REVIEWS of Bellydancer of the UniverseŽ Competition 2007
Bellydancer of the Universe Soars!
by Marta Schill
February 17 & 18, 2007 – Long Beach, CA: For seventeen years, President’s Day weekend means one thing for Southern California bellydancers and Beach Cities MECDA members – the Bellydancer of the UniverseŽ Competition, held at the opulent Long Beach Convention Center. This year’s theme was "Generations and Legends," which was reflected in the wide spectrum of instructors from which to select: Sister acts included Veena and Neena, Dondi and Titanya Dahlin, while mothers and daughters were represented by Tonya and Atlantis, Fatima and Jamilla Al Wahid, Delilah and Laura Rose Flynn…and then there was myself, Marta Schill with my daughter Jayna Manoushe, son David Feldthouse, and his son (my grandson) Ryan Feldthouse playing Gypsy violin for my Universal Rhythms class as well as his class with his dad!
The Legendary instructors included Paulette Rees-Denis, Angelika Nemeth, Helena Vlahos, Dunya, Alexandra King, Maria Morca and Ashana Hanada, as well as John Wiedenman teaching Chang Mu Kwan, a vast spectrum of invaluable knowledge in one weekend.
The ever-expanding horizon of bellydance in the United States was reflected in the diversity of competition categories now available; an even dozen, allowing dancers to choose their area of expertise and flaunt it!
For many, the BDUC has provided a springboard for elevating the career of performers. Contestants were viewed by hundreds at the event and thousands on the media. Tonya and Atlantis have always taken great pride in the continued success of their competitors.
On Saturday evening, there was an opportunity to see Middle Eastern dance in all its splendor: "Of Veils and Incense" performed with a surprising twist. . . dressed as men, they created a Tahtib (stick) dance, and then transformed into glamorous cabaret dancers. Maria Morca expressed her Spanish/Mid-Eastern roots with a Zambra Mora, and Paulette Rees-Denis danced in the Tribal style.
This year’s competitors were truly representational of the finest in Bellydance. All information is available on the web site, as well as photos of all events and competition winners.
Contestants came from as far as South Korea and Puerto Rico, and all areas in between! Champions are listed here – for runners-up, people’s choice and congeniality awards, visit their website!
Champions (in order of competition) were: Divine Solo: Ana (CA); Drum Solo, Ahava, (CA), Tribal Fusion Solo, Heather Shoopman, (CA). Junior Solo, Minjae Lim, (South Korea), Junior Group, Jewels of Meihana (CA). The Little Solo went to Monique Sanchez Guadalupe (Puerto Rico). A new category, the solo veil, was won by Joulya (CA). The Tribal Group Champions were Unmata (CA).
On Sunday, the fusion Champion was Viviane (TX), along with the Adult Group winners, Flower Buds of the Desert (CA). In the finals, the Egyptian trophy was captured by Ahava, (CA) – and the final contest – the one that bears the name of the event, the Universal champion was – Dahlia!
"Their Hearts Shown Bright, Their Moves Delight"
by Valerie Estes, Ph.D./Shara
Do you want to see a Spectacular Show and Competition of Gorgeous Dancers who possess Magnificent Talent? Then Welcome to the Annual Bellydancer of the UniverseŽ Competition!
Lights, camera, action! Costumes of colors and veils of energy shine bright! The dancers of all ages and nationalities combine in an awe inspiring show of shimmies, hip hits, twirls of speed and divine slow motion. You are captured! You have entered Nirvana. A heaven of dancers glides across the floor onto the stage to take your soul to the highest pentacles. These delightful dancers make your heart sing with praises for all women who are dancing their hearts out to be seen, observed and judged. The dancers move to capture your senses by their incredible talent that has become deeply part of their own true feminine nature. They are all Fabulous Queens of The Dance!
Much deep gratitude goes to the hard work, time and energy put forth by Tonya and her daughter Atlantis. The Bellydancer of the UniverseŽ Competition comes to life every year because of these two great women. This year was the 17th year of superb talent being displayed. The worldwide Dance Community owes a lot of gratitude and Honor to the work of love that Tonya and Atlantis put into every year to give all dancers this great challenging and fun experience.
The Vendors Tonya and Atlantis are also spectacular with all their wonderful goods and their heart warming personalities. What a joy it was to talk to these good hearted vendors and to purchase some of their delightful treasures.
I am a student of Tonya's. By sheer luck, yes, very sheer, like the costumes the lovely dancers wear, I had the good fortune of attending my first Belly Dancer Competition as a spectator. You need to have this good fortune also. You will be forever changed.
Have you ever wanted to see the magnitude, strength and beauty that sultry and incredibly talented dancers can bestow on their audience? Then you need to attend the 2008 Belly Dancing Competition in Long Beach next year.
The ancient-to-alternative music, the lovely graceful sensual dancers, the air full of promise of "The Win." Women from all over the world hoping to win in their dance division. The excitement, the stir of emotions gently pounding in the hearts of the gyrating geniuses of this sensual dance. The mystery of who is going to win. The heart-warming and good natured women living to be accepted for their work and talent. The kindness they show each other when they lose to another. The understanding hugs. The knowingness that next year holds another hope, another challenge for each and every one of them.
I came, I saw, I went. Never have I seen so many wonderful ladies working together honoring each other and their deep love for the dance. This fantastic Competition made me respect women more than I have before. These cherished dancers had respect and kindness for each other. They worked, they danced, they won, they lost. But even when they lost, they won. For they had been in a Spectacular Competition. What a great experience! What fun! These Incredible Dancers are very strong women to be put up on a high pedestal where they do so rightly deserve. I admire them all.
You can see The Bellydancer of the Universe Champions on the website at www.bellydanceroftheuniverse.com. Look around this website, learn more so you will be very pleased to attend The Competition in 2008. Tonya and Atlantis will proudly be presenting the 18th Annual Bellydancer of the UniverseŽ Competition on February 16 and 17, 2008, at the Long Beach Convention Center. Come enjoy this great experience for yourself.
These Magnificent Dancers will give you a new respect for their duly deserved devotion to Their Dance.
In awe and total respect of all the Belly Dance Competitors,
Valerie Estes, Rev., Ph.D./Shara
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