why people like this put out instructional clips on youtube

[charity]

:shok:

in regards to the first two original clips i think the girls could at least learn to dance. they have potential. should they be teaching with such little experience, no. they are not prepared. video references, agreed, it could be a good idea for private use and growth. public posting, not so good save that too for later when you have experience under your belt.

the last two clips, wow, this is when i laughed and then a little bit of soul escaped from my sad and sick heart (uh i sighed deeply in regret from what i had just observed)

. so many points about what you can call belly dance and what you cant made a bit more sense.

these girls cant even move right. i cannot believe either of the last two girls have danced a day in their life. poor girls, they just are no good. they have no business at all teaching.

my friend used to say that saying about dressing up the poop. made me laugh. thanks needed a laugh after that.

 

[Aisha Azar]

Dance, etc.

Dear Janaki,
Thank you!! You are such a sweetie!!
I would like to add one more point to my list.
When you know someone who is a great dancer, promote them. My dance company and I have made a habit of sponsoring not so well known dancers who have a lot to offer toward the goal of helping to get these really great dancers better known. Among those we have sponsored are Mohammed and Dina Hamidah, Jennet, (who is soon bringing Turkish Roman dancer Reyhan and Family to the States), our own Salome, and Hasani an American Oriental dancer from Washington. We are bringing Mark Balahadia in September. I am a firm believer that if we support those who have something worth offering, that we can create a high standard among dancers.
Regards,
A'isha

 

[nightdancer]

I love Hasani. Her classes were so much fun. I was only able to take one set, because I was so sick, but her class is one of the things I miss about the PNW.

 

[Aisha Azar]

Hasani

I love Hasani. Her classes were so much fun. I was only able to take one set, because I was so sick, but her class is one of the things I miss about the PNW.

Dear Nightdancer,
I love her too. She is a lovely dancer and a wonderful person. We are trying to give some kudos to dancers/instructors who do not have big names but offer just as much if not more than many big name people. We have been very fortunate in our choices so far.
Regards,
A'isha

 

[Suheir]

Ouch. there was this thread some time ago I think discussing the clips on this particular dancer's (something holds me back from saying bellydancer) website. (http://forum.orientaldancer.net/other-dance-stuff/2652-naughty-dancing.html)

Her dancing in all of the clips I've seen is not that good, lacks grace and contains only a few moves.. Her presentation and so called 'knowledge' of the dance tells me she's only interested in goddess-stuff and porn-faces, and not the actual dance itself. :shok:...

I wonder why she put out a video, she fits perfectly in this thread... Ok rant over, I need to get off the pc and relax.

I've been looking through my back copies of UK belly dance magazine Mosaic and I've found what I was looking for, a three-page article by Ishtar (from 2004) entitled: "It's my party and I'll wear what I want! The Vexed Issue Of Costuming". It begins: "What I wear has always been a way for me to express my individuality. I love the costumes that some of the big Middle Eastern dance stars wear. They look so glamorous and sexy. I find it fascinating that some people in the UK may be fans of such dance divas, yet be critical of those of us who wear similar costumes in the West. Unfortunately, belly dancers like myself who reveal legs and midriffs, wear high heels and loads of make up are often considered to be one step up from lap dancers" - 'loads of make up', there.

There's a big difference between slapping on make-up for the sake of it and wearing heavy stage make-up which is designed to enhance one's features for performing. For example, one could say that Russian dancer Nour wears 'loads of make-up' but hers is expertly applied and looks elegant and classy. American dancer Leila can wear costumes that are on the skimpy side but I don't think anybody would ever mistake her for a lap dancer.

One of the illustrations accompanying the article is a reproduction of an early 20th century Orientalist fantasy postcard, entitled 'La Danse du Ventre', which features a photo of a miserable-looking young girl, totally naked apart from a headband. The gist of Ishtar's article is that the British are prudes, women who criticise her costuming are jealous and her final sentence is "And if you don't like it, don't look!" - so, in essence, if you've got it, flaunt it, and if you don't like it, tough.

 

[Kharmine]

The argument about what is appropriate to wear and what is not is pretty universal, innit?

I recently read an article about a young goth woman who claimed her dress designs enabled women to feel sexy without looking like sluts -- and I nearly choked on my tea because her hemlines, for one thing, barely covered the models' pupiks.

