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Are you a professional dancer looking to expand your artistic horizons and explore the rich cultural traditions of Middle Eastern dance? We're excited to announce we'll be offering 12 talented dancers to be part of our unique community-driven project in Belfast.
Bridges Through Dance is a dynamic project by professional dancer Mar Decena at the MAC in Belfast, supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland's National Lottery Minority Ethnic Artists Mentoring & Residency Programme (SIAP).
Twelve selected professional dancers will receive free, immersive training in Bellydance, Saidi, and Dabke, exploring fluid movement chains and improvisation. With live darbuka music, dancers will deepen their connection to authentic rhythms.
How to Apply:
Fill in the form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScobifwzzm--3Cdd1c-qmFcm25arsK4fig7gzMowKSDsIz2ww/viewform?usp=header
Deadline for Submissions: 11th April 2025
What We Offer:
- A free training course in Middle Eastern dances, including Bellydance, Saidi, and Dabke.
- Expert-led workshops focusing on authentic rhythms, traditional techniques, and choreography.
- A platform to expand your repertoire and artistic language, while connecting with other professionals and enthusiasts.
- Working with live music featuring a darbuka player.
What We’re Looking For:
- Dancers with a minimum of 3 years of experience in any dance form.
- Aged 18+
- A passion for learning and engaging in new dance forms.
- Commitment to attending all training sessions and participating in the final performance.
- Enthusiasm for contributing to a project that promotes cultural understanding and integration.
Training Workshop Dates:
- 3rd, 4th, 10th, and 11th May 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, at the MAC.
For any questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected]
Meet Mar Decena
Mar Decena – Bridging Cultures Through Dance
A passionate dancer, Mar brings over 20 years of expertise in Middle Eastern dance to Northern Ireland, where she is dedicated to promoting Arabic culture through dance and music. Originally from Mexico, a country known as a hub for Middle Eastern dance outside the Arab world, she has been deeply influenced by its rich fusion of movement traditions.
She has trained extensively under Egyptian masters and some of the world’s most recognised instructors, refining her skills in Bellydance, Saidi, and Dabke. Her specialty lies in fluid movements in chains and the art of improvisation, allowing dancers to move with seamless grace and deep musicality. Her dedication to the art form was recognised when she earned the title of Miss Bellydance Dublin, bringing her artistry to new audiences across Ireland.
Mar was awarded the National Lottery Minority Ethnic Artists Mentoring & Residency Programme (SIAP) from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, supporting her project "Bridges Through Dance". Hosted at The MAC in Belfast, this initiative fosters community, integration, and cultural exchange, using dance as a tool to connect diverse backgrounds and celebrate the heritage of Middle Eastern traditions.
Her engaging and immersive workshops offer dancers a unique opportunity to refine their technique while working with live music from a darbuka player, experiencing the rhythms and essence of Middle Eastern dance firsthand. Her approach is intuitive, precise, and deeply rooted in culture, making her sessions both technically enriching and creatively inspiring.
Mar welcomes dancers of all backgrounds to step into this journey—one that bridges cultures, builds confidence, and unlocks the beauty of movement through the true essence of Middle Eastern dance.
