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Bellydance Electronica

photo by Renee Rosensteel

The trio begins...

Very attracted to electronic music and dance of various forms, Amethyst and Astarte found each other at a rave (after dancing all night!) in 2000 and have enjoyed dancing together ever since. They continue their love for dancing together by mixing their rave-style dance with bellydance. Amethyst and Shanti have been bellydancing for 9 years, and together for a few of those years. Astarte began taking bellydance lessons from Amethyst in March, 2006, with such rapid advancement that she was quickly added to Amethyst and Shanti's performance line-ups. Astarte's experience with electronica dance is a major reason for her fast advancement with bellydance. Amethyst, Shanti and Astarte mix the popping & locking, funky costuming, animated movement and dramatic gestures of rave dancing with the smoothness and serpentine flow of bellydance, bringing vibrant character to their shows.

ElectroBelly

Amethyst has created a series of bellydance electronica parties called "ElectroBelly", which include bellydance and raver dance performances (breakdancing and more), glow props, visuals and dj'd open dance floors. ElectroBelly 1 took place in Pittsburgh (South Side) at the Rex Theatre on July 21, 2006. Amethyst, Shanti and Astarte will release an "ElectroBelly" performance dvd in February, 2007. The dvd will be recorded live at the ElectroBelly 2 show in Pittsburgh, PA, on January 26, 2007 (at the Rex), and is currently available for pre-order. Amethyst, Shanti and Astarte incorporate "raver toy" props and accessories into their electronica dance, such as finger lights, glow hacky sacks, electroluminescent wire, hula hoops, Isis wings and funky fusion costuming, taking the dance to a new level and creating a surreal atmosphere.

The dance trio often performs to the live music of Maurice Rickard, Life in Balance, and various live vocalists.

Musician: Maurice Rickard

Maurice Rickard is a wonderful Pittsburgh sound artist who makes trance electronica mixed with live ukulele or guitar, creating a unique entrancing sound for contemporary bellydance. Maurice has released an album "Music for Dance", most of which was recorded at a rehearsal with Amethyst and friends. The "ElectroBelly 1" (July, 2006) event opened with a set of Maurice Rickard's live music with live vocals by singer Asha Black and dance by Amethyst and vitriol.

Musicians: Life in Balance

Life in Balance is made up of musicians Ami and Steve Sciuli, who play world flutes (including the shakuhachi/japanese bamboo flute), quartz crystal singing bowls, moog synthesizer and lap steel guitar. Amethyst first met Life in Balance during her high school years, when she attended musical guided meditation sessions created by Ami and Steve. Since their first interactions, Life in Balance has been a very positive influence on Amethyst's life and art.

DVD and ElectroBelly 2 event!

ElectroBelly 2 (and the Electrobelly DVD) will include live sets by Maurice Rickard, Life in Balance, Amethyst, Shanti and Astarte.

Additional Bellydance Styles

Amethyst, Shanti and Astarte enjoy bellydance electronica, but also perform other styles of bellydance including World Fusion, Tribal, American Cabaret and Sacred Dance.