What about a belly dance and burlesque show? - Page 13

Suheir · 06-15-2008, 10:00 PM

The NY Times archive is proving an absolute treasure trove.

Here's an extract from an article from February 5, 1869:

"THEATRICAL.; The Burlesque Madness.

An epidemic, which the Board of Health is powerless to arrest, has seized upon New-York and infects it in every part, counting its victims by the tons of thousands. It may be called the Mania for Burlesque. Slight touches of it have always been felt among us. Once there was an infected spot called Mitchell's Olympic, where it flourished in every season; after that nest was swept away by advancing civilization, it came upon us intermittently - like some worse things - in the heat of the Midsummer term, at Wallack's and other places. A French variety seized upon the vitals of this city over a year ago and held tenaciously to its stake; then the last - the most overwhelming and the most irresistable kind of the disorder, the English, (Blonde) in the moment of our weakness, swooped upon us, and we are now hopelessly ill of it, even if we are not yet quite sick of it!

At Niblo's Garden it has broken out with unparalleled intensity; at Wood's Museum it has renewed its vigor; at the Theatre Comique it riots amid fresh victims, and the wise ones tell us that it will soon break out at the Waverly Theatre - by which name the once Hope(less) Chapel is to be hereafter known.

The distinguishing symptom of the epidemic is a singular and easily detected appearance of masses of light and golden hair on the stage of the afflicted theatre; after this symptom the spectator is appalled by observing a tendency in the patients to dispossess themselves of their clothing, and it requires the greatest exertion to keep anything on them; then follows a series of piercing screams called comic singing, distorted and incoherent ravings called puns, and finally, strong convulsions, denominated breakdowns and walk-arounds. Exhaustion supervenes after a fit of two or three hours each night"

Aniseteph · 06-15-2008, 11:16 PM

Oh dear I cannot leave you rep Suheir. That is priceless, truly I am laughing my A off here.

lizaj · 06-16-2008, 08:33 AM

It spread to the Winter Gardens, Blackpool 2008 over the weekend

...and all went on behind Miles' back!

Suheir · 06-16-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizaj

It spread to the Winter Gardens, Blackpool 2008 over the weekend

...and all went on behind Miles' back!

Oh, I'm sure he's perfectly capable of turning a blind eye, as long as the cash tills are ringing. So, was there any actual (whispers) *Oriental Dance*?

lizaj · 06-16-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suheir

Oh, I'm sure he's perfectly capable of turning a blind eye, as long as the cash tills are ringing. So, was there any actual (whispers) *Oriental Dance*?

Erm...let me think...I did catch a MA Wahab on sunday and I swear I heard something else but one of the traders said she thought I was hallucinating by then

But rest assured Sat matinee and Friday night (Uk and Europe)show contained wait for it...Belly dance!

Caroline_afifi · 06-16-2008, 07:28 PM

I dont know whether it is just this particular festival or what but I was at the stage for six hours on saturday and watched mainly tribal, burlesque or some sort of fusion. Some it of was absolutely excellent it has to be said.

But..... Teachers in the UK need to sit up now as this is a dying art and we all have to take responsibility for this.
Dont set yourself up as a Belly dance teacher if you have no intensions what so ever of teaching it. Thank you.

Eshta · 06-16-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caroline_afifi

I dont know whether it is just this particular festival or what but I was at the stage for six hours on saturday and watched mainly tribal, burlesque or some sort of fusion. Some it of was absolutely excellent it has to be said.

But..... Teachers in the UK need to sit up now as this is a dying art and we all have to take responsibility for this.
Dont set yourself up as a Belly dance teacher if you have no intensions what so ever of teaching it. Thank you.

Damn this stupid rep rule! Caroline, 'big up yaself'!!!!

Aniseteph · 06-16-2008, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eshta

Damn this stupid rep rule! Caroline, 'big up yaself'!!!!

Likewise.

06-16-2008, 08:33 AM	#123 (permalink)
lizaj Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK Posts: 1,266	It spread to the Winter Gardens, Blackpool 2008 over the weekend ...and all went on behind Miles' back! Last edited by lizaj; 06-16-2008 at 08:35 AM.

06-15-2008, 10:00 PM	#121 (permalink)
Suheir V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Europe - London Posts: 1,227	The NY Times archive is proving an absolute treasure trove. Here's an extract from an article from February 5, 1869: "THEATRICAL.; The Burlesque Madness. An epidemic, which the Board of Health is powerless to arrest, has seized upon New-York and infects it in every part, counting its victims by the tons of thousands. It may be called the Mania for Burlesque. Slight touches of it have always been felt among us. Once there was an infected spot called Mitchell's Olympic, where it flourished in every season; after that nest was swept away by advancing civilization, it came upon us intermittently - like some worse things - in the heat of the Midsummer term, at Wallack's and other places. A French variety seized upon the vitals of this city over a year ago and held tenaciously to its stake; then the last - the most overwhelming and the most irresistable kind of the disorder, the English, (Blonde) in the moment of our weakness, swooped upon us, and we are now hopelessly ill of it, even if we are not yet quite sick of it! At Niblo's Garden it has broken out with unparalleled intensity; at Wood's Museum it has renewed its vigor; at the Theatre Comique it riots amid fresh victims, and the wise ones tell us that it will soon break out at the Waverly Theatre - by which name the once Hope(less) Chapel is to be hereafter known. The distinguishing symptom of the epidemic is a singular and easily detected appearance of masses of light and golden hair on the stage of the afflicted theatre; after this symptom the spectator is appalled by observing a tendency in the patients to dispossess themselves of their clothing, and it requires the greatest exertion to keep anything on them; then follows a series of piercing screams called comic singing, distorted and incoherent ravings called puns, and finally, strong convulsions, denominated breakdowns and walk-arounds. Exhaustion supervenes after a fit of two or three hours each night"

06-15-2008, 11:16 PM	#122 (permalink)
Aniseteph V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sussex, England Posts: 1,703	Oh dear I cannot leave you rep Suheir. That is priceless, truly I am laughing my A off here.

06-16-2008, 07:28 PM	#126 (permalink)
Caroline_afifi V.I.P. Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Liverpool UK Posts: 1,335	I dont know whether it is just this particular festival or what but I was at the stage for six hours on saturday and watched mainly tribal, burlesque or some sort of fusion. Some it of was absolutely excellent it has to be said. But..... Teachers in the UK need to sit up now as this is a dying art and we all have to take responsibility for this. Dont set yourself up as a Belly dance teacher if you have no intensions what so ever of teaching it. Thank you.