The exotic dance teams will be revealing their talents in the Empress Ballroom at the Winter Gardens from June 29 to July 1 following a critically acclaimed recent tour of the USA and Canada.
The dance sensations have already performed sell out shows throughout Europe last year and are set to begin a two month tour-in-residence in April at the famous Monaco Sports Club Casino, which has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment over the past two decades.
As well as live performance dates, the troupe's authentic Arabic music, and instructional and performance DVDs have become international best-sellers and they currently have several DVDs released internationally.
The Bellydance Superstars and The Desert Roses first toured Europe two years ago, having arrived on the back of a 60-date US tour with the legendary Lollapalooza travelling festival.
Rave reviews followed them across Europe and they played sell-out back-to-back shows at London's Bloomsbury Theatre in June and were guests on ITV's This Morning and BBC's Blue Peter programmes.
The belly-dancing extravaganza has been a surprise success for the troupe and music business legend, Miles Copeland, their manager, and the founder of the troupe.
Copeland, one of the music industry's most colourful and hugely successful managers, formed The Bellydance Superstars and The Desert Roses almost three years ago and it consists of some of the best belly dancers currently performing in the world.
Aged between 21 and 38, many of the dancers are professional teachers of the art. They perform a cross-section of Tribal, Egyptian and Cabaret styles and plan to take the belly-dancing art into the mainstream. Belly-dancing in America is hailed as a great cardiovascular workout with the dancing's isolated movements of the abdomen – circular, vibrating, angular and rolling – toning the stomach, lower body and back.
Copeland says: "While some would say that belly dance is an art of seduction, others believe that – as the only dance created by women for women – it is a celebration of the woman as a woman. As such, it has become a recognised self-esteem builder, a dance to be enjoyed and participated in no matter what your age, size, or shape."
The UK Bellydance Festival – Raqs Britannia – hosted by The Bellydance Superstars is fast becoming the largest event of its kind in Europe. Now in its second year, Raqs B has moved to Blackpool to accommodate the huge number of fans and dancers that arrive for the expert workshops, master-classes, Egyptian souk and highlight of the event, the Bellydance Superstars Ball – the only UK performance of 2007 by the Superstars, which will take place in the Empress Ballroom.
* For ticket details contact Raqs Britannia www.raqsbritannia.co.uk or call (020) 7456 8905.