Faranah's Bellydance of Holyoke Ma
Middle Eastern Dance instruction and performances
Discover the art of Middle Eastern Dance!
Middle Eastern Dance, called ''bellydance'' in the United States, combines influences from many cultures. Increasing travel at the turn of the 20th Century created a mixing of cultures and an interest in the exotic. Folk dances from the Middle East, North Africa and Western Asia were popularized by night clubs in Cairo and Beirut. Soon the Egyptian film industry made dancers international stars, creating the glamorous image that defines bellydancers today.
Modern bellydance is an art that can be learned and enjoyed by women of all ages and body types. The dancer learns to control individual body movements called ''isolations''. These movements are combined to express the rhythm and emotion of the music, and convey the dancer's personality.
