design we watch dance performances that : seem not to match the rhythms or musicality , may not be very dynamic , and may not be culturally relevant to the music .
What to try for THOUGHTFUL DESIGN : The old saying “ a place for everything and everything in its place ” is a good mantra to start with . Be sure that your dancing fits the music : What rhythms are there in the music ? What instruments are being played ? Is there a mawwal from the singer ? Or , a taqsim by each instrument ? Are you wearing an appropriate costume design for the music ? Is your performance culturally relevant ? It ’ s important to recognize that Middle Eastern music has a structure and musical quality that the dancer should address and use to create a synchronous performance that creates taraab – emotional impact .
Aisha Ali - History
History Audiences seek comfort in things that remind us of our past experience , knowledge of our dance genre , or want to connect with their Middle Eastern heritage and appreciate nostalgia of this art form . When audiences hear traditional Middle Eastern music , they expect traditional forms of dance and movement . Yet many dancers want to create history and update their dancing , and introduce other dance forms and fuse these nontraditional movements in performance .
Many dancers of today have shows missing elements of Raqs Sharqi - a dance genre that has a long history in the Middle East . Albeit , tribal style dancing and fusion dancing has now existed for some time – there is still the history of Raqs Sharqi as an art form and genre with special movements and styling that has been passed from one generation to another . Thus , as a tribute to culture and history , a belly dance performance should result in a beautiful and recognizable art form related to Raqs Sharqi and the music .
Elena Lentini - History
What to try for HISTORY : Consider the basic structure of Middle Eastern music , maqamat , and rhythms . Do you know that each maqam invokes an emotional response and connection to the music ? Consider the differences in musical styling and cultural aspects that define regional dances . Refer to collections and instructional systems that have codified and captured Raqs Sharqi as an art form . Then , as you listen to the music , reflect on what you have learned and on your cultural knowledge , to make your dancing relevant by including vintage movement and techniques and connecting with the music .
24 The Belly Dance Chronicles � July 2017