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Crystal Silmi is a belly dance and fusion artist, instructor, and choreographer from San Francisco, California. She has performed and taught throughout the world, bringing her passion for movement and cultural expression to audiences and students alike.
Grounded in both the traditions of classical Middle Eastern dance and the innovations of modern fusion, Crystal draws on her Arab American roots with a deep sense of rhythm, powerful athleticism, and a signature energetic style. A longtime student of master instructors Suhaila and Jamila Salimpour, she has performed with the Suhaila Dance Company and Bal Anat, and in 2006 founded her own fusion company, RaksArabi. With RaksArabi, she presented dynamic works that merged hip hop, jazz, North African, and other dance forms, enhancing the art of belly dance with contemporary vibrancy.
Crystal lived nearly a decade in Madrid, Spain, where she directed Dance Junkies Madrid, a student fusion dance troupe, and shared her love of dance across Europe and beyond. Now based in Washington, DC, she teaches weekly classes both in person and online while continuing to perform in local and international venues.
In addition to dance, Crystal is a dedicated yoga practitioner and teacher. She has been teaching hatha yoga and yoga for dancers since 2012 after training at Rishikesh Yog Peeth (Rishikesh Yoga Institute) in India. She later expanded her studies with certification in Yin Yoga through Yoga Weeks in Barcelona.
Crystal also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Join weekly belly dance and yoga classes in Washington, DC! Classes blend movement, culture, artistry and fitness. Build strength, flexibility, and confidence while improving your dance skills.
Intermediate/Advanced Belly Dance Fusion
September — December 2025
Saturdays 9:30 — 10:30am (Eastern)
Take your dance to the next level in this intermediate-level Belly Dance Fusion class! Dancers will focus on refining technique, increasing speed, and mastering the art of layering. Through drills, movement breakdowns, and combinations, you’ll challenge your coordination, precision, and fluidity. Whether you want to enhance your fusion style or strengthen your foundation, this class will help you build control, confidence, and artistry.
Previous belly dance experience required. Bring water, a hip scarf (optional), and get ready to sweat!
Register HereYoga for Dancers
September — December 2025
Mondays 5:30 — 6:30pm (Eastern)
Step into a space of relaxation, rejuvenation, and flexibility designed specifically for dancers. Join our Yoga for Dancers class to deepen your body awareness, increase flexibility, and strengthen your core, all while nourishing your body, mind, and spirit. Whether you’re looking to enhance performance or find balance, this class offers the perfect blend of relaxation and movement tailored to the needs of dancers.
Please note that students need to provide their own yoga mat. Yoga for Dancers” does not include any online attendance option and no class recordings are available.
Register HerePower Flow Yoga
Wednesdays 5:15 — 6:15pm (Eastern)
Move, sweat, and reconnect with yourself in this energizing Power Flow class. We will blend dynamic sequences with breath-centered movement, guiding you through poses that build strength, flexibility, and focus. This class is designed for all levels, with options to challenge yourself or scale back depending on your energy and experience. Whether you’re looking to release stress, energize your body, or simply enjoy a flowing practice, this class invites you to move with intention and feel the transformative power of yoga.
Yoga Heights
3506 Georgia Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20010
Intermediate/Advanced Belly Dance Fusion Performance (DC Dance Junkies)
September — December 2025
Saturdays 10:30 — 11:30am (Eastern)
Get ready to turn up the heat! Back by popular request – we’ll blend the sass and spice of Latin dance with the elegance and power of belly dance—all set to the picante track Hip Hip Chin Chin. This playful and dynamic piece is designed for dancers who want to explore fusion movement in heels, emphasizing sharp isolations, juicy hip work, and bold stage presence. Whether you’re looking to boost your technique or stage presence, this class will leave you feeling strong, expressive, and unstoppable. This piece will be done in dance heels.
*Dancers must be enrolled in Fusion Technique class at 9:30am.
Register HereBeginner Belly Dance Fusion
September — December 2025
Mondays 6:30 — 7:30pm (Eastern)
Designed for beginners, this class will introduce you to the foundational techniques of belly dance while incorporating elements of modern dance for a fresh and dynamic fusion style. Each week, we’ll break down isolations, build strength and flexibility, and develop fluidity in movement. Whether you’re brand new to dance or looking to refine the basics, this class will help you gain confidence, coordination, and a deeper connection to your body.
Register HereExplore specialty belly dance workshops. Each offering focuses on specific topics designed to enhance your technique, expand your skills, and inspire your art & performance.
Rum n’ Coca Cola
Sábado, 18 de octubre
Una coreografía alegre y divertida de fusión jazz, que combina técnica de danza del vientre con influencias de formas modernas de baile, llena de energía y movimiento.
10:30 — 12:30
Arcadia Dance Studio
San Carles, 37
Santa Coloma Gramanet 08922
Barcelona, Spain
30€
Thriller coreografía
Sábado, 18 de octubre
¡Prepárate para levantarte de la tumba y bailar! En este taller, aprenderemos la icónica coreografía de Thriller, justo a tiempo para Halloween. Tanto si eres un bailarín experimentado como si simplemente te mueres por probar algo nuevo, ven a liberar tu lado más macabro en un ambiente divertido y lleno de energía.
