Gilded Serpent's topics - tribe.net

October 2009 SnakeByte from the Gilded Serpent

2009-10-20T02:08:51Z

Web Magazine for Mid East Performing Arts, online now for 10 years!
New Articles on "http://www.gildedserpent.com"

10-19-09 "http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/10/19/deagonnakedbdpart1/" by Andrea Deagon Ph.D
The real first question is, “What is belly dance?” Many elements of the modern practice of belly dance emerged in the 20th century.
Our emphasis on the female soloist, the structure of the typical show in both the East and the West, the style of music we dance to, our costuming, our specific styles of relationship with the audience, and so on, are modern developments.

10-19-09 "http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/10/19/yasminarspeech/" by Yasmina Ramzy
When I grew up and became a bellydancer, needless to say, my Mom was perplexed and wondered where she had gone wrong

10-14-09 "http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/10/14/nicolramadan/" by Nicole
This idea of renewed religious commitment and the character of Ramadan to involve self-deprivation makes many of us westerners think that this is a somber time, but in fact there is another side to the month of Ramadan that is quite lively and exciting.

10-6-09 "http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/10/06/peppermazinphotos/", Text by Pepper Alexandria with additions by Edwina Nearing
Yusuf, Khairiyya and Raja looked a Pepper’s hopeful face with the tears standing in her eyes and caved in. A private performance was arranged to take place on the flat roof of the Mazin’s home in full costume with live musicians.

10-1-09 "http://www.gildedserpent.com.newsgraphics/ComKaleidoscope.htm", video on the CK
What does a dancer need to carry in her gig bag? Surreyya has a very special friend she carries in hers! Sultana, a leopard spotted boa constrictor enjoys being displayed for us and having a dance with her partner. Footage was filmed at Carnival of Stars in November 2008.

9-30-09 "http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/09/30/robyntajikistan/" by Robyn Friend PhD
After a performance of daf soz (songs with frame drum accompaniment),the musicians played maddoh, followed by raqs-i aspak (“horse dance”), in which a man dances wearing a costume which makes it look like he is riding a horse.

9-28-09 "http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/09/28/dondigivecredit/" by Dondi Simone Dahlin
However, some dancers are using the same music, costumes and choreography in their performances that they first see elsewhere. This begs the question: at what point does copying someone’s original concept or choreography cross over from homage to stealing?

9-27-09 "http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/09/27/sonjawiggles/" by Sonja
In the world of belly dancing lately, dance competitions seem to be the big thing. Love them or hate them, they are popping up all over the country, leaving one to wonder what benefit they add to our art form. In an art form as varied as Middle Eastern Dance, incorporating cultures crossing multiple borders and continents, to what standards do these competitions adhere?

Reviews
10-16-09 "http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/10/16/hananatvidrevintro/" Reviewed by Hana Ali
Begin with the interviews and you will benefit from an understanding of their individual teaching methods.

10-9-09 <a href="http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/10/09/bonitareviewsleylaarabicdvd/">“Habibi, You are My What?..”DVD-
Essential Arabic for Dancers, Vol 1 reviewed</a> by BonitaHowever, I have never had such insight into the words as this DVD taught me! Now, thanks to Leyla, I have an added dimension to teach my students.

10-9-09 "http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/10/09/bonita2zillscdreview/", A Review by Bonita
A special thanks to the artists and producers who made these CDs possible, and may they individually and collectively preserve and revitalize an aspect of the dance, playing finger cymbals, that, sadly, has been withering on the vine in the community of late

9-24-09 "http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/09/24/bonitareviewsbdnovels/">Belly Dance Novels, Light and Dark The Belly Dancer by DeAnna Cameron Midnight Rose</em, Reviewed by Bonita Oteri
“The Belly Dancer” has mass marketing appeal to many women as a light, entertaining romance novel; it is a good introduction to the art form which, I believe, will even entice more than a few ladies into our classes. In contrast, “The Midnight Rose” has a darker side and is not for the faint hearted who want to read a happily ever after type novel

Videos
"http://www.gildedserpent.com/newsgraphics/ComKaleidoscope.htm#bethvid"

"http://www.gildedserpent.com/newsgraphics/ComKaleidoscope.htm">Community Kaleidoscope
PHOTOS:Carnival of Stars festival photo samples, Hazerfan opens for Turkish pop concert, Khalilah wins Jewel of the Sierra contest, Ramadan in Indonesia photos, Sonja's gig photos from Tennessee,

