VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] Huell: WELL, HELLO, EVERYBODY.
I'M HUELL HOWSER.
GET READY TO HAVE A LOT OF FUN.
NOW, HERE'S THE SETUP.
WE'VE COME TO GLENDALE.
WE'RE STANDING OUT FRONT OF THE GLENDALE CIVIC AUDITORIUM, AND WE ARE HERE TO ATTEND A FESTIVAL, A CELEBRATION, A CELEBRATION THAT'S FILLED WITH HISTORY, WITH CULTURE.
THERE'S A LOT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INVOLVED.
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A WONDERFUL AFTERNOON, AND I GUARANTEE YOU YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN TO ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.
HERE WE GO.
OK, WE ARE INSIDE THE GLENDALE CIVIC AUDITORIUM.
LOTS OF ACTIVITY IN HERE.
LOTS OF MUSIC IN HERE.
LOTS GOIN' ON ON THE STAGE THERE.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
Huell: JOHN, INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO EVERYBODY.
>> HUELL, I'M JOHN BEVILACQUA.
NICE TO MEET YOU.
Huell: ALL RIGHT.
NOW, WHAT IS THE NAME OF THIS EVENT?
>> THE EVENT IS CALLED RAQS L.A. Huell: RAQS L.A. AND HOW DO YOU SPELL "RAQS"?
>> RAQS IS R-A-Q-S. Huell: NOW, RAQS IS PART OF A WHOLE EXPRESSION, ISN'T IT?
>> EXACTLY.
THE WORD "RAQS SHARQI" IS THE ACTUAL MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE WORD TRANSLATED INTO--FROM ARABIC.
SO AS MOST PEOPLE IN AMERICA KNOW IT, BELLY DANCE.
Huell: BELLY DANCING.
>> EXACTLY.
Huell: WE'RE AT A BELLY DANCE FESTIVAL.
>> BELLY DANCE FESTIVAL IN THE HEART OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA.
Huell: NOW, WHY GLENDALE?
IS THIS A BELLY DANCE HOTBED HERE?
>> I-IT REALLY IS.
UH, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES IS--IS A BIG MECCA FOR BELLY DANCERS, BUT IT'S ALSO A CENTRAL LOCATION, BECAUSE PEOPLE COME ALL AROUND THE WORLD FOR THIS EVENT.
WE'VE GOT PEOPLE FROM AS FAR AS NEW ZEALAND, CHILE, ARGENTINA ALL CO--FLYING IN FOR THIS EVENT IN GLENDALE.
Huell: TO GLENDALE FOR BELLY DANCING.
>> FOR BELLY DANCE, ABSOLUTELY.
[MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC PLAYING] [AUDIENCE CLAPPING TO MUSIC] Huell: THEY'RE WATCHIN' HER DANCE ONSTAGE.
ONE GROUP OF BELLY DANCERS APPRECIATE THE WORK DONE BY OTHER BELLY DANCERS, RIGHT?
>> ISN'T SHE FABULOUS?
Huell: YEAH.
>> SHE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE DANCERS.
Huell: SO THERE'S A HIERARCHY AMONG BELLY DANCERS, ISN'T THERE?
AND SHE'S--SHE'S UP-- >> SHE IS WAY UP HERE.
SHE'S FABULOUS, MESMERIZ-- Huell: WELL, NOW, WAIT A MINUTE.
WHERE ARE YOU ALL ON THE-- ON THE RANKINGS?
>> WE'RE STUDENTS.
WE'RE--WE'RE ANGE'S STUDENTS, ACTUALLY, SO... Huell: SO YOU'RE ACTUALLY ALL STUDENTS?
>> YES.
Huell: YOU WANT TO LEARN BELLY DANCING.
>> WE ARE LEARNING BELLY DANCE.
YEAH.
Huell: HOW HARD IS IT TO TEACH NOVICES HOW TO BELLY DANCE?
>> I LOVE TEACHING BEGINNERS HOW TO BELLY DANCE, BUT THEY'RE ACTUALLY NOT BEGINNERS.
THEY'VE BEEN STUDYING FOR 3 TO 4 YEARS.
Huell: WELL, YEAH.
THEY'VE GOT THE OUTFITS.
>> GOT THE COSTUMES.
Huell: YOU COULD HAVE FOOLED ME.
HOW DO YOU START?
>> HOW DO YOU STA--YOU WANNA TAKE A LESSON?
Huell: NO, NO, I DON'T WANNA TAKE A LESSON.
>> YOU DON'T BELLY DANCE?
Huell: NO, I DON'T.
DO MEN BELLY DANCE?
>> THERE ARE MALE BELLY DANCERS, YES.
Huell: THERE ARE?
>> YES.
THERE ARE VERY FEW, AND THEY ARE--THEY BECOME VERY FAMOUS BECAUSE THEY'RE IN A WORLD OF FEMALE BELLY DANCERS.
