The Middle Eastern Perception...

Sita · 08-02-2008, 01:42 PM

I was wondering after reading many different threads discussing and debating fusion bellydance, cabaret, ATS etc. What is the main perception in the Middle East of ATS, Tribal fusion etc. belly dance? how much are they aware of it? and do they view it as belly dance?

I understand that this question does call for a generalisation of quite a diverse area and people but it is one that has been nagging at me.
Also I apolagise if this has been discussed before.

Sita

Kashmir · 08-03-2008, 06:17 AM

For me, this has come twice with Egyptians with a connection to the dance, in both cases they were scathing at anyone thinking ATS was "bellydance". How they reacted to it as just "dance" was unclear.

jenc · 08-03-2008, 01:28 PM

I think I draw the line somewher round about ATS. What would be really interesting would be a few reactions to American Oriental

Aisha Azar · 08-03-2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kashmir

For me, this has come twice with Egyptians with a connection to the dance, in both cases they were scathing at anyone thinking ATS was "bellydance". How they reacted to it as just "dance" was unclear.

I have had the same experience, and it has been with Middle Easterners and North African from many different locations. They do not for the most part seem to think the style has anything the least bit to do with belly dance. I have heard them say the same thing about a lot of fusion styles, though and not just ATS. They tend to look at the dance differently than westerners do and take their cues as to what the dance is from different elements than just movement.

Regards,
A'isha

lizaj · 08-03-2008, 05:41 PM

I introduced ATS dance and music to a Lebanese friend. He liked the costumes and the dance moves and hated the music! He considered us to be belly dancers but then he knows we learn oriental but he did not understand the Californian music one little bit!

jenc · 08-03-2008, 07:03 PM

What music do you dance to. I thouhjt ATS danced to Classical Egyptian tracks like Upper Egypt. They do on my sampler

Jane · 08-03-2008, 10:42 PM

The reaction from the Turks I know is that ATS is "odd". They wanted to know why the women were dress up like Indians. They didn't like it. They did like AmCab, but thought Egyptian style was the best by far, even over authentic Turkish.

Eshta · 08-03-2008, 11:57 PM

I wonder the same with regards music by Eddie Kochak & George Abdo too! And what the Cairo natives think of belly dance tourism, they must think we are all mad (wouldn't be too far off the mark either!)

Aisha Azar · 08-04-2008, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jane

The reaction from the Turks I know is that ATS is "odd". They wanted to know why the women were dress up like Indians. They didn't like it. They did like AmCab, but thought Egyptian style was the best by far, even over authentic Turkish.

Dear Jane,
Regarding Egyptian belly dance being liked better than any other style by the Turks, I have also found this to be true among the Arabs, even Lebanese and other Levantine Arabs, and among people in the Gulf and Saudi as well. Of American cabaret, I have very often heard comments like "It's nice but it is not like home."
Regards,
A'isha

lizaj · 08-04-2008, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenc

What music do you dance to. I thouhjt ATS danced to Classical Egyptian tracks like Upper Egypt. They do on my sampler

Well some do and we do dance to some traditional music but "traditionally" Solace and Helm are the guys for ATS.
We've also danced to Radio Tarifa, Dead Can Dance and Galactic Caravan.

08-02-2008, 01:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sita Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: UK Posts: 335	The Middle Eastern Perception... I was wondering after reading many different threads discussing and debating fusion bellydance, cabaret, ATS etc. What is the main perception in the Middle East of ATS, Tribal fusion etc. belly dance? how much are they aware of it? and do they view it as belly dance? I understand that this question does call for a generalisation of quite a diverse area and people but it is one that has been nagging at me. Also I apolagise if this has been discussed before. Sita __________________ ~Life is like a ghaziya, she dances just briefly for each.~ - Egyptian proverb

08-03-2008, 11:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
Eshta Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 337	I wonder the same with regards music by Eddie Kochak & George Abdo too! And what the Cairo natives think of belly dance tourism, they must think we are all mad (wouldn't be too far off the mark either!) __________________ Saqarah - London's monthly Belly Dance Hafla!

08-03-2008, 06:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kashmir Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Posts: 256	For me, this has come twice with Egyptians with a connection to the dance, in both cases they were scathing at anyone thinking ATS was "bellydance". How they reacted to it as just "dance" was unclear.

08-03-2008, 01:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
jenc V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Colchester UK Posts: 1,050	I think I draw the line somewher round about ATS. What would be really interesting would be a few reactions to American Oriental

08-03-2008, 05:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
lizaj Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK Posts: 1,288	I introduced ATS dance and music to a Lebanese friend. He liked the costumes and the dance moves and hated the music! He considered us to be belly dancers but then he knows we learn oriental but he did not understand the Californian music one little bit!

08-03-2008, 07:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
jenc V.I.P. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Colchester UK Posts: 1,050	What music do you dance to. I thouhjt ATS danced to Classical Egyptian tracks like Upper Egypt. They do on my sampler

08-03-2008, 10:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jane Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: In the mountains Posts: 443	The reaction from the Turks I know is that ATS is "odd". They wanted to know why the women were dress up like Indians. They didn't like it. They did like AmCab, but thought Egyptian style was the best by far, even over authentic Turkish.