This Weekend's Big Event: The Dancer's Intensive

Amani Jabril

The key thing going on in metro Atlanta's belly dance community this weekend is an event brought to us by the fabulous Amani Jabril called "The Dancer's Intensive: Crafting the Art of Dance."

Amani will be joined by former Bellydance Superstar Yasmine of Charlotte and Kitiera of Seattle in bringing instruction, performances, and discussions to several locations in the Roswell area.

This is the first of several Dancer’s Intensive events Amani plans to produce.  The goal of this event is to focus on crafting the art of dance by connecting with the body, the rhythm, and the people.  The weekend will include a series of intermediate/advanced-level movement workshops, two lunchtime discussions led by Amani, a welcome hafla Friday night, and a gala show Saturday night.

It's not too late to get involved!  Click here to learn more.

This Weekend's Events

Jendayi Belly Dance Company
Photo by Jaki Hawthorne Photography

Saturday 5/19

At 1:00, Egypt meets Brazil in a Samba Fusion Drum Solo Workshop at Nazeem Allayl's Windy Hill Studio with company dancer Mahtaab.

At 6:00, Alchemy Drumming & Dance bring their Annual Bellydance Show to Main Street Market in Gainesville.

At 6:30, Jendayi Dance Company presents their Spring Studio Show at Pera Dance, featuring Jendayi, The Jendayi Dance Company, students, and a special guest.  Tickets are just $10.  Check out the Facebook event for more info.

Finally, at 7:00, catch the Nazeem Allayl Cabaret Belly Dance Show at the Red Light Cafe.


Sunday 5/20

AFBD's Rafiyah Dance Company

At 7:00, don't miss the Atlanta Fusion Belly Dance Anniversary Show at Fanoos Persian Cuisine.  Enjoy a tasty Persian buffet while watching the ladies of AFBD and their students perform in this lovely Sandy Springs restaurant.  Nicola is scheduled to make an appearance at intermission!  Doors open at 6:00 and tickets are $20.

This Weekend's Events

So what's happening in the metro Atlanta belly dance community this weekend?  Between World Belly Dance Day and Mother's Day, it will be a great weekend to celebrate your love of this art form and its power to not only honor women's bodies and spirits, but also to bring women together with a very special bond.

Shimmy Mob 2011

Saturday at 1:00, Shimmy Mob will occupy Atlantic Station for its second year.  This is a "flash mob" type of event involving dancers from throughout the metro area.  Lacy Perry of Belly Dance by Lacy and Beledi Boutique has been offering free classes in this year's choreography, and will be coordinating the performance.

Proceeds from participation fees will support local women’s and children’s shelters. Look for the dancers in matching T-shirts near California Pizza Kitchen.  Come out and celebrate National Belly Dance Day!


Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00, Nazeem Allayl Studios will host a mother-daughter event at its Peachtree Corners studio.  Bring your daughter or your mom and enjoy a special sale (including kid-sized costumes), a mini-workshop, performances, and more.


Happy National Belly Dance Day and happy Mother's Day from Yalla Y'all!

This Weekend's Events

Jahara Phoenix

What's happening this weekend in the metro Atlanta belly dance community?  Well, Saturday night brings your monthly opportunity to see members of Jahara Phoenix at Messina's Mediterranean Cuisine in Lilburn.

Sunday is a big day (and night) for events throughout the metro Atlanta area!

It'll be a busy weekend for Jahara Phoenix; they'll be appearing again at Duluth's Barefoot in the Park festival.  Look for them on the main stage at 3:15!

Samora & Amoraat

At 4:00 p.m. in Woodstock, Inara and her students and troupes will present their Annual Bellydance Oasis May Day show at Elm Street Cultural Arts Center.  There will also be a special performance by the Adult Beginning Ballet Class from The School at The Georgia Ballet. Lively music, beautiful costumes, and captivating choreography – a show sure to delight the family & friends! A portion of ticket sales will raise money for charity.

And last but not least, Bellydance by Samora will take over Nicola's at 7:00 for their fourth annual Anniversary Show. Current and former students, the Amoraat dance troupe, Samora, special guests, and of course Nicola will raq your world while you enjoy a full Lebanese dinner!  Doors open at 6:15, and tickets are $25 at the door.

This Weekend's Events

This weekend in metro Atlanta and Athens, we'll have several great opportunities to watch and learn!

Nicola & Aya

Saturday night, Âya of Istanbul performs at Nicola's Lebanese Restaurant. Âya and Nicola are an amazing team when it comes to making sure everyone has a great time!

Amani Jabril

Sunday morning, Amani Jabril presents a workshop in contemporary Egyptian technique at Atlanta Fusion Belly Dance.  Don't miss this rare opportunity to learn from one of our most talented performers!  Registration opens at 9:30, and the workshop is 10:00 - 12:00.  Click here to pre-register online!

Tuesday evening (oops, not Sunday!), Athens celebrates the art of belly dance at the legendary 40 Watt Club.  "Rak the 40 Watt" will feature performers from throughout the Athens belly dance scene.  Click here for the Facebook event.