"http://www.gildedserpent.com/let2ed.htm">New Letters
Zorba's quest for beauty, guys in dance, Miles on Dondi's article, Surreyya re contests

posted in Gilded Serpent - 0 replies

Bonita reviews 2 finger cymbal instructional CDs

2009-10-10T02:14:44Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/10/09/bonita2zillscdreview/

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Bonita reviews Leyla Lanty's Arabic for Dancers DVD

2009-10-10T02:13:49Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/10/09/bonitareviewsleylaarabicdvd/

See you at Carnival of Stars this weekend!

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Pepper's 1979 photos of the Banat Mazin ghawazi

2009-10-07T02:34:00Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/10/06/peppermazinphotos/

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Gig Bag Check with Sureyya and Sultana

2009-10-05T20:50:51Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/newsgraphics/ComKaleidoscope.htm

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Tajikistan, Part II: Land of Dance by Robyn C. Friend, Ph.D.

2009-10-01T21:01:17Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/09/30/robyntajikistan/

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Give Credit where Credit is Due! by Dondi Simone Dahlin

2009-10-01T21:00:24Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/09/28/dondigivecredit/

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Wiggles of the West: One Dancer’s Foray into Competition by Sonja

2009-10-01T20:59:31Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/09/27/sonjawiggles/

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Review of Two Belly Dance Novels by Bonita Oteri

2009-09-24T22:36:50Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/09/24/bonitareviewsbdnovels/

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Posting articles here on this tribe

2009-09-24T01:15:52Z

Does anyone even look at these links on this tribe? Is this a waste of time?

posted in Gilded Serpent - 8 replies

New Article by Yasmin Henkesh, Sex, Belly Dance, Afterlife

2009-09-17T22:11:37Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/09/17/sex-belly-dance-and-the-afterlife/

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Report by Sonya Oswalt on Yousry Sharif’s Visit to Tennessee & Virginia’s Dancing

2009-09-17T20:20:32Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/09/16/sonjayousry/

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Martha Duran Reviews 2 Dance DVDs one by Michelle Joyce, the other by Sadie & Kaya

2009-09-17T20:18:51Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/09/17/pop-locks-and-shimmy-x-2/

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New Photos from the Spirit of the Tribes Festival in Florida

2009-09-15T23:58:29Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/09/15/ziziphotossot09maja/

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SFBAMECDA Showcase Photos by Carl Sermon

2009-09-01T20:18:51Z

These are fabulous! http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/08/28/carlsphotossfbamecda09/

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Another review by Martha of DVDs by Michelle Joyce and another by Saidi

2009-08-15T02:00:48Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/08/14/martha2dvdreview/

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More Belly Dancer of the Year 2009 photos, these by Michael Baxter

2009-08-14T21:34:05Z

Enjoy!
I'd love to get a few more details for the captions if anyone has the time to send them to me. thanks!
http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/08/14/mabbdoy09/

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posted Ghawazi update article by Habiba

2009-08-13T05:30:04Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/08/10/habibaghawazi/

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GS party September 5

2009-08-04T14:20:12Z

call or email me if you are interested

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Was my Freud illustration over the line?

2009-07-30T06:14:55Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/07/18/deagondancing4dowries/

posted in Gilded Serpent - 1 reply

Interview with Fifi Abdou now posted!

2009-07-30T02:02:13Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/07/29/yasminacfifi/
"As befitting a living legend of Egypt, Fifi Abdou‘s city home overlooks a six-lane highway crossing the river Nile. ..."

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Just posted an article by Sharon Moore

2009-07-17T01:14:48Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/07/16/sharonorganic/
"Does Modern Media Kill the Organic Process?"

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Fattah Abbou on Rabab demos a bit of Tamazight pentatonic music

2009-06-27T16:53:04Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/archives/musicalinstrumentlibrary.htm#fattah

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What is the “mysterious showbiz something” that you owe to an audience?

2009-05-07T15:45:41Z

The Quintessential Performer: Attitudes for the Stage by Najia Marlyz
http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/05/03/najiaquintperformer/

posted in Gilded Serpent - 2 replies

Don't miss this new article by Shema re: being dancer and musician

2009-05-07T15:44:36Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/05/05/shemaonehip/

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The Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival, 2009

2009-05-04T22:09:16Z

We are proud to be advertising on the Gilded Serpent!!

