You can see the full schedule of workshops here.

This is a unique opportunity to dance with Jillina and the cast of Belly Dance Evolution. There are still spots available in many of the workshops (but they are filling fast)!

Complete the week with these fantastic dancers by attending the “Immortal Desires” performance on Saturday. Raqs Sahara will open the show and our very own Sahara dancers Chiaki, Leila, and Gabby are performing in the show.

This is an exciting week at Sahara Dance. We hope to see you at the workshops and show!

We are very honored to be partnering with Jillina to host Bellydance Evolution workshops in DC! Bellydance Evolution is a world-class traveling dance festival & show, directed by the most prominent Egyptian-style dancer of our time. We’re excited to be a part of the fun, and to study with some incredible dancers right here in our very own studio!

We hope you will take advantage of this unique opportunity for furthering your dance studies.

Please note: Regularly-scheduled classes on Thursday (Oct. 14), Saturday (Oct. 16), and Sunday (Oct. 17) have been rescheduled.
Click here for the make up class schedule.

14 intensive workshops and a gala featuring Jillina!

Date(s): October 14, 15, 16, & 17
Teacher(s): Bellydance Evolution cast
Location: Sahara Dance in Washington, DC
Cost: Individual workshop descriptions and registrations. Package pricing available!

Introduction to Tribal Belly Dance

This workshop will introduce the fundamentals of Sahara Style Tribal, characterized by rhythm-based combinations, structured improvisation and folkloric fusions. Ideal for those curious about tribal belly dance and/or interested in joining Raqs Caravan West. Tribal dancers share basic movement vocabulary, standard dance formations, improvisational cues and transitions to create pieces improvisationally as a tribe. Tribal dance often fosters friendships; a strong sense of community can evolve from improvising as a group. Prerequisite: Beginner II Belly Dance and above.

Date(s): Tuesday, August 31
Time(s): 6:00-10:00 pm
Teacher(s): Ami
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $65 in advance / $80 same day

Arms and Elegance

Increase interest and add expression using your arms, wrists, and hands. Focusing on arm paths will improve your upper body carriage and bring a graceful elegance to your dance. Find your own stylizations and explore the expressive capacity of arm movement in belly dance beyond what is covered in class. All levels are welcome.

Date(s): Saturday, August 14
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Laura K.
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $35 in advance / $45 same day

Considered to be the Ginger Rogers of the Middle East, Samia Gamal was also the first to perform with high-heeled shoes on stage! Enjoy your Saturday with Jennifer, tapping into the persona of this famous Egyptian Star!

Golden Era Series: Samia Gamal

An Egyptian Star from the Golden Era of Belly Dance and Egyptian cinema, Samia Gamal was known for her grace and beauty. Spend the afternoon learning the history behind Samia’s rise to fame and practice signature movements that have left a lasting impression and helped to shape the art form of belly dance as we know it today!

This workshop is designed for students who have had at least one semester of Beginner II technique.

Date(s): Saturday, August 7
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Jennifer
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $35 in advance / $45 same day

Last Thursday, fans of the Washington Mystics got a special half-time treat… a belly dance performance by members of Raqs Caravan West and Raquettes ShimmyPop!

This was an amazing performance opportunity, and we thank all of the performers for representing Sahara Dance, the folks who came out to show support, Melinda for sharing photos, and Lisa W. for making it all happen!

Saturday - Sohair Zaki and Fifi Abdo: Styles of the late Classic Era in Egyptian Belly Dance

Sohair Zaki, sweetly proud and regal, started performing and appearing in films in the late “Black and White Classic Cinema Age.” Finding her signature style quite quickly, Sohair was known for her calm centered respectable movement, strong specific hips, sweet demeanor, and beautiful hands.

Fifi Abdou, also first seen at the end of the “Classic Age,” took a bit longer to find her signature style. In contrast to Sohair’s sweetly clean image, Fifi had a risque secret behind her smile. Whereas Sohair’s movements were confident and directional, Fifi engaged rolling shimmy movements to develop powerhouse shimmies.

Learn basic movements inspired by both of these Egyptian stars, including learning some of their actual movement sequences! Drawing upon film clips, Sahra will present samples of their early work from the late “Classic Age” into the “Transitional Age” of the 1960’s, and explore their influence on the “Modern Egyptian Era.”

Workshop is appropriate for all levels, and will be taught at an intermediate pace.

