ACT 1
| 1. Raqqesat Indigo |
“No Surprises” by Ara Malikian |
| Dancers: Andrea, Erin, Gina, Isabel, Jean, Jeannette, June, Laura, Mathilde, Ni’tany, Rebecca, Steffi, Virginia, Yulia Flying poi veils add drama to this fusion belly dance choreography. (Choreography: Ami) |
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| 2. Raqqesat Badia |
“Tres Cuatro” by Artem Uzunov |
| Dancers: Anastasia, Ama, Evelyn, Nailah, Ria A dynamic drum solo filled with rhythmic variety and expressive movement. (Choreography: Jennifer Anya) |
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| 3. Beginner Performance |
“Raks Masri” by Samy Farag |
| Dancers: Arata, Eleni, Laura, Olivia Zar, Oxana, Vickie, Sofía Our beginner group brings the timeless energy of Raks Masri to the stage. With enthusiasm and dedication, these emerging dancers share the joy and elegance of classic raqs sharqi. (Choreography: Florencia) |
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| 4. Florencia |
“Shaghaf” by Kareem Gad music production |
| Dancer: Florencia Florencia performs a heartfelt solo to Shaghaf by Egyptian artist Kareem Gad, expressing themes of love, longing, and passion. Through elegant movement, she reimagines this classic song, blending emotional depth with timeless grace. |
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| 5. Raqqesat Latin |
“Salsa” by Mohamed Fouad |
| Dancers: Erin, Illa, Maria, Mihoko, Morgan, Ni’tany The song featured in this piece is a unique interpretation by the renowed Egyptian singer and actor Mohamed Fouad, inspired by Celia Cruz’s iconic track ‘La Vida es un Carnaval.’ Blending elements of Salsa and Raks Sharqi, the performance delivers an upbeat and spirited fusion with a bold, sassy flair. (Choreography: Julie Athie) |
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| 6. Fusion (DC Dance Junkies) |
“Hiphip Chinchin” by Club des Belugas |
| Dancers: Ashley, Crystal, Jeannette, Kelly, Nicole, Paula A vibrant belly dance fusion piece combining Latin flair and jazzy grooves in a celebration of movement and rhythm. (Choreography: Crystal Silmi) |
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| 7. Raqqesat Samia |
“Goddesses” by Paul Dinletir |
| Dancers: Amanda, Carol, Ghazal, Grace, Jewels, Stephanie A remarkable song and choreography welcoming dancers to explore the many elements of this art form. Choreography by Ziyaki. Reimagined and restaged by Nicolette |
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| 8. Mohamed Ali |
“Sufi Dance” by Folk orchestra |
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Dancer: Mohamed Ali Egyptian whirling Tanoura Dance |
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| 9. Raqs Caravan East |
“La mount El Garumimi” by Ahmed Abdel Fattah |
| Dancers: An, Christine, Gail, Jennifer, Jeanette, Karen, Katy, Malina, Maria, Veronica Our advanced group, Raqs Caravan East, performs an enchanting Oriental Rhumba, highlighting the elegance, grace, and timeless beauty of this exquisite dance style. (Choreography: Florencia) |
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ACT 2
| 1. Raqqesat Soheir |
“Al-Houriyah” by Ihsan Al-Mounzer |
| Dancers: Angela, April, Chrystal, Illa, Jessie, Shabnam, Steffi, Virginia Al-Houriyah evokes the image of heavenly beauty, celebrating grace, mystique, and timeless allure of the feminine spirit. (Choreography: Ziyaki) |
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| 2. Raqqesat Arabi |
“Helween” by Amira |
| Dancers: Aida, Erin, Farida, Leilah Moon, Miranda, Tamara, Yasmeen The melaya leff was a large shawl used as a modesty garment by urban baladi women in Egypt in the 20th century. Although no longer in use, today it has a lasting legacy as a costume piece and prop in Egyptian folkloric dance. (Choreography: Leilah Moon) |
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| 3. Raqqesat Tahia |
“Kamanana” by Zara |
| Dancers: Anne, June, Kelly, Maria, Rebecca This piece in the baladi style allows dancers to play with the assaya (cane), a popular prop in Egyptian dance. (Choreography: Gretchen) |
