Mixed repeat

Tonight featured two repetitions that yielded very mixed results.

The first was a trip to the lovely Carolina Theatre in Durham to attend The Art of Bellydance by the Bellydance Superstars, a group I've seen once before. Last time, I enjoyed the show but didn't find it amazing. Tonight, the performance reached another level. With a few exceptions, the dances were wonderful to watch, inventive, and, as I think bellydance should be, amazingly sexy. I particularly fell for the Tribal Fusion dancers, whose style and wonderful movements kept my attention every second they were on stage. I definitely recommend this show should it come to your area.

After the performance ended, we went to eat from the late-night menu at Watts Grocery, a place at which I've had several fine meals. Alas, if our food tonight is any indication of the late-night quality here, you should steer clear of it. The sliders were overcooked and their buns too sweet. The pimiento cheese sandwich was carbonized. The fries were soaked and limp. I could only imagine the third-string chef, bored out of his or her gourd in the kitchen, on the phone with a friend as the grill and the fryer slowly ruined our dishes. It's a shame, but I'll need to hear a few good reviews of the food after ten o'clock here before I'll go back for a late-night snack.

Bellydance superstars

Art week continued tonight with a trip by Jennie, Sarah, and me to see Bellydance Superstars. I've enjoyed the local bellydance shows ("haflas") that I've attended, but they haven't made me feel compelled to seek out more bellydancing. Tonight's performance was, as one would expect from a national touring company, a much more accomplished presentation than the local shows, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. The twelve dancers were all at least very good, and several were amazing. I particularly enjoyed the main dancer and the gothic tribal dancers.

I also liked the fact that this show did not shy away from the roots of bellydance: a celebration of the female form, or, more to the point, sex. While never being crass or resorting to unnecessary nudity, they combined artistry with sensuality beautifully. As someone who studiously avoids most dance shows, I wholeheartedly recommend this one.