Please respect the Artist - do not use or distribute any of the content (text, photos, videos) on this website without permission.   2010 International Workshops & Shows     Hong Kong, Hong Kong   Sunday September 12 - Workshop Venue: Kaleem Fung School of Dance, Causeway Bay Workshop: Oriental Choreography Workshop with a Twist Time: 8-10pm >> Click here for more information. <<   Hong Kong, Hong Kong   Saturday September 11 - "Raks Unregulated" Show featuring Karim Nagi, local and international dancers and musicians. Venue: 20F Richmond Plaza, 496 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay Time: 8-10pm >> Click here for more information. <<   Taipei, Taiwan   Sunday September 5 - Workshops & Hafla Venue: Chinese Culture University Workshop 1: "Shimmy Up!" Technique Workshop 2: Modern Egyptian Oriental Choreography A hafla will follow the workshops. Venue TBA. >> Click here for more information. <<   Tainan, Taiwan   Saturday September 4 - Workshops Venue: 台南魅力皮舞教室 Workshop 1: Movement Foundation for Egyptian Oriental Dance Workshop 2: Egyptian Oriental Choreography PLEASE NOTE: The workshops will now start one hour earlier as follows: Workshop 1: 12:00-14:00, Workshop 2: 14:30-17:00 >> Click here for more information. <<   Taipei, Taiwan   Friday September 3 & Saturday September 4 Performances featuring drumming by Xiaoma (馬儁人) and Hamnavâ Middle Eastern Drum Assemble. Venue: Persian Heaven Restaurant Time: From 8pm 每人最低消費500元，享受一頓伊朗大餐與精彩表演 請及早訂位 02 2767 1661   Osaka, Japan   Saturday July 24 - "Diamond in the Raqs" Show featuring performances by Tamra-henna, Keke, Belynda Azhaar, Chie, Yoko & Tagalani, Kaori, Mona, Makiko, Feirouzi & Layali Safa. Venue: Daimaru Shinsaibashi Theatre Time: 18:00~20:20 >> Click here for more information. <<   Rockhampton, Australia   Hafla - Saturday July 10 Venue: Strutters Nightclub Time: 6-8pm Workshops - Sunday July 11 Venue: Walter Reid Cultural Centre Workshop 1: Fan Veil Technique Workshop 2: Dark Fusion Choreography >> Click here for more information. <<   Brisbane, Australia   Sunday July 4 - Winter Warm-up Concert Featuring performances by some of the best dancers in Australia! Venue: Riverside Reception Centre, Oxlade St, New Farm, Brisbane Time: 7:30-10:00pm Tickets: $30 per person at the door   Port Macquarie, Australia   Sunday June 27 - Workshops & Hafla Venue: The Mac Adams Music Centre Workshop 1: Finger Cymbal Technique Workshop 2: Oriental Choreography >> Click here for more information. <<   Melbourne, Australia   Sunday June 20 - Club Rakkasah - Workshops & Show Venue: The Thornbury Theatre Workshop 1: Egyptian Oriental Choreography Workshop 2: Egyptian Folkloric Choreography >> Click here for more information. <<   Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   Sunday June 13 - Workshop Venue: D'votion Dance Studio Workshop: Finger Cymbal Technique >> Click here for more information. <<   Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   Saturday June 12 - Workshop Venue: True Fitness Workshop: Drum Solo Choreography >> Click here for more information. <<   Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia   Saturday June 12 - Workshops Venue: Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) Workshop 1: Pop Combinations Workshop 2: Oriental Choreography >> Click here for more information. <<   Manila, Philippines - Bellyfest 2010   Saturday June 5 - Drum Solo Workshop & Show Venue: PETA Theater, Quezon City, Manila Sunday June 6 - Workshops Venue: Peak Performance Dance & Fitness, Quezon City, Manila Workshop 1: Egyptian Folkloric Technique (Sha'abi) Workshop 2: Unleash the Actor Within (Dancing with True Emotion) >> Click here for more information. <<   Hong Kong   Monday April 5 - Workshops Venue: Oasis Dance Centre, Wanchai, Hong Kong Workshop 1: Modern Egyptian Choreography Workshop 2: Egyptian Folkloric Choreography (Saiidi) >> Click here for more information. <<   Korea & Indonesia   February 2010 - Bellydance Evolution Asia 2010 Tour As the People's Choice winner Belynda Azhaar was awarded a guest solo performance spot in Jillina's Bellydance Evolution BDE Asia tour in Korea & Indonesia. Unfortunately Belynda was unable to perform in Indonesia due to scheduling conflicts. >> Click here for more information. <<   Taipei, Taiwan   February 6 & 11 - Show with London Shamisen Club When: 22:00-24:00 February 6 Venue: Sappho De Base 102 When: 19:30-21:30 February 11 Venue: Nakhla Shisha Lounge >> Click here for more information. <<

