Illahun Ballet Orquesta - Tumblr Posts

I first saw male belly dancing in Seattle at a Greek nightclub. It was after hours and my friend, a retired professional belly dancer, ran into an old pal, a retired male belly dancer. Both were well known by the band, who stayed after the club closed. The two dancers spontaneously started dancing together, and the band immediately joined in playing to watch these consummate old pros improvise a routine that put the club's official dancers to shame. It was seductive, controlled, nuanced, and athletic. I was hooked, especially by the man whose movements were as graceful as my friend's. This dancer, Oscar Flores, is from Argentina, as is the orchestra, the Illahun Ballet Orquesta playing Nostalgia.