By Tracey “Halyma” Vibert

Modern belly dance is predominantly cabaret style, the vision of a beauty in chiffon and sequins, swirling and shimmying to rhythms of the doumbek and tinkling of zills. From the development of American Tribal Style [ATS] of Fat Chance Belly Dance to the explosion of diverse veil work and expanding prop integration, and the re-examination of its spiritual side and empowerment of women, belly dance is in constant flux.

One of the magical things about belly dance is its natural growth through fusion. Once a dancer begins her education in this ancient art form, a realization dawns that it encompasses multiple styles of Middle-Eastern dance: Baladi, Egyptian Folkloric, Lebanese, Turkish and Greek, among others.

As each tribe or nation developed celebratory customs – concepts of dance, costuming and music – travelling merchants and itinerant groups would carry elements from one place to another. A natural evolution occurred.

With master instructors like Ahmed and Denise Enan and Jalilah, alongside a variety of classes at dance studios, community centres and school board evening programs, it’s easy to see how Ottawa’s belly dance scene is undergoing a fusion explosion as local dancers find and create opportunities to perform outside traditional wedding and restaurant shows. Some of the locals include:

Shade. Photo by Lainie Cambria.

Shade

With a background in tango and ballroom dance, Shade began studying belly dance in 2005, progressing to ATS classes within a short walk from home. While she continues to study and perform cabaret as part of the Belly Dancing For Fun Group, her love of Tribal has flourished, presently dominating most of her performances.

As one of two Rockalily Burlesque belly dancers, her moves, costuming and music choices reflect her own signature style. “Even when I go out dancing, I can’t help but to throw in belly dance moves, which often leads to others noticing it.”

Isaden

With Egyptian-and-Lebanese-infused training, Isaden sees cabaret as fusion in its own right. Melding folkloric styles and modern props with cabaret style costuming and moves, she has developed a personal sense of expression.  Her love of veils and weighted and veil poi shines through in her dances. She sticks to traditional props for about half her shows, using zills and cane, two classic tools of the belly dance trade.

She loves exploring different aspects of dance. “It’s an art form that is a continuous journey within a wonderful dance style and great dance community.”

Through the summer, Sahara Star performs classic cabaret belly dance in restaurants.  In the winter, she’s an active member of Rockalily Burlesque. After seeing Scarlett James, a Montreal burlesque performer, dance with feather fans, she wanted to develop that same confidence and flare.

Her role with Rockalily is as a classical belly dancer with some caveats.”I have a couple of personal boundaries when I perform belly dance burlesque: I will not use music that contains Arabic or Turkish words, and I will also not strip down to pasties, both out of respect for classical belly dance/music. ”

Oksana. Photo by Lainie Cambria.

Oksana

Oksana has more than 12 years Egyptian cabaret and folkloric dance experience. She’s also explored Gothic (a lifestyle she has lived for years), Gypsy, Tribal and East Indian styles. Adding fusion elements started about five years ago.

“This darker fusion inspires me to be creative, and I feel full freedom to make up my own movements and interpretations of the music. I always wanted to fuse traditional belly dance with Gothic in a way that resonates with who I am.” Adjusting each performance to the audience’s expectations, Oksana can play up classic hip moves or choose to go darker, more-sultry, and play up her Goth side.

Traditionalists can find fusion a bit confusing. Why would someone want to belly dance to Nine Inch Nails?  Those exploring it feel they are adding new life and energy as well as a personal perspective to the dance. Most believe proper training in the traditional styles is key to creating powerful fusion.

“It is important for a given dance style to evolve over time since belly dance is a creative expression of self. Fusion allows for the exploration of other styles and provides the building blocks of new dance forms,” Oksana explains. Shade agrees. “I do see the importance of maintaining and performing the history of belly dance culture, but I also believe the culture must be dynamic in order to continue to be generative.”

Sahara Star thinks “people today will just keep on innovating and creating new forms of arts by using a mixture, which I think is great because I like experiencing new things and seeing how other people can combine different forms of dance together.” And Isaden’s light-hearted approach reflects belly dance as a positive force. “It is a dance that continues to help women celebrate themselves as an individual as well as allows them to be part of an all-encompassing community. It does not matter what size or how great in shape you are, Belly dance classical and fusion celebrates women in body, mind and soul,” she says.

Tracey “Halyma” Vibert is a performer and instructor of Canadian belly dance in Ottawa. Her blog features news and information for belly dancers in the National Capital Region and beyond, as well as her own personal insights.