Roar

[clevermanka]

Hey. So I want to tell you something. It's something I feel uncomfortable telling people because I'm not proud of it. It's something that I wish I could change about myself, but I doubt that's gonna happen. It's something that, when I do tell people, they often try to convince me I'm wrong about this part of me. It's a difficult thing to admit.

I don't like burlesque dancing.

I know. I KNOW. I hate that! I hate that I don't like it. Because I love the culture of burlesque, I love the empowerment, I love the solidarity--and fuck, I la-la-love the costumes! But watching it always leaves me sort of bored. I just don't find it engaging. And yes, I have seen more than one Very Good Show--two of them in Las Vegas, even. Quality show, quality dancers, quality everything.

It's just...not my thing. Okay? Can we still be buddies? I support my friends in burlesque 100% and there still exists the hope that someday when I'm bellydancing again I can appear in a variety show with some of the great burlesque dancers we've got in the area. But as far as watching it? No.

EXCEPT FOR THIS.

Today's Tumblr collection is Tuesday, November 19: Bellydance

Comments

[hdsqrl.livejournal.com]

*fistbump*

Me too. I love to support those who dance, and I fully appreciate the talent involved in every aspect of it, but the genre itself doesn't excite me. :\

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I AM NOT ALONE

[chalcedonygrey.livejournal.com]

I still love you. <3

I don't think you're wrong. Why people insist on arguing with the personal opinions of others escapes me, but it happens all the time. I'd love to hear more about your perspective, what you see, how you think burly compares to other forms of dancing, but that's just curiosity & conversation, not looking for a judgement platform or argument point.

I can't wait to get home so I can watch the video & see the Tumblr! (work internet/PC can't handle videos, Tumblr is blocked)

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I'd love to hear more about your perspective, what you see, how you think burly compares to other forms of dancing

Sadly, I'm not even assed enough to have a conversation about it, so...sorry. =/ It's like modern dance. I realize it takes hella talent and skill and dedication to do it well, I'm just so not interested.

*shrug*

[apocalypticbob.livejournal.com]

It's okay to be who you are and like what you like.

Without apology.

I don't like jazz. Or bluegrass. I do like modern pop and I like to blast Eminem's trashy, horribly misogynistic music when I'm alone in my car. I don't think that makes me a bad person.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

I feel the same way about folk music, pretty much regardless of the country of origin.

Dang, I wish I could watch that vid right now.

And no, I don't feel a need to change your mind when we disagree, because frankly, I think a lot of burlesque is terrribly boring as well. And I even performed it, and you, bless your sisterly heart, came to see me. For an entire amateur show :D I so much appreciated that.

I will watch the movie Burlesque every time it comes on, because I love what they did with it: not really burlesque, not really modern dance, and very, very little striptease.

It's the striptease style of burlesque that bores you, right?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

It's the striptease style of burlesque that bores you, right?

I...didn't know there was another kind?

[siro-gravity.livejournal.com]

omg, I LOVE that video!!!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I get antsy at belly dance-only shows, and for the most part, I'm not a fan of watching Egyptian raqs sharqi. I like a variety show, with singing, dancing, comedy, etc. And a variety of dance styles.

I swear, belly dance-only shows are like a special hell for me, which is pretty sad, considering my background.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Ha! And just to show there's always different strokes for different folks, Raqs Sharqi is my favorite style to watch. =D

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

My favorite parts of burlesque routines tends to be everything BUT the clothing removal. I just like the "dance stories."
I've seen to many boobs to care about the other part.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

The one routine I really enjoyed was a woman who did a drag-strip theme and somehow, magically, at the end when she pulled off her skirt it turned into two checkered flags on sticks that she waved around. It was awesome.

[msmitti.livejournal.com]

"I love the culture of burlesque, I love the empowerment, I love the solidarity--and fuck, I la-la-love the costumes! But watching it always leaves me sort of bored."

So there with you. I wanted to like it but didn't. Admittedly, I have not seem much (and what I saw wasn't great) but it didn't make me want to go find more/better.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

*fistbump*

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

Hey! I'm in your Tumblr!!!!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

YES YOU ARE!

[kazoogrrl.livejournal.com]

I have a limited burlesque attention span, despite the many people I know who do it. My fav act is Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey, and I'm not just saying that because I know them. Their piece to "Total Eclipse of the Heart" makes me laugh and tear up a little. Also, they did a full length stage show called Mumbo that has a circus theme (with burlesque) that had a sweet storyline, great acts, and was sort of touching, too.

I like variety, too. And I'll admit, a lot of belly dance I find kind of boring, which makes me feel bad because what if I am boring people too?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I think the "am I boring" issue is something that all performers have to face. And we gotta be able to admit that yeah, sometimes we are going to bore someone because we're not their cuppa tea. And that's okay.

[anomali.livejournal.com]

De gustibus non est disputandum and all that (well, within reason,anyway). :)

(I share your feelings about burlesque, even after my own close encounter with that world. Not my kind of twirl, I'm afraid.)

[nottygypsy.livejournal.com]

Just because I don't get to use this icon a lot. Interesting, and I totally get what you're saying. I've never told you this, but I don't like porn. Don't have a problem with people liking it, just not my thing.

Oh and asparagus.

[miischelle.livejournal.com]

I love that you don't like asparagus because that means there's more out there for me to Consume!!!

[theoneinblue.livejournal.com]

Loved that Tumbler collection. Almost makes me want to pick up dancing again...

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I'm happy you liked it.

Yeah, I wanted to get that collection up and out there before too much time had passed since I quit/went on sabbatical. Otherwise, I thought it would just be depressing.

[kazoogrrl.livejournal.com]

Nice piece! Loved the actual dancing skills! Also, it makes a point without using it to smack you over the head.

Also, loved the Tumbler set. I'm trying to figure out if one of the 1960s/70s is one of my teacher's mom.

If you want some good belly dancing watching,check out one of our local people, Shahrzad. I've known her since she was 13 and she has turned into an amazing dancer (and person): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk6t2xPv4yM

And my teacher Shems doing a live drum solo (she does everything from classic raqs sharqi to vintage American to the most amazing dubstep piece for a "dance your alter ego" show): http://youtu.be/yGs0-SPfpnI

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Holy crap, Shahrzad is incredible. That was one of the best raqs sharqi performances I have ever seen. Wow. THANK YOU for posting that link!

As far as your teacher...man, I can't imagine doing an improvised drum solo. She's amazing!

[skyflame.livejournal.com]

When I go to burlesque shows now, I don't watch the performers themselves all that much; I watch the audience react to the performance instead. To me, that's actually more entertaining.