Belly Dance East and West

Habibi Magazine Response

Due Date: Thursday, Sept. 28.

Paper Length: 3-5 pages, double spaced.

 About Habibi: Habibi has been the leading American (and international) magazine about belly dance and related forms since the mid-1970’s.  (It has changed editorships twice in the past 3 years; the first edition under the new editors has not yet appeared.)  Some of you will get the Shareen el Safy editorship, others the Jennifer James Long editorship.  Earlier and later issues may give you a slightly different perspective on “what dancers want.”

 Your mission:

 Write a response to the magazine, which will focus on presenting an overall perspective on the belly dance community in America as it appears through the magazine as a whole, from its articles to its reviews to its advertising. 

 Your paper should include responses to some, but not necessarily all, of the following questions.  Based on your reading of the issue you chose,

• What sort of readers does the magazine serve?  (Serious dancers only?  Hobbyists?  A broad section of dancers and non-dancers?)
• Judging by the content, what issues are of concern to modern belly dancers?  What sorts of things do they want to know about?
• Can you determine different schools of thought about belly dance, or styles of belly dance, based on the costumes, reviews, and articles you encounter?
• Who belly dances?
• How consistent are the articles in tone and style?  Are they of the standard of other magazines you are familiar with?
• Is the Arab world a central element of the American belly dance scene?  How would you describe the relationship between East and West as it affects modern American belly dancers?
• What do belly dancers seem to want to get out of their pastime/profession?  (A broad question which may have many answers …)
• What sorts of things are advertised, and how are they “sold” to their potential buyers?
• What is the visual effect of the magazine?  Does it seem like or unlike other magazines you are familiar with that appeal to a largely feminine readership?

Habibi's Website:  http://www.habibimagazine.com