London Belly Dance Festival Fantasia "Redesigned" - Page 4

Kharis · 06-09-2008, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suheir

Jo's face when Lucy told her she was too fat is a perfect study in suppressed fury.

The problem with J'Wise is that she claims she is the Queen of British Belly Dance. I understand she most likely has a lot of students/follows, and I respect their loyalty. She was definitely the Queen of that Summer School, with her little adoring entourage and she gave herself top slot at the evening show (her prerogative, of course). But I think she fell into the trap of believing her own hype. And when Lucy came out with that comment, her indignation and disgust at finally having someone tell the truth was a joy to behold. Interestingly, she did indeed lose weight after that...so all the bravado of packing suitcases of chocolate because 'we don't care what size we are" obviously did matter in the end - at least to that particular Diva.

Kharis · 06-09-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suheir

I have that Channel 4 doc on video, they called it "Shake Sheik Shake"

It's not at all clear what the point of it is, if I wasn't into belly dance I think I'd have been a bit bemused. It's fun getting out the tape years later because I can spot so many more people I recognise now, mostly the ones who went on to become much better dancers than Madam Josephine. Jo's face when Lucy told her she was too fat is a perfect study in suppressed fury.

I was there all through the week of filming. I think they wanted something scandalous to happen, or bitchy arguments to break out. The nearest they might have got was when the core clique capered naked wrapped in clingfilm round a bonfire at midnight, by which time the camera crew had gone home for the day. I remember watching all those fat plastic wrapped arses and thinking, why the fuck am I here? I recall I retired early at the tedium of it all. But hey, whatever floats yer boat. I have the photos somewhere.... maybe I should give the Sun a call.....

Suheir · 06-09-2008, 11:46 AM

I have a copy of the current brochure for the Islington Arts Factory which hosts some of Jo Wise's classes. This is the description:

"Egyptian Intermediate/Advanced

For those with at least three years previous experience of this traditional women's dance from the Middle East, the forerunner of belly dance. African technique with added eastern influence from Persia and India. Tutuor - Jo Wise"

Erm? "Forerunner" of belly dance?! And what's with the African/Persian/Indian schtick? It may as well include burlesque from what I've seen of JWAAD teachers recently.

taheya · 06-09-2008, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kharis

The problem with J'Wise is that she claims she is the Queen of British Belly Dance. I understand she most likely has a lot of students/follows, and I respect their loyalty. She was definitely the Queen of that Summer School, with her little adoring entourage and she gave herself top slot at the evening show (her prerogative, of course). But I think she fell into the trap of believing her own hype. And when Lucy came out with that comment, her indignation and disgust at finally having someone tell the truth was a joy to behold. Interestingly, she did indeed lose weight after that...so all the bravado of packing suitcases of chocolate because 'we don't care what size we are" obviously did matter in the end - at least to that particular Diva.

Do you mean Lucy of Cairo said that to Jo?? I must say I went on the JWAAD summer school a few years ago and I had a great time- I met loads of people and also learnt alot and developed into a more confident dancer.

Suheir · 06-09-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kharis

The nearest they might have got was when the core clique capered naked wrapped in clingfilm round a bonfire at midnight, by which time the camera crew had gone home for the day.

I have heard tell of this. When the naked cartwheels were recounted I started to feel queasy. It sounds more like Lord Of The Flies than a dance festival to me! To judge by Taheya's experience it's no longer like that, thankfully!

Aniseteph · 06-09-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kharis

The nearest they might have got was when the core clique capered naked wrapped in clingfilm round a bonfire at midnight, by which time the camera crew had gone home for the day.

O-M-G

What on earth was the reasoning behind that then?

taheya · 06-10-2008, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aniseteph

O-M-G

What on earth was the reasoning behind that then?

Ha ha

dont look for reason in the madness Anisteph!!

maylynn · 06-10-2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kharis

I was there all through the week of filming. I think they wanted something scandalous to happen, or bitchy arguments to break out. The nearest they might have got was when the core clique capered naked wrapped in clingfilm round a bonfire at midnight, by which time the camera crew had gone home for the day. I remember watching all those fat plastic wrapped arses and thinking, why the fuck am I here? I recall I retired early at the tedium of it all. But hey, whatever floats yer boat. I have the photos somewhere.... maybe I should give the Sun a call.....

My, my, my. How very amusing! Pure class.
This is all I will think of now when I think of JWAAD!

Suheir · 06-10-2008, 08:59 AM

There is now an enormous proliferation of popular music festivals in the UK, in the past few years more and more have sprung up where it's now got to the stage that saturation point must soon be reached (sound familiar?). I've read a couple of magazine articles recently about new "boutique" music festivals which, instead of being monstrously enormous and unwieldy like some of the established festivals, are making intimacy and quality control their selling points.

For a belly dance festival, I'd rather there were a smaller number of genuinely good teachers, limited numbers in classes and that accompanying shows were chosen for quality rather than quantity. You can't be all things to all people, however. I, for one, have no desire to watch a show which intersperses top Egyptian teachers with Donna Cheapo-Coinscarf and her intermediate students from Penge.

Kharis · 06-10-2008, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suheir

I have heard tell of this. When the naked cartwheels were recounted I started to feel queasy. It sounds more like Lord Of The Flies than a dance festival to me! To judge by Taheya's experience it's no longer like that, thankfully!

That must have been a bad year when I attended. Naked cartwheels? Excuse me while I go poke out my mind's eye.

06-09-2008, 11:46 AM	#33 (permalink)
Suheir V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Europe - London Posts: 1,227	I have a copy of the current brochure for the Islington Arts Factory which hosts some of Jo Wise's classes. This is the description: "Egyptian Intermediate/Advanced For those with at least three years previous experience of this traditional women's dance from the Middle East, the forerunner of belly dance. African technique with added eastern influence from Persia and India. Tutuor - Jo Wise" Erm? "Forerunner" of belly dance?! And what's with the African/Persian/Indian schtick? It may as well include burlesque from what I've seen of JWAAD teachers recently.

06-10-2008, 08:59 AM	#39 (permalink)
Suheir V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Europe - London Posts: 1,227	There is now an enormous proliferation of popular music festivals in the UK, in the past few years more and more have sprung up where it's now got to the stage that saturation point must soon be reached (sound familiar?). I've read a couple of magazine articles recently about new "boutique" music festivals which, instead of being monstrously enormous and unwieldy like some of the established festivals, are making intimacy and quality control their selling points. For a belly dance festival, I'd rather there were a smaller number of genuinely good teachers, limited numbers in classes and that accompanying shows were chosen for quality rather than quantity. You can't be all things to all people, however. I, for one, have no desire to watch a show which intersperses top Egyptian teachers with Donna Cheapo-Coinscarf and her intermediate students from Penge.