Thread: I though I'd try something different...

One teacher ones gave we some feedback that she saw me in this character. I must say that it's very opposite to me and quite challanging, which is why it wa a good exercise.
Any feedback would be much appriciated! Thank you.

Originally Posted by Belle_Elen

One teacher ones gave we some feedback that she saw me in this character. I must say that it's very opposite to me and quite challanging, which is why it wa a good exercise.

I don't understand what you are saying here. The teacher suggest you fuse S&M with belly dance? Is this your performance, or were you copying what this dancer did?

Yes, the idea was to fuse two things and it originally came in 2009 so long time ago. Didn't copy anybody. I did see another dancer on youtube just last month when I started coreographing and must say that I liked the idea of a chair on the stage! Otherwise I think we look very different :)

Disclaimer: This is my personal opinion only. If you love this character and piece, you can disregard the below. I just want to share my first thoughts on viewing.

I am not sure if it is a successful fusion to me. You are a lovely dancer, but this one doesn’t really work for me. I am generally uncomfortable with the incorporation of power-play/bdsm/dom/sub into belly dance because it can give people a negative impression of the dance form. Note – I am not saying that bdsm is a bad thing or something shameful or anything like that. However, it has specific connotations for most of the general public as being about sex. Our dance form has enough misconceptions about its purpose, so I think it muddies the waters to add in the misconceptions about bdsm as well. If it was part of a burlesque show, I probably wouldn’t have that kind of reaction to it, but I don’t personally care for this kind of focus fusion in belly dance.

If this is a piece or character that you really like and plan to perform again, my suggestion would be to make the dom portions far more powerful. Your movements look a little tentative at times which disconnects from the character I believe you are trying to portray. I would also recommend choosing a different prop if possible. While the whip accentuates the large circles well, it seems less integrated in the other parts. The chair reads as a different dance form to me as well. There may be a vibrant chair-dancing community among bdsm fans, but it isn’t something with which I am familiar. The chair reads more jazzy/showgirl/broadway to me, but, again, that could be lack of knowledge of the subject material on my part.

Please don’t take any of this as negative. I think that you are a skilled and lovely dancer. I just don’t think the concept of this piece and its elements worked for me. Other folks may absolutely love it. :)

I agree with what mahsati said.

In terms of acting skills, I agree that it is useful exercise to attempt a character opposite to your natural personality. The performance context also shapes the success of a character 'coming across' to an audience. If you received bad feedback about this character and that's why you're asking here, it may be more that the character did not come across very well at what appears to be an afternoon belly dance show than that your acting was not up to snuff. If you feel inclined to try darker characters, I would make sure that the performance context is matched to the character and that you support the character with the rest of the costuming, lighting, etc.

You do have a nice presence on stage, and I believe you have the capacity to competently handle a variety of 'characters'.

In the type of show that it appears to be from the video, I would have loved to have seen a lighter character that more matched the context and the costume. If I attend an afternoon hafla, I'm simply not in the mood or mindset to be addressing my or anyone else's sexuality. A BDSM fusion or other sexually edgy performance would be jarring to me. Context.

Going further into my own opinion, I do not see the need for, nor do I support, the combination of distinct characteristics of Oriental dance (including the two-piece Egyptian style costume) with the S&M prop of the whip. I am not saying that a dance performance with a nod to or use of that prop is wrong in general (in a certain venue/context where your audience is suitable), but why combine a whip, a chair, and an Egyptian costume? An Egyptian raks sharqi performer would not use a chair in that fashion -- the chair reflects other kinds of dance performed in other costumes. This is not Egyptian dance, and would therefore be better suited to a different costume that reflects its modern, fusion nature. I'd love to say more, but maybe I'll just suggest the current cultural appropriation thread and call for sensitivity. link here

I tend to agree with Mahsati. I know some dancers really enjoy exploring alternative presentations, but I find the pairing of ideas uncomfortable on multiple levels. I personally don't like "dark" belly dance, so that's a big part of my reaction. I want the dance to be elegant or joyous or flirty or poignant--not scary. That's just my opinion, and obviously there's a large segment of the dance community that does like "dark."

I also didn't enjoy the part where you put the whip around the audience member's neck, partially because I don't think it's a great idea to goof around with strangulation play, but I don't like when a dancer does that sort of thing with a veil, either. To me, it shatters the idea of a performer serving the audience and makes it about an intimate interaction with one person--not that you can't favor individuals from the crowd in the name of putting on a good show, but those sorts of "I'm wrapping you up with me" gestures feel too intimate.

You are a very lovely dancer, but I believe that your talents would be showcased better in a different presentation.

@ mahsati and @ Tourbeau
Ladies, a HUGE thank you to both of you for a very constractive feedbak.
I must say that funny enough I share same opinion and don't like dancers being suggestive, vulgar or any dark dancing. In fact even my piece of music was irritating me a bit.
I purely did it for an exercise and to push my personal boundaries a bit, e,g, to help overcome shyness (believe or not), etc. And you know what, I think it helps!
I was reluctant if I should put in on youtube as I portray an image of a traditional dancer but at the same time I think we all can show other creative sides and ideas.

I do want to experiment more with different characters, I think it helps to make the dance richer. Next idea I have in mind to develop is , 1950s Egyptian style composition... Very opposite :)
Thank you again, very kind to take your time to write this. All well noted ;)

Originally Posted by Belle_Elen

I must say that funny enough I share same opinion and don't like dancers being suggestive, vulgar or any dark dancing. In fact even my piece of music was irritating me a bit.
I purely did it for an exercise and to push my personal boundaries a bit, e,g, to help overcome shyness (believe or not), etc. And you know what, I think it helps!
I was reluctant if I should put in on youtube as I portray an image of a traditional dancer but at the same time I think we all can show other creative sides and ideas.

I understand the exercise and what you were pushing yourself to be..but I also often find that dance exercises are very different from stage-ready performances where some of your concern should be for your audience and not just your own boundries.

I'd suggest changing your setting Youtube with a private link so you can get critique here WITHOUT presenting it to the general youtube world.

Originally Posted by Belle_Elen

@ mahsati and @ Tourbeau
Ladies, a HUGE thank you to both of you for a very constractive feedbak.
I must say that funny enough I share same opinion and don't like dancers being suggestive, vulgar or any dark dancing. In fact even my piece of music was irritating me a bit.
I purely did it for an exercise and to push my personal boundaries a bit, e,g, to help overcome shyness (believe or not), etc. And you know what, I think it helps!
I was reluctant if I should put in on youtube as I portray an image of a traditional dancer but at the same time I think we all can show other creative sides and ideas.

I do want to experiment more with different characters, I think it helps to make the dance richer. Next idea I have in mind to develop is , 1950s Egyptian style composition... Very opposite :)
Thank you again, very kind to take your time to write this. All well noted ;)

Hi Ozma,
Thank you for the comment! I hear your point.
Just to mention wrote that “this is performance is not traditional belly dance” in description on youtube to avoid the confusion.