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Written by Lilika
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Saturday, 05 July 2008 |
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- Shanelle - Too Hip
- Atlantis - Midnight Farewell
- Jillina & The Sahlala Dancers - Yalla Africa
- Marguerite - Don't Tempt Me
- Dalia Carella - Dream Orientale
- Angelika's Dance Ensemble - Dark Eyes
- Katia - Think Pink
- Mésmera - Desert Moon
- Cairoettes - Cairomania
- Sa' Elayssa - Sanctuary
- Aziza - So You Want To Be A Belly Dancer?
- Jindra - Kiss of the Genie
- Desert Orchid Dance Company - Raks al Sayf
- Angelika Nemeth - Surely You Jest
- Flowers of the Desert - Drum Chant
- Dalia Carella - Dunyavi Gypsy
This is the second in a series of live belly dance performance DVDs put together by the International Academy of Middle Eastern Dance (IAMED), and featuring some of the top names in US dance. Filmed in 2002 (the same year the Belly Dance Superstars came into being), it's fascinating to see how belly dance has evolved in the West since then. IAMED was founded in 1996 by Susan T Evans and under her guidance they have created some top quality belly dance performance and instructional DVDs.
The dancing on this DVD is in the Western-style belly dance category, although there are a couple of noticable exceptions. Jillina (minus Sahlala Dancers) and Aziza both perform in a more Middle Eastern style . It's interesting to see Jillina pre-Belly Dance Superstars and after watching her dance on this DVD (both solo and with troupe) it's easy to understand why Miles Copeland asked her to be BDSS dance director. Aziza is one of my favourite Western belly dancers and her routine here is filled with grace and humour.
I think the various dance troupes on Rockin' The Casbah provide some of the most enjoyable moments - performances by Jillina and the Sahlala Dancers, Angelika's Dance Enseble and Desert Orchid Dance Co are all excellent with an air of authenticity about them and Flowers of the Desert provide the best fusion moment with their celtic belly dance routine.
At just under two hours in length, this DVD provides good value for money and with the variety of dance styles featured there is enough to keep you interested for the duration. Rockin' The Casbah can be bought from both MAQAM , and Aladdin's Cave .
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 05 July 2008 )
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