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Superstars celebrate femininity

The Bellydance Superstars, a world-touring belly dance troupe, will perform in Charlotte Sunday as part of a 37-city U.S. tour that began in January.

The 3-year-old troupe is the brainchild of former Sting manager Miles Copeland, a legendary music manager who's worked with the Police (he's drummer Stewart Copeland's brother), the Sex Pistols, REM, the Moody Blues, Blondie and others.

His current project is comprised of some of the most sought-after belly dancers, including Sharon Kihara, a 26-year-old native of the San Francisco Bay area. (In the photo above, Kihara is on the far left and has two peacocks tattooed on her stomach.) We talked with Kihara about how she became a belly dancer, which international city gives them the warmest reception, and what the audience can expect to see at Sunday's show.

Q. How did you become involved in belly dancing? I first saw belly dancing when I was maybe 11 years old. Viewing it changed my life. I decided that's what I want to do. I pursued cabaret-style belly dancing, but then I discovered the tribal style after seeing a dancer named Frederique David perform at a club dancing to a rock band. I was blown away. I had never seen anything like it. Tribal-style is an American fusion of the dance form. It grew out of the San Francisco area in the late 1980s with group called Fat Chance Belly Dance. It combines elements of traditional belly dancing fused with Indian, flamenco and African dance.



Q. How did you become involved with Bellydance Superstars? They were scouting for new dancers. I didn't know exactly what they were looking for. I met with Miles and discussed my dance history. They hired me two years ago.

Q. Which international city has given you the warmest response? We had an amazing response in Dublin and we didn't expect it. We performed there on our first show during our last European tour. The performance was in this beautiful old theater, and the audience was on fire. It was sold out and we felt like we were at a rock show. Everyone was screaming. Ireland's culture has so much to do with music and dance, so they understand it culturally.

Q. What is the biggest stereotype about belly dancing that you have to overcome? Some people might mistake the sensuality in belly dance as sexuality. What we do is G-rated. It's about celebrating femininity and music. Our shows are for the whole family.

Q. What's the best thing about being a belly dancer? All the belly dancers I've met around the world are really nice people. It's an amazing community of women who are positive. It's a universal trait they have that I think is born out of the dance. You accept yourself and you feel powerful and beautiful. It's a very therapeutic art form that allows you to open up and generates positive energy. PREVIEW

Bellydance Superstars

Exotic dance troupe performs a show that's suitable for the whole family.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Sunday.

WHERE: Pease Auditorium on the main campus of Central Piedmont Community College at Elizabeth Avenue and Kings Drive.

TICKETS: $32 in advance, $38 at the door.

DETAILS: (704) 330-6534.

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