Bellyqueen

Bellyqueen Professional world dance company and school based in New York City. Visit our website for additional class times! https://bellyqueen.com/classes/

Our internationally renowned world dance company was founded in 1998, and is under the artistic direction of Kaeshi Chai. Drawn together by their passion for MENAHT dance (Middle Eastern North African Hellenic Turkic), the artists of Bellyqueen come from a wide range of nationalities and dance backgrounds. By fusing their individual influences, the company creates exciting multicultural performances that utilize traditional elements as a base for modern theatrical performance art that inspire audiences of all backgrounds, genders, and ages. Located in New York City, the Bellyqueen School of Dance offers daily classes catering to different levels covering the spectrum of bellydance styles from traditional to fusion. We offer both private and group bellydance instruction and specialize in bachelorette, bridal shower, and birthday party celebrations.

09/15/2026

Zoe Jakes and I are hatching up some fun dance shenanigans Bellyqueen School NYC Dec 17-20! Save the dates! More details will be unveiled very soon!

Thursdays Sept 17-Oct 15, 7.30-8.45pm Open Level Ignite Your Flow Candle Tray 5 Week Performance Project with the talent...
09/14/2026

Thursdays Sept 17-Oct 15, 7.30-8.45pm Open Level Ignite Your Flow Candle Tray 5 Week Performance Project with the talented Lorena Ayub

Illuminate your dance and elevate your candle tray skills with balance, grace, flow, and floorwork.

In this performance project, Lorena Ayub will guide you through the art of dancing with a candle tray—developing poise, control, fluid transitions, elegant floorwork, and a commanding stage presence while keeping your tray beautifully balanced.

Explore how stillness and movement, light and shadow, strength and softness can transform this traditional prop into a mesmerizing extension of your dance.

Build confidence, refine your technique, and learn a captivating choreography designed to make you—and your candlelight—shine onstage.

https://bellyqueen.com/lorena-ignite

Have you always dreamed of belly dancing? Or are you looking for a joyful way to move your body, express yourself, and m...
09/14/2026

Have you always dreamed of belly dancing? Or are you looking for a joyful way to move your body, express yourself, and meet new people? This 5-week course is the perfect place to begin.

Created especially for first-time adult dancers, our Absolute Beginner course offers a welcoming, supportive environment where you can discover belly dance at your own pace—no previous dance experience necessary.

Over five consecutive weeks, each class builds upon the last as you develop a strong foundation in belly dance. You’ll learn essential movements and dance vocabulary, step-by-step technique, effective warm-ups, and simple combinations.

Makiko Maki Moves N will guide you with encouragement and care as you build coordination, body awareness, confidence, and a connection to the music. Come as you are, discover what your body can do, and experience the joy of belly dance!

No previous dance experience necessary. Absolute beginners are warmly welcome.

WHEN
Course: Mondays 7.30-8.30pm
September 14 to October 12

WHERE
Course: Playwrights, 440 Lafayette St, 4th Floor, Studio 4D, NYC

09/08/2026

A Full Fall Season at Bellyqueen!

We’re thrilled to once again have belly dance happening in two rooms, Monday through Thursday nights at the Bellyqueen School!

Our fall schedule is bursting with opportunities to dance, learn, perform, and connect, with 11 weekly in-person drop-in classes and 6 weekly online classes.

Three new Performance Projects are launching with Brenna Crowley , Makiko Maki Moves N , and Lorena Ayub , offering dancers the chance to deepen their skills, build choreography, and take their dancing to the stage. Irina Akulenko’s Performance Project is already sold out!

We also have some special workshops coming up:

✨ Dalia Carella Carella: Veil Arabesque — September 18
The legendary Dalia Carella returns to Bellyqueen with her beautiful fusion of veil, Arabesque movement, and Tango-inspired Danse Orientale.

🧟 Brenna Crowley: Thriller — September 25 & October 2
Just in time for spooky season! Learn Brenna’s take on the iconic Thriller choreography and get ready to unleash your inner zombie.

Live Music Reunion! 🎶

Beatbox Guitar and Djinn are reuniting for a special reunion show on Sunday, October 4 at 7pm at Kogame in NYC. Save the date!

They’ll hit the road the following weekend to perform at Myra Krien Mosaic Dance Festival in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Gotham Fusion Fest Is Almost Here! 🖤

We’re also counting down to Gotham Fusion Fest this October!

A huge thank-you to everyone who submitted a performance application. We’re excited to review your work and bring together another inspiring weekend celebrating creativity, experimentation, community, and innovative dance.

Fall is shaping up to be a wonderfully full season at Bellyqueen. We hope you’ll join us in the studio, online, in the audience, or onstage!

Wishing you a joyful month filled with movement, music, creativity, and meaningful connection.

With love and gratitude,

Kaeshi Chai
Director, Bellyqueen School

08/31/2026

The legendary Dalia Carella will teach an in-person and online Veil Arabesque workshop on Friday September 18, 6.30-8.30pm.

Step into the world of Tango-Inspired Danse Orientale Fusion.

440 Lafayette St, 4th Fl, 4C, NYC

bellyqueen.com/dalia-veil

08/14/2026

The chassé

08/12/2026

Drumming with Rami El Aasser Ramitabla Bellyqueen School for the 22nd Bellyqueen Teacher Training.

08/09/2026

✨ ANATOMY FOR BELLY DANCERS & TEACHERS with Lissa Michalak

Want to dance smarter, teach safer, and better understand the incredible body you’re working with?

Join anatomy nerd extraordinaire Lissa Michalak for a practical 3-hour exploration of the body in belly dance.

You’ll explore:
✨ Bones, joints & major muscle groups used in belly dance
✨ Common dance injuries & safer movement practices
✨ How anatomy can improve your teaching
✨ Working with seniors, pregnant students, kids, teens & students with physical limitations

Lissa has taught movement for 23+ years and is a certified Dynamic Embodiment® practitioner and Somatic Movement Therapist specializing in musculoskeletal injuries. She has trained teachers through the Kane School of Core Integration, Bellyqueen School and Moving For Life®.

💫 Open to dancers, teachers & aspiring teachers — available à la carte!

📅 Friday, August 14 | 2–5 PM
📍 Bellyqueen School @ Playwrights
440 Lafayette St., 4th Floor, Studio 4G, NYC

Part of the 22nd Bellyqueen Teacher Training

07/27/2026

How does Tarik Sultan look like he is forever 30?

07/24/2026

Ramitabla teaches two NYC drum workshops!

Wednesday August 12th
2-5pm: 10 Essential Mid East Rhythms
5-6pm: Adv Beg / Int Doumbek Composition
6.15pm: Group Dinner at a nearby restaurant

Rod Rodgers, 62 East 4th St, New York, NY
bellyqueen.com/rami2026

These offerings are à la carte workshops from the 22nd Bellyqueen Teacher Training

Address

New York, NY

Opening Hours

Monday 10:45am - 9pm
Tuesday 10:45am - 8:30pm
Wednesday 10:45am - 8:30pm
Thursday 10:45am - 8:30pm
Friday 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday 11am - 1pm
Sunday 11am - 1pm

Telephone

+19175150168

Website

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