some reason. Instead, creating events which encourage and showcase dancers of all shapes, sizes, and ages, you reinforce the important message that all are equally welcome and valued!

jenc

I agree - it is a catch22 situation isn't it? Did you know that all the magazines that have interviews with "real life stories" will only feature size 12 and under. A journalist did an interview with a size 14 war widow and was told never todo it again. What we need is more mainstream featuring of all sizes and looks.

lizaj

Nothing amazed me more in my life ( well a bit of an exaggeration) when size 14 moved to outsize. Dear lord I just got back to size 14.
Isn't the average UK size 16?
In which case aren't size 16 and there abouts really- real people?
Which magazines? I obviously don't read them as I've never heard of such a thing but then I've moved onto books a while back
Just where is this story about a size 14 war widow and journalist having hand smacked? And what size was the editor and journalist?

Back in the early 1970s I dieted to my lightest ever 8 and a half stone and was all skin and bone but size 10-12 and..... got ordered by my doctor to put some of the weight back on! How times change!

da Sage

I remember there was one talking about the superiority of Bozenka's average bust/generous hips figure for bellydancing. And there are multiple threads about the Indigo girls. I'm sorry I cannot refer you to the exact threads. If my making the statement without backup offends you, I can delete or retract it.

Agreed, when it is a body/gender/ethnic-restricted show - the message will always be mixed, and the undertaking will always be political. I'm not saying I would do it, I'm just saying that there are few situations in which I would discourage those that do want to do it.

Sara

That's the Vicar of Dibley for yas! Bit long, but you get to the ballet eventually

I have to say that I don't really agree with larger people only classes. I think that it encourages more of a segregation. We have to take into account that there aren't classes for smaller dancers. So wouldn't a larger people only class just encourage more of a divide between dancers?

I can underdstand the situation, but I think it is important to remember that it is not just larger people who have issues and concerns with their body. I know when I'm in a class I have body worries and concerns. After our class we all end up banging on about our body concerns and general banter, it's what helps us all gel more and we have a laugh about it.

I don't really agree with segregation on any sort of level to be honest. In my area you have seperate schools for most nationalities and if anything it just makes the problems a lot worse. In the past every society has gone through some sort of problems, and I think to breach that gap and make for more understanding people need to mix together. That way we all get to have a better understanding of eachother. I don't think it's right for people to judge who has and who hasn't had a hard time of it, cause most people have in many different ways. But that's just my opinion.

ttfn!

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gisela

This post has somehow disappeared. Maybe for the best...

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