Features
Long-form profiles and career retrospectives, the development of national and city scenes, festival histories, cultural analysis and thematic series.
Features · 3 October 2026
Maqam for Dancers: How to Hear the Melody Without Turning Music Into a Scale Test
You do not need perfect pitch or a conservatory education to become more responsive to Arabic melody. Start by hearing phrases, returns, tension and release - then let maqam deepen your dancing instead of turning it into an exam.
By Raqs Atlas team
Features · 2 October 2026
Who Keeps the Dance? Why Raqs Sharqi Needs Archives, Oral Histories and Living Memory
A dance can survive without a written score, but its history becomes fragile when films disappear, photographs lose their names and dancers’ memories go unrecorded. Here is why preserving raqs sharqi requires both archives and living voices.
By Raqs Atlas team
Features · 1 October 2026
The Belly Dancer’s Costume Emergency Kit: 7 Things Worth Packing Before Every Show
A loose hook, fallen crystal or split seam should not become the most memorable part of your performance. Here is a practical backstage repair kit for belly dancers - including affordable tools that can travel with you.
By Raqs Atlas team
Features · 26 September 2026
Sagat: When the Dancer Becomes Part of the Music
Sagat are more than sparkling accessories. These small brass cymbals can turn a dancer into an active member of the rhythm section. Here is what their history, sound and technique can teach us about musicality.
By Raqs Atlas team
Features · 25 September 2026
The Belly Dancer’s Travel Packing Kit: 5 Smart Organizers for Costumes, Jewelry and Shoes
Rhinestones, fringe, jewelry, shoes, makeup and last-minute repairs make a dancer’s suitcase very different from ordinary holiday luggage. These five affordable organizers can help keep performance gear separated, visible and easier to protect on the road.
By Raqs Atlas team
Features · 23 September 2026
How to Dance With a Live Arabic Orchestra: A Dancer’s Guide to Listening, Improvising and Connecting
Dancing with live Arabic music is less about memorizing every note and more about learning to listen, respond and leave room for the musicians. This practical guide explains the ensemble, the musical cues that matter most and how to prepare for your first live-band performance.
By Raqs Atlas team
Features · 20 September 2026
How to Hear an Arabic Takht: A Dancer’s Guide to Oud, Qanun, Nay, Violin and Riqq
A dancer does not need to become a musicologist to dance more musically. Learning to recognize the voices inside an Arabic takht can transform the way you hear phrasing, texture, emotion and rhythm - and make your movement feel much more connected to the music.
By Raqs Atlas team