Countdown to Under a Desert Moon

April 7, 2009 10:46 AM

It was as if a ship laden with bounty had found a way to dock in front of the Sahara Dance downtown studio last Tuesday. My fellow Raqs Caravan Folklore stage mates and I were preparing to rehearse our Port Said choreography when the costumes—wrapped neatly in silver bags and blue tissue paper— arrived. Anxiously, we dug through our wares, but not in search of silver coins or sequins. The treasure we each sought was an item that no one had anticipated wearing in a belly dance performance: a white, sassy sailor cap.

Port Said is a dance of fishermen and women, and our costumes reflect the nautical nature of our choreography. Because no one built the Suez Canal wearing a glamorous gypsy skirt and jewels, the students in RCF will skip onto stage wearing jeans (yes, jeans!), a tunic top and a sailor cap. As casual as this combination may read, Elysa has given us solid instructions for looking stage-ready. While each student will pick out her own jeans, we must be able to roll them up and create a cuff at our calves, or select capris. As for the color, we have been instructed to wear a medium wash. “Absolutely nothing acid-washed” Elysa has warned us, drawing laughter from the class.

After the final performance of Under a Desert Moon 7 reaches the grand finale, and the last echos of applause have faded from the Greenberg Theatre, I will still be tempted to wear my cotton tunic. The color is a deep sky blue that will look great on stage and also appropriate for summer fashion. The cut is flattering, and is slightly loose so that students can dance in comfort. However, it’s fitted just enough so that we will not feel as if we’re dancing in kaftans. After the show, I’m envisioning wearing the tunic with a silver anchor necklace and leggings.

The sailor cap is my favorite part of the costume. At home, I’ve adjusted it over and over again in front of the mirror so that I get it tilted just right. Now, if only I can just get over my fear of losing the cap on stage during a barrel turn!

—Lauren

Permalink →