Public Perceptions: A Double Standard

Here are some thoughts on how to overcome the public misconceptions about Oriental dance:

Choose Your Words Carefully

Think carefully about which name you use for the dance when talking to people. For example, if you are proposing that this dance form be used for the "Arabian Coffee" section of a local performance of the Nutcracker, you might use the term, "Arabic dance" or "Middle Eastern dance" when submitting your proposal to the dance company who is planning the production.

Consider Your Audience When Planning Shows

Different audiences respond well to different types of productions. Before making decisions about music, costume, and dance style for a particular show, think about who your audience will be and what type of performance will most likely lead them to react the way you want.

If you live in a conservative rural Christian community, consider producing "Dances Of The Holy Land" shows featuring folkloric music, with the dancers garbed in Biblical costumes instead of beads and sequins.

Similarly, if your community is more open-minded but still not very well-informed about Middle Eastern dance, consider producing "Middle Eastern Dance" shows, wearing pantaloons under your skirt, and avoiding costumes that show too much cleavage.

Resist the temptation to be rebellious. It may be annoying to wear pantaloons and modest necklines, but one act of rebellion can destroy your chances of future performance opportunities in future events sponsored by influential members of your community.

Even though national touring dance companies such as the Joffrey ballet or Pilobolus have been known to present nude dances on stage, remember that dancers performing mainstream dance styles can get away with daring artistic statements because today's society generally accepts what they do as "legitimate". Because they're already "legitimate" they can push the envelope and be daring. However, those of us engaged in Oriental dance are still struggling to be viewed in an equal light, and we don't have the freedom to do the same kinds of artistic experimentation that they do.

When performing at a private party in someone's home, wear slightly more modest clothes than what you might choose for a nightclub show on a stage that's somewhat separated from the audience. When you're close at hand, you may seem too "available", especially if your costume is very revealing.