Set Dancing and Dabke Workshop

This workshop will bring together dancing traditions from Palestine and Ireland. 

Dabke is not just a dance, but a deep-rooted Palestinian folk art that embodies joy, belonging, and has become a symbol of resilience and resistance for the Palestinian people. This workshop will be hosted by Mustafa Alsaidi, originally from Gaza, who founded Belfast Dabke to carry on the tradition of his people and family to his new home in Belfast. 

Louise O Connor is a dancer and fiddle player from County Clare who runs the Lasta Céilí project in Dublin. The word ‘Lasta’ means ‘alight’ or ‘aglow’ and sums up Louise's passion for keeping the flame of Irish music and dance traditions alive, while building connections between people of different ages, backgrounds and abilities.

This workshop will include a set dancing lesson, a dabke lesson, and then culminate in bringing the two traditions together. It is open to all levels and will be delivered in a lively and communal learning atmosphere.