Metamorphosis of a Latin Belly Dancer
DVD review of Bozenka’s ¨Journey of a Dancer¨
by Martha Duran
posted October 17, 2011
"Journey of a dancer" is a compilation of 8 different performances of Bozenka (from 2000 to 2005) who, in fact, performs 99.9% improvised work. Great songs and lovely costumes are portrayed by this Latin Bellydancer who demonstrated mastery over the stage. She shows strong technique within a variety of combinations and dance steps, using zills, Isis wings, and double veil. These are some of the dance elements that give life to wonderful choreographed pieces. Egyptian styled Bellydancing, as well as Oriental and Latin Fusion compliment performances by this Miami Oriental dancer and teacher; it’s a pity that the lighting was not very good.
As a result, it seems as if you were sitting right there, as part of the audience, showering the dancer with applause. Intricate drum solos are one of the main highlights of this performance collection in which she layers movement over movement.
Layering makes this dancing interesting to watch– almost every second of it!
One of the performances was very familiar to me: it was the double veil performance that was a choreographed dance she had taught in 2005 for a series of workshops she presented around the US. This caused me wonder: she states she improvises 99.9% of the time she performs, but how does she improvise her work while she performs on stage (if she likes it, she memorizes it?) and teaches it later in her workshops? Or does she improvise while teaching a class or workshop, and if she likes it, then she takes it to the stage?
This DVD is oriented to fans of her lovely intricate style of Bellydancing, and it should be promoted as a DVD that contains some of the choreographed works taught in past workshops. I’ll bet the students would love that; I know I would!
Rating: 3 zils
Purchase info: Bozenka’s online store
Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or Send us a letter!
Check the "Letters to the Editor" for other possible viewpoints!
Ready for more?
- 5-21-08 Saturday Gala Peformance Part 2 of the International Bellydance Conference of Canada
Performers in Act 2 : Aisha Ali of Southern California, Bozenka of Florida, Amy Sigil & Kari Vanderzwaag of Unmata from Sacramento, California, Tito Seif of Egypt, Aida Nour of Egypt - 10-24-07 Four Bellydancers… I AIN’T SCARED! Bellydance Superstars- Introduction to Bellydance DVD
The ladies seem to enjoy each other’s company (except for an occasionally withdrawn Sonia) and the chemistry that they have with each other comes across well in their instruction. That is if you don’t get bored or tired before the video ends. - 1-13-10 Galit Mersand Teaches the Shisha Dance
This is a unique dvd for the performer who wants to widen her horizons. - 8-14-09 Knowledge and Skills for Becoming an Excellent Performer: Sadie’s Complete Bellydancing Guide Secrets of the Stage Vol. 1 With Michelle Joyce
Common anxiety attacks that almost every dancer experiences before getting on stage are discussed - 7-17-09 2 Balancing & Sword DVDs Reviewed: The Art of Sword and Shamadan by Princess Farhana DVD & Sword and Tray Balancing for Bellydancers with Cory & Laura
It’s a shame that this DVD wasn’t a remastered version. - 12-19-08 Training Aids or Trainer’s Ads? 3 Books Reviewed
The E.D.A. Handbook for Middle Eastern Dance by David of Scandinavia, Tribal Vision by Paulette Rees-Denis, Belly Dance for the Versatile Dancer V. 1: Foundations by Zanbaka - 12-15-08 Unveiled: 3 Instructional DVDs on Veil Dancing
Fabulous 4-Yard Veils by Shoshanna, Seven Veils Romantic Bellydance by Sarah Skinner, Bellydance With Veil by Sarah Skinner - 11-8-08 2 DVD Reviews : Must or Must Not for Your Library? FCBD DVD Steps and Combinations, Vol.7 Fluid Precision Belly Dance DVD
In search of the perfect library for a bellydancer I have found these wonderful elements for the bellydancer in need of fundamentals. - 10-11-11 And Here’s a Work from…the Lovely Jenna DVD: "Bellydance, The Next Level"
When I’ve gone to Jenna’s classes, I noticed she had a knack for making the students comfortable with themselves while learning new steps. This persona still comes across on DVD. - 9-5-11 Bottoms up! Two Belly Dance Starters, Bottoms Up! Two Belly Dance Starters Cory’s "Learn Belly Dancing" & Said’s "Get Ready to Dance"
Reviewers of Cory’s other DVDs have often complained that the quality of filming and lighting were not good. I didn’t find this to be a problem with Learn Belly Dancing. Although it’s not a slick production, you can see and hear everything you need to perfectly well. Cory has a clear, pleasant manner of speaking that is easy on the ear. - 5-27-11 Listening with the Arabs, ASWAT’s February 2011 Concert
The concert consolidated a much needed expression of hope, excitement, and pride. I felt lucky to be in the audience, to share solidarity, and to be exposed to songs novel to me. - 4-29-11 A True Arabic Experience, November 2010 Arab Dance Seminar in New York City
His seminar emphasizes the cultural roots and context of this dance form; it is a form that is experiencing a disconnect as more dancers are entering the community through fusion and often not developing an understanding of its historical origins. Each seminar is themed to focus on a variety of elements within the culture, dance, and music of the Arab world. - 4-17-11 Global Glances, Homage to Mahmoud Reda: A Life for Dancing, Full-Tilt Boogie presents: Belly – Sensual, Scarred, Sacred
As Unmata’s Amy Sigil observes, the dance is taking place in a kind of self-supportive bubble to which the general public is really irrelevant. - 4-4-2011 Beginnings Made Easy: Basics, Improv, First Shows!
Cassandra, Tanna Valentine, and Nadira Jamal. While all three are classified as "basic" level videos, one is geared to the absolute beginner, another to the newer dancer ready to perform, and the third to the performer who is ready to graduate from choreography to improvisation; a dancer should take care to choose the correct one for her current developmental stage.
Sorry, comments for this entry are closed at this time.