NEW MEXICO BELLYFEST
Workshops and Shows with New Mexico’s Best!
Presented by New Mexico Belly Dance and the Santa Fe Belly Dance Co-Op
WORKSHOPS
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 BellyFest instructor
Workshop Weekend Packages
Get your workshops for one price!
Full Weekend Package: Get your entire weekend of workshops, which includes 10 workshops! Only $250 (that’s $25 a class! Sorry, non member discount on the full weekend package.) Purchase your full weekend package now and get one free gala show ticket included.
Day Pass Delight: Can only attend one day? Pick our Day Pass Delight for either the Saturday or Sunday for only $125 and jump in for a full day of dance, learning, and fun without the weekend commitment.
All packages include free lunchtime panel discussion on Sunday.
Full packages end Sept. 19.
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.
Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Deborah Newberg: Step in Time
9 to 10:30 AM | MOVE STUDIO
We will work on hearing and understanding different rhythms. Then we will play with "Step in Time"! We'll learn traveling step patterns that fit nicely into some odd rhythms and then learn how to adapt traveling steps from one rhythm to another.
Dancers will discover their own patterns to odd time signatures. This approach works for solo improvisation or choreography and it’s so much fun! We'll begin with 7/8s and 10/8s, but may touch on 9/8s, 6/8s, or even an Arabic 13!
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Annya Ishtara: Vintage Veil Plus
10:45-12:15 PM | MOVE STUDIO
Classic American Cabaret veil moves, including elegant wraps and graceful tucks, combined with innovative and contemporary veil techniques for a fresh and dynamic performance!
Bring your own 3 - 4 yard rectangular veil, if possible. Some veils will be available to borrow.
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Kamala Almanzar: AmCab Demystified!
1:45-3:15 PM | RAILYARD PERFORMANCE SPACE
The dazzling glamor and boundless creativity of the 1970s American professional Belly Dance scene ignited a vibrant and unforgettable era.
Part lecture, part dance, learn about American Cabaret from someone who lived it.
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Surreyya Hada: Sword and Soul A Double Sword Workshop & Performance Opportunity for Fierce Hearts
3:30-5 PM | RAILYARD PERFORMANCE SPACE
Step into the fire with us — not to burn, but to forge.
Sword and Soul is a powerful intermediate-to-advanced double sword workshop designed for dancers who crave not just precision and presence, but meaning in every movement. We’ll be working with “Reckless” by St. Vincent and an opportunity to perform at the Gala Show.
Learn more…
Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025
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Mariella Qetesh: Classic Raqs : An Exploration of Alf Leila Wa Leila
9 to 10:30 AM | MOVE STUDIO
A Full Choreography to "Alf Leila Wa Leila" (Beginner Friendly). Experience a joyful and expressive choreography set to the luscious and powerful voice of Umm Kulthoum. This class uses the original version of "Alf Leila Wa Leila," perfect for beginners looking to connect with classic Middle Eastern music through dance.
Towards the end of the session, we will explore alternative versions of the song to add variety and deepen your musicality. Join us for an enriching journey into one of Arabic music’s most iconic pieces.
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Sadie Adair: Layer Lab
10:45-12:15 PM | MOVE STUDIO
The queen of New Mexico fusion will reveal her approach to putting together mind bending layers!
In this class, we'll mix sharp and smooth, learning to layer multiple tempos and rhythms, and have fun creating new movement pathways in our bodies.
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Free Session: Legacy of the Dance Panel Discussion
12:15 - 1:30 PM | MOVE STUDIO
Join us for an interactive discussion with our most seasoned and experienced member instructors. What is the state of belly dance compared to the past? What will it look like in the future? How can we continue to honor our legacy dancers/teachers while we crave new paths on our dance journey.
This is a free session.
Bring your lunch or you can order a boxed lunch for $15.
Audience questions encouraged!
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Areena Estul: Lucious Lines & Slinky Steps!
1:45-3:15 PM | MOVE STUDIO
Areena is renowned for her beautiful lines and graceful poise. Join her as we each discover our own flattering and elegant poses, and learn how to use powerful stillness in your dance.
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Chani: Physiology & Fitness for Dancers
3:30-5 PM | MOVE STUDIO (LOFT)
We will review basic anatomy with a focus on training modalities, recovery, nutrition and longevity as it pertains to dancers of any style. Bring a yoga mat if possible.
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Myra Krien: Improvisational Musicality and Expression for Taqsim
3:30-5 PM | MOVE STUDIO (MAIN STUDIO)
Dancers of any dance level can enjoy this workshop. As we are the "light expression of the sound," we will investigate and explore, through deep listening, the universal sacred geometry of dance language as it unites with instrumentation and lyricism.
Taqsim: Violin, Cello, Voice, Nay, Oud, Qanoun.
Adv Layer: Emotional Storytelling
Don’t miss this intimate opportunity with the exceptional Myra Krien.