Middle Eastern Dance with Rahil

Too soon?

We are one short month away from starting our Sunday New Year's Series! I know there is a lot going on this time of year, so don't forget to get registered!

Technique, technique, and... percussive technique!

Tuesday classes are done for the year, but we still have two more weeks of Sunday and Monday classes! I'll see you all soon!

A couple of reminders: there are several illnesses making their rounds, especially after folks traveling over Thanksgiving! If you're feeling unwell, know that you can always join us on Zoom. Thanks for your consideration (I don't get sick time and I have a couple of BIG weeks ahead of me)!

Also, our holiday hafla is coming up in two weeks! This is the last call for people who want to perform, you'll need to RSVP on the website. You'll also need to email me your music within one week (by next Sunday). I'll be making one Playlist for the hafla and party. Just a reminder that this party is just for regular class participants.

It's the final countdown to the end of the year!

It's December 1st!!! That means registration opens for KC Raqs in one short month! Mark your calendars...
is coming to Kansas City!

And as a special gift, class topics!
Friday: Golden Era Intensive
Saturday: Egyptian Technique and Combos
Sunday: Tarab

We are back at the Roeland Park Community Center in 2024. Good news is, they have a lovely stage and their renovations look amazing... bad news is, I may have to limit workshop sizes. So don't delay in signing up!

Today are the LAST TUESDAY CLASSES OF THE YEAR! Tunisian at 6, Layering at 7:15.

I can't believe this event in Omaha, organized by is only a week and a half away!!! And last I checked, there were only two spaces left in the workshop!

Grab your melaya (or a heavy cloth 2.5 to 3 yards long) and let's dance! I'll also bring a few melaya to loan out.

There's also an incredible lineup for the hafla that afternoon with dancers from at least 3 or 4 states! I can't wait to see everyone in Omaha again!

Just a heads up to my Sunday dancers: if it actually snows this much, we will be on Zoom only. Keep an eye on emails and social media.

The KC Raqs Student Certification Program is chugging right along! I was so excited to be able to award the first certificates at Haflaween to Susan and Barb, in recognition of their knowledge, skills, and dedication to belly dance at an advanced level. I'll be sending certification updates by the end of the year to all my regular students (those who have completed three series or more with me in 2023).

The program is centered around the idea of strong foundations and scaffolding in an effort to help dancers become well-rounded in all aspects of the dance (musicality, props, history, culture, and performance), not just in technique. (Can you tell my background is in education?) Through this, we all get to measure our own growth and "know what we don't yet know". Creating this tiered program has helped me with my own practice and understanding of dance and teaching SO MUCH.

Want to learn more? The graphics below are all about those different levels of classes and where you can grow the most as a dancer. The new year is a great time to jump (back) in and get some fundamentals under your hip scarf before more specific concepts and choreographies later in the year!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my friends, followers, students, supporters, mentors, and teachers! Every year, you give me so many reasons to be grateful. Here are some of my highlights!

BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL CONTINUES THRU 11/29!

Always wanted to try belly dance but don't want to go alone? Now is your chance! For one week, you can get 50% off when you purchase a "Friends Registration" for the New Year's Discover Belly Dance Series! That's two spots in this fun four week introductory series for the price of one. Give the gift of an exciting experience to one of your adventurous friends! Simply enter code "FriendsFriday23" at checkout to get your discount. Spaces are EXTREMELY limited, so don't wait to secure yours! Offer valid 11/22/23 - 11/29/23.

Even if you are an experienced dancer, you can take advantage of this offer! Sign up to spend some fun time with your friend while getting extra practice, or gift both spots to people you know will just LOVE belly dance. And don't forget, there are options online for gift series and single classes--'tis the season!

My gift to you! In under one month, we start the Twelve Days of Belly Dance, every day at noon CST, live on my Facebook business page (Middle Eastern Dance with Rahil). Keep in the habit of dancing even while we are on "holiday break".

Each day, we will have a short and sweet (~15 minute) lesson or discussion. This year, the theme is "dance dynamics". As with every year, I'll have a drawing for a FREE workshop with me early in 2024. Entries will be based on your likes, comments, and shares (because this is what keeps me from feeling like I'm talking to myself). Can't watch live? All the recordings will be available on my page for 30 days. The best part? All of this is free!!! It is my holiday gift to my students and supporters.

