Very interesting thread !!!
Well I have my personal opinion that comes from observation at 6 NileGroup Festivals that i've attented and there is a variaty of different styles.
Russia:
They just love love arabic style
But its transformed to something different.
Its more athletic in a way, maybe this have to do with the fact that most of the dancers was athlets years ago.
The approach to the music is with the arabic way, the song they use are arabic, and folk arabic (mostly egyptian), and they are the dancers i've seen dancing from Haggala, to Nubian, to Fellahin, to Khalegee, Baladi, Saidi etc.
Very hard working dancers, and beautiful women.
I agree with everything. Maria said. I also would like to add that many dancers have ballet background and it shows in their spins, leg extensions etc., Their approach to the dance is arabic but the music is interpreted in a busier manner compared to egyptian style.[/i]
Japanese/Asian:
(from the ones i've seen)
More modern style of Cairo dancing, maybe because for many years they attent lessons with Raqia Hassan?
to be honnest there are very few dancers from Asia that I like, mainly because they are extremly slim and some movements in oriental dance require some "meat" lol. But I've seen 2 dancers from Japan (sorry dont remember the names) that was WOW !!!
I personally don't see too much of style here in Asia. I find many dancers reproduce the work of the master they learned the dance from. Of course there are few exceptions.
Dancers from China have background in Chinese dance and Gymnastics and many dances overuse floor work and other gymnastics in their dances.
Korean dancers are differen to Chinese dancers.They are very hard working and very ambitious. I see reproduction of Raqia's modern egyptian style from some of the good dancers.
Hong Kong/Singapore: I think the standard of the dancers here is still not upto mark to give them any style qualification.
Japan has been doing bellydance longer than anyother asian nations. There are some very beautiful dancers I have seen, mostly their style is modern egytptian. Maria, just to make you and me happy, some of the dancers I have seen are curvey! They danced pretty good.
Hungary:
I believe that its the country in Europe that have the BEST oriental dancers !!
There is a massive bellydance community, they are united!! they consider and treat oriental dance as an Art, they have theatre shows etc.
I've seen great old style arabic dance from them and i can count more than 10 EXCELLENT dancers in arabic style. Also tribal and american style is very good in Hungary
My favourite dancers in Europe
Scandinavian countries:
A lot of Reda style spreaded, Suzane and Mohamed Abousebika at Stockholm do a great job with their school and they have more than 300 students, and as a result all the place around is growing also.
I've seen great group job from Finland and Sweden.
Island:
It amaze me the passion in that small and cold country!!!
Great dancers and great job, from tribal to arabic style and dont forget Sabah the ballet-oriental star.
I'll continue later
