International Oriental Dance Festival

Shimmy and shake your way to this weekend belly dancing fair in support of a good cause

If you’ve always been mesmerised by the art of belly dancing, are keen to get your own hips swinging or are just looking for some unique cultural entertainment, then keep an eye out for the tenth annual International Oriental Dance Festival. The event, which doubles as a charity fundraiser in aid of the Saartjie Baartman Centre for (abused) Women and Children in Athlone, wiggles its way onto the Cape Town calendar from Friday, 23 to Sunday, 25 October 2015.

The dazzling dance expo takes place at multiple venues across the Mother City and features one grand gala evening, intimate workshops and a host of free performances that both adults and kids will love.

As in the past, the entertainment will be spearheaded by some of the best local and international belly dancers around, and together, the sensual performers will showcase the different beautiful and majestic forms of classical Egyptian, authentic Middle Eastern and tribal fusion-style belly dancing. This year, celebrating a decade of sizzling dance, the performers hail from as far as Bangladesh, Egypt, Argentina and Italy; plus, back by popular demand, the organisers have partnered with Confederación Interamericana de la Danza, to host an international oriental dance competition.

SCHEDULE & TICKETS FOR THE 2015 INTERNATIONAL ORIENTAL DANCE FESTIVAL

International Oriental Dance Competition (23 October, at Michael Oak Large Hall in Kenilworth)
The festival opens with the second ever International Oriental Dance Competition, a challenge that sees individuals and groups compete in a stylistic category of their choice for belly dancing bragging rights. The performances will be weighed up by an esteemed panel of judges, all of whom have an incredible amount of international experience behind them. 
Where: Michael Oak Large Hall
When: Friday, 23 October, from 12pm – 4pm

Opening Gala Evening (23 October, at Michael Oak Hall)
Certainly one of the highlights of the extravaganza, the gala evening features a flourish of local Cape belly dance troupes undulating on stage alongside special international guest performers. Ticket sales from the colourful affair help support the Saartjie Baartman Centre for (abused) Women and Children in Athlone. 
Where: Michael Oak Large Hall  
When: Friday, 23 October, from 8pm

Oriental Dance Workshops (24 October, various times, at The Protea Hotel, Sea Point)
Interested dancers and aspiring hip-shakers of all ages and levels are invited to hone their skills and add to their repertoire under the guidance of international and local performers at an assortment of two-hour workshops. The sessions zero in on a range of topics, from techniques and turns to the art of cane dancing and the choreography of the modern Bollywood dance style. For a full list of what’s on offer and to book, visit IODFCapeTown.com/workshops. 
Where: The Protea Hotel, Sea Point
When: Saturday, 25 October 

FREE Oriental Dance Fringe Programme (25 October, at the V&A Waterfront)
The weekend of activity culminates with the FREE Oriental Dance Fringe Programme; an all-day affair that treats audiences to an on-the-house showcase of South Africa’s foremost belly dance schools. The troupes hail from all over our country, and the hundreds of dancers will be sharing their passion for dance on stage through a variety of performances. Not to mention, a bazaar jam-packed with stalls selling dancing accessories, costumes, jewellery and more will be on site. 
Where: The V&A Waterfront Amphitheatre
When: Sunday, 26 October, from 10:30am – 6pm

TICKETS AND BOOKINGS FOR 2015 INTERNATIONAL ORIENTAL DANCE FESTIVAL

Stay tuned to the official website for more information. Tickets for the gala evening are available via Computicket.com and Computicket outlets. Entry to the evening costs R150p/p. 

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Interested in other dance events around Cape Town? Take a look at our overview of October events in Cape Town and surrounds so you don’t miss any other dance and music festivals.

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