The American Styles of Bellydance
American Cabaret Style
Cabaret style is the glitzier / flamboyant dance we see in our local restaurants and bars.
Various versions of this style are relayed in the following American styles. Zills, Veils and other props are used to entertain a crowd.
American Classic Style
“This style describes the bellydance performed and cultivated by American women, (and a few men) since about the early 1970s…. The American style of belly dance incorporated cultures from around the globe and added its own liberating trademarks.
One of these trademarks was the steady development of the gymnastic use of the veil within the dance. Another was a wider stance and bolder use of space than in the Middle East. The American Classic style began spreading all over the world, even circling back to influence dance in the Middle East. Egyptian dance businesses flourished to meet the enjoyment of the western woman’s love of this dance.” (1)
American Tribal Style / Tribal
Another American interpretation of belly dance, this one drawing its influenced back from the originating lands. This is a very popular style in both Renaissance Fair and in the Society for Creative Anachronism.
“While this form of the dance included elements of Middle Eastern and North African dance styles from Byzantium, the Renaissance, and Victorian era, it was leavened with a good deal of old-fashioned show biz theatrics. Introduced in the 1970s at California-style renaissance pleasure fairs, women who experienced Tribal belly dance became transfixed! It quickly defined itself as a wildly popular American style. American Tribal Belly Dance performances might include the balancing of swords and other props, snake dances, and folk line-dances. Costuming is distinctive with black and silver asuit, and facial drawings to simulate tribal tattoos. The tribal musical instruments used here include a variety of hand drums, zornas, miz mar, and saz.”
Other costuming changes have begun to emerge using jewelry not only from the Middle East but also from more southern African sources. Dreadlocks of various colors, Tassels are worn on the costuming. (Apparently tassels were only for camels before we got a hold of them… or so I have been informed.)
It is a growing style with many more sub-styles emerging.
For more information see Online Source (3)
American Gypsy Style
This is not your Romany Gypsy Dance. This is once again the American way. One of the many fusions we have in our repertoire.
“The American version of Gypsy style belly dance fuses many dance flavors together. The Spanish/Moorish influence manifests as “Zambra,” a form of flamenco employed by belly dancers, along with Indian Katak, Turkish Gypsy, folk dance, American spunk, vamp, and imagination. Typical costume characteristics include large, full, colorful skirts, fringe scarves on hips, flowing sleeves and Moorish art accents.” (1)
American Night Club Belly Dance
Yeah, I know we don’t usually like to hear this term. But it is also a misunderstood term. Night club belly dance is another true American style. It refers to a flamboyant cabaret show featuring talented dancers with skill of many fashions. These took place in family restaurants, bars and other venues supported by an ethnic clientele.
“Customers, both men and women, moved kerchiefs through the air as they (the dancers) danced folk dances: Lebanese debke, mizerloo, Greek sirto, or Zorbekiko between the floor shows of the featured bellydance stars. Today these belly dancers usually perform a multi-faceted routine, sometimes on a raised stage (to afford the audience a better view) and most often to live musical accompaniment. The musical instruments might include oud, bazooki, keyboards, drums, violin, kanoon and vocals. Costumes are flashy and sparkling, with beads and sequins rather than the heavy, woven, embroidered, coined look of tribal costuming. Often the establishment sports a large dance floor for public participation in folk dancing and free style dancing to traditional ethnic music, or to Middle Eastern pop disco” (1)
