Venues

Venue listings are for the tri-state area, NY, NJ and PA. Disclaimer: NJ Belly Dancing does not endorse any particular venue or restaurant nor does the site have any affiliations or obligations in regards to the events provided on this page.

Listing Information: General listings ( without pictures, special graphics or enlarged font ) are always free. To list, please send an email directly to info@njbellydancing.org listing all the pertinent info no later than at least one week before event. We try to do our best to be diligent but can't always guarantee posting. The earlier it is sent...the better. If  we forget...gently remind us. Please do NOT send it as part of a newsletter as it may or may not be read   (we receive far too many to read every one). Listing must be able to be copied and pasted. If we cannot copy and paste it, then we cannot list as retyping would be far too consuming. For special ads, you may contact us direct for pricing.

 

Major Venues ~ Restaurants

           ~ Local Events/Haflas  ~ Ren Faires

 

Spring Caravan May 4th, 5th and 6th! We are gathering the belly dance forces to come come together once again with fabulous workshops and amazing performances! www.rakkasah.com/east  Held at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, 135 Davison Ave, Somerset, NJ  Friday May 4 - 7pm - 11pm $15 Saturday May 5 - noon - 10pm -$18 Sunday May 6 - 12noon - 8pm. -$18                Seniors and children 10 & under are half price

Restaurants

 

Afghan Kebab House:
(listings thru out NJ and NY)

Aladdin's:
http://www.nj.com/dining/reviews_ledger.ssf?10546?10546
Trenton

Al Khimah:
(609) 427-0888
Cherry Hill

Kaptan Turkish Grill and Restaurant:
http://kaptanrestaurant.com/  
Hackettstown

Casablanca: Supmtuous Moroccan Cuisine. Exotic Decor and Bellydancers Thursday-Sunday Nights. Warrington, PA (215) 343-7715 . http://casablancaone.com

Cedar's:
http://www.cedarsfinecuisine.com/
Somerville

Cinderella Sabbaba:
http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Cinderella.Sabbaba.Restaurant.856-227-6537
Turnersville

Club Aladdin:
http://www.clubaladdin.com/about.htm
Hackensack

CousCous:
http://www.couscousnj.com/
Cherry Hill

Fire n Ice:  Hookah Lounge with Belly dancing every Friday night. www.FirenIceNJ.com
Woodbridge. (732) 417-1999

Marakesh:
http://www.marakesh.com/
Parsippany

Marmara Turkish Restaurant:
http://www.marmararestaurant.com/
Manalapan

Mediterranean Cafe:
973 744 1300
Montclair
 

Phoenicia: Fine Middle Eastern Cuisine. Live Music and Bellydancers every Friday and Saturday Night.
Easton, PA (610) 849- 1749
http://www.phoeniciaonline.com

Sultana Restaurant & Cafe:
http://www.sultanarestaurant.com/promo.html
Edison
 

Tedman's Mediterranean American Cuisine:
526 Main St., 732-361-8784
Shows are every Friday and Saturday night at 8pm starting Saturday, September 16th featuring NJ Dancer and Instructor Zarouhi!

Toros:
Toros Restaurant (Mustafa Bayram) - (201) 742-6877
1083 Main St. Paterson, NJ 07503

 

Local Events/Haflas

 

January

Bring the Power!

Friday, January 13, 2012
8:00pm until 11:00pm

Please join us in helping to bring awareness to women's strengths and the empowerment, personal growth, renewal and or healing we receive through the beautiful ancient art form, Belly Dance. Welcome this New Year with self awareness remembering to be kind to ourselves... with dance, music, food, appreciation for each other and FUN!!!!

Friday January 13th 8pm-11pm
@ Liv2dance studio
2110 Richmond Rd (Entrance on Lincoln ave under the Alor Cafe)
$15 at the door *cash only please*

Performers free (doors open at 7:00 for performers only and 7:30 for guests, show starts appr 8:00pm): Belly Dance, World Dance, and all Fusion styles welcome!
*Interested performers, please FB message me or email directly at aurora_138@yahoo.com (with your dance name, song, length and style by 12/31/11 please be sure to have your song on a cd) I would be honored to have you dance at the event!*

Seating first come, first serve basis.
Dance Performances throughout the event, Food/drink, Raffles! (Each dancer who brings two guests will receive a free raffle!!) Open dancing...*please feel free to bring your drums*


Invite will be updated once I get the line up! Hope to see you there.
Just some on the line up..the Beautiful talent of:
Joanna Mideastdance,
Chadia Al Raqs and Troupe,
Sa'Noorah
Victoria Crispo,
Pamela Molinari,
Almasah
Sonseeahray Sonjirey,
Badaweyah,
Jenny Raqs,
Elishanya
Sohana
Katrina Kizi'ah
Apolonia,,..and more to come..and will be updated..:)
A special performance from AMAZING Instructor/director and studio owner Kari Williams and her students.

