Levant Baladi Dance

Shik Shak Shok!

Originating from Egypt, Baladi dance has been a style that has carried on since ancient times. The dance style is mainly performed by women dancers, and had started with Egyptian farmers women gatherings in the countryside of Egypt or at least that what we have heard!

At Levant, Anne Verneyden had taught Baladi dance at the Family Centre in Kitchener to women of all ages and levels. Anne is an experienced and professional belly dancer who directed Levant’s Baladi Dance program for the year it operated back in 2018.

Through Baladi choreography, movement improvisation, and Sa’eedi dance styles, Anne had designed the program to suit women with or without previous experience dancing Baladi. The program had lasted one year, taking place once weekly and involving women-only participants; it had been an empowering and unique experience to all participants and hosts.

By focusing on women, this program created a safe space to connect, to dance, and to learn new moves comfortably. With a professional dancer and brilliant choreographer such as Anne, the lessons had been a great experience for everyone involved. This cultural dance is very much present in modern-day weddings, parties, and gatherings, so having a couple tricks up your sleeve when it comes to belly dancing is very impressive.