Upcoming events.
Fusion de Pátina: Virtual Workshop Day with Drake and Kamrah
Kamrah and I are teaming up for a one-day virtual workshop event, bringing to you some patinated fusion belly dance, from the late 20th century REN FAIRE to the early 00s GOTHIC FUSION!
Sign up for either workshop, or save 10% when buying both!
Raqs Gothique
12p – 1:30p CT (90 minutes)
Imagine this - it’s 2008, everyone is smoking cloves and the DJ is blasting Sisters of Mercy, The Cure, Clan of Xymox, Joy Division…and you’re ready to dance in your brand new corset belt. We’re taking it back to the height of the Gothic belly dance craze with some delightfully dark combos to the best music, old and new.
Renaissance Revival
2p – 3:30p CT (90 minutes)
Hear ye, hear ye! Dancing at the renaissance faire is one of the oldest traditions in American belly dance history. This environment is unlike any other, which produced its own unique stylization. Explore the campy, joyous, full-bodied intentionality of this dynamic style.
Workshops in Cleveland, OH: The Hive
The Hive
Muscle Micromanagement: Layering Praxis
June 28, 11:30a – 1:30p
This class will help students refine their mind-body awareness to create complex, complimentary layered movements. We will explore muscle cueing and resistance-assisted techniques, so resistance bands or something comparable are recommended.
Something Old, Something New
June 28, 2p – 4p
It’s a throwback! Delve into the world of old school West Coast fusion with influences from Jamila Salimpour, Bal Anat, John Compton, Hahbi’Ru, and more. This workshop is perfectly suited for anyone wanting to reconnect with their fusion heritage, or for those seeking out some vintage nostalgia.
Echoes & Origins: Kentucky Workshops with Drake von Trapp
Echoes & Origins
Something Old, Something New
SATURDAY July 25, 12p-2p
It’s a throwback! Delve into the world of old school West Coast fusion with influences from Jamila Salimpour, Bal Anat, John Compton, Hahbi’Ru, and more. This workshop is perfectly suited for anyone wanting to reconnect with their fusion heritage, or for those seeking out some vintage nostalgia.
Killer Ziller: Multi-Tonal Finger Cymbal Method
SATURDAY July 25, 2:30-4:30p
“Multi-tonal technique” is a finger cymbal method that accompanies Middle Eastern music in a euphonious way that feels as good as it sounds. Explore a variety of common rhythms found in belly dance music and learn some clever combos to bring out their true spirit. It is recommended that dancers bring finger cymbals that are at least 2.5-3” in diameter.
Ephemera: Old School Choreography
SUNDAY July 26, 11a - 1p
If you’ve ever wistfully looked back Renaissance faire belly dance videos from the 90s and early 2000s and wished you could hop in a time machine and go join the circuit, look no farther! This choreography is modeled after legendary troupes such as Hahbi’Ru, Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble, Ottoman Traders, and Bal Anat.
SUNDAY EVENING — The Echoes Hafla!
Mary & Don Haas Blackbox Theatre,
8 N Fort Thomas Ave, Fort Thomas, KY 41075
6:00–9:00 PM
Art of The Belly 2026
Sagatcha! Multi-Tonal Finger Cymbal Method
FRIDAY March 27, 10:45a-12:45p
“Multi-tonal technique” is a finger cymbal method that accompanies Middle Eastern music in a euphonious way that feels as good as it sounds. Explore a variety of common rhythms found in belly dance music and learn some clever combos to bring out their true spirit. It is recommended that dancers bring finger cymbals that are at least 2” in diameter.
Old School, New School
FRIDAY March 27, 2:45-4:45p
It’s a throwback! Delve into the world of old school West Coast fusion with influences from Jamila Salimpour, Bal Anat, John Compton, Hahbi’Ru, and more. This workshop is perfectly suited for anyone wanting to reconnect with their fusion heritage, or for those seeking out some vintage nostalgia.
Fragile Like a Bomb
SUNDAY March 29, 9:30-11:30a
Dynamism and contrast are essential to creating visual texture in a performance. Using a variety of combinations, this workshop explores the juxtaposition of sinuous, grounded belly dance technique with explosive, high-impact movement qualities.
Migrations 2026
John Compton: History, Choreography, and Culture
SATURDAY Jan. 31, 9-11a
This hybrid class will start with an overview of the work of John Compton, a legendary figure in the history of belly dance. After our discussion, we will spend the rest of class learning combos with John’s signature stylization and exploring what made him unique.
Drake & Kamrah at Studio Datura!
Join us for a cozy weekend of fun and learning with Drake & Kamrah - it's gonna be a blast!
Winter may be in full swing, but Datura will get you fired up and ready to dance with Fusion Artists extraordinaire Drake von Trapp and Kamrah! Join us December 13th and 14th at Studio Datura for a very special workshop weekend.
SATURDAY 12/13 WORKSHOPS:
Old School/New School with Drake: 10a-12p
It’s a throwback! Delve into the world of old school West Coast fusion with influences from Jamila Salimpour, Bal Anat, John Compton, Hahbi’Ru, and more. This workshop is perfectly suited for anyone wanting to reconnect with their fusion heritage, or for those seeking out some vintage nostalgia.
