Thread: Belly Dance in Dubai?

A friend of mine will be traveling to Dubai with her husband because of his job and they will be living there for about a year. Anyone have information on what the belly dance scene is; i.e., are there formal classes, festivals, shows etc. that she can attend?

There are supposedly a couple of teachers there, but I never heard back from them when I queried them from Bahrain. I do know that a large number of the desert camps they have set up advertise belly dancers, so there is a community of some sort. Wish her luck for me...the gulf - even the liberal states - is a hard place to live.

Hi I've was just in Dubai in Feb (my dad got transferred there for work). If you do any of the Desert Safari Adventures, at the end there is a belly dance show. Also several of the hotel restaurants does a Thursday or Friday performance. I know there is a hotel in the Jumeriah beach section of Dubai (it's near the Dubai Marina, where my dad lives). I believe it is the Marriott hotel. I am not sure about formal classes though.

Hi Nisima,

You should contact Sabriye Tekbilek. She is a member of Bhuz, but don't know that she gets out here much. Her website is:

Sabriye Tekbilek

She is based in Dubai and holds classes there, but often also travels back to the US (as well as other countries for workshops, etc.), and I'm sure she would be happy to give you some recommendations.

She is an incredible dancer and teacher! ..g.:

Thanks Erika for putting my name out there!
I'll take this chance to shamelessly promote a a couple of series of classes I'll be teaching in Dubai during the month of Nov. If you are interested you can read more about it at Sabriye Tekbilek under "classes and workshops"

Hi All...I am teaching in Dubai for the last 7 years.....my name is Lydia Tzigane...open classes start again in september ...i teach at the balletcentre in Jumeira 1...aswell i teach open classes in sharjah lady,s club this is my website contact details are there Lydia Tzigane-Middle Eastern Dancer ...my new website will be op shortly., it is updated and has aswell the timetable from the classes... .i have been performing in the middle east on a dayli base sindts 1984....now i perform and teach permanent in Dubai....have a nice day all

Is great to find this forum!
I'm new on the country, I live in Dubai. Recently started taking classes at the Fitness Center gym (behind the Burjuman mall).
The teacher went on vacation and as alternates were two different teachers. Everyone with different style ..c::
Now she's turned again (official teacher)... but I haven't good feeling with her classes and her style. And with the form to make the class on a platform of one meter an a half highest and with Madonna-style microphone ... I can't. ,s::

I'm Seeking a teacher who taught me from the start, looking to enjoy dance while exercising the body.
I'm Seeking someone who enjoys teaching and dancing.

That a magical energy field!


XOXO

Sorama :cr:

Hi Sorama

Its frustrating isn't it? The instructors at Fitness First use their class as a workout rather than dance instruction. If you can, you should get in contact with Sabriye, she's here in Dubai for at least a month doing a dance contract at Dubai Marine (maybe longer, I'm not sure) and she's a wonderful dancer and Suheila trained teacher. Grab the chance.

Aziza

Originally Posted by Sorama

Is great to find this forum!
I'm new on the country, I live in Dubai. Recently started taking classes at the Fitness Center gym (behind the Burjuman mall).
The teacher went on vacation and as alternates were two different teachers. Everyone with different style ..c::
Now she's turned again (official teacher)... but I haven't good feeling with her classes and her style. And with the form to make the class on a platform of one meter an a half highest and with Madonna-style microphone ... I can't. ,s::

I'm Seeking a teacher who taught me from the start, looking to enjoy dance while exercising the body.
I'm Seeking someone who enjoys teaching and dancing.

That a magical energy field!


XOXO

Sorama :cr:

I took workshops with Mayodi this weekend and really enjoyed his classes. He's living in Dubai and Paris , maybe he's also teaching in Dubai.

oh... yes! very, very frustrating!!!! I wait as a crazy the saturdays at afternoon to shake, shake, shakeeeeee.... and this week end was horrible, without my calss and bad humor :(

I'm looking for someone who can provide classes in Dubai, but only one teacher, if i'm starting to learn is so difficult to change every month. Every dancer has her style, is interesting when you're advanced, becose you can take something from everyone... but on the begining, is better only one.

