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Usually I take questions from readers and try to give some kind of comprehensive answer. This time the question is from me to the universe or perhaps it is a revelation I have come to realize recently that has shocked me to the core. <\/p>\n
Is the presentation of Bellydance on a downward spiral after the years of so many trying to lift it up?<\/p>\n
The latest full scale Arabesque Dance Company production<\/span> called JAMRA just finished a few weeks ago. As all of our annual productions, there were 7 performances in a prestigious theatre of 450 seats sponsored by an arts centre and two arts councils. Arabesque consists of 17 male and female dancers and 11 musicians and vocalists. <\/p>\n When compiling the information for the programme, some of the dance artists in the company asked us not to use their real name for fear of complications with their main employment. <\/p>\n These are dance artists who dedicate between 10-20 hours a week to rehearsal and practice with Arabesque. They are serious artists who have many years of training under their belts. Some are instructors as well. They are fearful that they may be found out \u2013 the horrible truth exposed that they are a Bellydancer.<\/p>\n The last time I heard anyone fearful of admitting they were a Bellydancer was in the late 80s and early 90s. Those were days when we began to take great care to educate our audiences; to set examples that Bellydance was high art, not striptease; that Bellydancers did not dance on tables or take money in their bra strap or sit with customers after their performance. Yes, it often seemed like an uphill battle but progress was always being made. It is what impelled me to get up in the morning and what brings the 35 members of Arabesque together to work so hard. If members of my own company cannot admit publicly that they Bellydance \u2013 including myself on occasion – how can I complain when an arts council does not give me a grant? <\/p>\n After asking around, I found that this Bellydance shame which I thought was long gone was actually a growing trend. Does this mean my last 30 years of diligent efforts of raising awareness was for naught? Should all those dancers around the world who have worked so hard to establish Bellydance as art give up if the community is making a U-turn? Is this just a short bad phase? I am looking for feedback. Is it my imagination or is Bellydance becoming more sexualized and more commercialized? Are dancers actually allowing someone to stick dollar bills in their bra strap? Is it the economy? Really?<\/p>\n\n
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