Thread: Modern costume with old-school egyptian dance?

I am going to dance my rendition of Diana Tarkan's "samia" from the Master's of Egyptian choreograpy for some upcoming performances.

I am working hard on a new costume comme ça:


Now this dance is supposed to invoke Samia Gamal and Tahia Carioca. Would it be weird to wear something so modern? Or should I stick with "classic belly dancer" look? The performances are geared toward the GP.

In the DVD Diana wears a really modern Eman Zaki, but she's in Cairo and that's what the audience expects. What do you think? Am I overthinking this? ..l;,

I dunno- I think you've got some pretty classic lines there- mostly just the skirt is different, yeah? I might not be so comfortable with some of the tribal stuff, & I do LOVE a good retro costume, but I think you're doing fine. as long as that style compliments what you're doing, I wouldn't worry about it.

My opinion is that even if it is for the GP and no-one will know any better and you can wear what you want. *You* have to be fully satisfied that it's artistically correct, otherwise it will show through in your dance.

If you are 100% happy with the costume above then fine, but it seems from your post there is some creeping doubt.

Some of the old style costumes are so yummy too. It could be a great experiement.

It's lovely!

I don't think it would be weird.

The quality of the dancing is the most important thing, AFAIC. Having a perfect match on costuming is nice, but the GP doesn't know any better, and even when dancers do, they don't tend to obsess on the styles matching as much as the designs of the costumes themselves--unless you are doing something folkloric in a non-folkloric costume, which is usually a no-no, unless it's in the middle of a set with no time for costume changes.

I know I've seen high-profile Egyptian-style dancers in Turkish-made costumes (especially Bellas and Sims), and nobody has gotten run off the stage for it. I think the bigger issue is that most major designers don't use glitter dot, and while it may look fantastic under stage lights (and the GP still won't know any better), it tends to be a giveaway to other dancers that the costume isn't the latest in belly dance haute couture, if you are concerned about creating that sort of impression.

I wouldn't choose a sleek, modern look for the GP even if I were dancing modern cairo style. It just confuses them, unless it has a LOT of bling. They think you couldn't afford a 'real' costume. If it's homemade, and from glitterdot fabric, then even moreso.

The GP I've worked with in my area likes fringe, coins, swirly skirts (or sexy legs) and tons of jewelry.

I'm not knocking homemade costumes, or glitterdot -- I think that would be absolutely appropriate and lovely for a recital or other student event, but a pro needs professional costuming. If you're a professional quality seamstress, then that's great!!! But you have to also be using professional-quality materials.

Thanks everyone. I have to stand up for the glitter dot. It is actually a really nice fabric--not that crap that we come to think of when we see glitter dot. The costume is looking really great and I believe it will look very professional. It's hard to tell from a mock-up...but I'll be posting progress pics soon.

hi Andalee, is it this first song here?

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbBHvIVrW3g]YouTube - Leyla[/ame]

If it is, I think a costume in that style might hinder movements that the song calls for (unless you hear it much differently than I do). I think this was the last time I wore Bedlah in public... but I felt like I HAD to because of the music.

Of course, what you're asking is subjective. Are you introducing it as a Samia piece?

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I wouldn't choose a sleek, modern look for the GP even if I were dancing modern cairo style. It just confuses them, unless it has a LOT of bling. They think you couldn't afford a 'real' costume. If it's homemade, and from glitterdot fabric, then even moreso.

The GP I've worked with in my area likes fringe, coins, swirly skirts (or sexy legs) and tons of jewelry.

I'm not knocking homemade costumes, or glitterdot -- I think that would be absolutely appropriate and lovely for a recital or other student event, but a pro needs professional costuming. If you're a professional quality seamstress, then that's great!!! But you have to also be using professional-quality materials.

I agree with Lauren,

about the fringe,coins,and swirly skirts!!!

That choreo is crying out for full chiffon skirts IMO. When I get round to doing it, that is my plan, though I'll probably do the sheer organza over satin skirt combo that I already have instead. Those sweeping arabesques want a skirt that *moves*.

p.s. the costume you have up does look very pretty!

Originally Posted by nasila

hi Andalee, is it this first song here?

YouTube - Leyla

If it is, I think a costume in that style might hinder movements that the song calls for (unless you hear it much differently than I do). I think this was the last time I wore Bedlah in public... but I felt like I HAD to because of the music.

Of course, what you're asking is subjective. Are you introducing it as a Samia piece?

This dancer *really* comes alive after 2.14, what a joy to watch...

Originally Posted by Bellydancingcaroline

This dancer *really* comes alive after 2.14, what a joy to watch...

uh, that's me. and thanks! ;)

Originally Posted by nasila

hi Andalee, is it this first song here?

If it is, I think a costume in that style might hinder movements that the song calls for (unless you hear it much differently than I do). I think this was the last time I wore Bedlah in public... but I felt like I HAD to because of the music.

Of course, what you're asking is subjective. Are you introducing it as a Samia piece?

Yep, that's it. Beautiful dance. You've got some stuff in there that I hadn't thought of doing. I love your spins, too. Thanks for posting.

OK, so I'm hearing bedlah. Sad though, i really want to debut this costume. Since I have 3 performances in a three week span, maybe I can wear it at least once. ;-)

Whoah, Nasila! What a gorgeous performance. What a great song! What song is this again? I need this song now!!

Lauren, it is called Samia from the Masters of Egyptian Choreo series.

thanks ladies...that performance is well over a year old, I never posted it cause I felt like it should be named Nasila Finally Outgrows her Minty Bedlah and couldn't seem to get rid of all the empty footage at the end there. ;) Maybe I'll leave it up until I start getting those "fat ballydancer!" comments.

I thought I remembered seeing a clip of Diana to this song and she actually does some floorwork to it. I'm not sure where else to get the song if you don't want to buy the whole series (I obtained it in a not-so-above-the-table manner). ;)

You can buy just the CD for $12. :)

ahh! good to know! :)

Sorry for jumping in comletely off topic, but Nasila - I really loved your interpretation of El Hob Kulluh in that clip!

Continue the costume discussion

uh, thanks Maariku, but I'm not sure where that is? The second song is an Om K medley but I think it's Enta Omri, Leylet Hobb and uh...Al-Atlal maybe?

Originally Posted by nasila

uh, thanks Maariku, but I'm not sure where that is? The second song is an Om K medley but I think it's Enta Omri, Leylet Hobb and uh...Al-Atlal maybe?

Hey, yeah I meant the second song... I somehow believed it was just a extract of one song, not a medley of many ..l;,

Geez, so much to learn...

no problem, I thought I might have gotten my songs mixed up too!