We'd love to list your event, so please CONTACT US  

See our REGULAR NIGHTS OUT page for details of many more events - such as monthly belly dance parties, haflas, showcases & club nights, plus our Out of London page for some events taking place outside of London ...

  

 

 

 

 

 

For regular news & events, see our facebook group where people upload their events all the time! And there are always news & updates on Twitter - follow @Belly_Dance today!

 

 

 

 

March

 

Wednesday 27th March, 7pm - NEVRUZ SPRING DANCE SPECTACULAR - MAGIC OF THE ORIENT 

 

 

• Enter the London Belly Dance MARCH COMPETITION for your chance to win one of 5 pairs of tickets, worth up to £50!

 

"A Spring spectacular for all the family with music, song, dance and amazing costumes! From the Mediterranean to the Siberian Sea, countries and communities who share Turkic languages celebrate the magical ‘NEVRUZ’. Be captivated by a colourful and dynamic show with over 100 dancers, singers, musicians and magnificent traditional costumes from all over Central Asia and experience the magic and fire of Nevruz! Be enchanted by princesses in glittering dresses of bygone days, feel the energy of massed percussionists in perfect rhythm, dream with the magic of the haunting ney flute and kemence fiddle, and see scores of traditional dances from Cossack-style high kicks and courtly serenades to raucous folk dances. This is an evening of fun and magic for all the family, a unique chance to embark on a cultural journey and to feel the magic of the orient. It’s a once and only once show. Don’t miss it! Tickets from just £10!"

The show is presented by Turksoy, the International Organization of Turkic CultureGet a flavour of the show with this video.

 

• Tickets available online here  - tickets priced at £10 / £15 / £20 / £25 (small booking fee) 
• Venue:   Westminster Central Hall - In the heart of Westminster, just across the road from Westminster Abbey
• Nearest Underground: Westminster, St James' Park, Victoria.
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A selection of events from the archives ...

 

 

 

October ...

Friday 12 & Saturday 13 - BE HERE NOW - Arabian Dance Theatre - "A bold new production, Be Here Now is an explosion of modern Arabic dance, music & culture. A contemorary expression of the Arab world. From revolution to contemporary, youth, street & club culture. Dance: a synergy of Arabic roots with contemporary. Music: a selection of the most recent Arabic music, including hip op, rap, street, pop, contemporary & modern folk such as shaabi & debke. Visual: digital media depicting street life & popular culture. Don't miss this unique & cutting edge show."

Funded by the Arts Council

Show 8-10pm. Tix £15 in advance, £8 for under 16/OAP, £17 on the door

Venue: Bernie Grant Art Centre, Town Hall Approach Road, London N15 4RX (Seven Sisters tube - 15 minutes from Oxford Circus on the Victoria Line) (Box office 020 8365 5450) 

See our Workshops & courses page for details of the FREE workshops!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January ...

  

Sunday 29 - DANCE ENERGY FITNESS - "Dance Energy is a special one-off dance work out with 2 hours of dance fitness: Zumba, Caribbean, bhangra, latin & of course belly dance. Dance, sweat & beat the January blues with 4 fantastic teachers & excellent value for money. Learn new moves, have fun & work out your body. No experience necessary." Tottenham Green Leisure Centre (Seven Sisters N15) - tix just £10!

 

 

Sunday 29 - SILK ROUTE show with a Bollywood fusion theme - Featuring Caasi, Vicky Ivanovic, Phoenix-Sahar, Kay (Love The Beat), Maho, Sunny the Snake Boy, Candan Mills, Ariadna, Aqila Farashah plus student performances. The Bedford, Balham (77 Bedford Hill, SW12 9HD). Doors 7pm, show starts 7:30pm. Tix £10 online in advance, £12 on the door 

 

 

 

Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 - B-FIT EXPO 

A brand new dance & fitness convention aimed at the female fitness enthusiast. See world class professionals. Be fitter, healthier & more confident. Dance yourself fitter." 

For full details of the convention, click here

ExCeL London Exhibition & Convention Centre (Docklands)

Tix £20 one day, £30 for the whole weekend ... or save £5 with the London Belly Dance discount code BDD15

 

 

 

LONDON BELLY DANCE COMPETITION! For full details about the convention, & for your chance to win one of 5 pairs of tickets, click here

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday 19 - GUINNESS WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT from ARABIAN DANCE THEATRE  "

Arabian Dance Theatre members Shafeek Ibrahim & Tara Oakley will be making a special Guinness World Record attempt to promote awareness of Arabic dance, music & art. The record is the 'Sufi Whirling World Record for Man & Woman'. Both Shafeek & Tara will be whirling for ONE HOUR! Their World Record attempt will be covered by BBC ARABIC, with Taiai Omar as Adjudications Manager from Guinness World Records." Kassaba (N8 7QD - Hornsey/Turnpike Lane), 8pm start. Entry FREE (please email in advance to book a space)

 

 

 

Sunday 15 - BELLYDANCE TROPHIES competition & after party - Third selection with 7 new contestants plus guest performers & after party (with DJ Bacha). Contestants Charlie, Fiora, Hazel, Joana, Saffron, Trisha & Zara with guest performances from Maya Raks Sharki & Nafiseh. Bombay Dreams, Wembley (HA9 7HQ)Doors 7pm, competition 7:30-9:30pm, results ceremony 9:30-10pm, Arabic, world & club night 10pm till late. Tix £10 available online & on the door.

