Ep 373. Sharon Mesguich: How Much Does It Cost to Organize a Festival & What It Takes to Create a True Artistry on Stage

Sharon Mesguich is a French, Tunisian, and Algerian belly dance artist, teacher, and festival organizer known for her dynamic stage presence and deep connection to Egyptian style. Introduced to oriental arts from a young age, she discovered belly dance in 1999 and has since built an international career, performing at major venues and events while teaching across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. She trained extensively in Egypt with renowned masters such as Dina, Mahmoud Reda, and Mayodi, shaping her musicality, technique, and expressive style. In 2004, she founded her school “Les Danseuses du Sinaï” in Montpellier, and later created the Oriental Marathon Festival, now one of the leading belly dance events in France. Known for her energy, generosity, and strong artistic identity, Sharon is dedicated to preserving the essence of oriental dance while supporting new generations of dancers through performance, education, and community.In this episode you will learn about:- What it really takes to organize a large-scale belly dance festival—and why it’s far more complex than it looks- The behind-the-scenes reality of hosting a dance cruise, from logistics to unexpected chaos- How improvisation in belly dance is not truly “improvised”—but built on deep musical knowledge- The difference between dancing steps and creating a real emotional connection on stage- How to develop your own style by learning from many teachers without copying themShow Notes to this episode:Follow Sharon Mesguich on FB, Instagram, YouTube, and website. Oriental Marathon Festival: website.Previous interview with Sharon Mesguich:Ep 92. Sharon Mesguich: Put Your Life In Your DanceDetails the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast