A New York Weekend with Oscar Flores
There’s a particular pleasure in building a weekend around dance: spending an afternoon learning, meeting people who understand why you’re excited about a piece of music, and then seeing the artist who taught you take the stage.
Add New York to that equation, and you have a very good reason to leave the house.
On November 7–8, 2026, Raqs in the City welcomes Oscar Flores for two belly dance workshops at Ripley-Grier Studios and a Sunday-evening show at Secret Room. Come to develop your dancing, bring a friend for the performance, or make the whole weekend your excuse for a Manhattan visit.
Meet Oscar Flores
Originally from Comodoro Rivadavia in Argentina’s Patagonia region, Oscar began his performing-arts career in 1995. His background includes youth theater, choreography, and theatrical production—experience that helps explain why expression and storytelling feature so prominently in his work.
He later moved to Buenos Aires, where he studied with teachers including Amir Thaleb. His career has since crossed international stages and classrooms, bringing together Oriental dance, theater, and artistic direction.
Today, he directs Orientalisimo Academy and Orientalisimo Weekend. His artistic approach centers on musical interpretation: developing the relationship between movement, emotion, and what a dancer communicates to an audience.
That is a compelling reason to spend time in the studio with him. Learning movement is one part of developing as a dancer. Giving that movement intention—and making someone feel something when they watch—is another.
Saturday: Veil Romance
The weekend begins with Veil Romance, on Saturday, November 7, from 1–3 PM.
For dancers drawn to flowing movement and the visual possibilities of a veil, this workshop offers a chance to explore that interest with an artist whose background includes theatrical storytelling.
There’s something wonderfully demanding about dancing with fabric. It makes movement visible beyond the body and asks you to pay attention to how you move through space. For anyone who loves that combination of technique and drama, this is an afternoon to put on the calendar.
Come curious. You don’t need to arrive with everything figured out.
Sunday: Modern Baladi
On Sunday, November 8, from 12:30–2:30 PM, the focus shifts to Modern Baladi.
This is a chance to encounter another side of Oscar’s work and spend a second afternoon exploring movement and musicality. Pairing the workshops gives the weekend variety, with time between sessions to absorb what you’ve learned.
Both workshops are advertised as open to all levels. If you’re wondering how a session fits your experience, reach out before booking.
Work with Oscar one-on-one
Oscar is also available for private training during his NYC visit.
If you have something specific you’d like to work on, a private session offers an opportunity to bring that focus into individual training. Reach out to discuss your goals and ask about availability, rates, and booking.
Then, see it come alive onstage
Sunday evening brings the Raqs in the City show, featuring Oscar Flores and special guest belly dance artists at Secret Room, 707 8th Avenue.
Doors open at 5:30 PM; the show starts at 6:30 PM.
After a weekend of learning, watching a performance offers its own kind of education. You can pay attention to phrasing, expression, and how an artist holds the room—or simply enjoy the evening.
You can also attend the show without taking either workshop. Bring your dance friends, your partner, or someone whose experience of belly dance has mostly been through a phone screen. Give them an evening with the art form in person.
Book both workshops and receive a complimentary show ticket. Standalone show admission is listed at $25, and the venue lists a two-item minimum.
Make a New York weekend of it
The workshops take place at Ripley-Grier Studios, 520 8th Avenue, putting your practice right in Midtown.
Leave room in your plans for coffee, a meal around Hell’s Kitchen, and a little wandering between the studio and the evening show. If you’re visiting, this is an opportunity to experience New York through its dance community. If you live here, consider it permission to enjoy your own city.
There’s plenty to love about a weekend where the plan is to learn something, eat something good, and see artists do what they do best.
Raqs in the City is also an introduction to the community surrounding the New York Belly Dance Festival, March 12–14, 2027. November is a chance to meet people and get a taste of that shared enthusiasm before the larger festival weekend.
Your weekend at a glance
Event | Date and time | Location |
Veil Romance | Saturday, November 7, 1–3 PM | Ripley-Grier, 520 8th Avenue |
Modern Baladi | Sunday, November 8, 12:30–2:30 PM | Ripley-Grier, 520 8th Avenue |
Live show | Sunday, November 8; doors 5:30 PM, show 6:30 PM | Secret Room, 707 8th Avenue |
Private training | By appointment; inquire about availability | Confirm when booking |
Are you coming for the veil, the baladi, or a night out watching it all come alive?
Tell us in the comments. Coming solo, considering your first workshop, or planning a visit to New York? Leave your question there, too.
Follow @raqsinthecity on Instagram for artist announcements, event updates, and a look inside NYC’s belly dance community.
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