Dancing with snakes? - Page 2

aameenah · 01-06-2008, 03:50 AM

Interesting question, I've wondered about dancing with snakes myself. I keep many reptiles (including corns snakes and children's pythons) and I'm not sure if I'd want to dance with them for fear of stressing them. Granted I've have done a couple of spins with my larger corns when taking them to thier feeding tub heehee.
Blood Pythons, if I recall correctly, can be somewhat docile if handled regulary from a hatchling. Though thier husbandry requirements would make them a more intermediate-level snake. They can also get to 7 feet, and 40 pounds, and if the snake were to bite, they'd pack a punch I don't think anyone would be able to take gracefully onstage

I second the motion of a Boa or Ball Python, very mellow in general.
S1dur1-I love Bullsnakes, they have character, 'expressive' faces!

Brea · 01-06-2008, 04:21 AM

I have not raised snakes personally but have worked in pet shops and zoos. Actually one of the keepers was attacked by a python at the zoo where I worked (and unrelatedly for some reason it was MY job to clean the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach tank, which involved me scooping up tons of live cockroaches in my bare hands so as not to damage them; I couldn't even wear gloves! Brrr it still gives me the shivers).

Anyway I do love snakes and I think it would be interesting to dance with one. At Busch Gardens they had a bellydancer that came out every fifteen minutes and danced with a snake. I wouldn't like to upset or hurt the animal in any way though; I love animals and I wouldn't want to harm any.

Actually...does anyone know the process of auditioning for Busch Gardens? I am just dying to escape the winter.

Jane · 01-06-2008, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brea

Hi all,

Maybe I could dance with a rubber snake. LOL!

I've seen this done and it's pretty cute! The dancer enters with a covered basket, dances around it building the drama, reaches slowly and carefully into the basket and TADA out pop a really goofy looking stuffed snake. The audience loved it.

Don't know if I'd have the guts.

da Sage · 01-06-2008, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jane

I've seen this done and it's pretty cute! The dancer enters with a covered basket, dances around it building the drama, reaches slowly and carefully into the basket and TADA out pop a really goofy looking stuffed snake. The audience loved it.

Don't know if I'd have the guts.

Jane: This is awesome. I'm putting it in my mental "gimmicks to steal" file!

Brea: The people to contact locally about snakes are members of the Herpetological Society of Minnesota. Here is their website:

Minnesota Herpetological Society

There are several bellydancers who work with snakes out at the Renaissance Festival. There was actually a reptile and bellydancer show last year! As far as I know, all the snakes came from the MN Herpetological Society members.

I've never seen a snake at an normal indoor venue though...I imagine there are health regulations.

Brea · 01-06-2008, 06:34 AM

Hi da Sage and Jane-

Jane- that is HILARIOUS!! I don't know if I could keep a straight face for that!

da Sage- thanks for the link! You're probably right about health violations; I remember from working at the zoo that you have to wash constantly when handling reptiles. Still, I think it would be great to have one to dance with if the opportunity presented itself!

lizaj · 01-06-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janaki

Sorry Brea, I am not into snakes, there is so much you can do with bellydance. Why you wanna bring in a poor creature into it? IMO, snakes belong in the wild not on the dance floor. It is ok to do little gimmicks and tricks to make your dance interesting but not with animals.

Agreed.

nightdancer · 01-06-2008, 04:12 PM

In the right venue, I think it would be a great show. Also, music that is low and slow as not to jar the poor guy. We dont want him to have a headache.

My oldest loves snakes. She wants a Carolina corn snake, badly. Last spring, I was doing an out-reach for my museum at the Jamestown 400. The people across from me were conservationists, and had several snakes with them. Naturally, Beth was right on it. The wind kicked up and it started getting cold. She sat down in their display area, cuddled the snake up, put a jacket over it and her, and sat there, snuggling it, for the rest of the afternoon. I told her that she could have a snake, but she needed to do the research, and read the books, and learn how to take care of it properly. We are still working on this part.

Brea-

You asked about auditioning for Busch Gardens. Here is their employment site.

Anheuser-Busch's Theme Parks Employment Online, Jobs at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens

Brea · 01-06-2008, 06:51 PM

Hi nightdancer-

Thanks for the link, I figured it out! That would be great if I could get in. Though I hear Florida is chilly right now.

You know what I wonder? All those pictures of bellydancers holding chairs in their teeth. That seems to be a legitimate historical thing...so why don't we hold chairs in our teeth?

Do you that disagree do so because it's too gimmicky or because of worries about the welfare of the snake? I am curious.

s1dur1_sab1tu · 01-06-2008, 08:01 PM

There was a totally gimmicky feel to snake dancing for me. I was in an American - Mid West - Oklahoma upscale night club for one. So I mostly had the run of the mill rich wasted college kids and pervy business guys to perform for. But the gig paid 150 a night, and gigs were few and far between here, so I did it. I also did a snake number in a stage show for the dance company I was in at the time. It felt kinda like, 'you're not that great at soloing, so you'd better have a gimmick' at the time. But people loved it, and I think I did an ok job for my first real stage solo bit.

After reading Maria'a article on Gilded, I am almost tempted to do it again. The photos are so lovely, and she has a great relationship with her pet. I'm sure she wouldn't do anything to harm him. But she make a good couple of points that warn me away from it. One, don't bring a snake unless you're asked - now how often is that going to happen? And two, the joy of snake up keep and handling (not so joyous for me - I have lots of animals already to keep me busy).

