Belly dancing
isn’t stripping

In response to the article “Belly beautiful” by Chris Barry [People, Dec. 22]: First, I think that it is nice that Middle Eastern dance is becoming more popular in the Montreal area and that it is getting some support and attention from the arts community. However, this article refers to Mihaela Coman’s work as “dancing up a sex storm at weddings” and also “for bringing shame to the family.” I do admit that last sentence is taken somewhat out of context, but the message is still present.

One of the “true” names for belly dance is “raqs sharqi” (pronounced Roks Sharkee), which, when translated, means “dance from the east.” Raqs is essentially a type of folk dance that has been in practice by many different cultures and tribes for centuries. While it is true that Middle Eastern dance is a very sensual art form, its ties with stripping actually arose at the turn of the century after the introduction of Raqs Sharqi at the Chicago Exposition in 1893 by a dancer named Little Egypt. Little Egypt danced in less revealing costumes than those worn today, but her performance was too exotic for Victorian morality, thus today, the term “belly dance” is inextricably linked to the kind of sleazy, sexual glamour portrayed in film and fiction. Earlier in its history, Middle Eastern dance was performed by women for women in the women’s quarters of nomadic lodgings, as a form of entertainment and during birth ceremonies.

One of the major centres for Middle Eastern dance at present is the United States. Many women are working hard to restore the reputation of this ancient art form and to raise the quality of the dance itself.

If you are interested in seeing some of the top dancers at the moment you can check the following Web sites: There are beautiful videos at www.rachelbrice.com (this one is my favourite: http://homepage.mac.com/tijjster/iMovieTheater5.html), and also see www.suhaila.com.

Every day, belly dancers have to justify their roles as artists and not strippers, and I know of some women who have lost jobs because their bosses found out they were dancers. This is frustrating because most of the negative connotations are simply myths.

» Andrea, Middle Eastern dance instructor

Shooting straightened

While it is refreshing to see an article about one of Canada’s most neglected world-class athletes [Noisemakers, “Gunning for the Top,” Jan. 5], it would be even more laudable had there been a greater degree of accuracy in the writing and editing of the article.

To begin with, the man’s name is Metodi Igorov, not the inverse, as Mr. Gravenor would have it. I have met the man, so I know what a simple Google search would have instantly revealed.

Mr. Igorov mentions training with “cheap” bullets. Assuming that he is talking about .22 calibre, $15 for 500 rounds is cheap—$90 for 500 rounds is somewhat rich for anybody’s blood.

Ville St-Pierre is not the only shooting range on the Island of Montreal—unless the Island of Montreal extends no farther west than Ville St-Pierre. Although, it may be true that there are no 25-metre ranges on the Island—most pistol ranges tend to be 20-metres.

While this lack of journalistic rigour is sad enough, sadder still is the fact that this first-class athlete (see, for example, http://src.ca/sportsamateurs/athletes/athlete.asp?idAthlete=38) will not be representing Canada in any future Olympics, since the powers that be would appear to have decreed that his sport is “politically incorrect.” Men and women will continue to receive funding to compete in biathlon events, but then, I suppose, “rifles good, pistols bad.” Other nations in the Commonwealth and elsewhere do not choose to make this distinction, but then, perhaps, their political leadership still has sufficient functioning neurons to make the distinction between international sport and mayhem.

» Paul G. Shaw

CV on file!

Hello, I would like to say one thing and this one thing will be of no shock to you. I would like to work for you. I want to reveiws for music and the public scenes or anything. I consider myself an expert on the observational science of socitey and nature. I do not know french, and I have a lot of spare time for any assignments you may have. You do not have to pay me for I will do this out of shear enjoyment. Additionally, I am like a ninja meaning I can get into anywhere and everything and I have great hair. Thank you.

» Call me Mercurochrome or just Amber

Correction:

Due to a production error, the Jan. 5 Noisemakers article on Furni [“Handmade and homegrown”] was cut short and did not include their Web site, www.furnicreations.com.

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