Gothic belly dance
Gothic belly dance, also named and separated in substyles as Gothic fusion belly dance, dark fusion belly dance and Gothic tribal fusion, is a recently founded dance art movement, distilled from the influences of
History
Originating in the Middle East, South Asia (India), and North Africa,[4] the art of belly dance arrived in the West with the trend of Orientalism.[5] Exotic to the Western eye and mysterious in its roots, belly dance has always attracted interpretive dance artists who have woven it into trends of Western culture. As a modern and versatile world dance genre, belly dance has evolved into an array of interpretive dance sub-styles compatible with modern music and imagery. The new millennium brought a revival of popular interest in goth subculture and gothic art motifs in dance, and a new interpretive style, Gothic belly dance, was propelled to prominence.
Dance publications started exploring this new phenomenon,[6] thousands of Gothic belly dance enthusiasts have subscribed to online discussion groups dedicated to this genre, leading artists started traveling across the US and overseas with workshops and tours, DVDs[7] featuring Gothic belly dance performances,[8] and instructional materials have appeared on retail shelves.
Gothic belly dance was born in the US urban centers as a blend of Goth and world music, the movement vocabulary of belly dance and other dance forms, and Gothic fashion and aesthetics. Performing at Gothic-themed events and Goth clubs, dancers started to explore Goth music and adopt costuming styles[9] incorporating Victorian, vampire, dark cabaret, silent-movie vamp, industrial, and other visual themes related to Goth subculture.
Gothic belly dance is not just a US phenomenon. Its popularity has been growing in the UK and Germany where belly dance artists have been dancing darkly since the early 1990s. Early Goth dancers did not have a label for what they did, but thanks to the Gothla dance festivals, Gothic belly dance came to be recognised in Europe.
Dancers performing Gothic belly dance usually retain their preferred technique — mostly modern cabaret and
The 21st century
Gothic belly dance discussion groups hosted by
In 2007 Southern California-based dancers and instructors, Tempest and Sashi, launched the annual Gothla, described by the
Gothla UK was also first held in 2007, in
Notable performers and troupes
- Neon (dancer)
- Tempest
- Ariella (USA)
- Sashi (USA)
- Ma’isah (Australia)
- Dani Cooper (Australia)
- Kalikah Jade (Australia)
- Jeniviva (USA)
See also
- American Tribal Style Belly Dance
- Improv Tribal Style Belly Dance
- Tribal Fusion (dance form)
- Goth subculture
References
- ^ Barbara Sellers-Young (2005). "Body, Image, Identity: American Tribal Belly Dance". Belly Dance: Orientalism, Transnationalism, & Harem Fantasy. Mazda Publishers.
- ^ Tina Frühauf (2010). "Raqs Gothique: Decolonizing Belly Dance". Academia.edu. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
- ISBN 978-1770410244.
- .
- ^ Anthony Shay & Barbara Sellers-Young (2005). "Belly Dance: Orientalism—Self Exoticism". Belly Dance: Orientalism, Transnationalism, & Harem Fantasy. 1 (27). Mazda Publishers.
- ^ Dancing Darkly: Laura Tempest Schmidt, "The Phenomenon of Gothic Belly Dance"
- ^ Gothic Bellydance (2006)
- ^ "Shades of Goth Fall Upon Belly Dance; Gothic Bellydance: The Darker Side of Fusion produced by WorldDance New York" DVD review by Amulya
- ^ Margaret Anne Deppe (2010). "Dressing the Dancer: Identity and Belly Dance Students" (PDF). p. 8.
- ^ "Ohanesian, Liz. "Dancing 'the Dark Side' at Gothla US 2009," L.A. Weekly. Retrieved 2009-03-10". Archived from the original on 2009-03-11. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
External links
- What is Gothic Bellydance - The Complete FAQ
- Dancing Darkly: The Phenomenon of Gothic Belly Dance - The Gilded Serpent magazine
- Linux Journal - Included in types: Bellydance & Software
- Morbid Outlook Magazine Review: Raks Gothique with Tempest
- Ohanesian, Liz. "Dancing 'the Dark Side' at Gothla US 2009," L.A. Weekly Retrieved on 2009-03-10.