The reasons that I felt a need to build a site about belly dancing have to do not only with my love of performing but also about common misconceptions people have about Middle Eastern Dance. Only here in the United States is it refered to as Belly Dance. Elsewhere it is refered to as Middle Eastern dance, Eastern Dance, or The Dance Oriental. The name Belly Dance comes from a French term for a specific move called the dance of the abdomen and was used to intrigue people who had never seen Middle Eastern performers before. But, most Middle Eastern Dance is performed in cultural clothing which covers the body almost completely and not the "typical" bra and skirt with bare midrif costume that many associate with Belly Dance. That form of costume is strictly for what is refered to as Cabaret style performing. Also, the range of movements and music is extremely varied. Well as you can tell I will be talking about my love of dance and of Middle Eastern Dance here a great deal. |