Life/wellness coach CarolMarie Fiorito will be on hand to discuss women's wellness.
I look forward to seeing you!

 

February

 

Jerry Bezdikian presents NUBIA - L'Afrique Orientale Belly Dance!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
8:00pm until 11:00pm
Taj Lounge, 48 West 21st St. (between 5th and 6th Avenue), New York, NY

Featuring the extraordinary Belly Dance Artistry of
Dameshe, Monet and Helwa

Special featured performance from the Oshun Dance Company and dancers from Pure Onyx Movement

Live Music and Belly Dance
Thursday February 2nd, 2012

Taj Lounge
48 W. 21st St. (between 5th & 6th Av.), NYC

Live music featuring:
Jerry Bezdikian (kanun)
Adam Good (ud)
Jesse Kotansky (violin)
Eylem Bashaldi (violin)
Marissa Arciola (bass)
Rami El Aasser (tabla)
Carmine Guida (riq)
A.P. Joseph (frame drum)
Shelley Thomas (vocals)

8:00 pm – 11 pm - $15 cover - Must be 21+
Drink Specials: $5 beers - $6 Wines - $7 Cocktails
Full menu for your dining pleasure.

Info: jebez@verizon.net , www.tajlounge.com

 

Charity Event***

Keep the Lights on Hafla

Saturday, February 4, 2012
Time7:00pm until 10:00pm

$10 admission charge
 

Our Hafla is dedicated to raising funds for Jessica Humphrey a wonderful dancer, teacher and supporter of Belly Dance. Jessica has made wondrous contributions to the dance community in the past including tireless hours of volunteering at Rakkasah’s East, West and Spring Caravan. Beyond dance she is a educational teacher, always giving her heart to all the children she instructs.
Jessica had her first child Olivia 8 years ago, there were many complications, however, Olivia is a thriving wonderful girl. 8 months ago Jessica became pregnant with her second child, due to some major concerns regarding premature birth she was put on bed rest in November. Since Jessica works for a small non-profit organization and is self employed as a dance teacher, being unable to work has put a hardship financially on her family.
We hope we can give back at least a little all she has done for our dance and community through our efforts of this halfa.
If you are unable to join us at the halfla but would like to donate please contact Michelle DeVine at michelledevine@att.net or send any amount to Jessica Humphrey c/o Michelle Devine, 553 Spring Mills Road, Milford, NJ 08848.
If you would like to dance please email michelledevine@att.net

 

 

♥ VALENTINE'S HAFLA ♥

Presented by Bellydance Revolution and featuring performances by local bellydancers.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
4:00pm until 7:00pm

Fire n Ice Lounge Restaurant
583 Fords Avenue, Fords, NJ 08863

♥ Cost: $10
♥ Doors open at 5:00pm, Show stars at 5:30pm

Fall in love with bellydance all over again at the
Bring your hip scarves, zills, drums, whatever! Guests are invited to stay after the show for open drumming & dancing. Hope to see you there!
Email or call Kim with any questions, or if you wish to perform! kim@bellydancerevolution.com ,

862.485.1233

 

 

March

 

The 7th Annual Woodstock Goddess Festival
Friday, March 9, 2012 at 7:00pm until Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 10:00am
The Colony Cafe, 22 Rock City Road

The annual Woodstock Goddess Festival, which is now in it's 7th year.
will be held at the Colony Cafe, 22 Rock City Road Woodstock NY on
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 9/10/11th.
Goddess Festival founder Jean DesJardin of Saugerties NY has been organizing the annual music/art/dance festival and benefit to raise funds for the Ulster County battered women's shelter.
Jean DesJardin says the festival's intention is to "create awareness of
women's strength, and to celebrate the feminine. Everyone has feminine energy. Even men. We hold the festival in March each year to bring inthe spring-- to bring in the new life, just like the Goddess."
Since the festival is now in it's 7th year, I asked Jean how he has
sustained the momentum to keep putting on a big festival like this for so many years. Jean says "I'm amazed at how many volunteer to support this cause every year. The community clearly wants to help support the festival and it's cause/intention. All of the performers never ask for anything in return. They are just happy to raise money for the shelter. That is what keeps me going!"
80% of all festival proceeds are given directly to the Ulster County
battered women's shelter, and 20% to the hosting venue.
This year's festival will include all female-fronted live music and
dance, a Goddess/Women's art exhibition at Varga Art Gallery in
Woodstock, and a Goddess Poetry Festival.

