Projects

Unveiled: Performing identities in the Arab diaspora

Anthropology, Projects /

On Canada’s west coast, a large and active bellydance community has grown and thrived distinct from Middle Eastern ethnic communities.  Orientalist fantasies and Egyptian stylings regularly appear onstage alongside western tribal and other ethnic bellydance fusions.  These performances do not challenge popular media stereotypes about the Middle East; they comfortably coexist with ideologies linking veiled […]

Unveiled: Performing identities in the Arab diaspora Read More »

Arab Women, Arab Dance

Anthropology, Projects /

When most people think of Arab music and dance they usually think of bellydancing, the North American dance craze based on an ancient tradition. These two presentations at Vancouver’s Dance Centre (2004 & 2005) provided a personal and cultural context for understanding the dynamic and evolving art of Arab dance.  Five diversely accomplished Arab women,

Arab Women, Arab Dance Read More »