 

  

Wednesday 11 - ARAB QUARTERLY - "With Tracey Jones, Maria Krajnik-Dachraoui, Sarah Malik, Eugenia Bint Al Sultan, Judyta Sarasvati Zyrek & Aeksandra Savina. This is a unique opportunity to dance on stage with the Arab Quarterly Band, whose musicians are exemplary in their field." Doors 7pm, show 7:30pm. Tix available online online (via the website's store) in advance or an hour before the show at Zaco Mini Market opposite. Islington Assembly Hall, Upper Street, Islington N1 2UD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0ctober ...

 

Saturday 29 - THE CALL OF ARABIA

"The Arab Quarter returns to the Bloomsbury Theatre to stage a magnificently generous production which has no real precedent on the oriental dance scene in the UK, or indeed the world. The Call of Arabia will witness Egyptian dancer Magdy El-Leisy & his exceptional German dance partner Sundari top a most extraordinary bill, beautifully complemented by Mercedes Nieto & her Nymph Oriental Dance Company from Hungary, the only international touring oriental dance company to exist currently. Our full live Arab Quarter Band will take stage, featuring an outstanding line up of world acclaimed musicians & joining Melanie Norman will be Anne White & Emma Chapman from the UK. Kay Francksen will add spice & variety with her unpredictable and pithy narration. This really puts London on the map in a very dynamic and exciting way."

Time: 7:30pm

Venue: Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AH

Tickets: £23

Enter the London Belly Dance August competition for your chance to win 2 tickets to the show!

 

 

 

Thursday 20 - SEZEN AKSU, LIVE IN CONCERT

"Returning to the Royal Albert Hall with a band that includes Turkish master instrumentalists as well as middle eastern percussionvirtuoso Jarrod Cagwin, the "Undisputed Queen of Turkish Contemporary music" (the Guardian) promises to delightwith some of her hip-shaking classics & most heart-rending ballads, new & old. Few artists have shaped contemporaryTurkish culture as have Sezen Aksu in her more than 35 year career. This will be a night to treasure for a long time."

Venue: Royal Albert Hall (Kensington Gore, London SW7 2PA) (nearest tube South Kensington)

Concert starts 7.30pm

Tickets £35-£80 

Brought to us by Kazum: "Run by Sebastian Merrick, Kazum has been a leader in introducing Turkish & Balkan music to British audiences, working with artists such as Sufi master Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Gypsy clarinettist Selim Sesler, Egypt's El Tanbura, Ethiopian Krar Collective, brass legends Fanfare Ciocarlia a& many more."

See the London Belly Dance September competition for your chance to win Sezun's latest album (released September 2011)!

 

 

 

Friday 14 & Saturday 15 - ARABIAN DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS UNDER THE SUN 

"Under the Sun is an exciting show of dance, dreams & destiny. Based on real inspirations, this is specatcular dance show telling a modern story about young Bedouin girl who challenges her traditions & follows her dream to become a dancer in Cairo. Arabian Dance Theatre presents a unique, colourful & uplifting production of Arabic dance & music. Expect to see Bedouin, Arabic Folk, Oriental & Modern Arabic dance all in one show. Under the Sun will be Arabian Dance Theatre's most exciting show yet - do not miss it! Arabian Dance Theatre have featured on BBC Arabic, MBC Channel, Al Alamia TV, Al Arab Newspaper, Asharq Al Aswat."

8pm at Jackson's Lane Theatre (269a Archway Road, London N6 5AA) - Box office 020 8341 4421

Tix £15 in advance / £17 on the door

Check out this promo video for a flavour of the show!

 

 

 

  

June ...

 

Wednesday 15th - Arab Quarterly show

"The Arab Quarterly is the Arab Quarter's brave new performance evening in London, featuring Chalf Hassan, Melanie Norman, the prestigious Arab Quarter Band - namely Bashir Abdel Aal, Emile Bassili, George Dergham, Mazin Abu Sayf and Mobhammed Abbas - and special gest dancers.  These elegant evenings are to provide a performance outlet for the Arab Quarter, and a unique opportuity for dancers to experience the thrill and joy of dancing to live music by outstanding Arab musicians. Guest dancers at the first Arab Quarterly will be Eugenia Bint Al Sultan, Michael Azzato, Sophie Ball, Emma Chapman & Farah Nasri." tube) - 7:30pm - Tickets:   £15 in advance online, £18 on the door

Princess Alexandra Hall, The Royal Overseas League, Overseas House, Park Place, St James's Street, London SW1A 1LR (Green Park

 

 

May ...

