Missed the live show, or want to relive it? The full Café Riche Recital — live Arabic music and dance, start to finish — is available to watch on demand for a limited time.
Step into a creative movement lab where dance is explored through flavour, texture and musical intention. In this dynamic 90-minute workshop, dancers will be introduced to the five essential "food groups" of Oriental Dance — from silky, lyrical flow to sharp rhythmic accents, grounded weight, playful expression and intricate layering — each brought to life through short, punchy combinations, your "bite-sized dishes" designed to be mixed, matched and transformed.
With a curated "menu" in hand, dancers will move beyond simply learning combinations and into a more creative, exploratory space, crafting their own unique "meal" by linking phrases, shifting dynamics and exploring transitions. Perfect for intermediate to advanced dancers across both Oriental and Tribal styles. Each participant receives a digital "menu" during the workshop. Come hungry… leave with a recipe book of possibilities.
Deepen your connection to Egyptian Raqs Sharqi with an inspiring day of authentic dance, music and cultural exploration. Led by renowned source artist Virginia Masri, this intensive is designed to enrich your understanding, artistry and connection to the dance.
NEW — Beginner Bellydance Course in the Hills… coming soon.
One of the greatest gifts of my dance career has been the opportunity to work with incredible live musicians — not musicians who simply "play for dancers," but artists who are educators, facilitators and cultural bearers, generously sharing their knowledge, lineage and decades of experience working alongside dancers.
At Big Egyptian Day Out, our musicians aren't sitting at the side of the room providing background music — they are active facilitators in the learning process, teaching, explaining, demonstrating and helping dancers gain a deeper understanding of the music they are dancing to. The result is a truly immersive experience where dance, music and culture come together in a way that simply cannot be replicated.
This July, as we presented our final live music intensive at Amera's Palace, it was a privilege to share not only my own knowledge, experiences and stories, but also the wisdom of the remarkable artists who have been part of this journey for so many years.
At a time when cultural awareness matters more than ever, this masterclass went beyond choreography — it was about depth, credibility and cultural literacy, not just technique. "Egyptian From the Ground Up" offered first-hand insight from a SWANA dance artist working professionally in Australia and internationally, designed in response to questions that have come up in previous projects.
For dancers, performers, teachers, choreographers and troupe directors — not just a workshop, but a shift in perspective. A true masterclass, including a one-hour open table discussion, "Chai & Basboussa".
A Sydney-exclusive event with nothing else like it in Australia. The weekend featured a Sweet Spotlight solo performance opportunity, Chai & Basboussa with Amera Eid, Technique, Combinations & Cultural Perspectives with Virginia Masri, Music Theory with the Sydney Arabic Music Ensemble, Stage Presentation & Styling with Jrisi, and an Egyptian Ease on Stage practical session with Amera Eid — closing with the Café Riche Recital, dancers' chance to perform with live musicians.
Dancers travel from across Australia every year to train with master artists and experience Raqs Sharqi with live music from start to finish.
