Disclaimer - I’ve danced with these women for years, and even though I’m not dancing with them this year, this review is not entirely impartial.

Three Faces of Bellydance is a fun trip through what bellydance can be.

The first face we see is a selection of traditional ethnic dances from various regions. The costuming is gorgeous, the choreography is fascinating.

The second face of bellydance you get to see is the five part “bellydance cabaret” style routine that has long been the norm in Classic American Bellydance. Here, the different segments are done by various members of the troupe. The choice to break it into pieces done by different dancers rather than one long routine by one dancer is a good one. It highlights the different moods and tempos.

The third face of bellydance is an Ananka staple.. the ‘fantasy’ show. Bellydance movement is combined with unique themes and non-traditional music to inject some fun and whimsy into the mix. Choosing a “seasonal” theme for this segment, the audience is treated to not just spring/summer/fall/winter, but spring love/june weddings/a heatwave/football season/the holidays.

Particular highlights for me were the ethnic/traditional section (because you don’t see these dances done very often), a lovely double veil performed as part of the summertime theme, and the opening of the winter theme.

Ananka always produces spectacle and fun, a feast for the eyes. You’re not going to see bellydance like this anywhere else, and it really is an enjoyable way to spend an hour.

Another great Anaka show with their typical wide-variety of music, costumes, and dances.

Anaka has done a great job this year choosing their music with some fun perky off-beat tunes, and some classics that you can never get enough of. As has been said - the costumes look great to!

In any variety show, something isn’t going to appeal directly to you. Expect that, hang out, and the next dance will be different!

Anaka’s well worth the $7 for an hour of show & wondering what’s comming next?

Once again Ananka gets creative with belly dance. They have performed ‘fusion’ in past Rogues with a multiplicity of musical styles not normally considered in the world of belly dance that ranged from stunning to whimsical to hilarious.
This year Ananka goes back to the roots. Way back, in fact, to ancient forms that pre-date belly dance as we know it and link to even classical dance such as ballet. This leads intro traditional cabaret belly dance that is great fun. It is an enjoyable, educational journey throughout the first half of their show with BEAUTIFUL costuming. Also the dancing to some of the drumming, which includes combined meter rhythms that later were incorporated into jazz, is energetic and well-executed. The floor work featured two dancers who were very accomplished in the muscular isolation that is part of the art form. One should be be aware that the form is an ‘art’ and not designated to stimulate adolescent prurient interest which is the unfortunate focus that an earlier review on this page seems to take. The description of the dancers performing floor work was highly sexist and distasteful. The same reviewer also seems to think that art forms are best done by the frenetic MTV model. Obviously a person who would read his Melville and Tolstoy via cliff notes or comic book, if at all.
The last third of the show heads into fusion of belly dance moves with non-traditional music showing the art form is actually quite adaptable given a creative and adept choreographer. There is a beautiful double veil performed to George Gershwin. also among the winter interpretations was a beautiful fan dance (not the burlesque kind) with an ending that was poetic. Of course leave it to Ananka to morph this lovely performer into .. well I don’t want to spoil the surprise. Not bad, a trip from educational to sublime to whimsy in under 60 minutes.
The SUMMATION: 7 dollars well-spent for a delightful hour.

Great show! It was educational, fun and exciting! Ananka Dance Company’s styling is unique and sassy, I can’t wait to see them again. I love that they had a different types of looks and body types in their cast. This was seven dollars well spent! Oh, and their costumes were AWESOME!!!!

As someone who over the last few years have been to many Rogue performances (many of them yours) and very much enjoys different dance styles and appreciates the uniqueness of different art forms I must say I was disappointed. I also feel that the other comments on your show are probable your friends and family who wouldn’t tell you the truth in fear of hurting your feelings. My intentions are not to hurt but to constructively critique what I saw. Also I wanted to post after the show was over just incase it would influence someone to not see your show.
First I would like to comment on the music selections, you should think about the quality of the original, many of the songs seamed like they were taken off of a vinyl record. If the song were transferred from a vinyl or even a cassette the song is probably too dated and some updated material should be considered. Also the transitions between the songs with the mans voice should used sparingly (however informational) or not at all because it made too long of a pause between dances.
Most people are not as observant as I am and what I notices well, I feel is somewhat of a rip off. You use the same dances to different songs, now it is not all of them but I have seen you perform them before. I was expecting to see something new.
Your costuming has some positive and negative elements. The first dance had beautiful costumes, the three ladies seamed to float around as if on clouds. However then there were the others that were just about in white sheets and a Bellydancing belt. The costuming became breathtaking again in the middle of the show with the glitter and beads. Then it was a downward spiral from there, cheerleaders, brides, and Christmas tree. I know you were going after the fantasy aspect but when the dancers have the look of embarrassment on there faces when they take the floor any fantasy becomes a nightmare. The ladies just seam so uncomfortable, and I fear that some of the audience was laughing at them and not with them. Perhaps focus on one more breathtaking costume and less on multiple one time use costumes, I feel they take away from your dancing and hours of practice.
I would like to thank you for the entertainment and will continue to support you and the Rogue.