Jun 192013
Gothic Bellydance: Revelations: Multiple dance artists, watch Gothic-style belly dancing, Belly dance performances
- Gothic bellydance combines a range of contemporary bellydance styles and flavors with the themes, music, and edge of Goth subculture. Dark fantasy imagery of many shades comes alive through evocative movement, emotive intensity, spectacular costuming and the theatricality of the dance. The artists and troupes featured in this program come from across the US and each is renowned for their unique st
Gothic belly dance combines a range of contemporary belly dance styles and flavors with the themes, music, and edge of Goth subculture. Dark fantasy imagery of many shades comes alive through evocative movement, emotive intensity, spectacular costuming and the theatricality of the dance. The artists and troupes featured in this program come from across the US and each is renowned for their unique style of dance, innovative beyond the technical characteristics of the larger style of movement they
List Price: $ 14.98
Price: $ 8.22
Varied and Entertaining,
The variety of dance styles presented in this DVD, and the sheer length of it (105 minutes) give you your money’s worth in entertainment, though if you are looking for an “only bellydance” presentation, you may be disappointed, as some of these numbers are dramatic and interpretive, and owe more to Isadora Duncan and Theda Bara in their heritage than traditional middle eastern bellydancing. There are also different levels of skill in the performances, but even the lesser ones are enjoyable, and watching the DVD with an artist’s eye, I find something visually interesting in all of them. What makes this a 5 star DVD is not only having this pastiche of marvelous dance and musical styles, but also the 11 superb numbers by 8 performers that are standouts, as well as several more that would be in the 4 star category.
The standouts are:
1: Neon is a shimmering knockout in her 2 numbers (tracks 12 and 17), with stunning costumes, her long blonde hair, and the precision of her movements. Track 11 has her dancing with a lit candelabra on her head, with such amazing ease.
2: Anything danced by Arielah is captivating. Here in tracks 10 and 22, she delights us with the musicality of her undulating movements, and her totally unique style.
3: Tempest is a favorite of mine. There is a sensuality and beauty in her arms that is exquisite, and I never tire of watching her. She does 2 numbers, tracks 13 and 23.
4: Blanca does a stellar dance in track 4 (she is also in track 6, but this is a number that has little dancing).
5: Sera and Solstice (Laura Parker and Melissa Randazzo) are sensational in a synchronous piece.
6: Maiiah is riveting in her cape and snake dance! (track 14)
7: Jeniviva’s second piece (track 16) is excellent (her first, the opening number, is dramatic sequence at a masked ball, and is mostly atmospheric with little dancing)
8: I thoroughly enjoy the elegance of Isis in the final number (track 24)
Among others that are good are Sa’ Elayssa (track 7), and Mavi’s dance in which she deftly twirls and balances a huge sword (track 18). Most of the dances are presented on a bare stage, and are well lit. For a look at the many facets of contemporary bellydancing, this is a great DVD to watch. With so many different styles, you may not appreciate all of it, but some if not most of it will delight anyone interested in diverse forms of dance, and the music that accompanies it.
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|Some hits, some misses….,
As with the first GBD DVD, there are some true gems on this volume. Others….not so much. It seems that this one is getting better, maybe if they do a volume 3 they will have hit it on the mark.
I will list which performances, in my opinion, best capture the spirit of Gothic Bellydance:
Laura Rose – her music choice (Wumpscut’s My Dear Ghoul), whiteface, costuming, are all very goth. Her combination of jerky, swooning, and controlled movements is very well done and fits the music. And check out her sideways belly rolls. Wow.
Blanca – I didn’t like her in the first GBD, but in this one she dances to Corvus Corax’s Filii Neidhardi, and I thought she captured the spirit very well.
Shakra – My favorite! They do two numbers in a row. The first is to Maduro’s Discordia, and it is deliciously creepy. Watch it and see. The second is Wumpscut’s March of the Dead, where they stomp around in platform boots. I love it when the dancers dance TO THE MUSIC, not just in time with it!
Tempest – I had the chance to meet Tempest a few weeks ago and she is a wonderful person, genuinely nice. She dances to Jill Tracy’s You Leave Me Cold and Collide’s Wings of Steel. I’m not sure about the plastic extensions in Wings of Steel but I always love her fluid and dynamic dancing.
Ariellah – She has amazing isolation, and knows how to use her music. I preferred her dance to Die Form’s The Hidden Cage to the other one (it just clicked better to me).
Mavi – I prefer the Isis wing dance to Corvus Corax’s Mille Anni Passi Sunt, very dramatic. The sword dance wasn’t a good fit with the music and dancing style.
Sashi – Her style of dancing is not my favorite but she is very good at her style, small, precise and controlled. Her music and costuming choices fit very well within the goth genre.
Jeniviva – Her first piece is more of a music video (but it’s Clan of Xymox so I’m OK with that!) but her second piece is a Karslimar, and she is very playful and flirty, and knows how to dance to a 9/8.
These are the performers I think were way off the mark. Not that they are(or their dancing is) bad, but these performances would fit better with the Evening of Experimental Middle Eastern Dance than with Gothic Bellydance:
Bellyessence and Sarah Skinner
Ayshe and Adrienne
Elsa Leandros
Sherene-Vismaya
Isis
Maiiah
Neon
All in all, I enjoy watching this DVD. There are only a few tracks I skip.
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|Entertaining and Educating – Wonderful value!,
I loved this performance video. The sheer number of dances and the exquisite variety in Gothic styles make this a great value. All of the dancers are professionals and most have solo videos that are separate from this compilation. The music is appropriate and the camera work complements the dances and the dancers. I have 3 tribal type performance DVDs and this one is my favorite. The other two are: “Evolution” and “Bellydance Underworld”. To really understand the genre purchase all three if you can. They are all wonderful in their unique way.
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