Kisses,

Sorama

Hi Sorama

How about trying the Dubai Ladies Club? They definitely have bellydance classes.

Aziza

Originally Posted by Sorama

oh... yes! very, very frustrating!!!! I wait as a crazy the saturdays at afternoon to shake, shake, shakeeeeee.... and this week end was horrible, without my calss and bad humor :(

I'm looking for someone who can provide classes in Dubai, but only one teacher, if i'm starting to learn is so difficult to change every month. Every dancer has her style, is interesting when you're advanced, becose you can take something from everyone... but on the begining, is better only one.

Kisses,

Sorama

Dear Lydia,
do you teach belly dance at the balletcentre?
Regards

Originally Posted by LydiaDubai

Hi All...I am teaching in Dubai for the last 7 years.....my name is Lydia Tzigane...open classes start again in september ...i teach at the balletcentre in Jumeira 1...aswell i teach open classes in sharjah lady,s club this is my website contact details are there Lydia Tzigane-Middle Eastern Dancer ...my new website will be op shortly., it is updated and has aswell the timetable from the classes... .i have been performing in the middle east on a dayli base sindts 1984....now i perform and teach permanent in Dubai....have a nice day all

Hi gals!
I am now spending some time in Dubai on-and-off and offering private and small group classes in my private studio in Burj Khalifa area. I will be available from May 1st - June 15th... (This also brings me to my next post...which is that my apartment in Cairo is available to rent during that time as well :-) )
Thank you!
Astryd Farah
Astryd Farah deMichele ~ International Middle Eastern Dance Artist
astryd@danceastryd.com

I am going to be in Dubai in April-June..how can i find the place in Burj Khalifa area to come to your group classes? Thanks a lot

Originally Posted by astryd

Hi gals!
I am now spending some time in Dubai on-and-off and offering private and small group classes in my private studio in Burj Khalifa area. I will be available from May 1st - June 15th... (This also brings me to my next post...which is that my apartment in Cairo is available to rent during that time as well :-) )
Thank you!
Astryd Farah
Astryd Farah deMichele ~ International Middle Eastern Dance Artist
astryd@danceastryd.com

Originally Posted by Fergana

I am going to be in Dubai in April-June..how can i find the place in Burj Khalifa area to come to your group classes? Thanks a lot

Hi Fergana
Contact me when you are there and I will give you directions - it is in the Residences Tower #1 and I can meet you in an easy place to bring you there (Dubai is a MAZE).
Send me an email and I will give you my Dubai mobile to call me,
Thank you!
Astryd
DanceAstryd.com
BellydanceTours.com

Great! my address is fergasha@yandex.ru
Thanks a lot

Originally Posted by astryd

Hi Fergana
Contact me when you are there and I will give you directions - it is in the Residences Tower #1 and I can meet you in an easy place to bring you there (Dubai is a MAZE).
Send me an email and I will give you my Dubai mobile to call me,
Thank you!
Astryd
DanceAstryd.com
BellydanceTours.com

i'm belly dance teacher and choreographer i live in lebanon i teach private lessons for all dancers on all musique

Originally Posted by astryd

Hi gals!
I am now spending some time in Dubai on-and-off and offering private and small group classes in my private studio in Burj Khalifa area. I will be available from May 1st - June 15th... (This also brings me to my next post...which is that my apartment in Cairo is available to rent during that time as well :-) )
Thank you!
Astryd Farah
Astryd Farah deMichele ~ International Middle Eastern Dance Artist
astryd@danceastryd.com

Well is frustrating don't found any teacher! ..cr.:

I sent PM to but never response! Also i call to the numbers on their websites and messages... and this numbers are not valid.

Sabriye Tekbilek
http://www.bhuz.com/forum/travel-lan...-tekbilek.html


Lydia Tzigane-Middle Eastern Dancer



I saw on Dubai Marina Club, but the amount per month is 1500 dirhams and they don't tell you who is the teacher... if i expend this money and the teachere isn't good????

Astryd i'm interested but i'm not professional i made only one month and i'm looking any teacher for beginners... it's possible with your group, or are advanders dancers?

