Beyond the Belly Dance festivals: Online Conference with Industry Secrets & Untouched Topics.
- 15th - 19th January 2025
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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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.
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 Levels (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.
15th – 19th January 2025
Each day different subject
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 2025
Check your time zone www.worldtimebuddy.com, 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 and each workshop is max 90 min long.
workshop
4 PM CET
15th Jan
History & Research
Lenka Badriyah
The Cinematic Dance Evolution of Naima AkefSheyla
Egyptian Folklore: Then and NowSigrid Van Roode
Decoding jewellery: magic, amulets & ritualsSigrid Van Roode
Let's get up, close and personal with your jewellery!Jéssica Prestes
Kawliya people in Iraq - art and social lifeDr. Meg Morley
White(ish) Femininity in the International Belly Dance IndustryNisaa (Heather D. Ward)
Encountering the Delta Ghawazi: New Insights Based on Recent ResearchROUND TABLE
16th Jan
Culture & Heritage
Nada Al Basha
Decolonizing Arab Dance: Unveiling Cultural Narratives and ResilienceNoha Roushdy
Gender and Culture in Egyptian Baladi DanceMamdouh Elkady
The Egyptian Folk MusicSarah Safi Harb
When life gives you lemons, make HummosReda Henkesh
Living History: Observations and Experiences of a Muhammad Ali Street Musician - prerecordedAthena Najat
Greek Tsifteteli: an overview in dance history, influence and contextComing soon
?ROUND TABLE
17th Jan
Growth & Resilience
Manar Othman
You're EnoughShruti Narayanan
Bellydance, Body Image, and Media Representation- Navigating Perception and RealitySarah Safi Harb
The Medicine of Raqs SharqiAubre Hill
Body as HomeAubre Hill
Dance as Advocacy and SolidaritySamantha Karim
You Don't Hate Posting on Social Media...You Hate VulnerabilityJasirah
Critique to Success: Embracing Feedback for ImprovementROUND TABLE
18th Jan
Teaching & Training
Siobhan Camille
Strength & Conditioning for Dancers: Why and How to Train to Support Your DanceAmanda Rose
Empowering Dancers: Coaching that Elevates Performance and WellbeingSerenity (Setsuna Dance)
Making sustainable and resilient classesSerenity (Setsuna Dance)
Decolonizing our teaching methods: a collective working sessionMinda Mae
Providing Accessibility in the ClassroomEbony
Leading with Grace: Building Healthy Dynamics in Your Dance TroupeShahrzad
Becoming a Better Dance TeacherROUND TABLE
19th Jan
Being professional
Martina Cancio
Key points to perform in the Gulf RegionComing soon
?Silvia Brazzoli
Let's be realSheyla
AI Tools: Empowering Your CareerSadie
A Balancing Act: Career & MotherhoodComing soon
?Zara Dance
The realities of dancing in CairoROUND TABLE
Prices
Early bird
until 20th November- The whole program of online ZOOM conference + 60 day stream access after the conference
Mid-sale
until 20th December- 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 mid November
∗ We do not sell single lectures, the price for conference is all-you-can-attend for one price.
Secure your ticket
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.
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 Warsaw, Poland. In love with Egyptian dance, especially Golden Era and Shaaby. Organiser of Ya Salam! Festival. Cairo & Egyptian culture explorer.