Powerful steps. Shared heritage. Community in motion.
TLAC’s Dabke program keeps Lebanon’s most iconic folk dance alive in North Carolina and beyond — through high‑energy performances, welcoming workshops, and year‑round training for youth and adults.
TLAC’s Dabke program keeps Lebanon’s most iconic folk dance alive in North Carolina and beyond — through high‑energy performances, welcoming workshops, and year‑round training for youth and adults.
What is Dabke?
Dabke (دبكة) is a line and circle folk dance rooted in the Levant—especially Lebanon—recognized for its rhythmic footwork, stomps, and synchronized patterns performed shoulder‑to‑shoulder. At weddings, festivals, and family gatherings, dabke brings people together, turning music into community.
Brief history: In Levantine villages, homes once had flat roofs made of timber, straw, and packed clay. After winter rains, families and neighbors would climb up to repair cracks by tamping the roof in rhythm—literally dabbk (to stamp). People formed a line, linked at the shoulders, and kept time with sung refrains and drum patterns so the surface sealed evenly. From this practical rhythm grew a social one: the same steps moved from rooftops to courtyards, weddings, celebrations, and public squares. In the 20th century, folkloric troupes began codifying regional steps and stage choreography, while everyday community dabke continued as a participatory dance across Lebanon and the wider Levant.
What is Dabke?
Dabke (دبكة) is a line and circle folk dance rooted in the Levant—especially Lebanon—recognized for its rhythmic footwork, stomps, and synchronized patterns performed shoulder‑to‑shoulder. At weddings, festivals, and family gatherings, dabke brings people together, turning music into community.
Brief history: In Levantine villages, homes once had flat roofs made of timber, straw, and packed clay. After winter rains, families and neighbors would climb up to repair cracks by tamping the roof in rhythm—literally dabbk (to stamp). People formed a line, linked at the shoulders, and kept time with sung refrains and drum patterns so the surface sealed evenly. From this practical rhythm grew a social one: the same steps moved from rooftops to courtyards, weddings, celebrations, and public squares. In the 20th century, folkloric troupes began codifying regional steps and stage choreography, while everyday community dabke continued as a participatory dance across Lebanon and the wider Levant.
Dabke at the TLAC
For more than 30 years, TLAC has run a performative dabke program that showcases Lebanese culture at local and regional events. Our teams have appeared at the Raleigh International Festival, the Lebanese Festival hosted by TLAC, and other cultural festivals and events in the Triangle. We also regularly travel to cities along the East Coast to perform alongside sister communities.
Ensembles: TLAC fields six ensembles—Young Kids (ages 5–6), Kids (7–10), Preteens (11–14), Teens (15–18), Young Adults (18–21) and an Adult group (21+).
Regular rehearsals build technique, musicality, and stage presence while grounding dancers in the cultural context of the steps. Costumes feature traditional and contemporary Lebanese styles maintained by TLAC.
Workshops (open to the public): We intermittently host dabke workshops that welcome all ages and backgrounds—no prior experience required. Each 60–90 minute session introduces foundational steps, shares a brief history of the dance, and ends with a lively community line. Follow us on social media and check out our events page to keep up with when we will be hosting our next workshop!
Dabke at the TLAC
For more than 30 years, TLAC has run a performative dabke program that showcases Lebanese culture at local and regional events. Our teams have appeared at the Raleigh International Festival, the Lebanese Festival hosted by TLAC, and other cultural festivals and events in the Triangle. We also regularly travel to cities along the East Coast to perform alongside sister communities.
Ensembles: TLAC fields six ensembles—Young Kids (ages 5–6), Kids (7–10), Preteens (11–14), Teens (15–18), Young Adults (18–21) and an Adult group (21+).
Regular rehearsals build technique, musicality, and stage presence while grounding dancers in the cultural context of the steps. Costumes feature traditional and contemporary Lebanese styles maintained by TLAC.
Workshops (open to the public): We intermittently host dabke workshops that welcome all ages and backgrounds—no prior experience required. Each 60–90 minute session introduces foundational steps, shares a brief history of the dance, and ends with a lively community line. Follow us on social media and check out our events page to keep up with when we will be hosting our next workshop!
