Shows in Turkey & Greece
Firstly I haven't been to Greece, only Cyprus and therefore it would be unfair of me to comment on the dancing in Greece. However, from the feedback I have been given very little is happening there apart from the tourist scene. I will therefore concentrate on Turkey, a country to which I have ventured many times.
There is great debate as to where Oriental dancing originated, Turkey or Egypt. How far back should we go. However, it matters not where it began, but which country is still doing it and doing it right.
Unfortunately the art of Oriental dancing has certainly been dying out in Turkey for some time and the dancing scene which does exist in Turkey falls very far short of what can be seen in Egypt and other Arabic speaking countries.
However, in recent years there has been a huge surge in belly dancing in Turkey but unfortunately this is not due to the natives' love of their own art and culture, but an opportunity to make some money from the tourists by giving them what they desire and expect from a visit to Turkey. Don't misunderstand me - absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Most of us would concur that no trip to Turkey is complete without seeing a belly dancer. However apart from my own observations and the huge amount of feed back I have received from students and fellow dancers, it would appear that the real art and beauty of the dance has long since been forgotten.
Turks seem to think that as long as the dancer is female (actually that's not always the case) Turkish, and has an outfit resembling a costume, the British tourists will love it. Well the British tourists are going to Egypt as well and are seeing the difference. They are telling me how much better the dancers are in Egypt. I have seen some of the most appalling dancers in Turkey and I would confidently say that any student of mine after just a few lessons would and could do better. Their costumes are tacky and just because they are Turkish, they believe they can dance. Well I'm Irish, but I can't dance like Michael Flatley. No matter how gifted, professional tuition is needed so as not to insult your audience. But as far as hospitality is concerned, you'd be hard pressed to find a more welcoming people.
Having said that, it is certainly not all bad. There are a number of shows in which the standard of dance is extremely good and the costumes are excellent. I would also point out that I have seen one or two very good Turkish dancers in London as well.
I believe the reason for the standard being below that of Egypt is due to the fact that belly dancing is not particularly popular with the native Turks, certainly not the younger generation, (although Tarkan, bless him, is changing that). The younger generation see themselves much more as European and would much prefer a night out at an European style night club. In Egypt, however, the native Egyptians still love belly dancing and traditional music, young and old and I believe it is for that reason that the standard has been upheld in Egypt to a much greater degree.
Egyptians of course enjoy "European style" night clubs, but they still love their own traditional ones as well. Therefore there is a market for dancers. There is work for dancers and so the standard has not dropped. Therefore, even in the tourist areas you are still quite likely to find a good dancer. However, always note, that if you want to see a really good dancer, she will not be dancing for tourists, she will be dancing in Arabic style night clubs within good hotels, restaurants or clubs. Tourists are there as well of course. but it is not an organised trip to the desert with food and drink thrown in. Having said that I did embark on a tourist trip on a cruise up the Nile and the dancer was very good, but still not of the standard to be found in some of the really good hotels. Also note that five star hotel doesn't always mean five star dancer. Some three star hotels provide some of the best dancers around (including famous ones).
So, if you are in Turkey and want to see a good show, have paid for it and didn't get it, complain as this is the only way the standard can be improved. Likewise if the show was good, tell them.