LEYLET RAQS
Friday, February 23 - Sunday, February 25, 2024
Leylet Raqs (Night of Dance) is Ghent city's annual Raqs Sharqi (Bellydance) festival, thoughtfully curated by Badriyah at Shoonya Dance Centre.
Our aim is to create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for all participants, where passionate teachers will impart their knowledge and love for dance. The festival promises a rich experience featuring dance workshops, an opening party, and a showcase!
Our workshops cover a wide spectrum of dance styles, including Classical Raqs Sharqi, Baladi, Golden Era, Folklore, Props (veil), Technique (arms), Interpretation, and Fusion.
ARTIST LINE-UP | LEYLET RAQS 2024
JULIA FARID
SILVIA BRAZZOLI
HIND TAOUFIQ
LUNA
LENKA BADRIYAH
PROGRAM
Join us for this vibrant celebration of dance, knowledge, and community at Leylet Raqs!
WORKSHOPS
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Oriental dance with Golden Era touch in Julia Farid’s style
Julia Farid
Friday 23 February 2024 | 17:00 - 19:00
SOLD OUT
Discover Julia Farid's unique style, a blend of tradition and timeless sophistication, in a mesmerising oriental choreography, infused with Golden Era vibes. Get back in time with Samia Gamal of the modern era - Julia Farid. -
From Alexandria, through Tanta, to Port Said!
Lenka Badriyah
Friday 23 February 2024 | 19:15 - 20:45
Travel through the Nile delta and learn the basics of three different Egyptian character, folk and traditional dances: cute and cheeky Melaya Leff, raw Nile Delta Ghawazee, and Simsimia - the dance of sailors (with spoons)!
If you have, bring your melaya (or a veil) and two spoons! Otherwise, some veils and spoons will be available for borrowing. -
Beautiful Arms
Silvia Brazzoli
Saturday 24 February 2024 | 09:00 - 11:00
SOLD OUT
Unlock your graceful arms: Enhance your upper body fluidity, elegance, and coordination in Silvia’s workshop, 'Beautiful Arms.' Learn essential exercises and techniques to perfect your upper body movements and discover your unique dance expression and style. -
Veil Toolbox
Luna
Saturday 24 February 2024 | 11:15 - 12:45
This workshop is a complete toolbox on how to dance with a veil! The Belgian master of veil, Luna, will cover a huge range of veil technique, how to begin and end a choreography, wrapping techniques, turning with a veil, "catching air" and "error recovery". These are all essential tools for every dancer! -
Baladi
Hind Taoufiq
Saturday 24 February 2024 | 13:30 - 15:00
The queen of Baladi, Hind, will uncover the true essence and feeling of Baladi. In this workshop, you'll unravel earthy footwork, rooting, and lively hip articulations. Discover this traditional dance form, deeply rooted in Egyptian culture and history, with the one and only, Hind. -
Classic Oriental Song
Julia Farid
Sunday 25 February 2024 | 10:00 - 12:00… and how to interpret the melody and lyrics with elegance and soulfulness. Dancing to a classical song is more than just choreography. In this workshop, Julia will uncover how to interpret classical songs, while being true to yourself, staying graceful and connected to your emotions.
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Flamenco Arabe
Silvia Brazzoli
Sunday 25 February 2024 | 13:00 - 15:00
Passion at its best - blend of the enchanting raqs sharqi with the passionate flamenco. With Silvia Brazzoli, the world icon of oriental dance and fusion, you will discover unique dance combinations infused with the soul of flamenco arabe, offering not only a delightful fusion but also excellent exercises for coordination and expanding your dance vocabulary. A perfect way to finish our festival! -
Panel Discussion
with Silvia and Julia
Sunday 25 February 2024 | 15:15 - 16:00
Let’s unwind together, sit down, have a drink and talk. Silvia and Julia will share insights into their dance careers to inspire and motivate workshop participants to find their way in the dance world. Moderated by Badriyah, this discussion will wrap up the whole festival.