So yes and no on the gimmick feel, I think back then I was not very experienced in performing and felt like the snake was a distraction from my inexperience. Now I am more confident and would probably feel differently.

Shanazel · 01-06-2008, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Reticulated and Burmese pythons are especially unpredictable when they are anticipating being fed.

Reptile Gardens, a herpetarium in Rapid City, South Dakota, has a sign in the reticulated python's cage stating that it is the most dangerous of the snakes in the facility due to its quickness, size, and unpredictability. To put this into perspective, I should add that their collection also includes everything from cobras to gabon vipers.

I like snakes, but I dislike seeing dancers use snakes as props. It can be very hard on the snakes and I have yet to see a performance in which a snake actually added anything to the dance beyond a certain phallic shiver factor. If anyone has videos that would change my mind, I stand ready to watch them.

01-06-2008, 04:21 AM	#12 (permalink)
Brea V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,283	I have not raised snakes personally but have worked in pet shops and zoos. Actually one of the keepers was attacked by a python at the zoo where I worked (and unrelatedly for some reason it was MY job to clean the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach tank, which involved me scooping up tons of live cockroaches in my bare hands so as not to damage them; I couldn't even wear gloves! Brrr it still gives me the shivers). Anyway I do love snakes and I think it would be interesting to dance with one. At Busch Gardens they had a bellydancer that came out every fifteen minutes and danced with a snake. I wouldn't like to upset or hurt the animal in any way though; I love animals and I wouldn't want to harm any. Actually...does anyone know the process of auditioning for Busch Gardens? I am just dying to escape the winter. __________________ www.breamorgiane.com Last edited by Brea; 01-06-2008 at 04:26 AM.

01-06-2008, 06:34 AM	#15 (permalink)
Brea V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,283	Hi da Sage and Jane- Jane- that is HILARIOUS!! I don't know if I could keep a straight face for that! da Sage- thanks for the link! You're probably right about health violations; I remember from working at the zoo that you have to wash constantly when handling reptiles. Still, I think it would be great to have one to dance with if the opportunity presented itself! __________________ www.breamorgiane.com

01-06-2008, 04:12 PM	#17 (permalink)
nightdancer Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Below the Mason-Dixon Posts: 236	In the right venue, I think it would be a great show. Also, music that is low and slow as not to jar the poor guy. We dont want him to have a headache. My oldest loves snakes. She wants a Carolina corn snake, badly. Last spring, I was doing an out-reach for my museum at the Jamestown 400. The people across from me were conservationists, and had several snakes with them. Naturally, Beth was right on it. The wind kicked up and it started getting cold. She sat down in their display area, cuddled the snake up, put a jacket over it and her, and sat there, snuggling it, for the rest of the afternoon. I told her that she could have a snake, but she needed to do the research, and read the books, and learn how to take care of it properly. We are still working on this part. Brea- You asked about auditioning for Busch Gardens. Here is their employment site. Anheuser-Busch's Theme Parks Employment Online, Jobs at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Last edited by nightdancer; 01-06-2008 at 04:53 PM. Reason: To add link

01-06-2008, 06:51 PM	#18 (permalink)
Brea V.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,283	Hi nightdancer- Thanks for the link, I figured it out! That would be great if I could get in. Though I hear Florida is chilly right now. You know what I wonder? All those pictures of bellydancers holding chairs in their teeth. That seems to be a legitimate historical thing...so why don't we hold chairs in our teeth? Do you that disagree do so because it's too gimmicky or because of worries about the welfare of the snake? I am curious. __________________ www.breamorgiane.com

01-06-2008, 08:01 PM	#19 (permalink)
s1dur1_sab1tu Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Tulsa Posts: 5	snake dancing There was a totally gimmicky feel to snake dancing for me. I was in an American - Mid West - Oklahoma upscale night club for one. So I mostly had the run of the mill rich wasted college kids and pervy business guys to perform for. But the gig paid 150 a night, and gigs were few and far between here, so I did it. I also did a snake number in a stage show for the dance company I was in at the time. It felt kinda like, 'you're not that great at soloing, so you'd better have a gimmick' at the time. But people loved it, and I think I did an ok job for my first real stage solo bit. After reading Maria'a article on Gilded, I am almost tempted to do it again. The photos are so lovely, and she has a great relationship with her pet. I'm sure she wouldn't do anything to harm him. But she make a good couple of points that warn me away from it. One, don't bring a snake unless you're asked - now how often is that going to happen? And two, the joy of snake up keep and handling (not so joyous for me - I have lots of animals already to keep me busy). So yes and no on the gimmick feel, I think back then I was not very experienced in performing and felt like the snake was a distraction from my inexperience. Now I am more confident and would probably feel differently. __________________ Ms KittieSparkle www.tulsabellydance.com

01-06-2008, 03:50 AM	#11 (permalink)
aameenah Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 5	Interesting question, I've wondered about dancing with snakes myself. I keep many reptiles (including corns snakes and children's pythons) and I'm not sure if I'd want to dance with them for fear of stressing them. Granted I've have done a couple of spins with my larger corns when taking them to thier feeding tub heehee. Blood Pythons, if I recall correctly, can be somewhat docile if handled regulary from a hatchling. Though thier husbandry requirements would make them a more intermediate-level snake. They can also get to 7 feet, and 40 pounds, and if the snake were to bite, they'd pack a punch I don't think anyone would be able to take gracefully onstage I second the motion of a Boa or Ball Python, very mellow in general. S1dur1-I love Bullsnakes, they have character, 'expressive' faces!