About this project

What is Theatrical Bellydance? 

If you’re new to the world of belly dance, you might have an image of dancers in Mediterranean restaurants shaking their hips for the customers. But the range of talent in our field goes far beyond the restaurant setting—and even far beyond your image of traditional belly dancing. Theatrical bellydance encompasses a diverse array of bellydance styles which aim to create performances that are both sensual and dramatic.

 

The Theatrical Bellydance Conference

The Theatrical Bellydance Conference will take place in New York from July 6-10, 2011 with the purpose of advancing bellydance as a performance art (whether it’s in a restaurant or in a theater) as well as providing education and community to fellow bellydancers. For the general public, we present the best our field has to offer—world-renowned international performers and choreographers in programs of diverse, groundbreaking entertainment. The shows feature traditional bellydance and folklore as well as the modern, fusion and experimental forms that have enriched the bellydance arts scene in recent years. They will be presented in visually striking costuming and colors in the intimate Dance New Amsterdam theater, a pillar of Lower Manhattan’s dance scene. In a given night at our Conference shows last year, you might have seen gothic tree-women, a performer climbing out of an enormous suitcase, a full folkloric tableau from Upper Egypt, a glow-in-the-dark bellydance trio, a mermaid that got a little bit flirty…and of course a whole lot of sparkles and fringe!

 

Many of our performers are creating special new works for the Conference. By supporting the Conference, you are supporting their creativity as well by allowing us to come together in the space at DNA. Even if you don’t live in the New York City area, you can be a part of promoting this art on a larger scale, and you can be sure you’ll get to view and enjoy some of the stellar performances online after the shows!

 

The Theatrical Bellydance Project

The Theatrical Bellydance Project is a pioneer in producing, promoting, and educating in the exciting and growing field of theatrical bellydance. Co-directed by prominent dance artists Ranya Renée (New York City) and Anasma (Paris/NYC), the Project presents smaller events and workshops during the year as well as an annual Conference. In 2010, over 100 dancers from all over the world participated in our Conference workshops. The curated shows were attended by more than 300 guests!

 

OUR FUNDING NEEDS

Our project consists of three nights of curated Theatrical Bellydance performances in the 130-seat performance space at the Theatre at Dance New Amsterdam, located in New York City.

 

We seek funding to cover the gap between our concert ticket sales and actual costs for the Dance New Amsterdam theater events. Using a beautiful theater such as this one for our event ensures a fitting showcase for the artists whom we are so honored to have on our Conference stage. DNA’s fees have risen this year as their own costs have increased, and so our fees will also be higher than anticipated.

 

The cost for technical rehearsals for more than 30 different acts, for 3 nights of performances, and insurance is $4500. We’ll also be spending $1500 on postcards and promotion for the concerts. We hope to earn $5000 through ticket sales, and we ask you to help us in whatever amount you can, to help cover the rest.

 

Find Out More, and Stay in Touch!

For more information on the New York Theatrical Bellydance Conference, visit http://theatricalbellydance.com/ or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theatricalbellydance

 

Be sure to join our e-mail list for Conference updates!

Check out our press coverage from last year’s conference too, at

http://theatricalbellydance.com/press/

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