The show highlights traditional eastern and experimental belly dance styles, by over 150 dancers, most from Sahara Dance, Washington, DC’s premiere belly dance school.  About a dozen of of the school’s various dance troupes, each with their own unique style, will be performing. Some are professions, others, students ranging from beginners to advanced.  Also joining are the always entertaining Calmes Triplets.

For some history of belly dance, check out my post about last year’s show,which was a lot of fun, and highlighted some of Washington, DC’s best belly dancers.

This year’s show falls this weekend, over Mother’s Day, so tickets to a performance makes for a unique event to surprise mom with. Plus, after the show, she might also love receiving a gift of belly dance classes from Sahara Dance.

Sixth Annual Under the Desert Moon
Harold and Sylvia Greenberg Theatre at American University
4200 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20016

Dates and Times – Saturday, May 10, with performances 4 and 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 11 at 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. 

Tickets – Adults $25.00 and are available online. 

Nearest Metro subway station– Tenleytown/AU – Red line, then a 3-block walk. 

Parking- Free street or garage parking is available under the theatre. Use the Van Ness Street entrance.

Images – dancer 1, dancer in red, face

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Post from: The DC Traveler

The show, using the American Idol format, pits great dancers from all styles of dance — ballroom to hip-hop, salsa to swing, into a weekly dance competition. The dancers include everyone from unknown amateurs to recognized national champions.   About 20 dancers from the six city audition sessions will go on to complete on the television show.  

After getting through the auditions and making it to the finals, the  contestants are required to dance a range of styles and with different partners, testing their skills and versatility.

If named America’s Favorite Dancer, the winner is awarded $100,000, a new car and receives lots of publicity.

To participate in the So You Think You Can Dance auditions, you must be 18-30 years old, a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with a work permit and complete the required paperwork.  With only six cities hosting auditions, plan on long lines and long waits.  But come ready to dance and impress the judges.

So You Think You Can Dance Auditions

Open Casting Call
Thursday, February 21, 8:00 a.m.
Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002 (map it)

Call Backs 
Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22-23
Warner Theatre
513 13th Street, NW
Washington, D.C., 20004 (map it)

And if you can’t dance, or want to try to be the next So You Think You Can Dance star, here’s a few places to start taking some dance lessons in the Washington, DC area.

• Disco
• Salsa and Latin
• Swing

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Post from: The DC Traveler