Discover the World of Belly Dance
The global encyclopedia and network for dancers, instructors, organizers and everyone who loves this art form.
The Atlas Journal
Trending news and stories
Features · 23 September 2026
How to Dance With a Live Arabic Orchestra: A Dancer’s Guide to Listening, Improvising and Connecting
Dancing with live Arabic music is less about memorizing every note and more about learning to listen, respond and leave room for the musicians. This practical guide explains the ensemble, the musical cues that matter most and how to prepare for your first live-band performance.
By Raqs Atlas team
Travel · 22 September 2026
Dancing in Morocco: A Guide to Living Dance Traditions, Music and Respectful Travel
Morocco is not a single dance style, and that is exactly what makes it fascinating. This guide helps dancers explore the country through its music, communal dance traditions, festivals, cities and everyday culture - without confusing Moroccan traditions with Egyptian-style raqs sharqi.
By Raqs Atlas team
Stories · 22 September 2026
Alraqs Festival 2026: Cyprus Builds a Meeting Point for Oriental Dance
Cyprus is preparing for the fifth edition of Alraqs Festival this December. Founded by Cypriot dancer Alexia Nadirah, the Nicosia gathering combines international and local teachers, competition, gala performance, workshops, a welcome party and a dance bazaar - and its 2026 programme offers an interesting snapshot of the island’s growing Oriental dance community.
By Raqs Atlas team
Calendar
Upcoming festivals and events
Cairo, Egypt · 9–15 July 2026
Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival
One of Cairo's best-known international Oriental dance festivals, built around Egyptian dance workshops, gala performances and intensive study with Egyptian and international teachers.
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Almería, Spain · 2026
Almariyya Fest
International Festival of Arabic Flamenco and Oriental Dance created by Rocío Danza, combining workshops, contests, coaching, colloquia, shows, parade elements and hybrid in-person/online participation.
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Nicosia, Cyprus · 11-13 December 2026
ALRAQS Festival
Alraqs Festival is an international belly dance festival based in Nicosia, Cyprus, founded and directed by Cypriot Oriental dancer Alexia Nadirah. Launched in 2022, the festival was created to celebrate Oriental dance…
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- 22 August 2026Baladi Improvisation LabOnline
- 12–13 September 2026Drum Solo IntensiveBelgrade, Serbia
- 12–18 October 2026Cairo Nights Festival 2026Cairo, Egypt
Directory
Featured dancers and instructors
Nicosia · Cyprus
Mary Vatyliotou
Mary Vatyliotou is a Cypriot belly dancer, choreographer, instructor and dance-school director based in Nicosia. She began dancing at the age of five and trained across a broad range of movement disciplines, including ballet, contemporary dance, belly dance…
Nicosia · Cyprus
Alexia Nadirah
Alexia Nadirah is a Cypriot Oriental dancer, instructor, competition judge and festival director based in Nicosia. With more than two decades of experience in belly dance, she has developed her artistic style through continuous study with international master…
San Juan · Puerto Rico
Karlos Khalil
Karlos Khalil is a Puerto Rican belly dancer, choreographer, actor, director, playwright and producer whose career bridges oriental dance and theatre. Active in bellydance since the early 2000s, he began with training in ballet and modern dance before making…
Dancer · Ukraine
Verona Kemet — Veronika Kremenskaya
Verona Kemet is a Ukrainian Oriental dancer who has become increasingly visible through international competitions, festivals and teaching engagements. She trained extensively with Egyptian and international master teachers while developing within the…
Encyclopedia spotlight
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United States
Tribal Fusion
Tribal Fusion is a modern belly dance style that evolved from American Tribal Style and blends belly dance technique with elements from contemporary dance, hip-hop, popping, flamenco, Indian dance, jazz, and other movement traditions. It is known for strong muscular control, precise isolations, layered movement, dramatic musical interpretation, and a highly individual artistic aesthetic. Unlike group improvisational ATS, Tribal Fusion is often choreographed and performed solo, although group work is also common.
United States
Belly Dance Fusion
Belly Dance Fusion is a contemporary approach to belly dance that combines the movement vocabulary of oriental dance with elements from other dance styles, such as contemporary dance, jazz, ballet, flamenco, hip-hop, Indian dance, theatrical movement, or experimental performance. Rather than following one fixed technique or cultural tradition, fusion is defined by the intentional blending of styles. The result can range from soft and lyrical to dramatic, athletic, theatrical, or highly stylized.
Turkey
Turkish Oriental
The Turkish branch of the dance: faster, bolder, with Romani influence, 9/8 karşılama rhythms, floor work and zil (finger cymbal) virtuosity.
Legend · Canada
Hadia — Jocelyn Chouinard
Hadia, born Jocelyn Chouinard, was a Canadian performer and educator whose career spanned almost four decades. She began dancing as a teenager and eventually entered professional nightclub performance in Vancouver before expanding her studies internationally…
Legend · United States
Bert Balladine
Bert Balladine was one of the most influential male figures in the early development of belly dance in the United States. His background included circus, ballet and theatrical performance before he encountered Middle Eastern dance during travels that included…
Legend · Egypt
Hoda Shams El Din
Hoda Shams El Din was an Egyptian dancer and actress of Armenian heritage who became part of the country's Golden Era entertainment scene. She studied at an Armenian school in Cairo before entering the professional performing world. Director Niazi Mustafa…
Music
Songs and rhythms
Scene in focus
Belly dance in Egypt
The historical heart of raqs sharqi. From the Cairo nightclubs of the 1920s and the Golden Era film studios to today's Nile-side stages, Egypt shaped the vocabulary, music and star system of the dance.
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