Presenting at Science fiction conventions

Aisha Azar · 07-01-2008, 02:36 PM

Dear Gang,
This summer I am going to be a presenter at a Science Fiction convention, not as a dancer but as a lecturer on Belly dance in the historical sense. I have danced at a Sci-Fi event only once before, (long long ago in a place far away), but never presented a lecture. My intention at this point is to talk, briefly demonstrate and discuss root folkloric dances as forerunners of the styles in different regions. Since I have only 50 minutes including a question and answer segment, I am considering putting some people in the proper costuming and demonstrating the dance myself wearing something rather plain such as gelebiyeh and hip scarf. I simply to do not have the time to change and talk. Anyone who is a Sci Fi event regular, do you think this will be an acceptable way to present, and if not, do you have any suggestions? The sponsors of the event have pretty much left it up to me to do what I want. I prefer live humans to slides or photos, but I could be wrong with this....
Regards,
A'isha

Shanazel · 07-01-2008, 02:59 PM

Well, A'isha, here is your chance to dress up like Princess Leia as Jabba the Hutt's slave girl and you are going to blow it off for a gelebiyah and hip scarf? Girl, where is your CLASS?

Aisha Azar · 07-01-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanazel

Well, A'isha, here is your chance to dress up like Princess Leia as Jabba the Hutt's slave girl and you are going to blow it off for a gelebiyah and hip scarf? Girl, where is your CLASS?

Dear Shanazel,
Yeah.... I know.... how very mundane of me...Fortunately I have never claimed to have any class so I have practically nothing to live up to!! I WOULD look really good in those round braids.... dontcha think? I could do a fairly good sarcastic imperial attitude and frowny expression....but the whole slave thing just is not my gig.
After all, lets keep in mind that we are talking about ME.
OUR most royal regards,
QAA
( I just KNEW that the title would come in handy some day!!)

Eve · 07-01-2008, 04:19 PM

I'd pitch it as light & informative.

If it were me I'd consider how BD & sc-fi have linked up - you could use slides/video clips of where and when BD has been represented (rightly/wrongly) in sc-fi, usually as mentioned some scantily clad exotic slave girl types.
Orion (Star Trek - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Aisha Azar · 07-01-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eve

I'd pitch it as light & informative.

If it were me I'd consider how BD & sc-fi have linked up - you could use slides/video clips of where and when BD has been represented (rightly/wrongly) in sc-fi, usually as mentioned some scantily clad exotic slave girl types.
Orion (Star Trek - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Dear Eve,
I think the light and informative idea is perfect! Thanks!
They were pretty specific as to wanting me to talk about belly dance on earth and its history here. They chose me for that reason, because I do not present the dance as fantasy! I have been trying to think about how to work in the Sci-Fi angle... not sure about how to get around to that yet, but your idea is worth consideration.
BTW, the dancer in the Star Trek episode where Scotty gets arrested for killing the dancing girl is Tonia Khianis, though I might have her name spelled wrong here. She used to dance very frequently with John Bilizekian in LA. she is the mother of Atlantis, the dancer not the country. Tonia is a warm and funny person and I like her alot. She used to keep a slew of German Shepherds.
Regards,
A;isha

teela · 07-01-2008, 05:21 PM

I think your approach could begin with that star trek episode because it is based on a Jack The Ripper idea that originated on earth and then use it to segway into the history of belly dance on earth by explaining the costume and dance they'd seen was cabaret from whenever but this is where it got its start. Then go into the folkloric history with the rest of what you envision. If I were attending the convention, I would go to it myself. I enjoy belly dance things at conventions.

Aisha Azar · 07-01-2008, 09:14 PM

Dear Gang,
Do any of you know if that Star Trek episode is the reason there even IS a tie-in to belly dance and Sci-Fi???
Regards,
A'isha

adiemus · 07-01-2008, 09:18 PM

I think bellydance and scifi have a link more in terms of fantasy than scifi specifically. Science fiction can cover a multitude of genres, and fantasy often refers to 'things Oriental'... In terms of TV, think of 'I think of Genie', and there you have the link!
What about getting on google and narrowing down the search to scifi then looking for bellydancing references?

Aisha Azar · 07-01-2008, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adiemus

I think bellydance and scifi have a link more in terms of fantasy than scifi specifically. Science fiction can cover a multitude of genres, and fantasy often refers to 'things Oriental'... In terms of TV, think of 'I think of Genie', and there you have the link!
What about getting on google and narrowing down the search to scifi then looking for bellydancing references?

Dear Adiemus,
AAAHHHHH.... of course. It IS a Science Fiction/ FANTASY comvention....
Thanks for that. the Sci-Fi group got in touch with me and asked me to do the lecture, but your post makes good sense.
Regards,
A'isha

Aniseteph · 07-01-2008, 10:50 PM

SF/bellydance connection...

Book Review: Dancer of Gor

(Shira strikes again!

)

07-01-2008, 02:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Aisha Azar V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 4,219	Presenting at Science fiction conventions Dear Gang, This summer I am going to be a presenter at a Science Fiction convention, not as a dancer but as a lecturer on Belly dance in the historical sense. I have danced at a Sci-Fi event only once before, (long long ago in a place far away), but never presented a lecture. My intention at this point is to talk, briefly demonstrate and discuss root folkloric dances as forerunners of the styles in different regions. Since I have only 50 minutes including a question and answer segment, I am considering putting some people in the proper costuming and demonstrating the dance myself wearing something rather plain such as gelebiyeh and hip scarf. I simply to do not have the time to change and talk. Anyone who is a Sci Fi event regular, do you think this will be an acceptable way to present, and if not, do you have any suggestions? The sponsors of the event have pretty much left it up to me to do what I want. I prefer live humans to slides or photos, but I could be wrong with this.... Regards, A'isha

07-01-2008, 09:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
Aisha Azar V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 4,219	Sci-fi tie -in Dear Gang, Do any of you know if that Star Trek episode is the reason there even IS a tie-in to belly dance and Sci-Fi??? Regards, A'isha

07-01-2008, 09:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
adiemus Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 975	I think bellydance and scifi have a link more in terms of fantasy than scifi specifically. Science fiction can cover a multitude of genres, and fantasy often refers to 'things Oriental'... In terms of TV, think of 'I think of Genie', and there you have the link! What about getting on google and narrowing down the search to scifi then looking for bellydancing references? __________________ He wahine, he taonga- Every woman is a treasure(Maori proverb)

07-01-2008, 02:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Shanazel Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rocky Mountains USA Posts: 4,260	Well, A'isha, here is your chance to dress up like Princess Leia as Jabba the Hutt's slave girl and you are going to blow it off for a gelebiyah and hip scarf? Girl, where is your CLASS?

07-01-2008, 04:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
Eve Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 131	I'd pitch it as light & informative. If it were me I'd consider how BD & sc-fi have linked up - you could use slides/video clips of where and when BD has been represented (rightly/wrongly) in sc-fi, usually as mentioned some scantily clad exotic slave girl types. Orion (Star Trek - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

07-01-2008, 05:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
teela Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Alaska Posts: 277	I think your approach could begin with that star trek episode because it is based on a Jack The Ripper idea that originated on earth and then use it to segway into the history of belly dance on earth by explaining the costume and dance they'd seen was cabaret from whenever but this is where it got its start. Then go into the folkloric history with the rest of what you envision. If I were attending the convention, I would go to it myself. I enjoy belly dance things at conventions.

07-01-2008, 10:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
Aniseteph V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sussex, England Posts: 1,585	SF/bellydance connection... Book Review: Dancer of Gor (Shira strikes again! )