About

About Belly Dance

Belly Dance is the American name for a dance form that originated in the Middle East. In Arabic, it is called Raks Sharki or "Dance of the East". This is a classical form of the dance, as Ballet is to western classical music. But belly dance is also the folk and everyday dances of the men, women, children and elders—done at parties and celebrations. Bellydancers are traditional at weddings, but the wedding guests usually bust out more than a few moves as well. I use the term Belly Dance because it is the most commonly known term in America for these dances.

When the dance form was first brought to America, it began to be called "belly dance", perhaps because it featured movements with the abdomen which are uncommon in European dances. The dance was considered sensual in that post-Victorian era, and still today, Americans often believe that belly dance is just a sexy dance. It is true that belly dance can be sexy, but it can also be joyful, uplifting, exciting, playful, sorrowful, and mysterious. The dancer becomes yet another instrument and expresses the music with her body. The belly dancer can express many aspects of life, sensuality being one.

In America, belly dancing is most commonly seen at restaurants, festivals, and renaissance faires. People also enjoy hiring belly dancers to liven up birthday, retirement and wedding parties. Belly dancing is fun to watch and do! Many American women and some men have taken up belly dance as a hobby.

About Me

First, a bit about my name, one of those frequently asked questions! Nepenthe is a Greek word, meaning something that is capable of eradicating suffering. That is indeed the goal of my dancing - I hope I can not only help you forget your sorrow, but lose yourself in joy! Nepenthe was mentioned in Homer's Odyssey; the Egyptian queen gives Helen a philtre made of Nepenthe. Although Nepenthe is not traditionally a name, it appealed to me as unique and beautiful. You can pronounce it "Nih-pehn-thee". Unfortunately for me, Arabic does not have a letter P.

I began studying belly dance in 2002, after a visit to Istanbul where I fell in love with the music. I have also taken dance classes in Flamenco, Salsa, and Hiphop. I began performing in early 2006.

I love it all, from a fast spirited entrance, drum solos brimming with shimmies, to a smolderingly slow chiftitelli with floorwork. I also perform American-style veilwork, and can play zills (finger cymbals). Most people would say that my specialty is drum solos.

I perform regularly at the Middle East restaurant in Cambridge MA. Their website has dates and information about the shows. Currently, I am working on a cabaret duet performance with Lilya , and I will be performing in a group choreography for Johara’s next show, Emergence.

History & Studies

I have been performing my whole life. From a very early age, it seemed that I was destined to be on some kind of stage. As a child, my sister and I would hold dance contests in our basement. I studied theater and was involved in a number of theater/film classes and community productions. In high school, I joined the colorguard, that flag-waving, baton-tossing segment of the marching band. As a precursor to all this bellydancing, our colorguard did a routine to the theme from Disney's Aladdin! We even used veils and sabers to add a Middle Eastern feel. And nothing teaches rhythm like marching to the beat of the drummers. It has been a great joy to rediscover theatrics and stagecraft through belly dancing as an adult.

In 2006, I founded a gothic bellydance troupe called Sekhmet along with Badriya. The members of the troupe have now gone in different directions, but remain in contact as the friends that we were before. Badriya continues to be the pioneer of Gothic Bellydance in Boston, and has been producing gothic bellydance shows under the name Raks Spooki. You can learn more about her at her site, on my Links page.

I was also a member of the tribal-fusion troupe, Tribal Storm, led by Jemileh Nour . I met some of my best friends dancing in this troupe!

My Training/Teachers

I also take many workshops from a variety of instructors, to try different styles, learn an interesting new technique, or build on my skills. Some of the workshop instructors that have influenced me most include Amar Gamal, Virginia of Miami, Kami Liddle, Bozenka, and Yasmina Ramzy. Generally, I try to make to as many workshops as I can, although in Boston, it can be hard to keep up with all the bellydance-related events. In November 2007, I got to spend a weekend studying with the amazing Dina of Cairo. It was an unforgettable experience!

My inspirations include, of course, Dina and also Souhair Zaki. For American dancers, I like Virginia (of Miami) and Jillina (of the Bellydance Superstars).

Awards

In 2007, I won 2nd runner up in Za-Beth's International Bazaar and Contest.