Join Christine for a playful and empowering workshop on prop balancing. Bring any prop: pot, sword, tray or whatever inspires you. Learn key techniques for posture, stability, and fluid movement. You will be guided through simple drills and beautiful combinations to help you balance with confidence and grace. Perfect for all levels!

Drills to explore the contrast of hard vs soft movements and the transitions between. Some playing with timing and layers along with creation of combinations.

To me, everything can be linked to analogy of nature. Every situation, object, relationship…everything! This can open many doors to solutions, creativity, and healing. In this workshop, we will explore a short choreography to tap into different qualities of movement that can be linked to classic “elements” of nature. Experiment and grow with your own interpretation of what you feel most connected to. All levels welcome!

Step beyond basic technique and learn to sculpt the very air around you. This intensive exploration of intentional dynamics will teach you to transform fundamental pathways and isolations into captivating artistry. Master the conscious, graceful command needed to shape energy and project a mesmerizing presence.

Delve into AmCab style with its swoon-worthy taqsim section where a dancer seems to intoxicate the audience under her spell. The taqsim is generally set to and led in with the Chiftitelli rhythm. This workshop will explore approaches to dancing through the taqsim, including to the Chiftitelli rhythm itself, and includes some floorwork. We explore approaches to this in terms of musicality, as this is often in an improvisational context.

Step into a shimmering universe of movement and imagination as we explore powerful, fluid, and otherworldly combinations inspired by the cosmos! In this performance intensive workshop, you'll learn dynamic, expressive choreography and embody stardust, galaxies, and ethereal beings through movement. Then perform the choreography in the Friday night show! Some of the combos will be sent to the participants ahead of time so we can work on fine-tuning and staging in the workshop. All levels welcome.

Kick off the Pittsburgh Belly Dance Fusion Faire weekend with an evening of captivating performances at Carnegie Stage. This showcase will feature a diverse array of dance styles, blending traditional and contemporary fusion belly dance, performed by local and guest artists. Enjoy the artistry and innovation of these talented dancers in a theater setting, where you’ll experience the magic of movement up close. This is the perfect way to start your weekend of inspiration and creativity!

In this workshop Maria blends two finger cymbal techniques: Salimpour School’s numeric cymbal repertoire and Arabic rhythms and sound variations. She uses number patterns with rhythmic knowledge and tonal sound qualities to create a cornucopia of textures and patterns. Maria will guide you through combinations using this finger cymbal work to ignite expressive flair.

This drum solo workshop starts with technique, teaching a complex isolation pattern, some stylized baladi hip patterns, and a fluid serpentine phrase. Under three minutes, this compact drum solo can be conquered in one workshop and you come away with a choreography that packs a punch with precision, style, and energy!

The Cane Dance is patterned after the male art Tahtib, but in a softer and playful manner. Raqs al Assaya originates from Upper Egypt. This workshop will demonstrate various movements using a feminine cane, how to incorporate those movements into a performance, and the costuming and music traditionally used.

Join Jill Parker for a dynamic performance workshop built around Adventure in Istanbul by Byzantine Time Machine. Participants will gain access to exclusive tutorials released in a private Facebook group, allowing you to learn and practice the choreography at your own pace. You’ll submit video homework for personalized feedback, and then come together in person with Jill to refine, polish, and stage the piece for performance.

Improvisational dance is a rollercoaster in which you are both the rider AND the operator. The thrill, joy, and excitement of it all is both alluring and a little frightening.

This workshop dives into tips and techniques for performing a polished, improvised belly dance piece. This class pulls from my personal experience learning to dance by performing in restaurants & hookah lounges and with live bands since the age of 18—and while many things in dance can only come with practice, there are plenty of tips I wish I’d known then!

We’ll be dancing continuously throughout this workshop while we balance the tightrope of both surrendering to the music and staying
focused in our dance. Improvisational dance is a gratifying experience both for you and for the audience, and is for absolutely everyone to enjoy. (Beginner to Advanced).

Join us for the main event of the Pittsburgh Belly Dance Fusion Faire at Carnegie Stage Theater! This grand showcase will feature an extraordinary lineup of professional belly dancers and fusion artists from across the country. Experience a dazzling evening of world-class performances, where traditional belly dance meets modern, experimental, and cultural fusion styles. With stunning costumes, powerful choreography, and live music, this is a night of celebration, creativity, and inspiration that you won’t want to miss. Get ready for an unforgettable fusion dance experience!

Drawing from a variety of sources, this workshop will explore expressive hands and arm movements with attention to detail. We’ll begin by diving into old-school belly dance technique from Christine’s roots. Next, we’ll delve into upper-body gestures inspired by Rajasthani folk dance. These refined details, the graceful lines, the flick of a wrist, the story held in the fingertips, are the icing on the cake that make dance truly captivating. Take your dance to the next level by discovering ways to broaden expression and musicality in your movements.

Unleash your inner choreographer with this hands-on, creativity-sparking workshop! Together, we’ll dive into practical tips and techniques for crafting your own dynamic and cohesive dance pieces! From interpreting music with intention to building combinations that tell a compelling story.

*Bring a 20–30 second music snippet of your choice, your headphones, and a notebook for capturing all those inspired ideas. You’ll also have the optional opportunity to place your choreography on other dancers in the workshop: a fun, low-pressure way to experiment, explore, and see your concepts come to life.

Whether you’re brand new to creating your own dances or looking to refine your craft, this workshop offers a welcoming environment where we’ll work, play, and grow together. Let’s get your choreographer brain buzzing and ready to create something magical! All levels welcome!

Step into the lab and defy expectations. This intensive is an invitation to explore the vertical plane, elevate your precision, and master the art of dynamic traveling on the balls of your feet (relevé).
We challenge the constraints of the floor by focusing on cultivating the specific strength, control, and agility needed for sustained lift. In this session, you will gain the tools to find your power, stay elevated, and move with a grounded fluidity that makes gravity feel optional.
Unlock your potential to defy physics with us. Warning: may cause extreme strength and grace!

Experience everything the Pittsburgh Belly Dance Fusion Faire has to offer with the FULL Weekend Pass! This all-inclusive pass grants you access to one workshop in every time slot, allowing you to dive deep into a variety of dance styles, techniques, and fusion forms with renowned instructors.
Once you’ve purchased your pass, please email [email protected] with the workshops you’d like to attend to secure your spots. Whether you’re a dancer looking to hone your skills or a fan of belly dance and fusion art, the FULL Weekend Pass ensures you don’t miss a moment of this unforgettable weekend!
Hurry—there are only a limited number of FULL Weekend Passes available! Secure yours now and make the most of this one-of-a-kind dance weekend.

A workshop in every time slot on Friday!
To reserve your workshop spots, please email [email protected] with your selected workshops as soon as you purchase! Hurry! There are only a limited number of FULL Friday Passes available! Secure yours now and make the most of this one-of-a-kind dance weekend.

A workshop in every time slot on Saturday!
To reserve your workshop spots, please email [email protected] with your selected workshops as soon as you purchase! Hurry! There are only a limited number of FULL Saturday Passes available! Secure yours now and make the most of this one-of-a-kind dance weekend.

A workshop in every time slot on Sunday!
To reserve your workshop spots, please email [email protected] with your selected workshops as soon as you purchase! Hurry! There are only a limited number of FULL Sunday Passes available! Secure yours now and make the most of this one-of-a-kind dance weekend.