Thread: NY RenFaire bd performance quality

I have never been to a RenFaire & have some interest in possibly going to the NY one (Tuxedo NY I think). It's out of the way for me since I live in Virginia (near Washington DC). It does sound like a better RenFaire than the one near me in suburban MD. It does have belly dancers (according to last yr's schedule anyway).

I have heard from some teachers that belly dancers at RenFaires are often ersatz - ie., they aren't really dancers - they are just about character & costuming. If that's the case at the NY RenFaire, I wouldn't want to be bothered.

Has anyone been to it & would you care to comment on the quality of the dancing? Was it fun otherwise?

My husband would take me, but it's not really his thing. He went once to the one in MD & hated it. Some of my family members have gone regularly, & they are a bit bored with it. So, if I push for someone to accompany me, I want it to be worthwhile on the belly dance level. Not necessarily professional dancing - I have enjoyed plenty of student shows - but at least some knowledge & capability as ME dancers.

Thanks in advance.

I have worked at Ren Faires for the last three years. Yes, character is important as well as costuming but I can confirm that not all Ren faires hire dancers.
The faire that I had mainly worked at for the last three years just let us go to hire ballet and jazz dancers to put in their "gypsy" dance show. There will only be one Middle Eastern trained newbie who will perform with them. Go figure.
I can tell you that PA will not have a group of actual dancers this year.

I can assure everyone that the Carolina Renaissance Faire, in October and November, will feature trained Middle Eastern dancers. My teacher's troupe, the Magic Hips Dancers, and her student troupe, the Beledi Beat Dancers, come together to form the Jewels of the Caravan. We're committed to performing a show that's not only crowd-pleasing but authentic as well.

We'd love to see some Bhuzzers!

I performed for one season at the NY Ren Faire as have MANY very well known cabaret-style dancers from NYC.
Draw yer own conclusions m'lady.
Gia

We're lucky out here in NorCal. We have Suhaila's dancers and Habi Ru. No shortage of quality there.

The Maryland Ren Faire is one of the ones i attend at least once, then again I only attend Pirate weekend(My ren faire personae)NY tuxedo I seen good and bad there over the years. but I know the dancers as Gia said are trained in Middle Eastern dance.

Alrana