100 Belly Dancers
Feel as if you have traveled to the Middle East and enjoy over 100 dancers performing various styles of belly dance, “eastern dance” or as it’s called in Arabic - raqs sharqi.
Belly dancing is based on one of the Middle East native social dances and is performed by both men and women (but usually separately) at social gatherings for fun and celebration. The styles and types of belly dance vary as the dance has developed across all parts of the globe, there are numerous styles including traditional, modern, tribal, Persian, Oriental, Turkish, Egyptian, American Tribal and Gypsy, each with its own moves, music and style.
While the origins of belly dance are widely debated - as it may have descended from early Egyptian dancing, temple dances performed by priestesses, or perhaps part of traditional child birth rituals. It is also suspected that nomatic gypsies had much influence in its origins. Belly dancing has been documented in text as far back as the mid- 5th century. One of the first film clips of belly dance was made by Thomas Edison in 1898.
The costume typically associated with belly dancing is a bedlah or “uniform” and thought of as the fantasy harem costume but was not common until the 1930s in Egypt. Prior to that time, most easter dancing costumes were somewhat more concealing as a “proper woman” would never be seen by anyone other than her husband, close friends or family in any revealing attire.
The dancer’s goal is to visually communicate the rhythm of the music and is a celebration of a woman’s emotion, sensuality and power.
The performance includes several types of eastern belly dance, including traditional and experimental pieces by professional and student dancers from Sahara Dance, and it’s various troupes - Raqs Sahara East and West , Sahara Tribal, Raqs Caravan, Sahara Tabla and The Calmes Triplets.
Fifth Annual Under the Desert Moon
Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre at American University
4200 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20016
202-885-2587
Dates and Times – Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6 with performances at 4:00 and 8:00 p.m.
Tickets – Adults $25.00 and are available online.
Nearest Metro subway station– Tenleytown/AU on the Red line, then a 3-block walk to the theater.
Parking- Garage parking is available under the theatre. Use the Van Ness Street entrance.
Photo credits: Photo 1, Sahara Dance, film clip Copyright: Thomas A. Edison; Oct. 7, 1898; 59210;Library of Congress __________________________________________________
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POSTED IN: Events, Just a Bit Weird - Fun & Quirky Places, People, Performing Arts – Plays & Dance, Special Events
3 opinions for 100 Belly Dancers
Bellydance Superstars
Oct 26, 2007 at 4:47 am
[…] bellydancing (and what red-blooded man wouldn’t) and have written in the past on another bellydance performance along with a brief overview of the various dance style. But I also love the […]
Brenda Azila
Nov 12, 2007 at 2:09 am
omg thank u so much i got alot of information!love this page of course ill recommend this!
Belly Dancers Under the Desert Moon
May 8, 2008 at 6:17 am
[…] some history of belly dance, check out my post about last year’s show,which was a lot of fun, and highlighted some of Washington, DC’s […]
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