Bellydance Superstars
Encyclopedia
Bellydance Superstars is a professional American
bellydance troupe formed in 2002 by producer and manager Miles Copeland
. In its first six years of touring, it presented 700 shows in 22 countries.
The line-up of performers has become increasingly diverse throughout the years and the repertoire incorporates elements of many different dance styles including traditional Egyptian bellydance, Turkish bellydance, American Tribal Style and Tribal Fusion
. The troupe tours extensively in North America, Europe, and Asia.
music festival. Since then, the troupe has completed several full circuits of the world, infusing new cultural dance styles into the shows along the way.
"Bombay Bellywood" is their 75-stop tour that spanned the United States starting in October 2010. Several of the dancers learned some classical Indian dance
for this trip.
." An academic study also compares the two companies, discussing their transformation of dance tradition into stage spectacle.
s with every level of learner in mind as well as a series of CDs featuring songs from their performances. Some of the dancers have created compilations of their personal favorites, such as Kami Liddle’s Tribal Beats for the Strange and Beautiful.
The company filmed a feature documentary called American Bellydancer. Several of the shows have been broadcast on national television in the USA, Latin America and Canada. The Bellydance Superstars Live in Paris show aired extensively on US public television station PBS.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
bellydance troupe formed in 2002 by producer and manager Miles Copeland
Miles Copeland III
Miles Axe Copeland III is an American entertainment executive, best known for founding I.R.S. Records. His brother, Stewart Copeland, was part of the pop-rock trio The Police, which Miles managed...
. In its first six years of touring, it presented 700 shows in 22 countries.
The line-up of performers has become increasingly diverse throughout the years and the repertoire incorporates elements of many different dance styles including traditional Egyptian bellydance, Turkish bellydance, American Tribal Style and Tribal Fusion
Tribal Fusion (dance form)
Tribal Fusion Belly Dance is a modern form of belly dance which has evolved from American Tribal Style belly dancing, blending elements of ATS with any other style of dance...
. The troupe tours extensively in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Tours
The Bellydance Superstars, sometimes called BDSS, first toured in conjunction with the Lollapalooza 2003Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is an annual music festival featuring popular alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. The music festival hosts more than 160,000 people over a...
music festival. Since then, the troupe has completed several full circuits of the world, infusing new cultural dance styles into the shows along the way.
"Bombay Bellywood" is their 75-stop tour that spanned the United States starting in October 2010. Several of the dancers learned some classical Indian dance
Classical Indian dance
Indian classical dance is a relatively new umbrella term for various codified art forms rooted in Natya, the sacred Hindu musical theatre styles, whose theory can be traced back to the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni .- Definitions :...
for this trip.
Critical reception
The Bellydance Superstars have been described as "poised to be the next RiverdanceRiverdance
Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish stepdancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary. It originated as an interval performance during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, a moment that is still considered a significant...
." An academic study also compares the two companies, discussing their transformation of dance tradition into stage spectacle.
Media
In addition to live performances, the Bellydance Superstars company has produced instructional and performance DVDDVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
s with every level of learner in mind as well as a series of CDs featuring songs from their performances. Some of the dancers have created compilations of their personal favorites, such as Kami Liddle’s Tribal Beats for the Strange and Beautiful.
The company filmed a feature documentary called American Bellydancer. Several of the shows have been broadcast on national television in the USA, Latin America and Canada. The Bellydance Superstars Live in Paris show aired extensively on US public television station PBS.
External links
- Official website
- The Times (UK) interview with Miles Copeland about the Bellydance Superstars by Andrew Billen. "My new tool for world domination: Riverdance ...with bare midriffs." (In French.)