Belly Dance
Belly dance is an Arabic expressive dance that has its origins in Egypt since ancient times. It incorporates hip and torso motions. It has developed into many different styles, both in costume and dance style, depending on the country and location, with the Egyptian style being the most well-known worldwide due to Egyptian cinema. It has become very popular all over the world, with many schools introducing it. So today we will be looking at the best belly dancing performance.
Movements
There is no standardized naming system for belly dance movements, as there is for other folk dances. Many dancers and dance schools have come up with their own naming conventions, but none of them are widely accepted. The following categorization attempt represents the most commonly used naming conventions.
Staccato gestures, most often of the hips, are used to punctuate the music or accent a rhythm in percussive music. Hip raises and drops, chest or rib cage accents, shoulder accents, hip rocks, hits, and twists.
Fluid, sinuous movements in which the body is in constant motion, which can be used to interpret melodic lines and lyrical parts in music, or modulated to convey complex instrumental improvisations. These moves necessitate a lot of abdominal muscle regulation. Horizontal and vertical figures of 8 or infinity loops with the hips, horizontal or tilting hip circles, and hip and abdomen undulations are all common movements. Variations, combinations, and embellishments of these basic shapes may be used to produce an infinite number of dynamic, textured movements.
Shimmies, shivers, and vibrations are small, fast, continuous hip or ribcage movements that give the impression of texture and depth of movement. Shimmies are also used to interpret rolls on the tablah or riq, or quick strumming on the oud or qanun, and are often layered over other movements (instrument). There are several different styles of shimmy, each with its own size and generation process. Relaxed hip shimmies, straight-legged knee-driven shimmies, quick, tiny hip vibrations, twisting hip shimmies, bouncing ‘earthquake’ shimmies, and relaxed shoulder or rib cage shimmies are some of the most common shimmies.
Dancers in many styles can use level shifts, moving moves, twists, and spins in addition to these torso movements. The arms are used to frame and accentuate hip motions, to render dramatic gestures, and to create elegant body lines and shapes. Other gestures, such as low kicks and arabesques, backbends, and head tosses, can be used as accents on occasion.
Background
In the Middle East, belly dancing is thought to have a long history. Dancers from Asia Minor and Spain are described in several Greek and Roman sources, including Juvenal and Martial, as using undulating gestures, playing castanets, and sinking to the floor with “quivering thighs,” descriptions that are definitely reminiscent of the movements associated with belly dance today. Later European travelers to the Middle East, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries, such as Edward Lane and Flaubert, wrote extensively about the dancers they saw, including Egypt’s Awalim and Ghawazee.
In the Ottoman Empire, women and later, with the advent of Islam, boys performed belly dance in the Sultan’s palace.
Social Setting
Belly dance has two distinct social backgrounds in the Middle East: folk or social dance and performance art.
Belly dance (also known as Raqs Baladi or Raqs Shaabi in this context) is a social dance performed by common people (male and female, young and old) in their daily clothes at festivals and social gatherings. These activities can be gender divided in more conservative or conventional cultures, with different parties where men and women dance separately.
Professional dancers in the past included the Awalim (mostly musicians and poets), Ghawazi, and Köçekler. Khayreyya Maazin, the Maazin sisters, may have been Egypt’s last authentic Ghawazi dancers, with Khayreyya Maazin both teaching and performing as of 2020.
Skilled performers (including musicians, singers, and actors) are not respected in more conservative Middle Eastern countries in the modern age, and female performers in particular face a strong social stigma because they show their bodies in public, which is considered haram in Islam. However, the craft is still celebrated and performed in Lebanon, Turkey, Morocco, Iraq, and unofficially in Iran and Egypt, as well as in the Arab diaspora.
Costumes
The ‘bedlah’ (Arabic: ; literally “suit”) style is the one most people associate with belly dance. It consists of a tailored top or bra, a fitted hip belt, and a full-length skirt or harem pants. Beads, sequins, crystals, coins, beaded fringe, and embroidery can be used to embellish the bra and belt. The belt may be worn separately or sewed into the skirt.
The modern bedlah style is attributed to Badia Masabni, a Cairo cabaret owner in the early twentieth century. The bedlah is said to have been influenced by glamorous Hollywood costuming or designed to cater to Western tourists. A full skirt, light chemise, and tight cropped vest with heavy embellishments and jewelry were typical earlier costumes.
Full-length dresses, in addition to the two-piece bedlah outfit, are often worn, particularly when dancing more earthy baladi styles. Dresses vary from form-fitting, heavily decorated gowns with heavy embellishments and mesh-covered cutouts to more simplistic styles based on traditional clothing.
Benefits
Belly dance is a low-impact, weight-bearing activity that is appropriate for people of all ages and fitness levels. Many of the exercises provide isolations, which enhance torso flexibility. Belly dance movements are good for the spine because they lengthen (decompress) and strengthen the entire column of spinal and abdominal muscles in a gentle manner.
