JUDY'S GYPSIES will be performing at the Abbott Terrace Nursing Home (44 Abbott Terrace) this coming Wed. night, Aug. 31st at 7:00pm. All of our beautiful ladies are asked to come & dance or just support your "sisters in dance"!! Practice will start at 5:00pm that night. We will be leaving the center between 6:15pm & 6:30pm

About Oriental Dance (aka Belly Dance)

In Arabic it is called "raqs sharqi" which translates literally to "Eastern Dance" or "Oriental Dance": raqs=dance, sharqi=Eastern, Oriental. Raqs Beledi, it's more common dance relation, means "of the country, folk or people" - raqs beledi refers to the dances done by ordinary people. Raqs sharqi refers to the stage presentations as performed by professionals. Raqs sharqi's basic movement vocabulary consists of intricate hip articulation, flowing arm movement and undulatory movements of the torso; often augmented by floor work, playing of finger cymbals or use of props, ie: veils, canes, swords, candelabras, snakes, etc. On stage it is usually performed mostly by a soloist. Often dancers will use the terms belly dance and Oriental dance to refer to both Raqs Sharqi and Raqs Beledi.

The true origins of this art form are hotley debated. What can be said for sure is that the elements of the dance were taken from many of the regions that met and melded in the Middle East, through trade, war and travel. A few influences particularly notable, Africa, Turkey, Greece, Persia, the Rrom people and the Arabic-speaking countries. Certain movements such as the belly roll and flutter are traceable to birthing rituals practiced by some Berber tribes in North Africa, some Bedouin tribes in Arabia and others.

More of the History to follow !