Joline
Andrade
the air while pivoting around on one leg, before easing down
into a split. Zoe’s piece was a stellar closing act for the show.
A number of ad hoc, temporary dance troupes formed
during the week, as many MASSIVE teachers chose
to feature students in their own performances. Several
students were lucky enough to perform with several of their
teachers – and did an amazing job performing sophisticated
choreographies that they had less than a week to learn.
FASHION TRENDS
Photo by Tori and Yaniv Halfon
was still edgy, but also softer. Her minimalist black bra and
Capri-length, sharkskin pants added to the vulnerability of
her persona; there was not a lot of costume to hide behind.
At some point she was joined by 4 figures in black, which
simply stood, silently surrounding her on stage. The figures
exited, and the theater filled with sweet sounds of a Near
Eastern santour, to which Ariellah charmed imaginary
snakes with an equally sweet oriental inspired dance.
Sharon Kihara looked so lush in her costume; I wanted to
get close enough to inspect and fondle each piece of metal
and every layer of fabric! She started with a solo, and was
then joined by several students, enrolled at the Massive. Her
piece “A Little Tarab” was a 3-part triptych that began with
Indian style fusion and ended with a rollicking, hair-tossing
Iraqi Kawleeya. While everything Sharon does is inspiring
and masterful, I must say, the Kawleeya brought me to my
feet, and had me hollering!
Zoe Jakes opened with Indian fusion music, fantastic spins,
and lovely Odissi style posturing. But soon she was mouthing
the words to a rap song, performing tic-tocs and isolations
that drove the crowd wild. In her last segment, Zoe balanced
a gold filigree vase on her head and did some remarkable
balancing, including holding the heel of her foot straight in
46
The Belly Dance Chronicles
October 2015
Indian inspired costuming was the run-away fashion
trend at MASSIVE this year. Multiple dancers wore some
version of Indian salwar “harem pants” and Indian-inspired
costuming. Unlike typical harem pants, which are baggy
from hip to heal, many dancers wore pants with a low drop
crotch, but very fitted in the calf. Troupe Alapadma of
Brazil wore traditional Indian costumes, with bells on their
ankles and “halta” (henna-like red pigment) on their hands,
for an impressive Odissi~Kathak~Electronica dance fusion.
Glitz and glamour was the other big trend on stage at both
shows. Beads and sequins are back, and sparkling cabaret
inspired costumes made a big showing this year. Bright
metallic silver and gold fabrics were also popular! Giant
burlesque style feather fans, a bejeweled mermaid, and lots of
rhinestones created a refreshing spectrum of different looks.
To summarize this event, I think that dancer Raphaella
Peting from Brazil said it best. She said that “Dance is therapy,
and what is on the inside must come out. The Tribal MassiveTM
experience is a mirror that forces you to look below the surface.
It is a psychological workout, as much as it is physical.”
Well said. See you next year!
LEE ALI
Lee Ali was born and raised in the Middle Eastern
community, and naturally has been “bellydancing” all
her life. Lee made her professional dance debut at
age 15, as a nightly star attraction in the Greek and
Arabic supper clubs that once thrived in America.
As a dancer, singer and drummer, Lee has delivered
more than 2,000 performances worldwide, in theater,
festivals, cabaret, and film. On Facebook, you may know Lee as moderator
of the popular discussion forum, the 1970’s Bellydance Group.