Beyond the Belly Dance festivals: Online Conference with Industry Secrets & Untouched Topics.
- 22th - 25th January 2026
Exclusive know-how, thriving career tips, and firsthand experiences from top speakers in Raqs Sharqi & MENAHT culture and dances.
Al Raqs conference starts in:
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Submissions are now open for our Film Festival. Early Bird rates end 30 September.
Be Part of the Belly Dance Community’s Evolution:
Prepare to be inspired every day of this amazing belly dance summit: Al Raqs Conference! This full online event features exceptional speakers who dedicate each day to exploring important MENAHT dance topics you won’t find in regular classes or festivals, like the history and heritage behind the dance and professional career topics.
Save These Dates!
15th Aug
2025
Raqs Film Festival submissions open
Late September
2025
Conference registration open with Early-Bird price
15th Dec
2025
Raqs Film Festival submissions close
22nd Jan
2026
Conference welcome party and Raqs Film Festival awards show
23- 25th Jan 2026
Conference lectures, screenings, discussions
Raqs Film Festival becomes part of Al Raqs conference!
We’re thrilled to announce that Al Raqs Conference is expanding its celebration of MENAHT dance, music, and culture with a brand-new addition: the Raqs Film Festival!
From now on, the Raqs Film Festival will be part of the Al Raqs universe — enriching the conference experience with a curated selection of films exploring dance, identity, music, and cultural heritage.
In some years, Al Raqs will feature both the conference and the film festival, while in others, the focus will stay on the core conference program. Either way, you can expect deep inspiration, powerful stories, and a vibrant community.
Founded by Kamala Almanzar and Roxxanne Shelaby, the Raqs Film Festival has been a space for artistic voices and cultural storytelling.
Join us this year for a unique edition:
Al Raqs Conference + Raqs Film Festival – one unforgettable experience.
Every other year:
2026
Al Raqs Conference featuring Film Festival
2027
Al Raqs Conference
2028
Al Raqs Conference featuring Film Festival
Worldwide access
Join lectures from anywhere around the world using Zoom.
Recordings
Recordings to stream the lectures will be available 60 days after the conference.
One price
“All you can watch” for one price, easy as that.
The Ultimate Online Conference for All (60-Day Access Included!)
What You’ll Gain:
- Wealth Of Knowledge Gain priceless experiences and expertise from top professionals in the belly dance world.
- Expand Your Horizons: Explore a diverse range of subjects that empower your dance journey.
- Learn Anytime, Anywhere: Access all sessions online – live or via recordings available for 60 days – for ultimate flexibility.
- Supportive Community: Find a safe space to connect with fellow dancers, share experiences, and build a network of like-minded individuals.
- Open Discussion: Engage in round table discussions after each day, ask questions directly to the speakers, and participate in a supportive and encouraging environment.
History & Research
Discover the rich history of dance and explore the latest research to gain a deeper understanding.
Culture & Heritage
Explore the cultural background, honoring the rich heritage that shapes MENAHT dances and music.
Growth & Resilience
Find out strategies to grow and build resilience in your career, dance, and within our community.
Teaching & Training
Discover innovative methods in teaching and training. Empower your skills with our speaker’s techniques.
Being professional
Explore what it means to be a professional dancer from different perspectives and experiences.
NEW: Al Raqs podcast, a way to meet our speakers
Founded with love by Sheyla
Learn From Your Favorites in the field
Our lineup of professional speakers is truly exceptional. With diverse backgrounds as dancers, researchers, musicians, and industry professionals, they bring a top-tier wealth of expertise and an abundance of knowledge. Most importantly, all of them are committed to empowering you as a conscious dancer, teacher, and human being.
What People Say About Last Year’s
Want a taste?
Grab our freebie and get a sneak peek at last year’s lectures to get incredible insights and experience firsthand the power of the Al Raqs Conference.
Timetable of lectures 2026
NEW! Now, you can switch the timetable to your own Time Zone!
But still, please check your time zone www.worldtimebuddy.com, default times below are CET (Central European Time – Prague) and do not forget that you get 60 day stream access to all lectures after the conference. Each lecture is max 50 min long followed by 10 min break. Once you are registered you will be able to add each lecture to your calendar in your timezone.