When & Where
Ensemble Winter/Spring Season: To be announced
Location: Baytna (241 Horizon Dr., Raleigh, NC 27615)
Weekly Practice Schedule:
- Young Kids: To be announced
- Kids: To be announced
- Preteens: To be announced
- Teens: To be announced
- Young Adults: To be announced
- Adults: To be announced
Key Dates:
- Season Kickoff/Orientation: To be announced
- Festival Performance(s): To be announced
When & Where
Ensemble Winter/Spring Season: To be announced
Location: Baytna (241 Horizon Dr., Raleigh, NC 27615)
Weekly Practice Schedule:
- Young Kids: To be announced
- Kids: To be announced
- Preteens: To be announced
- Teens: To be announced
- Young Adults: To be announced
- Adults: To be announced
Key Dates:
- Season Kickoff/Orientation: To be announced
- Festival Performance(s): To be announced
Details & Policy
Ensemble Eligibility: Participation in TLAC’s performing dabke teams requires current TLAC membership and Lebanese descent. We hold this standard with care and respect: our staged ensembles represent Lebanon’s heritage on public platforms, and prioritizing Lebanese descent ensures that community members with a direct cultural connection have the opportunity to carry and present their home country’s traditions. If you are not already a member, please become one by clicking here. Your membership should be renewed annually.
Dues: A refundable costume deposit of $25 is collected prior to the first practice of the season and returned when the costume is brought back clean/undamaged.
Attendance Policy: To ensure the success of our performances and the growth of each member, consistent attendance is essential. To maintain fairness and uphold our high standards, we ask members to adhere to the following guidelines: dancers must attend at least 70% of scheduled practices and may not miss three consecutive practices; please notify the coaching staff in advance if a conflict arises.
Details & Policy
Ensemble Eligibility: Participation in TLAC’s performing dabke teams requires current TLAC membership and Lebanese descent. We hold this standard with care and respect: our staged ensembles represent Lebanon’s heritage on public platforms, and prioritizing Lebanese descent ensures that community members with a direct cultural connection have the opportunity to carry and present their home country’s traditions. If you are not already a member, please become one by clicking here. Your membership should be renewed annually.
Dues: A refundable costume deposit of $25 is collected prior to the first practice of the season and returned when the costume is brought back clean/undamaged.
Attendance Policy: To ensure the success of our performances and the growth of each member, consistent attendance is essential. To maintain fairness and uphold our high standards, we ask members to adhere to the following guidelines: dancers must attend at least 70% of scheduled practices and may not miss three consecutive practices; please notify the coaching staff in advance if a conflict arises.
Dabke Signup
Spots in each performing ensemble are limited and filled on a first‑come, first‑served basis, with seniority (time in the program, reliability, and prior‑season participation) also prioritized. To ensure full consideration, please submit the sign‑up form as soon as possible. All participants—new and returning—are required to complete the sign‑up form each season, regardless of seniority. Submission of the signup form does not guarantee placement on a performing team.
General Inquiry/Book TLAC Dabke
Bring TLAC’s high‑energy dabke to your festival, school, gala, or cultural program. Please note: we do not perform at weddings. Availability is limited so early inquiries are encouraged. Please include your event date(s), venue/location, expected audience size, stage dimensions, sound/music setup, set length requested, and any budget/travel details. For general questions about collaborations or educational demos, use the same form and note your interests.
Dabke Signup
Spots in each performing ensemble are limited and filled on a first‑come, first‑served basis, with seniority (time in the program, reliability, and prior‑season participation) also prioritized. To ensure full consideration, please submit the sign‑up form as soon as possible. All participants—new and returning—are required to complete the sign‑up form each season, regardless of seniority. Submission of the signup form does not guarantee placement on a performing team.
General Inquiry/Book TLAC Dabke
Bring TLAC’s high‑energy dabke to your festival, school, gala, or cultural program. Please note: we do not perform at weddings. Availability is limited so early inquiries are encouraged. Please include your event date(s), venue/location, expected audience size, stage dimensions, sound/music setup, set length requested, and any budget/travel details. For general questions about collaborations or educational demos, use the same form and note your interests.
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