Update Dec 2025
MEDANZ | December 2025 Update - Festival 2026
By Jeena Monk · 20 December 2025
MEDANZ FESTIVAL 2026 - OREWA, AUCKLAND, 24-26 APRIL
Greetings MEDANZ Members
Here we go all! Time to buy tickets and look forward to a simply fantastic Festival 2026!!
I know that there is still lots of info that you will be wanting, and we are working on it! But until we can get all the behind the scenes sorted, this update will convey what we have arranged and can share so far….
You can purchase tickets now! – We have sold the first one already! But many more are needed to be sold…. Our target is to raise $6,050 by the end of January 2026 – without this milestone being reached, there will be no Festival 2026. Please log in to the MEDANZ website to purchase tickets.
https://www.medanz.org.nz/events/festival/
We have tried to make tickets open to those who are time poor as well as those affected by the current economic times we find ourselves in. We have early bird tickets, these are valid till 14th Jan 2026, then costs will rise after this date – so best to get in quick! You can find ticket information on the link above, but if you want to attend all paid festival events, its currently $195! You need to purchase 1 open stage ticket, 1 hafla ticket plus 3 workshops, then you will have access to 3 more workshops you can attend at no additional cost – that’s a value of $345 for only $195. If you cant make this commitment, there are other ticket options available.
Workshops to look forward to – Some of the wonderful offerings are Shaabi, Drum Solo Choreography, Poi Fusion, Isis Wings Choreography, Saidi Assaya, Bollywood-Belly Dance, Khaleeji, Veil Choreography, learn about Graceful Lines, Flamenco Fusion Choreography, and not to forget about Egyptian Raqs Sharqi – this is not all we have on offer, but what we can share with you so far – so many wonderful options to choose from!!
We hope to have workshop details and tutor bios out in the next few weeks, but this is the teaser to get you buying those festival tickets….
https://www.medanz.org.nz/events/festival/programme/
Hudra and breakout space – we heard you! We have been working hard to find a space this year for the hudra and a breakout space where you can enjoy a cuppa, a bite to eat, or catch up with friends. The plan is to have the area open after the warmup in the morning till the dinner time break. The call for venders has not gone out yet, but if your super keen, you can email Jeena at [membership@medanz.org.nz](mailto: membership@medanz.org.nz) to let her know you want a space to sell your wares.
Friday meet and greet evening – this will be a fun night to get together before the business of bellydance learning starts. There will be time to set up the hudra and for you to grab extra festival tickets, check where the classes are and familiarise yourself with the Orewa venue.
Saturday’s open stage night – this is not the full-on production that we have had in previous years. This is a more relaxed evening that gives us the opportunity to perform on a proper stage – which sadly is not so common these days. We will be asking for performances soon, but not quite yet! An application to perform will be sent out to those who offer a performance and you can request a placement rehearsal slot (10 mins max) As the sound system may not be available at this time, you will need to provide your own music should you require it for your placement rehearsal. This form is not an automatic acceptance.
Some of the workshops during the day will have the option to perform at the open stage night.
As with previous festivals if you wish to perform, you will need to buy 1 workshop ticket (minimum) and a ticket for the open stage night.
More details will be forthcoming shortly, we are currently asking for offers of interest, to be returned by mid Jan, with forms to be returned by end of Jan to membership@medanz.org.nz
Sunday nights hafla – we have a fantastic venue for the hafla evening; it offers a great cabaret atmosphere. The audience will be spread around the room, at tables and lounge chairs and there will be enough room to dance between the groups of people. We will also have an area cleared for dancing (‘stage’), if this is your preferred option for your performance. A separate application form will be sent out to those that offer a performance for the Sunday night, indicating whether you intend to dance between the tables, or only on the ‘stage’. Again, this form is not an automatic acceptance, as we will confirm to you.
Some of the workshops during the day will have the option to perform at the hafla. As with previous festivals, if you wish to perform, you will need to buy 1 workshop ticket (minimum) and a ticket for the hafla night.
More details will be forthcoming shortly, we are currently asking for offers of interest to be returned by mid Jan, with forms to be returned by end of Jan to [membership@medanz.org.nz](mailto: membership@medanz.org.nz)
Angels will be needed – please put your hand up early, or if you find yourself at a loose end when you are at festival. It could be as simple as marking names off a sheet for a workshop you’re in or sitting at the front desk selling raffle tickets or directing lost souls to their class….
I know you probably have lots of questions or concerns. Please be aware we have not nutted out all the finer details. But if you need answers, please email Jeena at [membership@medanz.org.nz](mailto: membership@medanz.org.nz) and you will receive a reply.
Regards, Jeena Monk Festival Co-Ordinator