Dance Parallels in the Ghetto: Parallels between an Eighteenth Century London Black Minority and a Twenty-First Century London Black Minority
Dance Parallels in the Ghetto by Rodreguez King-Dorset, will impress you immediately with two things: the physical handsomeness of the book itself, and its unusual and compelling subject matter. In a day and age when most of us spend a good chunk of time staring at one kind of screen or another, simply holding a beautifully fashioned volume is a pleasure. The size and shape of the book, and the superbly reproduced color plates make picking the book up and flipping through the pages irresistible. The subtitle (Parallels between an Eighteenth Century London Black Minority and a Twenty-First Century London Black Minority) will surely arouse the curiosity of even non-dancers; who could resist delving into such an intriguing and one-of-a-kind topic?
The book devotes five chapters, the bulk of its 116 pages, to a discussion of the Black minority community in London, England, in (primarily) the eighteenth as well as the twenty-first centuries and specifically explores how those communities did and do use dance as an expression of their contemporary culture, as a medium to respond to oppression, and to demonstrate the universal human creative urge through dance.
Normally a scholarly work of this kind, meticulously and thoroughly sifting through the meager amount of documentation available to researchers, would be fairly dry. King-Dorset uses a strong voice and a passionate approach to make Dance Parallels in the Ghetto a page-turner. He begins by introducing the reader to theories of dance among early humans, suggests how Sub-Saharan African dance may have developed from those sources, and then explores the differences between African dance and European dance. A more detailed discussion of these elements of King-Dorset's thesis would have been welcome; the material left unplumbed is tantalizing.
The next exposition, concerning the deprecating attitude of European explorers during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in particular, is scathing. That every point King-Dorset makes is valid goes without saying, but to an American whose ancestors were serfs from Eastern Europe, it's tempting to point out that the English-speaking world's tendency to xenophobia is not limited to one group or race. Nevertheless, King-Dorset's point concerning the general prejudice of white English people toward Blacks and Black dance needed to be driven home within the context of his thesis, and is done so adroitly.
Both dancers and the general public will be fascinated by the highly informative chapters on "Black Response to European Dance", "The Use of...English Country Dances..." and "...the...Black community's use of Hip-Hop Dance." Much of the material in these chapters is difficult to easily find, and the comparison of eighteenth century Black dance and Hip-Hop is totally novel.
A few glaring typos in the first chapter were disturbing, particularly since the book is a work of scholarship. Obvious misprints (e.g. 3000,00 and 2000,00) raise a suspicion that more subtle details may not have made it into print intact. This writer would also argue that the passing mention of Voodoo as a "caricature" of both African religions and Christianity doesn't do justice to this highly complex, richly textured, and sophisticated combination of philosophy and ritual practice - a valid, vital religion in its own right.
There is so much more that could be said about "Dance Parallels in the Ghetto" that I highly recommend grabbing a copy for one's own. This reader happily joins the "Rodreguez King-Dorset Fan Club" and looks forward eagerly to his next book.
Author: Rodreguez King-Dorset Title: Dance Parallels in the Ghetto Publication Date: November 2009 Available from Dance Books Ltd., The Old Bakery, 4 Lenten Street, Alton, Hampshire GU34 1HG, UK, www.dancebooks.co.uk. Number of pages: 116 Price: $38US Subjects: Dance History, Black History. Includes extensive bibliography and eight color plates with descriptions. ISBN 978-0-9563816-0-6
Reviewed February 2010.Noble Dreams Wicked Pleasures: Orientalism in America, 1870-1930
The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute collection of Orientalist art, assembled by Holly Edwards, with four essays on aspects of Orientalism in the US and annotated pictures of the catalog of the exhibition. Made me squirm. After reading this book, ATS is so obviously in the direct line of descent from Orientalism it embarrasses me. On the other hand, the book is a treasure-house of information about the St. Louis Exhibition of 1893, where the first belly dancers to appear on this continent performed. The exhibit must have been worth seeing, and the book is an education. Bravo to Ms. Edwards.
Arabia Felix by Pascal Marechaux
Another picture book. Haunting text and stunning photos made me fall in love with Yemen.