Dancing with a veil can help develop upper-body, arm, and shoulder strength. Playing the finger cymbals (sagat / zills) strengthens and teaches fingers to function independently. Hip movements reinforce the legs and the back’s long muscles.
Music Industry and Belly Dance
Today, numerous artists use belly dance, like Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Fergie, but the most prominent representative of this dance is Colombian singer Shakira, who popularized it with her songs Whenever Wherever and Ojos as, but it was thanks to the song Hips Don’t Lie that her hip dance skills became known worldwide, and also thanks to Whenever Wherever in. Shakira is the only artist in the music industry who has used Belly Dance on many occasions in her artistic career, thanks to her grandmother who decided to teach her because of her Lebanese roots.
Nowadays, Belly Dance is a signature dance of this singer, who introduced a version with a rope entangling it in her body and dancing to the rhythm of Whenever Wherever. During the transition from Ojos as thus to Whenever Wherever at the Super Bowl LIVE Halftime Show, she returned to the Belly Dance with Rope. Today, this dance is regarded as a defining moment in Shakira’s career and unquestionably her signature move. Along with Michael Jackson and the moonwalk, she is the second artist to have a distinctive dance in the music industry.
Sadie Marquardt
Sadie Marquardt is an inspiration and an icon to her students and fans all over the world, and she uses the captivating art of Oriental Dance to inspire people (Bellydance). She has hundreds of best-selling instructional videos to her name. On the hit show “America’s Got Talent,” she portrayed the art of Oriental Dance in front of millions of viewers. Sadie is the creator and director of the “Raqs Flow” training program, which provides students with a solid technical base while also keeping them involved and connected to the dance’s culture and history. She recently launched a new athletic dance wear line and hosts a series of international dance retreats, taking her students on a deep journey and discovery of this incredible art form as well as their own inner selves.
She can be seen teaching her award-winning bellydance lessons and seminars, as well as performing locally in Colorado, when she is not traveling the world.
Nataly Hay
Nataly Hay has never spoken about what she would do if she didn’t dance. The Israeli belly dancer has been performing for as long as she can remember. She began her training in ballet, jazz, and other styles of stage dance at the age of three, as do many dancers. Then, at the age of 16, Hay took her first belly dance lesson and fell in love.
Hay started taking belly dance lessons on a regular basis and was quickly noticed for her considerable talent, earning her a job offer as a coach. “I began teaching classes to students ranging from kindergarten to adults while also pursuing my degree to become an Israeli Sport Institute-certified belly dance instructor. “I haven’t stopped belly dancing since then,” Hay explains.
Hay’s professional career in belly dance began with teaching, but she didn’t stop there.
Hay is a well-known dancer in Israel due to her ability to captivate audiences with her unique beauty and talent. Hay’s television performances shine, according to Gilad Malkin, an Israeli TV producer, because she knows how to work with the camera and it shows on film.
“Nataly is a fantastic dancer, extremely talented, attractive, responsible, and professional,” says Malkin. “We can always depend on her to achieve the best results. Nataly is Israel’s best dancer.”
Hay’s abilities aren’t only limited to belly dancing. She was a winner in Israel’s Kizomba competition and has won invitations to perform for fans in the United States, Brazil, and Mexico. She is well-versed in Latin dance styles and the Spanish language. Hay also received a trophy at the European Belly Dance competition in Amsterdam last year, and she is a regular performer and coach at the International Bellydance Festival in Eilat, Israel, which draws dancers from all over the world.
“Nataly is a very talented dancer, persuasive and charismatic as well as wise and serious,” says Yael Moav, the festival’s organizer.
Working with Nataly assures me that the job will be completed accurately and on time, as expected of a competent and true artist.”
Hay works out regularly in order to preserve her athletic abilities and perform for long periods of time on stage without exerting too much physical effort.
“Body strength allows me to quickly learn new dance moves and refine my technique,” Hay says.
Hay says that having a supportive family has contributed to her success by giving her mental as well as physical strength. Hay’s career as a dancer has also been boosted by her commitment to her craft, a positive attitude, and confidence in herself. Her appearances at high-profile events have become a staple.
Hay was invited to play in front of 100,000 people as part of the Juno Reactor international tour just a few months ago. Stephen Watkins, a deejay, two dancers, a drummer and guitarist, and Hay, who adds her own mix of belly dance, African, western, and Latin dance to the shows, make up the trance-oriental musical act.
Nataly is one of the most elegant dancers Watkins has ever seen or performed with. “She has forged her own style and personality to match within Juno Reactor, sensual and captivating. She’s also a joy to collaborate with.”
