Salome

Ok, well back to the thread topic...

Babylonia

Having seen the BDSS I concur with the addition of some male dancers.

I would eliminate any of that bellynesian, belly ballet stuff.

Aisha Azar

Dear Babylonia,
I was a not trying to make a list about including men or women. As it should be, I was trying to make it about dancers who know their stuff and would put on a great performance. Gender should not factor into it, which is one of my big beefs with all male shows. It should be about what dancers have to offer, regardless of gender.
When I plan a show, as I have done here just for fun, I figure out what I want to present on stage and THEN I think about who can do it, not the other way around, and gender never factors into it. This has always been my thinking and I am beginning to wonder if my point of view is not pretty unique on some level.
So many people seem to be so stoked on male dancers just because they are male.... Gender should not be a deciding factor in putting on a show or taking a workshop or class, and lately it certainly has become an all important and the main factor in some circumstances.
Regards,
A'isha

Amulya

Absolutely! I think the BDSS are ok as they are, but they need male dancers.

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Aisha Azar

Dear Amulya and Babylonia,
Okay, let me ask this.... Why do they need male dancers?
Regards,
A'isha

da Sage

To get my heart rate up when I am in the audience.

da Sage

I recently discovered Mira Betz on YouTube. I would love to see her and Isidora Bushkovski (another YouTube favorite) in a show.

I am also not tired of Ariellah yet, although I don't know if she's a traveling-show-joining type

Babylonia

To introduce the general public to the fact that they exist.

Aisha Azar

Dear Babylonia,
In spite of rumors to the contrary, the BDSS rarely gets a strong showing from general public at their shows, from what I have personally seen and from what others have reported. Secondly, most of the general public who have any interest in the dance already know that male belly dancers exist! They are everywhere and have been for at least as long as I have been dancing, which is 34 years as of July 1st. ( I took my first lesson on July 1, 1974!!) I have no issue with men being included and that can be seen if you look at my fantasy list of dancers. I DO object to them being included simply because they are men. All of the dancers on my fantasy show list have a unique contribution to make, either as a belly dancer or in some other way. It is not about their gender, but about their talent.
Regards,
A'isha

Reen.Blom

Agreed!

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