Belly Dance Show Review: The Indigo in Serpent Rouge
I recently attended a really fascinating belly dance show at the Casbah in San Diego, California.
It was billed as "Le Serpent Rouge: An Evening of Beguiling Dance and Strangely Familiar Music", and it included the fine belly dancing of world-renowned dancers Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, and Mardi Love, a belly dance company collectively known as "The Indigo".
In describing their dancing, as they say on their website "The Indigo has created and defined a new style of belly dance, embracing the roots of middle eastern dance while incorporating an aesthetic reminiscent of early twentieth century cabarets and world's fairs.
" I really enjoyed the show not only because of the amazing and beautiful dancing, but also for the music and old style cabaret acts.
The Crow Quill Night Owls is the name of the assemblage of musicians who play an array of interesting older looking instruments.
They include a washboard, acoustic guitar, and banjo.
The "drum kit" consists of a suitcase for a kick drum (don't ask me how that works, but it sounds pretty solid), and various other percussive devices.
The bass guitar is actually a stick attached to a wash tub with one string that is plucked while varying the tension on the upright stick.
Think jug band of the Old South, and yes there is a jug too.
The band both accompanies the dancers and fills the gaps in the dancing with a mixture of raucous throw downs and melancholy comedic crooners.
The Gallus Brothers ("drums" and "bass"), also provide a couple cabaret style crazy acts involving balancing strangely on each other while singing a song together.
It was fascinating to watch if not slightly disturbing.
The real magic is in the entrancing dancing provided by 3 world-class belly dancers.
Rachel Brice is a member of the world-famous Belly dance Superstars, as is Zoe Jakes and Mardi Love.
Rachel formed the Indigo Dance Company in 2003.
She has been performing since 1990 and teaching since 1996.
Rachel's graceful serpentine style of movement lends itself perfectly to this project.
Her entire body expresses fluidity.
Zoe Jakes' charisma is undeniable.
She captures the audience with her mesmerizing eyes and grace.
Love's command of belly dance technique is also a pleasure to watch.
The dancers perform together in wonderful choreographed routines, and there are also unique solo dances.
Enjoy this YouTube video clip I filmed at the show featuring Zoe Jakes (click on the link below): Zoe Jakes at the Casbah
It was billed as "Le Serpent Rouge: An Evening of Beguiling Dance and Strangely Familiar Music", and it included the fine belly dancing of world-renowned dancers Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, and Mardi Love, a belly dance company collectively known as "The Indigo".
In describing their dancing, as they say on their website "The Indigo has created and defined a new style of belly dance, embracing the roots of middle eastern dance while incorporating an aesthetic reminiscent of early twentieth century cabarets and world's fairs.
" I really enjoyed the show not only because of the amazing and beautiful dancing, but also for the music and old style cabaret acts.
The Crow Quill Night Owls is the name of the assemblage of musicians who play an array of interesting older looking instruments.
They include a washboard, acoustic guitar, and banjo.
The "drum kit" consists of a suitcase for a kick drum (don't ask me how that works, but it sounds pretty solid), and various other percussive devices.
The bass guitar is actually a stick attached to a wash tub with one string that is plucked while varying the tension on the upright stick.
Think jug band of the Old South, and yes there is a jug too.
The band both accompanies the dancers and fills the gaps in the dancing with a mixture of raucous throw downs and melancholy comedic crooners.
The Gallus Brothers ("drums" and "bass"), also provide a couple cabaret style crazy acts involving balancing strangely on each other while singing a song together.
It was fascinating to watch if not slightly disturbing.
The real magic is in the entrancing dancing provided by 3 world-class belly dancers.
Rachel Brice is a member of the world-famous Belly dance Superstars, as is Zoe Jakes and Mardi Love.
Rachel formed the Indigo Dance Company in 2003.
She has been performing since 1990 and teaching since 1996.
Rachel's graceful serpentine style of movement lends itself perfectly to this project.
Her entire body expresses fluidity.
Zoe Jakes' charisma is undeniable.
She captures the audience with her mesmerizing eyes and grace.
Love's command of belly dance technique is also a pleasure to watch.
The dancers perform together in wonderful choreographed routines, and there are also unique solo dances.
Enjoy this YouTube video clip I filmed at the show featuring Zoe Jakes (click on the link below): Zoe Jakes at the Casbah