Discover Dance, Digging Deeper: Dainty Smith
Associate Artist, Neena Jayarajan, has written about her experience of the April 2023 edition of Discover Dance, with artist Dainty Smith, hosted by Nova Bhattacharya.
Neena’s experience
Tough, Tender and Smart
“Silk robes, pink heels, saris and Tina Turner. Spending a lunch hour watching Dainty Smith and Nova Bhattacharya showcase the work and journey of Burlesque artist Dainty Smith bridged similarities between host, artist, and audience.
Dainty spoke of Burlesques empowering quality on the bodies of both the performer and those given the privilege to witness. Its ability to showcase feminine energy and celebrating “femmes behaving badly” by unlocking preconceived notions around sexuality, gender norms, confidence, sensuality and what is considered art vs entertainment.
We watched both Nova and Dainty share both their vulnerability and fierce confidence across the hour through dances centered around long peels where removing items of clothing was done with deliberate reveals of so much more than skin. Learning of concepts like the “reverse peel” (putting on clothes versus removing them), and then watching Nova put her sari on versus removing it felt more revealing and empowering. Crucial messaging at the core of Burlesque could and should be transferred to the bodies and minds of so many women who struggle with extreme body consciousness. It was incredibly refreshing to hear Dainty say that “All you’re doing is telling the audience that you are desirable and the most intelligent person in the room, NOT convincing them you are TELLING them.”
Both Nova and Dainty performed solos, each showcasing aspects of themselves, their training and personality. We saw Dainty as the mover and the maker in beautifully contrasting ways. First in how she directed Nova in her solo and her choices in her own piece. Their shared history of growing up in households with Fathers as ministers, and the rebellion of their current selves as dancers and artists was beautifully evident.”
“Their shared history of growing up in households with Fathers as ministers, and the rebellion of their current selves as dancers and artists was beautifully evident”
“Both Nova and Dainty performed solos, each showcasing aspects of themselves, their training and personality. We saw Dainty as the mover and the maker in beautifully contrasting ways. First in how she directed Nova in her solo and her choices in her own piece. Their shared history of growing up in households with Fathers as ministers, and the rebellion of their current selves as dancers and artists was beautifully evident.
Nova in her black leather, pink hells and sari, Dainty in a two piece with red fringe and fishnet stockings. Elevating how intentionality breeds confidence and understanding that you can’t seduce others if you can’t seduce yourself. Dainty later went on to teach the audience a few moves including a shimmy, which we had seen her perform in her solo. Dainty’s work in bringing out the hidden burlesque dancer in Nova, was centered around the importance of trusting yourself and knowing that whatever you give the audience is enough, every glance, every hand movement, or hair flip reveals seemingly exciting new parts of yourself with added confidence, and storytelling. A reminder to tell the audience about your beautiful parts, not your insecurities, that woman can be both tough and tender while still being smart. Burlesque allows humans to feel the fullness of their humanity and release shame. We saw how a simple act of removing a glove or revealing layers of clothing uncovered so much more than skin but peeled back layers of historical oppression and felt like an obvious resistance movement.
We are left with lessons from these two brown-skinned beautifully confident women on how artists can weaponize their femininity to not just survive but to thrive. I deeply appreciated references made to Tina Turner beyond her music, including her ability to overcome pain to shine on stage. Both Nova & Dainty shared their own personal struggles with chronic pain. As women we are constantly needed to mask our struggles to gain voice in a room and understanding that confidence has intense healing qualities.
I’m left feeling uplifted, standing a little taller, and in search of more bright colours lurking in the back of my closet. In an era of rewriting old narratives around gender, I feel less concerned for the little girls of this next generation who will have strong, confident women showcasing themselves unapologetically. The desire to bring forms like Burlesque out of bars and into venues of high art feels like a necessity versus a desire. Thankful for Discover Dance and initiating those opportunities in impactful ways.”