{"id":5327,"date":"2014-01-17T13:09:42","date_gmt":"2014-01-17T20:09:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/?p=5327"},"modified":"2014-01-17T13:09:42","modified_gmt":"2014-01-17T20:09:42","slug":"elianae-reviews-bellyqueen-outi-fantasy-bellydance-desire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2014\/01\/17\/elianae-reviews-bellyqueen-outi-fantasy-bellydance-desire\/","title":{"rendered":"All the World&rsquo;s A  Stage!"},"content":{"rendered":"<br \/>\n<h2>Reviews of Three Theatrical Shows and Technique DVDs<br \/>\n&#8220;Fantasy Bellydance-Desire&#8221;, &#8220;Outi Wa Bas&#8221;, &#8220;Bellyqueen: Ultimate Fusion&#8221;<\/h2>\n<div class=\"floatright\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/productreviewgraphics\/13\/colage-outi-bdq-desire.jpg\" alt=\"Elianae reviews 3 DVDS\" width=\"300\" height=\"450\" \/><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DGhyI1fiwp8\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\n<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7TENJeWk59M\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n          <\/div>\n<h3>by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/Elianae.html\">Elianae Stone<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"footnotes\">posted January 17, 2014<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>\nThis segment of three  DVDs was fascinating to research. I am comparing Fantasy Bellydance-Desire,  Outi Wa Bas, and Bellyqueen, Bellydance NYC-the Ultimate Fusion Experience.  Although each DVD was very different from the other, all had an aspect of  theatrics or stage performance to them. It is safe to say that there is a style  of Bellydance for everyone. <\/p>\n<div class=\"floatleft\">\n<p class=\"sectiontitle\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/productreviewgraphics\/13\/Neon-fantasyBD-Desire2.jpg\" width=\"103\" height=\"150\" alt=\"Fantasy Bellydance- Desire\" \/>\n  <\/p>\n<p class=\"sectiontitle\">&nbsp; <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"sectiontitle\">Fantasy Bellydance-Desire <\/p>\n<p>Fantasy  Bellydance-Desire from World Dance New York is Part two in a 3 part  choreography series for Intermediate\/Advanced dancers. This DVD features the  talents of 3 dancers, <span class=\"artist\">Blanca, Naraya<\/span>,\u00a0and <span class=\"artist\">Darshan<\/span>. Blanca teaches a Cabaret-Fusion Choreography, and\u00a0 Naraya and Darshan teach tribal fusion  pieces.\u00a0 All are talented dancers, with  beautiful costuming, masterful choreography, and great lighting and sound. The  DVD is very well-produced, with a main menu featuring each dancer and  performances and credits. If you click on each dancer, however, you are  directed to a separate menu where the dancer describes the &ldquo;character&rdquo; you will  be playing, thoughts or tips for your practice, or rituals to prepare yourself  spiritually for the dancing. Each dancer then launches into a full performance  of the dance, then a thorough breakdown. In short, there are about 35 buttons  that you can click on for different features of the DVD.<\/p>\n<p class=\"highlight\"> I think this DVD is  definitely geared towards more advanced dancers, as it claims, but it also is  very fusion and tribal-orientated, which could encourage or discourage some  dancers.<\/p>\n<p> Also, in each dancer&rsquo;s section, much of the intricate choreography is  learned without repetition and without music, although there is a music  practice segment at the end. There is a separate music menu in the credits  section, as well, so that one learning the choreography could purchase the  music. <\/p>\n<p> I think that this is a  very creative offering, and that fans of World Dance New York will appreciate  the talent of the Instructors. However, this DVD encompasses so many styles of  bellydance and western dance, it would take  a strong, patient dancer to get the most out of this DVD. A great  study-buddy for the advanced dancer wanting some fusion choreographies. <\/p>\n<h4 class=\"aligncenter\"> Rating: 3 Zills<br \/>\n  <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/productreviewgraphics\/3zils.gif\" width=\"110\" height=\"36\" alt=\"3 zil rating\" \/><\/h4>\n<div class=\"floatleft\">\n<p class=\"sectiontitle\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/productreviewgraphics\/13\/Outi-WaBas-tn.jpg\" width=\"109\" height=\"150\" alt=\"Outi\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"sectiontitle\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"sectiontitle\">Outi Wa Bas <\/p>\n<p>This DVD was a live full  Egyptian bellydance show by Outi in Cairo. Outi is a popular Egyptian-style  bellydancer, and this DVD was very well-produced. This show, by comparison, was  a live full Egyptian cabaret show, and the theatrics presented were traditional  to Egyptian culture and dance. <\/p>\n<p> The show had excellent  sound and video quality and featured a live 9-piece band and several singers,  as well as Outi and two male dancers. There were 8 songs performed and I liked  how each was introduced on the screen by name, and even the style was  designated, such as Shaabi, Saidi, or Khalegy. <\/p>\n<p class=\"highlight\">Outi has always included musical  and historical knowledge to her dance DVDs, which I think is a boon for anyone  who appreciate the art of Oriental dance.