As always, check the Yalla Y'all Calendar page for all the upcoming events in metro Atlanta and north Georgia!

This Weekend's Events

Saturday, April 21

Isis of Les Raissat

Les Raissat "Art of the Hips" Debut Show, Party & Benefit at Pera
7:00 p.m.
$10 online or at the door

Saniyah of Les Raissat

Les Raissat is a brand-new partnership between Isis and Saniyah, two of metro Atlanta's most talented performers. Their debut event will be a fundraiser for the Christine Marie Hunter Cancer Fund.  

Les Raissat have secured an amazing lineup of some of metro Atlanta's top talent, including Amani Jabril, Kalinka, Galina, Michelle Ortiz, Cairo, Ameera Johari, and more! 

There will be appetizers and beverages and a raffle, as well as performances from the ladies of Les Raissat and special guests.  Click here for more information!

Aziza Nawal

Sunday, April 22 

"Mastering Restaurant Performances" Workshop with Aziza Nawal at Pera
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
$30 in advance; $40 at the door
Aziza Nawal is one of metro Atlanta's most experienced and accomplished restaurant performers.  You can bet she's encountered every problem a restaurant dancer could possibly experience and handled each situation with her usual aplomb!  Learn the secrets of success in this workshop, designed for experienced dancers.  Click here to reserve your spot!

April Events

April is shaping up to be a pretty busy month in the metro Atlanta belly dance community!  Here are some of the performances and workshops coming up this month.  Y'all ready for this?!

Saturday, April 14

Jenny Nichols

World Belly Dance Alliance Show at Laura's NYC Pizza in Roswell
Dinner at 7:00 p.m., peformances begin at 7:30
$5 admission
JoinWorld Belly Dance Alliance for performances from teachers & students, including Amani Jabril, Jenny Nichols, Kalinka, Gretchen, Olivia, Aseelah, Jamesha, Tamara, Heleshia, and A'Bar'a! OPEN DANCE FLOOR featuring a mix of world and music you know & love.

Ziah of Awalim

Awalim Performs at S.T.E.A.M. Fest at Academy Theater
Awalim Dance Company will be performing at this celebration of the artistic abilities of those who toy with alternate history and retro-futurism, presented by the Artifice Club.  Awalim will perform at 7:00 p.m.  Click here for festival tickets. (Tip:  this event takes place at the Academy Theater in Avondale Estates -- so you can get a preview of the venue for July's Crossroad & Origins workshops and show with Rina Orellana Rall, Lee Ali, and Donna Mejia!)

Sunday, April 15

This is one of those nights where you're gonna have to make a choice between two outstanding options!  (And remember, if you're planning an event, we do our best to keep the calendar up-to-date as far in advance as possible!)

Banat Almeh

Awalim & Aziza Nawal Student & Apprentice Showcase at Nicola's
Doors open at 6:00, show starts at 7:00
Tickets are $20 and include a full Lebanese dinner and dessert
Join Majda Anwar and Aziza Nawal of Awalim as they present performances by their students, including Awalim's apprentice dancers and Banat Almeh student troupe!  You'll see two styles of Raqs al Assaya, Tribal improvisation, folkloric fusion, glitzy Oriental performances... a little bit everything, plus the incomparable Nicola!  Click here to get your advance tickets.


"ZAFTIG!" Presented by Company Mezza at Red Light Cafe
7:30 p.m., $12 at the door
“ZAFTIG” will celebrate the curvaceous female form through the art of dance by featuring Atlanta’s most beautiful, talented and voluptuous Middle Eastern dancers, featuring the fabulous Amani Jabril.

Saturday, April 21

Les Raissat "Art of the Hips" Debut Show, Party & Benefit at Pera
7:00 p.m.
$10 online or at the door
Les Raissat is a brand-new partnership between Isis and Saniyah, two of metro Atlanta's most talented performers. Their debut event will be a fundraiser for the Christine Marie Hunter Cancer Fund.  There will be appetizers and beverages and a raffle, as well as performances from the ladies of Les Raissat and special guests.  Click here for more information!

Aziza Nawal

Sunday, April 22 

"Mastering Restaurant Performances" Workshop with Aziza Nawal at Pera
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
$30 in advance; $40 at the door
Aziza Nawal is one of metro Atlanta's most experienced and accomplished restaurant performers.  You can bet she's encountered every problem a restaurant dancer could possibly experience and handled each situation with ablomb!  Learn the secrets of success in this workshop, designed for experienced dancers.  Click here to reserve your spot!

Sunday, April 29

Amani Jabril

Advanced Egyptian Technique Workshop with Amani Jabril at Atlanta Fusion Belly Dance
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (registration opens at 9:30)
$35 in advance, $45 at the door
Register at: http://amaniworkshop.eventbrite.com/
As both a working anthropologist and professional dancer, Amani will offer a practical, street-smart view of both the cultural and technical aspects of contemporary Egyptian belly dance. Learn favored combinations as seen on the contemporary dance scene as well as movement from Amani's own signature style.