Belly Dance Elysium

✨ The Adelaide Middle Eastern Dance Festival returns from 17–19 July for another big and exciting year! ✨

Now in its third year, the festival continues to grow into one of Australia’s most vibrant celebrations of oriental dance, culture, music, and connection — and we could not be more excited to welcome the sensational Emily from Perth as this year’s guest artist and teacher. A true powerhouse performer, Emily will be bringing her incredible energy, artistry, and stage presence to Adelaide for an unforgettable festival weekend.

Across three huge days, dancers will have the opportunity to learn from some of Australia’s most loved artists, with SIX inspiring workshops to choose from — including three workshops with Emily, alongside workshops by Lilly Sim, Morgan, and Adalia and Gül from Belly Dance Elysium. From dynamic technique and musicality to powerful choreography and expressive movement, there is something for every dancer to immerse themselves in.

And of course, the weekend culminates in our spectacular Gala Show at Nexus Arts — a dazzling evening featuring incredible performers from Adelaide and across Australia. Expect breathtaking costumes, electrifying music, beautiful artistry, and a celebration of oriental dance in all its richness and diversity.

Whether you are a dancer, dance lover, or simply curious to experience the magic of Middle Eastern dance and culture, this is a weekend not to be missed.

✨ Workshop information and gala show ticket link can be found via the link in bio ✨

Follow:

So excited to be a part of this great event again! (Well we are organising it 😂) ❤️

✨ WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHT ✨

Misirlou with Adalia & Gül (2 hours)

Learn the spectacular choreography to the legendary Middle Eastern favourite Misirlou — as performed by Adalia & Gül at this year’s Adelaide Middle Eastern Dance Festival Gala Show, and a true crowd favourite from the 2026 Adelaide Fringe Festival earlier this year.

In this workshop, Adalia & Gül will teach Adalia’s dynamic fan veil choreography to the iconic Dick Dale version — filled with drama, flair, sweeping lines, and expressive movement.

Fan veils are recommended, but you are absolutely welcome to attend without them. The choreography can be performed as either a solo or duet.

Open level
Sunday 19 July at 11:15am
162 Gilbert Street, Adelaide (Belly Dance Elysium / Istanbul Lounge)

To book:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lr6GK9WF7JxnzhL9CcmR90P4Tgzgj2sW/view?usp=drivesdk

✨ A bit about Adalia

With more than 25 years of teaching experience, Adalia is one of Adelaide’s most respected oriental dance teachers. Through decades of teaching and directing her own school, Eastern Skies School of Dance, she has played an important role in nurturing the local dance community.

Known for dancing with deep feeling and intuition, Adalia believes the heart of oriental dance lies in emotion and connection. She has a particular passion for choreography and lively, upbeat music that brings energy and joy to the stage. Today, she teaches and performs alongside Gül at Belly Dance Elysium.

✨ A bit about Gül

Deeply influenced by her Turkish heritage and lifelong love of Middle Eastern music and dance, Gül brings emotion, storytelling, and cultural connection to her oriental dance style. Inspired by legendary performers such as Azza Sherif and Nagwa Fouad, her dance blends tradition with authenticity and feeling.

As a teacher and performer, Gül is known for creating warm, community-focused spaces where students can connect with both the joy and depth of the dance. She is the director of Belly Dance Elysium and founder of the Adelaide Middle Eastern Dance Festival, regularly performing at cultural events and festivals across Adelaide alongside her partner in crime, Adalia.

East Meets West was our Adelaide Fringe show this year — where Western music fused with Eastern sounds to create a delicious mélange of cultures colliding. ✨

We had two sold-out shows at Istanbul Lounge and truly cannot thank you all enough for your incredible support.

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing performers — Nicole, Julie, Kaliopi, Kirralee and Kathy. To our fabulous oud player from the first show, Kostas Barlas, and the sensational band The Silhouettes from our second show. And to our wonderful MCs, Vanessa and Janette.

Here are some beautiful moments captured by our dear friend Kyp, along with a few screenshots by Şükrü — and some snaps we managed to take ourselves amongst the chaos.

Thank you to everyone who came along and shared this experience with us — we’re so grateful ❤️

Beginner to advanced belly dance classes in the heart of Adelaide ✨ DM to book.

Goodbye Term 1, 2026! Hello Term 2 ✨
Join us by sending a DM to get started. The new term starts April 27!

Here are some beautiful moments we captured 🙂
A huge thank you to our students for all their hard work and dedication throughout the term.

A special thank you to Jill Collins and co. for travelling all the way from Port Pirie yet again 🩷

Photos from the City of Salisbury Harmony Week event on March 20.

A big thank you to Kirralee, Kaliopi, and Kathy for their beautiful Turkish oriental dance performances, proudly representing Belly Dance Elysium and the Turkish community in Adelaide 🇹🇷

Thank you as well to the Salisbury Council for inviting us again — we always love being part of this wonderful event.

Everyone’s suddenly into these AI caricatures — we weren’t going to do it, but our friend made these for us, so we’ll jump on the bandwagon too.

Introducing the caricature versions of Laura and me: belly dancing Künefe Queens and unapologetic crazy cat ladies 🐾

Thanks, Brett! 😀

Beginner to advanced belly dance classes in the heart of Adelaide.

Thank you to everyone who came and danced with us this year. Beyond our regular classes together, we were thrilled to welcome the incredible Azad Kaan from Türkiye for the second time—joining us for Adelaide Fringe and a series of inspiring master workshops ✨ We also proudly organised the Adelaide Middle Eastern Dance Festival, featuring special guest artist Rose from Perth.

Wishing you all the very best. We can’t wait to be back on the dance floor with you in 2026! DM to book into classes before Term 1 starts in January! ❤️

Some colourful snaps from our troupe performance at the recent Multicultural Festival! ✨ A huge thank you to .r.framed for capturing these beautiful moments.