Thread: DC area dancing?

I will be visiting the DC area (Alexandria) the weekend of January 19th/20th...
Would love to catch a performance or drop in class while I'm there, please post if anyone knows of anything interesting to check out!
TIA

There are so many talented dancers in D.C., I'm sure you will have many options for both nights.

Here's a place with info for restaurant shows: Dancing in DC

Too bad you won't be there the following weekend. I'm hoping to make it to a show (in Silver Spring, MD) with performances by Artemis Mourat, Samira Shuruk, Kostana, Shems and Nadirah Nasreen. That's going to be quite a show!

Originally Posted by kiyaana

Too bad you won't be there the following weekend. I'm hoping to make it to a show (in Silver Spring, MD) with performances by Artemis Mourat, Samira Shuruk, Kostana, Shems and Nadirah Nasreen. That's going to be quite a show!

thanks so much!!! We all hope to see you there.

On tribe there is a more up to date list with descriptions!
DC area venues with descriptions! - DC Area Belly Dance - tribe.net

Ooo! I'm a DC area dancer! I'm not far from Alexandria. I will look up some events and post them for you!

Here are some events with Sahara Dance Company:

Sahara Dance | Belly Dance Workshops

Don't know if you will be in Maryland in April, but Faten Salama and Raquia Hassan are presenting a workshop:

::::::: FATEN SALAMA - MASTER INSTRUCTOR - Upcoming Workshops :::::::

There may be some haflas here in Manassas. Don't know if you're interested in driving out here. If so, let me know and I can get you the info.

Who know's, I might see you at some of these events! BTW, I think I'm going to post a thread about these events. I'm always syked to hear about events in the DC area!

Not to hijack the thread, but I'd be grateful if someone could point me toward more information on the Silver Spring show Kiyaana mentioned. TIA!

Friday show and Saturday workshops (plus Sat. night "jalsah"): Jalsah

Originally Posted by Zana

Not to hijack the thread, but I'd be grateful if someone could point me toward more information on the Silver Spring show Kiyaana mentioned. TIA!

Yay! Thanks. Hope to see you there!

Originally Posted by Zana

Not to hijack the thread, but I'd be grateful if someone could point me toward more information on the Silver Spring show Kiyaana mentioned. TIA!

OK, this won't help Khalima, who will be here the weekend before, but in addition to the show that Kiyaana (Hi, Kiyaana!) mentioned, there's a show on Jan 25th at the Casablanca Restaurant in Alexandria, sponsored by Yucy al-Banna and featuring Mohamed Shahin and other performers. There's also a two-day workshop that weekend in Clinton, MD. Here are details:

workshop

I'll be going to Mohamed's workshop but unfortunately can't attend either Friday night event. One of my students is having a big divorce party that night and after all she's been through I will definitely be there to help her celebrate!

Khalima,
What kind of show are you interested in going to see? An American audience venue (the dinner time shows)? An Arab audience venue (late night places)? Live music? Organized by a school (so sometimes student level dancers or beginner professionals)? A pro level venue? Do you have a style preference? Will you have a car or must it be metro accessible?

Wow, thanks for all the info posted so far! Bellydancefanatic, one of the workshops you posted looks like fun, *urban tribal fusion*. I don't even do tribal, but the description struck my fancy, and it says they can accomodate beginners, so I will look into how close that is to where I will be. Samira, I am up for pretty much anything. I will be with a group sharing several cars, I can arrange to have one for an outing.

Originally Posted by khalima

... Samira, I am up for pretty much anything. I will be with a group sharing several cars, I can arrange to have one for an outing.

Well then I'll mention the places that are more supportive of dancers (relatively speaking) where you will likely get to see a good show (meaning there is dance space).
I'm not mentioning places that are more than 40 min drive. I'm not mentioning places that pay under a certain amount. I'm not mentioning places that bring in student level dancers that are advertised as a professional show.

Fairuz - late night Arab shisha place in Falls Church - http://fairouzcafe.com/
Alf Leylah Wa Leylah also late night shisha place. Dance floor and debke lines Alf Laylah
Marrakesh Palace - Marrakesh Palace Authentic Moroccan Cuisine - they have two rooms though, which makes seeing the show rather difficult (re impossible) at times. Lovely food and decor
Taste of Morocco TASTE OF MOROCCO yummy food!
Shisha Lounge (in Sterling) - tribal show!
It's always best to call in advance - to find out who's dancing, to find out what time and to confirm that there IS dancing.
There are a lot of wonderful dancers around to go see.

Originally Posted by khalima

*urban tribal fusion*

If Ebony is teaching this one, you MUST go. She's a super-talented, extremely creative dancer and a whole lot of fun, to boot!

Drop in weekend classes are available at Cleopatra's Closet (Van Dorn/Alexandria/Landmark Mall area, Joy of Motion (Bethesda MD) and DC Dance Collective (upper NW DC).

And let's not forget the fabulous free class at Meze, Dupont Circle DC area, with Noor Jihan on Sunday nights at 10 pm!

I think Noor-Jihan is also still teaching taqsim and drum solo at DC Dance Collective (upper Wisconsin Ave) on Sundays before heading over to Adams-Morgan for the class at Meze. She's great in both those specialties -- highly recommended.

NJ is amazing, one of DC's hidden gems really: she has many years' experience, dances all over the place, is very popular with "ethnic" audiences in particular, but doesn't promote herself much so isn't nearly as well known outside the immediate area as many of us think she should be.