Ma*Shuqa Workshops, Oasis Circle events, Diva Intensive Retreat, and Weekly Dance Classes in Los Gatos, CA

Ma*Shuqa Sunday Studio Workshops:

Ma*Shuqa Workshops*: 2-4 pm Sept 20th & 26th

Location: Hidden Garden Oasis Dance Studio, 15651 Camino Del Cerro, Los Gatos, CA 95032 (408) 356-9473  MaShuqaDancer@gmail.com

(Gilded Raqs volunteers can attend one workshop free – or, a free weekly class with Ma*Shuqa).

Ma*Shuqa Workshop, Sept. 20th, 2 – 4 pm, Part 1 Fee: $20 or Dance Card

Songs Every Bellydancer* Should Know: How to Understand the Music and Create Improvised Dance Performance in two workshops.

Part 1 Workshop, Sept 20th: Songs Every Belly Dancer Should Know: Learn the structure of Middle Eastern music. Learn about musicality and movement and create improvised dance. Each dancer will create their own unique improvised performance to the music and drum solo. This workshop includes: Habiba Eyni, Alf Leyla Wa Leyla, Ala accordion, and Gamal Gomaa drum solo. Instruction includes finger cymbals.

Habibi Eyni:  Understand the music with ear training for musicality to perform: undulations with accents, Beledi rhythms for cymbals, movement to kanoon and keyboard with accents

Alf Leyla Wa Leyla:  3 accents w/ undulations, improvisational choreography: how to: 4 measures + 4 counts turning, learn slow undulations and overlay dance movement. Ear training to understand the musicality.

Ala accordion – Typical Waheda/Maksoom rhythm; how to dance to the musicality of the accordion

Gamal Goma Drum solo: Understand the Hagalla drum solo pattern, with techniques for mirroring drum solo riffs and building dance dynamics for the fast Karachy rhythm at the end of a drum solo.

*Note: Workshops are designed for Oriental/Raqs Sharqi style belly dancers who want to learn how to dance solo improvised performances. Intensive and immersive study offered at Ma*Shuqa Diva retreats.

Ma*Shuqa Workshop: 2-4 pm Sept 26th Part 2 Fee: $20 or Dance Card

Location: Hidden Garden Oasis Dance Studio, 15651 Camino Del Cerro, Los Gatos, CA 95032 (408) 356-9473  MaShuqaDacer@gmail.com

(Gilded Raqs volunteers can attend one workshop free – or, a free weekly class with Ma*Shuqa).

Saturday, September 26, 2026, 2 – 4 pm Part 2

Songs Every Bellydancer* Should Know: How to Understand the Music and Create Improvised Dance Performance

Part 2 Workshop, Sept 26th: Songs Every Belly Dancer Should Know: Learn the structure of Middle Eastern music. Learn about musicality and movement and create improvised dance. Each dancer will create their own unique improvised performance to a portion of the music. This workshop includes finger cymbal technique and coordination with dance. This workshop includes: Aziza, Enta Omri, Zeina, and Leylet Hob.

Aziza:  Cymbal playing should follow the melodic mode + rhythmic mode = dance choreography. Understand the musicality and dynamics; learn to mirror the musicality in your improvised performance.

Enta Omri – Chife telli rhythm; learn to dance to the melody, the dynamic phrasing, and the musical embellishments in this song.

Zeina – Ear training to understand the piece and learn how to dance to the phrases and the musical embellishments. Learn the “call and answer” – the Ney call and orchestra answer w/ accents.

Leylet Hob – Dance dynamics, 4 rhythm changes. Learn the musical flow of this classic Raqs Sharqi piece. Create unique dance movements and try different dance styles and combinations.

Ma*Shuqa’s Diva Intensive Retreat, May 28-31, 2027

30-hour study/dance/performance retreat at Ma*Shuqa’s studio in Los Gatos, CA with Diva dancers performing at Al Masri Egyptian restaurant on Sunday, May 30, 2026. Come see dancers performing improvised shows to music by Dr. Samy Farag. Space for just 2 more dancers for the retreat.  See retreat flyer for detailed information.

Ma*Shuqa Method Belly Weekly Dance Classes with Ma*Shuqa Mira Murjan

Ma*Shuqa’s Hidden Garden Oasis Dance Studio, 15651 Camino Del Cerro, Los Gatos, CA

Tuesdays: All Levels 7-8:30 pm (Free Oasis Circle Drum Circle 6-7 pm)

Wednesdays: All Levels 1–2:30 pm, & 

7–8:30 pm (Free Oasis Circle Drum 6-7 pm)

Drop-in fee $20/class or

 Class Cards: 5 class/$75, or 10 class/$125

 52 years teaching & belly dancing in the US, Egypt, Greece, Canada, Japan, & Europe.

(408) 356-9473 www.MaShuqa.com MaShuqaDancer@gmail.com