- Dancing Turtle Folk Arts by Chelydra - Home Page
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Home
 
Classes & Upcoming Events
 
Beachfront Belly Dance Frolic
 
Folk Dances of North Africa & the Middle East
 
Belly Dance
 
Articles on the dance by Chelydra
 
Chelydra Home Page
 
Music & Costuming

 
Other Dance Resources
Shira
 

 
 
Chelydra performing bandari.

Fun with Folklore: Introduction to Persian Bandari Folk Dance

The Bandari ("of the port") is a Persian folk dance that originated in southern Iran on the Persian Gulf. A lively and joyous social/chain dance performed by both men and women of all ages, it is distinguished by a waving/shimmying of the hands resembling the cooperation of a group of fishermen at sea.

The music is irresistible ... come ready to have a boatload of fun! A hip scarf or coin belt is recommended.

This introductory class will be taught from 1:00-3:30 PM on Saturday, February 28th at the Limelight 8 Performing Arts Studio in Newport News, VA.

 

Beachfront Belly Dance Frolic
Celebrating our third year of oceanfront fun!

Chelydra in an orange beledi dress with gold coins. BBDF logo of dancing turtle with tambourine
The Beachfront Belly Dance Frolic (BBDF) is a mini-workshop and maxi-dance party held in Nags Head, NC, on Columbus Day weekend. The next Frolic is on October 9-10, 2026.

 


  Photo of tree frog in the classic yoga lotus position.

Yoga for ANY Body!

Stretch ... strengthen ... relax ... with yoga class. Learn to listen to your body and adjust your poses to work for how you feel that day. Level-of-difficulty options are provided for most poses to allow you to customize your yoga experience, and to overcome physical limitations.

Yoga is appropriate for all ages, genders, and skill levels.


Day: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
Fee: TBD
 


  Photo of Chelydra flourishing a magnolia-print Romany skirt in a dramatic double figure-eight.

Fun With Folklore

If you would like to request a folkloric class, please contact Chelydra, and she will do her best to accommodate you. Chelydra LOVES to teach folklore!

For information on the folk dances of North Africa and the Middle East taught by Chelydra, click here.


 


  Photo Dancing Turtle Folk Arts in Nubian dress.


Dancing Turtle Folk Arts
Dancing Turtle Folk Arts of Fields Dance Studio presents traditional folk dances of North Africa and the Middle East with a fresh, fun, contemporary twist.


Photos © 2015 by Lasting Memories Photography.

  Photo for belly dance will display if available.


Middle Eastern Cabaret-Style Dance (Belly Dance)
Performance, instruction, and coaching in middle eastern dance.


Photo © 2005 by Donald Bridgers.

Photo for folk dances will display if available.


Folk dances of North Africa and the Middle East
Performance and instruction in folk dances of Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey, Persia, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia.


Photo by Robert Lee.
 

Classes & Upcoming Events Featuring
Dancing Turtle Folk Arts and Chelydra

Subject to Change
Date Event Contact
Tuesday Middle Eastern Dance Classes
6:30 - 7:25 PM Foundations of Middle Eastern Dance (Belly Dance)
7:30 - 8:25 PM Folk Dances of North Africa and the Middle East
Limelight 8 Performing Arts Studio
Newport News, VA 		Limelight 8 Performing Arts Studio
February 28, 2026 Introduction to Persian Bandari
1:00 - 3:30 PM
Limelight 8 Performing Arts Studio
Limelight 8 Performing Arts Studio
Questions? chelydra.dtfa(at)gmail(dot)com
October 9-10, 2026 Beachfront Belly Dance Frolic 2026
Nags Head, NC 		Questions? chelydra.dtfa(at)gmail(dot)com
Email comments or questions: chelydra.dtfa(at)gmail(dot)com   Site last updated 01/04/2026.
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