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Middle Eastern, or Near Eastern, Dance is an "umbrella" term that covers a whole host of dances. These range from very specific, perhaps even ceremonial dances done with particular intents at particular times, through very specific regional dances and social dances that may represent one or several regions. What many Westerners label "belly dance"--properly called Raqs Sharqi (Arabic), Oryantal Danssi (Turkish) or Raqs-e-Arabi (Persian)--is also included in Middle Eastern dance, as one style. Raqs Sharqi is actually and originally a social dance, performed by all ages and genders. In its stage form, it is an interpretation of the music performed by a soloist [male or female, and any age] where the dancer takes the threads of the music, the emotion (s)he feels in it, his/her own energy and that of the audience and the setting, and weaves them together, returning them as movement: the dance. More simply put, as Morocco of New York says, "The dancer is the music made visible." As an individual, expressive and interpretive dance, Raqs Sharqi may mix various steps, perhaps even from various cultures. It is a synthesis, and although particular styles have evolved in different countries, there is frequently some 'mixing'--especially mixing in of favorite steps of the current 'stars'--just like anywhere else! [Everyone wanted to "moon walk" after Michael Jackson did!]
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