PRICING
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Full Package
Includes: All 7 workshops + panel discussion
€235SOLD OUT
*Tickets to the showcase need to be purchased separately. -
Friday Package
2 Friday Workshops + panel discussion
€75/ €68 for Shoonya MembersSOLD OUT
*Tickets to the showcase need to be purchased separately. -
Saturday Package
3 Saturday Workshops + panel discussion
€110/ €100 for Shoonya MembersSOLD OUT
*Tickets to the showcase need to be purchased separately.
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Sunday Package
2 Sunday Workshops + panel discussion
€90/ €82 for Shoonya Members*Tickets to the showcase need to be purchased separately.
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Single Workshop
One 120 min workshop of your choice: €50/ €45 for Shoonya Members
One 90 min workshop of your choice: €38/ €35 for Shoonya Members
(both include entry to panel discussion)
*Tickets to the showcase need to be purchased separately.
SHOWCASE
Saturday 24 February 2024
Show #1: 18:00
Show #2: 20:30
Enriching, inspiring, and delightful - that's the essence of our show! Featuring performances by Badriyah's students, guest teachers, and performers, the show will dazzle you with a variety of dance styles including classical Raqs Sharqi, Baladi, pop, Shaabi, fusion bellydance, and Bollywood. Anticipate exciting surprises and more dance styles to captivate you!
Invite your friends and family to experience this vibrant showcase. We're hosting the same show twice, first show at 18:00 and the second one at 20:30 to ensure everyone can enjoy. The estimated duration of the show is 90 minutes. Join us and be a part of this enchanting spectacle!
Tickets: €15 per person
- Workshop participants can buy single tickets in the registration form for the workshops.
- Children under 6 years of age can attend for free and have to sit on the mats placed in the front of the stage.
- Children 6 years of age and above are required to purchase a full ticket.
OPENING PARTY
Friday 23 February 2024
21:00 - 23:00
Entry: Free
ALL OUR SLOTS FOR THE PERFORMANCE ARE BOOKED NOW!
Be part of our lively Opening Party! Dance to the latest and all-time favourite Egyptian hits, savour delightful drinks, and cheer on fellow dancers as they showcase their talents. Everyone is invited to join the celebration!
Do you want to perform?
If you're eager to showcase your talent, here's your chance! We're organising a special performance opportunity during the opening party where the spotlight will be all yours. Whether it's a new choreography, an improvisation, or any performance of your choice (within a 3-minute limit), this is your moment.
This option is only available to all full package/ day package registrants, but hurry as spots are limited. Simply register your performance when completing the workshop registration form. We'll reach out to you later with more details regarding your performance. Thank you for dancing with us!
Registration and Entry Guidelines
Register in advance to secure your spot as registrations will close upon reaching maximum capacity.
Your spot is confirmed only after completing registration and payment.
For the comfort and safety of everyone, we kindly request you to refrain from wearing outside shoes on the dance floors at Shoonya Dance Centre. We will be dancing barefoot, although you can choose to wear socks if you prefer.
Outside food and drinks are not permitted at Shoonya Dance Centre. You can carry a bottle of water.
Snacks will be available for purchase on Friday during the Opening Party.
We have a delightful offering of soup and sandwiches available for purchase during lunch hours on both Saturday and Sunday
All registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable.
Entry fee does not include food and drinks, which must be purchased separately.
ACCOMMODATION & TRAVEL
If you're looking for accommodation, we recommend considering shared room options in Ghent. You can explore local hotels, hostels on the VISIT GENT WEBSITE or even reach out to fellow participants on our Facebook Group for room-sharing or travel together opportunities.
JULIA FARID
Meet Julia Farid, a talented Oriental dance artist, instructor, and choreographer hailing from Ukraine. She's the mastermind behind the Isadora Cup Festival and the creator of the "Dream & Dance" Intensive Course. Julia is also the founder of the Tips4hips online platform that engages hundreds of dancers across the world.
Thanks to her exceptional teaching skills and in-depth knowledge of Oriental dance, Julia Farid has gained recognition on an international level. She's been invited to teach in over 30 countries and regularly conducts workshops and performances at 20-30 bellydance events worldwide.
Julia Farid is known for her elegant and feminine dance style, which beautifully combines the Golden Era charm with modern Oriental dance. She's a humble artist who has captivated audiences with her enchanting performances and dedication to the art of dance.
