GALIT MERSAND'S "BELLYLICIOUS" SHOW

Fasten your bra straps, loosen your hips & hold on tight:  ladies &  gentlemen, Galit Mersand is in town again with her one woman show “Bellylicious”.  She is here to entertain, amuse & educate in her own unique style as a mixed crowd of both seasoned belly dancers & those new to this wonderful world gather at the Battersea Barge to experience an evening’s entertainment I would urge you not to miss!

Designed not only to showcase her dancing, Galit’s show flows from start to finish with her own amusing commentary between each number.  Giving cultural insight & humour, the show enlightens us on the finer points of belly dance, often overlooked by Western audiences.  From the questions we all never dare to ask (“Is she wearing any knickers under that costume??!") to explaining cultural points of reference that would be missed by many a spectator, Galit covers it all during the show as her crowd are drawn in by her humour & personality.

Galit made her entrance with an oriental veil piece & immediately her infectious energy & fluid, graceful dancing had her crowd captivated & smiling. The atmosphere on the Battersea Barge was immediately transformed to one of a Cairo club &, as soon as the music finished, Galit put her audience at ease as we burst into laughter & learnt the art of the “zagreet” - nothing new to those dancers among you, no, but an enlightening experience for friends & partners (men, take note …).

A self confessed serial flirt, Galit had her audience giggling gleefully with anecdotes about her yoga teacher & other hapless men to cross her path.  With a glint in her eye, she then began a taqasim.  Every pop, drop & undulation was precisely executed as Galit drew upon her extensive performance background & expertise to keep her crowd captivated throughout.

After a brief interval, in which food & drink continued to flow on the barge, the second part of the show took us from the cabaret clubs to the streets.  Setting the scene once again with her witty banter, our hostess in Café Cairo worked the tables to entertain & enthral with her famous (or infamous!) shisha dance (above left).  Galit introduces us to the colourful characters & dances from the streets of Cairo: from the powerful Malima to the playful Malaya leff, Galit was able to give her own interpretation of the interchange between characters.

The third section of the show began with a stick dance a la Galit in which we saw yet another, this time naughtier, side of her versatile character in a stunning black trouser suit & cane.  We also learnt the finer art of how to tip a belly dancer Cairo style. Once the first brave audience member left their seat with the ‘practice money’ we found on our tables (fifty pound notes only, of course!), Galit was soon being showered from head to toe with her own currency(above right).  She was quick to tell us that only those with a  big wad of cash need leave their seats!

The drum solo is the ultimate chance for a dancer to show off, something that by now we are left in no doubt that Galit just loves to do - & she did not disappoint! Showgirl from start to finish, the crowd was mesmerised throughout (&, just for the record, anyone who can dance a tabla solo standing on a chair on a moving barge deserves your respect!). The finale saw everyone dancing in the aisles & leaving their inhibitions behind (left) as the evening drew to a close.

The Battersea Barge itself is an intimate, cozy & relaxed venue, perfect for a show combining cabaret & comedy in Galit’s unique take on belly dance.  Bellylicious is returning by popular demand to London & Brighton venues, so book your tickets & prepare yourself for an evening’s entertainment not to be missed!

 

Words by Harriet Gervasio  - Harriet (pictured right, outside the Battersea Barge after the show) started belly dancing 10 years ago.  She completed the JWAAD teacher training course & is a member of the 'Johara' dance company directed by Josephine Wise.  She performs throughout London.

Photos of the Bellylicious show taken by Johara, website editor of London Belly Dance.

Galit Mersand, Israeli-born, has been teaching & performing bellydance for over a decade.  Galit teaches regular classes in Brighton, & workshops in Brighton and London.

The next Bellylicious show takes place at the Battesea Barge on 14 December 2008.