History of Turkish and Lebanese Belly Dance?

[Nor]

I've found many articles about the histories of Egyptian and American Style belly dance but I haven't had such luck with Turkish and Lebanese styles. Does anyone have any sources?

 

[Ariadne]

Not off the top of my head but considering that when Badia opened the Casino Opera in the 1930's she hired dancers from Turkey it is possible that it originated there. My personal opinion is that the dance is a hybrid that came out of the Ottoman Empire.

 

[Greek Bonfire]

Try googling it. I've seen many sites about it but I can't recall any off the top of my head. However, I did hear that the Lebanese style is a lot like the Turkish style and much faster, like the Turkish style, but that the Lebanese adopted the style of wearing heels from Samia Gamal.

 

[Ariadne]

After all, she could afford them.

 

[Zorba]

I tease my current teacher about Lebanese style and wearing heels. She *HATES* heels!

 

[Greek Bonfire]

I tease my current teacher about Lebanese style and wearing heels. She *HATES* heels!

It's definitely a night club thing. I've danced in heels, however, and it's not so bad. Depending on the venue, and the floor of the place, sometimes heels are necessary, or even some kind of shoes.

 

[Zorba]

It's definitely a night club thing. I've danced in heels, however, and it's not so bad. Depending on the venue, and the floor of the place, sometimes heels are necessary, or even some kind of shoes.

Its actually easier (for me) to dance in heels than to walk in them. Or stand around in them for that matter. I only have the one pair, 3 inchers that go with my non-dance "Brolita" costume - although I've danced a bit in it anyway. If you're used to dancing in Releve', heels aren't really much different.

 

[Greek Bonfire]

If you're used to dancing in Releve', heels aren't really much different.

Exactly.

 

[Shanazel]

I could dance on half pointe and did for forty years. Never hurt. Heels were excruciatingly painful even when I was just trying to walk in them. I feel about heels the way Zorba feels about suits and ties.