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Adelaide Middle Eastern Dance Festival

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Adelaide Middle Eastern Dance Festival

An annual festival in Adelaide celebrating Middle Eastern dance and music.

30/05/2026

✨WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHT ✨

Pulse of the East: Darbuka Rhythms Unveiled with Morgan (2 hours)

Step into the rich world of Middle Eastern rhythms — their roots, textures, and evolving forms — with Morgan on the darbuka. A familiar and deeply respected presence within Adelaide’s music landscape, Morgan’s artistry spans far beyond a single instrument, bringing a rare musical sensitivity and depth to every beat.

Together, we’ll unravel foundational rhythms before weaving them into expressive combinations, allowing you to not just play, but truly feel the music.

Darbukas will be available to borrow for those who don’t have their own, so all are welcome to take part in the journey.

Level: Open
Saturday 18 July at 2:15pm
162 Gilbert Street, Adelaide (Belly Dance Elysium/Istanbul Lounge)

To book:

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

A bit about Morgan ✨

Morgan Taubert, also known as Zebulon, is a musician, storyteller, and educator based in Adelaide, South Australia.

His work blends Middle Eastern, Eastern European, and folk influences using instruments like frame drums, flutes, harmonica, and vocals. Known for fusing music with poetry and narrative, he has released several albums including On the Edge of Your Light and Music of an Invisible Enclave.

Morgan is also active in Adelaide’s arts scene, teaching drumming classes and collaborating with different groups. Beyond music, he engages in storytelling, writes creatively, and participates in cultural festivals and events.

29/05/2026

✨WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHT ✨

Choreograph with Confidence with Emily (2 hours)

Creating your own choreography doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. In this workshop we break the process of choreographing your own dance into 5 simple, achievable steps to help you move from vision to finished dance! Perfect for dancers of all levels who are ready to step into their own creativity and bring their own unique vision to life.

Level: Open
Saturday 18 July at 9am
162 Gilbert Street, Adelaide (Belly Dance Elysium/Istanbul Lounge)

To book:

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

A bit about Emily ✨

Emily discovered oriental dance at just 16 years old and has devoted herself to the artform ever since. Based in Perth, she began training with Jamila in Rockingham before continuing her studies with her longtime mentor Eva from 2008 onwards.

Over the years, Emily has studied with renowned artists including Tamalyn Dallal, Jillina, Özgen, Nour, Esmerelda, Liza Laziza, Jim Boz, Karim, Vanessa of Cairo, Kaeshi Chai, Kaouther Ben Amor, Yasmin of Cairo, Leyla Jouvana & Roland, Melissa Gamal, Shahrzad, and Azad Kaan.

Known for her artistry, elegance, musicality, and polished technique, Emily has become a much-loved professional performer in Perth and beyond. She performed at the inaugural Adelaide Middle Eastern Dance Festival in 2024 and returned to Adelaide in 2025 for One Night in Istanbul as part of the Adelaide Fringe, performing alongside the Zarina Sisters and Azad Kaan.

26/05/2026

✨ 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.

25/05/2026

✨WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHT ✨

Ala Bali with Lilly (2 hours)

Learn a playful and expressive choreography in Lilly’s signature style, set to Ala Bali by the iconic Palestinian artist Elyanna. This workshop will explore musicality, fluid transitions, and dynamic accents, bringing out all the different elements of the song.

Level: Open
Saturday 18 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 Lilly

With a lifetime steeped in dance, Lilly weaves influences from many styles to evoke a style of belly dance that feels ancient and otherworldly.

As a teacher, Lilly is known for her playful and welcoming classes, which balance technical detail with an emphasis on enjoyment. She works across all levels and is particularly passionate about helping women love their bodies and find pleasure in movement.

23/05/2026

✨ Tickets are now available! ✨

Join us for Alwan al-Sharq (Colours of the East) — an unforgettable evening celebrating the beauty, power and artistry of oriental dance.

Featuring the electrifying Emily from Perth together with performers from Adelaide and around Australia, this year’s show promises stunning performances, vibrant energy and magical moments throughout the night.

We can’t wait to share this special evening with you.

🎟 Tickets:

https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1590752

14/05/2026

Here’s our 2026 festival workshop schedule ✨
Detailed descriptions for each workshop will be released soon.

To book your place, please refer to the booking form below:

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

13/05/2026

✨ WORKSHOPS ✨

We’re so excited to present the 6 incredible workshops being offered by our amazing festival teachers this year! 🌟

With only 12 spots available per workshop, spaces are extremely limited. Bookings open from 14 May and will remain available until all places are filled ✨

30/04/2026

We are absolutely thrilled to unveil our guest artist for the 2026 Adelaide Middle Eastern Dance Festival — the radiant, the captivating, the truly divine… Emily! ✨

Emily will be joining us to teach three exclusive master workshops, sharing her artistry, technique, and magic — and will also be gracing the stage with a performance not to be missed.

Stay tuned… more exciting details are coming soon! 💫

21/04/2026

Save the date! ✨

Another star-studded show and a series of enriching workshops are on their way as part of this year’s Adelaide MEDFEST.

More details coming soon…

17/12/2025

Performer: Dively ✨
Video: Serkan Kırbacı

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