1. Is bellydance like stripping?

Absolutely not! Bellydance is based in folk dances from the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Western Asia, in which all members of the community participated. Dancers performed at community festivals, weddings, births, and other social events. Often women danced only for other women. Though the dance can be sensual, it can also be energetic, mysterious, happy, sad, elegant, silly, and just about anything else one would like to express! For more information, there are articles on this subject available on the excellent website www.shira.net. In particular, see "A Dance for the Whole Family" and "Isn't that Like Stripping? (Why They Ask)"

 

2. How can I invite The Neighbourhood Strays to perform at my event?

We are available for public performances at a variety of events, and are willing to donate our time for a good cause. If you are interesting in having us perform or would like a quote for a performance, please contact us detailing your needs. 

 

3. What are your performance venue requirements?

We require a reasonable sized, smooth dance area. We are able to adapt to different sized spaces, but the more space you can provide, the better! We strongly prefer to dance in bare feet, so a clean, smooth dance surface free from hazards (water, sharp objects, glass) is preferable. We use pre-recorded music on CD, so a sound system is necessary. We can bring a small portable stereo with us, but it has a very limited range and is particularly not acceptable for outdoor performances. In any event, the more you can tell us about the space, the better, as we are better able to prepare our performance according to your needs and limitations.