Sahara Dance

Sahara Dance DC's Center for Middle Eastern Dance
Boutique studio dedicated to creating community celebrating the joy and beauty of belly dance. Come shimmy!
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Sahara Dance, Washington DC’s Center for Middle Eastern Dance, is a boutique dance studio dedicated to celebrating the joy and beauty of belly dance. Founded in 2004, Sahara Dance offers over 75 weekly belly dance classes at three locations in DC and Maryland. The studio is home to 20 faculty members, 16 resident performance companies, and over 700 belly dancers. Seeking to elevate belly dance as

a performance art and to create a community for belly dancers, Sahara Dance produces several annual theater productions. Our shows and classes highlight both traditional and experimental styles of belly dance and Arab folk dance. Come shimmy with us!

Save the date for the Sahara Dance Summer Caravan featuring Marta Korzun! We look forward to performing on Sunday August...
05/28/2026

Save the date for the Sahara Dance Summer Caravan featuring Marta Korzun! We look forward to performing on Sunday August 23, with two show times at 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm. 🤩

We are thrilled our show will include a full set by our very talented guest star !! In addition, the Sahara Dance Summer Caravan will showcase nearly 100 students, faculty and drummers! Enjoy captivating performances that celebrate cultural traditions and dance artistry. Let us take you on a journey through the rhythms and expressions of Middle Eastern dance with Sahara Dance Summer Caravan. ✨

Bonuses:
A free pass to our Introduction to Belly Dance Workshop is included with your show program! Feel free to use it, or pass along to a friend who might like to try belly dance. And, all show attendees get a free raffle ticket to have the chance of winning prizes at intermission!

Featuring :

Full performance set by guest artist Marta Korzun!
Sahara Dance Teachers
Sahara Tabla Drummers
Raqs Caravan East
Raqqesat Badia (Beginner 3 Performance)
Raqqesat Samia (Intermediate 1 Performance)
Raqqesat Tahia (Intermediate 2 Performance)
Raqqesat Kitty (Intermediate 3 Performance)
Raqqesat Nadia (Advanced 1 Performance)
Raqqesat Naima (Advanced 1 Performance)
Raqqesat Soheir (Advanced 2 Performance)
Raqqesat Indigo (Fusion Performance)
Raqqesat Latin (Latin Fusion Performance)
Raqqesat Romani (Romani Performance)
Beginner Performance Class
Developing Choreography Soloists
3 PM: Claudia, Helena, Illa, Nicole, Ykita
6 PM: Ghazal, Mihoko, Nailah, Sophianna, Ziyaki
Al Fanaanat Project
and more!

Tickets now available on our website (adults $35, children under 12 $20, with discounts available for groups of 10 or more).
https://saharadance.com/product/sahara-dance-summer-caravan-featuring-marta-korzun-sunday-august-23-300-pm-and-600-pm-et/

05/27/2026

Learn to dance Saidi with Sunday June 14 in Washington DC at Sahara Dance!! 🇪🇬

1:00 – 5:00 pm
2 hours – Saidi technique and combos
2 hours – Saidi Choreography

Learn a fun choreography that blends traditional folklore with modern stage Raqs Sharqi! This choreography will challenge dancers to master a variety of moving hip steps, folklore footwork, assaya tricks, and more.

There will also be the opportunity to practice and receive feedback from Shahrzad on this choreography through the Al Fanaanat Project for professional development.

https://saharadance.com/product/saidi-choreography-with-shahrzad-june-14-100-500-pm/

Discover two fun and unusual workshop offerings this weekend at Sahara Dance! 🌺 Introduction to Hula Dance Workshop with...
05/25/2026

Discover two fun and unusual workshop offerings this weekend at Sahara Dance!

🌺 Introduction to Hula Dance Workshop with - May 30, 1:30-3:30 pm

Discover the beauty and storytelling of Hula in this beginner-friendly workshop. Designed for complete newcomers, this session offers a welcoming space to explore the foundations of this traditional Hawaiian art form. Participants will learn about the cultural and historical significance of Hula, engage in gentle conditioning exercises, and practice basic steps and movements. This workshop also serves as a perfect preview for the upcoming 5-week Introduction to Polynesian Dance–Hula Dance series later this summer.

🧟‍♀️ Apocalypse Choreography (Intermediate) with - May 31, 4:00-6:00 pm

Step into a bold, full-length modern fusion piece with a dark, powerful edge. This choreography blends precise belly dance technique with high-energy influences from hip-hop, creating a dynamic and expressive dance experience. Embrace what is coming—come to the dark side. Knee pads recommended.

