Why Are Belly Dance Events Struggling: Part 1

Author: Valerick Molinary Editors: Alexandra Molina & Diana Soto

Shifting Trends in Event Attendance

This past year, I had the privilege of participating in some truly amazing events in South Florida. Having moved here 13 years ago, I've observed a noticeable shift in event attendance compared to a decade ago. What struck me in conversations with various producers was a recurring conclusion: the audience is to blame. Many believe that the lack of attendance stems from dancers not supporting their local events or from a general lack of awareness about the value these productions bring to the community.

My immediate reaction to their perspective was to question whether producers are conducting proper market research before launching their events. Equally important is the question of why do we assume the audience or the community has an obligation to participate?

Scene vs. Community: What’s Missing?

In my experience, I’ve noticed that the belly dance world most often operates like a scene rather than a community, as we often hear it marketed as. This distinction might hold the key to understanding the challenges events face in our niche. A scene often revolves around events (festivals, competitions, and showcases, etc) where dancers perform for recognition regardless of the outcome for the broader group or collective. A community has many elements but one could argue that at its base has the intent to preserve the wellness of that collective. While there are pockets of genuine community within our belly dance world, the broader trend structure tends to focus on visibility, personal branding, and professional advancement rather than fostering collective support systems.

The Disconnect Between Events and Local Classes

One clear example of how the concepts of scene versus community are disconnected, is the difficulty that dance instructors face in maintaining consistent class attendance. Despite an abundance of events and performances, both in their home cities and outside, there seems to be little overlap between the thriving event circuit and the local support needed for instructors to succeed. These teachers, who are the backbone of the dance scene, work tirelessly to cultivate new dancers and audiences.

I have immense respect for those who commit to teaching weekly classes. They don’t only preserve the art form; they actively grow its future by introducing it to new audiences. Yet, as I have heard, their efforts often feel undervalued in a scene that prioritizes spectacle over sustainability.

This gap—where events and classes coexist but fail to successfully support one another—illustrates one of the challenges of operating in our scene. It becomes a cycle of empty performances and public-facing activities disconnected from its core values and sustaining backbone, rather than a community built on collaboration, mutual support, and a shared vision for growth.

Bridging the Gap & Building a Sustainable Future Together

To address this, I propose that it is crucial for producers to engage in meaningful conversations with their local instructors and strive to identify solutions that can help expand the audience of dancers, students and other supporters of the art form, such as local venues, businesses, friends and family, etc…. Without solid strategies that align with these efforts, there’s little chance for the industry to achieve long-term sustainability.

These conversations shouldn’t limit the possibilities of the producer; on the contrary, they should motivate opportunities to organize events that create a lasting and positive impact. Events are more than just showcases—they’re perfect gathering spaces that can energize students, teachers, local businesses, and everyone connected to the art form.

Producers should also recognize that there are many ways to financially support local artists beyond offering free workshops or performance slots. Local teachers are entrepreneurs too, investing time and resources to build their student base. Their students are already spending on recitals, classes, and workshops, which sometimes leaves them unable to participate in local events. Understanding this dynamic can help producers develop strategies that align with the needs of local instructors and their audiences, creating a more interconnected and sustainable ecosystem for everyone involved.

A Series to Inspire Solutions

This blog is just the beginning of a series where I’ll dive deeper into the challenges and opportunities for belly dance events. In the coming posts, we’ll explore actionable strategies, spotlight inspiring community success stories, and discuss what it means to truly sustain our art form.

Let’s continue to uncover solutions for a stronger, more unified belly dance community. Stay tuned for Part II of this series, where we explore how producers and local instructors can bridge the gaps in the belly dance community through meaningful dialogue and collaborative solutions.

About the Author

Valerick Molinary is a co-director of Belly Dance Stories, a professional belly dance performer, instructor, and event producer with over 20 years of experience. Passionate about storytelling and community building, Valerick creates performances and workshops that inspire both dancers and audiences. Learn more about her work at www.valerickmolinary.com.