New Classes for February 2026

January 6, 2026


Cost; $60 for four weekly classes.
Dates; Feb 18 & 25, March 4 & 11
Times; 6PM to 7PM


Please register before February 14th, drop-in cost $20 per class (if space is available). Classes are open to both beginners and dancers who have some experience.  Focus will be on drills and combinations.  Wear comfortable clothing, and be prepared to have fun.  Once you contact us by text 413-259-7504, registration information will be provided.
Thank you!

Posted by Whitney Irwin.

 

New Wednesday Night Classes for 2026!

January 6, 2026
Happy to announce Wednesday classes at 6pm in downtown Greenfield MA. Beginning this winter for year 2026.
Space is limited, so sign up once details are posted (they will be soon).  
Continue reading...

Posted by Whitney Irwin.

 

Mixed Belly Dance Project December 2016

December 11, 2016
Oh how I wish I took pictures from today's event!  3 of us shared the space to teach a great group of students, and then perform.  We loved the venue and the great energy of everyone in the room!  We need to remember always, to stand for one another, and give each other the space to truly express.  We accomplished this today.  I do have a small little photo or two to share...




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Posted by Whitney Irwin. Posted In : Events and Shows 

 

Cairo Cabaret Show December 2016

December 7, 2016
I had a spectacular time watching the performances at Cairo Cabaret, and seeing so many artists Ive not seen in years.  Here are a few photos from my performance.  
I wish I had photo's of all the dancers, they were not only talented, but had great energy! The featured performer was Aurel, and we absolutely loved her performance! Cairo Cabaret Show is a great local venue, and I look forward to their show in March :)

Performances were by:

Troupe Sabaya
Mathura
Shamsa
Jessica
Attar
Rosheema
Kristen
Royah...
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Posted by Whitney Irwin. Posted In : Events and Shows 

 

Belly Dance in December 2016!

December 3, 2016
The first 2 weekends of December we've 2 belly dance events in western MA.
Sunday December 4th, Ill be performing with many other artists at Cairo Cabaret in Chicopee MA.
Saturday December 10th, The Mixed Belly Dance Project is offering free classes to the public at the Guiding Star Grange in Greenfield MA.

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Posted by Whitney Irwin. Posted In : Events and Shows 

 

Class Note Book

November 5, 2016
Our Class Note Book is available for purchase!  Break down of 2 choreographies and movements.  Photo on the cover is of Attar, by Alicia Blaze                        
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Posted by Whitney Irwin.

 

Mixed Belly Dance Project

November 2, 2016
December 10th 2016, Saturday at 1pm, 3 teachers present a free class with suggested $7 donation.
http://mixedbellydanceproject.yolasite.com/Mixed-Belly-Dance-Events.php


Continue reading...

Posted by Whitney Irwin. Posted In : Events and Shows 

 

Classes begin October 26th 2016

October 15, 2016
Our pre-holiday belly dance classes begin October 26th and run for 4 weeks.   Our class location is at Shutesbury Elementary School at 23 West Pelham Road, Shutesbury MA. Close to Amherst, free parking.  More information at www.attarbellydance.yolasite.com.  

Note from Whitney.... To clarify my styles:. I don't consider myself Oriental (though it's often a loose term for many styles of belly dance), my training is in ATS, Cabaret, Raks Sharki, and Shaabi styles. I have performed ATS with O...
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Posted by Whitney Irwin. Posted In : Events and Shows 

 

Belly Dance Classes September 2016 at Shutesbury Elementary School, Shutesbury MA.

September 22, 2016
Our Wednesday night belly dance classes begin on September 28th in Shutesbury MA.  Our location is 15 minutes from Amherst, Pelham, and Leverett.  20 minutes from Belchertown, Montague, and Deerfield.  Students who register by paying a small deposit with paypal, get a discount.  Drop in rate is $15 per class.  Prepay for the 4 classes for $40, and save $20.  
We have a fun lesson plan, with lots of shimmies, fun combinations, and I will bring extra zills/finger cymbals to share and practice wi...
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Posted by Whitney Irwin. Posted In : Students and Troupes 

 

