Questions about BDSS in Paris video...

[zorba]

I just finished up a mini-review of Belly Dance SuperStars Live in Paris at the Folies Bergere.

I have two questions that I'm hoping my Bhuz sisters can answer so I can update the review.

1) Who is the dancer who gives the introductions at the end of the closing act? She sure did a good job!

2) In the "Madame & Monsieurs" portion where Miles re-introduces the dancers in the lobby - what was up with Rachel Brice (a) coming down un-escorted, and (b) falling down at the base of the stairs?!! And why was this entire section included on the DVD? - strikes me as totally weird. I don't understand...

[reina]

Dondi does the introductions.

[zorba]

Originally Posted by reina

Dondi does the introductions.

Ok, got it! Thanx.

I was very confused as I thought it *was* Dondi, yet I remembered Dondi being introduced. The video didn't show Dondi switching off of introduction duties - only switching back on. Went back and re-watched very closely - its easy to miss...

[melania]

Dondi switches with Ansuya at the end so Ansuya can introduce Dondi. And the bit with Rachel was just a laugh, the beginnings of their more theatrical stuff with Le Serpent Rouge.

[Gwoofer]

Rachel has done quite a few things lately that show a real knack for deadpan comedy. I haven't seen this, but the routine she did at Tribefest7 and a few before that. She's a hoot

[tattood1]

everybody seems to want to put "funny bits" on the end of DVDs now to i think humanize themselves. tina

[zorba]

I figured there was some kind of joke involving Rachel - I put it down to "you had to be there" - it comes across (to me anyway) as quite perplexing on the DVD. That whole sequence comes across as perplexing, I can understand it live - but why was it even included on the DVD I dunno.

The poor overdressed males looked like penguins next to the beautiful dancers!

[laura 2]

I remeber at the time it came out, there were a couple of Bhuzzers (including myself) who thought it was pretty sexist, too. That the one dancer who didn't take the strapping young man's assistance wound up falling down without it.

I didn't like the "Madame & Monsieurs" part in it's entirity. It seemed very surreal and disjointed to me from the reast of the DVD material.

[zorba]

Originally Posted by laura 2

I remeber at the time it came out, there were a couple of Bhuzzers (including myself) who thought it was pretty sexist, too. That the one dancer who didn't take the strapping young man's assistance wound up falling down without it.

Yea, when I first saw it, I figured that Rachel was doing the whole "Tribal Hauteur" thing as the Cabaret dancers curtsied on the landing, and the Tribal gals did not - but then she fell down and kind of slinked off sheepishly.

I didn't like the "Madame & Monsieurs" part in it's entirety. It seemed very surreal and disjointed to me from the reast of the DVD material.

+1.

[danidance]

Yeah, indeed and it seems like a pretty old idea. How long has the bloopers/outtake thing been going on on TV? I was watching some rerun of Fresh Prince which was popular when, in the late 80s/90s. And they had really funny outtakes - cute really. I dunno, I guess I kinda like seeing that "idols" make mistakes (particularly stumbling as I'm clumsy as hell), although it sounds like RB's schtick wasn't exactly that.

Originally Posted by tattood1

everybody seems to want to put "funny bits" on the end of DVDs now to i think humanize themselves. tina

[tattood1]

the minute miles came on i turned it off so i didn't see the stumble. see self censorship works for me;)tina

[Gwoofer]

Originally Posted by zorba

I figured there was some kind of joke involving Rachel - I put it down to "you had to be there" - it comes across (to me anyway) as quite perplexing on the DVD. That whole sequence comes across as perplexing, I can understand it live - but why was it even included on the DVD I dunno.

The poor overdressed males looked like penguins next to the beautiful dancers!

Zorba, do you have a link to this review? I've not seen the DVD and I've never been to see the BDSS, or their off shoots live.

I do get to see Rachel and Mardi locally and they have always seemed warm, friendly and accessible, certainly not the least bit diva like (not that that's a bad thing ). I think it speaks volumns that they always make time for local events without a lot of pomp. And I have to admit that I actually find their schtick, or whatever, very comfortable and funny.

[Lauren_]

I was confused by the coming-down-the-stairs section, too. Luckily the rest of the DVD felt complete without it, so I just ignored it.

[zorba]

Originally Posted by Gwoofer

Zorba, do you have a link to this review? I've not seen the DVD and I've never been to see the BDSS, or their off shoots live.

http://www.doubleveil.net/reviews/bdssparis.htm

Great show, great dancing, but the camerawork p*sses me off!

Uh, it looks like I to upload the thumbnail picture of the DVD cover...

[*maria*]

Originally Posted by zorba

I just finished up a mini-review of Belly Dance SuperStars Live in Paris at the Folies Bergere.

I have two questions that I'm hoping my Bhuz sisters can answer so I can update the review.

2) In the "Madame & Monsieurs" portion where Miles re-introduces the dancers in the lobby - what was up with Rachel Brice (a) coming down un-escorted, and (b) falling down at the base of the stairs?!! And why was this entire section included on the DVD? - strikes me as totally weird. I don't understand...

I absolutely despised that scene. I thought it was mean-spirited and obnoxious.
I don't know why Rachel agreed to do that.
I am puzzled about it also.

(posted this before reading entire thread)

I was so angry about that scene! I'm still fuming over it. I found it malicious, misogonystic (sp?)
and ugly.

[Gwoofer]

Originally Posted by zorba

http://www.doubleveil.net/reviews/bdssparis.htm

Great show, great dancing, but the camerawork p*sses me off!

Uh, it looks like I to upload the thumbnail picture of the DVD cover...

Thank you Mr. Z! That was a very enjoyable review, I think I would definitely enjoy the Bollywood part too.

It sounds like the M & M part definitely didn't work since so many people just felt it an off note. My guess would be that this may actually have been Rachel's idea as I do know she and Mardi really enjoy poking fun at themselves the ueber fan aspect that sometimes surrounds them and the way you describe the whole "guys like stuffed penguins" thing, it sounds like even that may have been a deliberate take off on some other escort situations. No matter, if it falls flat it didn't do it's job.

I realize a lot of people are put off by Miles Copeland in general but the women deserve all the support we can give them. At least it's a regular job and with insurance and health benefits at least for awhile. Plus the exposure the public gets to the many different things that are happening in belly dance, whether they like them or not, is, I think, a good thing.

Again, great review and I love your site in general

[zorba]

Thanx for your kind words!

I even remembered to upload that DVD thumbnail so there isn't a broken image on the page anymore!

I thought the show was great, and I ADORED Adore'. Her music just lit a fire in me - and yes, I now have a copy, bought the CD from Artemis Imports!

The "Stuffed Penguins" is partially my own prejudices - I refuse to dress that way and wish more males would too! I find it humiliating, and vaguely embarrassing, quite frankly. I once danced at a "high society" party where I was the only male who wasn't dressed like that - I found it to be very liberating and empowering, I felt wild and free!

As for the gaff, if something like this is going to be put on the DVD, some way of explaining it would be an extremely good idea, we weren't there!