The 7th Annual Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival is an amazing 4-day event featuring non-stop activities in the City of Entertainment! In 2009 we are featuring headliners: Jim Boz, Frederique, Amaya, Aubre, Suzanna Del Vecchio, and Sharon Kihara!

Join us for an outrageous weekend in thrilling Las Vegas at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino. This year is going to be "over the top" with 4 days of level-specific bellydance workshops taught by over 30 instructors, 2 nights of quality shows, entertainment, organized after-paries, festival dancing, shopping, time for sightseeing, camraderie, and fun!

Registration is open and a la carte options are now available. Register today!! www.bellydanceintensive.com

posted in Gilded Serpent - 2 replies

Tracey Farmer reviews 2 "Sensual" Bellydance DVDs

2009-05-03T23:53:35Z

Sensual not Sexual:Exploring Sensuality in Bellydance
DVD Reviews of “Sensual Belly Dance with Blanca”,
and “Sensual Passion with Tamalyn Dallal”
by Tracey Farmer
http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/05/03/tracevreviewsensualdvds/

Enjoy! Comments available on the page with review

posted in Gilded Serpent - 0 replies

Part 4 of Freddie Elias interview by Artemis posted

2009-05-01T04:25:47Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/cms/2009/04/30/artip4freddie/

This section talks about teamwork among musicians. It could have used a bit more editing to smooth out a few rough spots. Does anyone know what he could have meant by-
"Above all the most important thing is don’t put your hand to the fire, they’re gonna hear you anyway. Don’t try to beat you (He points to Mike) and don’t try to beat me (He points to himself)."

Does anyone have any more pictures of Freddie for the final section?
Thanks!

posted in Gilded Serpent - 0 replies

Continuing the BDSS conversation from our Letters to the Editor page on Gildedserpent.com

2009-02-10T17:48:35Z

I would like to try to use this tribe space to continue the coversation started on Gilded Serpent.
We recently posted a BDSS Update by Miles Copeland Here-
http://www.gildedserpent.com/art46/cssmilesupdate.html
~<:>~~~~~~~~~~~-
A response from M. Tourbeau of Ohio on our letters pages reads -

2-8-09 re: BDSS UpdateNew Choreographers Contribute to 2009 Show by Miles Copeland
Normally, I try to avoid commenting on BDSS and their impact on the larger Middle Eastern Dance community, but I must confess that the statement Gilded Serpent chose to highlight from Mr. Copeland's recent article is one of the saddest things I have ever read:

"I will admit that I have never been a big fan of the more ‘folkloric’ approach to Bellydance, but then again I have to be open to try something new with each show."

I know what Mr. Copeland meant here, and he meant it to sound open minded, but it appears to demonstrate a deep undercurrent of prejudice against the historical and ethnic roots of this art form. How can you have any respect for this dance when you treat its origins like your embarrassing, immigrant grandmother who speaks in fractured English and tenaciously clings to old-country customs?

I understand that the folkloric roots of "belly dance" are not always interesting to present on stage. These dances are meant to be danced, not watched, but that does not mean that you cannot present aspects of them in a way that audiences can enjoy. Perhaps one of the reasons that mainstream success has proved so elusive for BDSS is that by sanitizing Middle Eastern culture and repackaging it as the-latest-craze, Hollywood razzle-dazzle, audiences are being deprived of something intangible, something universal--how the every-man human heart responds to music.

~<:>~~~~~~~~~~~-
Miles responds-
2-9-09 response to letter below re: BDSS UpdateNew Choreographers Contribute to 2009 Show by Miles Copeland
I will admit that I so have a heap of prejudices when it comes to art but you can also call it my individual taste. This was true in music as it now is in dance. However I am always open to be proved wrong if I can see it. When I saw what Stephanie Sullivan did with the folkloric approach I was impressed as it was what I needed, ie impressive. So it is now going to be a major piece in the show. It is interesting to note that the connection of bellydance to folkloric is not obvious to the viewer and I am sure it could be argued by people more historically knowledgeable than me that bellydance or Raqs Sharky is NOT a folkloric dance. I suppose this would be true partly or largely because it is a solo dance and not a group dance. Folk dances almost by definition are universally group dances, That is certainly what the Egyptian Ministry of Culture believes is the case. They do NOT want bellydance included as an Egyptian folkloric dance and I was told this to my face by the then Minister of Culture of Egypt. Meanwhile the writer is absolutely correct when accusing me of prejudice. For me it is quite simple, I have to deliver on stage what I believe (and can see with my own eyes) will work to a broad audience as well as pure bellydance aficionados and I choose on that basis. It is not my place to force an audience to like something because it is "historically accurate" or try to be "educational". If "glitz", a "Hollywood" approach and professionalism can win the crowd and convert more to appreciating bellydance, the music etc there will be a portion who will want to know more and go to dig deeper into the origins of these arts. That is a good thing.

