As printed in the Quarter 4/05 issue of The Belly Dancer Magazine
Greetings from the “Y” Chromosome
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants - Jim Boz
On a recent flight to a Belly Dance event, I engaged in a pretty typical conversation with one of my fellow passengers:
"So, you heading out for business or fun?"
"Oh, it's business"
"Yeah? What do you do?"
"I teach dance."
"What kind of dance do you teach?"
"Belly Dance"
What usually follows is a mixture of shock, amazement, sometimes embarrassment as you see the mental connections make that utterly annoying connection between our dance form and others of a more dubious nature.
The response is usually multiplied by the fact that I'm not a small guy. Further, when not in garb suitable to a professional image, my tattoos, shaved head and affinity for baggy shorts, Aloha shirts and flip flops tends to make me look like a Professional Wrestler or Biker on Vacation. “Hoo yah”!
"I didn't know guys danced"
Okay, I have to admit, I dig the response.
In future installments, I hope to discuss some historical information on Men in the dance, updates on current events and the usual news you would expect to find. But first, indulge me in a little ego trip…and perhaps a little background on why a guy my size with interests that lean more towards dreams of industrial rock stardom and edgier pursuits would end up in such a career choice.
I started taking belly dance classes as a joke.
[Insert 'Thud' here] Yup. Here's the history.
A Southern California native, I was raised just south of the San Francisco Bay Area in the Santa Cruz Mountains of
California, USA. When I was young, I started visiting the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Northern California - at the time in an extremely picturesque site in Novato. One show we watched featured a gentleman balancing a tray on his head, and dancing. Wow! I was so impressed I remember writing a composition on my experiences for school.
Fast forward to adulthood, and I spent some time living in Portland, OR. Having been encouraged by a few members of my SCA household (SCA is a worldwide Medieval to Rennaissance historical reenactment group) and having a connection to classes via a friend of got me started taking classes from Gypsy Caravan…to learn a few 'bar tricks' and to surprise my friends in the SCA.
"So where are the other guys?"
"Don't be silly. Men don't belly dance."
"They don't? But I've seen them!"
Alas, I was however, quickly hooked. No, not necessarily on the movement, the culture, the music. That came later. I was hooked on the people involved. I made some great friends and we still keep in touch even though a few of them are no longer involved or even moved to other states. What fun! Okay, I admit, the music was inspiration…but that's for a separate 'music geek' column.
The gentleman I saw at RenFaire was none other than John Compton, one of the greats of our industry. I had the pleasure to meet him years later at Rakkasah. I was so nervous, but John is one of those alarmingly friendly people that immediately puts you at ease. He and his troupe Hahbi'Ru have several videos available and still perform regularly at Renaissance Faires in Northern California.
I sought information early on when I was working on my style and hungrily searched for input on men in the dance. So little existed. Yes, it's primarily a Western phenomenon having men performing the dance, but there is a rich history of men involved in Middle Eastern dance and just dancing in social venues.
However, there are many men in our industry who have left their mark, either by performance, support or instruction, I stand on the shoulders of giants, those who have put the time in before us and left their mark.
The legendary Ibrahim "Bobby" Farrah. Even those that consider it dubious that men are involved in the industry hold as a banner the opportunity to have studied with him. Aziz of Salt Lake City is another name that stands prominently in the field. He has appeared in a number of videos also. His effortless shimmies and fluidity of motion transcend noticeable gender differences. Bert Balladine, whose ballroom dance inspired stylings have set a standard in our industry both genders.
Alas Bobby Farrah is no longer with us, Aziz has since retired and Bert Balladine teaches infrequently.
Momo Kadous, currently in Germany, travels often to the states and worldwide to share his knowledge. I've enjoyed several workshops with him and his incredible knowledge, style and technique. Yousry Sharif of the Egyptian Academy in New York is one of the top male performers and instructors in the states. Amir Thaleb of Argentina who runs a literally HUGE school of dance travels often to the states. His technique impeccable, his ability to communicate the dance and inspire in workshops is phenomenal. Mahmoud Reda, a pioneer of dance theater in Egypt, continues to travel to the states to instruct on his style, technique and history.
Tarik Sultan, a protégé of Morocco in New York, has also done some amazing research on the subject. I had a chance for a brief view of some of his video recordings from the field when I was chatting with him at Rakkasah awhile back. Some of his research that he has shared online "It's Not Just For Women; And Never Was" has become the pivotal treatise supporting the art.
This is not even counting the countless musicians, craftspeople, promoters and others who have helped guide our industry forward. Both genders have contributed significantly to our craft, both directly and indirectly.
As a guy involved in the dance, I am blessed by those that studied, documented and passed their knowledge and experience on and continue to do so. I seek to honor them and their contributions, at the same time humbled and inspired.
I stand on the shoulders of giants, and with their support, sometimes I feel I can reach the stars.
For more research an information, I offer the following:
John Compton & Hahbi'Ru - www.HahbiRu.com
Yousry Sharif - www.EgyptianAcademy.com
Amir Thaleb - www.AmirThaleb.com
The MEN of Middle Eastern Dance - workshops, annual all male gala show and info - www.MenOfMiddleEasternDance.com
Jim Boz is an instructor, performer and promoter of Middle Eastern Dance based in San Diego, CA. Although his classes and workshops are usually 100% women, his long history of supporting men involved in the dance spans most of a decade, beginning with his all male troupe "Sons of the Padisha" and continues to the present with his Men Of Middle Eastern Dance events.
The MEN of Middle Eastern Dance - workshops, annual all male gala show and info - www.MenOfMiddleEasternDance.com
Jim Boz is an instructor, performer and promoter of Middle Eastern Dance based in San Diego, CA. Although his classes and workshops are usually 100% women, his long history of supporting men involved in the dance spans most of a decade, beginning with his all male troupe "Sons of the Padisha" and continues to the present with his Men Of Middle Eastern Dance events. The MEN of Middle Eastern Dance - workshops, annual all male gala show and info - www.MenOfMiddleEasternDance.com
Jim Boz is an instructor, performer and promoter of Middle Eastern Dance based in San Diego, CA. Although his classes and workshops are usually 100% women, his long history of supporting men involved in the dance spans most of a decade, beginning with his all male troupe "Sons of the Padisha" and continues to the present with his Men Of Middle Eastern Dance events.