 "Photo: Pedro Corona/Poly Post")
 "Photo: Pedro Corona/Poly Post")
Cal Poly hosted Gothla US 2010, with the theme of “Journey to the Underworld” in Ursa Major, this past weekend.
“It is a very, very big deal,” said Kylie “Ma’isah” Martin, a performer and the hostess of Gothla. “People have planned their year around it.”
Gothla consisted of a variety of workshops on gothic belly dance and performances by their top belly dancers from around the world.
The event consisted of several groups and solo expert dancers.
Although gothic was in the event’s title, many of the acts tied a variety of dances from many “non” gothic cultures.
One that was the most seen and widely known was the Middle Eastern traditional dance, the belly dance.
Belly dancing involves all parts of the body, especially the hips.
There are various forms of it, which depends on the country and region. New styles of it have been invented in the United States.
The performer named Annar used her body to tell the story of a priestess at the edge of Hades.
She wore a glittered, all-black costume with a black mesh veil and her dance echoed the inner turmoil of the character she was portraying.
Her body was moving to the beat with a rhythm of a heartbeat.
A group called “Mortifera” did an interpretive fight dance.
They were dressed as warriors ready to fight to the death with their Mohawks and chains.
Gothic Belly dance incorporates elements from goth subculture, which can be found in many countries.
The imagery and norms can be traced to 19th century literature, which combines both horror and romance.
“I was always just really attracted to the darker side of things,” said Abby (Asharah) Keyes, gothic belly dancer. “And I don’t know if I consider myself a Goth in like the label sense but I’ve always been attracted to that sort of the macabre.”
Asharah got into belly dancing while working on her degree for Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University.
“People are afraid of anybody who embraces anything dark,” said Asharah. “The media has really done a disservice to people like us.”
Lacey Sanchez, one of the belly dancers, said she was often criticized for not being Goth enough.
“I tend to attach myself to the theatrics and the emotional side of things,” said Sanchez. “I feel like I’m safe here to be whoever I want to be, no labels. I can really express whatever feeling. I’m totally free to do that.”
The event was hosted by Australian belly dancer Ma’isah, who is well established in the gothic belly-dancing world.
Reach Christy Burd at: lifestyle@thepolypost.com
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