The Hatfields and the McCoys.  The North & South, Confederates & Union armies.  Paula & Simon.  Since the dawn of time people have drawn up sides against an invisible ‘enemy‘…them…and us. 
 Religions do it, countries do it, states, ethnicities do it, cat people, dog people do it.  Our differences are the one thing we all have in common.

 And so it goes in the world of belly dance.  Them…and us.

 Cabaret vs. Folkloric.
 Egyptian vs. American cabaret.
 Fusion vs. Tribal.
 Blond vs. Brunette.

 It was on a very special night this past month that I was invited to dance for the first time "over there".  Yes…I was going to Mecca.  The land where all dancing began.  The womb of  Danse Oriental, Raqs Manhattan…New York City, NY.

 With great glee and honor, I accepted the invitation to dance the middle set at Le Figaro Café.  This was epic for me, as I am a dancer from (looks left, looks right…in a hushed whisper…) New Jersey.

 It isn’t spoken in polite company and never in the presence of sequins…but generally speaking, New York and New Jersey dancers don’t mix.  Oh we’re fine as neighbors, we’re welcome to the Big Apple to attend workshops, haflas, shows.  But I’ve heard it said on more than one occasion that performers shouldn’t cross borders.

 The Big Apple did not grow on a tree in the Garden State.  Go home Yankee!

  To make matters more difficult, it is our "D-envy", for it is said that NYC dancers are considered to be dancers…with a capital "D".

 There is just something about the good dancers bred in ‘that state’ that gives them ‘panache‘, ‘cache’, ‘it’.

 Is it the easy access to some of the world’s best teachers?  The abundance of Middle Eastern themed restaurants…the love of different cultures and art?  The falafel?  Whatever it is, these dames have got it.  And the list grows with every passing year.

 There are the ‘classics’, Morocco, Serena, Yousry, Anahid to name but a few.  And then there’s this generation of stars Rayhana, Aszmara, Neon, Blanca, Jehan, Samara, Layla Mary and the list goes on and on and on!

 Capital "D"…in a NY Minute.
 But wait…We’re not slacking off in New Jersey mind you.  We have our big "D" dancers too!

 The powerful and beautiful Majda resides here, as does the ever ebullient Soraya, who just opened for Amr Diab in Atlantic City to the cheers of an audience of 5,000 fans!  Dynamic Chadia, whose sizzle is fast being recognized around the country, and Amira Mor, whose DVDs are purchased worldwide and classes are to capacity every session!  Oh yeah…We have our CAPITAL letters here too!
 
 But the question lingered in my mind…how does a dancer from ‘an exit’ off the turnpike go from a dancer to a DANCER?

 I dunno.  The answer would have to wait as I had to get ready to dance at the famed Le Figaro Café with the even more famed Scott Wilson.  And nothing could have thrilled me more.

 I thought.

 Upon arriving, I was greeted by the fantastic presence of Layla Mary, a woman so powerful herself and in her ability as a dancer that she has her own gravitational pull.  She promptly introduced me to the loveliest, most gracious (and dammit) beautiful woman, Leni, who couldn’t have made me feel more at home if she were my own aunt.

 I was star struck to meet Scott (talented, and gracious, and nice oh my!) whose LP is displayed in my studio (with a photo of him on the back when he was about 16 years old!) and whose music is on my iPod.  I was further delighted to meet the awesomely talented photographer Sal Romano.

 But I wasn’t prepared to meet divinity.  Leni said that there was one more person she wanted me to meet.  I turned around to face Serena.  The Serena.  The Serena whose vintage Belly Dance albums were amongst my treasured possessions.  The Serena who has trained some of the finest dancer of the last generation.  The Serena who danced in the early days of NY Cabaret, and around the world. The Serena who would be sitting ringside and watching every single move I made that night.  I dropped to one knee and kissed her ring.  No…I’m kidding.  I genuflected.  And I’m Jewish.

 Oy…a NJ dancer dancing for THE Serena.  Serena with a capital "S".  Oy.
 But dance I did.  I made my way around the room, shimmied and undulated and worked my veil and worked the crowd and was filled with Scott’s music, the joy of dancing, the elation of being in the Village performing. 
 Finally, I felt as though I’d arrived.

 When Serena’s friend rose to shower me with money, I was in heaven. 
 Backstage…the accolades began.  Serena complimented me, really enjoyed the show, loved my costume…and that little funny schtick I did during my drum solo, a big hit!

 Layla Mary was shocked and delighted, (hey…"NJ Dancer Does Good…News at 11"!) and Leni seemed tickled to pieces and talked about me returning to dance again soon!  Someone pinch me!  Broad smiles all around…the biggest from me.
 It was then that I realized, like Dorothy and her ruby red slippers…that I had this "d" with me all along…and that night…with the support of my NY Dance Sisters…it grew a bit larger.  I wasn’t one of ‘them‘, or one of ‘the other’, I was one of ‘us’. 

 If our differences are what we have in common, maybe it’s our love of dance and devotion to perfection that that makes our uniqueness the most important common denominator.

 As for me…I’ll always be a Jersey Girl…but…that night…I left my hips in New York City.

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Comments
Laylamary
Gia, thank you for such a wonderful article! We had a fantastic time at Figaro that night, didn't we? New York and New Jersey rocked the house! Shimmy on! Layla Mary

Melinda
I always enjoy reading your articles! Congrats!

robina
Love the article.I met Gia a few years ago at a Hafla(I stepped over}.We danced together,kindred spirits immediately. Our paths have crossed a number of times-always sharing the passion of "the Dance"with few words neccessary.You are so right ,Gia, Leni and Scott are aclass act all the way.Bravo-WE always have Figaro! Beautifuly written. Your Friend, Robina {Portchester, N.Y.}

SAL ROMANO
Gia, It was a pleasure to meet you and see you dance and an even greater pleasure to have the privilege of photographing you while you were dancing. Thank you for your kind remarks, and using my pictures of you, with your terrifically written article. I look forward to seeing you again, on this side, or your side of the river. Sincerely yours, Sal Romano