Erica Newman, Staff Contributor
The Bellydance Superstars’ performed their show “Bombay Bellywood” at Casino Nova Scotia on Nov. 27. The group was formed in 2002 by producer and manager Miles Copeland and in its six years of touring has put on 700 shows in 22 countries. Though the Superstars incorporate several dance forms, this show’s particular theme was traditional Indian Bollywood.
The evening brought out an eclectic group of people. From 1950s pin-up inspired girls in sailor dresses, to goths with innumerable tattoos, to middle aged couples, belly dance shows certainly attract an odd but interesting crowd. The show itself was just as diverse with many different styles of dance and a whole lot of shaking.
Belly dance is a celebration of the female form and it is the one type of dance where fat is not only flattering, but a necessity. These belly dancers, however, managed to take the “belly” out of belly dance. Far from full figured, the dancers with their enviably toned tummies and flirty hair flips no doubt made several female audience members wish they hadn’t brought their boyfriends.
The dancers proudly put their (toned) curves to work shimmying, gyrating and isolating their way through colourful Bollywood numbers. Sari-esque costumes and Indian music mixes put a modern spin on the classic tradition.
Though there were multiple types of dance active throughout each routine, the underlying Bollywood flare permeated all the numbers and created one fluid dance show. Interspersed between the Indian dances was typical tribal fusion choreography of slow, slinky isolations set to techno-infused music with heavy bass beats. Tribal fusion is a funky, modern form of belly dance that frequently incorporates elements of popping, burlesque and flamenco. A fairly new form of dance, it was created in San Francisco in the 1970s and has spread rapidly since. Halifax itself has a strong and growing tribal fusion scene and it was the first time this show has visited the East Coast.
Spacing out the larger choreographies were traditional belly dance drum solos that consist of a man, a drum, a dancer and unanimous dropping of jaws. The dancer moved her body in seemingly impossible ways to drum beats provided by famous percussionist Issam Houshan, leaving spectators mesmerized. Though it is a typically female dance, one male dancer joined in the fun and his flexible hands and arms managed to miraculously take attention away from the ladies’ hips for a full number.
The Bellydance Superstars are all the best of the best, but there were a few shining stars that stood out. The drum soloists were quite obviously chosen to do so for a reason as their talent shook its way across the stage. Another dancer present in most of the Indian themed dances was clearly trained extensively in Bollywood. She encompassed the appeal and look of classic Bollywood and had the whole audience smiling and clapping along.
“Bombay Bellywood” was colourful, fun and seductive. What more could you ask for in a casino show? The Bollywood charm had you happily shimmying out of the casino expecting the intense heat of India. The downside was realizing you’re in pre-snow Hali, not sweltering Bali.
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