Sign up: https://saharadance.com/workshops/

Our intensive with this June 12 to 14 is over half sold out! Egyptian Dance: Beyond Raqs Sharqi will focus on folk and ...
05/21/2026

Our intensive with this June 12 to 14 is over half sold out!

Egyptian Dance: Beyond Raqs Sharqi will focus on folk and popular dance styles vs the classic stage belly dance. Shahrzad is an American-born dancer that once was a regular teacher at Sahara Dance here in Washington DC! She has now been living in Egypt for over a decade, and has become one of the biggest global stars in Egyptian dance! She is known as a dancer that has studied deeply with esteemed native Egyptian dancers to captivate authentic Egyptian style. In addition to her performances, she conducts in-depth studies of Egyptian dance, music, and culture, traveling to experience folk performances and exploring the country. Shahrzad also produces her own music, supporting native musicians in Cairo. She has a comprehensive online platform educating about Egyptian dance, music, and language, frequently featuring native artists. We are thrilled to host her again as one of our favorite guest artists! 💓

Join the full intensive or choose your own adventure with one or two single workshops!
Shaabi Dance Party
Friday, June 12 – 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Explore current popular music and dance styles of Shaabi and Mahraganat with history and cultural relevance, technique and drills, and fun combos to popular songs

Baladi Intensive
Saturday, June 13 – 1:30 – 6:30
2 hours- Baladi Hip Technique and Combos
1 hour- Egyptian Musicality Lecture (feel free to bring a snack)
2 hours- Baladi Improvisation and Exploration

Saidi Choreography
Sunday, June 14 – 1:00 – 5:00 pm
2 hours – Saidi technique and combos
2 hours – Saidi Choreography
Learn a fun choreography that blends traditional folklore with modern stage Raqs Sharqi! This choreography will challenge dancers to master a variety of moving hip steps, folklore footwork, assaya tricks, and more.

More info and to sign up:
https://saharadance.com/workshops/

Last call to join a summer performance class! Enrollment for performance companies closes this week! This season’s dance...
05/20/2026

Last call to join a summer performance class! Enrollment for performance companies closes this week!

This season’s dancers will take the stage at the Sahara Dance Summer Caravan Show on August 23rd at Imagination Stage in Bethesda, Maryland. We have performance opportunities for a variety of levels and styles, offering dancers the chance to build technique, rehearse collaboratively, and experience the joy of performing as part of a community.

If you’re unsure where to begin:

💜 Review class prerequisites on our website
💜 Consult a previous Sahara Dance instructor for recommendations
💜 Newer dancers are encouraged to explore Beginner Performance Group options
💜 Dancers new to the studio but with prior belly dance training are welcome to try a drop-in technique class for placement guidance

Please note that enrollment in a dance company requires simultaneous enrollment in a technique class. Some classes may also require instructor or company director approval.

Explore our classes here! https://saharadance.com/classes/

This week begin learning an essential skill for belly dancers! Intro to Finger Cymbals for Belly Dance with - May 23, 1...
05/19/2026

This week begin learning an essential skill for belly dancers! Intro to Finger Cymbals for Belly Dance with - May 23, 1:30-3:30 pm.

Join us for a fun and informative workshop designed to get you comfortable and confident with finger cymbals (zills)! Whether you’re brand new to finger cymbals or have some experience and want to improve your skills, this workshop will give you the tools to develop clear, rhythmic patterns and begin integrating them into your dance.

We’ll focus on foundational patterns, proper technique, and musicality in a supportive environment where we’ll break things down clearly and gradually build toward playing with ease.

This workshop is suitable for beginners and those with basic knowledge who want to refine their skills. We recommend dancers use Saroyan finger cymbals for the best sound.

Sign up here:
https://saharadance.com/product/intro-to-finger-cymbals-for-belly-dance-with-crystal-may-23-130-330-pm/

Please consider voting for Sahara Dance as “best dance class in DC” in the Washington City Paper’s Best of 2026 poll! Fi...
05/18/2026

Please consider voting for Sahara Dance as “best dance class in DC” in the Washington City Paper’s Best of 2026 poll! Find our category under Goods and Services or click directly on the link or QR code! Thank you for supporting our community and helping spread the joy of belly dance across all the DMV! 🤗

https://bestof2026.washingtoncitypaper.com/goods-and-services/best-dance-class

SOLD OUT classes for Summer 2026!!! 🌞 💚 Advanced 1 Technique💚 Advanced 2 Technique 💚 Raqqesat Naima💚 Developing Choreogr...
05/15/2026

