Bellydance Superstars

The Bellydance Superstars is a professional American belly dance troupe formed by Miles Copeland. Founded in 2002, the troupe consists of ever-increasing number of successful and talented belly dancers who extensively tour around North America and Europe.

Those fluttering gossamer sheets are called "Isis Wings"

The highlight of the performance is Rachel Brice's group, of course.

Saiidi by The Indigo

The Indigo, tribal bellydancing troupe spearheaded by Rachel Brice. This is a clip from the Bellydance Superstars Show.

Fat Chance Bellydance

Fat Chance Bellydance, the dance phenomomen to hit San Francisco. Carolena Nericcio had the idea to fuse flamenco and indian forms into bellydance creating what is known as American Tribal Bellydance. With this fusion, she also influenced elaborate costuming with long flowing skirts, headresses, and adornment of jewelry creating a "tribal" look.

American Tribal Bellydance is more earthy and grounded than the other bellydance forms and focuses on group choreography rather than solo dancing as demonstrated in cabaret style. You may not notice because the dancers are perfectly synchronized but ATB is based on improvisation. There is no set choreography, subtle cues from the dance leader tell the group when to transition into the next move.

They're even better when you watch them live, so beautiful and mesmorizing!

Raks Assaya

Egyptian men's cane dance or Raks Assaya is an exciting Egyptian folkoric dance performed with a cane. The dance has its roots in El Saiid or upper Egypt, south of the country. Originally a men's dance that prepared them to fight with warring tribes, the Raks Assaya was also often displayed at times of folkoric festivity. The dance required martial art like concentration and skill to wield long, heavy staffs called 'taktib'.

An example of the women's version of the Saidi Cane Dance

Sword Bellydance

The sword dance or sabre requires a great deal of balance and movement control as demonstrated by Suhaila's Bellydance group.

You can just about balance the sword anywhere. On the head, chin, hip, or wrist, just to name a few.

Egyptian belly dance - Saidi

Mahmoud Reda's troupe performing Raqs Baladna Saidi. Saidi is performed in the Egyptian countryside. It's a folkdance as opposed to cabaret (raqs il sharqi) which you commonly see in the nightclubs of Cairo. I love how they're perfectly in sync!

Suhaila Salimpour - Desire

I'm not a big fan of Suhaila's style. Her style is too provocative for my taste and she mixes in other styles like jazz and modern dance. But I do love this choreography! I'm dying to learn it. She actually makes her students sign a contract not to teach or perform this dance in public. Unfortuntely, the video is a bit dark.