Ethnic Dress by Frances Kennett
Not the best picture book I've ever seen, but some photos are worthwhile for belly dancers, especially the gallery of styles of veiling.
Grandmother's Secrets by Rosina Fawzia Al Rawi
Perhaps because I waited so long to get hold of this book, I created an unrealistic expectation for myself of what it would be like. However, it was interesting to me in several ways. The author seems to know exactly what she is saying, particularly since she is (curiously) careful to perpetuate several Western misconceptions of the belly dance without quoting sources for these mistakes, even though footnotes are carefully given on other topics in the book. Criticisms aside, if one reads the book as poetry rather than prose and as inspiration rather than reference material, it's worth the price. The actual descriptions given of dance movements are hard to follow, but the names the author gives them are evocative. The short sections on Arabic music, and on incense are particularly useful.
Snake Hips by Anne Thomas Soffee
The hilarious adventures of a Lebanese-American woman who decides to learn belly dance and becomes hooked. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll turn the page. If you don't see yourself somewhere in these pages, you haven't been belly dancing long enough. I'm waiting for the book to fade from my memory so I can read it again, afresh, but I'm afraid it'll be awhile. Meantime, watch out for the weird sex midget!
Nine Parts of Desire by Geraldine Brooks
Very well written by a journalist who details her years of work in the Middle East. The author drew me in and engaged my attention even on topics which I usually find dull or difficult, like politics. The book deepened my awareness and understanding of Islamic culture. I especially liked the chapter on Queen Noor. A Cinderella story if there ever was one! There was just one paragraph that really annoyed me, though, in which Ms. Brooks makes the usual comparison of ballet to belly dance by describing ballet as "unnatural". This always gets my goat. Most human endeavors are "unnatural" and I've never understood why ballet gets picked on so much. And anyway, if belly dance is as natural as all that, how come we have to practice it so much to be good at it? 'Nuff said.
Ethnic Style: History and Fashion by Berenice Geoffroy-Schneiter
Fabulous photos from all countries and decades, especially ones of brides from Morocco and India, and amazing portraits of women. I can pore over this one for hours. The breathtaking photo of a young bride from India inspired me to copy her makeup for one of my performances. You won't tire of this book in any hurry.
African Ceremonies by Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher
The original two volume series is to die for. The photographers capture the humanness of their subjects with unerring skill. The format of the volumes, featuring full-sized photos on almost every page, makes them a feast for the eyes. The layout of each photo essay is so comprehensive that you'll feel as if you'd been there. The text is unobtrusive, but it's there if you want it, and you will. The two photo essays of particular interest to belly dancers feature North African ceremonies: weddings in Morocco and the Ghedra. These books are chock full of tribal art, jewelry, textiles and body decoration. Although most of the essays concern Sub-Saharan cultures, the books are still worth the price, in my opinion. WARNING: A new "concise" edition of African Ceremonies, combining both volumes is also now available, but many photos from the original edition have been left out. If I had my druthers, I'd prefer the full two-volume set any day.
Body Decoration by Karl Groning
Not for the squeamish, this picture book focuses on body piercing and scarification among other forms of decoration. Some really good henna pictures.
Sisters of Salome by Toni Bentley
Written by a former New York City Ballet dancer, this is one of the few treatments of the Salome legend you'll find anywhere, indeed, perhaps the only lengthy one. The author focuses on four women who followed in the footsteps of the famous character created by Oscar Wilde, which he based on the Biblical character of Herodias' daughter. Each of these women embodies, for Bentley, an aspect of the Salome legend, and each one has a fascinating story of her own. Coming from a ballet background myself, I grew up reading about Ida Rubenstein and had heard of Maud Allen, but never could find out what exactly she was famous for. Toni Bentley told me.
While this book may not interest the hard-core belly dance enthusiast (it really has little to do with belly dancing at all), the women in it have all had their influence on the theatre in general, and in dancing in specific. Besides Allen and Rubenstein, Collette, Mata Hari, and of course Salome herself, the fictional character, are discussed. My only complaint is that there should have been a chapter on Loie Fuller to make the book complete.
