Popular Styles of Belly Dance in the US

When people hear the words “belly dance,” they might picture a single dancer in an elaborate costume fringed with coins, bells, and jewels. Alternately, they might picture a group of dancers in layered, folkloric costumes, following each other’s lead. Currently in the United States there are many different styles of belly dance, offering opportunities to explore performance, personal expression, and cultural authenticity.

Many similarities of movement and music may be found across stylistic lines, while at the same time each style contains within it a diversity of expression. This makes any hard and fast distinctions difficult, and perhaps to some degree unnecessary. When looking for instruction, however, students are likely to run across references to some of the primary styles currently popular in the United States. In this article I’d like to present a very general overview of three of the most popular styles and their primary differences and similarities.

From American cabaret style comes perhaps the most familiar image of belly dancing. This is primarily a stage-oriented style with an emphasis on performing for an audience. Costuming is usually glittery and eye-catching, and the music can be drawn from a variety of sources both Middle Eastern and Western. This style combines movements from many different nationalities, including Western dance forms such as ballet and jazz. The dance can be done solo or in a troupe, and may be choreographed, improvised, or a mixture of both. Props are often used in this style, the better to catch and hold an audience’s attention. Many people prefer to call this style nightclub or restaurant style to distance it from the European idea of the cabaret as a sex club.