The members of Tufts Middle Eastern Dance, a campus group dedicated to performing various folkloric and regional dance styles from the Middle East are performing their first fall show this evening. The show, titled One Thousand and One Nights of Music will feature six dances, and include an improvisational piece to live music by Tufts percussion group B.E.A.T.s.
Until recently, Tufts Middle Eastern Dance was known as Tufts Belly Dance. The goal of the name change, proposed by the groups former president last spring, was to promote a professional image, both on campus and when group members seek employment after college in the job market.
People usually have the wrong idea about what belly dancing is, current President Stephanie Hon said. She added that, in addition to avoiding falling into stereotypes, the name Middle Eastern Dance may better reflect the groups diverse interests and skills.
What we do in the club also [includes] folkloric styles and performance styles, so we felt the new name was more encompassing, Hon, a junior, said.
While the new name may sidestep some preconceived notions about belly dance, one potential danger of the rebranding is a loss of recognition on Tufts campus, a possibility that Hon and members of the group are eager to avert. They hope that tonights performance will help Tufts Middle Eastern Dance build a larger profile on campus.
The idea of having a fall performance is to [make] the group better known so ... well have a [larger] following, Hon said.
One Thousand and One Nights of Music will draw on the groups large repertoire of different traditions of belly dance, including Lebanese and Armenian pieces including props like swords, veils and candles, a nod to the rich assortment of styles that comprise Middle Eastern dance.
Hon explained that the histories of different cultures often influence the types of belly dance that have developed in a particular region. Lebanese and Turkish styles, she said, are typically, more open, fun and flirty because their culture is more secular, whereas Egyptian belly dance is more serious.
In Egypt, belly dancers must cover their midriffs and are not permitted to perform floor dance (a more provocative style where the belly dancer works from the floor). These elements, though accepted in other countries with strong belly dance traditions, are often considered too suggestive there.
Luckily, choreographer Rachel Rivero is able to combine many styles of belly dance together to create cohesive and expressive performances. Rivero, a junior, said that she received her belly dance training as a fusion of different styles, giving her a blended approach that has influenced her choreography in One Thousand and One Nights of Music.
Rivero is particularly excited about the B.E.A.T.s collaboration, as it will give dancers the opportunity to creatively engage with music they havent heard before.
Belly dance is meant to be improvised, she said.
Audience members will be invited to participate in a belly dance workshop immediately following tonights performance. The women of Tufts Middle Eastern Dance are passionate about teaching other students about the dances they perform and, in addition to giving lessons, they will be educating the audience about the history of Middle Eastern dance during the performance.
Before each piece we like to give a little introduction on the history of belly dance or on the history of the prop were using, so people have a better idea of what Middle Eastern dance is, Hon said.
Hon and Rivero hope that audience members will walk away from the performance with fewer misconceptions about the style and a greater appreciation for the challenges, skill and beauty that are central to the art of belly dance.
One Thousand and One Nights of Music will take place tonight in Hotung Cafe at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are not required.
