Asia Global Bellydance 2010

I have to give it to the contestants. They have the grit and the determination, as well as EQ and the skills to pull it off.

The competition was held in a public venue. Under less than flattering lighting. The contestants focused on dancing to the panel of judges, dance friends and supporters, but they also have to dance to a rudely gawping audience who happened to stumble upon the event on their afternoon stroll through the shopping malls.

traditional/fusion

The contestants are required to showcase one traditional and one fusion number. The traditional category is straightforward so it is comfortable segment for everyone - performers, learned audience and judges.

The fusion segment is another story. I don't think it has ever been adequately described or defined what this is. Maybe the very concept of fusion defies description and definition.

The contestants who came up with a modern take on bellydance by working in elements of jazz and salsa managed to combine everything beautifully into a coherent work of sass and eye-candy. Others played it safe by going "tribal", specifically American-Tribal Style.

Then there were the rest. I assert that mixing genres without a strong grasp of the cultural, historical or social roots of the dance(s) can only produce a messy end-product that is confused rather than fused. I just wish that the non-existent dance form loosely called fusion be dropped altogether. (I really really dislike fusion.)

Lastly, I wish the emcees would stop pounding the contestants with the same inane questions :
- How long have you been learning bellydance?
-Why did you take up bellydance?
- What is the difference betweeen traditional and fusion bellydance?

And the contestants handled every one of the silly questions with grace and charm.

Like I said, I have admiration for these contestants.