I might also add that the BDSS performances in the Arab world were a huge success and we are negotiating more shows in the region precisely because they like our take on the dance and the respect we bring to Arab arts as a by product of our worldwide touring. I am surprised that anyone would, in 2009, after 600 shows in 20 countries suggest that mainstream success has been elusive to the BDSS as we now perform in the same theatres as the ballet, Riverdance etc on a regular basis, are represented by the top performing arts agency in the US as well as the top promoters around the world. This year will see the "Live in Paris" show on many of the PBS stations across the country and the documentary "American Bellydancer" is aired regularly on the Documentary Channel. This has taken time to achieve as we faced so much prejudice and preconceived ideas from the marketplace that we had to overcome. I am glad to say that perseverance and dedication from the BDSS dancers and the great support from the Bellydance community has made this possible.

~<:>~~~~~~~~~~~-
Unposted on GS but now posted here is a response from M. Tourbeau
Thank you for letting me know that Miles Copeland responded to my letter. My point yesterday is that I was dismayed that Mr. Copeland would make such an affronting statement to a large portion of his customer base. As I am sure he is aware, dancers who study the folkloric traditions tend to be more serious and more committed to the art than the trend hoppers, and as a result, they are more likely to purchase tickets, music, videos, etc., as repeat customers. I am still somewhat unclear as to how much of that particular statement from yesterday's article was an unfortunate choice of phrasing, and how much represents an active and personal dislike of folkloric dance on Mr. Copeland's part. Regardless, I believe the remark indicated somewhat of a lapse in judgment, considering the forum and the occasionally contentious history BDSS shares with the larger dance community.

I understand that Mr. Copeland is in business to put a marketable product on stage, and that is a formidable task, especially in light of the current international dynamic. Americans are notoriously xenophobic when it comes to non-English music, and Middle Eastern dance has its own problems with misinformed stereotypes. While everyone acknowledges that it was quite admirable of Mr. Copeland to take on the mission of achieving mainstream acceptance, many of us still cringe at the manner that he has chosen. Throughout the evolution of BDSS, there has been an underlying impression that Middle Eastern music and dance were in need of some sort of "fixing" before they could be marketed to the general public. I personally do not believe, for example, that "Zeina" needs a Reggaeton remix to be palatable to Western ears, but it is neither my money nor my show. However, if I had Mr. Copeland's resources at my disposal, I think I would take a different route and concentrate on finding a way to create public interest with as little compromise to the ethnic integrity of the dance and the music as possible.

I did not mean to imply that I thought that BDSS was not a successful project on its own terms. Obviously if it had failed miserably, it would not be mounting a new tour. Unfortunately, in a larger sense, BDSS has not brought much respect to Middle Eastern dance outside of its own existence. Middle Eastern dance is still perceived as a kitschy, sexy novelty act in most of the US, and students are still ashamed to tell their neighbors and coworkers that they take these classes. There are no dancers who are household names and no Arab singers at the top of the Billboard charts after BDSS features their music. Widespread recognition and respect continue to be out of reach, and many within the dance community are still unsure if BDSS is destroying stereotypes or reinforcing them.

I know that Mr. Copeland is a busy man, and I am sure he has little interest in another round of beating what's left of the skeleton of the dead horse with yet another dancer who disagrees with some of the choices he has made in regard to BDSS. If he wants to continue this conversation with me offline, please forward my e-mail to him. Otherwise, thank you for letting me share my opinions.

