Gothic Belly dance - Page 4

Moon · 08-29-2006, 06:09 PM

I watched the performance of Jehan at the website (see Amulya's link) and I although I can only watch it in a very "shaky" way here and without sound, I agree with you that this dance was too far away from bellydance. However, I think not only Jehan is to be blamed but also the persons who made and sold this gothic bellydance DVD. They should have placed some kind of warning on the cover that there is a performance on it which is not suitable for young children to watch and can be shocky for some persons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marisha25

Wow Moon, you posted 430 times!

As soon as I reach 500, you should all have a piece of the virtual cake I'm going to post

Aniseteph · 08-29-2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amulya

What is your avatar? You mean the picture is yours? I thought that was Tempest herself.

Not the main picture on http://www.meddevi.com/gothicbellydance/main.html but the smaller one at the bottom.

It's not me (unfortunately

) but neither is it Tempest or any other Goth, or any other bellydancer; it's Marilyn Monroe.

I'm going to change mine now though - I fancy a change so I'm going get my crayons out tonight and do something original!

Sara · 08-29-2006, 07:53 PM

Cool, I like drawing.

But back to subject, I still don't really understand the idea of gothic belly dance. Is it just fantasy? Or is it something else?

Moon · 08-29-2006, 08:27 PM

The idea I have of it is that it is some kind of fusion style, "invented" by ghots, in which they kind of mixed bellydance with their own style of clothing an make-up, fantasies and probably also music. I think the style is overall more dramatic, theatrical and has a more "dark atmospere".

Michelle · 08-30-2006, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marisha25

it seemed to me that Goth subculture is not exactly encouraging of sunny dispositions. As for Jehan's explanation of her controversial performance I had a similar feeling to that when I read Sashi's explanation about her dancing with the pierced metal wings...I felt that they used a lot of rhetoric but never really addressed the actual concerns raised and if you strip away all the pretty words it came out like "this is my dance, and I will do what I like"...grrr

Exactly the same thoughts that came to me as I was reading her response....
Flowery language does not hide the fact that she is not even addressing the issues here. I think a major issue, especially for myself, is that this is not even a tiny bit bellydance. Her reply to that was that the two moves she did were "executed beautifully." Two moves does NOT make it belly dance. Because on that principle, many things would be included under the title of belly dance (even more than what already has been included) and the dance would eventually cease to have any defining properties. You could be square-dancing, add a hip-twist, and call it belly dance. As preposterous as it may sound, it could eventually end up that way.
The fact that Jehan chooses to hold her "spirituality" as a shield from criticism does not alter the fact that it was inappropriate, both in the context and intent, for a bellydance DVD.

Sara · 08-30-2006, 07:46 PM

Well, I must admit, I was really shocked when I saw it. I came across it by accident.

My dad was stood behind me, and I was sooo embarassed. :o It's wasn't good.

I think I'm beginning to understand the idea's behind it, but I don't think it's for me. I'm sure there's some brilliant performances though. Perhaps?

Aisha Azar · 08-30-2006, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michelle

Flowery language does not hide the fact that she is not even addressing the issues here. I think a major issue, especially for myself, is that this is not even a tiny bit bellydance. Her reply to that was that the two moves she did were "executed beautifully." Two moves does NOT make it belly dance. Because on that principle, many things would be included under the title of belly dance (even more than what already has been included) and the dance would eventually cease to have any defining properties. You could be square-dancing, add a hip-twist, and call it belly dance. As preposterous as it may sound, it could eventually end up that way.
The fact that Jehan chooses to hold her "spirituality" as a shield from criticism does not alter the fact that it was inappropriate, both in the context and intent, for a bellydance DVD.

Dear Michelle,
BRAVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your commentary above was succinct and realistic as far as what we are now seeing being passed off as "belly dance". Thankyou a thousand times. When I lose hope of people understanding why it is so important to properly call the dances what they really are, I will remember your post here.
With respect,
A'isha

Amulya · 08-31-2006, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aniseteph

Not the main picture on http://www.meddevi.com/gothicbellydance/main.html but the smaller one at the bottom.

It's not me (unfortunately

) but neither is it Tempest or any other Goth, or any other bellydancer; it's Marilyn Monroe.

I'm going to change mine now though - I fancy a change so I'm going get my crayons out tonight and do something original!

I guess it has been taken off because it is not there

Gabi · 08-31-2006, 08:13 AM

Deleted for clean up

***apologizing for generalizing about the performer instead of only that one performance***

Moon · 08-31-2006, 12:41 PM

What's a fluff pot?

08-29-2006, 07:53 PM	#33 (permalink)
Sara V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Wales/Yorkshire Posts: 1,160	Cool, I like drawing. But back to subject, I still don't really understand the idea of gothic belly dance. Is it just fantasy? Or is it something else? __________________ With a little bit of this and a little bit of that, now shake your bum.... :P

08-30-2006, 07:46 PM	#36 (permalink)
Sara V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Wales/Yorkshire Posts: 1,160	Well, I must admit, I was really shocked when I saw it. I came across it by accident. My dad was stood behind me, and I was sooo embarassed. :o It's wasn't good. I think I'm beginning to understand the idea's behind it, but I don't think it's for me. I'm sure there's some brilliant performances though. Perhaps? __________________ With a little bit of this and a little bit of that, now shake your bum.... :P

08-31-2006, 08:13 AM	#39 (permalink)
Gabi Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 317	Deleted for clean up *apologizing for generalizing about the performer instead of only that one performance* Last edited by Gabi; 09-28-2006 at 08:34 AM. Reason: apology and sucking up to the kind Gothic Dancers who enlightened us further in the thread

08-29-2006, 08:27 PM	#34 (permalink)
Moon V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 3,621	The idea I have of it is that it is some kind of fusion style, "invented" by ghots, in which they kind of mixed bellydance with their own style of clothing an make-up, fantasies and probably also music. I think the style is overall more dramatic, theatrical and has a more "dark atmospere".

08-31-2006, 12:41 PM	#40 (permalink)
Moon V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 3,621	What's a fluff pot?