MUSIC PERFORMERS THIS YEAR INCLUDE: Ubaka Hill, Yeye Gogo Nana "Goddess Lovelight", Kali. Z. Fasteau, Mamalama, The Sweetbryer Band, Hemingway's Cat, Veronica Kent Band, Birds of a Feather, Wet Paint, and DJ Hrana World Music.

DANCERS INCLUDE: Queen Mother imakkhu Munfrt Emakeru, Yeye Gogo Nana "Goddess Lovelight", Willow, Eunika Simmons, Wild Roses, Serpentessa, and Jenny Cohen.

THE VARGA ART GALLERY GODDESS ART SHOW WILL INCLUDE WORK BY:
Joanne Goshen Melissa Kucia, Karyn Mannix, Bruce Morse, Jacqueline
Ravida, Nuie Corbeau Reith, Faye Storms, Richard J. Treitner, Christina
Varga, Regina Walker

THE WOODSTOCK GODDESS POETRY FESTIVAL will be a Wide Open Reading (open to all) hosted by Teresa Costa, and will include readings by Richard Treitner, Sue Wilens, Donald Lev, Patricia Martin, Teresa Costa, and many other poets who wish to share.

Friday March 9th 7pm-2am: (Colony Cafe)
Birds of a Feather drum group
Serpentessa Priestess bellydancing
Kali Z. Fasteau
Sweetbryar Band
Wet Paint
Veronica Kent Band
Hemingway's Cat
DJ Hrana World Dancing!

Saturday, March 10th 7pm-2am (Colony Cafe)
Willow Bellydance
Wild Roses Bellydance
Jenny Cohen Bellydance
Gogo Nana Goddess Lovelight
Mamalama
Ubakah Hill
Eunika Simmons
Queen Mother imakkhu Munfrt Emakeru
DJ Hrana

Sunday March 11th 5-8pm (Colony Cafe)
Goddess Festival Poetry

Varga Art Gallert Goddess/Women's Show: (130 Tinker Street Woodstock)
February 10 - Sunday March 18th

 

Club Bellydance in Bordentown, NJ
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
7:00pm until 10:00pm
The Central New Jersey Ballet Theatre School - Open Arts Theatre, 146 RT 130 South, Bordentown, NJ
Description
Tuesday, March 20th 2012
Event Name:
Club Bellydance at The Central NJ Ballet Theatre School - Open Arts Theatre
Location:
Bordentown, NJ
Highlight:
Event Description:
We are excited to announce the East Coast run of our new tour, “CLUB BELLYDANCE.” This exciting new show will feature Bellydance Superstar dancers Lauren, Sabah, Moria, Sabrina, and Stefanya.

This show gives the BDSS dancers an opportunity to try out new ideas and choreography not possible in the full theatre show while at the same time enable the audience to watch their fellow bellydancers perform up close in an intimate club style setting. In each city, the local bellydance community will provide the first half of the show and the BDSS dancers the second half. Workshops will be set up wherever possible and of course the tour will carry the BDSS traveling store with a wide range of bellydance products at great prices. The tour runs from February 24th through March. We look forward to spreading the word on this shimmylicious dance phenomenon across America and beyond! Come join CLUB BELLYDANCE!

Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Doors Open: 7:00pm
Show Time: 7:30pm
Price of Tickets: $20.00 adv., $25.00 day of show
Online Ticketing Link: Coming Soon!

DANCER LINE-UP
Bellydance Superstars - Sabah, Lauren, Moria, Stefanya, and Sabrina

Local Dancers -
Alexia & Groove Merchant
Mahalat
Hipnosis
Finge Benefit
Alexia's Belly Dance & Beyond Ensemble
Tashira Wadiya
Bridgette
Gia al Qamar
Dena Stevens

VENUE
The Central NJ Ballet Theatre School
Open Arts Theatre
146 RT 130 South (Next to Mastoris Diner)
Bordentown, NJ 08505

 

April

 

Philly Hafla
4-8pm, Sunday April 1st, 2012
The First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, Griffin Hall
2125 Chestnut St, Philadelphia PA
$10 admittance, children age 10 and under are free, Pot Luck and BYO.


