Music, Motion, & Magic
Calgary's Best Bellydancers and Arabic Musicians Live in Concert
MELISSA GAMAL
live in Calgary
August 21 - 23, 2026
Join us for a special weekend with beloved performer and instructor Melissa Gamal! Full event details are available on the event page, and sign up under workshop registration. Gala tickets on sale soon... watch this space or follow us on instagram @samar_experience_yyc
The Vision
An Improvised Raqs Sharqi Experience
SAMAR is a Calgary-based artistic initiative dedicated to fostering an appreciation of and support for MENAHT (Middle East, North Africa, Hellenic, and Turkey) art and artists in Calgary, and in particular, the visibility of raqs sharqi (bellydance) in collaboration with live musicians. We create unique events that pair Calgary’s top Arabic musicians with professional Egyptian-style bellydancers improvising in real time. We aim to cultivate an interest in the beautiful culture of the MENAT regions for those who don’t know much about it, pair live music with live dance, and bring more of it to Calgarians to enjoy.
At each show, a live Arabic ensemble—often including tabla, oud, qanun, piano, violin, and vocals—plays in real-time conversation with dancers whose names are drawn from a hat just moments before they step onstage. Together, they make improvised art before your eyes: mesmerising performances that honour the traditional roots of raqs sharqi.
Our aim is simple: to sweep you off your feet with the beauty, dynamism, and grace of this dance form, and to build a home in Calgary where MENAHT arts are seen, heard, and celebrated.
"What is life,
but a night like tonight?"
ألف ليلة وليلة
from Alf lelah w lelah
Get to Know Us
Our Events
SAMAR Offers Three Types of Events
The Gala Show features a full ensemble of musicians and a generous line-up of professional Raqs Sharqi dancers improvising to the classics. Guests are encouraged to "dress to impress" for this more formal event.
The Lounge Series offers a more intimate, iteractive experience with a smaller band, fewer dancers, and audience interaction (think: Cairo nightclub vibes). Our goal is to rotate through Egyptian-style dancers, availability permitting, to offer variety.
Samar Presents... focuses on sharing knowledge and learning. Samar organizers host instructional workshops with dancers and/or musicians with an educational and skill-building focus. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
Sponsors
The SAMAR organizers are very grateful for the generous support of our sponsors. Please consider supporting THEM in the near future!
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Mission Statement
Hala Jamal, Moselle, and Nico (L to R in the image) are three independent professional raqs sharqi (bellydance) performers who have joined forces to create the SAMAR organization. The mission of SAMAR is to foster an appreciation of and support for Arab arts and Arab artists in Calgary, and in particular, the visibility of raqs sharqi and collaboration with live musicians. They aim to cultivate an interest in the beautiful culture of the Middle East for those who don’t know much about it, pair live music with live dance, and bring more of it to Calgarians to enjoy.