Huell: ABSOLUTELY.
ALL RIGHT, HOW DO YOU START?
HOW DO YOU-- YOU KNOW, WITHOUT GETTIN' TOO SPECIFIC, HOW DO YOU TAKE SOMEONE WHO COMES IN AND SAYS, "I WANNA BE A BELLY DANCER," AND MAKE 'EM A BELLY DANCER?
>> WELL, I TEACH LARGE CLASSES, AND I GET EVERYBODY INTO GROUPS, AND I START TEACHING WARM-UPS AND GETTING THEM TO MOVE THEIR HIPS.
Huell: WELL, LET'S SEE-- LET'S SEE A WARM-UP.
COME HERE, LADIES.
GIVE US A WARM-UP.
>> HOW 'BOUT LIKE A SHIMMY?
Huell: GIVE US A WARM-UP.
>> ALL RIGHT.
HOW 'BOUT A SHIMMY?
Huell: LOOK AT THAT.
>> OR A TWIST.
OR A DROP.
Huell: OH, MY GOSH.
>> SEE?
YOU COULD DO THIS.
Huell: THIS LOOKS LIKE--THIS IS NOW--YOU KNOW WHAT?
THIS IS LIKE WORKIN' OUT IN A GYM, ISN'T IT?
>> IT'S--IT'S GREAT EXERCISE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GETTING INTO BELLY DANCE JUST FOR EXERCISE... Huell: REALLY?
>> FOR FUN AND EXERCISE.
>> IT'S A FUN WAY TO EXERCISE.
THAT'S WHY WE ALL DO IT.
Huell: NOW, THIS ISN'T PART OF YOUR CULTURE, IS IT?
>> NO.
WE'RE ALL AMERICAN.
Huell: YOU'RE ALL BORN AND RAISED RIGHT HERE.
>> YEAH, BUT IT'S GREAT.
IT'S A FORM OF DANCE THAT'S BEEN AROUND FOREVER, SO--FOR ALL WOMEN.
Huell: ALL RIGHT, LET'S SEE ONE MORE SHAKE FOR ME.
LOOK.
LOOK AT THAT.
THE STOMACHS ARE JUST-- THEY'RE STANDIN' STILL.
>> FABULOUS.
I KNOW.
Huell: THEY'RE STANDIN' STILL AND MOVIN'-- >> THEY'RE ISOLAT-- IT'S ISOLATED.
Huell: BUT THEY MOVE MORE THAN JUST THEIR BELLIES, DON'T THEY?
>> YES.
A LOT OF WORK COMES FROM THE HIPS AND FROM THE--THE KNEES AND THE LEGS WITH THE SHIMMY.
Huell: CAN YOU GIVE ME A SHIMMY?
>> SHIMMY.
Huell: IS THAT A SHIMMY?
WHAT IS A SHIMMY?
ARE YOU SHIMMYING?
>> I'M SHIMMYING.
Huell: WHAT DO YOU DO?
DO YOU JUST DO IT LIKE THAT?
>> BENDING YOUR KNEES BACK AND FORTH.
Huell: DON'T-- >> YEAH, THAT'S GOOD.
Huell: DO THAT, NOT ME.
THERE YOU GO.
>> YOU'RE PRETTY GOOD.
Huell: LOOK.
THERE THEY GO.
SHIMMY, SHIMMY.
THAT'S MORE OF A--WHAT IS THAT?
>> AN UNDULATION WITH A SHIMMY.
Huell: UNDULATION WITH A SHIMMY.
>> YES.
Huell: AND YOU'RE NOT DOIN' ANYTHING NOW.
>> NO.
WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO?
Huell: WE JUST WATCHED YOU BELLY DANCE.
>> YES, I--IT WAS A MOVING EXPERIENCE.
THAT'S RIGHT.
Huell: NOW, ARE YOU A LOCAL?
>> I AM.
I'VE BEEN, UH, TEACHING IN THIS AREA FOR MANY YEARS, DECADES.
Huell: SO THIS IS SOMETHING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, FOR MIDDLE-AGE PEOPLE, FOR OLDER PEOPLE.
IT'S FOR ALL GENERATIONS.
>> YEAH.
GOT HIPS.
GOT ARMS, LEGS.
EVERYBODY LIKES TO MOVE, YOU KNOW.
FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT IS OUR BIRTHRIGHT.
WHY WOULD WE HAVE ALL THESE MOVING PARTS?
Huell: NOW, I WATCHED YOU UP THERE.
IT'S--THAT'S HARD.
I MEAN, YOU'RE--YOU'RE USIN' A LOT OF MUSCLES UP THERE.
>> ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
Huell: WHAT DO YOU MEAN ALL AT THE SAME TIME?
