The second annual New York Belly Dance Festival kicks off with Raqs in the City at The Laurie Beechman Theatre at 7 PM on Friday, March 20. This year’s festival, created by founder Samantha Diaz, is hosted by Cirque du Soleil’s Shereen Hickman.
Featured are internationally-renowned dancers and instructors including Sadie—a USA-based choreographer for pop icon Shakira, and the most-watched belly dancer on YouTube; Badra—the Chilean belly dancer based in Egypt, known for her performances at The Grand Theatre in New Cairo; and Lebanese Simon—a master of classical Arabic dance and folklore.
The festival unfolds over the weekend with a lineup of 12 hours of workshops, and two theatrical gala shows at EPA Studios (320 W 37 St). Empire Raqs plays Saturday March 21 at 7 PM and the Golden Apple closing show is on Sunday, March 22 at 7:00 PM. The Festival also offers the Festival Bazaar, which is open to the public and is filled with global treasures from vendors representing Egypt, Ukraine, Peru, the US, and beyond, offering costumes, jewelry and dancewear.
The Laurie Beechman Theatre is located at 407 W 42nd St., NYC
