CULTURAL DANCE FOUND IN OUR TOWN Toowoomba is a town of diversity and cultural exchange, without language, all you have remaining is movement, and we are very lucky to have so many cultural dance options.
We spoke to some of Toowoomba’s talented dancers to find out what makes their moves so special. We also asked about the history behind the dances. From DrumDance Bellydance we spoke with Madonna Teitzel, a certified American Tribal Style Bellydance teacher here in Toowoomba. Madonna began learning the art of bellydancing in 1994. When she started she said it made her feel strong, feminine and improved her self esteem enormously. She has been teaching and performing this unique dance now for more than 25-years and is happy to share the history and discpline of bellydancing. From Dance Masala is Drea, founder and dance coach. She accidentally discovered bollywood dancing at 19. With a background in visual art, performance and music. With interests already in bollywood music and it’s interesting scales, amazing singing and
HOW LARGE IS THE TOOWOOMBA BELLYDANCING COMMUNITY? We are a small group of dedicated dancers and musicians. We used to hold a Hafla (Middle Eastern for dance and music party) every quarter where we would come together to dance and play. These days it is an annual event where we dress in our finery and perform for each other, the Toowoomba public, our families and friends.
WHAT SPECIAL TRICKS AND MOVEMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BELLYDANCE? Bellydance focusses on isolating various muscles groups, upper and lower torso, arms, head and hands. The aim is to bring it all together in a beautiful, flowing, elegant dance interpreting the music. We
Our style of costume draws from the adornments, jewellery and make-up from differentcultures such as Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Afghanistan and India. We wear pantaloons under a full skirt, coin or decorated bra, choli, heavy ethnic jewellery, turban or head scarf and usually no shoes. Sometimes the midriff is exposed and other times it isn’t,
WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU DANCE TO? Egyptian, Turkish, Moroccan rhythms and songs. We often dance to live percussion with the musicians playing darbouka, frame drum, tabal, ney flute, arghul, mizmar. The dancers play sagat which are small finger cymbals. If you are interested in learning this exotic dance contact Madonna Teitzel at madonna@drumdance.com.au.
Mura Biri Gururu Aboriginal Dancers was founded in 2010 by 16-year-old Muruwarri/Mardigan man William Haupt. He created the dance in his backyard to music from a didgeridoo. They started with just four dancers and the troupe has now grown to forty. William shares some of his culture and tradition through dance.
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WHAT CLOTHING IS TRADITIONALLY WORN WHEN TAKING PART IN BELLYDANCING?
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syncopated rhythms, the music spoke to her. She tried a Bollywood Hip Hop class and not only enjoyed it, after some time, the teacher noticed and Drea soon found herself performing at weddings and sangeets (Indian music and dance night for the wedding). One opportunity led to another and in 2012 Dance Masala was born!
The origin of Bellydance is the The Middle East and specifically the folk dances of Egypt and Turkey. The style my troupe, DrumDance Bellydance, practise has taken elements of Egyptian folk dance and inspiration from a collective of dancers in the United States called FatChanceBellyDance under the guidance of the creator Carolena Nericcio. It is not authentic but rather a folkloric fusion.
can balance swords, sticks or baskets, but not all at the same time. It’s not an easy dance to learn, and can take many years to feel confident, it takes lots of practice but students can learn basic isolations in a few classes. I am still learning after many years and finding ways to adapt the dance to suit my needs as I mature.
BELLYDANCING
F
rom the chimes of bellydancing to the bagpipes of Irish dance, there isn’t enough room to share all the cultural dance varieties our community has to offer. Dance is important in all cultures and it is a common way of passing on tradition and telling stories.
WHERE DID YOUR DANCE ORIGINATE?