Come join us at the Philly Hafla, where all the dancers, musicians and vendors from the Philadelphia Bellydance community can get together and have a great time.

$10 admittance, children age 10 and under are free*, Pot Luck and BYO.

Dancers include Amalia, Shushanna, Fatima Bassmah, Shanti, Ak'Ana, Stephanie, NJ Belly Dancing's Zedoary, Hipnosis, Dharma Tribal Bellydance, Kelebek, Habiba, Leilah Shakib, Eyes of Isis, A Tribe Called Masmoudi and more! Musicians include Casey Bond, Sean McGarry, Christina Glaudel Bahrt, Jawhara Edwards, Drum Doc and more! The Vendors are Silkdancer, Saved by the Belly, Lloyd David Photography, and Reconstructing History!

*Children are free, but must be accompanied by an adult to watch them. Up to three children can come with one adult.

http://www.shushanna.com/Productions.html

 

June

 

Hip-Notic Sunday
Sunday, June 17, 2012
4:00pm until 8:00pm

Shades of Lakshmi is doing it again.

Please join us with a Hip-Notic Sunday which will feature some of the tri-state's most talented Bellydancers.

Tickets are:
General $35.00
VIP $45.00
At the door (if available) $40.00

There are few vendor spaces still available.
Like to be a sponsor? Spaces are avaialbe for this as well.

For ticket, vendor and sponser information, please contact Sonseeahray at shadesoflakshmi@hotmail.com

More information to come, stay tuned.

Link for online payment coming soon.

 

 

Major Venues

 

Rakkasah & Spring Caravan: (October and May)
www.rakkasah.com

 

 

 

Renaissance Festivals

Listings provided by: http://www.renfaire.com/Sites/index.html

 

New Jersey

Lakewood Lions Charity Renaissance Faire - Lakewood (Sep)
http://www.faires.com/EventRecord.php?Id=301

Mystic Realms Fantasy Faire - Berlin (May)
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New Jersey Medieval and Fantasy Festival - Long Valley (Jun)
http://www.paladinmusic.com/festivals.html

New Jersey Pirate Festival and Kingdom - Somerset (Jun)
http://www.njkingdom.com/

That Medieval Thing (TMT) - Madison (Apr)
http://www.groups.drew.edu/medfest/

West Windsor Lions Renaissance Faire - West Windsor (May)
http://www.eastkingdom.org/event-detail.html?eid=1199

New York

Bill Johnston Pirate Days - Alexandria Bay (Aug)
http://www.alexbay.org/2005 pirate days event schedule.htm

Catskill Mountains Renaissance Faire - Cairo (Aug)
http://www.caironychamber.com/cairfirmedfa.html

Hawk Creek Wildlife and Renaissance Festival - East Aurora (Jul )
http://www.hawkcreek.org/festival/

Hudson Valley Mayfaire - New Paltz (May)
http://www.hvmayfaire.com/

Kingston Renaissance Faire - New Paltz (May)
http://www.kingstonrenfair.com

Medieval Festival at Fort Tryon Park - New York (Oct)
http://www.whidc.org/home.html

New York Renaissance Faire - Tuxedo Park (Aug - Sep)
http://www.recfair.com/NY/

Sands Point Faire - Port Washington
http://www.kingdomofacre.org/

Sterling Renaissance Festival - Sterling (Jul - Aug)
http://www.sterlingfestival.com/

Pennsylvania

Fairie Festival at Spoutwood Farm - Glen Rock (May)
http://www.fairiefestival.net

Kutztown Renaissance Faire - Kutztown (May)
http://www.geocities.com/kumrc2000/

Medieval Majesty's Renaissance Faire - Linden (Jun - Jul)
http://www.medievalmajesty.com/

Midsummer Renaissance Faire - Lehighton (Jun)
www.midsummerproductions.com

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire - Manheim (Aug - Oct)
http://www.parenfaire.com

The Village Renaissance Faire - Wrightstown (Sep)
http://www.villagefaire.org

Western Pennsylvania Fairie Festival - Slippery Rock (Jun)
http://www.wpafairiefestival.com/