Bellingham Belly Dance Parties "Haflas"
Want to dance with us? Awesome! Email me at: bellyhamdance@gmail.com OR
Just show up with your music ready (but it is nice if you can email me your music in advance).
The sign-up sheet will be there right when you walk in the door.
Priority goes to newer dancers/students.
May 9th, 2026
2:00-3:00 pm Shop & Swap Costumes in the side-room.
3:00 - 5:00 pm Performances will start.
At the Karate Church.
519 E. Maple Street, Bellingham, WA
Hafla, an Arabic word, translates to celebration, gathering, or party. In the belly dance community, a hafla is an event where students and professionals can perform and socialize in a supportive and casual atmosphere.
This is a great place to try out a new routine or dance just for fun.
Shop and swap is happening this time, bring your used or gently worn costumes and accessories. (Set up is 1:30 pm at the earliest).
You are responsible for any payments/labeling of your costumes.
I have a few tables for communal use. If you have a lot of items, please bring a spare table.
Your performance will be recorded for you and emailed to you after the event.
You can email me your music ahead of time or bring it with you on a device.
For any questions or to get involved email Jessica at bellyhamdance@gmail.com.
We hope to see you there!
This is a family friendly and free event open to all.
Teachers remember to bring hand outs about your classes and events to share.
This hafla's flyer features the dancer: Badia Masabni.
At each event we feature another amazing dancer.
Let me know if you have favorite we should feature!
Who is this dancer?
Badia Masabni! In honor of Mother's Day coming up, Badia Masabni, also called the "grandmother of modern day belly dance" and "the godmother of oriental dance".
For some full articles about her life CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE.
About the Photo: Reposted from The Academia de Danza Arabe Priscilla Adum
"A rare photo of Badia Masabni in a dance costume adorned with quite a few coins. 1930s. It's a bit difficult to tell if she's wearing sandals. There is a strap visible on her left foot just where a shoe strap would be, and her right foot does seem to have a shoe on in the side view. Bare feet would have been unusual at the time period.
*from the Makrem Salama archives.
Edited to Add: Please check out the many articles online about Makrem Salama, which is where this photo came from. This extraordinary Egyptian gentleman’s passion for Egyptian cinema, which began when he was a child, led him to begin collecting historical treasures from the early days of cinema and theater. Photographs, films, flyers, movie posters and documents from the golden era that were often discarded by others who failed to recognize their immense historical significance, found their way to him...and to safety. He is considered the foremost custodian of golden age memorabilia in Egypt and has repeatedly turned down offers of millions of dollars for his collection. Recently, he donated thousands of historical documents to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Here's a youtube clip about him. It has english subtitles.
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August 8th, 2026
6:00 -8:00pm Performances will start.
At Peace Meal Farm
9223 Stadsvold Road, Blaine, WA 98230
Hafla, an Arabic word, translates to celebration, gathering, or party. In the belly dance community, a hafla is an event where students and professionals can perform and socialize in a supportive and casual atmosphere.
This is a great place to try out a new routine or dance just for fun.
This is a very special hafla as we will be dancing in a gorgeous flower farm, in a field, in full bloom, during the golden hour with the sun.
What does this mean for you? Amazing photos and videos!
Neverstill Photography will be on site and your performance(s) will be recorded and photographed for you and emailed to you after the event.
The photos and videos are free to you with watermark. You will have the opportunity to purchase individual photos without the photographer's watermark.
CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT TO BOOK MORE TIME WITH NEVERSTILL PHOTOGRAPHY
Of course you can bring your own tripod and take as many photos as you desire.
Details about stage size and material coming soon.
There will be a space to change and use the restroom.
This event has limited parking, so limited performance spots, as such we need performers to pre-register below and have your music emailed to Jessica no later than 8/1/26.
All submitted forms need to be completed by 7/25/26 to allow Jessica time to work on the line-up.
For any questions or to get involved email Jessica at bellyhamdance@gmail.com.
We hope to see you there!
This is a family friendly and FREE event open to all.
Of course, if you wish to donate any money collected will go to Peace Meal Farms to help cover facility use costs.
Teachers remember to bring hand outs about your classes and events to share.