~<:>~~~~~~~~~~~-
Thank you both for continuing the discussion. At this point I think Miles and others can respond too
Thank you!
Lynette
Editor@gildedserpent.com

posted in Gilded Serpent - 1 reply

New Front Page Format for Gilded Serpent

2009-02-03T21:04:56Z

Hello!
We have now posted a updated format for our cover page on Gilded Serpent. There are a few details that I would still like to tweak but it is an improvement in many ways.

I'd like to modify the RSS box at the bottom right to bring a more quality stream of news aritcles from sites beside those within our community. Hopefully we will be able to figure out that detail soon.

In addition there is the Serpent Cinema at the bottom left. If you want to see the videos in a larger format, you can double click on the video box and it will take you to youtube to see the larger and higher quality versions of the 64 videos we have in our channel so far.
(youtube.com/lynetteserpent)

The featured photo has been replaced by a slideshow that will show teaser photos from articles to come and linked photos to articles already on the site.

This is just a start to a slow but steady updating of Gilded Serpent. Your feedback and suggestions are welcome as always.

Thanks for your support.
Lynette Harris
http://www.gildedserpent.com/

posted in Gilded Serpent - 7 replies

Gig Bag Check with Jim Boz posted on the Community Kaleidoscope

2009-01-18T07:30:14Z

http://www.gildedserpent.com/newsgraphics/ComKaleidoscope.htm

Ozgen is helping out and Ranya sticks her head in for a moment too. Sorry about all the noise in the room.
Take a look!

posted in Gilded Serpent - 0 replies

Comments in response to an article...

2007-12-29T19:59:56Z

Hello everyone,

The editor asked me if I would mind posting my letter here, so I'm pasting it below. (I also posted it to my blog.) I sent it directly to the company, so I wasn't expecting comments, but if anyone would like to, I guess that's cool, too.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi, this is in repsonse to this article: http://www.gildedserpent.com/art42/rebfire3tribal.htm

Way to slam the Bellydance Community.

Well, I suppose under the cloak of "critique" and "review" we could just start pulling hair and sticking your foot out to trip people up…

I think we all learned this in preschool: the triangular object will not fit into the round hole, and vice versa. Yes, they have the main thing in common, they are both shapes. But no, they are not alike and their differences have to be appreciated in order to get through your peg-plugging session. You could get stubborn and hammer the crap out of that shape and try to cram it in there, but what would be the point of that? You just get frustrated, fail, and it makes you look mental. We learned that when we all grew up. Most of us learned it, mostly.

"Traditional" styles of BD and certain other styles, don't fit into each other's "pegs", people. They just don't. And that's okay! Yes, they are both the same dance, and share similarites. But, they are different shapes. Now take a long deep breath…and just LET IT GO.
I'm sorry for your loss.
Because I realize, after reading so much negativity on this subject, that it must truly kill you to let it go, like someone close to you has really kicked the bucket and the funeral is still fresh. But cheer up, after Denial and one of those others grieving steps, Acceptance is somewhere in there, and Acceptance is a good one. Cause you will be less frustrated with that style of dance you dislike so much, and you will look less mental for trying to make it "fit" into the techniques and ideals of a different style.

For the most part, I don't have a problem with reviews.
Just because someone is critiquing something, does NOT mean that they are haters. Saying you don't like a particular thing does not automatically mean that you are coming from a place of jealously. I disagree with the idea that the review or critique of anyone else's art form is bad or wrong, in and of itself. There are positives that can be gotten in honest critique for many people.
But some of these people's reviews I've read, are clearly coming from a place of jealously, (professional or otherwise), hostility, and from a place that sounds an awful lot like: "I don't like this Tribal Thing, I've tried scrapping it off the bottom of my shoe but it's really popular now (gagging on "p" word) and it's stuck there for good, soooo…I will throw a few very well-written and thought out compliments it's way in some performance and DVD reviews, that way I can totally compliment and slam it simultaneously, happily sounding off without seeming like a complete asshole."

Nice, people. Real nice.

So I guess what I meant by the first statement, 'way to slam the community'… is when you poo poo on one of us, doesn't it just get us all dirty, really? Because it's seriously catty and divides Bellydance along the Us vs. Them lines?
How can a person who calls themselves a bellydancer, which to me is a dance rooted in self-expression and love of life, say to another dancer, with their Style Checklist firmly in hand…"no, no, wrong, everything you're doing is wrong, oh no, that's bad, and also, NO."
Wow, you are totally trying to kill that dancer's spirit. Why would you do that? No seriously, you are literally sucking the joy out of her dance.
And also, how very two-faced of you. Cause I see on the one hand … "dance and be happy and be beautiful in your own skin and practice and drill and grow in the dance and just be superawesome, go, go, go, Go Team Go…" but on the other hand…
"g-damnint you better look the way we look, pose the way we pose, and don't you dare change anything or it'll be wrong and YOU'LL be wrong. Don't mess with us. We have internets."… "Bitches."