Bailarinas tendrán la oportunidad de actuar Thriller en la Hafla Into the Dark del mismo día!
12:45-14:15
Arcadia Dance Studio
San Carles, 37
Santa Coloma Gramanet 08922
Barcelona, Spain
20€
Thriller Choreography
Saturday, October 25th 2025
Get ready to rise from the grave and dance! In this 2 hour workshop, we’ll be learning the iconic Thriller choreography — just in time for Halloween. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just dying to try something new, come unleash your inner ghoul in a fun, high-energy environment.
Crystal’s regular students will have the opportunity to perform this piece with as a flashmob at Cazbar in Columbia, MD on Halloween night — Zombie costumes will be mandatory for the performance.
1:30-3:30pm
Sahara Dance
4433 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Washington DC 20016
Intro to Finger Cymbals for Belly Dance
Saturday, November 15th 2025
Join us for a fun and informative workshop designed to get you comfortable and confident with finger cymbals (zills)! Whether you’re brand new to finger cymbals or have some experience and want to improve your skills, this workshop will give you the tools to develop clear, rhythmic patterns and begin integrating them into your dance.
We’ll focus on foundational patterns, proper technique, and musicality in a supportive environment where we’ll break things down clearly and gradually build toward playing with ease.
This workshop is suitable for beginners and those with basic knowledge who want to refine their skills. We recommend dancers use Saroyan finger cymbals for the best sound.
1:30-3:30pm
Sahara Dance
4433 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Washington DC 20016
Intermediate Finger Cymbals for Belly Dance
Saturday, November 22nd 2025
Take your finger cymbal skills to the next level! This class is designed for dancers who are already comfortable with basic patterns and ready to refine their speed and coordination.
Emphasis will be placed on musicality, stamina, and integrating cymbals as an expressive extension of your dance.
Recommended for dancers with prior finger cymbal experience who are looking to challenge themselves and build confidence with more complex movement and rhythm. We recommend dancers use Saroyan finger cymbals for the best sound.
1:30-3:30pm
Sahara Dance
4433 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Washington DC 20016
Experience the art of belly dance.
Friday, October 10th
Belly Dance Dinner Show
Bacchus
7945 Norfolk Ave
Bethesda, MD 20814
8:30pm
Friday, October 10th
Layali Restaurant & Lounge
9536 Blenheim Blvd
Fairfax VA 22031
10:30pm
Saturday, October 18th
Halloween Hafla
Arcadia Dance Studio
Carrer Carles, 37
Santa Coloma Gramanet 08922
SPAIN
19:00
Friday, October 24th
Belly Dance Dinner Show
Bacchus
7945 Norfolk Ave
Bethesda, MD 20814
8:30pm
Saturday, October 25th
Belly Dance Dinner Show
Cazbar
9400 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
6:00pm
Saturday, October 25th
Belly Dance Dinner Show
Cazbar
316 N Charles Street
Baltimore, MD. 21201
8:30pm
Saturday, October 31st
Halloween Show
Cazbar
9400 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
8:30pm
Saturday, November 1st
Belly Dance Dinner Show
Cazbar
9400 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
6:00pm
Friday, November 7th
Belly Dance Dinner Show
Cazbar
316 N Charles Street
Baltimore, MD. 21201
8:30pm
Friday, November 14th
Belly Dance Dinner Show
Cazbar
9400 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
8:30pm
Saturday, November 15th
Belly Dance Dinner Show
Cazbar
9400 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
8:30pm
Saturday, November 22nd
Belly Dance Dinner Show
Cazbar
9400 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
6:00pm
Friday, November 28th
Belly Dance Dinner Show
Cazbar
9400 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
8:30pm
Saturday, November 29th
Belly Dance Dinner Show
Cazbar
316 N Charles Street
Baltimore, MD. 21201
8:30pm
Saturday, December 6th
Belly Dance Dinner Show
Cazbar
9400 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
8:30pm
Friday, December 12th
Belly Dance Dinner Show
Cazbar
316 N Charles Street
Baltimore, MD. 21201
8:30pm
Saturday, December 13th
Belly Dance Dinner Show
Cazbar
9400 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
8:30pm
Saturday, December 20th
Sahara Dance Fall Caravan
Imagination Stage
4908 Auburn Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
3:00pm & 6:00pm
Friday, December 26th
Belly Dance Dinner Show
Cazbar
9400 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
8:30pm
Wednesday, December 31st
New Year’s Eve
Cazbar
9400 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
10:00pm
Sunday, January 25th 2026
Al Raqs Conference
Lecture: Activism in Motion
How Dancers Use Movement to Make Change
10:00am EST (16:00 CET)
Selected images that capture the kinetic art of Belly Dance & Belly Dance Fusion.
Experience Belly Dance & Belly Dance Fusion in motion on stages worldwide.
Crystal Silmi, a longtime vegan and animal rights activist, blends artistry with advocacy, using dance to inspire awareness and action.
Her productions, including WILD – Endangered Species Through Dance, honor the beauty and fragility of wildlife, inviting audiences to connect with conservation efforts.
She also channels her Palestinian roots into work that highlights social justice and the struggle for liberation.
Through movement and expression, Crystal creates performances that move, educate, and motivate audiences to act for a more compassionate world.
Please use the contact form below to get in touch. You can also sign up for my mailing list here.
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