22nd Jan
Opening Party
Networking, party and of course Award Show announing the winners of Film Festival23rd Jan
Warm Up
Networking activities to connectBadriyah
Bringing Stories to Life: Storytelling in Raqs SharqiJasirah
Dance Tutorial Setup GuideChantal
Instagram For ArtistsSheyla
How (not) to use AI in content creationYasmina of Cairo
The making of 'In Our Own Words, The Cairo Dance Scene Explainedfilm screening
Katie El Sharany
Selling for people who hate sellingCandice Frankland
Secrets of a Dancepreneur: Dance Smarter, Not HarderSheyla
Funoon Shaabeya: Behind the Scenesfilm screening
PANEL DISCUSSION
From Clips to a Full Documentary: A Panel Discussion on What It Takes24th Jan
Warm Up
Networking activities to connectChrystelle
The Image of the "Oriental Dancer" in Western CinemaViola Shafik
Belly Dance during the Golden Age of Egyptian CinemaNisaa
Mapping a Belly Dance Landscape: The Intertwined Histories of Belly Dance, Belly Dancers, and the City of CairoChristine 'Shiraz' Sahin
Core Connections: Cairo Belly Dance in the Revolution's AftermathBig Book Club debate
hosted by Badriyah with guests Christine, Nisaa...discussion
Majda Anwar
Bridging the Gap: Introducing Belly Dance to the General PublicAmanda PB
Know your musicRoxxanne Shelaby
Documenting our dance history/The Fez Documentaryfilm screening
PANEL DISCUSSION
Then and Now: How Cinema Shaped Raqs Sharqi — and What We Can Learn25th Jan
Warm Up
Networking activities to connectMaya Youssef
Anatomy of Leylet Hobb: How Maqam Creates Emotion & TarabShahrzad
Working with MENA MusiciansCrystal
Activism in Motion: How Dancers Use Movement to Make ChangeNada al Basha
Our bodies in motion: when dance is a political actMamdouh Elkady
ZAR: Between popular rituals and psychological healingfilm screening
Arielle
Egyptian Hand GesturesZara
Snobbery and Classism in the Egyptian Dance CommunityPANEL DISCUSSION
Cultural Context: The Many Sides of Cultural Dance We Can’t OverlookPrices
Early bird
until 31st October- The whole program of online ZOOM conference + 60 day stream access after the conference
Mid-sale
until 30th November- The whole program of online ZOOM conference + 60 day stream access after the conference
Late-sale
until the conference start- The whole program of online ZOOM conference + 60 day stream access after the conference
Scholarships
check out our options- The whole program of online ZOOM conference + 60 day stream access after the conference
- opening on November
∗ We do not sell single lectures, the price for conference is all-you-can-attend for one price.
Register today
Conference team
I am a professional dancer since 2006 and I focus on Egyptian traditional dances and music, doing my research and teaching lectures and workshops. Last year I went to Egypt to film the Funoon Shaabeya document about traditional artists. I also organize dance conference for 10 years in Czech republic, where I am from, and this year I decided to bring it to international level.
Anna is a cultural manager based in Prague. She is working for live events, as contemporary circus festival Letni Letna (coordinating production and international projects) or coordinating educational projects for cultural leaders. During Covid times she found another field of expertise which is coordinating and technical support for live online zoom events.
Badriyah is a professional Raqs Sharqi dancer, devoted mainly to Egyptian classical and folklore styles, and the Golden Age of Raqs Sharqi. Most of all, Badriyah treasures the ten years of performing with Bellydance Evolution (BDE): an international belly dance – theatre show, led by Jillina from USA. Badriyah performed more than 60 shows with the company, both as a troupe dancer and a lead dancer.
Aubre Hill is an international dance artist, scholar, and advocate based in Los Angeles. She has toured the world through dance, been highlighted in numerous films and projects, and continually woven artistic expressions across the field from Folklore to Raqs Sharqi to Transcultural Fusion. She’s a mover and shaker and an artist full of heart.
Based in Minneapolis, MN, USA, Alana is an artist and dancer who brings arts administration experience from her work over the last four years with non-profit arts organization, Jawaahir Dance Company. She had the opportunity to work in this arts support setting on various tasks including online marketing, communications and more.
Based in Amsterdam, I have been a Raqs Sharqi enthousiast my whole life and have been dancing and learning this art form with much love & passion for the last couple of years. With a background in International Business and Hospitality and with experience in organizing local & international events, I am honored and looking forward to assisting in the AlRaqs Conference this year.
Based in Warsaw, Poland. In love with Egyptian dance, especially Golden Era and Shaaby. Organiser of Ya Salam! Festival. Cairo & Egyptian culture explorer.