Get ready for the 7th annual ‘Raqs Tiki’ dance event in Princeville

Princeville will host the 7th annual “Raqs Tiki” dance event featuring internationally acclaimed drummer Issam Houshan and Vanessa of Cairo Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. 

The weekend of dance workshops will take place at Church of the Pacific, located at 4520 Kapaka Rd., in Princeville. Participants will focus on Middle Eastern dance, appealing to a wide demographic of dancers and skill levels. There will also be a dance showcase.

Producer, performer and Princeville resident Talia Soleil, seeks an opportunity to connect communities through the universal vocabulary of dance, and brings Raqs Tiki to Kauaʻi.

“Hawaiians understand the importance of dance to communication, and connection to the human condition.” Soleil said. “It seems only natural to broaden our scope and enhance our lives with more vocabulary and movement to better understand the stories of other cultures.”

The star-studded lineup of dancers includes DeVilla of Hollywood, Calif., Crystal Ravenwolf of Hanford, Calif., Surreyya Hada of San Francisco, Calif., Producer and Host Talia Soleil of Kauaʻi and numerous local favorites. 

The Raqs Tiki Showcase is Sept. 30. Doors open at 6 p.m. for shopping, and the showcase begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for kids ages 5-15  and senior citizens 65 and older. Tickets are free for keiki under age 5 and active military personnel.

On Oct. 2, participants may attend a professional photoshoot with photographer Maharet Hughes of GraphicVibe. Sign ups can be found at www.raqstiki.com.