<\/p>\n<p> Outi\u00a0  achieved an astounding 8 costume changes during the show, one for each  song, and had very professional costuming for the modern Egyptian style, which  typically is a lycra skirt\/bra combo. She performed two songs with male  dancers, and it was interesting to see them work together and to see their  differing styles of movement, and the play-acting and costuming. <\/p>\n<p> Outi is very experienced and talented at  Modern Egyptian style bellydance, and I would like to see more offerings by her  defining the modern Egyptian style to Western audiences.\u00a0 Her loose style, combined with gestures that  coorespond to the song and singing along with the band demonstate her knowledge  of Egyptian music and culture. I think for any affectionado of Egyptian-style  bellydance, they would enjoy Outi&rsquo;s friendly, organic style.  <\/p>\n<h4 class=\"aligncenter\"> Rating: 3 Zills<br \/>\n  <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/productreviewgraphics\/3zils.gif\" width=\"110\" height=\"36\" alt=\"3 zil rating\" \/><\/h4>\n<div class=\"floatleft\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/productreviewgraphics\/13\/bellyqueen-UltFusion2.jpg\" width=\"111\" height=\"150\" alt=\"Bellyqueen\" \/><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"sectiontitle\">Bellyqueen:  Bellydance NYC The Ultimate Fusion Experience <\/p>\n<p>\n  I watched the  performance DVD, Bellyqueen, Bellydance NYC the Ultimate Fusion Experience, and  it is all that it claims to be. The show, which was wonderfully produced,  featured a lot of fun, funky New York flair, and more fusion than I can imagine  packed into almost every number. <\/p>\n<p> The video and sound  quality were fantastic, and the DVD had a great title and chapter menu. As far  as the dancing goes, Bellyqueen has a very strong, synched-together troupe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"highlight\">The  dancers were very physically fit and well-versed in not only bellydance, but  modern dance, hip-hop dance, theatrical dance, African dance, and many other  modalities. Each piece was very different from the last, and the dancers were  given chances to express themselves as individuals as well as part of a group. <\/p>\n<p> There were several more  traditional pieces, such as Rakset Al Asaya, and Betwannes Beek, intersperced  with very fusion-styled pieces, such as Afro Funk and the Drum Battle. Many  theatrical techniques were used, such as dance fighting, mime, usage of dancers  in the background as props,etc. One huge highlight of the show was having the  live band <span class=\"company\">Djinn<\/span> come out and perform, as well. <\/p>\n<p> The finale Drum Battle  was a bit much for me personally, as the dancers were doing a &ldquo;dance-off&rdquo; in  Hip Hop gear, bellydancing, breakdancing, fight-dancing, using Modern dance,  Grande Battement kicks, handstands, splits, acrobatics, etc. It was truly  fusion! But, throughout, the energy was great, the dancers worked very well  together, and I think this would be a really fun and uplifting live show. In  the end after bows, the dancers even run into the audience and start dancing!  There was definitely a global party atmosphere. <\/p>\n<h4 class=\"aligncenter\">\n    Rating:\u00a0 3.5 zills<br \/>\n    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/productreviewgraphics\/3halfzils.gif\" width=\"130\" height=\"36\" alt=\"3.5 zil rating\" \/><\/h4>\n<p>It is obvious that much  has changed in belly dance over the decades, and now fusion is everywhere.  Anything and almost everything can be incorporated and integrated into belly dance,  and productions and tutorial choreographies like the ones in &quot;Desire&quot;  and &quot;Bellyqueen&quot; make that point apparent. But there is also still a  demand for the more traditional styles of belly dance done well, also, and productions  like &quot;Outi Wa Bas&quot; offer these as well to the belly dance aficionado.  Whatever your taste may be at any given time, there will be a show or  choreography to suit your taste.<\/p>\n<table width=\"400\" border=\"1\" align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"10\" cellspacing=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#FF9999\">\n<tr>\n<td width=\"110\">\n<h5 class=\"aligncenter\">$18.98 <\/h5>\n<h5 class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/worlddancenewyork.com\/products\/desire-fantasy-bellydance\" target=\"_blank\">Fantasy Bellydance-Desire<\/a><br \/>\nProduct page on producer&#8217;s website<\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<td width=\"102\">\n<h5 class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.outiofcairo.com\/cd\/wabas.html\" target=\"_blank\" >Outi Wa Bas<\/a><br \/>\nProduct page<br \/>\non artist&#8217;s website <\/h5>\n<\/td>\n<td width=\"120\"><iframe