Part of the Dancing in Jersey Spotlight Q&A series.
Welcome to the latest edition of Dancing in Jersey's new Q&A series, Spotlight Q&A. In this series, founder Hayley delves into the stories and passions behind Jersey's vibrant dance community.
The series continues with a conversation with Jane Delmer, Chair of Jersey Jewels Bellydance Club. The Club has been part of Jersey's dance scene for nearly three decades, offering an inclusive and empowering space to explore the rich and diverse world of belly dance. Jane shares how the Club began, what makes belly dance so unique, and why it continues to captivate dancers of all ages and abilities.
Dancing in Jersey (DiJ): Tell us a bit about Jersey Jewels Bellydance Club - how did it all begin?
Jane Delmer (JB): The club was founded in 1996 as a kind of 'self-help group' by some friends who wanted to learn to belly dance but could not find a class in Jersey – and it grew from there.
DiJ: For those unfamiliar with belly dance, how would you describe the style and what makes it unique?
JB: Belly dance is impossible to reduce to one style as it is full of variety. The term 'belly dance' is a western one, most likely dating from the 19th century, and was applied to a range of different dances from the Middle and Near East by baffled European and American observers who didn't really know what they were looking at. In an era when most western women were laced up in tight corsets, dances where the hips and torso moved
freely seemed quite shocking!
The image of belly dancers in sparkly bras and hip belts which most people have relates to the more recent concert form of the dance that we would call 'oriental' or 'raqs sharqi' (literally 'dance of the east') in Egyptian but other social forms – the kind of dance that Middle Eastern people would do in their homes or at celebrations – exist. Styles vary from country to country and region to region and can include the use of veil, balance props such as candle trays (although these days we use battery-operated candles for health and safety!) and more recently wings, which are very spectacular. One of my favourite things is finger cymbals, which have an ancient pedigree dating back to at least Roman times – dancers could literally make their own music.
There is also a great deal of room for self-expression as oriental dance is essentially a solo, improvised style – although, of course, troupes and the use of choreography are widespread as well. Folkloric styles have a bearing on the dance too. Plus, as with any dance, it develops over time and there are vintage styles to try as well as props that have come into the dance more recently from other parts of the world – fans and fan veils, which have a long history in the Far East, have become very popular among belly dancers.
I could go on, but in short, 'belly dance' can cover a whole range of different things and we endeavour to explore as many of the options as we can at Jersey Jewels Bellydance Club.
DiJ: Who can join the Club - do you need previous experience or a certain level of fitness?
JB: Anyone can join the club. You don't need previous experience and there are no body-type requirements. At Jersey Jewels we come in all ages, shapes and sizes and there are always modifications and alternative moves you can do if a particular one doesn't suit your body.
DiJ: What can someone expect when attending their first belly dance class with Jersey Jewels?
JB: You can expect to have fun! Sessions typically include technique, building to a long combination or a short choreography that we might work on over two or three weeks. Moves will be broken down so that participants understand the mechanics, they will be practised to music (one of the big draws for me has always been the beautiful music) and then you get to actually dance with them at the end. Topics change regularly as there is such a wide world to cover, but there are foundational moves that are common to different styles.
DiJ: What are some of the benefits - physical, mental or social - of learning and practising belly dance?
JB: There are physical benefits – as there are with any dance form – from just moving your body. It's a great way to relieve tension, develop muscle strength, improve posture and lift your mood. There's nothing quite like a good shimmy to get rid of the stress of the day! Learning a skill is also good for keeping you mentally sharp, as studies have shown, and because we always enjoy ourselves in class it’s very social. Some great friendships have formed over the years at Jersey Jewels.
DiJ: Do you take part in performances or events throughout the year? If so, tell us about some highlights
JB: We used to have showcases (or 'hafla' as we call them, which is Arabic for party), but unfortunately Covid threw a spanner in the works and we are still building back towards holding them once more. We hope to do so again in the future. Some of our members perform at charity events or in care homes when asked.
DiJ: Is there a particular moment or achievement with the Club that you're especially proud of?
JB: The Club reaching its 20th anniversary in 2016 was a major milestone and we had a big event at the Hotel Ambassadeur with guest performers and old friends coming back to join us.
DiJ: What do you enjoy most about being Chair of the Club?
JB: It's a privilege to be the chair of a club with a 29-year history (although I wasn't a founding member), which is unique on the Island. It gives a lot of pleasure to the people who take part and it’s wonderful to be able to carry that on.
DiJ: How do you go about choreographing routines - do you draw on particular inspirations or musical styles?
JB: I start by analysing the music – belly dance is all about expressing yourself to the music. One of my favourite teachers, Aziza of Montreal, says that you have to 'become the music'. Although technique is important – it's the language through which we express ourselves as dancers – Middle Eastern dance places more emphasis on bringing the feeling out from within and sharing that with the audience, rather than pure technical perfection on the outside only.
Once I’ve analysed the music, I will start 'noodling' around and see what comes out. If it's a choreography for class there may be specific moves that we are working on which I want to include – and folkloric styles call for certain moves. Other than that I always try to include 'moments' that will stand out.
As for inspirations, well my favourite belly dance teachers who I have studied with over the years have obviously influenced the way I dance, as well as some of the great belly dancers of yesteryear. We are lucky in the modern age that clips of some of the legends of our art form are freely available to watch on YouTube. That said, it's also important to have your own style and not to be a carbon copy of anyone.
DiJ: How can people find out more, get in touch, or come along to try a class?
JB: You can find out more by visiting our website www.jerseyjewels.co.uk, joining our Facebook group Jersey Jewels Bellydance Club, or by emailing admin@jerseyjewels.co.uk.
DiJ: Finally - why should someone give belly dance a go, even if they've never danced before?
JB: It will introduce you to a whole new world! There's a fascinating cultural experience that goes along with learning different belly dance styles, as well as the pleasure and physical benefits of practising the dance itself.
