A thousand days after the show, or in normal people time one week later, here are my observations on the Bellydance Superstars show. Honestly, I was waiting until I typed my fieldnotes, but that hasn't happened, soo...
The show begins with the disembodied voice of a male narrator. Its actually sort of terrifying in a way b/c there is this burst of really really loud music (thunder?) and then he starts talking. Just a few of the things I jotted down: belllydance is the "beauty of the female form" the "rhythm of life" "we all come from the belly" and finally, the best part, " sometimes mystical, sometimes sultry, but always sensual."
The dancers were basically of two types: Egyptian/Cabaret - i.e. bright colors, bra top, sequins, frills, and glitter (sorry couldn't find a good picture, I liked), and American Tribal - that one is a bit harder to describe, but basically darker colors, a lot of large adornments, jewelry, tassels.... i.e. above*
Sometimes, the Egyptian Cabaret dancers were highlighted, i.e. they would be dancing in the foreground with other background dancers behind them, or even the tribal dancers, and then for other routines this would reverse. There were also several solo dancers of both varieties. At points in the show however, way too many dancers were on stage with all sorts of crazy props that just made it a bit overwhelming - very much a circus or carnival. Oh, and the props themselves - unbelievable. Traditionally** from what other dancers have told me there are only about three or four major props - zils (finger cymbals), swords, and veils. I've also seen people dance with candles (apparently that is more Tunisian, though I honestly don't have a clue).
But not the BDSS, no they have these wing type veils, and regular veils, and veils that are attached to fans. Not to mention at one point these background dancers come out in what seem to be black skirts with a mosaic pattern of bright colors on them, and as they twirl around these heavy (sort of look quilted) skirts flare out. But then at some point I notice, that the dancers now have the "skirts" up over their heads twirling them around. It was interesting, but I wonder who comes up with these ideas? My friend remarked that this scene might have been influenced by the Dervishes.
And how could I forget the one man who was in the show. This guy would come out at intervals, and try to interact with the audience, getting them to clap to certain rhythms (by the way, audience that night = dead, they were soo quiet). He also played a tabla, which would light up in the center different colors when he hit it, for several solo dances. He also was accompanied by two or three tambourine players who stood arrayed behind him, and were dressed in rather modest long robes (though they were totally strange designs and colors): hm...contrast to the half nakes dancers? coincidence? did someone say "harem"? yeah, it was a little sketchy. Actually, to be honest, I don't know what to make of that particular aspect of the show, but it is a fascinating juxtaposition.
One of the other things that the disembodied narrator pointed out at the beginning was that belly dance has incorporated many different influences/cultures over the years. Well, in the show, they really really try to point this out. There are Polynesian (ok, probably Hawaiian) dancers with "grass" skirts and shells adorning their outfits, the Tribal dancers incorportate some aspects of the Roma culture, and then there was this extraordinarily stupid dance that involved the women dressed as soldiers, Turkish maybe, with swords, and they did this whole Rockette style line dance, while cheerfully waving the flimsy plastic swords in different patterns around their face and over their heads - seriously stupid, and one final interesting combination - the ballerina belly dancer.
Overall, I thought the show was good. Obviously, the dancers are super talented and from what I understand many have had formal dance training. However, I much preferred the small scale show on campus last year for several reasons. One, it was so much of an over the top spectacle. Two, the audience was enthusiastic - partly set up by the hostess, who told people to cheer during the dance if they felt like it, and not wait to the end, but partly b/c the dancers interacted more with the audience. Honestly, the BDSS is a global show, they travel all over, and are going to do the same dancers whether or not the audience cheers them on or not - this makes a big difference.
*I stole this image from http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h28/eion1980/Belly%20Dance/lookdown.jpg)
** pretend there are quotes around that
*** tabla player picture borrowed from http://www.thedctraveler.com/bellydance-the-rhythm-of-life/ (which actually has a much more eloquent and positive description of the show)