XOXO

Sorama

You sound very keen to get started with lessons Sorama. You could consider joining Fitness First in Dubai as nearly all their branches have bellydance lessons as part of their group fitness programme. You can get fit in the gym and the dance classes do not cost anything extra as they're included in the price of gym membership. In the years I been in the UAE I've been to many classes, a couple of the teachers were European but most have been Arabic of different nationalities. The bellydance teacher at the FF branch I go to is Jordanian, its been interesting to learn from her and see how she interprets the musical phrasing.
The 'Western' teachers seem to be mainly from Eastern Europe. The Arabic teachers are women who've, obviously, danced from childhood learning organically from the women around them. Unfortunately few have considered how to explain what they're doing when they dance, to students who don't have the same background or experience. One teacher I went to thought that yelling "Shake it" at a class of students was the best way to teach them how to shimmy. In the classes I'm taking there's absolutely no explanation of *anything* which is a real struggle for beginners. Its been Aunt Rocky's 'follow the bouncing butt' theory in action.
Along with the classes from the Jordanian teacher (which I really enjoy, but thank heavens I'm not a beginner), I've become a huge fan of Ranya Renee's teaching videos and work with them regularly. Maybe dvd's would be a good start, then you can work at your own pace?

Originally Posted by Aziza_UAE

You sound very keen to get started with lessons Sorama. You could consider joining Fitness First in Dubai as nearly all their branches have bellydance lessons as part of their group fitness programme. You can get fit in the gym and the dance classes do not cost anything extra as they're included in the price of gym membership. In the years I been in the UAE I've been to many classes, a couple of the teachers were European but most have been Arabic of different nationalities. The bellydance teacher at the FF branch I go to is Jordanian, its been interesting to learn from her and see how she interprets the musical phrasing.
The 'Western' teachers seem to be mainly from Eastern Europe. The Arabic teachers are women who've, obviously, danced from childhood learning organically from the women around them. Unfortunately few have considered how to explain what they're doing when they dance, to students who don't have the same background or experience. One teacher I went to thought that yelling "Shake it" at a class of students was the best way to teach them how to shimmy. In the classes I'm taking there's absolutely no explanation of *anything* which is a real struggle for beginners. Its been Aunt Rocky's 'follow the bouncing butt' theory in action.
Along with the classes from the Jordanian teacher (which I really enjoy, but thank heavens I'm not a beginner), I've become a huge fan of Ranya Renee's teaching videos and work with them regularly. Maybe dvd's would be a good start, then you can work at your own pace?

Thanks a lot Aziza, the DVD is good idea, but i'm looking for a real teacher, i prefer arabic origin for that, is dancing from early age, i think is into the genetic information ..l;,
And for me is not only shake, is forget the stress, the work, funny and social activity.
My experience on FF was terrible with the brazilian teacher, but when she take hollidays, was another girl from Egypt and she was really amazing and with a lot of patience. You know people who never dance and is starting need time to don't feel that are making the ridiculous ..g.:

If someone knows any place really cute with an amazing teacher... let me know!!! I'm ready to start!!! I miss my shaking saturdays ..cr.:

XOXO

Sorama

Hi Sorama - Greetings from Egypt :-)
Yes I agree it is nice to have a regular teacher in a group class over a long period of time - I am only planning for two months there May and June but I think there are some ladies as mentioned here in the forum offering longer-term classes (Sabriye are you around???) ...Anyway - if you or anyone are interested in privates, at any level I am there for those two months at least and my phone number is: +971501053472. I have a small dance studio in Burj Khalifa Residences and I specialize in Egyptian dance (living/studying/working in Cairo on and off for past 10 years).

Call (after April 27th) or feel free to email me at astryd@danceastryd.com

All My Best,
Astryd Farah
Astryd Farah deMichele ~ International Middle Eastern Dance Artist

Yes, I am around but unfortunately not offering classes at this time, just in transit.
Thanks for all the recommendations. I look forward to starting up classes after Ramadan but until then I'm on traveling foot!

Hi everyone,

I teach bellydance in Dubai.
Clasess are after working hours.
18:00
19:00
20:00
Can do also other timings. Prior notice required.
You can contact me on tara.uae@gmail.com for further details.