Laila

What is Bellydance ?

There are two trains of thought on this.

The French soldiers who occupied Egypt saw the Ghawazee dancing along the Nile and called it 'danse du ventre' the direct translation of this to the western ear is 'bellydance'. Fahreda Mazhar or 'Little Egypt' was performing at the Middle Eastern exhibition in Chicago during the Trade Exhibition', when asked by the entrepreneur Sol Bloom as to what she was doing,she replied 'baladi'. Sol Bloom decided to capitalise on it by terming it 'bellydance' which meant a reverse to good fortune saving the fair by attracting a lot more excited customers during the Victorian era. Following in Sol Bloom's footsteps is the enterprising Miles Copeland the creator of the Bellydance Superstars a sensational cast of talented dancers very technically refined with a perspective to theatrical presentation. The term bellydance is common lay expression understood by the ordinary person, but fairly vague.

What is Raqs Sharqi ?

Raqs Sharqi refers to the dances of the East. This dance is also known as the solo Oriental dance done commonly by the women. It is mostly choreographed with flourishes, twirls and works on the principle of interpreting the various rhythms presented in it. It is both elegant, graceful and artistic in it's presentation. The costumes are mainly two pieces with full skirts though this trend changes with the fashion influences of the time. The music for the Oriental pieces can be from 5 to 15 minutes.

Is Oriental Dance, Chinese Dance ?

Oriental dance does not mean far Eastern Chinese or Japanese dance. The term Oriental comes from the early travellers from Europe and the West who were discovering the Middle East and near East and they termed these countries as the Orients. The influence to Oriental dance is limited to the Middle East, Near East, Indian and Eastern European styles.

What is Middle Eastern Dance ?

Generally, this refers to dances of the Arabic nations and surrounding areas ie.Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Gulf countries and North Africa.

What is Cabaret ?

This is dancing in a night club dressed in two piece costumes. Mainly in touristy resorts to appeal to the Western customers the bellydancers wear skimpy costumes and the dancing is done more as an entertainment for the audience.

What is Turkish Dancing ?

Turkish dancing is very vigorous and done mostly on the toes. It is quite acrobatic and involves a lot of internalised pelvic movements as well as spins and direction change. It is very lively and expressive in it's expression.

What is Lebanese Dancing ?

The costumes are elaborate and the style is very dynamic and flamboyant.

What is Egyptian Dancing ?

The Egyptian style of dancing is mostly self contained, dignified, very meditative, highly refined and fairly grounded.

There are various styles ranging from:
• Sharqi/Oriental - classical choreography
• Baladi - pertaining to the suburbs or native to one's origin
• Saiidi - from the Arab horsemen of the Luxor region
• Nubian - pharaonic dynasty of the militant rulers of Upper Egypt ie. Aswan, Nubia.
• Folkloric - based on the village dances all over Egypt eg. Mahmoud Reda's National Folkloric Troupe of Egypt

What is Bellywood Fusion ?

This is the influence of Indian dance gestures or fusing of Egyptian dance movements to Bollywood music. Bollywood dancing is energetic, provocative and vigorous. It is dancing associated with the Bollywood film industries. Egyptian dancing is controlled, powerful and sensuous in nature. Fusing the two styles is to add an element of excitement and cheekiness to the dance.

What is American Tribal Style Bellydance ?

This involves a fusion of ethnic styles from different dance cultures. Mainly big gypsy skirts are worn with heavy metal or fringe including elaborate head wear. Costumes have diversified over the years incorporating Gothic and other variations as presented by the Bellydance Superstars.



