What is belly dance? The dance which Americans know as "Belly Dance" is known by many names. The French call the dance, "Danse Du Ventre" or dance of the stomach. It is known in Greece as the Cifte Telli. (Cifte Telli is also the name of a rhythm.) In Turkey, it is known as "Rakkase." in Egypt as "Raqs Sharqi." Middle Easterners also call it "Dance Orientale" to distinguish it from "Baladi" or Folk (Traditional) Dance. After its appearance at the Chicago Exposition at the turn of the century, Americans discovered the French name, Danse du Ventre, and it was translated into the "Belly Dance." - Excerpt from "The World's Oldest Dance" By Karol Henderson Hardy Khalidah is Founder and Artistic director of Khalidah's North African Dance Dance experience, Inc., a Not-for-Profit entity. Khalidah is an internationally renowned dancer, and choreographer, conducting workshops and company tours throughout the United States. Khalidah has dedicated her life as a veteran dance instructor and performer of this genre of dance and has studied and taught dance for 35+ years. During this time, she has traveled and performed extensively throughout Africa, Egypt (Kemet, ) and the Middle East, Asia, and India. Recently, Khalidah has traveled to Istanbul-Turkey, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia to explore dances of these areas as part of an international dance collective. "A 'Temple of Dance, ' and an oasis of awareness of Wholeness, Wellness, and Fitness through Dance." www.khalidahsdance.com Khalidah executes exquisitely beautiful movements clearly, concisely, and soulfully in instruction and performance with peacefulness and positivity and with an ageless beauty. 35+ Years of Excellence!