>> WELL, THE GLUTES ARE LOCKING, AND THE ABS ARE LOCKING, AND THE RIBS ARE WORKIN', AND THE INTERCOSTALS ARE HAPPENING, AND THEN THERE'S THE--THEN THERE'S THE DELTOIDS HOLDING DOWN THE SHOULDERS, AND THEN THERE'S-- YOU KNOW, IT'S A WHOLE-- Huell: WOW.
>> IT'S A WHOLE COLLECTION OF-- OF EXPERTISE.
Huell: IT'S A WORKOUT.
>> IT'S A GREAT WORKOUT.
Huell: WE'RE MOVIN' UP THE BELLY DANCE LADDER HERE.
NO OFFENSE, LADIES.
BUT THESE LADIES ARE ACTUAL PROFESSIONALS, RIGHT?
>> WELL, PETITE JAMILLA AND MYSELF--MY NAME IS ANSUYA-- WE HAVE THE HONOR OF BEING IN THE BELLY DANCE SUPERSTARS COMPANY, SO... Huell: AH.
>> THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ALL SORT OF SHOOT FOR IN THE BELLY DANCE INDUSTRY.
Huell: HOW DOES ONE BECOME A BELLY DANCE SUPERSTAR?
>> WELL, HERE AT ROQS L.A., WE'RE ACTUALLY HAVING AUDITIONS FOR THE COMPANY, RIGHT?
>> WE ARE.
>> YEAH.
Huell: SO PEOPLE ARE COMIN' IN FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, I UNDERSTAND, TO AUDITION.
>> THEY ARE.
THEY'RE FLYING IN FROM NEW ZEALAND, UM, AND OTHER PLACES AS WELL, BUT NEW ZEALAND I KNOW FOR SURE.
Huell: BECAUSE NEW ZEALAND IS DEFINITELY A HOTBED FOR BELLY DANCING, RIGHT?
>> EVERYWHERE IS A HOTBED FOR BELLY DANCING NOW.
IT'S ALL OVER THE WORLD.
IT'S RAMPANT.
WHEREVER THERE'S WOMEN, THERE'S BELLY DANCE.
Huell: WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT, THIS RESURGENCE, THIS INTEREST IN BELLY DANCE?
>> YES, IT'S--I BELIEVE IT'S BECAUSE WOMEN REALLY GET TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES IN THEIR ENTIRETY THROUGH BELLY DANCE, SO WHEN A WOMAN WANTS TO BECOME MORE FIT, IF SHE CHOOSES TO DO SO THROUGH BELLY DANCE, NOT ONLY DOES SHE GET FITNESS, BUT HER WHOLE SOUL IS IMBUED WITH FEMININITY.
AS A MATTER OF FACT, PETITE JAMILLA, SHE DANCES WITH VEILS, AND THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE TOYS YOU GET TO PLAY WITH AND HOW FEMININE YOU CAN BECOME WITH THE DANCE, RIGHT?
>> THANK YOU.
IT'S MY SPECIALTY.
Huell: IS THIS--THIS IS VERY TRADITIONAL IN MANY WAYS, THOUGH, ISN'T IT?
GOING THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF YEARS BACK.
>> IT DEFINITELY HAS ANCESTRY IN IT.
UM, MUCH LIKE PEOPLE RECOGNIZE IN HULA DANCE, IT TELLS A STORY, A LOT ABOUT THE PAST AND ALSO ABOUT THE WOMEN THAT WE'VE BECOME AND INTERPRETED BELLY DANCE AS IN AMERICA.
IT'S CREATED ITS OWN CULTURE.
UM, IT IS MIDDLE EASTERN DANCE.
IT DOES STEM FROM THE ARAB CULTURE, BUT WE'VE ALSO TURNED IT INTO AN AMERICAN CULTURE.
>> IT DEFINITELY UNLOCKS THE FEMININE SOUL, WHICH HAS A LOT OF SENSUALITY IN IT NATURALLY, SO FOR WOMAN, THEY, I BELIEVE FEEL LIKE THEY ARE HAVING, UM, A SYMBIOTIC EXPERIENCE WITH THE PERFORMERS, WHERE THEY'RE REALLY BECOMING UNLEASHED BY WATCHING THE DANCE.
AND THEN FOR MEN, ALSO, SOME OF MY MOST INTROSPECTIVE AND SENSITIVE COMMENTS HAVE COME FROM MEN WHO ALSO FEEL HEALED BY THE BELLY DANCING, AND THEY'RE GIVEN PERMISSION TO WATCH SOMETHING SO SENSUAL WHILE STILL FEELING WHOLESOME ABOUT IT.
Huell: YEAH.
>> LIKE THEY CAN TAKE--YOU CAN TAKE THE WHOLE FAMILY TO THIS KIND OF SENSUAL EVENT THAT REALLY, REALLY ENCOURAGES THE SENSUALITY TO BE HEALTHY, RIGHT?
