Miles Copeland for the Gilded Serpent

The Gilded Serpent presents
Miles Copeland

One of the music industry’s most influential figures, Miles Copeland’s career in management stretches back almost 40 years to when he put together a group of go-go dancers in Beirut. In London in the 1970s, he represented Wishbone Ash, Joan Armatrading and all sides of progressive rock until he jumped ship, landed in the turbulent ocean of punk, and worked with the Sex Pistols, the Clash, Blondie, etc. In 1978, he became agent for his brother Stewart’s band, The Police, one of the biggest bands of the 1980s. He went on to manage Sting (solo) through seven blockbuster albums in the late 1980s, and introduced Sting to Algerian Raï singer, Cheb Mami, in 1999. Their collaboration bloomed with “Desert Rose,” a breakthrough for Arab music that crossed over into mainstream American music and became a phenomenal hit.

Instead of sitting back on the millions he has earned as a music industry mogul, Miles is out to acquaint Americans with Middle Eastern music- even if he doesn’t earn a dime. His affinity for Arab music and culture comes from a youth spent growing up in the Middle East and since September 11, 2001, he has been on a mission to introduce the arts and culture of the region to the West.

Miles Copeland is now the leading US distributor of labels carrying the songs of Hakim, Cheb Mami, Rachid Taha and Amr Diab, to name a few. He is the mastermind behind the Bellydance Superstars, the world’s premier touring bellydance troupe taking this ancient art into the mainstream. Hailed as the next big dance show phenomenon to follow Riverdance by none other than the Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, and Daily Express, the Bellydance Superstars have performed in over 300 concerts in 16 countries with countless television appearances and impressive press coverage.

Miles Copeland has been involved in just about every aspect of the entertainment industry, from music and radio to TV and movies.

Websites
www.milescopeland.net
www.bellydancesuperstars.com

Articles on Gilded Serpent by and about Miles Copeland
9-11-09 Are You Breaking the Law? Dance Workshops with Foreign Nationals by Miles Copeland
It is the sponsor’s obligation to deduct this; if it is not deducted and the full fee paid to the foreign teacher and discovered several years later in an audit or investigation, the sponsor will be forced to pay the taxes then and may even be fined.

7-11-09 Certifications & Contests: Are They Meaningful? by Miles Copeland
Its as if the contest win were a diploma, her ticket to teach!

2-7-09 BDSS Update: New Choreographers contribute to 2009 Show by Miles Copeland
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.

9-8-08 Carl's Raqs LA Photos, Best from the Stage on the Lower Level, Photos by Carl Sermon text by Carl Sermon, Ma*Shuqa and Marta Schill
held May 17-18, 2008 Glendale Civic Auditorium, California, produced by Miles Copeland and organized by Marta Schill

4-8-08 Divorcing Belly Dance From Burlesque by Miles Copeland
As it is traditionally understood, I do not find Burlesque, (meaning nudity-no matter how hard one pretends it does not) amusing or creative in the slightest when it comes to including Belly dance, an art that has suffered too long with such unfortunate associations. I find it completely irresponsible and detrimental.

1-17-07 Western Dancer's Guilt, a Response to Naajidah, by Miles Copeland
People have occasionally suggested Arabs would be “horrified” by the inclusion of the Tribal style in our show but I can tell you that this style is extremely popular with Middle Easterners who come to our show.

3-27-06 The Bellydance Superstars Show In Perspective by Miles Copeland
There are many factors to balance, and ANY show can be improved. The point is to also know the limitations that one faces in doing all the things one would like to do.

3-3-05 The BDSS Experience and Miles Copeland; Doing What He Does Best by Sausan
Even though Miles Copeland’s vision is similar to that of mine and the majority of belly dancers I have canvassed in my lifetime, he and I differ in our mission approach to elevating the dance, and this is where the discussion became a heated debate.

2-14-05 Taking Good Care of our Stars by Miles Copeland
Most of all, as we now need them consistently; we have to free them from financial worries by giving them job security including such things as health insurance.

1-25-05 Intruder, BEWARE! comic by Lynette
"How dare they pollute our pond!"

1-19-05 BDSS Auditions January 14-15, 2005, North Hollywood, CA
-Inside the Bellydance Superstars Final Auditions by Michelle Joyce -"What have I got to lose?" by Zaheea -Photos by Lynette

1-7-05 Unchained! by Monique Monet
Who the hell is Miles Copeland? And, what is he doing in our ancient and sacred world of Middle Eastern dance?

12-11-04 Miles Copeland responds to Horacio

7-27-04 Belly Dance Superstars at DNA Lounge page 2, photos by Lynette
More eye candy! Performing in one of the most trendy clubs in San Francisco!

7-15-04 Belly Dance Superstars at DNA Lounge Photos by Susie Poulelis
Saturday, April 17, 2004 San Francisco, CA. Yes, that is Petite Jamilla playing a bagpipe,

12-9-03 Miles Copeland Responds to Questions from GS Readers
If we are to dominate the world let’s try to understand and appreciate the good in other cultures as we are trying to mitigate the bad.

3-8-05 Belly Dance Super Stars Video Review by Amina Goodyear
Produced and Directed by Jonathan Brandeis Executive Producer: Miles Copeland. "... However, as there is no audience, most of the dancers have a difficult time conveying the emotions of the dance to the video viewer. Only Jillina and Dondi seem to overcome this obstacle. "

2-4-05 Comments On American Bellydancer Film Review by Gregory Burke
A documentary film or video is made up of "real" images constructed in such a way to reflect the point of view of its maker. So a documentary film is a fiction, especially when financed by its key subject.