2025 Space Coast Raks Schedule and Workshop Descriptions

Our 2025 Space Coast Raks event features the international superstar Vanessa of Cairo and Local Guest Instructor Bianca Namaste.

Our Instructors Vanessa and Bianca

All Workshops Held at Beachside Dance Club, Melbourne FL

Saturday, May 10th

10am - 11am: Belly Yoga with Bianca - $20 (Register) - (Please bring a yoga mat if you own one) Yoga and belly dance walk hand in hand. Belly dance Yoga or Belly Yoga combines specific yoga stretches that compliment belly dance moves and muscles. Belly Yoga not only stretches the dancer out by utilizes stretches and flow combinations to loosen up hips, shoulders, chest, and feet. This class is intuitive as it morphs to the students needs. Welcome to the sacral flow of Belly Yoga.

11am - 1pm: Star Dynamics! (Technique, Turns & Combos) with Vanessa of Cairo - $65 (Register) - Vanessa will give you the tools you need to be the Star you are! This class will focus on technique which is essential for any performance. Vanessa will guide you through expanding our movement vocabulary, adding variations to the steps we already know and love, and finding a way to incorporate dynamic combinations flawlessly into our dancing. Students and professionals alike will find it valuable to their continued growth and development as a polished dancer. With Vanessa's extensive background in ballet and other classic dance genres, she will give you the elements you need to take your dancing to the next level—no matter what style you choose! This class is open to all levels—from beginner to pro!

1pm - 2pm: Break

2pm - 4pm: Tabla Time! (Drum Solo) with Vanessa of Cairo - $65 (Register) - One of Vanessa’s favorite parts of her show in Egypt (2008-2020) was her tabla solo. She would improvise all her tabla (drum) solos, but in order to do that, she needed to have the pieces in place to set her up for success. Now, Vanessa will share her experience and insights with you, so you can feel confident improvising a Tabla Solo, creating a choreography, or anything in between!  This class will offer a rich variety of steps, concepts and combinations--all to revitalize your take on any drum solo.  Vanessa will give new and fun ideas for accents, angles & attitude! Focusing on hips, chest, abdominal accents, shoulder, head, leg and arm vocabulary and placement--your possibilities will be endless. Soon, “Tabla Time” will be your favorite time too! Yalla! This class is open to all levels—from beginner to pro!

7pm: Star Spectacular Show at Flames Medditerranesan Grille (email us for info)

**Red underline options included in the Universe Package

Sunday, May 11th

10am - 11am: Belly Yoga with Bianca - $20 (Register)- (Please bring a yoga mat if you own one) Yoga and bellydance walk hand in hand. Bellydance Yoga or Belly Yoga combines specific yoga stretches that compliment belly dance moves and muscles. Belly Yoga not only stretches the dancer out by utilizes stretches and flow combinations to loosen up hips, shoulders, chest, and feet. This class is intuitive as it morphs to the students needs. Welcome to the sacral flow of Belly Yoga

11am - 1pm: Golden Era Elegance with Vanessa of Cairo - $65 (Register) - One of Vanessa’s favorite topics— this beautiful and elegant style is perfect for any level, and the feminine feeling and expression is extremely important to utilize to create variety in your performances. Did you ever want to try the Golden Era style, but didn’t know where to start, or which steps to use or avoid? Are you a seasoned professional who strives  to incorporate more variety and artistry into your repertoire? Vanessa will guide you thru the vocabulary, style, nuance, musicality and technique.  She will teach Golden Era style combinations and phrases which can be combined to create a beautiful choreography, while you can still use your own personal touches to achieve a unique and memorable presentation. This class is open to all levels—from beginner to pro!

1pm - 2pm: Break

2pm - 4pm: Baladi Babe with Vanessa of Cairo - $65 (Register) - Raqs Baladi is based upon improvisation to the music as it builds, shifts, and changes. It is used inside many compositions— from entrance pieces, pop songs, and straight up Baladi progressions. It is essential for every dancer to be able to navigate thru a baladi song or section. Vanessa will break down the music cues and phrases, which will help you when listening to any Baladi song—so you can feel confident in any environment—a live music opportunity, or pre-recorded selection. She will give you vocabulary and combination ideas, and guide you through a variety of different songs. We will then use the techniques we have reviewed to do structured and also full improvisation to a variety of baladi music--giving you all the tools you need to create your own Baladi Improvisation, choreo, or hybrid mix anytime!!! Lastly, Vanessa will give you tips for dancing Baladi with live music. Be a “Baladi Babe” all the way! This class is open to all levels—from beginner to pro!

5:30pm: Mother’s Day Drum Circle on the Beach - FREE (Pelican Beach Park) - Dancers and drummers, it’s time to unite! Let’s celebrate our mothers and Mother Earth with the power of music and dance. Join us for a gathering filled with rhythm, movement, and connection. Come be part of the energy—let’s move, let’s drum, let’s celebrate!

**Red underline options included in the Universe Package