Photo: From Morguefile
More resources:
Students: Students' FAQs - lost of information about classes, what to wear, etc
Music: A list of the music I use in classes / recommend for beginners
Articles: Articles that I have written either for students or for other publications
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Links
This page has links to other websites that can give great in-depth information about the history of bellydance, it's cultural context in the Middle East, music, costume, props, and much, much more. Please take the time to browse these sites and use the contact page to report any dead links. Please note, all links open a new browser window!
Sites that cover pretty much everything!
Shira
Shira's site is encyclopaedic, containing articles and information about the history of belly dance, different musical rhythms, finger cymbal workshop, and much much more.
Joy of Bellydancing
Yasmina's Joy of Bellydancing consists mostly of links to further websites with in-depth articles on the history of bellydance, costuming styles, different styles of bellydance, etc. A great place to look when trying to hunt down an obscure piece of information.
Zilltech
Aziza Sa'id's Zilltech site has lots of information about bellydance, and perhaps the most comprehensive online database of bellydance in the movies!
Casbah Dance
Morocco has travelled extensively in North Africa, researching and recording the folk dances of different countries. Her site includes many articles detailing her research, and you can also order videos that contain rare footage. Articles contain interesting information about the relationship between some bellydance movements and traditional birthing techniques in North Africa and the Middle East, and the role of men in Middle Eastern Dance.
Aisha Ali
Like Morocco, Aisha Ali has also travelled extensively in North Africa and the Middle East researching folk, social and performance forms of the dance. Her site inclues links to further articles and research, as well as an opportunity to buy rare in-the-field recordings of music and dance.
Keti Sharif
Keti's site covers Egyptian bellydance and music. Lots of information about musical instruments, different styles of bellydance, and more!
Jasmin Jahal
Jasmin's site contains many useful articles about bellydance.
Afra al-Kahira
Afra's site contains many useful articles about bellydance, and particularly about make-up for performance and the involvement of men in Middle Eastern Dance.
Oriental Dancer
Salome's site has articles about bellydance, translations of song lyrics, and discussion forums.
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Specialist sites
The Gothic Bellydance Resource
An informative site providing more information about Gothic Bellydance.
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Other dancers' websites
Amel Tafsout
Amel Tafsout is an Algerian dancer based in the US. her site contains a wealth of background information about North African dance, music, costume and symbols.
Adry Svraka
Adry Svraka is a US-based dancer who specialises not only in bellydance but Hungarian folk dance, Bharata Natyam and Polynesian dance. From her wide experience of dance forms from many cultures she has devised UniTancz (United Dance): a fusion dance style that combines bellydance with many of these influences. See the comprehensive list of movements on her site.
Jacqueline Chapman
Jacqueline Chapman teaches classes in South and Central London
Emma Pyke
Emma Pyke is a Middle Eastern Dance Instructor and Performer based in Reading, Berkshire.
Pedralta Dance
A UK-based site for Middle Eastern Dance and Tribal Bellydance with articles and information on dance, fitness, health and travel. Gorgeous pictures in the gallery and an online shop for Tribal jewellry, bellydance music and video, and some great dance sandals!
Anne Kingston
Anne is a fabulous teacher and performer, based in Preston.
Beverley Smith / Hazarah
Talented dancer and costumier, based in Leeds.
Rita Williamson
Based in Penrith, Cumbria, Rita is an EXPERT at making that impulse-bought costume fit properly!
Cumbria Belly Dance
Bellydance events in and around Cumbria!
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Men in Middle Eastern Dance
Zorba
Zorba, "The Veiled Male", is a male bellydancer based in the US. His site contains articles and personal reflection about the experience of being a male bellydancer, as well as further links to articles and websites of male bellydancers.
Mohamed Shahin
Mohamed Shahin is a Reda-trained folkloric dancer who also performs bellydance.
Khaled Mahmoud
Khaled Mahmoud is a male Egyptian dancer living in the UK - he truly does have golden hips!
Tarik Sultan
Fantastic US male bellydancer who has written many articles on the dance, including some about the history of male dancers in Middle Eastern Dance. Great video clips on this site too!
Bellydance UK
This site is run by three Manchester-based British dancers and includes a list of UK-based teachers that welcome men in their classes and workshops.
For more information about men in Middle Eastern Dance, there are also interesting articles on Jasmin Jahal, Afra al-Kahira and Morocco's websites.
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Music & Video
Aladdin's Cave
Online shop for bellydance related music, video, DVD and costume
Maqam
Online shop for Middle Eastern music, video and DVD. You can listen to sound clips from various recordings on this site.
Rashid
Online shop for Middle Eastern music, video and DVD. You can listen to sound clips from various recordings on this site.
Hannan Sultan
This link will take you to an excellent video-clip guide to the different styles of bellydance, put together by Toronto's Hannan Sultan.
Jas's Middle Eastern Rhythms
This is a site that specialises in breaking down Arabic and Middle Eastern rhythms for drummers. There is a pretty comprehensive list of the patterns used for different rhythms, an exploration of how the rhythms are related to each other, and some music theory about how rhythm is treated in traditional Arabic music.
Radio Bastet
Brilliant online radio station, broadcasting the best in vintage bellydance music.
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Bellydancer Networks
NADA
Northern Arabic Dance Association (NADA) is a network of dancers in the North of England and Scotland. NADA organises workshops, lists teachers in different areas and publishes a magazine devoted to bellydance.
MOSAIC
MOSAIC is a network of bellydancers in Britain listing teachers in different areas and publishing a magazine devoted to bellydance.
Bhuz
Online messageboards used internationally by dancers to discuss all things bellydance related. Expect a friendly and supportive atmosphere, and honest and open debate.
Wiggle
Listings of bellydance teachers and events in the UK.
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Dance in Education and Community Dance
Ludus Dance
Ludus is Britain's lead Dance in Education company, is the dance development organisation for Lancashire, and is based in Lancaster. Their touring company annually produces an issue-based piece of work that can be performed a variety of venues, including school halls and community centres! Their community dance programme offers classes for adults in dance styles as diverse as Lindy Hop, Bharata Natyam, and yep...belly dance!
Foundation for Community Dance
The Foundation for Community Dance is the UK's professional body for those involved in community dance work. The website lists dance opportunities, and useful resources.
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Other Stuff!
Just Because...
Just Because... is a charity aiming to raise funds and promote awareness, prevention and early detection of breast cancer for women in Egypt.
Virtual Lancaster
Whatever you want to know about Lancaster & Morecambe, you can find it here! Run by volunteers, the Virtual Lancaster website has up-to-date listings, a directory of businesses in the Lancaster & Morecambe area, a gallery of local artists and performers, cartoons and much, much more!
Flow Therapies
Great massage and other holistic therapies!
Designed For You
Beautiful jewellery that is all individually designed and hand-made. They will make commissioned items for bellydancers! They also run jewellery making courses.
Jonathan Bean Photography
Jonathan Bean is a Lancaster based photographer offering stylish, modern, fun, relaxed and informal photography for weddings, civil ceremonies, portraiture and commercial events. A digital photo-restoration service is also offered.