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| 4. Raqqesat Tsifteteli |
“Firouze Arabesk” by Orkestra Bandida |
| Dancers: Brittany, Heather, Helena, Iris, Odiney, Sophianna, Terpischore Keel, Zenia An upbeat and playful performance blending elements of Tsiftetelia and Romani Dance. A celebration of every dancers uniqueness and the community that ties us all together. (Choreography: Sophianna) |
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| 5. Leilah Moon & Sahara Tabla |
“Port Said Drum Solo” by Randy & Leilah |
| Dancer: Leilah Moon Sahara Tabla (drummers): Randa, Randy, Patty, Steffi This live drum solo with spoons is inspired by the bambouti or simsimiyya dance and music of the Suez Canal. The workers building the canal would relax at night by making music, adding spoons they already had to embellish the rhythm and beats in the music. |
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| 6. Raqqesat Kitty |
“Mystic Veil” by Mosavo |
| Dancers: Aida, Andrea, Azadi, Cassandra, Heather, Mari “The most dangerous woman of all is the one who refuses to rely on your sword to save her because she carries her own.” (Choreography: Leilah Moon) |
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| 7. Raqqesat Naima |
“Hawel Teftekerny” by Khairy Ghnaim |
| Dancers: Angela, Erin, Illa, Kelly, Madeline, Maria, Melissa, Michelle, Mihoko, Morgan, Nicole, Randa, Shabnam, Suzana, Virginia Classic Egyptian song composed by Baligh Hamdi and originally sung by Abdel Halim Hafez. (Choreography: Randa) |
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| 8. Raqs Caravan East |
“Tik Tok” by Mohammed Shahin |
| Dancers: An, Christine, Gail, Jeanette, Jennifer, Karen, Katy, Malina, Maria, Veronica Our advanced group brings playful energy and vibrant spirit to the stage with their shaabi performance to “Tik Tok.” Full of attitude, rhythm, and personality, this dance captures the fun, expressive essence of Egyptian style. (Choreography: Florencia) |
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About Sahara Dance
DC’s Center for Middle Eastern Dance
“…Enthralling, sensuous Middle Eastern dance styles…”
~ THE WASHINGTON POST
Sahara Dance, Washington DC’s Center for Middle Eastern Dance, is a boutique dance studio dedicated to celebrating the joy and beauty of belly dance.
Founded in 2002, Sahara Dance offers weekly belly dance classes in-person at the Tenleytown studio and live online via Zoom. Voted ‘Best Dance Class’ in the Washington City Paper’s ‘Best of DC’ polls for years, the studio is home to performance companies and hundreds of belly dancers.
Seeking to elevate belly dance as a performance art and to create a community for belly dancers, Sahara Dance produces several annual theater productions, workshops, intensives, and international dance and yoga retreats. Our shows and programming highlight both traditional and experimental styles of belly dance, and Middle Eastern folk dances.
Visit saharadance.com to learn more or find us on Facebook (Sahara Dance), Instagram (@SaharaDance) and YouTube (@SaharaDance).
Founder and Creative Director: Rachel Kay Brookmire Cohan
Social Media Manager: Maria Luz Berbery
Communications Manager: Katie Gaab
Faculty: Alma, Ami, Crystal, Florencia, Gretchen, Jennifer Anya, Jennifer, Julie, Katy, Leilah Moon, Malina, Maria, Megan, Nicolette, Omoladun, Rachel, Randa, Randy, Sophianna, Ziyaki (see faculty page for bios)
Studio Assistants: Erin, Farida, Heather, Kelly, Maddie, Maria, Marina, Shabnam, Tamara
Special thanks to: Amber, Bravos Beauty, Cindy, Claudia, Cynthia, Ernie, Gretchen, Imagination Stage Crew, Jake, Jennifer, Joe, Katie, Maria B., Marianne, Mary, Tamara, Stereovision and Zen!
Sahara Dance Studio (Tenleytown):
4433 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20016 – (202) 362-4400
FREE Workshop: Intro to Belly Dance!
Saturday, January 3rd, 1:30-2:30pm at Sahara Dance (Tenleytown)
Free the QR code on the back of your program – join or share with a friend!
Click here to sign up for free using promo code: Saharaguest