Like a record, baby, right round round round…

If you hate live shows, this is not for you. If you don’t care for bellydancers mixed with pop tunes, this isn’t for you either. But if you like something different in your entertainment, or pretty women, or bellydancing, then this might be for you. From the man who brought you the Police and the Bangles, this is the phenomenon known as the Bellydance Superstars.

The concept behind the Superstars is to introduce audiences to the world of Raks Sharki (bellydance). Because audiences (and Miles Copeland) already have an idea fed by Hollywood, the program caters to that, with lots of Oriental style (what you think of when you hear the word bellydance: bra, belt, skirt, lots of sequins) and urban Tribal (think apocalyptic punk with dreads and you’d be pretty close). For variety, there is also a Polynesian bit, a Bollywood style number, and a Marilyn Monroe impersonation (yeah, I don’t know either). Almost everyone, however, is about the same size and shape, so the big group choreographies do give off a slight Rockette feeling.

Tribal Fusion and Cabaret, together at last.

So, how does this DVD compare to the real thing? I’ve been to two Superstar shows, and I have to say I honestly prefer the DVD. Sure, you miss out on the energy of being there and focusing your attention on whatever you want (hello, dancer with a big Sphinx tattoo). But I much prefer being able to control the volume, skipping performances I don’t like (hello, Marilyn Monroe impression), and I can watch my favorites again. The cameras do a good job of showing the dancers without focusing on one body part all the time, which is a drawback in many bellydance videos. While there are still some “arty” shots, the overall effect is of a live performance, which is as it should be. The cameras also capture some angles a live audience wouldn’t see, like overhead and from the wings.

And shimmy to the left…

Though I miss the unchereographed group improvisations of American Tribal Style bellydance, I think overall the Bellydance Superstars do what they were intended to do: introduce audiences to bellydancing as a legitimate dance form and give an entertaining show at the same time. Kind of like Riverdance without the pretentiousness. And no Michael Flatley.

Eat your heart out, Lord of the Dance. Meet the Mistress of Movement.