Egyptian Style

Egyptian Style Dance also known as Raks Sharki has the same common moves but is much more subtle then in Cabaret Style dance.  Within the Egyptian Dance style the focus is not only on the moves but focuses on artistic expression, interpretation of the music and the dancer will bring the audience in with her so there is a more personal connection between the dancer and the audience.  The use of props is not used as widely as in
the Cabaret style and you will seldom see a dancer with a veil or playing the finger cymbals.  The moments that the dancer will use these if any at all will be very brief, unlike the cabaret dancer who will use the props for an entire length of a song or routine.  The Egyptian style dancer will never do any floor work of any type since it is still considered illegal in Egypt
today.  The one prop that many Egyptian Dancers will use though will be the cane when performing saidi or use of the
candelabra.  They are found dancing in night clubs and restaurants and never staged like the Cabaret Style.  It is more intimate. The music is usually played by an orchestra and is always live.  An Egyptian dancer will never dance with recorded music at any time which consists of Arabic music.  Sometimes the dancer will dance to more modern Egyptian music and it will consist of Western influence in which you will find keyboards and other electronic instruments that are added.  The performance of the dancer will usually last at least 30 minutes long or longer compared to the Cabaret Style and with Egyptian dance the dancer always is a solo performance and is never done with a group. The costume of the Egyptian dancer is slightly different than that of the Cabaret Costume and the one exception is the Egyptian dancer is not allowed to have the abdomen exposed when dancing.  Bare flesh cannot be exposed and it is still illegal today in Egypt for dancers to expose their stomachs.  The costume will either be a dress with or without cutouts on the side or will consist of a bra and skirt with the belt being a part of the skirt or attached and is not separate.  They dancer can also wear a flesh colored body stocking or one that is the same color of her costume.  The costumes are very elegant and elaborate in which fabric that is very rich is used with the combination of not only beads, jewels and fringe is used.  The
costume is also enhanced by headpieces, necklaces and earrings that include arm and even ankle bracelets.  The look of the Egyptian style costume is very glamorous but brings out the feminine side.  It is also noted that Egyptian dancers will also dance in heels and very seldom in bare feet.

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