Sahra started her studies with a serious analysis of these two stars: “When I felt overwhelmed by a large Middle Eastern audience and I was on the verge of moving too fast or without mindful development of movement, I would bring Sohair into my mind and let the regal queen influence my movement. If I was concerned I might be repetitive or boring, I would bring Fifi into my mind to let the earthly power drive my shimmies and movements.”

While performing in Egypt (1989-1995), Sahra had the great pleasure of seeing Fifi almost weekly, and saw Sohair many times before her retirement.

Sunday - Egyptian Choreography (Oriental)

Sahra brings a completely new choreography to Washington, DC. Just returning from JtE-3, JtE-4, the Dahab Festival, and further research in Egypt, Sahra brings new inspiration along with her signature style. You will also see hints of Fifi and Sohair hiding inside!

Workshop is appropriate for Intermediate level dancers and above.

Saturday: Sohair Zaki and Fifi Abdo: Styles of the late Classic Era in Egyptian Belly Dance
Date: July 24
Time: 2:30 - 6:30 pm
Cost: $110

Sunday: Egyptian Choreography (Oriental)
Date: July 25
Time: 2:30 - 6:30 pm
Cost: $110

Location For Both Workshops: Sahara Dance Central
4433 Wisconsin Avenue NW

Weekend Package Pricing: Both days: $200

Golden Era Series: Tahia Carioca

Jennifer An Egyptian Star from the Golden Era of Belly Dance and Egyptian cinema, Tahia Carioca was known for her comedic charm, acting talent and musicality. Spend the afternoon learning the history behind Tahia’s rise to fame and practice signature movements that have left a lasting impression and helped to shape the art form of belly dance as we know it today! This workshop is designed for students who have had at least one semester of Beginner II technique.

Date(s): Saturday, July 17
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Jennifer
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $35 in advance / $45 same day

1001 Shimmies! with Allyson

An afternoon of coin-jingling, fringe-flying fun! Add a hip shake to your step by learning a great new move for the dance floor, or just review this distinctive belly dance technique. Guaranteed to be a great workout. All levels are welcome. Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.

Date(s): Saturday, July 10
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Allyson
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $35 in advance / $45 at door

Afro-Belly Workout! with Na’la

This two-hour workshop will be a crash course in Afro-fusion, perfect for beginners and a great review and drill class for students already familiar with Afro-fusion movements. We will incorporate movements and steps found in West African dance, belly dance, Bhangra, hip hop and more, and link them together into a smooth aerobic workout. Stretching, yoga postures and other conditioning methods will help build core strength and keep the muscles happy and counterbalanced. Come prepared to sweat and have fun! All levels are welcome.

Date(s): Saturday, July 3
Time(s): 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher(s): Na’la
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $35 in advance / $45 same day

A “hafla” is a Middle Eastern dance party, and this is a great opportunity to take your belly dancing out of the classroom and try out your moves in a supportive club atmosphere. Join your classmates on the informal stage to showcase your class choreography, or come to support your new friends.

There will be a DJ and plenty of open dancing, and…. the debut of the “8th annual Under a Desert Moon” DVD! (yay!)

Date: Saturday, June 26
Time: 7:00 - 10:00 pm
Location: Pasha Lounge
2147 P Street, NW, Washington, DC
Near Dupont Metro
Cost: Free for performers! / $10 cover (payable at door)

Layering with Melissa

Layered movements add intricacy and depth to your dance. Learn techniques and combinations to effortlessly combine two or more belly dance movements. All levels are welcome.

Class is structured to be accessible to beginning dancers, offering modifications to challenge intermediate students.

Date: Saturday, June 26
Time: 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Teacher: Melissa
Location: Sahara Dance Central
Cost: $35 in advance / $45 same day

First, catch Mardi on Friday at Saharabesque! 7. This is the summer show where members of Raqs Sahara, Sahara Tribal and Sahara Dance faculty let down their hair and get silly / experimental.

Date: Friday, June 18, 2010
Time: 7:00 & 9:00 pm
Location: Flashpoint
916 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Cost: $25

After watching Mardi perform, take the opportunity to study with her on Saturday and/or Sunday at her Master Class workshops:

Saturday: Fluidity, subtlety and creating slow pieces with interest
Date: June 19
Time: 2:30 - 7:00 pm
Location: Sahara Dance Central
4433 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Cost: $110

Sunday: New combinations for quicker tempos
Date: June 20
Time: 2:30 - 7:00 pm
Location: Sahara Dance Central
4433 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Cost: $110

Package Pricing: Both days: $200

~Please visit website for workshop descriptions~