We'll get warm on this rainy November day with dance classes! Folk and Social Dances at 6 PM (we will focus on Khaleegi), then Dancers in Spotlight at 7:15 (BRING A VEIL)!

And here's a little teaser of what is coming up in the new year! Class and workshop topics are here! Registration will go up on the website by this afternoon.

We are ON for classes in person and on Zoom today! I missed seeing you all!

I can't believe it, but it is time to think about those winter holidays! For my students attending weekly classes, please mark your calendars for the holiday hafla at the studio, December 17th. I'll have a small gift of appreciation for each of you, we'll eat cookies, dance together, and make merry! If you want an adult beverage, feel free to bring anything you want. I'm trying to figure out if I can manage cocoa in a crock pot. 🙃

RSVP if you want a "formal" dance spot, otherwise we'll just keep it casual after the Tunisian group shows their piece!

For the general regional community, I'll have a New Year's Hafla and Studio Open House on January 13th, open to anyone who wants to perform and hang out. Tickets will be $10, or free to anyone who signs up for the technique tune up workshop.

Can't wait to shimmy our way into 2024!

Classes will be on Zoom only tonight. I still plan to offer this lecture around noon (depending on how long my eye appt goes, I may be a little late). Sign up soon for the Zoom link, everyone who signs up gets the recording, too.

Having issues with my left eye again. No classes today. Sorry for the inconvenience, check your emails!

The three month outlook, and "Second Saturdays Workshop" topics for January and February:

Well, since our December Night on the Nile show is SOLD OUT, I thought I'd share the date for the next one in March! We will kick off the winter, and celebrate its end, together. Mark your calendars for March 30th for an exciting lineup of new and returning dancers!

I'm very excited to be teaching and performing again in Omaha at 's Jingle Bell Raq event! There are still a handful of spaces available. I can't believe this is only about a month away!

One of the things that I love about dancing with a melaya is the ability to fall into a character, so even if I'm not the most confident person, I can pretend to be one!

We will have a great time working with the melaya, learning some cultural and historical tidbits, and building some combos. Bring a melaya if you have one, I will have some to borrow.

I cannot wait!!!

Monday Finale Series start tonight! At 6 PM, Intro to Folk Styles for all levels; then at 7:15, "Dancers in Spotlight" for Advanced Dancers featuring unique styles and technique of KC Raqs guest instructors. Tonight in folk styles, a taste of baladi; in "spotlight", a teaser for KC Raqs 2024! You can drop in or sign up for the whole series!

Also, in one week, I'll be doing another of my free Performer Skills lectures. This one is all about creating your performer package (tangible and less tangible items, skills, and concepts) to help you get solo spots that fit your style and goals, and to make your life easier once you secure the spot! (This isn't about gigging, this is about dancing at events and opportunities offered by other dancers. This lecture may get broken into two parts depending on how long we go. When you sign up, you'll get the zoom link to attend live AND receive the recording.)

2023 Finale classes start today! Today we have Fundamental Technique at 3, great for all dancers wanting to practice and perfect those essential skills. Then there's Raqs Baladi for my advanced folks at 5 PM, where we dive into the subtleties of the defining factor of Baladi dance. At 6:15 we kick off the Egyptian Raqs Sharqi Intensive Series, where we will "meet" some must-know Egyptian dancers, look at general technique and musicality, and look at how the style has changed over time. Sign up for a whole series and save (that's on the events website) or sign up as a drop in for a single class (that's on the booking page). See you soon!

Another AMAZING Haflaween is on the books! I'll upload some photos to that event page today, I tried to get a few of everyone. Once again, thank you to all the performers, helpers, cooks, and audience members!

Now I get to start my promo push for all my year-end events! 2023 Finale Series start NEXT WEEK so get registered if you haven't!

Sundays:
3 PM- Fundamental Technique (ALL LEVELS)
5 PM- Raqs Baladi (Advanced/ Experienced/ Level 3)
6:15 PM- Egyptian Raqs Sharqi Intensive (Level 2 with ~ 3 years experience)

Mondays:
6 PM- Intro to Folk Dances (All Levels with some belly dance experience)
7:15 PM- Dancers in Spotlight (advanced/ experienced/ level 3)

Tuesdays:
6 PM- Tunisian continues thru the end of November
7:15 PM- Layering (Level 2)

I kick off my SOLD OUT 2024 Year-long Training with two dancers on Wednesday. I'm looking forward to working with all (ten!!!) of you for the coming year.

