This course, taught by Tarik Sultan, introduces the fundamentals of Belly Dance (Raks Baladi)—a foundation that can be applied to any style, from American Cabaret (Am Cab) to Fusion to Oriental (Raks Sharqi).

You’ll not only build essential movement vocabulary, but also learn how to coordinate stylized hand and arm patterns to create a graceful frame around your body—bringing authenticity, fluidity, and artistry to your dance.

WHEN:
5 Week Course:
Tuesdays 7.30-8.30pm September 2 to 30

INVESTMENT: $100, $90 unlimited pass members, $25 drop-in

WHERE:
5 Week Course: Bellyqueen School @Playwrights Downtown
440 Lafayette St, 4th Floor, Studio 4D, New York, NY 10003

Tarik Sultan is one of the world’s best-known pioneers of male Oriental Dance (Belly Dancing). He began his formal training in 1985. In addition to classes, he spent countless hours in the Dance Research Library at Lincoln Center, striving to learn as much as he could about the dance, its history, and the culture from which it originated. In 1988, he traveled to Egypt for the first time, observing the dance in its native homeland. This experience allowed him to distinguish the truth about the dance from the many popular myths created by the media.

Inspired by his travels, Tarik began teaching his first class in the early '90s, eager to share all he had learned and observed. Over the years, his talent and dedication to the art have earned him a reputation as a dynamic performer and a gifted, inspiring teacher and choreographer. He has taught many successful seminars across the nation as well as internationally in the UK, Japan, Australia, Trinidad, and Argentina. Some of Tarik’s international performance credits include the Jerusalem Festival, the Dar America Association in Marrakech, Morocco, and Alexandria, Egypt. In 2003, he became one of the first male dancers to perform at the Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival in Cairo, Egypt. Other credits include performances at the United Nations, Lincoln Center, and The Museum of Natural History.

Tarik holds the distinction of being the only male dancer to be featured in the top venues in New York City, such as Casbah Rouge, Mehenata Bulgarian Bar, Babylon, Horus, The Habibi Lounge, and Feluca and 1001 Nights in Brooklyn, NY. From 2003 to 2014, he was the premier dancer at Le Souk in NYC. Until recently, he taught regular weekly classes in NYC, The Bronx, and Jersey City. He is available for private lessons, Zoom classes, private parties, and workshops upon request.