The question I'm asked most often is the hardest one to answer -- "How can I learn about the different styles of bellydance?"
Explaining the differences is like explaining the differences between rock and country bands to someone who's not familiar with either one.
Imagine..."Well, they both use guitars and drums, but they play them kinda different...sometimes country uses a harmonica, too... but occasionally rock bands use one, especially if they're playing country rock... rock bands dress in black sometimes, but so do country only sometimes they wear cowboy hats but not always..." It's a mess, right?
The only answer is 'Watch a lot and ask questions, you'll get a sense of it.' So I thought online articles, with lots of video clips, might be the best way to help students get a sense of the styles.
This area is under heavy and active construction (July 2009)
Styles of Bellydance
- Egyptian Raqs Sharqi (often just called 'Egyptian Style' or 'Oriental')
- Egyptian Baladi, country cousin to Raqs Sharqi
- Turkish Oriental
- Lebanese
- American Cabaret/Vintage Orientale
- American Tribal Style (ATS)
- Tribal Fusion
Folklore and Other Middle Eastern Dances
- Khaleegy (Saudi, Samri, Raks Nasha'at)
- Saidi and Raks Assaya (cane or stick dance)
- Turkish Roman (Gypsy)
- Melaya Leff
- Tell me what else you want to know about!