7 minute read
CULTURAL DANCE FOUND IN OUR TOWN
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.
From 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.
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 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!
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.
BELLYDANCING
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.
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 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.
WHAT CLOTHING IS TRADITIONALLY WORN WHEN TAKING PART IN BELLYDANCING?
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.
BOLLYWOOD DANCING
WHERE DID YOUR DANCE ORIGINATE?
Bollywood Dancing is an umbrella term that covers dances set to Bollywood music. Bollywood or the Hindi Film industry is based in Mumbai, Maharastra. However, there are many styles of folk dance and classical dance (from all around India) that have representation in Bollywood, as well as Western Influences such as hip hop, ballet, Latin and others.
HOW LARGE IS THE TOOWOOMBA BELLYDANCING COMMUNITY?
We have a few students in Toowoomba that do our online classes each week and we absolutely love being able to reach our regional students! We used to have a physical branch in Toowoomba, back in the day, and regularly come to Woodford Folk Festival, so it is wonderful that through the power of online classes, we can maintain this connection.
WHAT IS A BOLLYWOOD MISCONCEPTION?
People think Bollywood dancing is Jai Ho, or turning the lightbulb and that there is not much artistry or technique behind it. In actual fact, Jai Ho is from Hollywood, not a Bollywood movie! And, as with anything, you’ll have excellent teachers and academies who have staff with a high level of technical training and understanding, and you’ll have others who are doing it as more of a hobby.
WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU DANCE TO?
Bollywood of course!
WHAT COSTUME IS TRADITIONALLY WORN WHEN BOOLYWOOD DANCING?
It depends on the style of Bollywood. If we are doing a Bollyhop number it would be streetwear and kicks, or trainers. If it is something semiclassical for a wedding, we would wear a Lehengha Choli (maxi skirt and crop top) with a dupatta. If it is something that is folk, e.g. Garba, we would wear the Gujrtati Channiya Choli (skirt and blouse), or for Bhangra we would wear Kurta Pajama or Patiala (long dresslike short and pants).
If you want to know more about Dance Masala you can find them on YouTube and Facebook or @dancemasala on instagram. Check out their website at www.bollywoodbrisbane.com.au. They have half price Friday classes or you can subscribe to our tutorial website for just $5 a month at online.dancemasala.com.au
ABORIGINAL DANCE
WHERE DID YOUR DANCE ORIGINATE?
Mura Biri Gururu Aboriginal Dancers originated from the small Queensland town of Oakey, 30km west of Toowoomba
WHAT MOVEMENTS ARE SPECIAL FOR YOUR DANCE?
There are a few signature moves our dancers do which is not only done by our group but from different groups and tribes around Australia. Firstly, stomping of the feet is an important action done by the males which is done to lift dust up from the ground to awaken the spirits.The shuffle which is a delicate gentle foot sliding action done by the women, a dance move learnt from our ancestors by watching how the brolgas and emus danced. Also the wellknown dance move called the shake-a-leg, a move that represents and imitates the flapping wings of piyimpir the butterfly.
WHAT CLOTHING IS TRADITIONALLY WORN WHEN TAKING PART IN YOUR DANCE?
We have two different costumes one for the men and one for females. Our costumes have been customised to a more modern day style rather than the traditional style. The male (mayinj) wear a judgee or lap-lap which is a waist cloth that covers front and back usually in red or brown, No shirt or foot wear is worn. The women wear a black top and black pants, with a traditional skirt made from emu feathers. Both wear a wool crafted belt and headware with emu or cockatoo feathers that dangle from them. They also use white ochre; a white sediment which is crushed into a powder and mix with water to create a paste which is used for body and face paint.
WHAT MUSIC DO YOU DANCE TO?
We present our music the ancient way by singing the language that was sung by our ancestors, accompanied by the didgeridoo and clapsticks. The dancers also chant whilst dancing. All of these sounds combined represent the sounds of the land and helps call upon the good spirits.
