Barred from performing for being too risque! - Page 2

DivaHollywood · #11 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 09:55 AM

I just read someone else's blog on this subject and it was not for the reasons you detailed above but I am glad you brought them up as it has introduced some of us to a new performer and made me think more about one of my acts.
It was a christian man who had brought his young kids to the event that complained. We wonder at him having young kids up late but I guess maybe an older child was involved. I think its the mix of fashion show and burlesque people are going for two very different reasons.
As an artist I tried to show my performances at art events and they just do not go, you would think artists open minded, hell no I got hissed at by one women and told I was degrading women. I am slightly nervous as i am doing a cabaret night next week were I am the only burlesque act but will see how that goes.
So anyway what I am saying is as performers we have to judge for ourselves were it is best, safest and right for us to perform.
Diva x

champagne gypsy · #12 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 10:06 AM

Oh good luck with next week! You are right to say about being safe, everyone must.

Remember what Marilyn Monroe said, "We are all stars and deserve the right to twinkle!" I hope you twinkle lots next week, I am sure you will!!

Gehenna · #13 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autumn Kisses

Yes, thats wat happend to me, Cherry Noir and Vienna Velvet at Strut Fashion show at lammars in the Northern quarter in Manchester tonight! Early in the night, the organiser came and told us to be "tasteful" cos her boss was worried about it....After I went on, apparently the funder complained saying that this kind of thing was not what the event was about! Despite the fact that most of the models were going on stage at one point more scantily clad...

That said, the girls running it did try really hard and were nice, and the crowd while I was on were very receptive, sad that one or two people have to spoil it for all. And we were doing it for free too!

In case you were curious, below is the act that was "too risque"...lol

YouTube - autumn kisses at slippery belle

Why don't you send an e-mail detailing what happened to the anti-censorship website The Melon Farmers' Censorship Watch as I'm sure the website owner will be happy to post about it. Please note that the website is not for the easily offended.

Autumn Kisses · #14 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ophelia777

I wonder who complained?

So, I suppose what I'm saying is that, to my knowledge, to perform traditional belly dance combined with what are seen as erotic movements as the performer in the video does, is going to create massive offense to an audience wholly or partly consisting of some Arabs and / or Turks and Egyptians.

Anyway, I just wondered if this might be an issue. I know that if a traditional belly dancer had seen the performance in the video there would have been sparks flying (at the very least - possibly and actual fight at the end). Seriously.

Next time you might want to do something less provocative, like burn an effigy of the Prophet Mohammad

I've just noticed where the event took place
Manchester - that well known city with no Muslims living there LOL
What were you thinking OP?

Heh, yep, that was me in the vid, been dancing for 7 years, but the guy who complained was super duper christian apparently! He got funny the moment he heard the word burlesque!

Autumn Kisses · #15 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DivaHollywood

Wow
thanks for that I had not even thought of that as I have a routine that incorporates Belly dancing to.
Diva x

Dont let it stop you!!!! Dance is like art is like language- it flows and develops and changes! Say no to the purists and let them get on with it! Rah!

Autumn Kisses · #16 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ophelia777

I do think you have to be extremely careful, especially in such sensitive times, not to cause offense by taking a dance form that is cherished as a symbol of national and religious pride and making it into something else that people will experience as an attacking and disrespectful parody.

Ophelia xx

This debate was going in another post, and as was said, its pretty hard to be able to guarantee that your routine isnt going to offend *someone*. I actually went on first with my act, cos it was the most tame, no striptease etc! TBH its I dont think that (within the realms of good sense) its all down to the performer to not do something in case people are offended- if an event asks for burlesque acts, and, as this one did, has had them before (they had the same night in March with no issues), then they take responsibility for knowing what they are asking for. All the advertisement said said "burlesque acts" everyone knew we were going to be there, so it was just bad luck really.

Autumn Kisses · #17 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ophelia777

I wonder who complained?

Next time you might want to do something less provocative, like burn an effigy of the Prophet Mohammad

Lol, gosh, you are strict arent you! You would have had me turfed out too, heh! You do make some points- but I (in great part due to the influence of my bellydance teacher and the way I was taught- shes a genius!), heartily disagree with dance purism being enforced, for any reason. However, I do understand why some people feel like that, and its great that theres a real school of people preserving the traditional forms, just as its great that there all the new schools of various fusions.
However, the issue last night was not at all about bellydance, it was about burlesque, so I will not go on about this anymore :-)

DivaHollywood · #18 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 10:35 AM

Well then
he has no a leg to stand on, your act is funny and saucey but in no way offensive. There are certain people in the world who just love to complain. If he did not like your act how could he watch models wearing less walking up and down the cat walk.
Thank you for what you said about my act i will go ahead with it, its base comes from Hollywood films aka Bob Hope style rather than real Belly dancing.
Also thank you gypsy I will go for it, if they complain and I am still in my guise as Miss hollywood they have no chance

Diva x

Angel LaVey · #19 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 12:19 PM

Slippery Belle is that Bella Besame's night?

Perhaps the sill little boy who complained thought burlesque performers walked up and down a catwalk whilst smiling and wearing almost nothing but a smile?

Ophelia777 · #20 (**permalink**) 06-02-2007, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autumn Kisses

Lol, gosh, you are strict arent you! You would have had me turfed out too, heh! You do make some points- but I (in great part due to the influence of my bellydance teacher and the way I was taught- shes a genius!), heartily disagree with dance purism being enforced, for any reason. However, I do understand why some people feel like that, and its great that theres a real school of people preserving the traditional forms, just as its great that there all the new schools of various fusions.
However, the issue last night was not at all about bellydance, it was about burlesque, so I will not go on about this anymore :-)

Honey

I'm not remotely strict (well actually I do have my moments

)

I'm posting as someone with a few Middle Eastern friends and acquaintances and who has some degree of sensitivity about cultural difference, not as someone concerned about "dance purism" as you put it.

My concern about your performance is that it parodies and mocks someone else's culture (in their eyes if not in yours - I appreciate that this may have been unintentional on your part).

As far as I'm concerned you can do what you like. I wouldn't dream of telling you what to do, just don't be surprised when your performance gets you into some tricky situations, especially if you perform in settings where there are Middle Eastern people present.

Ophelia xx