About Us

RaqRoanoke is a community of bellydancers from Southwest Virginia's New River Valley. We want to foster a community of acceptance between Middle Eastern and American cultures. We think the best way to do that is with entertainment, dance, music, and fun. We enjoy bringing Middle Eastern Dance (Raqs Sharqi) to the NRV and Roanoke Valleys.

About Us

What is Belly Dance?

Belly Dance, also known as Middle Eastern Dance, is a dance form based on the traditional dances of the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia. It has ancient roots that inspire the imagination and empowerment.

This art form is a low impact dance that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, shapes and talents where everyone can celebrate their unique images and personalities. We honor all styles of belly dance and welcome anyone who wants to become part of this growing and ever-evolving community.

Styles

Folkloric

Regional

Dances that were developed in specific regions/cultures of the Middle East, Balkans, Turkey, and North Africa. Styles like Arabic Dabke, Egyptian Raqs Baladi, and Persian Khaleegy.

Orientale

Cabaret

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This is the style that most North Americans tend to think of when they hear the term 'belly dance' compromised of styles such as Turkish Cabaret, Egyptian Raqs Sharqi, and American Cabaret

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Tribal

Improv

Originated in the California Bay Area in the 1970s. The performance style is typified by troupes who share a set movement vocabulary, which is strung together in the moment using vocal and movement cues

Theatrical

Fusion

Theatrical/Fusion belly dance performers might fuse one or more different dance styles with belly dance including butoh, contemporary, jazz, opera, pop culture, vaudeville, samba, modern, hip-hop, and more.

Belly Dance Styles