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Belly Dancing
Beginners/Intermediate
Bellydance Technique: Tuesdays 7:15pm-8:15pm
Bellydance Performance:
Tuesdays 8:15pm-9:15pm
Belly dance is a Western name coined for a style
of dance developed in the Middle East and other Arabic-influenced
areas. In the Arabic language it is known as Raqs Sharqi and in
Turkish as Oryantal dansı, which is translated as "Dance
of the East". For Europeans, this translation sounded like
a perfect fit, hence it was also known as "Oriental dance",
"danse Oriental", "Exotic oriental dance",
"Oriental belly dance" and the like. The term "Raqs
Sharqi" is claimed to be originated in Egypt. The name suggested
an exotic dance originated elsewhere - and so it had a higher
status than the local dance.
'Cabaret' or 'stage' styles have flourished in
the US throughout the 20th century due to its flashy and exotic
overtones. Often associated with Raqs Sharqi, the mainstays of
costume for this style includes a fitted top or bra (usually with
fringe of beads or coins), a fitted hip girdle (again with a fringe
of beads or coins), and leg coverings that include harem pants
or skirts (straight, layered, circular, or paneled). In the US
it also includes a 'veil': a 3.5 to 4 yard piece of fabric that
is used in part of the dance to move about and frame movements
for the dancer. In the 1940s King Farouk of Egypt brought Russian
ballet instructor Ivanova to teach his daughters, and it was she
who first taught the great dancer Samia Gamal to use the veil
to improve her arm carriage. Most Egyptian dancers use the veil
as an opening prop which they discard within the first few minutes
of their routines, while Western dancers will use the veil for
an entire song. Recently added costuming options include full
beaded dresses, called baladi dresses.
Tribal Fusion Belly Dance is a modern form of
belly dance which has evolved from American Tribal Style belly
dancing, blending elements of ATS with any other style of dance.
It frequently incorporates elements from Popping, Hip Hop, Breakdance,
'Egyptian' or 'Cabaret' belly dance, as well as from traditional
forms such as Flamenco, Kathak, Bhangra, Balinese, and other folkloric
dance styles.
ATRIUM DANCE STUDIO
4721 N. Crescent Boulevard
Pennsauken, NJ 08110
856-661-9166
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856-661-9166