Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Allumination Filmwor
• VHS Release Date: October 1, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000009RWC
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #380,429 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Economically-priced tape for beginners, April 10, 2000

By 

safira (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ancient Art of Oriental Belly Dancing 2 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I bought Alexandra King's first tape in this 2-volume set, and while I allready knew most of what was presented on the first tape, I purchased this one to learn a few more moves for the chiftitelli rhythm and because of the reasonable price. Alexandra strikes me as a good teacher in that she presents herself well, speakes clearly and succintly, gives thourough-enough explanations for the techniques, and her performances seem well-articulated. I would take lessons from her if she ever came here, or would attend at least a workshop. There is minimal "fluff" and time is not wasted much in this tape. Some movements are unnecessarily repeated, like the chest/wrist circles, but then she uses those movements to show some inprovisational work one could try. The back arch is repeated again, and like in my other review, this is an advanced move that I feel really should not be in the first tape, but maybe she presented it as a challenge and for something to work towards. There is no history or Middle Eastern Dance given, but if one wants to learn basic movements than that is fine. If I had made the video myself I would have used different music for the second tape is its a bit repetitive. Alexandra gives mostly hip movements in addition to the lengthy floor-work in this one and does a good job of showing movements from a side-view as well. It would be a little more helpful is she had employed the use of another dancer to demonstrate what some moves look like on another body type. Alexandra first "walks" you through each move and then does it again to music with the zill(finger cymbals). This tape is very good if one wants to practice with their zills and improve their finger/body coordination which can be quite frustrating at first. I only wish she had demonstrated for absolute beginners the proper way to put them on. I feel one part should have been redone as the music runs out before she's through with one small segment, otherwise her timing is well-done. I have not decided yet as to whether the chiftitelli or drum solo section is stronger, but I do feel there would have to be a separate tape in itself for floor work as its advanced and requires a lot of body strength, so I had wished she had cut out most of the floor work and tailered it more to one learning some more pure choreography. The set is well-lit for the tape, but at the end where she is dancing in a restaurant, it is poorly-lit. The quality of the production in terms of the image being in focus is not that great, but then its appropriate for the retail price. Her costumes match well with her movements and the one she made herself at the end is impressive. Have fun wathching and practicing this sexy, spiritual dance form! SAfira in Mississippi

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Okay if you're a REAL beginner, December 5, 2000

By 

H. Cooper "soul searcher (mine or yours)" (Everett, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ancient Art of Oriental Belly Dancing 2 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

If you're a belly dancer who has taken ANY classes and you're just looking for instructional videos as a supplement - move on to another video. If you have any dance experience at all, this will be too simple for you.

Alexandra King's style is a cross between Greek and American Cabaret. She covers beginning belly dance instruction like the basic egyptian steps and simple arm movements. She doesn't go into any real explanation of Arabic rythyms. She tells the viewer for veil work, a chiffon type of fabric is best. She doesn't explain that this is merely her opinion and any lightweight fabric could be used, it's a personal preference. It looks like it was filmed in the basement of her house. I have both Volumes One and Two and I plan on donating them to my local public library.

If you don't have the opportunity to study with someone locally, and you don't know of any other belly dance resource where you can find higher quality videos, then this is okay if you are brand spanking new to the dance. Otherwise, save your money.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Acceptable, but not great, February 26, 1999

By 

Shantell Powell "The ShanMonster" (Kitchener, ON, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ancient Art of Oriental Belly Dancing 2 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The production value is terrible on this tape. It appears to have been filmed in one take, and you can hear outside traffic (including a motorcycle) in the background. The music starts and stops are also very jarring.

I find the instruction is very straight-forward, although I'm not certain what level of dance it would be best for. It incorporates some very basic moves, and also shows some advanced floorwork. Perhaps this would be best for an intermediate level dancer.

I did learn a handful of new moves from this tape, so it does have some use. Just don't expect high-quality production.