From Cairo to California

November 10, 2008 06:07 PM

Last Friday night, we went on a journey from Cairo to California, following the evolution of belly dance. We began with a playful Saiidi-style assaya (cane) piece by the Calmes Triplets, in imitation of the men’s regional martial art (Tahtib), then moved to Cairo for several glamorous nightclub style solos by Chiaki and Elysa and a modern Egyptian ensemble dance by Raqs Sahara before finishing the first act with traditional regional dances by Rachel Kay Brookmire, Elysa and Raqs Beledi.

The second act brought us to California, where the belly dancing is darker, louder and experimental. Costumes are more expressive and creative and the music is modern and eclectic. Sahara Tribal and Gabrielle started the second act with tribal style fusion pieces, followed by Tribal Remix in bloomers with peacock-feather fans! Laura is finally bringing Hawaiian hula-belly dance fusion to the DC area, and gave us a glimpse of the beautiful new style that we’ll be seeing more of. (Laura’s Hula-Belly Dance Fusion class will be performing at Under a Dessert Moon 7 in May…)

I thought that Shakra Transfusion Dance were going to kill themselves during the tech rehearsal, sliding across the slippery stage in combat boots. No injuries, thank goodness. Their piece was the scariest belly dance performance I’ve seen. At times I was reminded of the girl from The Ring, when she crawls out of the well, moving so slowly and deliberately, with her hair covering her face. Scary. Romka performed a well-choreographed and captivating sword piece, getting tangled up and disengaging with ease.

It was so great to have Sera Solstice back on stage with Sahara Dance again. Sera was a founding member of Raqs Caravan West and a member of Raqs Sahara before she moved to New York. Amy and Kari of UNMATA closed the show with high-energy, fast-paced belly dance silliness, for five songs! It was an incredible show, educational and entertaining, sophisticated and silly, fun and eclectic.

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