CLASSES
2024 FALL TERM: September 9 - November 21
All classes take place at Studio Datura | 116 NE Russell St, Portland, OR 97212
Early bird pricing ends August 26th!
Do you have the heritage and lived experience of a culture from Southwest Asia (AKA the Middle East) and/or North Africa?
CLICK HERE to learn about our Heritage Dancer Scholarship.
10 Weeks | Mondays at 6:30 PM with Heather Louise
Raqs sharqi’s roots are in the social dances of the Middle East and North Africa. Learn the basic steps, shapes, and shimmies that make dancing fun and a source of connection across all ages and genders.
Class dates: 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18
10 Weeks | Thursdays at 6:30 PM with Ella Moore
Raqs sharqi’s roots are in the social dances of the Middle East and North Africa. Learn the basic steps, shapes, and shimmies that make dancing fun and a source of connection across all ages and genders.
Class dates: 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21
10 Weeks | Mondays at 7:45 PM with Heather Louise
If the words mizmar, rebaba, Ghawazee, and tahteeb sound exciting and new, then this class is for you! Upper Egyptian music and dance is beloved in Egypt and around the world for its earthy nature and exciting stick work. This folk dance is a must for any raqs sharqi dancer’s repertoire as it playfully combines elements of masculine and feminine.
Class dates: 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18
10 Weeks | Thursdays at 7:45 PM with Ella Moore
The mejance, or entrance piece, is one of the most exciting parts of a dancer’s show. Filled with musical variations, it demonstrates the dancer’s technique, musical knowledge, and personality. In this course, Ella will guide students through a classic mejance, giving students the tools to navigate all of the musical twists and turns. The class will culminate in a choreography. While this class is appropriate for newer dancers, students should have taken at least one raqs sharqi class prior.
Class dates: 9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21
10 Weeks | Saturdays or Sundays 11:00 AM (exact dates below)
Tune up your technique and build stamina in this dance drills class. Each week Heather or Ella will guide you through a series of drills to polish and strengthen your raqs sharqi movement. Dancers should be familiar with basic isolations, undulations, 3/4 shimmies, and be comfortable with spins & turns. At least 2 years of raqs sharqi experience is recommended.
Class dates: 9/14, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/17
4 Weeks | Sundays at 12:30 PM with Emilie Lauren
Learn to spin your own silken spells on stage with silk sorceress Emilie Lauren.
This veil technique series consists of 4 one-hour long classes, with each class building on the one prior. The first 3 classes will focus on technique, starting with the foundations of good veil and spinning technique, working up to more advanced technique throughout the series.
The final class will tie everything together into a short choreography except from Emilie’s award-winning 2023 Bellydancer USA 7 veils choreography to To Rodo Tis Antatolis (La flor de estambul) by Dimitra Galani.
Recommended for dancers with veil experience. Please bring a 3 or 4 yard silk veil.
Class dates: 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13
10 Weeks | Saturdays or Sundays 11:00 AM (exact dates below)
Tune up your technique and build stamina in this dance drills class. Each week Heather or Ella will guide you through a series of drills to polish and strengthen your raqs sharqi movement. Dancers should be familiar with basic isolations, undulations, 3/4 shimmies, and be comfortable with spins & turns. At least 2 years of raqs sharqi experience is recommended.
Class dates: 9/14, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/17
CLASS POLICIES
Conduct
Al Wadi is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that prioritizes mutual respect, trust, curiosity, and joy. We do not tolerate harassment, especially that based on race, gender, country of origin, ethnicity, culture, disability, age, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation.
Learning is an exciting and vulnerable thing. We expect our students to contribute to a classroom culture that feels supportive, welcoming, and fun!
Registration
If you miss your class, you are welcome to join another class before the session ends. For example, if you miss your regular Monday night Intro class, you are welcome to join a Thursday night Intro class as a make-up.
Early bird pricing ends two weeks before the first class of the term (for the Fall Term, it would be Monday, August 26).
All sales are final. If you experience a personal emergency that does not allow you to take class, you may put your registration toward a future class series.