>> DEFINITELY.
Huell: IN A GOOD WAY, IN A POSITIVE WAY.
>> IN A POSITIVE WAY.
THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING.
Huell: IN A--IN A CLEAN WAY.
>> THANK YOU.
YES.
Huell: THERE'S NOTHING-- >> YES, SIR.
THAT'S RIGHT.
Huell: THERE'S NOTHING TO SNICKER ABOUT.
>> THAT'S SO--AND IT'S DEFINITELY NOTHING TO SNICKER ABOUT WHEN YOU GET INTO HOW MUCH TECHNIQUE.
I WAS WATCHING HER REHEARSE YESTERDAY.
OH, MY GOODNESS.
THE GIRLS ARE PUTTING SO MUCH ENERGY INTO THE, UH--TO THE PIECES THAT THEY'RE DOING.
[MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC PLAYING] Huell: SHE'S STANDIN' HERE BALANCIN' A SWORD ON HER HEAD, AND I KNOW THERE'S A REASON WHY YOU'RE DOIN' THAT.
>> YES.
I'M BALANCING A SAROYAN SWORD ON MY HEAD BECAUSE THIS IS FOR BELLY DANCING.
Huell: THEY ACTUALLY DANCE AND BALANCE A SWORD AT THE SAME TIME.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
Huell: NOW, THIS GOES WAY BACK.
>> WAY BACK.
MM-HMM.
Huell: THAT'S NOT A REAL SWORD, THOUGH, IS IT?
THAT'S NOT-- >> IT'S A REAL BELLY DANCE SWORD.
Huell: OH, OK. GOOD.
'CAUSE I WAS GONNA SAY IF THAT'S SHARP, WE'RE IN TROUBLE.
AND WHAT ELSE ARE YOU SELLIN' OVER HERE?
>> UM, THESE ARE ZILLS OR FINGER CYMBALS, OR SOMETIMES THEY'RE-- Huell: SHOW ME HOW THEY WORK.
>> SOMETIMES THEY'RE CALLED ZAGAT.
LET ME LET MY--LET ME LET MY WONDERFUL ASSOCIATE PLAY THEM.
[PLAYING ZILLS] Huell: AH.
NOW, DO YOU GET 2 IN EACH HAND?
AND THEY'RE CALLED WHAT?
>> THEY'RE CALLED FINGER CYMBALS OR ZILLS.
Huell: ZILLS.
>> ZILLS.
Huell: WOW.
AND THEY GO WAY BACK AS WELL.
>> THEY DO.
THIS IS ONE OF THE EARLIEST MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN THE WORLD.
Huell: REALLY?
SO DO THEY HAVE DIFFERENT... [PLAYING ZILLS] WOW.
YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKIN' ABOUT.
ARE YOU A FORMER BELLY DANCER?
>> I'M STILL A BELLY DANCER.
Huell: ONCE A BELLY DANCER... >> ALWAYS A BELLY DANCER.
YOU'RE RIGHT.
[LAUGHS] Huell: SHE'S TRYIN' ON A--WHAT IS THAT YOU'RE TRYIN' ON THERE?
>> BELLY DANCE SCARF.
Huell: A BELLY DANCE SCARF.
AND LOOK.
WE'VE GOT A WHOLE TABLE OF BELLY DANCE SCARVES.
>> WE GOT A LOT OF SERIOUS TOYS HERE.
Huell: HOW DO YOU DECIDE... >> IT'S--THAT'S THE THING.
YOU SPEND HOURS HERE TRYING TO DECIDE.
Huell: SO, WAIT A MINUTE.
SO, THESE ARE CALLED SCARVES.
>> RIGHT.
SEQUINED-- SEQUINED SHAWLS, ACTUALLY.
Huell: AND COME OVER HERE, 'CAUSE I WANT YOU TO TELL ME ABOUT THESE.
I'M GONNA LET YOU PICK THESE UP.
>> OH, WELL, I--[LAUGHS] YEAH, I--I'M NOT HERE TO BUY THESE TODAY, BUT THESE ARE GOOD.
Huell: WHAT ARE THEY CALLED?
>> UH, SEQUINED BRAS.
Huell: A SEQUINED BRA.
>> YEAH.
YEAH.
>> THIS IS A COMPLETE TURKISH COSTUME.
>> YES.
IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
>> BRA, BELT... >> OH, THAT'S GORGEOUS.
Huell: WOW.
HOLD THAT BELT UP HERE.
LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
>> YEAH, ISN'T THAT PRETTY?
Huell: WOW.
>> THAT'S A REAL PRETTY ONE.
Huell: WOW.
BOY, THAT'S HEAVY.
THAT'S BEADED.
>> YES.
>> OH, YEAH, AND IT MOVES REALLY NICE.
>> ALL HAND-BEADED.
