Katayoun Traditional Persian Dance

This is an excerpt from my Iranian folkloric set at the 2017 Austin Belly Dance Convention where I was a presenter of two workshops on Iranian dance and folkloric flavors. The song is about love and longing during the Persian New Year season, the vernal equinox, the most important holiday for Iranians around the world. Persian dance refers to the traditional dance styles of Iran. Traditional Iranian dance styles are characterized by expressive upper body movements, intricate steps and dazzling spins. There are a variety of Persian performance and Iranian regional styles, each with its own unique flavor, though they share some similarities. Persian dance is a challenging dance style to perform, yet the fluid movements can seem deceptively simple. Beautiful arms, hands, and postures are the hallmark of this style, along with leaning poses and graceful controlled steps. While belly dance and Persian dance are different styles historically, musically, and culturally, many dancers study the two forms side by side as they complement one another in a dancer's repertoire and offer excellent cross-training. Learn more: http://www.katayoundance.net