Wow! This world beat boy had his jollies last night at the El Portal Theater in West Hollywood, as the Bellydance Superstars debuted their new show, which will soon
37-city tour and then the globe. Master purveyor of entertainment Miles Copeland, of record biz fame, has assembled a troupe of not just the best belly dancers around, but the hottest, most gorgeous, sexiest ladies who ever shimmied their way across a dance floor.
Accompanied by the amazing master drummer Issam and string-meister Hassam on oud, the Bellydance Superstars performed a varied evening of beautifully choreographed ensemble numbers, as well as solo pieces which highlighted the individual dancers. Sensual solo pieces, I might add, as when a Bellydance Superstar filled her being with the pulsating mid Eastern music, her graceful form gyrating and undulating—her face exuded a level of ecstasy so delicious as to reveal that which is most personal about the woman. Or so this crusty scribe imagined! Accompanied by my fiancée, we must add, of course--who also thoroughly enjoyed the show on all of its levels as well.
In a world filled with war, hatred and distrust, how refreshing to share the beauty and culture of the Arabic Middle East. Forgive the cliché, but music and dance do transcend and break down culture barriers and prejudices. The Bellydance Superstars are a multi-ethnic company who, in the course of the evening, manage to stretch the choreographic boundaries of belly dancing to overlap those of flamenco, samba, salsa and other ethnic styles.
Whereas Riverdance brought the music and dance of Ireland to a broader audience, so might the Bellydance Superstars bring another great culture of music and dance to wider horizons. I wish them success on their upcoming tour.
