Though Joanne’s family wasn’t quite convinced of her new passion, they soon realized that she was quite serious about it and nowadays they fully support her and often attend her shows. “My two sisters and cousin actually joined belly dance classes a couple of years ago. Thankfully, none of my relatives and friends believe the stereotype of the belly dancer—the one where the dance is reduced to the status of 27)erotic entertainment for men. That’s what the early Hollywood movies showed—a sexy dancer surrounded by 28)salivating men. I always strive to be 29)authentic and true to the dance when I perform, especially when it comes to using the correct movements and costumes according to the type of music,” she clarified.
“The reason belly dance has become popular is that it’s a dance that celebrates a woman’s femininity, but also size diversity. You don’t have to be a skinny 30)ballerina. It’s a dance form that’s very forgiving.” Then there is what Ms. Mallia called the “31)bling” of belly dancing: the jewelry, the hip scarves that 32)jangle with every thrust, the finger 33)cymbals known as 34)zills. “Half the fun of belly dance is the bling, half the fun is the girlfriends.”
“This is more a celebration of your womanhood. The beauty of it is not just the moves and the tempo. Most importantly, it’s a way of moving and feeling your body.”
尽管乔安妮的家人对于她新涌现的激情持有一定的怀疑,但他们很快便意识到她对肚皮舞是认真的。如今,他们完全支持她,还常常观看她的演出。“事实上,我的两个姐妹和一个堂姐妹几年前就去上肚皮舞班了。谢天谢地,我的亲戚朋友中,没有谁相信有关肚皮舞者的那个老套论调——将这种舞蹈贬为供男人娱乐的艳舞。好莱坞的早期电影里就有这样一幕——一个性感的舞者被垂涎三尺的男人们团团围住。当我表演时,我总是努力真诚地对待这一舞蹈,努力忠于这一舞蹈,特别是当根据音乐的类型选择相应的舞步和服装时,”她阐明道。
“肚皮舞日渐流行起来的原因在于它是一种赞美女性特质且不论燕瘦环肥,人人都适合跳的舞蹈。你不需有芭蕾舞者般瘦削的身材。它是一种对舞者身形要求不严格的舞蹈形式。”接下来要提一下被玛利亚小姐称为肚皮舞之“亮闪闪”的东西:珠宝、随着每一下推力叮当作响的臀巾、套在指上被称作金属圆片的钹。“肚皮舞的一半乐趣在于‘亮闪闪’的饰物,另一半乐趣在于其他女性舞伴。”
“这种舞不仅仅是对你的女性特质的一种赞美。它的美不仅在于其舞步和节奏。最重要的是,它是一种舞动和感受你的身体的方式。”
