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Origins of the name
The name itself tells a story. It begins with the founder and visionary director AishaMau. She had already been bellydancing for over a decade when she moved to Fayetteville, NC. Interested in history, she joined the Society of Creative Anachronisms (SCA) which is known world-wide as an organization dedicated to recreating life in the middle ages as it should have been, not necessarily how it actually was. During the day, period-garbed “personas” engage in medieval-style combat and other social and artistic activities. The night, however, belongs to the drummers and dancers. AishaMau came up with the name "Shadows of the Fire" from watching her daughter dancing around the flames at an annual New Year's Eve bonfire for the SCA.
The SCA years
AishaMau began teaching bellydance for the benefit of the SCA dancers, instructing them in proper belly dance technique and a style that would look more “period.” Using American Tribal Style (ATS) as an inspiration, AishaMau created her own neotribal style that fit a medieval setting. Her classes soon grew beyond the members of the SCA, which had an added benefit of introducing more people to the Society. Shadows of the Fire had an open membership in those early years which meant that all students registered for instruction were automatically members of the troupe. They had ample opportunities to perform; SCA events could regularly be found within a few hours distance. Costumed in Ghawazee coats, chemises, pantaloons and turban-like headdresses, the Shadows of the Fire entertained many lords and ladies at candle-lit feasts.
Where no bellydancer has gone before
By the late 90’s, performance opportunities had spread beyond the SCA campfires. Shadows of the Fire had become a local attraction at city festivals and other cultural events as well as a few Middle Eastern dance shows around North Carolina and Virginia.
While the troupe enjoyed their popularity with the historical and cultural organizations, the director was always on the look out for new and interesting venues. Consequently, AishaMau thought it would be fun when a friend invited her troupe to perform at a Star Trek convention hosted by his local group of science fiction enthusiasts. Always willing to adapt to a new venue, the Ghawazee coats were traded in for something more otherworldly and “Alien Style Bellydance” was launched.
Alien style added another genre to the rapidly growing category of Alternative Bellydance during the 90’s. Usually choreographed for multiple dancers, Alien style is characterized by precise moves, synchronized dancing, and changing floor patterns.
Forever a part of us
AishaMau retired as director of Shadows of the Fire at the end of 2000. Nevertheless, she left behind her vision of a dance troupe as a “tribe” – a gathering of individuals dedicated to their artform in all its creative, responsible and ethical aspects and a caring and supportive community united in fellowship. It says a lot about her creative and dynamic leadership that the troupe is still in existence after nine years and is still evolving, innovating and contributing to the American Bellydance community. For this the Shadows of the Fire owes her a debt of gratitude.
Ever Evolving
In 2000, Alexandra became the new troupe director. Creating new troupe dances to keep things fun and fresh while still perfecting the earlier dances. The Shadows dance a variety of styles such as Tribal, Tribal Fusion, Gypsy, Indian Fusion, Cabaret, as well as Gothic Experimental Bellydance.
In 2002, Shadows of the Fire participated in their very first competition and won first place in the East Coast Belly Dance Classic held annually at Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Shadows of the Fire continued to compete and placed 2nd in 2003, 2004 & 2006. They placed 1st in 2005, along with winning People’s Choice Award 2004 & 2005.
Through the years some of the dancers come and go, but the Shadows mission is the same: To keep evolving, entertaining, and educating the community while enjoying the fellowship within the troupe.
You can see the Shadows performing at festivals, fairs, community events, conventions, military functions, and venues throughout the county.
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