I finally finished watching the Bellydance Superstars DVD after all these hours! Very cool performances- now I’m looking forward to their live performance dvd that comes out later this month!

I want to take a minute to break open some stereotypes about bellydance. We are not strippers. We don’t dance topless. We do NOT wear harem costumes like these:




My current favorite dancer looks a little more like this:



On the first episode of “So You Think You Can Dance”, some belly dancers auditioned (I didn’t see the episode, but I’ve read the quotes) and the host kept making comments like “Everyone was picking up the choreography- *even* the belly dancers!” Why should that be surprising? Belly dancers have just as much training as other disciplines. In fact, the majority cross-train in other forms of dance to improve their belly dance. Belly dancing is not just shaking your butt and your chest. There is an insane amount of muscle control involved. Not to mention a LOT of practice, practice, practice!

There are some awesome clips on Rachel Brice’s site. Clicking Here will take you to her video page. I like the clip of the Superstars on Regis & Kelly because it shows a representation of three different styles of belly dance. (I also love the NYE clip, but that’s just because I love love love The Indigo. And the song they’re dancing to in that clip is a favorite as well).

Okay, done with my soapbox now!

If you’re interested in Middle Eastern dance, feel free to leave questions, and I’ll do my best to answer!