Huell: SO YOU GOT THE BRA.
YOU GOT THE-- >> THE BELT.
Huell: THE BELT.
>> WE'VE GOT A SKIRT AND A VEIL.
Huell: AND SHE'S GOT A SCARF.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> WE'VE GOT EVERYTHING.
Huell: WOW.
AND WAIT A MINUTE.
YOU GOT JEWELRY.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
JEWELRY.
Huell: BUT WOULDN'T THE JEWELRY COME OFF WHEN YOU MOVE IT AROUND ALL THAT-- >> OH, NO.
NEVER.
AND WE EVEN HAVE-- Huell: UH-OH.
NOW YOU'RE PUTTIN' IT ON YOUR HEAD.
>> WE EVEN HAVE CHILDREN'S HIP SCARVES.
Huell: OH, WOW.
>> FOR THE LITTLE ONES.
Huell: I THOUGHT YOU WERE GONNA PUT THAT ON YOUR HEAD.
>> IT CAN BE A HEAD THING.
Huell: WOW.
YOU ARE A BELLY DANCER.
[LAUGHS] >> I'M GUILTY.
Huell: A WHOLE TABLE FULL OF... >> BELLY DANCING MUSIC.
Huell: BELLY DANCING MUSIC.
>> BELLY DANCING MUSIC, ALL KIND OF BELLY DANCING--MODERN, TRADITIONAL, EVERY KIND.
Huell: NOW, IN A--IN A STORE, HOW WOULD YOU KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR?
I DON'T KNOW ONE CD FROM ANOTHER.
>> ON EACH--ON EACH BACK OF THE CD... Huell: AH.
>> IT EXPLAINS YOU IF IT'S TRADITIONAL OR MODERN OR LEBANESE BELLY DANCING OR EGYPTIAN BELLY DANCING.
Huell: BECAUSE THERE'S BELLY DANCING LITERALLY ALL OVER THE WORLD.
>> YES, IT'S ALL OVER THE WORLD, BUT THERE ARE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COUNTRIES.
Huell: AH.
WOW.
>> SO EVERYTHING EXPLAINS YOU AND WHAT KIND AND EVERY KIND OF THING.
[MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC PLAYING] [AUDIENCE CLAPPING TO MUSIC, CHEERING] Huell: SHE'S A BELLY DANCER.
>> YES, I SURE AM.
Huell: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BELLY DANCING?
>> SINCE, UH, 1983.
Huell: OK. >> YEAH.
Huell: SO THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF BELLY DANCING IS CHANGING AND EVOLVING, ISN'T IT?
>> YES, IT CERTAINLY IS.
>> FROM WHAT TO WHAT?
>> WELL, IT--JUST ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF--THERE'S TRIBAL, AND THERE'S FUSION AND ADDING THINGS TO IT.
Huell: UH-HUH.
>> BUT IT'S STILL BELLY DANCING.
Huell: AND WHAT-- >> STILL CABARET.
Huell: AND WHAT--WHAT'S YOUR SPECIALTY?
>> WELL, I LIKE TO BELLY DANCE AND DO--BUT I DON'T THINK ANYONE REALLY WANTS TO SEE A 82-YEAR-OLD BELLY DANCING, SO I PUT-- Huell: WELL, WHY NOT?
>> I PUT MAGIC TO IT.
Huell: OH.
SO YOU'RE A-- >> I WEAR-- Huell: SO YOU'RE--YOU DO MAGIC TRICKS... >> I DO MAGIC.
Huell: AND BELLY DANCE AT THE SAME TIME.
>> YES.
I DO A LOT OF VEILS AND SILKS AND THINGS.
YEAH.
Huell: BUT LOOK.
YOU'RE STILL SMILIN'.
IT'S WONDERFUL.
IT'S FUN.
>> IT'S VERY GOOD FOR YOU.
YEAH.
Huell: IN WHAT WAY?
>> IT'S GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH.
YEAH.
YEAH.
AND YOUR FIGURE.
MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD.
[SPANISH MUSIC PLAYING] Huell: BELLY DANCERS FROM... >> ANAHEIM.
Huell: ANAHEIM.
ANOTHER HOTBED OF BELLY DANCING HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU ALL BEEN BELLY DANCING?
>> PROBABLY ABOUT-- >> FOR, LIKE, ABOUT 8 YEARS.
>> YEAH.
>> 8, 7 YEARS.
Huell: 7 OR 8 YEARS?
>> YEAH.
Huell: HOW GOOD DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW?
>> WE'RE AWESOME.
>> YEAH.
Huell: WOW.
AND WHAT DO YOU TELL YOUR FRIENDS AT SCHOOL?
>> THAT WE LIKE TO BELLY DANCE.
Huell: AND WHAT DO THEY THINK WHEN YOU SAY THAT THE FIRST TIME?
>> THEY THINK IT'S COOL.
