Best Belly Dancing Shows And Communities

Belly dancing originated in pre-Biblical times when it was performed as part of fertility cult rituals. It played an important practical role in the life of ancient Arab tribes, as midwives would dance around women in labor and roll their stomachs imitating the contraction of the uterus.

However, belly dancing was also a form of entertainment performed throughout the Orient by and for women in the absence of their husbands. Today, belly dancing continues to be a great way to connect with other women; not to mention it's a great physical workout as well!

Belly dance communities are easy to find throughout the United States. At the best belly dancing sites, you don't just watch the dancers, but they actually provoke you into joining in with the fun, by performing sensual moves and uttering snakelike hissing sounds.

When the dancer does a complex move, the other women usually cheer her with a hearty “Opa!” while her final bow is met with a zaghareet, which is the act of pressing your hand against the upper lip and crying out “yalalalalalalalalah!” Belly dancing shows usually culminate in an open dance. It's perfectly ok to down a glass of wine before you kick off your shoes and join in.

Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas, is not called the belly dancing capital of the Southwest for nothing! There are performances virtually every night of the week - to get a schedule, visit the Austin Belly Dance Association.

If it happens to be a full-moon night, Lucila Dance Productions is probably hosting a Hafla, which is not to be missed. Lucia's Haflas take place in front of her studio in the heart of Texas Hill Country, being notorious gatherings of a cabal of fun-loving dancers and drummers who snack on grape leaves and hummus while dancing barefoot with the moon and stars above them.

San Fransisco, California

In San Francisco, California, Fat Chance Belly Dance is a must for lovers of the art. They are among the most hyped tribal dance troupes in America.

You can take a class or collect some of their instructional booklets, DVDs, videos, costumes, and accessories if you stop by their studio at 670 South Van Ness Avenue.

New York City

Obviously, New Your City is one of the best places to indulge in the pleasures of a belly dancing show. Its vibrant artistic and dance communities offer a myriad of seminars, performances, and events in authentic Middle Eastern fashion.

You can take a class with infamous teacher Morocco, of the Casbah Dance Experience, or tribal specialist, Sarah Johansson Locke, of Alchemy Performance. Then enjoy a performance by Kaeshi and Amar Gamal of Bellyqueen.