International Controversy!! 'Divorcing belly dance and burlesque'!!

Sapphira · #1 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008, 10:16 PM

Oh my,

Shimmy Shake (www.shimmyshakeshow.com) has opened a can of worms because of the combination of belly dancing and burlesque. Despite the criticism, we are doing more shows!

Word has spread all over, this recent article posted by Miles Copeland (Yes, who once managed Sting and The Bangles) has recently made this comment titled 'Divorcing bellydance from burlesque'

Miles views on maintaining a positive image for the Gilded Serpent

Once you have read this article you must read the responses which are written in Letters to the Editor. Even Dirty Martini from New York has stated an opinion!

Letters to the editor of the Gilded Serpent

I also posted a note two belly dancing forums hoping to inspire belly dancers and also promote the event - There are pages and pages of debate that ensued.

Oriental Dancer

What about a belly dance and burlesque show? - Belly Dance Forum

Bhuz
BELLYDANCE CENTRAL - Everything Belly Dance! Welcome to BHUZ - Biggest Online BellyDance Community

Amelie Soleil · #2 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008, 11:06 PM

oh i'm sorry to hear you're having issues like this again

wow you have to look out for those 'fascinators'; corrupting the youth of today they are

sorry but that statement just highlighted the fact that certain sections of bellydance will never accept burlesque as a sub-sector or collaborator.

its a shame because it's narrow minded, but you know making oodles of cash from touring the world with the bellydance superstars...well that sounds really traditional to me.... oh and empowering women to make oodles of cash for a male promoter...yeah girl power!

or is that me just being unknowledgeable and cynical? hmm like commenting on belly dance when i know nothing about it...kinda like...oh mr miles sorry didn't see you there...

don't let the bastards get you down hun, you're passionate and you believe in what you do. truthfully thats all that matters

xx

Sapphira · #3 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayedknot

wow you have to look out for those 'fascinators'; corrupting the youth of today they are

He doesn't even know WHAT a fascinator is!!

Thanks honey. You know it's just typical that these statements are all made in ignorance. No one came to actually see Shimmy Shake and how tasteful and theatrical the burlesque element was. I can tell you now that no-one in the audience had a problem with it at all and the majority were belly dancing students and performers!

Also, since the show I've been flooded with belly dancers asking to perform at the next one so clearly they don't see it as damaging to their careers!

I can't believe the furor this continues to create! I just keep reminding myself that Madonna has had her fair share of controversy in her career and look where she is today!

Sapphira · #4 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frayedknot

its a shame because it's narrow minded, but you know making oodles of cash from touring the world with the bellydance superstars...well that sounds really traditional to me.... oh and empowering women to make oodles of cash for a male promoter...yeah girl power!
xx

This another excellent point!

CrimbleFairy · #5 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sapphira

He doesn't even know WHAT a fascinator is!!!

Yes that made me giggle! Sorry to hear that people are being so narrow minded about it but its nice to see so many people defending you.
Your night sounded a great success and I'd love to see it sometime, perhaps if people made the effort to do the same they would appreciate it xxxxx

Sapphira · #6 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrimbleFairy

Your night sounded a great success and I'd love to see it sometime, perhaps if people made the effort to do the same they would appreciate it xxxxx

Yes, I would welcome anyone with open arms and in a non-judgemental spirit. I'm sure people would be surprised and enjoy it!

Gehenna · #7 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 09:56 AM

As you have seen, the controversy has helped you as far as bellydancers wanting to work with you. With any luck the controversy will also create curiosity buys for our next event of which some you may maintain as regular fans.

Considering how Belly Dance and Burlesque (the show) and The Shangri-la Lounge have been in existance before Shimmy Shake I do believe that you have been targeted unfairly.

Good luck with the next event.

Sapphira · #8 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gehenna

Considering how Belly Dance and Burlesque (the show) and The Shangri-la Lounge have been in existance before Shimmy Shake I do believe that you have been targeted unfairly.

Good luck with the next event.

Hi! Thanks. You do make some great points.Fingers crossed it means we help to encourage and inspire women and younger performers, too!

MistyVenus · #9 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 12:09 PM

I understand that there may be a tiny percentage of the population that may associate Belly Dance with Prostitution, but then this same tiny percentage are also supposed to believe that all blonde western women are prostitutes/easy. But come on, how ignorant does he think society is in general. Have you ever noticed that when you travel to the middle east, they always have Belly Dancers put on shows for you? Have you even noticed how in some countries like Turkey for instance daughter are encouraged to learn the art, and they love to show you what they can do! But no, lets focus on the small percentage who think its dirty shall we. *sighs*

Now, I know next to nothing about the dance form itself, but I willing to put money on it, that this form of dance was created because its pleasurable to watch, because scantily clad women making suggestive moves with their hips and shimmying and shaking is a TEASE! I mean I am sure a dance form that involves gyrating and shimmying is in no way related to sex, it must be much more serious and straight laced than that. *tongue in cheek*

In my opinion its associations with sexuality and the female form does not belittle the art form, its a large part of what makes it so exciting to watch and so god damned beautiful, and hey lets face it, some professional dancers wear so very little on their top half anyway, I doubt it really makes that much difference if they take it off to reveal their tassels!

I understand his concerns for dancers in the East who are treated badly by the stupid minority, it is really very sad indeed if this is the case, but does he really think that the addition of burlesque (or not) is going to make any difference to their lives? I doubt it.

Fleur du Mal · #10 (**permalink**) 04-13-2008, 08:16 PM

I read the full article and the letters and I'm not too happy about it. I know absolutely nothing about bellydance so unfortunately I'm in no position to be offended on your behalf Sapphira, but I agree that people shouldn't make such inflammatory comments on an event they didn't even attend ...

No, what got to me was the suggestion by so many people that burlesque is sleazy and involves nudity, let alone 'sexual positions'! Well I suppose it does involve nudity, but not full or even topless, and those comments just seemed to reinforce the view that burly is no different from lap dance style stripping. But then I noticed all the commenters are from the US - any American MoBsters have an opinion on this? Is American burlesque more sexualised than in the UK?It seems to have more of an emphasis on striptease, but is it more out-and-out sexy too?