Thread: More zar performances?

This is SO GOOD. Thanks for this excellent discussion!

I personally am not overly fond of stage zar, because, why? Zar isn't nice to watch, not the real stuff anyway. I think it's OK to acknowledge a heavy ayoub rhythm with some zarry movements, and I have seen some stunning theatrical representations of zar, but I agree we need to be careful when we mess about with this stuff.

Interestingly Amel Tafsout made an interesting comment about gothic belly dance and goths in general - she says she loves them and their fashions and ideas, but worries about people drawing negative energies into ME/NA dance because it's supposed to be light and they don't realise this stuff is real and dangerous (her idea). She's very much about the energies, Amel - quite new age in her way. I think one *does* have to be careful when playing about with spirits, whether you believe in them or not. Because Things Happen.

Originally Posted by maliam

YouTube - Meran - zaar - en Colette

omg I'm crippled watching her!

Originally Posted by zumarrad

Interestingly Amel Tafsout made an interesting comment about gothic belly dance and goths in general - she says she loves them and their fashions and ideas, but worries about people drawing negative energies into ME/NA dance because it's supposed to be light and they don't realise this stuff is real and dangerous (her idea). She's very much about the energies, Amel - quite new age in her way. I think one *does* have to be careful when playing about with spirits, whether you believe in them or not. Because Things Happen.

At the risk of going way off topic, I think this kind of consciousness is the difference between somebody who does gothic/other dark performance belly dance because it is their driven passion and somebody who just thinks it's cool. It's also what makes a convincing gothic performer.

As someone who does gothic belly dance and who has done zar, though, I would say I draw from different places for the two types of performance.

I agree. If you really, truly know what you're doing and understand the implications of engaging with dark/negative energies, then more power to you, but if you're just going "oh kewl I shall make Kali my goddess because like me she's so darkity dark" then you're messing with something that could seriously mess YOU up.

Originally Posted by zumarrad

I agree. If you really, truly know what you're doing and understand the implications of engaging with dark/negative energies, then more power to you, but if you're just going "oh kewl I shall make Kali my goddess because like me she's so darkity dark" then you're messing with something that could seriously mess YOU up.

Hahahaha! *Wipes a Tear* Oh that's precious.

It's been so long ago since this thread was started so I'mnot sure if I mentioned it or not but here goes...
My main concern about stage presentations of ritual dance lies in the audience reaction. Best case scenerio, the dancer uses some short, completely unconnected music, rhythm only and no chant. It looks great and goes off without a hitch. Worst case scenerio, the dancer uses the music with the chant and there happens to be a practicioner in the audience who responds to that exact thread. Well congrats... even recorded music will put a demoniac into a trance and bring out her spirit in all it's glorious behaviours. What would be the odds that someone else in the audience would know what to do? Yep, it's all fun and games until the reality sets in.

Of course the chances are remote of it ever happening but you never know. I'm not really worried about the dancer. If you're foolish enough to get yourself into a bad spot with it then you'll also have to deal with getting yourself out of it. I'm more concerned with providing a safe and respectful performance atmosphere for the audience.

~*Spoon*~

Originally Posted by PoisonedSpoon

Worst case scenerio, the dancer uses the music with the chant and there happens to be a practicioner in the audience who responds to that exact thread. Well congrats... even recorded music will put a demoniac into a trance and bring out her spirit in all it's glorious behaviours. What would be the odds that someone else in the audience would know what to do?

Definitely an argument for announcing what you're going to do before you do it!

Originally Posted by zumarrad

I agree. If you really, truly know what you're doing and understand the implications of engaging with dark/negative energies, then more power to you, but if you're just going "oh kewl I shall make Kali my goddess because like me she's so darkity dark" then you're messing with something that could seriously mess YOU up.

you've been visiting the catty corner of my head lately, I KNEW IT!