src=\"http:\/\/rcm-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/cm?t=thegildedserpent&#038;o=1&#038;p=8&#038;l=as1&#038;asins=B002GPLH5Y&#038;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&#038;fc1=000000&#038;IS2=1&#038;lt1=_blank&#038;m=amazon&#038;lc1=0000FF&#038;bc1=000000&#038;bg1=F9F281&#038;f=ifr\" style=\"width:120px;height:240px;\" scrolling=\"no\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5>Resources:<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h6><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/aboutuspages\/Elianae.html\">Author&#8217;s bio page<\/a><\/h6>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/graphics\/acommentbox.jpg\" alt=\"use the comment box\" align=\"right\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"ready4more\">\n<p>Have a comment? Use or comment section at the bottom of this page or <a href=\"mailto:editor@gildedserpent.com\">Send us a letter!<\/a> <br \/>\nCheck the &quot;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/let2ed.htm\">Letters to the Editor<\/a>&quot; for other possible viewpoints!<\/p>\n<p>Ready for more?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<!--end ready4more --><\/p>\n<div class=\"articlelist\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">-13-14<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2014\/01\/13\/elianae-reviews-dvds\/\">Grace and Sass!, &quot;The Veil with Hilary Thacker&quot;,&quot;Arabic Jazz Fusion with Galit Mersand&quot;, and &quot;Ballet for Bellydancers with Brianna&quot;<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">DVD Reviews by Elianae<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t  This grouping of DVDs was enjoyable to review, as it dealt with many things that I personally enjoy and find graceful and useful, such as veil work, and Western dance technique, such as Ballet and Jazz.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-18-13<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2013\/12\/18\/elianae-bellydance-baklava-in-ohio\/\" class=\"articlelink\">Bellydance &amp; Baklava in Ohio,  A Family Business  Devoted to Great Food and Belly Dance for Over 40 Years!<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">by Elianae Stone<\/span><br \/> \u201cWe have the longest-running weekly belly dance show in Canton\u201d<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">2-14-13<\/span> <span class=\"articlelink\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2013\/02\/14\/elianae-instructional-dvds-outi-hipsin\/\" target=\"_blank\">2 Instructional DVDs: Unprofessional or Homespun? \u201cThe Basics With Outi\u201d &amp; \u201cStep-By-Step Bellydance\u201d<\/a><\/span><span class=\"articleauthor\"> DVD Review by Elianae<\/span><br \/>\n                      The two DVDs that I received for review and comparison for Gilded Serpent were by a group and individual with whom I was unfamiliar. In fact, I had never heard of either one. Both had their strong points, but  in my opinion, were fraught with significant problems also. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">5-16-12<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2012\/05\/16\/elianae-reviews-romani-gypsy-dance-dvds\/\" class=\"articleauthor\">Gypsy Flair Romani Party! 2 DVDs with Fun and Energy in Mind! Ansuya&#8217;s Istanbul Nights and Liz Strong&#8217;s Turkish Roman Dance<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">DVD Reviews by Elianae <\/span><br \/>\n                      I reviewed two very pleasant, fun DVDs, Istanbul Nights by Ansuya, and Turkish Roman Dance with Elizabeth Strong. Both DVDs have much to offer, and are surprisingly different  from each other in their interpretation of Romani Dance and teaching styles.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">4-4-12<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2012\/04\/04\/elianae-reviews-dvd-ava-kaya\/#axzz1r29QBL9L\" class=\"articlelink\">Fire and Ice, Sugar and Spice! Mystic Moves With Ava Fleming and Hip-Notic Bellydance With Kaya <\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">DVD reviews by Elianae<\/span><br \/>I have had the pleasure of reviewing two very good DVDs: Mystic Moves with Ava Fleming and Hip-Notic Bellydance with Kaya. Both dancers adhere to different styles of Cabaret or Oriental Bellydance, and I found their approaches both engaging and refreshing!<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">11-16-11<\/span> <span class=\"articlelink\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2011\/11\/16\/elianae-dvd-bahaia-galit-combos\/\">Dance Combinations \u2013 Uneven, Misnamed Productions Still Worthwhile, \u201cCool Combos \u2018a La Galit\u201d and \u201cCombin-Ography by Bahaia<\/a><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2011\/11\/16\/elianae-dvd-bahaia-galit-combos\/\">&quot;<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">DVD reviews by Elianae<\/span><br \/>\n                      Through the process of comparing and contrasting these two DVDs, I learned that in our technical age, although there are many people out there that have knowledge that can and should be shared, production value really does count for something. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-3-07<\/span> <a class=\"articlelink\" href=\"http:\/\/gildedserpent.com\/art42\/betheastwest.htm\">Bellyqueen vs. Barbary Coast: It&#8217;s an east coast west coast showdown! Gina Grandi puts on a show of astronomical proportions.<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">Review and photos by Surreyya.<\/span><br \/>Comedic timing, clever costuming and an endless supply of mojo bring about the wonderment of the early settlers of the California gold rush, with a taste of burlesque, and a taunt of influences from around the globe. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-14-04<\/span> <a class=\"articlelink\" href=\"http:\/\/gildedserpent.com\/art29\/marareviewbqueendvd.htm\">DVD Review of Bellyqueen&#8217;s Bellydance Jam<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">by Mara al-Nil<\/span><br \/>\nThe videography is still excellent, even in the darkened club setting,&#8230; <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">6-27-07<\/span> <a class=\"articlelink\" href=\"http:\/\/gildedserpent.com\/art40\/CEBoutiCDreview.htm\">Outi&#8217;s CD, &quot;Al Amoura&quot; Review<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">by Catherine Barros<\/span><br \/>\nI think that there is something for everyone on this CD as it contains some very useable pieces of music for performing. <\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">9-17-12<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2012\/09\/17\/martha-fantasy-dvd-review-goth\/\"> Goth Fantastique, Fantasy Bellydance: Magic DVD&quot; by World Dance New York<\/a> DVD Review by Martha Duran<\/span><br \/>\nThis DVD is a good choice for dancers who are more into ritual, sacred, experimental, and related fusion forms of belly dance<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">5-17-12<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2012\/05\/17\/samira-3-veil-dvd-reviews\/\" class=\"articleauthor\">Fun with Fabric, Three DVDs for those with Fabric Festish Affliction, Kaishi Chai\u2019s Expressive Belly Dance Veil, Jrisi and Devi\u2019s Fan Veil Combinations, Veil with Aziza<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">DVD Reviews by Samira Shuruk<\/span><br \/>\nIf you\u2019re like me, you have tubs of fabric and always see the \u201cneed\u201d for more.  But our love of fabric is NOT just manifested in our stashes and projects, it\u2019s also reflected in our dance, our beautiful veil dance and more recently the fan veil dance. Each of these three DVDs offers something positive for different dance goals.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-8-14<\/span> <span class=\"articlelink\">O <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2014\/01\/08\/najia-o-aitos-1970s-berkeley\/\">Aitos Berkeley in the &#8217;70s<\/a><\/span> <span class=\"articleauthor\">by Najia Marlyz<\/span><br \/>Truthfully, I had never laid eyes on an authentic belly dancer, live or on film at that point, so I hardly knew what to expect.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">1-3-14<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2014\/01\/03\/erica-club-bellydance-sponsor-north-dakota\/\" class=\"articlelink\">Red Flags Before the Green Light, My Experience as a Club Bellydance Sponsor<\/a> <span class=\"articleauthor\">by Enchanting Erica<\/span><br \/>\n                    For some reason I assumed my problem was an oddity. It was not.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"articledate\">12-19-13 <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/2013\/12\/19\/jenza-suzanne-mcneil-afghan-dress\/\" class=\"articlelink\">From Obscurity to Mainstream The American Journey of the Afghani  Dress <\/a><span class=\"articleauthor\">by Jenza, Suzanne McNeil<\/span><br \/>\n                    Interest  in Afghani folk clothing and designs began in the late 1960s due to the  influence of the hippie generation.\u00a0 As  this fascination with folk arts developed, mainstream America took notice.\u00a0 Along with the granny dress, maxi dress, and  peasant dress, the Afghani dress was a perfect addition to our wardrobes.<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reviews of Three Theatrical Shows and Technique DVDs &#8220;Fantasy Bellydance-Desire&#8221;, &#8220;Outi Wa Bas&#8221;, &#8220;Bellyqueen: Ultimate Fusion&#8221; by Elianae Stone posted January 17, 2014 This segment of three DVDs was fascinating to research. I am comparing Fantasy Bellydance-Desire, Outi Wa Bas, and Bellyqueen, Bellydance NYC-the Ultimate Fusion Experience. Although each DVD was very different from the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[124,165,47,191,157,186,82,1,136],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5327"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5327"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5327\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5327"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5327"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gildedserpent.com\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5327"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}