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*This website is in the process of being updated therefore some information may be outdated

Belly Dance Classes

Bellydance Arts & Fitness Classes Courses & Workshops in Merseyside Contact us / book private lessons Wirral Belly Dancing  Classes 2023/2024  Our Wallasey and Hoylake belly dancing classes  have merged into one very small privately ran group of advanced students / ameture performers. J anuary 2023 was the last intake of new / beginner students.   You are welcome to register an interest in the group and put your self forward and we will contact you if a place becomes available or if the classes open back up publically to mixed ability students. Any new / future classes / courses will be published on this page feel free to check back from time to time to see if it is updated.  Liverpool City Centre Belly Dance at Whisc / Elliot Clark  This class is not running anymore since 2019. They may run again in the future. Old Information  Thanks for visiting my website  after ten years of holding classes in Liverpool city centre Hoylake and Wallasey,  January 2023 was my last intake of n
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Cabaret Belly Dancing - What is it?

What Is Cabaret Style Belly Dancing?
Cabaret style belly dance is also known as Oriental, Contemporary (not to be confused with modern contemporary dance) Fantasy, American nightclub or Restaurant belly dancing.  Cabaret oriental style belly dancing is the popularised version featured in the media. Think of modern movies like sex & the city or old Hollywood movies like 007 James bond. Cabaret is inspired by Middle Eastern, African, Medetaranean and western dance and culture. These styles are either fused together or performed as separate belly dance styles...ie American cabaret (ussually all fused), Turkish Oriental or cabaret, Egypt Cabaret oriental etc. Lots of props are used like silk veils, Candle and trays, Swords, Finger cymbals, Cane and others. A cabaret Oriental belly dancer may do an artistic floor dance or her drum solo performance may be sharper, hitting lots of accents in the music, or her take on a cane dance may be more elegant. This said there is always a strong pull to authentic belly dance. A cabaret dancer has elaborate costumes, She ussually wears shoes and lots of beautiful makeup. She is also a great entertainer. Cabaret style belly dancing is the most dynamic style of belly dancing because it is just more interesting to the veiwers who are new to watching belly dance. This style of belly dance is the most popular because it's suitable for the whole family and great for all celebrations. 99% of the time bookers wether western or Eastern always want a cabaret dancer. The dance is dynamic attractive non discriminatory and interesting to watch and take part in. 

 How it all started - in the west
It started with the influx of immigrants to America and the UK in the old days soon after buisnnesses popped up the Medetaranean and Middle Eastern people mixed their music dance and culture thanks to socialisation. Soon western people wanted to learn. With the growing popularity of restaurants featuring live music and dance there where openings for western people to learn and gain employment. It became popular in American first than later in the UK. In the old days dance sets where longer so the dancer had to make her set more interesting. These days with modern technology our attention span are shorter therefore as dancers we have made our sets shorter to keep veiwers interested. This is why props and floorwork and participation are often performed.  Cabaret oriental style wins in Entertainment value because it is focused on upbeat performance and not restricted. It's more laid back which is great for parties and celebrations here in the UK.