Quote:
Originally Posted by Ophelia777
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From the footage in the video it looks like the performer was combining traditional raqs sharqi moves with cheesecake .....
I've met a lot of Arab raqs sharqi performers over the years and, as you must be aware, any diversion from 'modest' dress and traditional dance moves are viewed with outrage by the more traditional performers.
Western people often don't realise just how seriously Arab people, and especially Arab performers, take their raqs sharqi. They feel that they are fighting an ongoing battle against the sexualisation and exoticisation...
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The fact that the cabaret style of Oriental dance has been sexualised and corrupted via a western influence is a source of constant outrage and hurt to professional oriental dancers who, given the chance, will lecture anyone who will listen on how and why their dance is nothing like stripping or burlesque.
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Hi Opheilia, I think your views are really interesting and well considered.
Autumn - I feel for you. It happens to all of us.
This discussion is especially interesting to me as I can appreciate the importance of the mix of emotions, issues and thoughts that are being considered here - cultural heritage, feelings of exclusivity, containment, personal rights of expression, validation, chastisement and comparison.
It is important because it sums up working in showbusiness.
I think it's likely that the complaint had little to do with the actual routine and more to do with a general, personal viewpoint.
Perhaps the fashion show was simply the wrong event for any kind of burlesque strip tease ideas.
It's unlikely to be about the amount of skin showing, as seen on the catwalk but instead, it's about what is being
suggested.
The audience members in question (funders of fashion show but audience just the same, presumably) were perhaps uncomfortable having their chosen event (fashion show) paired with something seen to be more deliberately sexually provocative - which given the option, they would not have chosen to support in either ideology or physical presence.
With this in mind and Autumn's experience, perhaps it was not such a case of 'prudes not appreciating art' but more that someone was complaining that they voluntarily went to see/support one thing - and were made by association, to support something else entirely. Something which they would ordinarily avoid or take issue with.
It happens to all of us. I think any seasoned performer could regale us all with tales of being booked for wrong events and many promoters can describe the plethora of unsuitable acts showing up at events without any real understanding of what the event is about!
Anyway, moving on!
With the Raqs Sharqi discussion in mind, I don't think it is remotely surprising that something as old as Raqs Sharqi is held rather precious to the bosom of those upholding the tradition and rightly so. However that is not to say that Raqs Sharqi and burlesque alike, are not open to interpretation and
reinterpretation.
It's not so different from the debate surrounding the often overly generalized, sexual image of burlesque and it's specific links to /or association with, the strip tease.
Many burlesque performers today are passionate about burlesque's early roots to the point where they are uncomfortable about being referred to as a strip tease act. Others don't identify any difference.
Burlesque as a genre has been built on one specific cultural tradition of high brow send up and has been reinterpreted again and again through different nations and cultural differences. Burlesque as we often see it today, generally speaking, could easily make a 'traditionalist' weep.
I reckon that performing is fair game for everyone, regardless of heritage. I personally believe that everything is open to personal interpretation and once fairly researched, fair game for satire.
As entertainers I do feel we ought to respect the feelings of others who do specific forms based on cultural learnings and their crafts implications and meanings - most insults in life are made by accident and grounded in nothing more than uninformed statements/actions paired with bad timing.
Regardless of intention, a lack of information or consideration in any statement is indeed risky (rather than risque) business.
If we care about personal expression and are serious about our own cultural heritage, adopted cultures, passions, interests and ideals then surely we are obliged to research our chosen subjects before offering them for public consumption.
Risking the exploitation of an idea in place of celebration and appreciation is all to easy.
Kittie! you are indeed the fountain of knowledge and a very wise lady!!!
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