Kristyene has always sought to keep this lovely dance of the Middle East in its artistic form and cultural connotation. She has successfully done workshops on Egyptian dance and culture in schools and various church groups where it has been a very pleasant experience in cultural exchange for children and adults alike! Weddings Where there has been a mixed marriage, it has been very entertaining with Wedding Bellyblessings done by Kristyene. It is fascinating to note that culturally in the Middle East, it is customary to have a bellydancer at a wedding to bless the couple's future with prosperity and fertility. In the Middle East, the dancer walks in front of the couple with a great Shamadhan (candleabra) on her head to light up the couple's path. With health and safety in this day and age, it is possible to resort to alternatives! Hen Nights can be themed around dance parties in preparation for the big wedding day. It helps the bridal party de-stress, unwind and relax in the build-up to the big day.
What is Bellydance ? There are two trains of thought on this. The French soldiers who occupied Egypt saw the Ghawazee dancing along the Nile and called it 'danse du ventre' the direct translation of this to the western ear is 'bellydance'. Fahreda Mazhar or 'Little Egypt' was performing at the Middle Eastern exhibition in Chicago during the Trade Exhibition', when asked by the entrepreneur Sol Bloom as to what she was doing,she replied 'baladi'. Sol Bloom decided to capitalise on it by terming it 'bellydance' which meant a reverse to good fortune saving the fair by attracting a lot more excited customers during the Victorian era. Following in Sol Bloom's footsteps is the enterprising Miles Copeland the creator of the Bellydance Superstars a sensational cast of talented dancers very technically refined with a perspective to theatrical presentation. The term bellydance is common lay expression understood by the ordinary person, but fairly vague. What is Raqs Sharqi ? Raqs Sharqi refers to the dances of the East. This dance is also known as the solo Oriental dance done commonly by the women. It is mostly choreographed with flourishes, twirls and works on the principle of interpreting the various rhythms presented in it. It is both elegant, graceful and artistic in it's presentation. The costumes are mainly two pieces with full skirts though this trend changes with the fashion influences of the time. The music for the Oriental pieces can be from 5 to 15 minutes. Is Oriental Dance, Chinese Dance ? Oriental dance does not mean far Eastern Chinese or Japanese dance. The term Oriental comes from the early travellers from Europe and the West who were discovering the Middle East and near East and they termed these countries as the Orients. The influence to Oriental dance is limited to the Middle East, Near East, Indian and Eastern European styles. What is Middle Eastern Dance ? Generally, this refers to dances of the Arabic nations and surrounding areas ie.Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Gulf countries and North Africa. What is Cabaret ? This is dancing in a night club dressed in two piece costumes. Mainly in touristy resorts to appeal to the Western customers the bellydancers wear skimpy costumes and the dancing is done more as an entertainment for the audience. What is Turkish Dancing ? Turkish dancing is very vigorous and done mostly on the toes. It is quite acrobatic and involves a lot of internalised pelvic movements as well as spins and direction change. It is very lively and expressive in it's expression. What is Lebanese Dancing ? The costumes are elaborate and the style is very dynamic and flamboyant. What is Egyptian Dancing ? The Egyptian style of dancing is mostly self contained, dignified, very meditative, highly refined and fairly grounded. There are various styles ranging from: • Sharqi/Oriental - classical choreography • Baladi - pertaining to the suburbs or native to one's origin • Saiidi - from the Arab horsemen of the Luxor region • Nubian - pharaonic dynasty of the militant rulers of Upper Egypt ie. Aswan, Nubia. • Folkloric - based on the village dances all over Egypt eg. Mahmoud Reda's National Folkloric Troupe of Egypt What is Bellywood Fusion ? This is the influence of Indian dance gestures or fusing of Egyptian dance movements to Bollywood music. Bollywood dancing is energetic, provocative and vigorous. It is dancing associated with the Bollywood film industries. Egyptian dancing is controlled, powerful and sensuous in nature. Fusing the two styles is to add an element of excitement and cheekiness to the dance. What is American Tribal Style Bellydance ? This involves a fusion of ethnic styles from different dance cultures. Mainly big gypsy skirts are worn with heavy metal or fringe including elaborate head wear. Costumes have diversified over the years incorporating Gothic and other variations as presented by the Bellydance Superstars.