Exotic:

Unfortunately in American culture, the word exotic has become largely associated with strip-tease, robbing this word of its beauty and significance.

[ ex·ot·ic ] adj: 1. strikingly unusual and often very colorful and exciting or suggesting distant countries and unfamiliar cultures 2. introduced from another place or region

American Tribal Style (ATS):

ATS (American Tribal Style) Bellydance is, as the name suggests, an American creation. Loosely based on movements and costuming of many countries, it commonly consists of a group of women dancing to very earthy music, wearing full skirts over harem pants, choli tops, facial tattooing, bindis, heavy coin jewelry, etc. It is more suggestive of female spirituality and connectiveness. Performances look choreographed, but are actually group improvisation. Each group of women dancing together have their own language of signals that determine who is leading and who is following. They read each other’s body language so well that, to the audience, it looks choreographed!

Cabaret:

“Cabaret” is usually danced solo and is very showy with sparkly bras and hip belts having lots of fringe, fancy skirts and veils, and complex orchestrated music. It’s meant to be very glamorous and extravagant, and is the style most identifiable as Bellydance to the American populace. Again, many traditionalists of Middle Eastern dance dislike the term “Cabaret” feeling that it brings a negative connotation toward the dance. However, in America, the definition is literally “ a floor show consisting of singing or dancing in a restaurant or club” and is used most often by the majority.

Check back for complete glossary page with pictures! Coming SOON!