Who is Khadijah?

You don’t know Khadijah yet, but once you meet her, you will love her! Khadijah is a master dancer of Afro-Arabian dance forms, notably in Nubian, Gulf, and Persian Bandari dances. She is in high demand on the global workshop circuit for her dance and culture workshops and her lectures on Afro-Arabian topics and inclusion and representation in belly dance. Learn more about Khadijah on her website

What will I learn from these workshops?

These are not your usual workshops of learning technique or a choreography! Khadijah will give you a well-rounded education in the culture and musicality of the dances that she will teach. You will want a notebook and pencil for these classes!

Are these workshops suited for beginners?

YES!!!! All workshops are accessible for beginners.

Are there any belly dancing workshops or are they all Afro-Arabian?

If you want styles that you can use for your belly dance performances, Friday night Raks al Baladi vs. Shaabi and Sunday morning Saidi Sass are for you! However, given the prominence of folkloric phrases in modern dance music, it’s highly recommended that you also take Saturday Khaleegy and Nubian workshops.

Why are the workshops so inexpensive?

Non-profit MENAME received a grant to bring Khadijah to Edmonton for a performance and we dancers get to benefit! Khadijah’s workshops that otherwise would be $75-80 are offered at $30 because of the grant and MENAME’s non-profit status.

What happens with any money made over cost, if MENAME is non-profit?

After all costs for spaces, insurance, and various costs associated with Khadijah’s visit are covered, any leftover funds will provide an honorarium to musicians who might play live music for the workshops and to purchase doumbeks and defs (drums) for students and percussionists in the ensemble to use. If there are any funds after that, MENAME has graciously offered to help Belediyya fund its transition to an official non-profit status.

Is there an Earlybird cutoff?

No! Because MENAME received their grant in January, 2024, we could not start advertising for the workshops until February – a little over two months before the workshops. However, to help MENAME’s and Belediyya’s organizers estimate how many people will attend the workshops, please register earlier rather than later.

Will there be at-the-door registrations?

Maybe. If all of the workshop spaces fill, then we will be turning dancers away at the door, so it’s best to get your registrations in soon.

What about water and food?

Out of concern for plastics impact on the environment (and because Belediyya’s artistic director Maya Christina is a researcher on biodiversity loss and mass extinctions), we will not be providing plastic bottles of water at the workshops; please bring your own wonderful and beloved water bottle. However, the venues where the workshops will be located have sinks and/or drinking fountains. Restaurants are nearby, including the Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market on Saturday, and you will have 1.5 hours for lunch between Saturday workshops. Likely there will be snacks provided and emergency energy/blood sugar help.

Can I take a private lesson with Khadijah?

We can ask! Let Maya Christina know that you are interested. The only possible times would be Thursday or Friday during the day, when Khadijah is not lecturing on the U of A campus.

Can I perform in the MENAME show?

Not this year, sorry! The entire program is Afro-Arabian music featuring Khadijah, along with some Kurdish, Persian, and Greek songs. There are no songs suitable for belly dance, Raks Sharki, or Egyptian, Lebanese, or Turkish belly dance styles. However, if you would like to perform with MENAME in a future year, whether as a soloist or as a collaborator or dancer with Belediyya, please let Maya Christina know – there’s always room for dancers!

Will there be a show I can perform in?

Again, sorry, no. Khadijah’s schedule is lectures, workshops, rehearsals, and shows nearly nonstop from Thursday through Sunday; we decided that Khadijah needed some time to herself on Saturday evening to enjoy Edmonton and take a much-needed break before the Sunday show.

Can I attend Khadijah’s U of A lectures?

Yes! More info to come in the future!

I have a health/movement/other concern. What should I know?

The Saturday and Sunday venues are on the second floor of a community hall – there is no lift to the second floor. Maya Christina has first aid training and will have a serious first aid kit that was built for six field geologists in a remote location (just in case we are attacked by bears during our workshops, of course); and one or more venues will have an AED. Feel free to let Maya and/or Khadijah know if you have movement limitations or other concerns; we will keep your information confidential.