Layering Challenge with Kamrah: 1p-3p
Challenging layers, foot patterns, super fast movements - learn Kamrah's signature approach to achieving the Hard Stuff fast - without hating yourself or your teacher - as well as his favorite drills, layers, and combos. Bring water. And a towel. And maybe an emotional support friend.
SUNDAY 12/14 WORKSHOPS:
Strange and Unusual with Kamrah: 10a-12p
Do the unexpected! Fuse unusual movements – twitches, creepy isolations and undulations, and screaming fast, explosive hits with belly dance. Learn the foundations of each of these movements and how to incorporate them into your dance. Class includes strength conditioning, an explanation of the theory behind the movements, drills, and a creepy combo.
Sagat-cha! with Drake: 1p-3p
“Multi-tonal technique” is a finger cymbal technique that accompanies Middle Eastern music in a euphonious way that feels as good as it sounds. It is recommended that dancers bring LARGE finger cymbals that are at least 2.25–3” in diameter.
Shimmy on the Colorado
Shimmy on the Colorado: October 10 – 12
Cave Goblin Fusion
Friday October 10, 10a - 2p
Known for his propensity for moving like a cave goblin who learned to belly dance, Drake teaches the fundamentals of his unique “cave goblin” grunge style of fusion. This class will explore counterintuitive movement pathways, creative floorwork, and body conditioning to unlock the goblin within. Knee pads optional.
Old School Flavor, New School Seasoning
Saturday October 11, 12:30p - 2:30p
It’s a throwback! Delve into the world of old school West Coast fusion with influences from Jamila Salimpour, Bal Anat, John Compton, Hahbi’Ru, and more. This workshop is perfectly suited for anyone wanting to reconnect with their fusion heritage, or for those seeking out some vintage nostalgia.
Bayou Belly Festivale
Bayou Belly Festival: July 18 – 20
Old School Flavor, New School Seasoning
Friday July 18, 1:00p - 2:45p
It’s a throwback! Delve into the world of old school West Coast fusion with influences from Jamila Salimpour, Bal Anat, John Compton, Hahbi’Ru, and more. This workshop is perfectly suited for anyone wanting to reconnect with their fusion heritage, or for those seeking out some vintage nostalgia.
Sagat-cha! Multi-Tonal Finger Cymbal Technique & Combos
Saturday July 20, 3p - 4:45p
“Multi-tonal technique” is a finger cymbal technique that accompanies Middle Eastern music in a euphonious way that feels as good as it sounds. It is recommended that dancers bring LARGE finger cymbals that are at least 2.5–3” in diameter.
Cave Goblin Fusion
Sunday July 20, 11a - 12:45p
Known for his propensity for moving like a cave goblin who learned to belly dance, Drake teaches the fundamentals of his unique “cave goblin” grunge style of fusion. This class will explore counterintuitive movement pathways, creative floorwork, and body conditioning to unlock the goblin within. Knee pads optional.
Be Tribal 2024
Take my workshops:
Friday 11/22
2p – 4p: “Cave Goblin Fusion”: Known for his propensity for moving like a cave goblin who learned to belly dance, Drake teaches the fundamentals of his unique “cave goblin” grunge style of fusion. This class will explore counterintuitive movement pathways, creative floorwork, and body conditioning to unlock the goblin within.
4p – 6p: “Sagat-cha! Multi-Tonal Finger Cymbal Technique and Fusion Combos”: “Multi-tonal technique” is a finger cymbal technique that accompanies Middle Eastern music in a euphonious way that feels as good as it sounds. It is recommended that dancers bring LARGE finger cymbals that are at least 2.5–3” in diameter.
Saturday 11/23
3 – 5p: “Muscle Micromanagement: Layering Praxis”: This class will help students refine their mind-body awareness to create complex, complimentary layered movements. We will explore muscle cueing and resistance-assisted techniques, so resistance bands or something comparable are recommended.
5 – 7p: “Stage Presence Clinic”: In this workshop, we explore how to reconcile with inner conflicts to be our most authentic and vulnerable onstage. Movement and intellectual exercises will be led to help identify sources of presence, develop a relationship with the audience, and practice self-forgiveness.
World of Orient: Hannover, Germany
World of Orient
May 3–5, Hanover, Germany
May 3, 11hr – 15hr: John Compton: History, Combos, and Culture
This hybrid class will start with an overview of the work of John Compton, a legendary figure in the history of belly dance. After our discussion, we will spend the rest of class learning combos with John’s signature stylization and exploring what made him unique.
May 4, 10hr – 12hr: Serpentine Fury
Dynamism and contrast are essential to creating visual texture in a performance. Using a variety of combinations, this workshop explores the juxtaposition of sinuous, grounded belly dance technique with explosive, high-impact movement qualities.
May 5, 10hr – 12hr: Muscle Micromanagement - Layering & Isolation
This class will help students refine their mind-body awareness to create complex, complimentary layered movements. We will explore muscle cueing and resistance-assisted techniques, so resistance bands or something comparable are recommended.
Migrations 2024
Men and Masculinity in American Belly Dance
In this lecture, we will explore excavated histories of men in belly dance in the United States using a transfeminist theoretical framework. We will discuss topics such as male dancer privilege, gender politics, heterosexism, and femmephobia