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Our Journey to World Belly Dance Day Begins January 12th. Come Discover Belly Dance While Supporting a Wonderful Cause!
Join us in a celebration of dance, culture, and community as we embark on a journey to World Belly Dance Day.
Starting January 12th, you’ll have the opportunity to learn choreographies for a cause and be part of an unforgettable experience. Together, we’ll raise funds to benefit The Nest - Center for Women, Children, and Families in Lexington, KY.
This is your chance to discover the magic of belly dance, refine your skills, and shine on stage. You’ll have the opportunity to perform the choreos you learn, on stage at the Pam Miller Downtown Art Center in the Black Box theater at our annual fundraiser, "Feather the Nest" Saturday, May 2nd.
BUT, our journey doesn't end there!
Join us again on May 9th, World Belly Dance Day, at our studio in downtown Lexington for our Discovery Workshops and follow it up with a luncheon celebration. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to make a difference and celebrate the art of dance!
A Quick Overview:
1. Learn to belly dance for a great cause! Learn two exciting belly dance choreographies and have the option to perform them in a gala show benefitting The Nest, center for children and families in Lexington! No experience necessary! Registration for the choreo classes is $30 per choreo or $50 for both and 100% of the proceeds is donated to local non-profit, The Nest, Center for Women, Children & Families.
2. First Choreo is a Golden Era of Belly Dance inspired choreography! Classes January 12th through March 6th. (Registration is open. Must register by Jan 12th) Classes available Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays In-studio and Online. Join us at Arabesque World Dance in Lexington or via videos and livestream. Take as many classes as you want!
3. Second Choreo is an exciting theatrical veil dance! Ready to fly? Our ASCEND choreo is a breathtaking veil number of pure elevation and flow. Classes March 9th through May 1st (Registration is open. Must register by Mar 9th.) Classes available Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays In-studio and Online. Take as many as you want!
4. Benefit Gala Show -Feather the Nest! On Saturday, May 2nd, Arabesque World Dance will host an amazing fundraiser show for the Nest with belly dance and variety performances. We will have a lineup of new and seasoned performers to take the stage. Registrants of our special choreo classes, this is your time to Shine! The group choreos will be performed as our special highlight of the evening! Our show will be at The Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center in the Black Box Theater!
5. World Belly Dance Day (Saturday, May 9th)
Join us on Saturday, May 9th, as Arabesque World Dance celebrates World Belly Dance Day by giving back to our community!
We are hosting Daytime Discovery Workshops—three unique and exciting sessions designed to introduce you to the different styles, rhythms, and props in the world of belly dance! Whether you’ve never shimmied before or you’re ready to explore a new facet of the art, this is the perfect time to join us. No registration is necessary—just come as you are! We are proud that 100% of all proceeds collected at the door will benefit The Nest, Center for Women, Children & Families—a vital local non-profit right here in Lexington.
Following the workshops, all attendees are welcome to join us for a casual Luncheon Celebration at a local restaurant (location TBD). Please RSVP!
(A friendly note: The luncheon is a separate, casual gathering. We will be going Dutch—meaning all attendees will be covering their own meals and drinks.)
Come discover, donate, and dance with us!
6. Four class card drawing for choreo registrants! At the end of the evening show we will have a drawing for a 4-class card to help you along on your journey into the exciting world of belly dance!
Two Choreos. One Cause.
Choreo #1
Golden Era Inspired Belly Dance! (January 12th-March 6th)
On January 12th, step back in time and dive into the timeless elegance of Egyptian Golden Era belly dance!
Over the course of two months, you’ll learn a fun group choreography inspired by the cinematic stars like Samia Gamal and Tahia Carioca. This style is all about unbreaking fluidity, elegant arm-work, deep shimmies, and a romantic, expressive theatricality.
Our Instructor/Choreographer Safiya Nawaar will guide you through each step, helping you learn the nuanced posture and sophisticated Raqs Sharqi movements that define this captivating era. By the end, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your skills in our benefit show, supporting The Nest, a center for women, children and families in Lexington.
Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a complete beginner, this class offers a unique opportunity to explore the grace and beauty of Golden Era belly dancing in a fun, supportive, and inspiring environment. Join us and let the vintage glamour bring joy and excitement to your dance life!
Choreo #2
Ascend: Theatrical Veil Choreography by Safiya Nawaar (March 9th-May 1st)
On March 9th, learn to dance on air!