Cairo Cabaret Venue in Chicopee MA

September 20, 2016
After a 2-ish year hiatus, Cairo Cabaret welcomed me to dance, and I could not be more grateful for such a supportive venue in our dance community.  I will be there again on December 4 2016, to dance a little longer.  Pictured here I am performing to Alf Leyla (I love this song as it reminds me of one of my mentors).  This photo is by Peter Polomski who is one of the many old friends of our arts community I missed!  To see more of his photos from this show, his album is on facebook

have ...
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Posted by Whitney Irwin. Posted In : Events and Shows 

 

Crescent Dancers in Shutesbury MA 9/17/2016

September 17, 2016



Our little town of Shutesbury MA is very close to Amherst where the children here attend the regional school systems there. We are lucky to be part of a supportive community to belly dance in this hill town. I was happy to take these photos of these two Crescent Dancers today! I remember back in CT, 1998; my first teacher Kali would keep insisting that I see them perform. Since then I relocated to this area of western MA in 2000, and have seen them perform many times, and their energy is ...
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Posted by Whitney Irwin. Posted In : Events and Shows 

 

June 11 2015

June 7, 2015
www.hitchcockacademy.org
New classes begin June 11 2015 and we are covering new material and review of old.  Part of the process of building a 3 part routine.  New students will be able to see where the pieces fall, context as well as simplified instruction on movements and transitions.  This is a great time to join in!
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Posted by Whitney Irwin.

 

Who We Are in Leverett MA! Belly Dance and Attar Mellea mentioned

September 6, 2013

Visit http://www.leveretthistorical.org/who13/attar.html to see Artist of Leverett MA (including Attar Mellea)

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Posted by Whitney Suter. Posted In : Press 

 

New photos from Krakowski Photography

June 27, 2013



Our classes in Brimfield and Leverett MA were visited by photography students from Hallmark Institute of Photography in June 2013.  Here are some beautiful candid photos from https://www.facebook.com/krakowskiphotography





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Posted by Whitney Suter. Posted In : Students and Troupes 

 

Two Short Articles Id like to share!

May 16, 2013
Something that caught my eye(s),  enjoy!

An Ear-splitting Cry: Gender, Performance, and Representations of Zaghareet in the U.S.
http://soundstudiesblog.com/2013/05/13/zaghareet/

Kim Kardashian Eye Makeup
http://www.preen.me/look/116062
Continue reading...

Posted by Whitney Suter.

 

Our Student Showcase- Oriental Caravan, May 11, 2013

May 15, 2013



Thankyou to our co-producers Za-Beth, Zabel, Ankara Rose, Anabee and Attar!  Our teachers Destiny Maktoub, Maroznia, Zoe, Anabee, Zabel, Ankara Rose, Attar!  Our venue the Hitchcock Academy, our sound technician Aric Kimball of AricAudio and our workshop teachers Jemileh Nour, Zabel and Za-Beth!   We had a spectacular event with over 100 attending and beautiful showcase <3

Oriental Caravan is just about to celebrate the 10 year anniversary and our May 11th show was a HUGE success at Hitchcock ...
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Posted by Whitney Suter. Posted In : Events and Shows 

 

Radio Interview by Dick Vaughn on WESO Radio, February 15th 2013

January 23, 2013
At 8 am, Friday, February 15th 2013.... listen to WESO radio to hear Attar being interviewed by Dick Vaughn about her 15 year long career as a belly dancers, and belly dance classes at Hitchcock Free Academy of Brimfield MA.
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Posted by Whitney Suter. Posted In : Press 

 

2013 January - Back On Line!

January 20, 2013
Ancient Art of Belly Dance is BACK ON LINE!   Classes are being browse around, for class listings and events in western MA.  www.ancientartofbellydance.com.  Check out the recent article from January 2013.  Shimmies!


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Posted by Whitney Suter. Posted In : Press 

 

Wooo Hoooo! 1st Fridays!

October 18, 2010
First Fridays Belly Dance in Amherst
Every first Friday at Amherst Yoga Center
715 pm  Take a class taught by Attar and Kristy Speck
then stay to see performances by area dancers.
Cost: $10
Reserve your space for this evening as space is limited by calling 413-325-3967
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Posted by Whitney Suter.

 

Photo of Attar by Alicia Hunsicker - Summer 2010

September 1, 2010


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Posted by Whitney Suter.

 
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492 Pleasant Street, Northampton, MA 01060, US | 413-259-7504