BURQUE BELLYFEST
Workshops and Shows with New Mexico’s Best!
Presented by New Mexico Belly Dance
WORKSHOPS | SHOWS | VENDING
Workshops
All instructors are members of NM Belly Dance and have many years of instructional and performance experience. Pricing options include full weekend, day passes, and individual a la carte workshops.
Review the workshop descriptions below and register soon!
Areena Estul, featured 2025 BellyFest instructor
Workshop Weekend Packages
Get your workshops for one price!
💃First Steps Pricing: Get all weekend workshops for one price and Save $25 with Early Registration Purchase your full weekend package now and get one free gala show ticket included. Only available through Sept. 1! ($250 after Sept. 1.)
$225- Non-Members
$200- Members
Day Pass Delight: Can only attend one day? Pick our Day Pass Delight for either the Saturday or Sunday and jump in for a full day of dance, learning, and fun without the weekend commitment. Day passes available through Sept. 18.
$128- Non-Members
$108- Members
All packages include free lunchtime panel discussion on Sunday, Sept. 20.
INDIVIDUAL WORKSHOPS
Get your workshops a la carte at $30 (member) and $35 (non-member). Purchase your individual workshops to tailor your experience. Workshops will be $40 at the door if still available. See the listings below.
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026
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Emily: Sailing the Solar Flares Sword Choreography
9 to 10:30 A.M.
This is a sword choreography suitable for all levels.
Attendees will learn the combos and techniques used and have the opportunity to perform this choreography with Mahatma at the Gala Show to the song “Sailing the Solar Flares,” an instrumentally rich piece full of folksy sounds and solid beats.
SWORDS WILL BE REQUIRED. A very limited number of swords may be available for workshop.
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Deborah Newberg: Dancing with Veils, Wild Style
10:45 A.M. to 12:15 P.M.
Dancing with a veil is a partner dance between you and your veil. Relinquishing control and letting the veil lead you can be risky and dynamic, which makes it fun. When anything could happen, the dance becomes very exciting.
We can open to the possibilities by using different ways of handling and releasing your veil, playing with dynamics, trying different kinds of music, connecting the breath to the music and the veil, taking risks and experimenting! If you feel a little stuck with your veil dancing, this can shake all of that loose!
Bring a silk veil, 3 yards or longer. I can bring some loaners, but best to bring your own.
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Myra Krien: Ask Me Anything
12:15 P.M. to 1:30 P.M.
Legendary dancer and instructor Myra Krien is getting ready to celebrate Mosaic Dance Studio's 30th anniversary!
Join Myra and ask her anything - about her career, challenges, and what's coming up for Mosaic's Homecoming, October 8-11, 2026.
Optional $15 box lunch.
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Myra Krien: Belly Baile Choreography
1:45-3:15 P.M.
Belly Baile` is a fusion form created by Myra Krien which combines movements from Flamenco, Tango, ATS®, Indian Temple Dance, Oriental, Jazz and Hip-Hop.
In this particular workshop students will learn a flamenco-fusion choreography that utilizes manton and skirt work to the song "Locked" by Beatbox Guitar.
MANTON/SHAWL AND SKIRT WILL BE NEEDED
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Lorena: Glam it Up Diva! A guide to Stage Makeup
3:30-5 P.M.
In this "how-to" style workshop, we will cover all of Lorena's favorite tips & tricks for getting that high glam look for the stage! We will talk about contouring for stage lighting, where to draw attention, flawless blending, eyeliner techniques, and how to feel like the ultimate diva!
Dancers will come away with a full face ready to hit the stage! A list of products to bring will be provided beforehand.
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Kamala Almanzar: Raq of Ages
3:30 P.M. to 5 P.M.
The incomporable Kamala Almanzar will be joining us again this year for an amazing look at Raq Sharqi through the ages. Join us on an adventure through time to learn combinations straight from past choreographies from the 90’s to the present!
Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026
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Leaf Ashley: Fierce Fusion Choreography
9 to 10:30 A.M.
Get ready to learn a fast and fierce fusion choreography to the banger, “Baiana” (CloZee Remix). Starting with a nice warm up and light dance conditioning, Leaf will break down some fusion elements to challenge and gently nudge us out of our comfort zones, as she guides you through the combos in this piece.
We will touch on some basic Waacking, fancy foot work, and other influences that will be fused and layered with the classic Belly Dance vocab we all know and love. This workshop is geared towards Advanced/Intermediate dancers, but adventurous Beginners are welcome. Practice video link will be provided to attendees as well as the edited song we will be using.
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Amaya: Snap, Flare & Fly- Dramatic Gitana Fan Artistry
10:45 A.M. to 12:15 P.M.
Join Amaya for a whirlwind exploration of the Gitana Fan. We’ll move quickly from the basics of fan manipulation to the "why" behind the poses, uncovering the history and cultural meanings of this elegant prop.
The heart of the class is a dynamic choreography designed to challenge your coordination and elevate your artistry. 30% History/Technique, 70% Choreography. Come prepared to snap, flare, and fly!
BRING ONE DANCE FAN TO CLASS (PREFERABLY LARGE) OR BORROR FROM INSTRUCTOR
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Free Session! Honoring the Dance: Culture, Heritage and Creative Expression
12:15 - 1:30 P.M.
Join our free lunch-time panel discussion on heritage, respect, and artistic expression in belly dance. Belly Dance crosses many cultures, generations, and communities, inspiring belly dancers throughout the world.
While the world faces war, crisis and division in the very countries our dance originates from, how do we act as good stewards of the dance and honor the cultural roots, while balancing authentic ways to express ourselves as artists and even finding ways to use our art as activism on values we are passionate about?
Come explore with us as we find ways to evolve in our practice through the eyes of our most experienced dancers.
Panel members to be announced soon.
This is a free session. Bring your lunch or you can order a boxed lunch for $15.
Audience questions encouraged!
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Michelle al Farfesha: Be the Music- Using Layers, Accents, and Emotions to Express Your Music
1:45-3:15 P.M.
Arabic music is rich and multi-faceted. As a belly dancer, it's our job to be the visual instrument of the orchestra. We have to hear the layers, accents, and emotions in the music before we can faithfully BE the music.
In this workshop, we will explore how to hear the components of a song and let it play out through our bodies.
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Oralia: Know Your Classics- A Deep Dive Into the Timeless Tarab of Enta Omri
3:30-5 P.M.
Arabic music is rich and multi-faceted. As a belly dancer, it's our job to be the visual instrument of the orchestra. We have to hear the layers, accents, and emotions in the music before we can faithfully BE the music. In this workshop, we will explore how to hear the components of a song and let it play out through our bodies.
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Sadie Adair: Social Media 101 for Dancers
3:30-5 P.M.
Are you a dancer who could use some help navigating social media? Posting online can be a wonderful tool to share your art with the world, so let's dive into different kind of posts, basic branding, and the nitty gritty details that help your content pop!