The Golden Apple: Bellydance Stars of New York (belly dance performances)

Starring:Golden Apple-Bellydance Stars of New York
Studio: WorldDance New York
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Product Description
The Golden Apple features original belly dance choreographies and improvisations by three dedicated artists and stars of the New York City belly dance scene Jenna, Blanca, and Neon and a special performance by Jehan, a renowned NYC choreographer and master teacher whose creative vision contributed significantly to shaping the three performers' individual dance styles. The music and dance styles presented in this program range from traditional to contemporary.

All four dance artists in this recording share a vision of bellydance as a highly emotive art. Entertaining and glamorous, their dance presentations retain a strong focus on the message of each piece. In the exotic language of bellydance they talk about the emotional journey and the spiritual search of a modern-day woman.

DVD bonus features:

Performance by Jehan from Jehan's Off-Boradway extravaganza "Goddessdance" ("21st Century Priestess")
"Jammed Tight" - Near-Eastern jazz fusion - original composition by Souren Baronian, performed by "Taksim" trio
Optional subtitles display discography for Jehan and "Taksim" and English-language lyrics of Jehan's songs
Discography pages for Jehan and "Taksim" trio
3 Photo slide shows

System Requirements:

Running Time 55 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

The Golden Apple: Bellydance Stars of New York (belly dance performances)

Average customer rating:

Golden Apple Stars of New York-Belly Dancers
Lovely dancers, lovely performances, nothing spectacular.
Rock on, ladies!
Shimmy Shimmy Y'all!
what a waste! REVISED!

The Golden Apple: Bellydance Stars of New York (belly dance performances)
Starring: Blanca , Jenna , Neon , and Taksim Trio
Manufacturer: WorldDance New York
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007XLFC2
Release Date: 2005-02-20

Product Description

The Golden Apple features original belly dance choreographies and improvisations by three dedicated artists and stars of the New York City belly dance scene Jenna, Blanca, and Neon and a special performance by Jehan, a renowned NYC choreographer and master teacher.
The music and dance styles presented in this program range from traditional to contemporary.
All four dance artists in this recording share a vision of bellydance as a highly emotive art. Entertaining and glamorous, their dance presentations retain a strong focus on the message of each piece. In the exotic language of bellydance they talk about the emotional journey and the spiritual search of a modern-day woman.

Customer Reviews:

Golden Apple Stars of New York-Belly Dancers.......2007-03-15

I found this video to be well presented and professional.
The content is exciting and well performed. The dancers show their talent very well and if I have one negative comment it is that I think the dances are more inclined towards the Western concept of the dance rather than the authentic Eastern.
Nevertheless, all the performers show excellent talent.
I would reccommend this video to anyone interested in Belly Dancing.

Lovely dancers, lovely performances, nothing spectacular........2006-11-08

Fair production value, although the dances/dancers are very poorly lit at times. Bellydance fans will probably appreciate this DVD. Bellydancers may find it repetitive. There are four beautiful women performing on the CD (one is full figured goddess Jehan) and only three pictured on the cover (the slim ones). Tsk tsk...

Rock on, ladies!.......2006-06-25

Since when has Randall Grass, manager of NJ indie label Shanachie Records, become an expert on bellydance? The self appointed "Duke of Soul" from Marlton NJ who wrote "What a waste" review below may know his way around reggae, Irish and soul music, but shame on him for reviewing his competitors' music and video productions and blurting out opinions about, of all things, bellydancing. Click on the wish list in his profile, and you'll see Randall Grass' name. Ironically I own a stack of Shanachie records CDs....
Oh, BTW Randall also reviewed a couple CDs by....Shanachie Records!...
giving his reviews modest titles like "quality from beginning to end".... Bad boy!

"The Golden Apple" -- I love it!
Every dancer displays great individuality. I've seen these ladies perform and the dances on this DVD are just as artful and soulful as they are in live performance. Kudos to them for putting out this production. You elevate our dance form to beyond mere entertainment, to the level of high art!

Shimmy Shimmy Y'all!.......2006-05-19

In the "About This DVD" section, Neon explains that her goal was to create a performance DVD that expresses what we feel everyday in our lives while leaving behind the parameters of bellydance origin, technique and history. She accomplishes just that and does a superb job. It may be a good idea to include this statement on the cover if it's ever re-designed.

The performances are mostly done to non-traditional music by Jehan. The music is mystical and sensuous and really hooked me. I was disappointed to find that all of Jehan's CD's are completely sold out when I visited her site. Neon, Blanca and Jenna express the messages of the songs, truly interpreting them through their dance. These dancers also demonstrate the sense of empowerment that the dance has given to so many of us. My instructor would describe them as "real" as they are not "performing." They dance with a clear sense of freedom, emotion and joy rather than stiff, rehearsed routines. Each dancer is obviously enjoying herself and this is so important in this dance - they're definitely letting their inner goddess out to play, and She's having a blast. The performances are very sensuous without being overtly sexual or inappropriate and the sets and costumes are absolutely magical. There are candles, veils and an amazing sword duet.

The most outstanding part of this DVD, I think, is Jehan's performance. This is the first and only performance DVD that I've seen that features a goddess-sized dancer in all her beauty and magnificence. They deserve kudos for that.

If you're not stuck in the mindset that traditional middle eastern dance should not be deviated from, have a true appreciation of art and recognize bellydance as an art form, you'll appreciate this DVD. The dancers truly demonstrate the creative and expressive spirit of the dance and are true artists. If you practice this style of dance as we do in our troupe, you'll be inspired by these excellent performances. Whether you are a dancer or just a fan of the dance, opening your mind and heart to this break from tradition will show you the incredible art that is possible in bellydance.

what a waste! REVISED!.......2006-05-09

in light of the unjustified personal attack on this review and on me by one Brooke B. in her review above, I must add the following clarification, detailing my qualifications, since Brook B. suggests that I do not have sufficient knowledge of bellydance to review the video. My qualifications:
--extensive travel in the Middle East and North Africa, where I witnessed both folk and cabaret dancers in Greece, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Morocco and Tunisia;
--thirty-five years spent following danse oriental or "bellydance" incl.
endless hours in the Greek clubs of Eighth Ave. in NYC in the 70's, witnessing many fine dancers and musicians, including the great Minee at
Egyptian Gardens
--saw the great legendary Nadia Gamal perform at Town Hall in NYC in her only U.S. appearance
--spent substantial hours researching Middle Eastern and African dance at the Lincoln Center Dance Library
--had the honor and privilege to have known and learned from Ibrahim "Bobby" Farrah, one of the foremost authorities on Middle Eastern
dance in America, who personally helped me find exemplary music at Rashid's and directed me to authoritative sources about Middle East dance
--have viewed extensive footage of cabaret and folkloric dancers from the Middle East and Afica and have seen literally hundreds of "bellydancers" of all levels of ability, including many notable ones!
I should also note that my company has never issued a bellydance video and so I am not reviewing a competing product.
I do not consider myself an expert but in light of the above submit that the review below is at least an informed opinion...but it is only
one man's opinion; it is not a bad video ( I am a long-time fan of Taksim)
but as one who spent money to buy it I was disappointed

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
this video is very nicely shot with good production values...the music, often provided by Taksim and sometimes is reasonably good techno tracks, is good. But the dancers are just not very good--average at best. What a waste! Why go to all the effort of mounting a production like this only to feature mediocre dance routines which often don't relate to the music at all. There are probably a few dozen dancers in the greater NYC area who are far superior and could have delivered far more exciting performances.

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