Our 4th annual combined-levels bellydance class at Strictly Ballroom begins August 4th! Join us on Mondays in August to practice bellydance technique and learn important skills for group dancing. Learn a fun, basic choreography that is suitable for beginners, but appropriate for experienced dancers, too. (Add finger cymbals to increase the difficulty level!) There will be an opportunity to perform this as a group in September or October.

Time: 7:30-8:30
Dates: August 4, 11, 18, 25
Location: Strictly Ballroom Studio, Olde Greenwich Dr, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
Cost: $48 if paying for all four classes OR $15 per class drop-in

Buy this album! I am always looking for new dance music and this is my latest favorite. I love the classics, but appreciate the efforts of modern composers, too. Leila of Cairo's new album, "Min Gheer Kalaam" (Without Words) is a welcome addition to my music library. Unlike her previous albums, there are no entrance songs, no familiar classics (except a few beledis), and no singing by Safaa Farid (of course, since it's "Without Words.") The CD has fifteen tracks that are taxsims, drum solos, and beledis. It still has the rich, slightly raw, quality of her other albums. Is it danceable? Of course, especially the under-four-minute tracks "Beledi Awady" and "Beledi Hassan" (both will sound familiar), plus several of the drum solos. I love the taxsims, I really do, and appreciate that so many instruments were included: violin, saxophone, qanoun, nay, and accordion. However, they are all around seven minutes (or longer), so not as performance-friendly as the other tracks. I definitely recommend that all dedicated bellydance teachers and students (especially those that claim Egyptian style in their dancing) purchase this album. It's a great learning tool for studying taxsims and beledis, plus you'll enjoy dancing to it. (Plus, it's a great way to support a fellow dancer and her orchestra. We need more music like this.)

Best price I have found is at Bellydance.com. Use code ADR22 to get 10% off. (Search for "Leila Farid" to find this and a couple of her other, also excellent, albums.)

Purchase from CDBaby.com (get 10% off when you buy two or more). CD Baby also has Leila's albums, "Om Al Dunya" and "Tarab."

Buy on Amazon.com.

There's Folklore in my Oriental! Workshop with Faten

Join us on Saturday, August 16, in Fredericksburg, VA for an Egyptian folkloric and oriental master class with world-renowned native Egyptian instructor and choreographer, Faten. Learn the origins of Egyptian folkloric dance, its influence on modern bellydance, and how it will enrich your oriental and tribal bellydance performances.
(At least one year of dance experience is recommended for this workshop.)

Time: 1-4 pm     Location: Strictly Ballroom, Fredericksburg, VA    Cost: $65     Directions HERE     

Selected at age 11 for the national folk troupe of Egypt dance school for children, Faten was one of the original dancers in Egypt’s National Folk Troupe. Benefit from her years of experience with styles such as Saidi, Haggallah, Nubian, and Fellahi. After dancing with Faten for three hours, you’ll be hooked on her joyful style and enthusiasm!

Now $65, payable through PayPal, 

or check/cash the day of the workshop.

Our workshop location is the spacious Strictly Ballroom Studio, 125 Olde Greenwich Dr, Fredericksburg, VA, 22408. It is situated off of Lafayette Ave, about 10 minutes from I-95 exit 126A or 130A. There is plenty of parking available in the front lot.

More about Faten:
An electrifying performer, a generous teacher and authentic choreographer, Faten began dancing in Cairo at age 11 when she was selected to attend a dance school for children run by Egypt's first-ever National Folkloric Troupe (“Kowmeya”). While dancing full time and performing for heads of state, ambassadors, and royalty across the globe, she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in French Literature. With her husband, Shawki Naim, at the time the top soloist in Egypt and the National Troupe choreographer, they created their own troupe, which traveled and performed around the world, which continues to serve as the National Folkloric Troupe of Egypt. 

Now based in Arlington, Virginia, Faten teaches weekly classes at Saffron Dance and is highly sought-after to teach Egyptian dance workshops worldwide.  Faten keeps her choreographies and love of folklore alive with her dedicated students as director of two dance companies at Saffron Dance School and with her original group, Al Massraweya: www.facebook.com/AlMassraweya.  

Want to donate to Rappahannock CASA as part of our fundraising efforts this Saturday, but can't make it to our event at Aladin? Please send the funds directly to me via PayPal, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., without fees, & I will write a check to CASA for all funds received. Every $2 donated receives a raffle ticket. Indicate in the message which raffles you would like to enter.

Raffle items:
Pier 1 gift card $25
TJ Maxx gift card $25
Aladin gift card $25
Basilico gift card $25
Dancer's Wardrobe gift card $25
Bella Donna Ya Helwa choreography DVD (new)
Meaning in Movement DVD (new)
1-2-3 Belly Dance with Bahaia DVD (new)
Pink hip scarf with multi-color paillettes (new)
Orange hip scarf with holographic sequins (new)