Suhaila Salimpour

New Article: Feminism and Belly Dance ✨

Many women (Western and some Middle Eastern) who practice belly dance ascribe to the ideas of the dance being empowering, inherently feminine, and as a means for individual self-expression. Women (and men) who are not practitioners, however, often see this dance, and presentations of it, as objectifying, sexual, and degrading.

The purpose of this section is not to make a case one way or another, but to illuminate the issues inherent in linking feminism and belly dance, as well as shed light on the ties between the rise in popularity of belly dance in the 1960s and 1970s with the women’s liberation movements of the same time.

Read here: suhaila.com/feminism-and-belly-dance/

#feminism #bellydance #empowering #femininevibe

23 hours ago | [YT] | 10

Suhaila Salimpour

Introducing ""Min Andek"" (Something From You) - a brand new choreography by Suhaila Salimpour! 🎶✨

Set to the captivating music of Saad Ramadan, this piece blends musicality and technique, empowering you to dance with expression and confidence. Whether you're dancing solo or with a group, ""Min Andek"" invites every dancer to discover their unique voice within the music, creating a vibrant celebration together.

🌟 Recommended for those with Salimpour Foundations (102-level) experience, you'll explore movements like the Pivot Shift Step, Circle Step, and more!

Check out the San Diego Salimpour Collective bringing ""Min Andek"" to life: Watch Here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plS_a...)

Ready to join in? Get the choreography here: Learn More (www.suhailaonline.com/course/min-adak)

#MinAndek #SuhailaSalimpour #DanceWithConfidence #BellyDance #Choreography #DanceCommunity

4 days ago | [YT] | 16

Suhaila Salimpour

Suhaila Salimpour Playlist: Summer ☀️

A laid-back mix of smooth rhythms and fresh heat from across the SWANA region. Perfect for warm nights, slow drives, and everything in between.

LISTEN HERE! 🎧 → open.spotify.com/playlist/1ztOWCbjQauwfEhkZ8fm0B?s…

#SummerPlaylist #SuhailaSalimpour #VibeCheck #spotify #spotifyplaylist

1 week ago | [YT] | 5

Suhaila Salimpour

New Article: Little Egypt, Hootchy-Cootchy and Burlesque

“Little Egypt” was not so much a dancer, but the idea of a dancer, a name used to describe any number of Oriental-influenced performers on American vaudeville, burlesque, and carnival stages.

Read here the full article: suhaila.com/little-egypt-hootchy-cootchy-and-burle…

#orientaldance #bellydance #middleeast #littleegypt #dancer #egyptdancer

1 week ago | [YT] | 21

Suhaila Salimpour

Exciting News! Suhaila's Merch has just launched! 🎉✨

Dive into our new line of mindfully designed apparel that feels like coming home. Each cozy, unisex piece celebrates our shared history and the joyful moments that unite our community.

Wear your story with pride and express your passion through our unique designs!

🛍️ Order now: suhailamerch.printify.me/ 💖

#SuhailaMerch #WearYourStory #CommunityLove

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 6

Suhaila Salimpour

Looking for more than just follow-along dance videos?
Train with a program that respects the roots and gives you a real foundation.

🌍 With 800+ on-demand belly dance classes, the Salimpour School offers a structured, culturally informed approach to learning—accessible anywhere, anytime.

Led by Suhaila Salimpour and her team, our online classes include:
🔹 Somatics & movement technique
🔹 Finger cymbals & musicality
🔹 Choreography, improvisation & stylization
🔹 Guided paths for certification or personal growth

✨ 7-day free trial available
Join us for the joy of movement, the depth of tradition, and the power of structure.

🔗 lnkd.in/gUaGSRfR

hashtag#BellyDance hashtag#OnlineDanceClasses hashtag#SalimpourSchool hashtag#CulturalDance hashtag#DanceEducation hashtag#LifelongLearning hashtag#MiddleEasternDance

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 10

Suhaila Salimpour

New Article: Orientalism: A Primer for Practitioners of Oriental Dance

The term “Orientalism” holds within it a multitude of meanings from benign to controversial. Many scholars have dedicated insightful papers, essays, and books—and, indeed, entire careers—to the subject, and this chapter is only meant as an introduction to the concept as well as the issues surrounding its discourse. Anything more than a basic primer is beyond the scope of this study guide, and we encourage you to seek out the sources cited.

Read here the full article: suhaila.com/orientalism-a-primer-for-practitioners…

#orientaldance #bellydance #middleeast

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 21

Suhaila Salimpour

Veil Work as Taught by Jamila

For the dancers from the Middle East that Jamila studied or for those with whom she worked, veil work was not a featured element. But in the U.S., as multi-part routines became more popular, so did veil work. One entire taqsim was typically devoted to the unwrapping of and dancing with the veil.

For Jamila’s students who were hired to perform in restaurants and nightclubs, Jamila gave them instruction on what she learned through her contemporaries and through her own experimentation. The provided veil work is a basic formula to be adapted to the music and adjusted based on a dancer’s experience.

Read the full article here: suhaila.com/veil-floor-work-turkish-drop/

#veils #turkishdrop #vailwork #suhailasalimpour #jamilasalimpour #bellydancer

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 26

Suhaila Salimpour

Sign up for one of our workshops and receive FREE admission to our next festival! 🎉

Here's how it works: when you purchase a workshop, you'll automatically receive a day pass to the festival that same day!

Don't miss out! 👀 Visit our website today to explore all workshop options, pricing details and more information about our amazing festival.

suhaila.com/the-yallah-arts-festival/

#Workshops #Festival #Fun #yallah #YallahArtsFestival #SupportTheArts #CulturalCelebration #CommunitySupport #ArtisticExpression #DonateNow #BalAnat #SADC

1 month ago | [YT] | 15

Suhaila Salimpour

✨ Experience the magic of a dance tradition unlike any other.

Join us for Bal Anat 2025—a powerful theatrical production that honors and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the SWANA region through costumed tableaux, live music, and breathtaking choreography.

📅 August 10, 2025
📍 LeFevre Theater, St Mary’s College, 1928 St. Mary’s Rd, Moraga

Created by Jamila Salimpour in 1968 and carried forward by Suhaila Salimpour, Bal Anat is the longest-running belly dance company in the U.S.—a living legacy that continues to inspire audiences around the world.

🎟️ Tickets are now available! Don’t miss this unforgettable night of history, artistry, and cultural celebration.
🔗 Get your tickets now at suhaila.com

#BalAnat2025 #SalimpourLegacy #SWANACulture #MiddleEasternDance #TheatricalDance #CulturalHeritage #BellyDancePerformance #BayAreaEvents #DanceWithSuhaila #JamilaSalimpour #LiveDanceShow

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1 month ago | [YT] | 26