I don't think there's anything wrong with critique (And I'm not talking about the basics, drills, form, etc. I'm talking about creative style.) coming from a place of describing what it is about the dance that is not for you, or that you don't understand. That's one thing, But when it's coming from a place of hostility because you can't stand it simply because it is what it is, that's not so much a real review as a just entertainment for those who love a good hard slam. Woot! It's fun, isn't it? Sure it is! And don't let anybody tell you different either. Cause that's just what we need more of in Bellydance. Enemies! Mmm, mm!! Nothing like going through the day with fresh thoughts of disliking those who are not doin' stuff they way we want'em to be doin' it. Loathing, baked fresh daily.

Really. I don't think it's serves Bellydance for all of us dancers to hate each other so much. You heard me.
Out of all the groups and forums and discussions I've had with various dancers, overall, overwhelmingly, I have yet to see Tribal dancers go after the jugular of other style dancers, the way other styles go after Tribal.

I do realize Tribal has become very popular, and well, perhaps that's the thing. Sorta like the pretty girl at school, who is actually a kind, great person, but she's hated anyway because she's pretty. Shallow.
Something becomes popular, there's a backlash. Which I've always thought was retarded anyway. There are just people out there who automatically react to something they don't care for as if they've just contracted rabies. Whipping their heads around, foaming at the mouth as they pound away on their keyboards.

Please, calm down.

No one is forcing you to do anything you don't want to do. Did the Tribal Hit Squad throw a bag over your head and drag you off someplace, put you into a Fusion-style getup and make you pop or slink around to that uber-creepy goth music and hip-hop??? Wow, no they did not. As a matter of fact, nothing like that happened to anybody anywhere. So seriously, what are you so effing disgruntled about?
If you believe that your own Bellydance style is long and strong, and it's doing it's thing, and you love it, then what are you complaining about?

And here's another nugget: If you are not a fan of the style, but you are trying Fusion workshops, then you are interested in some part of something you saw in it. So, you think the choreography is too busy or choppy or whatever? You think the movements aren't cohesive or lyrical enough? Hey guess what, sister. Change it. Put your own thing on it, and change it to make it more beautiful, more powerful, more whatever, just better for you. Go on, don't be scared. No one will stop you. Because that's one of the things I sorta noticed about Fusion, one of the things you seem to dislike: they altered some specified format of a dance, to make themselves happy. You can do it too, Punchanella, Punchanella…

There is no point in telling another dancer what she should be doing. You like your idea so much? YOU do it.

And actually, I was surprised at the tone of the review I just read, until I reread two quotes that I missed before:
" If you're already into Tribal Fusion or its moodier cousin Raks Gothique, this features some of the top TF stylists showing how it's supposed to look at its best. And these dancers are all very, very skilled. If you are a die-hard traditionalist who thinks Tribal Fusion and Gothic bellydance are a plague upon the land, this won't change your mind, so save your pennies."

" Also, I'm not exactly a wholehearted aficionado of Tribal anything."

LOL! If I'd noticed that last comment first, BEFORE I started reading the review, the tone would had made a lot more sense.

posted in Gilded Serpent - 21 replies

Welcome!

2007-12-18T05:33:32Z

I thought it was high time GS had a tribe of it's own.
Always lots to discuss from the articles, letters, photos.
Have fun!
M.

posted in Gilded Serpent - 5 replies

December Snakebyte is out

2007-12-15T18:06:39Z

Just spent a little time checking out articles.

Personally I am mesmerized by the photos of Randa at the Toronto conference...so much emotion pouring through--while dancing in street clothes. What a lesson!

I also really liked the comparative aspect of Rebecca Firestone's tribal DVD reviews. Thoughtful critical reviews often seem more respectful to the artists than do fawning ones.

Anyone sending in a holiday greeting card for the community page?! I am thinking about it (but should probably get my real life cards written and mailed first).

M.

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