Where can you see belly dance performances?

In the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, we are fortunate enough to have big theater productions, often with live musicians, as another opportunity to see different styles of belly dancing. Also, every summer is the Minnesota Renaissance Festival which dedicates one full weekend each summer to a MidEast Mirage theme.

Depending which venue you attend, you will see different styles of belly dancing. For example my dance style blends classical and folkloric Middle Eastern, American Cabaret, and Fusion styles of dance, with my style adapting to the specific venue I'm performing in. Some bellydancers specialize in one style, such as Egyptian, or Turkish, or American Tribal. You may also see many different props used by the dancer in her performance.

What can you expect from belly dance performances? Many different things, depending on the venue, dancer’s style, and music! For example, if you’re dining in a local Middle Eastern restaurant you can generally expect to see a dancer in a brightly colored two-piece costume (bedlah) covered with sequins, rhinestones, and swaying beaded fringe. She will likely be playing finger cymbals, and may have a veil or sword as a prop. Her show will last approximately 30 minutes beginning with fast and upbeat entrance music, followed by a slower veil or sword section, possibly a drum solo, and then fast music again to end the show. Feel free to clap along in time with the music, remember dancers are a cause for celebration!

Don’t be surprised if the dancer leaves the stage area and begins to dance next to your table. At this time you are welcome to tip the dancer if you enjoyed her performance; however tipping is certainly not mandatory. You can tip the dancer in a number of ways; you can simply hand the dancer your tip, you can place the money on the stage, or you can try to place the tip into the side of her hip belt as she dances next to your table. Never tip a dancer in the bra part of her costume; this is bellydance, not stripping!

After you’ve seen a belly dance performance, regardless what the venue or style is, you may want to take classes to learn how to belly dance for yourself! Just as there are many different venues and styles in the Twin Cities, there are many opportunities to take classes to learn how to belly dance.