The group has been invited to play at festivals all over the world. Juno Reactor put on a show with 20 more dancers from Russia and Ukraine, as well as Hay onstage as a belly dancer, as headliners at the Ozora festival in Hungary last August.
Hay remembers the experience, saying, “The costumes, shoes, choreography, and chemistry on stage were excellent.”
Hay considers traveling the world to be a dream come true because she loves meeting new musicians, singers, composers, and dancers, as well as being exposed to cultures other than her own. This is a good thing, because Hay has been receiving offers to teach and perform all over the world, particularly after a bellydance video of hers went viral on YouTube, garnering 22 million views and counting.
Clearly, although Hay’s powerful dance technique is illustrated in the video, it appeals to more than just belly dance fans. The response has been overwhelmingly positive.
“Many belly dance fans have attempted to learn and perform this dance in their own countries. Furthermore, as a result of that film, I’ve got numerous invitations to perform and teach all over the world,” Hay adds. Nonetheless, her international recognition is merely a perk of the work. Hay’s true passion and source of fulfillment is dancing. In reality, she claims that while performing, she often gets chills or sheds happy tears. “Dancing is the most strong feeling for me,” Hay muses. “I am the happiest person on the planet when I am dancing; I forget about everything and my soul and body are free.”
Jasirah is a talented international dancer, coach, and judge, as well as the organizer of Poland’s Raks Glam Festival. She has been teaching monthly oriental dance classes in Poland and master classes all over the world for over 12 years. You will find her teaching and performing in over 20 countries across four continents. During a three-month tour in China in 2016, she played the main role of Cheshire Cat in “Alice in Wonderland,” and during a three-month tour in the United States East Coast in 2017, she played the main role of Mermaid and Florist in “Sheherezade 1001 Night.”
Multi Awarded winner of competitions included:
* 1st place – Champion of Champions 2016 – California USA
* 1st place – Bellydancer of the Universe fusion category – California 2016
* 1st runner up – Bellydancer of the Universe props category – California 2016
* 1st place – Etna Bellydance Festival 2014 in Sicily
* The winner of the People’s Choice Bellydance Evolution “Alice in Wonderland” European tour * 2nd place during ISBF 2014 Netherlands
* 2nd place during Orient Express – Austria 2014
* 2nd place during ISBF 2013 Netherlands
* 1st place during EURO RAKS – Poland 2012
* 3rd place during Polish Championships 2010
* 1st place during Polish Championships 2010
* 2nd place during Polish Championships 2009
* 1st place during Polish Championships 2009
* Semifinalist of Poland Got Talent Show in 2011.
She has ten years of ballroom dancing experience, which has given her a good professional background and helps her to offer exciting performances. In her choreographies, she combines a lot of ballroom dance experience, fusing it with tango, samba, and other styles. Learning from the best ballroom dance masters and oriental dance legends has given her a rare combination of vast oriental dance and folklore expertise, a solid foundation in classical technique, and the ability to describe each movement in great detail. Her excellent drum solo technique, vibrant and feminine mejanse, double assaya, and double veil poi skills have made her a household name.
These are the three best belly dancing performances in the world. However belly dancing in Singapore is not common.
Dancers | Achievements, Performances and Awards |
Sadie Marquardt | She has hundreds of best-selling instructional videos to her name. On the hit show “America’s Got Talent,” she portrayed the art of Oriental Dance in front of millions of viewers. Sadie is the creator and director of the “Raqs Flow” training program, which provides students with a solid technical base while also keeping them involved and connected to the dance’s culture and history. She recently launched a new athletic dance wear line and hosts a series of international dance retreats, taking her students on a deep journey and discovery of this incredible art form as well as their own inner selves.Award-winning bellydance lessons and seminars, as well as performing locally in Colorado. |
Nataly Hay | Winner in Israel’s Kizomba competition.Won invitations to perform for fans in the United States, Brazil, and Mexico. She is well-versed in Latin dance styles and the Spanish language. Hay also received a trophy at the European Belly Dance competition in Amsterdam last year. She is a regular performer and coach at the International Bellydance Festival in Eilat, Israel, which draws dancers from all over the world. |
Jasirah | 1st place – Champion of Champions 2016 – California USA 1st place – Bellydancer of the Universe fusion category – California 2016*1st runner up – Bellydancer of the Universe props category – California 2016 1st place – Etna Bellydance Festival 2014 in Sicily The winner of the People’s Choice Bellydance Evolution “Alice in Wonderland” European tour * 2nd place during ISBF 2014 Netherlands2nd place during Orient Express – Austria 20142nd place during ISBF 2013 Netherlands1st place during EURO RAKS – Poland 20123rd place during Polish Championships 20101st place during Polish Championships 20102nd place during Polish Championships 20091st place during Polish Championships 2009 Semifinalist of Poland Got Talent Show in 2011. |