Huell: OH, MY GOSH.
LOOK AT THAT.
LOOK AT THE-- COME ON, LADIES.
HUSBAND AND WIFE BELLY DANCER AND SUPPORTER OF BELLY DANCING.
>> I PROVIDE THE BEAT.
>> HE'S THE DRUMMER.
Huell: YOU'RE KIDDING.
>> NO.
NO, I'M--I'VE GOT MY DRUM RIGHT HERE.
Huell: OH, SO YOU DO THE DRUMMING... >> UH-HUH.
Huell: AND YOU DO THE DANCING.
>> EXACTLY.
>> IF YOU'D BEEN HERE EARLIER, YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN US ONSTAGE.
Huell: WOW.
SO THIS IS SOMETHI'' THAT YOU DO TOGETHER AS A COUPLE.
>> YES, DEFINITELY.
>> EXACTLY.
Huell: NOW, DID YOU START BELLY DANCING FIRST, AND HE STARTED DRUMMING, OR DID HE-- >> YEAH, I STARTED DANCING FIRST, AND HE WAS A REALLY GREAT, SUPPORTIVE HUSBAND FOR A FEW YEARS, AND THEN HE STARTED DRUMMING, SO THEN NOW WE GET TO PERFORM TOGETHER.
Huell: WOW.
>> I LIKE THE MUSIC, NOT TO MENTION THE COSTUMES.
[MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC PLAYING] [AUDIENCE CLAPPING TO MUSIC] Huell: NOW, I WATCHED YOU DANCE ONSTAGE... >> YES.
Huell: AND I WAS LOOKING AT YOUR FACE.
YOU REALLY GET INTO THIS, DON'T YOU?
>> DEFINITELY, YES.
I GET REALLY INTO THE MUSIC.
I JUST WISH I COULD UNDERSTAND THE LYRICS SOMETIMES ALL THE WAY.
Huell: NOW, AREN'T YOU, UH, FROM THE MIDDLE EAST?
>> NO, I'M HISPANIC.
Huell: YOU'RE HISPANIC.
>> YES.
Huell: SO YOU DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND THE WORDS.
>> NO, I DON'T.
I DO UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF THE SONG, BUT I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE LYRICS.
Huell: DO THE LYRICS REALLY MAKE THAT MUCH DIFFERENCE?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
Huell: OR IS IT THE BEAT OR THE RHYTHM OF THE MUSIC?
>> RIGHT.
YOU'RE ABS--YOU, UM-- AUTOMATICALLY YOU GET TO EXPRESS YOURSELF MORE ONCE YOU KNOW THE LYRICS.
Huell: UH-HUH.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
AND YOU GET SO PASSIONATE.
YOU GET REALLY INTO IT.
MAKES A LOT OF DIFFERENCE.
Huell: REALLY?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
Huell: HAD YOU BEEN ABLE TO EXPRESS YOURSELF THIS WAY BEFORE YOU GOT INTO BELLY DANCING?
>> NO.
I DON'T THINK SO.
NO.
NO.
Huell: YOU WERE KINDA HOLDIN' BACK.
>> YES, I THINK--I THINK SO, BUT AUTOMATICALLY, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST THE MORE YOU GET INTO BELLY DANCING, THE MORE YOU LEARN THE CULTURE, THE MORE YOU GET, UH, INTERESTED, AND THE MORE I WANNA LEARN.
>> AMERICA'S ACTUALLY THE NUMBER ONE COUNTRY FOR BELLY DANCE IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW.
NOBODY REALIZED THAT.
Huell: WAIT A MINUTE.
AMERICA?
>> AMERICA.
THERE ARE MORE BELLY DANCERS IN AMERICA THAN THE REST OF THE WORLD PUT TOGETHER.
BUT IT'S SPREADING NOW, SO, YOU KNOW I SORT OF PUT 2 AND 2 TOGETHER, AND I--I WANNA BUILD THE MARKET EVEN BIGGER, BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING THAT WOMEN REALLY ENJOY, 'CAUSE YOU SEE A--A WIDE SELECTION OF WOMEN HERE.
Huell: SURE.
>> OLDER, YOUNGER.
AND UNLIKE, LET'S SAY, BALLET, WHERE IF YOU DON'T START WHEN YOU'RE 4, PRETTY MUCH YOU'RE OUT OF IT, YOU KNOW, A-AND IT'S REALLY A YOUNG WOMEN'S ART FORM.
THIS IS AN ART FORM THAT WOMEN, ALMOST ANY SIZE OR SHAPE OR AGE CAN APPRECIATE.
AND IT'S KIND OF FUN.
IT'S A BIT EXOTIC, AND IT'S ALSO--BECAUSE IT'S MUSIC FROM OVERSEAS, FROM THE MIDDLE EAST AND WHATEVER, I THINK IT OPENS PEOPLE'S MINDS ABOUT A CUL-- OTHER CULTURES, SO IT'S--IT'S A VERY POSITIVE SORT OF THING, YOU KNOW.
