Workshops

BELLY DANCE & DRUMMING

FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2025

7.00 - 9.00PM

Restoring Wellness Studio

716A Gilbert Road, Reservoir 3073

Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/DGVSF

Join us for an unforgettable belly dance experience with Vittorina (belly dancer) and Nashat (Egyptian Drummer) to get you moving and shimmying to the dum tek of the drum!

Our talented drummer Nashat will provide the rhythmic beats to inspire your movements and transport you to the Middle East. Learn the basics of belly dance with Vittorina in a fun and supportive environment. Have a play with the drums; an opportunity to play with an array of Middle Eastern instruments. Connect with like-minded humans who share your passion for dance and music.

After the 45min class is the social dancing. Let loose and express yourself to the music, exploring the emotional and sensual aspects of belly dance by immersing yourself in the rich musical heritage of the Middle East, with traditional rhythms and melodies.

Tea and Middle Eastern sweets provided.

$45 Non-Members

$35 RW Members (DM for code)

Passed Event:

BELLY DANCE WORKSHOPS: Double Veil & Drum Solo

SUNDAY 12 OCTOBER 2025

Restoring Wellness Studio

716A Gilbert Road, Reservoir 3073.

Join me on Sunday 12 October for a day of workshops.

DOUBLE VEIL 11.00AM – 1.00PM

Unveil the mystery: Mastering double veil.

In this enchanting workshop you’ll learn the art of dancing with double veil! Discover the secrets of flowing movements and hypnotic spins.

Double Veil Techniques:

·      Veil handling - You'll learn how to hold, manipulate, and move with two veils simultaneously, including how to hold the veils correctly, move the veils in different directions, use the veils to frame your body and accentuate movements.

·      Synchronization and coordination - You'll practice synchronizing the movement of both veils, with travelling steps, spins and turns, developing coordination and control.

·      Choreography – the double veil techniques and movements learnt in the first hour, will form part of a beautiful choreography.

BYO Veils if you have them. There will be veils available for use, but we reserve these for those that do not have their own.

DRUM SOLO 1.30-3.30pm

Unleash your inner fire! Learn to dance to the primal beat of the darabuka in this drum solo workshop. Explore dynamic movements, powerful expression, and musicality. Perfect for the dancer looking to amplify their stage presence and connect with the rhythm &audience, or if this is your first experience with drum solos. Get ready to ignite the stage!

In this high-energy workshop, you’ll learn a drum solo choreography, techniques and secrets to deliver a captivating performance that will leave audiences mesmerised.

Both workshops are suitable to Open Level participants, experienced dancers or first-timers are welcome.

Passed Event:

Awakening Your Rhythm

Sip cacao. Move your body. Come home to yourself.
A soulful experience by Jess & Vittorina.

Join us for Melbourne’s first-ever cacao and belly dance ceremony: an evening of connection, rhythm, and embodiment created for the woman who’s ready to return to herself.

Guided by Jess (cacao facilitator+ embodiment therapist) and Vittorina (belly dancer + feminine movement guide),this offering invites you to soften into your body, awaken your senses, and explore movement in presence.

You’ll be invited to join the ancestral practices of cacao and Oriental Dance (belly dance)—traditions rooted in reverence, rhythm, and feminine power. These are not trends. They are ancient doorways back to the body, the breath, and the wisdom that lives within. This integration of cacao and Oriental Dance will be presented so that it respects the cultural significance of both practices.

This experience is for you if:

– You’re craving deeper connection with your body
– You’ve felt disconnected from your sensuality or creativity
– You want to move in a way that feels expressive, not performative
– You’re curious about cacao or belly dance and want a welcoming space to begin
– You’re longing for a space to just be—without judgment or pressure

What to Expect

Welcome & Introduction
Settle into the space and meet your facilitators. You’ll be gently guided into presence with grounding practices and an overview of the journey ahead.

Cacao Ceremony
Sip ceremonial-grade cacao in a heart-opening ritual to soften the mind, awaken the senses, and deepen your connection to yourself.

Guided Embodied Belly Dance

Explore gentle, rhythmic movements of Oriental Dance. This is not aboutchoreography, but about reconnecting with your innate wisdom and creativity.

Intuitive Improvisation
Let go of the “shoulds” and move as you feel. This is your invitation to dance without rules—freely, intuitively, and in a way that honours how you want to be seen and felt.

Integration & Reflection
Slow down and return to stillness. You’ll have time to simply be—allowing everything you’ve felt, moved, or remembered to gently land.

Closing Circle
We’ll close in community, giving thanks and sealing the space with intention and connection. You’ll leave feeling grounded, held, and more connected to yourself.

No dance or ceremony experience needed.
Just bring an open heart, a curious spirit, and a body ready to be honoured.

Passed Event:

Intro to Belly Dance

Learn the fundamental movements, techniques, and principles of this beautiful dance form.

Here is what will be presented in this workshop:

·      Cultural context and history: We’ll touch on the cultural context and history of belly dance, including its origins, evolution, and different styles.

·      Posture and alignment: Proper posture and alignment are crucial in belly dance. You'll learn how to engage your core, relax your shoulders, and maintain good posture.

·      Basic movements: You'll learn some basic belly dance movements such as hip drops, hip circles, body isolations, shimmy, snake arms, chest and shoulder isolations, and footwork patterns.

·      Rhythms and timing: We’ll focus on one particular rhythm being Maksum.

·      Choreography: You'll learn a choreography by incorporating the movements and combinations learnt in this workshop.

·      Expression and musicality: Belly dance is not just about the physical movements; it's also about expression, musicality, and connection with the music. You'll learn how to listen to the music and express yourself through movement.

This Intro to Belly Dance Workshop is a great way to get started with this beautiful and expressive dance form. You'll learn the basics, get a feel for the music and movement, and have fun while doing it!

No prior belly dance experience required.