TRAVEL DATES   * subject to change * June 2010 - PHILIPPINES Manila June 4-7 June 2010 - MALAYSIA Kuala Lumpur - June 8-16 June 2010 - AUSTRALIA Melbourne June 17-20 Sydney June 21-22 Port Macquarie June 23-27 Brisbane June 28 - July 9 Rockhampton July 10-11 July 2010 - JAPAN Osaka - July 23-28 September 2010 - TAIWAN Taipei - September 3-8 September 2010 - HONG KONG Hong Kong September 9-15 Nov-Dec 2010 - EGYPT Interested in hosting Belynda Azhaar in your country? >> click here <<   Past Events & Career Highlights   Multiple international workshop and show tours in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Bellydance Evolution Asia competition People's Choice winner - was awarded a guest solo performance in Jillina's (of Bellydance Superstar fame) Bellydance Evolution BDE Asia tour (February 2010). Organised monthly haflas in Seoul since July 2008, to raise awareness for Middle Eastern culture, music and dance in Korea. Organised the Aid Gaza Benefit Night (AGBN) in Seoul, Korea, which raised more than 4 million Korean won ($3,068) for the UNRWA Special Gaza Appeal. Organised the 2009 World Bellydance Day event in Korea. This event raised awareness for Oriental dance in Korea, and was reported in the Egyptian newspaper "Al Wafd" and on Egyptian TV. Performed with Chinese celebrities at "快乐蜂人志愿团", a charity event for victims of the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake) held in Deyang China. Workshop instructor and performer at the 2008 Summer Festival in Osaka, Japan. (In the press: Kansai Scene Magazine) Workshop instructor and performer at the 2008 Oriental Dance Festival in China. Received an award for "Best Acting." Judged the 2009 Asia-Pacific Open (International) Oriental Competition and the Taiwan Open Bellydance (National) Competition 2009 in Taipei, Taiwan. Judged the 3rd Asia Bellydance Championship (2008) in Beijing, China.

July 2010 - Osaka, JAPAN July 2010 - Rockhampton, AUSTRALIA June 2010 - Port Macquarie, AUSTRALIA June 2010 - Melbourne, AUSTRALIA June 2010 - Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA June 2010 - Manila, PHILIPPINES April 2010 - Hong Kong, HONG KONG February 2010 - Hsinchu & Taipei, TAIWAN November 2009 - Taipei & Tainan, TAIWAN August 2009 - Hanoi, VIETNAM April/May 2009 - Taipei, TAIWAN October 2008 - Beijing, CHINA September 2008 - Deyang & Changde, CHINA August 2008 - Beijing - CHINA July 2008 - Osaka, JAPAN March 2008 - Osaka, JAPAN September 2007 - Kobe & Osaka, JAPAN June 2007 - Osaka, JAPAN March 2007 - Taipei, TAIWAN

Each month Belynda Azhaar organises a hafla (social dinner/dance party) held in Seoul, Korea. These monthly events give people of all backgrounds a chance to get together and experience Middle Eastern & World culture, music, and dance in a casual, supportive environment. Haflas generally start with dinner at a Middle Eastern restaurant followed by dancing at the restaurant, or nearby venue. Come with an open heart and mind, dress-up if your dare, and be prepared for some serious fun as we shimmy the night away! Note: Haflas do not always showcase dance performances, but people are always welcome to perform. Contact Belynda Azhaar or visit the Bellydance Events in Korea Facebook group for more information. A review of one of the haflas can be found here. NEXT HAFLA:   Saturday August 21

World Bellydance Day 2009   To celebrate World Belly Dance Day, Belynda Azhaar and Ji-yoon Kim held an afternoon of free music and dance at the Han River park in Seoul. Not only did the event raise awareness for Oriental dance in Korea, but was even reported in the Egyptian newspaper "Al Wafd" and on Egyptian TV!     For information about other World Bellydance Day events around the world visit: http://www.worldbellydanceday.com Dancer artwork used in the poster courtesy of Dancer Artist: http://www.dancingartist.com

AGBN - Aid Gaza Benefit Night   A benefit night for Gaza, organised by Belynda Azhaar and Ji-yoon Kim, was held on February 7, 2009 in Seoul, Korea. The event was created to help raise awareness for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Palestine, as well as raise funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Special Gaza Appeal. The joint efforts of more than 25 volunteers and artists raised more than 4 million Korean won (about US$3,000) for the UNRWA Special Gaza Appeal. From the Korea Herald: Gaza benefit raises over 4m won Belly dancers, hip hop artists and drummers were among those who performed to more than 200 guests at Club 500 in Hongdae, Seoul, on Saturday night to raise funds for civilians in war-torn Gaza. The event and additional donations raised 4.19 million won for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency Special Gaza Appeal. At least 50 percent of the Gazan population rely on UNRWA Food Aid. Event organizer Belynda Azhaar said that she and co-organizer Ji-yoon Kim decided to hold the benefit to raise awareness about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. "Like many people, we felt strongly about the images and data coming out of Gaza. We wanted to do something to help. After 10 days of following the recent conflict we thought, 'Enough is enough, we have to do something,'" she said. A report from the UNRWA stated that between Dec. 27, 2008 and Jan. 13, 2009 an estimated 971 Gazans were killed during the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Approximately $330 million is needed for urgent aid, and Azhaar and Kim hoped that the event would help to make a useful contribution to this. "One idea led to another and, before we knew it we had a huge performance event on our hands with all sorts of artists involved - spoken word artists, musicians, dancers and comedians," said Azhaar. A small community of volunteers and artists from Korea, Malaysia, Australia, England, Ireland, America, Canada, Lebanon, Algeria and Jordan worked together to make the night a success. The mud-brick decor of Hongdae's Club 500 gave the event a distinctive Middle Eastern feel. Special performances of the traditional Levantine dance known as the dabke were among the highlights. "The dabke is kind of like a family or community dance. It is also said to be a dance of solidarity. I guess you could say this is my way of showing my solidarity with the people of Palestine," said dabke performer Thency. Kim stressed that she wanted the event to be relevant and informative. "As with any benefit, it is rather important to take advantage of the opportunity to educate people. We wanted to encourage people to think and participate, despite the fact most people just want to be entertained." Thency also emphasized that the event was non-political. "First and foremost, Gaza is in a humanitarian crisis. The people need food, medical aid and shelter. This is what the benefit night is trying to address." The night provided a wonderful opportunity to showcase the diverse range of performative talents in Seoul. Azhaar hoped that guests at the event were able to appreciate how music and dance can help to bridge differences. "This event shows that it is possible for people from all cultures to come together for a good cause," Azhaar said. By Jessica Carter and Kelly Royds 2009.02.10