Friday 13 - Planet Egypt live music event

Says Planet Egypt's Anne White: "Planet Egypt is trying to revive the live music tradition that dominated London in the 1980s. We launch a huge explosion of talent, working with some of the best musicians & singers I have ever met in my long career. The first show features the best five-piece Arabic band, two singers & two dance performers. With Abdul Salam Kheir, Yasmin El Fihaa, Sheik Taha, Emad Shakir, Sherif, Shafeek Ibrahim & Nawarra."

7:30pm at Darbucka (Farringdon, Angel, Old Street) 

Tickets £15 in advance (at Planet Egypt on Thursday 26th April, in Anne's dance classes, by post, or online via Anne's brand new Paypal facility!), £20 on the door if not sold out
 

Sunday 08 - CHARITY GALA FOR JAPAN with Asaki Belly Dance - "Professional performers include OZGEN, FARAH NASRI, SAEEDA, VLADA, AMALURA & TARA. Semi-professional soloists & student group dancers include Asuku, Ayumi, Elodie, Illana, Hazuki, Itsumi, Nicola, Masami, Nanna, Narumi, Yuka, Yuko & Rie. There will also be a small fun auction where Ozgen will auction his private lesson (max. 2 people), a bottle of champagne & a place on Asaki's next 5 week course. Doors 6pm, show starts 7pm. Donation/tickets £6.50 online, £10 (minimum) on the door - all money will be donated to the British Red Cross; donations are very welcome!" See Asaki's website for details of how to buy tickets & make a donation.

 

 

April ... 

Thursday 26 - Planet Egypt belly dance showcase

Anne White has been running Planet Egypt belly dance showcases for the past 9 years. They take place on the last Thursday of the month from 7pm at Darbucka. Tickets cost £10 on the door. Programmes are incredibly varied with over 90 minutes of performances in two halves, plus a DJ till 1am.

Tonight's show stars Nabila Sabha, Queen of Baladi, on a rare trip to the UK. A show not to be missed!

Doors 7pm, show starts around 8pm, at Darbucka

Tickets £10 on the door

 Check out the Baladi & drum solo workshops with Nabila Sabha!

 

 

 

 

March ...

Friday 18 - Arabian Dance Theatre Presents - LIBERATION

"A party celebrating Arabic dance, music and culture to raise money for the Arab Human Rights Fund www.ahrfund.org, an Arab organisation based in Lebanon raising money for human rights issues all over the Arab world. Come watch a fantstic show, dance and party  whilst raising money for a great cause!"

8pm at the Corrib Rest (82 Salisbury Road, Queens Park NW6 6PA)

Tickets £10 in advanceAdvanced / £12 on the door

 

 

 

Saturday 05 - GUY SCHALOM & THE BALADI BLUES ENSEMBLE

"The official launch of the long-awaited follow up to the popular Baladi Blues CD, 'Baladi Blues 2 - Tribute to the Masters' - featuring Guy Schalom (darabuck & bandleader), 'Sheik' Taha (quarter-tone accordion, Adam Warne (doholla, riq, mazhar) & special guest dancers Jane Wass & Anne White" - "Baladi - the street music of Egypt - emerged in the early 20th Century through migration of rural musicians to the cities of Cairo & Alexandria. This "cultural collision" exposed traditional folk musicians to a Western sensibility, creating a newly sophisticated hybrid genre. Baladi holds improvisation and interplay at its core."

St Ethelburga's, show 7:30pm, tix £14

 

February ...

Saturday 26 - MELISSA BELLYDANCE's first birthday party - CASINO VEGAS STYLE PARTY - "Vegas comes to London! Come and celebrate Melissa BellyDance's 1 year anniversary Vegas style! Try your luck on the roulette and black jack tables whilst enjoying Vegas themed belly dance performances from Melissa, Babybliss Girls, Mahira & special guest Kay! Then take to the dance floor, or just sit back and enjoy the DJ playing your favourite tunes!" - Doors 6:30pm, casino starts 7pm at Munroe Bar (7 Pratt Street, off Camden High Street, Camden NW1 0AE) - Advance guest list only! Book in class (£15) or online (£17) - price includes playing chips - www.melissabellydance.com

 

 

 

Friday 04, Saturday 06 & Sunday 07 plus Friday 11,Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 - ADNAN SARHAN Sufi drum concerts & 2 weekends of Sufi workshops 

"Adnan Sarhan, founder of the Sufi Foundation, is internationally known for his "Rapid Method". Adnan leads participants in a wide range of timeless techniques. Exercises, meditation, drumming, movement, chanting, dancing and whirling are used to develop the higher intelligence of the heart. He inspired Mia Serra to leave investment banking to become an international belly dance performer & master teacher."

Friday 04 & Friday 11 - drum concert at the Special Yoga Centre (Kensal Rise)

Saturday/Sunday 05/06 & 12/13 - Sufi meditation workshops 11am to 5:30pm each day. Come to all the workshops or just drop in. Beethoven Community Centre (Kilburn Rise)

See FaceBook group London Sufi Workshops or Meetup group London Belly Dance for more details