Don’t Miss the Belly Dance Festival Asia 2010 in Bali
February 25-28 at the Ayodya Resort in Nusa Dua - By Ima Deville
After Korea last year, this world-class dance festival is coming to Bali. For three days in February we will be privileged to see top artists in the field of Middle Eastern dance. Shows, workshops, women talk shows, a bazaar and food stalls will revolve around the mysterious art of belly dancing. It is an incredible opportunity to experience the diverse styles of belly dancing. Each day instructors from around the world as well as local dancers will share their expertise with other professionals, amateurs and students. Education in this form of art and expression is one of the main aims of the festival but it also aims to entertain the public with fabulous nightly shows. Organizers are counting on more than 400 participants for this unique event in Bali.
Although belly dancing is growing in popularity around the world, it is still an unknown art form for most people who might have only watched performers in Middle Eastern restaurants. Historically the name “belly dance” was given in the West for traditional Arab Dance styles. However the name is incorrect since all parts of the body are involved in the dance. In Raqs Sharqi for instance, the most familiar type of belly dance, the hips play the most important part. Today, belly dance takes several forms depending on country and region, both in costume and dance style, and new styles have been invented in the West as its popularity has spread worldwide.
The origins of this dance are unclear and difficult to trace back but it is agreed that it comes from the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Africa. In Arabic, the term Raqs Sharqi refers to an exotic oriental dance. Egyptian tomb paintings from the fourteenth century BC depict dancers with similar positions. This form of dance has also been depicted in Persian miniature paintings from the 12th and 13th centuries. However, the connection between belly dancing and exotic harems is due largely to the Romantic movement of the 18th and 19th century. At that time artists liked to paint their interpretation of harem life of the Ottoman Empire. But for Saudi women, the dance itself was sacred, and not intended to be seen by men at all. Oriental dance is uniquely designed for the female body, with an emphasis on abdominal muscles, hip moves, and chest moves. It is firm and earthy, practiced with bare feet connected to the ground.
The costumes can vary and are an integral part of the dance. The bedleh is the type of dress that is most widely seen. It includes a fitted top or bra, a fitted hip belt and a skirt or harem pants. The bra and belt may be richly decorated with beads, sequins, braids and embroidery. The hip belt is a broad piece of fabric worn low on the hips. Whereas in Egypt it has been illegal to perform publicly with their midriff uncovered, in Lebanon or in Turkey the bedleh is worn and shows more of the dancer’s body. The veil is widely used and matches the outfit. High heels are commonly worn. Props are used to spark audience interest and they can include finger cymbals, a sword, a candelabra headdress, fire sticks, a tambourine and a fan.
Tradition meets Innovation in Bali
Top artists are featured in the Belly Dancing Asia Festival, notably Jillina and the Bellydance Evolution from the USA. She is a superstar and a master instructor. Aficionados on the island are already impatient to meet her and learn her skills. A renowned choreographer, she has already produced instructional DVDs. As an artist, she initially trained in the field of jazz ballet and hip-hop, allowing her to create her unique fusion within oriental dance. She is the artistic director of Bellydance Superstars and Desert Roses in the States. Her talents have taken her around the world and today this is how she defines her work with Bellydance Evolution: “Middle Eastern dance takes on a whole new form in this mythological tale of passion, jealousy and a love that transcends time.”
Kaeishi, Sharon Kihara, Ozzy, Heather Aued and Elisabeth Strong are other artists featured at the festival. They will perform and teach participants how to play instruments and dance. All of them come from various mixed background and many are developing their talent in America where fusion belly dancing is acclaimed. Famous artists from Georgia and Russia will also be present to give us a different perspective on belly dancing. The festival boasts a wide variety of workshops: Bollywood Fusion, Ballet for Bellydancers, Georgian National Dance, Persian and Armenian Dance, Turkish Roman Fusion, Tribal Fusion, Middle Eastern rhythms for drummers and dancers, Learning the Doumbek, for beginners, Intermediate Doumbek rhythms and combinations, Percussive Precision, Contemporary Oriental, Juicy Pop Songs, The Body as an Instrument and many more.
Why do a belly dancing workshop ?
The basics of belly dancing teaches control of our own image. Costumes are meant to highlight your image too. Belly dancing is a recognised activity helping one to be healthy both physically and psychologically. It can be a means to maintain or achieve a better figure. You become aware and later succeed in separating the different parts of your body so that they each become independent. While learning this skill, your physical abilities improve and your movements become stronger. You first learn to disassociate the movements of various parts of your body before you master them in association. Such movements are often used in physiotherapy for the rehabilitation of certains pains caused by a stiffness of the lower back. Your arms, always in movement, play a vital rôle in harmonising the separate parts of your body. This lets the energy flow all the way to the tip of your fingers. Shoulders roll, raise, move forward or backwards together or alternatively, exercising all the upper body muscles. Head, bust and hip rotations form the other base of belly dancing. Contractions of the belly and shaking of different body areas are used to provide the overall trembling effect so typical of belly dancing. As a result your abdominal, pelvis and back muscles work out and the articulation of the hips become gradually more mobile. As a result blood circulation increases and the trembling and shaking acts as a massage to several organs. The articulations and the ligaments become more supple and the posture is improved as most movements require extension and strengthening of the spine.
Beyond these technical aspects, Oriental dance is an exaltation of the woman’s body and of its feminity. Certain women claim that this dance form helps them to reconcile themselves with their body while others recognise that it makes them feel more féminine, gracious and harmonious in their movements. It eases tensions in relationships with others, increasing self-confidence and belief in oneself, whatever your physical attributes or age. The secret of a good belly dancer is to look as if she is made of clay and to alternate fast and slow paces as well as relaxed positions and muscular tensions of the chosen parts of her body. Initially it is the visible and physical benefit on the figure that attracts beginners. The canons of Oriental beauty implies a thin waist, round hips and a full breast. Novices slowly realise that their inner self gains in confidence and that they have learnt to accept themselves and others around them. Nervousness decreases and relations improve. The energy centers of the body are all exercised with belly dancing as such a work out provides happiness and pleasure. The best dancers are able to express their positive inner feelings with their body and make the spectators share their well-being. In Oriental dancing the inner beauty of women is reflected in their art of dancing and paradoxically, this old traditional form of dance can give way to an innovative and personal way of expression. Why don’t you try ?
To find out more information on the Festival connect to
www.bellydancefestivalbali.com
For event booking contact Suzanne Tibble
(Harem Queen Dancers) : suzyhutabarat@yahoo.com
or phone her: +62 - 21 - 7198116 OR +62 - 816 915 468
For event display, traveling or accommodation contact
Mr Felix Rusli (Magnificent 9 Production) :
magnificentshow@gmail.com or
phone him: +62 - 811 380 1258
