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. 

REGISTER TODAY

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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. 

Raqs Film Festival becomes part of Al Raqs conference!


Exciting News!

 

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. We’re honored that Roxxanne continues be part of the festival as a proud ambassador.

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

    GET YOUR TICKET

    Founded with love by Sheyla

    MEET 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.

    LINE UP

    What People Say About Last Year’s

    Al Raqs gave me SO much information to work with! Everything from how to run my business, how to take care of my mental health as a dancer, to how to engage with different cultures as an artist. I highly recommend this conference to dancers at every level!

    This conference exceeded my expectations!!! A huge thank you to the organizers and speakers who made this happen. It was really well organized in terms of the marketing of the event, the communications, materials provided, technical aspects, subjects discussed and participants involvement. It is important to be a skilled dancer, teacher and artist. But such events are as important in bringing awareness to certain topic, share knowledge and experiences within the community, and to network.- Alla Saleh

    The diversity of speakers and topics was incredible! Thank you so much for organising this event, giving us access to so many different perspectives and ideas. – Kim Maria

    Such a great event! Well organised, very relevant themes and great speakers. And the digital format makes it very accessible. I learned a lot and more importantly, I feel very inspired. Can’t wait for the 2023 edition!- Cecilla

    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.

    GET A FREEBIE

    2026 coming soon

    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.

    Time/Date
    8 AM CET
    9 AM CET
    10 AM CET

    workshop
    4 PM CET

    6 PM CET
    7 PM CET
    8 PM CET
    9 PM CET

    15th Jan

    History & Research

    Lenka Badriyah

    The Cinematic Dance Evolution of Naima Akef

    Sheyla

    Egyptian Folklore: Then and Now

    Sigrid Van Roode

    Decoding jewellery: magic, amulets & rituals

    Sigrid Van Roode

    Let's get up, close and personal with your jewellery!

    Jéssica Prestes

    Kawliya people in Iraq - art and social life

    Dr. Meg Morley

    White(ish) Femininity in the International Belly Dance Industry

    Nisaa (Heather D. Ward)

    Encountering the Delta Ghawazi: New Insights Based on Recent Research

    ROUND TABLE

    16th Jan

    Culture & Heritage

    Nada Al Basha

    Decolonizing Arab Dance: Unveiling Cultural Narratives and Resilience

    Noha Roushdy

    Gender and Culture in Egyptian Baladi Dance

    Mamdouh Elkady

    The Egyptian Folk Music

    Sarah Safi Harb

    When life gives you lemons, make Hummos

    Reda Henkesh

    Living History: Observations and Experiences of a Muhammad Ali Street Musician - prerecorded

    Athena Najat

    Greek Tsifteteli: an overview in dance history, influence and context

    Yasmine Benabdallah

    Screening of Ojalá: la vuelta al origen

    ROUND TABLE

    17th Jan

    Growth & Resilience

    Manar Othman

    You're Enough

    Shruti Narayanan

    Bellydance, Body Image, and Media Representation- Navigating Perception and Reality

    Sarah Safi Harb

    The Medicine of Raqs Sharqi

    Aubre Hill

    Body as Home

    Aubre Hill

    Dance as Advocacy and Solidarity

    Samantha Karim

    You Don't Hate Posting on Social Media...You Hate Vulnerability

    Jasirah

    Critique to Success: Embracing Feedback for Improvement

    ROUND TABLE

    18th Jan

    Teaching & Training

    Siobhan Camille

    Strength & Conditioning for Dancers: Why and How to Train to Support Your Dance

    Amanda Rose

    Empowering Dancers: Coaching that Elevates Performance and Wellbeing

    Serenity (Setsuna Dance)

    Making sustainable and resilient classes

    Serenity (Setsuna Dance)

    Decolonizing our teaching methods: a collective working session

    Minda Mae

    Providing Accessibility in the Classroom

    Ebony

    Leading with Grace: Building Healthy Dynamics in Your Dance Troupe

    Shahrzad

    Becoming a Better Dance Teacher

    ROUND TABLE

    19th Jan

    Being professional

    Martina Cancio

    Key points to perform in the Gulf Region

    Mercedes Nieto

    Dance Diplomacy

    Silvia Brazzoli

    Let's be real

    Sheyla

    AI Tools: Empowering Your Career

    Sadie

    A Balancing Act: Career & Motherhood

    Aziza

    My Professional Journey in Raqs Sharqi: Purpose, Grace, and Service

    Zara Dance

    The realities of dancing in Cairo

    ROUND TABLE

    ABOUT LECTURES

    See you next edition!

    22th – 25th January 2026! Sign up to our newsletter to get the hot news!

     

    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.

    Sheyla

    Conference founder, researcher, author of Funoon Shaabeya & dancer

    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.

    Anna

    Zoom coordinator and technical administrator

    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.

    Badriyah

    Moderator and call for contributions coordinator

    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.

    Alana

    Marketing assistant

    Based in Warsaw, Poland. In love with Egyptian dance, especially Golden Era and Shaaby. Organiser of Ya Salam! Festival. Cairo & Egyptian culture explorer.

    Irina Suska

    Podcast editor

    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.

    Karem Peña

    Moderator