Event location
Auditorium, Import Building, Republic
Event date
Thursday 12th, 19th, 26th June
Event time
7.30pm - 9pm
Price
Block of four classes, £25 with student ID
Bellydance Lab: Cabaret Edition
Led by Ana Gabriela Hernandez
📍 Republic, East India
🗓️ Join by 17 July 2025
Move, connect and explore through our bellydance classes with teacher Ana Gabriela Hernandez. Bellydance Lab is part of Republic’s commitment to a vibrant, inclusive campus where creativity, wellbeing, and lifelong learning thrive.
Step into the dazzling world of Cabaret Bellydance! Led by experienced dancer and cultural researcher Ana Gabriela, this community-centred course blends technique, history, and self-expression, welcoming dancers of all shapes, backgrounds, and genders. Whether you’re new to bellydance or refining your style, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the sensual, political, and performative roots of Cabaret—from its Golden Era in Egypt to its transformation in the U.S.
- Explore Cabaret’s origins: Learn how this style travelled from 1920s Cairo to Western stages.
- Refine your technique: Develop musicality, master intermediate combinations, and build confidence in layered movement.
- Make it your own: Reclaim bellydance on your terms—whether playful, sacred, or sensual.
- Contextualise your practice: Reflect on gender, class, and cultural histories within the dance.
About the facilitator
Ana Gabriela Hernandez is a Colombian bellydancer and researcher with a background in psychology and a Master’s in the Anthropology of Dance. Her practice bridges activism and art, centring underrepresented voices and promoting cultural respect. Ana founded Bellydance Lab in 2024 to build a community of thoughtful dancers inspired by Middle Eastern and North African traditions.
Who it’s for
- Open to beginner and intermediate dancers
- No prior Cabaret experience needed
- Free taster class available for new Bellydance Lab participants
Outcomes
- Perform in a group choreography tailored to your level
- Deepen your understanding of Arab rhythms and instruments
- Strengthen your technique with multi-layered combos
- Gain tools for critical thinking about bellydance’s socio-political history
Access and inclusion
Accessible venue (lifts and toilets)
All genders, ethnicities, and body types welcome
Scholarships available for those unable to pay (priority to queer, trans, and Arab-identifying participants)
Volunteer opportunities available (social media, events, etc.)
📩 To apply for a scholarship, email a short video or letter by 13 June 2025 to:
anagabrielahuk@gmail.com
Additional details
Deadline to join: 17 July 2025
Students studying at universities based at Republic are eligible for discounted rates
Participation in the final show is optional
Minimum 85% attendance required for performance
For more information or to join the next session, contact:
📧 anagabrielahuk@gmail.com
📞 +44 7426 988603
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