World Dance Events: Belly Dance Festivals

belly dance photo

Belly Dance is a middle-Eastern origin dance that is now practiced everywhere around the world. Women of all ages dance it, and it’s never late to start learning to move your hips and hands to the rhythms of the drums. There are several competitions and festivals held worldwide, where dancer’s skills are tested and showcased. Let’s take a look at some festivals in the US and outside of it.

classAt Bella Diva Dance, we offer Belly Dance lessons for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced students. Our classes are a thoroughly planned series in which we cover all belly dance moves, including hip and arm moves, body isolations, traveling moves and shimmies.

Our prices:

4 week month series = $52
5 week month series = $65
$15 Drop-in rate (if spots are available)

Belly Dance Festivals and Competitions

Miami Belly Dance Convention

The biggest Bellydance Festival on the East Coast is held in August this year. In this 4 day event, over 500 dance students and teachers from around the world compete, learn, perform and connect with other dancers. It includes 3 Gala Evening shows and a dance competition to a live Egyptian Orchestra. Read more about Miami Belly Dancing Convention 2015.

Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival

This is a 4-day extravaganza of non-stop entertainment and education. It includes a dance festival, dance shows, a “So, you think you can Belly Dance?” contest, Vegas-style cocktail party with live music, and even shopping will be available. With 30 instructors, they will be teaching a cumulative total of over 80 hours. Read more about Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival.

International Bellydance Eilat Festival

Another 4-day festival held in the city of Eilat, Israel, on the Red Sea. They host dancers from around the world, with live music orchestra, workshops, shows, competitions, and night parties. This is the world’s biggest festival, with 1000 people dancing and living together in the same hotel. Read more about International Bellydance Eilat Festival.

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JOIN US FOR WORLD DANCE CLASSES IN DENVER

Bella Diva Dance’s  new studio is located in the Glendale Center on E. Mississippi Ave and Birch St, near Colorado Blvd.  We offer you: Belly Dance, Samba, Yoga, Bollywood, Hot Hula Fitness, Afro-Caribe and Kids’ World Dance. Contact Caitlin for more information about classes: 303.359.9414 or email us at [email protected].

 

World Dances: Origins of Belly Dance

bella diva dance belly dancers

belly dance photo

There is much debate behind the true and real origin of belly dance, but it’s considered one of the most antique dances there is. Being so ancient, its origin can be traced back to different cultures. This Middle East dance is considered to have some religious background, as it’s related to fertility rituals that were recorded as early as 1,000 B.C in Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece. Even current wedding traditions in Egypt include having a belly dancer in the celebration, where the couple takes a picture with their hands on the stomach of the performer. Another association to this dance’s origin is childbirth rituals. There are several movements taught in a Lamaze class that are quite similar, if not identical, to belly dance moves. One last speculated place of origin is India, from where many Gypsy migrations helped spread out their culture across the Middle East; in countries such as Turkey, where this beautiful dance is currently practiced.

Belly Dance in Western World

It is agreed that the official introduction of belly dance into Western civilization took place in 1893, in Chicago’s World Fair, where a belly dance performer captivated the Americans with this exotic dance and rhythm. Belly dance has always been associated with femininity and the power of feminine. The feminine movements in 1970s and 1980s, rediscovered this dance as it empowered women. In many cultures nowadays, belly dance is considered a folk or social dance, as well as a performance art.

halloween masquerade

 

We offer Belly Dance lessons for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced students. Our classes are thoroughly planned series in which we cover all belly dance moves, including hip and arm moves, body isolations, traveling moves and shimmies.

Our prices:
4 week month series = $52
5 week month series = $65
$15 Drop-in rate (if spots are available)

JOIN US FOR WORLD DANCE CLASSES IN DENVER

Bella Diva Dance’s  new studio is located in the Glendale Center on E. Mississippi Ave and Birch St, near Colorado Blvd.  We offer you: Belly Dance, Samba, Yoga, Bollywood, Hot Hula Fitness, Afro-Caribe and Kids’ World Dance. Contact Caitlin for more information about classes: 303.359.9414 or email us at [email protected].