Apparently, you can criticize someone's look as tacky, shabby, weird, scary or just plain ugly -- but don't ever say it's slutty, or you're either a prude or jealous.

 

[Nat242]

It's one thing for her to say "I can wear skimpy costumes if I want to" - we all know some dancers that wear quite revealing costumes with elegance, even if it's not something we would do ourselves.

However...

I've watched some of her clips, and her clothes have a tendency to slip down and reveal, well, too much.
Isn't dancing with your clothes coming off the definition of a stripper?

I have no problem with strippers, mind you, just don't call it professional belly dance.

 

[Ariella]

After watching Ishtar's and others' videos...

can we, as BOBs, please outlaw air humping with special penalties for those who do so while turkish folding?

 

[janaki]

After watching Ishtar's and others' videos...

can we, as BOBs, please outlaw air humping with special penalties for those who do so while turkish folding?

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:YES, YES!!!

 

[Shanazel]

Am busily and metaphorically writing this into the unwritten BOB code of law and order. Penalty for air humping while in Turkish fold mode shall be decided by a panel of the folder's better behaved peers, unless said air humping turkish folder gets really unlucky and has a penalty imposed by a drunk and aroused member of the audience (res ipsa loquitur).

 

[janaki]

Am busily and metaphorically writing this into the unwritten BOB code of law and order. Penalty for air humping while in Turkish fold mode shall be decided by a panel of the folder's better behaved peers, unless said air humping turkish folder gets really unlucky and has a penalty imposed by a drunk and aroused member of the audience (res ipsa loquitur).

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:
Can't think of any better penality than this. LMAO!!!!!

 

[Mariyam]

The second one came to me also as trying to teach the hearing impaired (spelling?). Something did look like army-fusion there heheh, and what was that thing she was doing with her legs during the first part? I didn't get it:think:, oh well....

Yup, I had the same impression as well, especially since she was making gestures. She was decomposing the movement bit by bit, perhaps not in a smooth and fluid way and rather quite military-esque, but I think she was just trying to show the movement by exaggerating it, then smoothing it out by accelerating the tempo...

 

[Reen.Blom]

Am busily and metaphorically writing this into the unwritten BOB code of law and order. Penalty for air humping while in Turkish fold mode shall be decided by a panel of the folder's better behaved peers, unless said air humping turkish folder gets really unlucky and has a penalty imposed by a drunk and aroused member of the audience (res ipsa loquitur).

Shanazel, you are a star!! You should write Belly Dance Giggle Book! he he he Hey if you do let me know we put it on Belly Dance Day website!!!

 

[miss_shimmy]

i think,she is splendidly young,has great passion for the dance and has an awesome future as a dancer,she will look back on those clips in years to come and will have a giggle herself.

namaste


miss shimmy
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Aniseteph]

Pardon my ignorance but what is a Turkish fold? Is it the kneeling backbend?

(just want to be sure I don't ever inadvertently transgress the code, though if this is it it isn't an accidental thing, is it? :lol

Takes deep breath, deletes rant about skanky costuming choices for the good of my karma (posting after a long day at work does not bring out my nicer side). OK, call me a prude if it makes you feel better. And relax...

 

[taheya]

This dancer is awful! Costuming is terrible and dancing is amateurish, as for the goddess gibberish she was going on about in that video, what rubbish! There is no reference to middle eastern dance in her representations either, she teaches and performs as a 'professional' also what a joke!

 

[taheya]

Yeah Anisteph i think they are referring to the back bend on the floor.

 

[yamiharu]

Wow... I am amazed.... better word... SHOCKED.... :shok: .... embarrased... what not.... I can't believe there's people out there doing this... is terrifying.... it's bad.... now I know why a lot of people misunderstand bellydance... they don't see it as an art form... they percieve it as mere low class show for men...

I don't know.... this are just women who don't have any respect in themselves, I mean maybe what kind of reviews did they get for uploading those videos on you tube .... they should upload videos onces they know something or at least understand and feel a little the dance... not just to promote...

 

[Mya]

what on God's green earth was that Ishtar woman doing?! It hurt my eyes and my innards. =(
Very hard to explain to people that what you do is not obscene when people like her go around air humping!

 

[yamiharu]

I totally agree with you