BELLY DANCE

Belly dance is a Western term for a traditional Arab dance generally known as raqs sharqi  or sometimes raqs baladi . It is also sometimes called "Middle Eastern Dance" or the "Arabic Dance" in the United States. Today there are many forms of belly dance. Some, such as American Tribal belly dance, are clearly modern evolutions of the traditional forms. However, due to the ancient origins of belly dancing, the authenticity of even "traditional" or "classical" forms of the genre are open to question and often hotly disputed.

INDIAN (BHANGRA, KATHAK)

Bhaṅgṛā Punjabi: is a form of music and dance that originated in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. Bhangra began as a folk dance conducted by Punjabi Sikhs to celebrate the coming of Spring. This musical art further became synthesized after the partition of India, in which refugees from different parts of the Punjab shared their folk dances with individuals who resided in the regions they settled in. This hybrid dance became Bhangra. It became popularized by the Indian Sikh Community. Today, bhangra survives in different forms and styles all over the globe – including pop music, film soundtracks, and even collegiate competitions. Kathak is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, originated from northern India. This dance form traces its origins to the the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks, or story tellers. These bards, performing in village squares and temple courtyards, mostly specialized in recounting mythological and moral tales from the scriptures, and embellished their recitals with hand gestures and facial expressions. It was quintessential theatre, using instrumental and vocal music along with stylized gestures, to enliven the stories. Its form today contains traces of temple and ritual dances.

SALSA

Salsa is one of the most popular nightclub dances in the wolrd today, and continues to evolve, integrating influences from Hip Hop, world music, and more! Developed from the Cuban dance Son, whose influences were African rhythms and Spanish music, Salsa is a contemporary, street version of the classic, Mambo. Salsa is a syncopated, sexy dance characterized by strong Cuban motion, body isolations and intricate turning combinations.

HAWAIIAN