July 29-31 will see the Brisbane Convention Centre treated to the city’s debut Bellydancing Festival presented by The Queensland Bellydance Academy (QBA).
Highlighting the festival is Salam Ya Raqs! A Dance Voyage, a collection of women’s dances from the Middle East and beyond. Salam Ya Raqs! A Dance Voyage features top professional Middle Eastern dance artists from around Australia and Europe; including Mercedes Nieto from Hungary, special guest star and festival headline act.
This festival will see Nieto visit and perform in Australia for the first time, she is one of the world’s leading Middle Eastern dance artists and teachers.
Nerissa Panagopolous and Ambyr Johnston, festival organisers and Co-directors of QBA, are amongst the most sought after Middle Eastern dance instructors in the country and have noted a surge in popularity of bellydance in Brisbane.
“We were inspired to host a festival in Queensland as we’ve seen the growing interest not just in bellydance, but also the folkloric dance traditions from which bellydance originates,” said Ms Johnston.
“Dance has the power to create connections between people, and QBA is passionate about using dance to strengthen community,” she added.
“Salam Ya Raqs! aims to celebrate the beauty of the Middle East by sharing the artistic traditions of its people.”
Salam Ya Raqs! will captivate audiences, leaving them dancing in their seats along with the best Middle Eastern dancers and musicians from Australia and abroad. Salam Ya Raqs! features dances from around the region including Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, Tunisia, the Gulf and Morocco.
This self-funded event has been years in the making and is driven by Ambyr and Nerissa’s passion for Middle Eastern music and dance.
QBA is Queensland’s leading school of excellence specialising in Modern Oriental Bellydance and Middle Eastern Folkloric Dance. Check the QBA website here for more information.
WHAT: Salam Ya Raqs! A Dance Voyage
WHEN: Sunday July 31 at 7.00pm
WHERE: Boulevard Auditorium, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (Grey St entrance)
Tickets: Online bookings only – buy tickets here
PRICE: $45 (including booking fee)
For more information on the festival head to the Facebook page
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