Tag: Las Vegas

Elvis Presley is well known as the King of Roll and Roll, but this man had an influence in the areas of movies and dancing as well. If you arent aware of his influence over dancing then you definitely need to keep on reading. It is hard to imagine that when Elvis first was on TV, appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show, shaking his hips to his music outraged many people. They felt his moves were too sexual in nature and they also believed that he was a white man trying to dance like he was black.

For a while it became quite a controversy for him to be on shows. In fact, many of the producers only wanted to show him from the waist up so that they wouldnt offend their viewers. Even so, there was no stopping the following that Elvis developed in part due to his amazing dancing abilities. It seemed that people all over the world just couldnt get enough of him.

His concerts in Las Vegas and other venues around the world always sold out. Many of those that came to see him made it clear that while they loved his voice they were there for many other reasons. Among them was the fact that they loved his dance style and it was wonderful to see him offering something so new and so energetic to the crowd before him.

Many teenagers loved this rock and roll man, and it also offered them a way to freely rebel against their parents. They also found his style of dancing gave them something new to work with that wasnt a rehash of what their parents had been dancing to. The fact that they could call this their own was magical and it allowed it to really take of. There arent many people who were teenagers in that era that dont remember dancing to Elvis music and loving it.

Many of the movies that Elvis played roles in included music and dancing as well. These roles set a new boundary for what could be seen on the big screen. It helped to pave the way for the public to take an interest in dancing at a new level as well. They were willing to take those moves that they saw from Elvis and try them out on their own in many instances as well.

Unfortunately, a great deal of the dancing that Elvis did wasnt really appreciated until after his death. Many believe he was decades ahead of his time with the visions that he had. He wasnt a rebel as so many critics back then labeled him. Instead he was an artistic genius. If you ask any great dancers or musicians out there today many of them will tell you that one of their inspirations has always been Elvis.

Today there are many people that try to successfully impersonate both the sounds and the dance moves of Elvis. You can find plenty of them in Las Vegas at shows as well as being offered for weddings. Of course it takes a great deal of skill to be able to pull this one off successfully. The critics are very tough on these impersonators so only the best of the best are hired.

There is no denying that the legacy of Elvis is alive and well today. There are so many remarkable things that he was able to accomplish in his lifetime. History will always remember him though as a man that was able to balance music with dancing, and who was creative enough not to let society or the industry limit his talents.

Middle Eastern dance, traditionally known as Raqs sharqi or Raqs baladi is popularly called belly dance in the western countries. Today belly dance is a common and famous form of entertainment in countries like Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt and America. Belly dancers generally combine three forms of dancing technique in their presentation, folk dance, classical and cabaret dance. It is mainly for entertaining in visitors in night clubs and parties. Turkey is a place for expert and vivacious belly dancers.
The costumes of dancers vary from place to place. The music, technique, expression and essence of belly dance are regionally distinct and the proper costuming complements them. Turkish belly dance costume combines bra, belt and a skirt. Dancers use a number of accessories that include necklace, headband, wrist or arm cuffs. Sometimes unattached sleeves with main costume and veil are also used. In the most common forms of Turkish belly dance costumes 6 to 8 inches beaded fringe are attached with the bra. The fabrics commonly used in belly dance costumes are polyester and chiffon blend. Flowing abstract design with shells, diamonds are very popular in Turkish costumes. Designer costumes are often decorated with glass stones in combination with fabric, sequins, and seed beads.

In Egypt the dancers are commonly dressed in a gown or in a bra and skirt with hip accentuations attached to it. Egyptian dancers adorn headband, arm cuffs, fitting sleeves, and a veil as accessories with costumes. However, in a country like Egypt oriental dancers are prohibited from flaunt their bare midriff. A body stocking generally made from mesh with two piece sets is commonly adorned by them. The styling of the belt is very distinct from those used in other countries. While the front part of the belt is rectangular in shape, the back is in a half circle cupping the buttock. The skirt is generally stitched with different types of sequined motifs. Peacock motif is very among Egyptian belly dance costumes.

The American costume is very interesting and distinct from other Islamic countries. The costume in America is mostly influenced by Latin and tribal cultures. The basic components of American costumes are coined bra, multi-tiered skirt, choli top, pantaloons and scarves. The accessories that add the real essence to the costumes are turban, mazouna ropes, shisa mirrors and Kuchi jewelry. Many decorative braids are often used in the costume. In recent times, American dance costumes blend Afghani, Pakistani and Indian flavors. However, the basic components like bra, skirt, pants, scarves, and veil and head ornamentation vary in different regions in America. Headband in metal colors like brass, nickel, gold, and copper with fringe graces the head of the dancers. Several layers of skirts are a unique feature of American dance costumes. Rings, arm and ankle bracelets with antique or polished metallic finish are very popular.

The costumes are nowadays changing in a big way keeping the traditional basics intact. The designer belly dance costumes are now available in different vibrant colors. Silver, gold, copper, red, pink, purple, green, turquoise, blue, lavender and orange are among some common colors. Designer velvet costumes are now very popular among high rated and stylish dancers. However, belly dancing is now common in countries like India and Dubai. In casino culture it has already made a mark in Las Vegas, Macau or Nepal.