Rhythm & Roots
A belly dance intensive for Queer and BIPOC belly dancers interested in history and cultural stewardship.Program Description
Rhythm & Roots is a free, multi-day belly dance intensive designed to reclaim and reframe this ancient art form as a space of belonging, healing, and cultural exploration. Grounded in the principles of decolonization, the program centers BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ dancers whose identities are often underrepresented or misrepresented in mainstream belly dance culture and seek a more inclusive, historically informed dance practice. Rhythm & Roots exists to challenge the limited and outdated portrayals of belly dance in popular media. By creating intentional space for diverse artists, the program affirms that belly dance is a living tradition rooted in community, storytelling, and embodied resistance.Program Highlights
Learn various styles of belly dance: Virtual classes led by teachers from diverse belly dance traditions and styles, each sharing their unique practice and personal relationship with the art form.Dive into the belly dance history: Educational sessions exploring the origins, cultural significance, and evolution of belly dance across communities and geographies.Embellish your practice: Every participant receives a handcrafted hip scarf, a tangible symbol of their belonging in this program.
Eligibility Requirements
Rhythm & Roots prioritizes access for BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ dancers at all levels of experience from complete beginners to seasoned movers.Allies are welcome to attend; the program simply asks that the centering of these communities be honored and respected.Be based in Knoxville, TN to attend in-person intensive. The program is not open to virtual attendees.Ability to attend in-person intensive every Thursday in June 2026 from 6pm-8pm (starting June 4, 2026).
Application Deadlines
Applications open on April 1, 2026 at 12:00pm EST.Applications close on April 30, 2026 at 12:00pm EST.Applicants will be notified by email within four weeks of the program start date.Intensive will take place on Thursdays from 6pm - 8pm in June 2026.We are prioritize BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ dancers during the application review. Space is intentionally limited and can expand based on demand. We welcome allies to apply for the intensive. Ally applications will be reviewed after we prioritize the community we are here to serve.
Funding & Accessibility
Rhythm & Roots is made free to participants through the generous support of the Waymakers Collective Liberation Grant. This funding reflects a shared commitment to cultural equity and ensures that financial barriers do not prevent anyone from accessing transformative arts programming.Rhythm & Roots is more than a dance intensive.
It is a commitment to cultural appreciation, informed learning, and creating space where everyone is welcome to explore this art form with curiosity and respect. We invite teachers, attendees, and sponsors to be part of building a belly dance community that sees, celebrates, and makes room for everyone.Applications close on April 30, 2026 at 12:00pm EST.