It never fails, when talking to a new student they all ask …what is the difference between Tribal and Cabaret?

There is no question I dread more than this one! No matter what I say, it never seems to really describe the differences.

Costuming is a big difference; Cabaret dancers wear lots of flashy material, sparkly beads and sequins; whereas Tribal dancers wear layers and layers of natural fabrics and accent with chunky jewelry, shells and natural decorations.

Cabaret dance is taught with the idea that eventually you will become a solo dancer, and Tribal is taught with the idea that you are never going to dance without your “sisters”.

Tribal dancers have prescribed moves and transitions so that your fellow dancers can follow your lead easily. Your arms set at precise levels so that when you move them in a certain way your followers can understand where your going. In Cabaret your arms flow with the music and your body follows the beat, if you want to do three hips and change and 4 arms and change … you can - no one is counting on you to stay consistent.

Tribal bellydance is a workout right from the beginning, whereas Cabaret starts with gentle toning and gets more intense as you progress.

There are many differences, but when you come right down to it, none of them really describe it … anyone that dances both styles will tell you … the differences are not what you’re wearing, or what movements you’re doing … it’s the feeling.

Walking out on stage with layers and layers of skirts, big chunky jewelry, an amazing hairpiece and your back will straighten and your nose will lift just slightly … proud, regal and utterly feminine.

Glittering jewels, soft flowing fabric and rows n’ rows of beads …a quirk of a smile, a lift of an eyebrow and we are no longer us, but some Egyptian goddess visiting earth to wow our audience with dance… soft, graceful and utterly feminine.

Until you experience it, there is no description that will do it justice .. no explanation that can really describe the magical difference between Cabaret and Tribal.