AND--AND HAVING GROWN UP IN THE MIDDLE EAST, OF COURSE I'M QUITE INTERESTED IN ANYTHING KIND OF CROSS-POLLINATION BETWEEN THAT PART OF THE WORLD AND THIS PART OF THE WORLD, PARTICULARLY NOW THAT WE HAVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS.
YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THEM, THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND US, AND FINDING COMMON GROUND ISN'T EASY, AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE COMMON GROUNDS.
AND YOU LOOK AROUND HERE, AND YOU SEE SUCH A GREAT, INTERESTING SELECTION OF AMERICAN WOMEN WHO ARE ENJOYING--ENJOYING THE ART FORM AND--AND BEING ADVENTUROUS WITH IT.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THIS--THIS GROUP HERE, THEY'RE-- THEY'RE PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES ONE WAY.
OTHERS ARE PUSHING IT ANOTHER WAY.
WE IN THE BELLY DANCE SUPERSTARS, WE--WE THROW IN BALLET.
WE THROW IN POLYNESIAN.
WE THROW IN INDIAN DANCE.
SO WE TAKE BELLY DANCE AS AN ART FORM AND REALLY LOOK AT IT AS A BIG PICTURE, AND IT'S A--IT'S A BEAUTIFUL ART FORM.
AND--AND I THINK THE THING ABOUT IT THAT--FOR ME, I--I APPRECIATE MOST IS THAT IT'S AN ART FORM ABOUT THE REAL BEAUTY OF A WOMAN, BEAUTY THAT'S INSIDE AND--AND WHAT SHE EXUDES.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE NUDE.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE, YOU KNOW--BE THROWING SEX OUT.
WE--WE CALL IT SENSUAL, NOT SEXUAL.
AND I THINK THAT EVEN MEN APPRECIATE THAT.
YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T WANNA ALWAYS--I MEAN, WE'RE NOT-- WE'RE NOT THAT CRASS AS TO ALWAYS HAVE TO HAVE THINGS IN THE NUDE, YOU KNOW.
SO I THINK THAT THIS IS A VERY WHOLESOME ART FORM.
YOUNG GIRLS, OLD GIRLS, EVERY AGE.
AND I THINK IT'S SOMETHING VERY POSITIVE ABOUT IT.
AND SO WE--WE FORMED THE FESTIVAL TO KIND OF CONTINUE BROADENING THE SCOPE SO WE ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE IN, 'CAUSE IT'S SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL, AND--AND IT WORKS AROUND THE WORLD.
[MAS QUE NADA PLAYING] Huell: THIS IS PRETTY EXCITING.
I'VE NEVER BEEN AROUND THIS MANY BELLY DANCERS BEFORE IN MY LIFE.
GIVE ME A WAVE, LADIES.
>> [ULULATING] Huell: WOW.
AND YOU MADE THE NOISE.
>> [ULULATING] Huell: YEAH.
>> IT'S CALLED ZAGHAREET.
Huell: ZAGHAREET.
>> ZAGHAREET.
IT'S AN ULULATION, AND IT MEANS, "WHOO HOO."
Huell: NOW, WAIT A MINUTE.
BEFORE I DO ANYTHING ELSE, I SAW YOU OUT THERE WITH THIS.
>> YEAH.
Huell: YOU KNOW, AS AN AMERICAN, THIS REMINDS ME OF A HULA HOOP.
>> THAT IS A HULA HOOP.
Huell: SO THIS DOESN'T GO BACK IN TIME.
THIS ISN'T SOME ANCIENT RITUAL THING.
Huell: NO.
IT'S PRETTY MODERN, ACTUALLY.
Huell: WELL, SO IS THAT PART OF WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH BELLY DANCING IN AMERICA TODAY?
IS IT--PEOPLE CAN--YOU CAN ADJUST IT AND--AND MAKE IT ANYTHING YOU WANT TO.
>> YEAH, DEFINITELY.
DEFINITELY.
>> THAT'S WHAT WE LOVE TO DO.
IT'S CALLED FUSION, AND WE FUSE BELLY DANCE WITH SAMBA AND WITH, UH, ALL KINDS OF PERFORMANCE ARTS, AND WE DO HIP-HOP WITH IT.
IT'S REALLY ENTERTAINING.
Huell: WOW.
>> HERE.
>> AND WE'D LIKE YOU TO HAVE SOME BEADS.
Huell: YEAH, BECAUSE... >> LET ME BEAD YOU.
Huell: YOU WERE DOIN' A WHOLE-- THE WHOLE, UH, RIO CARNAVAL THING UP THERE.
>> RIGHT.
THAT--THAT'S RIGHT.
