The Middle Eastern Dance Association of New Zealand is hosting its annual festival in Dunedin for the first time, including more than 40 dance and drum workshops.
"Belly dancing is getting more and more popular. We have dancers in Dunedin from teenagers to people in their 60s," one of the organisers, Anna Walsh, said yesterday.
"There's a great sense of community with belly dancing and it's amazing for fitness. It's such a diverse and evolving dance form."
Up to 100 dancers and musicians from New Zealand and Australia will demonstrate the different forms of belly dancing, which include pure Egyptian, American cabaret, tribal and fusion, with Spanish, Latin, Indian and gothic influences.
The festival culminates in "Raks Samimi" at the Mayfair Theatre at 7pm tonight.
"Anyone who is interested is welcome to come along and have a look," Ms Walsh said.
There will be a Hafla belly dance party at Tahuna Normal Intermediate School from 6.30pm tomorrow.
