Sahara Dance

We are thrilled the internationally acclaimed will return to Washington DC for our show August 23rd and workshops August 24-26!

Whether you’ve studied with Marta before or this will be your first workshop, her thoughtful approach offers something for every stage of your dance journey. Through focused training in technique, musicality, artistry, and improvisation, you’ll leave with practical tools you can bring into every dance.

Why Dancers Return to Marta: Many dancers return to Marta’s workshops because she doesn’t just teach combinations - she teaches how to think about movement. Her classes emphasize musical interpretation, intentional technique, and developing your own artistic voice, making every workshop valuable whether you’re performing professionally or dancing for personal growth.

Best Value: Register for the Discounted 3-Day Workshop Package

Experience the complete workshop series and save when you register for all three days. Each workshop explores a different aspect of artistry while building on the ideas introduced throughout the weekend.

Day 1 | August 24: Arabic Rhythms in Belly Dance

Strengthen your musicality through a deeper understanding of Arabic rhythm.

Day 2 | August 25: Lyrical Song: Dancing with Emotion
Learn how emotion and interpretation transform movement into artistry.

Day 3 | August 26: Mastering Improvisation
Develop the confidence to trust yourself and dance fully in the moment.

More information and to sign up: see our website under “Workshops”

It’s your last chance to sign up for 8 week classes for the second half of summer! This half semester of classes runs June 27 – August 22 but recordings will be received if the first week was missed.

Join a class series to strengthen your dance practice, get you moving, train with friends, and feel good in our bodies. Let’s learn something fun and dance together!

https://saharadance.com/classes/

This week! Introduction to Persian Classical Dance Workshop with Odiney .rhythms - July 11, 1:30-3:30 pm.

Come explore Persian Classical Dance, an elegant and fluid art form known for its beautiful arm and hand movements and graceful quality. Persian Classical Dance has its own structured movement vocabulary, with specific arm and hand positions, precise body lines, and fluid transitions that reflect the curvilinear, graceful aesthetic you see throughout Persian art, calligraphy, and music. Its roots go back to the Qajar dynasty (1795-1925), when the royal court elevated dance into a refined performance art, and it continues to be a living, evolving tradition practiced and taught by dedicated artists around the world today.

In this introductory workshop, we’ll start with a brief look at the history and cultural context of Persian Classical Dance to give you a feel for where it comes from and what makes it distinctive. From there, we’ll dive into the foundational movements such as the characteristic arm and hand positions, posture, and basic footwork that are at the heart of the style. We’ll also touch on how Persian music connects to the movement, helping you understand the rhythm and mood behind each gesture.

Whether you’re completely new to dance or already have experience in another style, this workshop is a wonderful opportunity to connect with a beautiful art form. All levels are welcome!

https://saharadance.com/product/introduction-to-persian-classical-dance-workshop-with-odiney-july-11-130-330-pm/

Check out this amazing postcard of DC belly dance history, from 1966! 🤩 Do any of our dance community elders, musicians, or historians know anything about this?! Please share any info you may have!

Repost from - what a cool find! Thank you for your research! We are copying their text here:

UPDATE: a few months back, I came across an advertisement for a nightclub in Washington DC known as Port Said. As it turns out the location actually has a rather interesting history. Located on that same spot in 1880, Washington DC built its first “purpose built” four floor apartment complex known as the Fernando Wood flats. Around 50 years later these were relocated to the other side of DC and the building was converted into an office space. I could find no official record of any nightclub located in these spaces for quite some time. I had nearly given up when I happened to stumble across this postcard, sold at the very same nightclub. HAD TO HAVE IT! I was so thrilled to find the small piece of history in an addition to a newspaper clipping. I now present to you all an image of the performers that showcased in 1966 in Washington DC.

Remember last summer’s Al Fanaanat Project that brought together dancers selected by Shahrzad to perform her shaabi choreography at Sahara Dance’s Summer Caravan? This year we are offering a professional development opportunity again with Shahrzad, this time with a focus on saidi.

There’s still time to learn the choreography through the workshop recording and submit your performance video for personalized feedback. The deadline is July 15th! Each dancer receives recorded comments from Shahrzad on technique, musicality, stage presence, artistic expression, and overall performance.

Participants may also choose to have their submission considered for an invitation-only ensemble performance at the Fall Caravan. Al Fanaanat Project rehearsals will be directed by Rachel Kay Brookmire and/or Sahara Dance teachers. The dancers selected to perform will receive additional personalized and group feedback and direction on rehearsal videos from Shahrzad via recording. Rehearsal times and dates will be set, along with costuming, with feedback from the dancers chosen to perform the piece.

For more information and to sign up to submit a video:
https://saharadance.com/product/al-fanaanat-project-professional-dance-development-video-feedback-with-shahrzad-2/

The Power of our Sisterhood 💞

At Sahara Dance we strive to create a belly dance community all about empowerment and mutual support. We believe every body is a dancers’ body! We love to see our art form practiced by people of all ages and from all walks of life.

Our offerings highlight traditional belly dance (raqs sharqi), Middle Eastern folkloric dances, as well as some experimental and fusion styles. Join us for an 8 week beginner class starting this week, or come by for a weekend workshop! Check out our website for our variety of offerings: https://saharadance.com

Photos are from our beginner belly dance pop choreography workshop yesterday with our beautiful instructor Omoladun .dances ! She is currently on schedule teaching Beginner 1 and Advanced 2 technique classes! 🤗

Your summer dance season starts June 27! 🗓️

Looking to refresh your technique, reconnect with your dance practice, or add something new to your training this summer? Interested in trying out a beginner belly dance class for the first time? 🤩

Our next round of 8-week classes begins June 27, with options for a wide range of experience levels. Whether you’re returning to a favorite class, joining mid-year for a fresh challenge, or looking to strengthen your foundations, this 8 week session offers an opportunity to stay inspired, build consistency, and continue growing as a dancer.

Did You Know?

In many traditional dance training models, mastery comes from revisiting foundational concepts repeatedly over time. Advanced dancers often continue practicing the same core movements for years, refining quality, precision, and expression with each revisit.

This 8 week series runs between June 27 – August 22!
https://saharadance.com/classes/

Beginners! We have a workshop for you this weekend! Beginner Belly Dance Pop-Choreography Workshop with Omoladun 💙 Saturday June 27, 1:30-2:30 pm

Want to try belly dance for the first time? Or, loving all the new moves you’ve been learning in your Beginner 1 class? Feeling like you need a brush-up? Just want to dance? Come join Omoladun in this Beginner-friendly workshop where we review technique – shimmies, accents, undulations – and put it all together in a fun choreography to an Arabic pop song!

This workshop is designed for students new to belly dance or seeking a belly dance refresher; all are welcome.

https://saharadance.com/product/beginner-belly-dance-pop-choreography-workshop-with-omoladun-june-27-130-230-pm/