Dive into the beautiful world of Arabic dance and music! In these crash course style workshops (offered on October 6 and October 27 from 3:00-4:30PM), you will learn a brief overview of the history and cultural context of Raqs Sharqi/Raqs Beledi (aka "bellydance"), learn an abbreviated version of correct posture and alignment, breakdown and drill a few basic isolations and movements, and put it together in a little “follow the bouncing butt” style improvisation. Get a taste of this beautiful Middle Eastern art form in a safe, inclusive, body-positive, learning-focused environment from dedicated dancer/teacher Rahel, AND get a great workout!
For class, wear comfortable, breathable clothes and bare feet. NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. Registrants will be offered the opportunity to watch some video content on bellydance history and cultural context as well as posture and alignment on their own time. These introductory workshops are open to all bodies and are wheelchair accessible.
There is a $5 non-refundable registration fee to participate in these workshops to secure your spot. There are only 30 spots available per workshop, so please register responsibly at HERE. If you are unable to make it, please give us advance warning so that we can give your spot to someone else (especially if there is a waitlist).
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This is the seventh offering in our JQT Mental Health Support Series, which was developed in partnership with JFS Vancouver, following the Twice Blessed 2.0: The Jewish LGBTQ2SIA+ Initiative’s community needs assessment, which identified a critical service gap: Call to Action #6 - Develop and provide funding for LGBTQ2SIA+ friendly Jewish mental health support.
This gathering also addresses Call to Action #9 - Amplify and hire Jewish LGBTQ2SIA+ artists, performers, activists, etc.
For the most up-to-date details on this series, please visit: https://www.jqtvancouver.ca/jqt-mental-health
Covid policy - JQT strictly follows the recommendations of Vancouver Coastal Health and makes decisions accordingly. Mask wearing is optional, but encouraged in group settings and to protect those in our circles who are immunocompromised.
Accessibility info - Programming will take place in the Studio at Vancouver Performing Stars, located at 102 E 4th Avenue. This venue is wheelchair accessible. We have asked the venue for further details about the studio's accessibility and will add this information as soon as it becomes available. All washrooms at VPS are non gendered and individual stalls. If you need assistance, please email info@jqtvancouver.ca well in advance!
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WHO ARE WE?
Rahel (she/they) is a Vancouver-based Movement Arts teacher, mentor, and performer, specializing in “Raqs Sharqi” (aka Egyptian Bellydance), in which she has over 2 decades of experience. Rahel also teaches somatic mindful movement practices such as gentle Hatha Yoga, and a course she calls “Embodied Movement”. Rahel believes in movement as healing and aims to create spaces that are safe, ethical, inclusive, and fun! She is also currently doing her masters in counselling psychology and will soon be adding "somatic, trauma-informed therapy” to her list of offerings. raheldance.com
JQT Vancouver (pronounced J-Cutie) is a volunteer-run Jewish Queer and Trans charitable non-profit dedicated to "queering" Jewish spaces and "Jew-ifying" Queer spaces through education, dialogue, art, cultural celebration and partnerships in Vancouver, BC, on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. www.jqtvancouver.ca