THAT belly dancing is going to be as big as 1980s pop superstars The Police may seem like an ambitious claim.
But the man behind this seemingly audacious statement is Miles Copeland, who managed the band - in which his brother Stewart was the drummer - and was responsible for putting them on record shelves around the globe.
So Bellydance Superstars' hybrid Arabic traditional dance and Latin rhythms will be to 2005 what Message In A Bottle, Every Breath You Take and Roxanne were to the 80s.
What's more, Copeland reckons the music has the power to break down social and cultural barriers as it comes to western audiences.
"People told me The Police wouldn't be big, but they were huge," he says..
"People have similarly told me belly dancing won't take off - but when you can see the potential in something different, and it becomes really big, it gives you a real feeling of self-confidence.
"The Police and Bellydance Superstars are the two things I've done that are the most revolutionary for their time."
After touring the UK - including dates in Llandudno and Cardiff - the Bellydance Superstars will perform at Glastonbury Festival and also prestigious Monaco Sports Club.
They have already wowed America after touring with nomadic rock extravaganza, the Lollopalooza festival. So what is the secret of a dance form that appeals to everybody from generation-X slackers to wealthy European businessmen?
"It's the middle-eastern percussion and the rhythm," explains Copeland.. "It's very hard to sit down and be passive, because it just makes you want to get up and move. We've got dancers who are beautiful and glamorous and at the top of their game - it's quite a stunning show."
The belly dancing extravaganza has been called the new Riverdance, and is set to become the latest craze to sweep both men and women off their feet.
"From a man's perspective it's a celebration of the beauty of a woman without encouraging the baser instincts of the male mind," Copeland says.
"Our audiences tend to be very heavily weighted towards women - we even had some audiences in America that were 95% women."
Which may be why what was once a "wimmin's group" staple has now transcended to popular culture. It is also hailed as a superb cardiovascular work-out as well as toning the stomach, lower body and back.
Copeland says it also awakens a woman's natural feminine sensuality. "It's an art form made by women for women; it helps increase self-confidence and you don't need years of practice. With ballet, if you haven't been doing it since you were six years-old you've had it, but with belly dancing you can pick it up at any age, no matter what your shape or size."
Expect an outbreak across North Wales soon!
* Bellydance Superstars and The Desert Roses come to North Wales Theatre, Llandudno on May 16 and St David's Hall, Cardiff on May 21