This is your invitation to experience the art of the veil dance in a two-month choreography immersion with Safiya Nawaar. Forget fighting the fabric—this choreography is all about seamless flow, effortless motion, and profound surrender. You’ll master breathtaking veil wraps, dramatic accents, and the fluid technique that makes the silk feel like an extension of your own breath.
We will focus on the secret to true veil flow: giving the silk permission to find its own truth. You’ll learn a mesmerizing group choreography designed to showcase the beauty of letting go and trusting the current.
By the end, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your ethereal skills in our benefit show, supporting The Nest, a center for women, children and families in Lexington.
Join us to transform your relationship with the veil and turn your dance into a living, breathing poem. This is where grace meets gravity!
FAQs
Who can Join? Everyone! Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned dancer, this event is designed for all levels, all ages, and all body types.
What to Expect? We are thrilled to offer two unique and exciting choreographies that dancers can register for. The first choreography will be taught in January and February, and the second in March and April. Safiya Nawaar will guide you through each step, ensuring that you gain confidence and skill in these beautiful dance forms. Whether you choose to attend in-studio or from the comfort of your home via videos and live streams, you’ll have the opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive and inspiring environment. This event is for all of you! Each choreo will be taught over two months, and then registrants have the opportunity to perform their magic in our ‘Feather the Nest’ show Fundraiser on May 2nd at the Downtown Black Box Theater!
Where’s the Magic take Place? Classes and Discovery Workshops will be taking place at the beautiful Arabesque World Dance studio in downtown Lexington, KY! This enchanting venue is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the world of belly dance. Whether you’re joining us in-studio or tuning in from home, you’ll feel the vibrant energy and supportive community that makes Arabesque World Dance so special. Get ready to shimmy and shine in a space that’s as inspiring as the dance itself.
Where will the Feather the Nest Show take Place? Our show this year will be held at the Pam Miller Downtown Art Centers Black Box Theater!
Explore Diverse Dances. Support a Great Cause. This event is a wonderful opportunity to be introduced to the diverse music and dances from the Middle East and North Africa. Plus, you’ll be raising funds for The Nest, a center for women, children, and families in Lexington.
Forge New Friendships and Have Fun. Get together in a supportive group to have fun learning something new, forging new friendships, and meeting others in your community. This event promises to be a joyful and enriching experience for everyone involved
Feather the Nest Fundraiser Show!
Variety Show at The Black Box
Join us for an unforgettable evening of dance as we celebrate World Belly Dance Day with a spectacular show at the Pam Miller Downtown Art Center’s Black Box Theater on May 2nd! This event will feature a mesmerizing blend of traditional, folkloric, and fusion belly dance performances, showcasing the rich diversity and artistry of this beautiful dance form. Our show also highlights surprising acts from other genres of dance and music.
Traditional Performances: Experience the elegance and grace of Raqs Sharqi, the classical style of belly dance, performed with precision and passion. These performances will transport you to the heart of the Middle East, where the art of belly dance originated.
Folkloric Dances: Delight in the vibrant and colorful folkloric dances that reflect the cultural heritage and traditions of various regions. From the lively Saidi cane dance to the captivating Khaleegi hair dance, these performances will bring the spirit of the Middle East to life.
Fusion Acts: Be amazed by the innovative fusion performances that blend traditional belly dance with modern and contemporary styles. These acts will push the boundaries of belly dance, creating a dynamic and exciting experience that is sure to captivate and inspire. We will also be joined by performance artists from other styles of dance and music that will add their amazing talents to the stage!
Join us for a night of enchanting performances, celebrating the beauty and diversity of belly dance. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or new to the art form, this show promises to be a magical experience that you won’t want to miss!
World Belly Dance Day! (May 9th)
The culmination of our fundraising efforts for The Nest takes place on World Belly Dance Day, May 9th, with our ‘Daytime Discovery Workshops’!
This is a fantastic opportunity to continue your journey of dance and cultural immersion. Arabesque will host three unique workshops to introduce participants to the some of the diverse styles of dance that come from the Middle East and North Africa. Unlike the two special choreos above, our ‘Daytime Discovery Workshops’ will instead focus on technique and combos. Last year, we explored three diverse topics—the Art of the Shimmy, Core Control, and Veil Dance Magic. This year, we’re bringing you three brand-new workshops, focusing on fresh technique and combos.
These workshops are donation-based with all funds benefitting The Nest.
Workshop content and details will be released soon!
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
451 Chair Avenue, Lexington, KY, United States, Kentucky 40508
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