SILVIA BRAZZOLI
Silvia Brazzoli is renowned for her graceful and elegant style, backed by a solid technique and effective teaching methods, Silvia now shares her talent on the international stage, touching hearts in Europe, Africa, America, and Asia.
Nestled in her home country, Italy, Silvia oversees her dance school and directs her very own dance company, the Silvia Raqs Group. She's also the driving force behind the dance event "Oasi Giornata di Danza" (Oasis Dance Day).
Silvia's accolades shine bright as she won numerous international dance contests. Moreover, she's graced the ranks of two of the world's most renowned belly dance companies: the mesmerising Bellydance Evolution, led by the illustrious Jillina Carlano, and the enchanting Amaya Dance Company, under the guidance of the talented Manca Pavli. Together, they've toured on four continents, captivating audiences far and wide.
For Silvia, the journey of a dancer is an unending exploration, an ongoing odyssey of growth. She's constantly delving into various dance styles, both near and far, shaping and moulding her very own, unique style along the way.
HIND TAOUFIQ
Hind Taoufiq is a choreographer and dancer specialising in Moroccan, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern dances. Hailing from Marrakech, her childhood was immersed in Moroccan music, the timeless classics of Oriental music, and the golden age films of Egyptian cinema. At the age of 19, she came to France to pursue higher education and ventured into the Parisian world of Oriental dance.
Under the guidance of her first teacher, Zaza Hassan, she quickly joined the troupe and took her first steps on stage. She later became an assistant to Mayodi and performed in the shows of his troupe, "El Noujoum." Always in pursuit of perfection, she danced alongside renowned masters such as Aèda Nour, Dina, Yousry Sharif, and Momo Kadous.
Hind embodies the contemporary essence of Oriental expression through dance. She is wholehearted and spontaneous, skillfully establishing a connection with her artistic partners and her audience. Whether melding with the music or conveying her own emotions, her performances are imbued with sincerity and a keen spirit.
Regularly invited to grace the stage and share her knowledge in France and abroad, Hind actively contributes to the emergence of a new generation of Oriental dancers who represent the contemporary reality of the Arab world.
LUNA
Luna is a professional oriental dancer and belly dance instructor from Belgian Limburg. In the Belgian belly dance scene (and beyond), she is known for her graceful dance style that is uniquely her own. Her performances, as well as those of her competition and show group, Indirah, are always tasteful and suitable for audiences of all ages.
For many years, she has been offering weekly classes at various locations in Belgian Limburg, catering to both beginners and advanced students. Her students recognize her as an enthusiastic teacher who imparts her knowledge with great patience.
Luna is also an active member of the belly dance community, contributing in various ways. She organises numerous events for dancers of all levels, including workshops, shows, and the annual belly dance festival, Belly 2 Belly.
LENKA BADRIYAH
Lenka Badriyah, a Czech dancer now residing in Belgium, is a professional instructor with over 15 years of experience in teaching and performing, both as a soloist and as part of various dance ensembles. She spent a decade dancing alongside Jillina in Bellydance Evolution, leaving her mark in more than 60 shows across the globe. As a Shoonya Dance Centre teacher and the driving force behind the Leylet Raqs festivals, she makes invaluable contributions to the local dance community in Belgium.
Her passion for Raqs Sharqi and its rich history is evident, with a particular focus on Golden Era Bellydance and the thorough study of legendary Egyptian dancers. Badriyah is renowned worldwide for her Golden Era style, a captivating blend of Golden Era Raqs Sharqi that marries technique with storytelling. She is a passionate collector of vintage items depicting dancers in Egypt. The collection containing over 400 vintage treasures, such as postcards, vinyl records, posters, and rare signed photos, is accessible to enthusiasts through her online museum. At present, Badriyah's tirelessly working towards establishing a physical Raqs Sharqi Museum in Belgium.
Beyond her remarkable dance career, Lenka wears another hat as a space weather application scientist, championing space safety initiatives with the European Space Agency. As a dedicated science communicator, she spearheads educational projects designed for blind and visually impaired children, demonstrating her commitment to both art and science.