SOLD OUT classes for Summer 2026!!! 🌞

💚 Advanced 1 Technique
💚 Advanced 2 Technique
💚 Raqqesat Naima
💚 Developing Choreography

Spots are filling quickly for our summer semester classes! If you’ve been thinking about joining, now is a great time to jump in and be part of a performance company for Summer Caravan on August 23. We’d love to have you with us!

https://saharadance.com/classes/

Announcing our Summer 2026 Al Fanaanat Project Cast… We are thrilled to collaborate with Marta Korzun on bringing her M...
05/14/2026

Announcing our Summer 2026 Al Fanaanat Project Cast… We are thrilled to collaborate with Marta Korzun on bringing her Mejanse choreography to life. The following dancers impressed Marta with the beautiful dance artistry they demonstrated in their auditions:

⭐️ Maria
⭐️ Ziyaki (Rehearsal Director)
⭐️ Chrystal

Congratulations dancers! 💐

We’d like to give special recognition to Ziyaki, who was selected by Marta to serve as Rehearsal Director and Choreography Keeper for the Summer26 project. 🤩

Kudos to all the dancers who submitted videos for the audition. It takes courage and commitment to put our dancing out there for critique. This is one sure way to spur growth. We applaud you for stepping up to better your dancing in a way that may feel vulnerable.

We truly appreciate everyone who participated in the feedback and audition process. We see your dedication and are honored that you put the time, effort, and trust into this project to advance your dancing.

The audition aspect of Al Fanaanat is meant to select video submissions which showcase a professional level performance, including nuanced technique, movement quality, timing, musicality, and emotional expression, among other factors.

The feedback aspect of Al Fanaanat is meant to offer all dancers new insights on how to make more dynamic dancing. We hope this is where the true value lies for dancers seeking improvement to their artistry.

We hope all participants will celebrate the achievement of having learned a difficult choreography, practicing vulnerability, and opening themselves to hearing feedback.

We look forward to seeing Marta’s mejanse with this Al Fanaanat cast at our Summer Caravan show in August! 💓

➡️ Want to participate in our next Al Fanaanat Project? There will be a new opportunity to learn Shahrzad’s Saidi choreography (workshop scheduled June 14, video submissions due July 15) for performance in our fall show. More info here:
https://saharadance.com/product/al-fanaanat-project-professional-dance-development-video-feedback-with-shahrzad-2/

One month count down to Shahrzad’s 3-day Intensive in Washington, DC: Egyptian Dance — Beyond Raqs Sharqi! 🙌🏼 June 12 – ...
05/13/2026

One month count down to Shahrzad’s 3-day Intensive in Washington, DC: Egyptian Dance — Beyond Raqs Sharqi! 🙌🏼 June 12 – 14, 2026

Beyond Raqs Sharqi will focus on folk and popular dance styles vs the classic stage belly dance. Shahrzad is an American-born dancer that once was a regular teacher at Sahara Dance here in Washington DC! She has now been living in Egypt for over a decade, and has become one of the biggest global stars in Egyptian dance! She is known as a dancer that has studied deeply with esteemed native Egyptian dancers to captivate authentic Egyptian style. In addition to her performances, she conducts in-depth studies of Egyptian dance, music, and culture, traveling to experience folk performances and exploring the country. Shahrzad also produces her own music, supporting native musicians in Cairo. She has a comprehensive online platform educating about Egyptian dance, music, and language, frequently featuring native artists. We are thrilled to host her again as one of our favorite guest artists! 💓

Join the full intensive or choose your own adventure with one or two single workshops!
Shaabi Dance Party
Friday, June 12 – 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Explore current popular music and dance styles of Shaabi and Mahraganat with history and cultural relevance, technique and drills, and fun combos to popular songs

Baladi Intensive
Saturday, June 13 – 1:30 – 6:30
2 hours- Baladi Hip Technique and Combos
1 hour- Egyptian Musicality Lecture (feel free to bring a snack)
2 hours- Baladi Improvisation and Exploration

Saidi Choreography
Sunday, June 14 – 1:00 – 5:00 pm
2 hours – Saidi technique and combos
2 hours – Saidi Choreography
Learn a fun choreography that blends traditional folklore with modern stage Raqs Sharqi! This choreography will challenge dancers to master a variety of moving hip steps, folklore footwork, assaya tricks, and more.

More info and to sign up:
https://saharadance.com/workshops/

Address

4433 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington D.C., DC
20016

Opening Hours

Monday 6pm - 9:30pm
Tuesday 6pm - 9:30pm
Wednesday 6pm - 9:30pm
Thursday 6pm - 9:30pm
Saturday 10:30am - 3:30pm

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