In a rare appearance, one of the world’s top fusion belly dancers is coming to Belfast and Brooks for workshops, a performance intensive, one-night-only show
BELFAST — You’ve never seen belly dance like this before! Internationally acclaimed fusion belly dancer Zoe Jakes will travel to Midcoast Maine this August for a rare series of workshops, a performance intensive, and a public stage show featuring dancers from Maine, New England and beyond.
Best known as a founding member of the world fusion music group Beats Antique, Jakes is widely recognized as one of the most influential artists in modern fusion dance. Her signature style blends pop and lock isolations, classical Indian dance influences, jazz footwork, modern lines and folk belly dance inspiration. She has performed for major festival audiences at Coachella, Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, and teaches dancers across the world through her distinctive training approach and DanceCraft™ format.
Her visit to Maine represents an unusual opportunity for local audiences and dancers. Artists of Jakes’ caliber are more often seen in major metropolitan areas, making her appearance in Belfast and Brooks especially meaningful for Maine’s growing dance community.
Uniting the Maine Dance Community
The weekend includes workshops at Belfast Dance Studio, a performance intensive from Aug. 27–29 and The Belly Dance Spectacular, a one-night-only, family-friendly performance on Saturday, Aug. 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Marsh River Theater in Brooks. The show will feature Zoe Jakes alongside a lineup of fusion dancers from Maine to New York, with new choreographies, expressive storytelling, and vibrant performances. This show is not to be missed!
The event is hosted by Maine resident Jasmine Cabanaw, a fusion belly dancer and instructor based in Brooks. Cabanaw has been working to connect dancers from across Maine and New England, helping to rebuild momentum around the regional belly dance community through classes, gatherings, and performance opportunities.
“Bringing Zoe Jakes to Maine is incredibly special,” Cabanaw said. “She is one of the artists who has shaped modern fusion belly dance on an international level. For dancers here to have the chance to study with her, perform with her, and see her work live is something truly rare.”
Cabanaw’s work to support and revitalize belly dance in Maine was part of what attracted Jakes to the area and led her to choose Cabanaw as the local host. The visit reflects both Jakes’ commitment to sharing belly dance with wider audiences and the renewed energy developing within Maine’s dance community.
Workshop offerings are suitable for all levels of dancers and include Pop, Lock & Layering Drills on Saturday, Aug. 29, followed by Zoe’s Book of Shimmies and Slow & Slinky on Sunday, Aug. 30. People who are brand new to dance are welcome to attend!
The weekend also includes Jakes’ only New England Performance Intensive, giving participating dancers the chance to train with her in an intimate setting and perform in The Belly Dance Spectacular. The intensive sold out fast, with only one spot still remaining.
Event details
Zoe Jakes in Maine: Workshops & Shows
Aug. 27–30
Belfast Dance Studio
109 High St., Belfast, Maine
The Belly Dance Spectacular
Saturday, Aug. 29
Show: 7–9 p.m.
Marsh River Theater
Brooks, Maine
Tickets and registration are available through Belfast Dance Studio and Humanitix.