>> YES, WE WERE.
Huell: YOU LOVE WHAT YOU'RE DOIN'.
>> I LOVE TO BELLY DANCE, AND I LOVE THE GROUP OF WOMEN THAT I'M WITH, AND I'M LUCKY THAT I GET TO SPEND TIME WITH THEM AND DANCE WITH THEM AND EXPRESS THEIR--OURSELVES THIS WAY.
Huell: IT'S KIND OF A LIBERATING THING, ISN'T IT?
>> VERY MUCH.
>> AND IT'S ALSO SOMETHING YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR DAUGHTER.
THIS IS HER DAUGHTER.
Huell: REALLY?
>> AND THIS IS MINE.
>> REALLY?
>> YEAH.
AND MADDY AND CELESTE ARE MOTHER, DAUGHTER, TOO.
Huell: WHERE ARE THE MOTHER AND DAUGHTER?
WHERE'S THE MOTHER, AND WHERE'S THE DAUGHTER?
>> [LAUGHTER] >> BLESS YOU, HUELL.
Huell: WOW, THIS IS GREAT.
AND YOU WERE SMILIN' FROM EAR TO EAR UP THERE.
YOU LOVE IT, DON'T YOU?
>> I LOVE IT.
IT'S SO MUCH FUN.
I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING--ANY BETTER WAY TO SPEND MY TIME.
Huell: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL WOMEN OUT THERE WATCHIN' THIS RIGHT NOW ABOUT THE JOYS OF BELLY DANCING?
>> BELLY DANCE IS FOR ANYBODY.
IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW OLD YOU ARE, WHAT SIZE YOU ARE.
IT'S WONDERFUL FOR EVERYONE.
IT'S THE BEST EXERCISE, IT'S SO MUCH FUN, AND IT'S TOTALLY OPEN TO ANYONE TO COME AND DO IT, SO PLEASE DO.
COME DANCE.
Huell: AND IT'S SUCH AN INTERESTING COMBINATION OF PHYSICALITY AND THIS SENSE OF JUST WATCHIN' YOU ALL, IT'S SEEMS SO LIBERATING AT THE SAME TIME.
>> IT REALLY IS.
IT'S REALLY AN EXPRESSION OF JOY.
IT'S SO WONDERFUL, SO I REALLY ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO'S EVER EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT IT EVEN A LITTLE BIT TO COME AND DO IT.
IT'S FANTASTIC.
>> IT'S FUN TO DO IT IN THE CLASS, AND THE EXERCISE AND THE CAMARADERIE, THE SISTERHOOD, IT'S JUST A GREAT EXPERIENCE.
Huell: YEAH.
>> YES, AND IT'S A WONDERFUL WAY TO EXPRESS YOUR CREATIVITY... Huell: YEAH.
>> ALL TOGETHER IN A GROUP LIKE THIS.
Huell: WELL, YOU ALL--ALL MEET EVERY--YOU ALL DANCE TOGETHER EVERY WEEK?
>> YES.
>> COUPLE TIMES A WEEK.
>> AT LEAST ONCE, SOMETIMES MORE THAN ONCE.
Huell: REALLY?
>> YES.
>> SO YOU GET HOOKED ON THIS.
>> I CAN TELL YOU IT'S THE MOST ADDICTIVE THING IN THE UNIVERSE.
WE CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT.
Huell: HOOKED ON BELLY DANCING?
>> [LAUGHS] IT'S GREAT RELIEF FROM THE REST OF LIFE.
Huell: HOOKED ON BELLY DANCING?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
Huell: HOOKED ON BELLY DANCING?
>> HOOKED.
Huell: HOOKED, HOOKED, HOOKED.
>> DEFINITELY.
>> LOTS OF FUN.
Huell: THERE THEY ARE.
GIVE US A WAVE.
>> [ULULATING] Huell: BOY, WHAT A HAPPY GROUP OF LADIES HERE.
SO THAT'S IT.
THAT'S OUR DAY HERE IN GLENDALE AT ROQS L.A., OR L.A. ROQS, OR L.A. SHIMMIES OR WHATEVER THEY'RE DOIN' RIGHT NOW.
IT'S ALL ABOUT HISTORY AND CULTURE AND LIBERATION AND FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF.
IT'S ALL ABOUT BELLY DANCING.
I HOPE YOU'VE LEARNED AS MUCH AND HAD AS MUCH FUN AS I HAVE AT THIS WONDERFUL CARNAVAL WITH ALL OF THIS POSITIVE, WONDERFUL ENERGY.
THIS HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL DAY.
>> [ULULATING] Huell: WHOO HOO!
[MIDDLE EASTERN MUSIC PLAYING] [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FRIENDS OF NCI] [CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org--] [MAN SINGING IN MIDDLE EASTERN LANGUAGE] [AUDIENCE CLAPPING TO MUSIC]
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