Also coming up:
***A free lecture for performers and aspiring performers on your "performer package": what I think of as your "hard and soft skills" that prepare you to be a soloist. Everyone who registers gets the zoom link and recording.
***I'm jumping into planning for my workshop at Elianae's Jingle Bell Raq event. Prices go up on November 1st!
***There are TWO TICKETS REMAINING for the December Night on the Nile show. Last chance!
***If you liked my double veil piece at Haflaween, you have an opportunity to learn it at my "solstice special" in December! That workshop is already over halfway full, so if you want a space, don't wait too long to get signed up!!!
***Our studio holiday hafla is coming up on December 17th. Please note, this one is for my regular class attendees only (as it really is more of a holiday party and gift exchange for my students). You don't need to RSVP to attend, but if you want an "official" performance space, please do sign up. More info is available on the website.
***My annual Free Facebook Live event returns on December 19, The Twelve Days of Belly Dance. Sometimes we'll move together, sometimes we'll chat, sometimes we'll do Q&A. The theme this year is "Dance Dynamics"! Join me live at noon CST or catch the recordings for 30 days.

Let's shimmy into the holidays!

WOW. What an incredible evening with dance friends at Haflaween! I can't believe how lucky I am that I have such amazing people who want to dance with me, take my classes, put their talents and efforts into belly dance. Thank you to my students for the card and beautiful flowers. Everyone enjoy your "victory laps"! NO CLASSES THIS WEEK!

Congratulations to all my students on wonderful performances, both in groups and as soloists. A big thank you to all our guest performers who came out in the rain and cold, especially those who came in from out of town. Please pass my gratitude along to your friends and family who came out and showed their support. Once again, thanks to everyone who brought snacks to share! I couldn't do anything without my Phantom of the Opera who makes everything epic.

Until next year... HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Introduction to Folk (and Folkloric, and Social) Dances is coming up this fall! All Levels are welcome, each week we study a different dance from a different location. We will look at their connection to "belly dance" in general, learn some fun moves, and enjoy different types of music.

Come dance with us!

Classes meet this week, last ones before HAFLAWEEN! Dress rehearsals for levels 1 & 2 and troupe today, assaya meets one last time. (Yes, there's a football game, no, they didn't check with me before scheduling that.) Please bring all your costuming stuff and let's polish these pieces!

Our instructor announcement for 2024 is coming up on November 1st, and it. Is. BIG! Mark your calendars for next August, you DO NOT want to miss this. Registration will open January 1st.

As a bonus, for my advanced and experienced dancers, KC Raqs teachers will be our focus for the upcoming "Dancers in Spotlight" series, happening Mondays this fall. We will work with their signature moves and props each week to get us a fun combo in each dancer's style. The plan is to step back through the years, with week one being dedicated to the 2024 instructor!

It's all happening!

Classes are on this week. Check your emails!

Creating Combos is happening on Saturday afternoon! Come play Belly Dance MadLibs with me!

Also, I know we've just started our mini October series, but the 2023 Finale Series start after Haflaween (which you also don't want to miss)! All have event pages so you can check out the details. Soon I'll be adding to the website registration pages for all my special events through the end of the year.

For the Finale Series:
Level 1/ All Levels: Fundamental Technique and Intro to Folk Dances (when I say "all levels", this means YOU. Practicing the fundamentals is necessary for all experience levels, even advanced dancers!)
Level 2: Intermediate Layers (more experienced beginners are welcome to give it a try, but with the understanding that in order to layer movements, you need to be able to successfully do each move individually first! This is also a great option for more experienced dancers looking for some drills.)
Advanced Level 2: Egyptian Raqs Sharqi Intensive (for dancers with 3 or more years of consistency-- weekly-- dance experience. We will focus on stylization and nuance, so strong foundations are a must)
Level 3 (Advanced Dancers only): Raqs Baladi and Dancers in Spotlight (These classes will go from 0 to 60 with specific technique and skills.)

If you are a Level 3 student looking for a deep understanding of Egyptian style, Raqs Baladi plus the Raqs Sharqi Intensive will add some serious depth to your knowledge!

What are you looking forward to? 😍😍😍