FANTASY BELLYDANCE CONCERT:: neon

The Venus Uprising Fantasy Bellydance Concert 2007 took place on Sept.7 and 8 at the Merce Cunningham studios, West Village, NYC, a versatile and vast theater space with top-notch theatrical lighting. It was a landmark event for our creative group that drew a fabulous crowd of beautiful people, fellow artists, friends, fans and strangers. It was incredibly great to see so many of our friends and top NYC artists magically appear, all in one place. It was also the first event of this kind entirely dedicated to the genre of Fantasy Bellydance.

The celebratory mood was enhanced by candle-lit receptions following the shows. On day 1 the reception took place on the 13th floor, with a stunning view of Hudson river sparkling with reflections of city lights and boat traffic. The show also helped our group to bond deeper - although most of us have worked on various joint creative projects for years, a week of tech and dress rehearsals and the inevitable logistical challenges of a live event brought us all closer together.

So what is Fantasy Bellydance? Fantasy Bellydance implies adding a theatrical,
highly imaginative componenet to your dance, to give it an edge that appeals
to modern audiences. Through your movement, acting, costuming, and music you
tell a story, and you create an image that is different from our traditional
role as a bellydancer - the cute sexy entertainer who arrives at a party to
dance for the guests. In Fantasy Bellydance, dance is your language, but the
essence of your act is the fantasy image you are creating, the story you are
telling.

Venus Uprising and guest artists who generously contributed their talents
to this remarkable event include Autumn Ward, Ayshe, Blanca, Jeniviva, Maiiah,
Neon, Sherene Vismaya, Sarah Skinner, Tanna Valentine, Tempest, Sarah Murphy,
Isis.
Among the stories / images / motifs created through our dances:
Angel (Tanna Valentine - fan veils)
Peacock (Tempest)
Serpent (Neon)
Amazon and Sorceress (Ayshe and Blanca)
Goddess Isis appearing as a Serpent (Isis)
Vampyre Queen (Jeniviva)
the Absynthe Fairy (Jeniviva and Maiiah)
medieval /Silk Road bellydance (Autumn Ward)
Mata Hari (Sarah Skinner)
Lakshmi (Sherene)
manipulator of minds and souls morphing from predator to an icon of innocence (Blanca)
and others.

Three numbers featured in the concert, "Initiate Amongst the Forsaken" (Ayshe with Blanca and Sarah Murphy) , "Mata Hari" (Sarah Skinner and BellyEssence) and "Amazon and Sorceress" (Ayshe with Blanca / Adrienne ) will also appear in the "Gothic Bellydance - Revelations" DVD (World Dance New York, October 9, 2007).

Dear friends, thank you for this opportunity to work with you and to see you as guests at our show - deepest gratitude to you for your support of our work!

See more photos from the Concert Photos by Kevin Fox

Comments

[danielle 'raem a.k.a nefer mewsher']

I must say that it was great going to the concert and seeing all of the bellydance artists and enjoying the oportunity to meet most of you and talk to you neon.it was also very wonderful to see my teacher tanna. I have not see her for so long.I have been watching videos and have known about all of you for so long and hoping I would be able to meet you one day.that hope came true.I brought a friend of mine with me and he loved it.the reception was just as wonderful.the view outside the windows was breathgtaking.it completed the relaxed enjoyable surrounding of being with all the people there.what made it even more enjoyable was to actually speak to you neon.your personality is refreshing and light.I will never forget our conversation or that night.it would be great to see you again one day and learn more from you.I can't wait to see another show like the fantasy bellydance concert.xoxoxo peace&love

[Neon]

Dear Danielle, thank you so much for your kind words! It was wonderful to meet you, thank you for your company and for coming to see the show!!