The male bellydancer known as Zadiel.

BERLIN | As a young boy, Mehmet Sasmaz, who grew up as the son of Turkish immigrants in Berlin, used to mimic the moves of the bellydancers his mother would watch on television. His parents did not approve. “My mother sent me to office management school,” recalled Sasmaz, now 27. But Sasmaz secretly continued to dance and eventually found a teacher. At the end of 2005 he performed publicly for the first time.

Soon after that first show, Sasmez became “Zadiel,” the male bellydancer, renowned within Berlin’s Turkish and Arabic scenes. Despite the controversy of being a male bellydancer among conservative Muslims — “I’m culture shock for Turkish men from small villages,” he said — Zadiel is rarely confronted with an abusive audience. That may be partly because he dances as a man rather than as a woman.

To explain: For several centuries during the Ottoman Empire, until the mid-19th century, Zadiel said, it was forbidden for women to dance for men. Only young male bellydancers, known as rakkas, could perform for Ottoman men. “So my audience may not realize it but what I am doing is extremely traditional,” he said.

In 2008 Zadiel joined the first international all-male bellydancing troupe, called the Sultans of Raqs which performs once or twice a year at different European cities. (Their next show is in Amsterdam on Oct. 31).

Zadiel’s Orientalhane parties are typically sold-out affairs at Berlin’s Salz-Club (Salzufer 20; www.salz-club.de) — the next one is on Sept. 5 — in which he stars with his two all-female dance troupes, the Velvet Snakes and the Zadiraks. (His dancers are made up of his advanced students, several of whom who have moved to Berlin from the U.S. or Poland to study with him.)

Zadiel also performs every Wednesday at Madi (Bernhard-Lichtenberg-Pl.; 49-30-18-05-57; www.madi-zeltdersinne.de), a Moroccan-themed supper club in northern Berlin.

One of his dancers, the 26-year old Canadian Jasmine Cabanaw explained Zadiel’s appeal: “People have had the view of bellydance as something erotic; a dance without the same standards as ballet. But Zadiel is taking bellydancing to that ballet level.”

More importantly, to Zadiel at least, his mother now approves. “She came to my first big show a few years ago and she was so surprised that there were more than 300 people there. I had her called to the stage and I gave her a flower,” he recalled. “She was so happy she cried.”

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th, 2:00-4:00pm

Learn how to paint your face from a pro! DeVilla is a professional TV and Film make-up artist (recent hits include He’s Just Not that Into You and 500 Days of Summer) as well as a professional belly dance artist & teacher. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn fabulous face contouring, study sultry Arabian eye make-up techniques, get lash lessons, try out tricks for getting that flawless, polished professional look, and lots more! Bring your make-up and get ready to party!

Register early, space is limited.

On or Before Sept 10: $35

(Article Courtesy of: www.laraqs.com)
At door (if space available): $45

(Article Courtesy of: www.bellydancewithfaaria.com)