Seattle-based performer Nazaneen brings the 6,000-plus year old tradition of belly dancing to ArtLove Salon on Friday, part of the Fourth Friday Downtown Seattle Art Walk. ArtLove Salon will be open during regular Friday hours starting at noon and will stay open until 9 p.m. for Art Walk.

Nazaneen's performance is part of a dual location doubleheader for the Conru Art Foundation. The Fourth Friday Art Walk celebration continues at the Coliseum of Art featuring Torbjørn with Keano Martinez, Taylor Hadden, Samantha & Nova. The dance party runs 8 to 11 p.m. Torbjørn combines hip hop beats, rap vocals and Scandinavian folk music (including the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle).

If you can't wait until Friday, Meteor Dreams, featuring multi-disciplinary artist Mario Layne Fabrizio and University of Washington Jazz graduate Elias Romero Hampton, will perform at the Coliseum of Art on Thursday from 8 to 10 p.m. Admission to all shows are free.

But first, Nazaneen at ArtLove Salon. According to her bio, "Celebrated by both the Middle Eastern and Western community for her authenticity, expressiveness and beauty, Nazaneen's graceful and captivating style of Raqs Sharqi (belly dance) has delighted audiences in both Europe and the United States. A seasoned performer, Nazaneen is well loved for her ability to deliver show-stopping, high energy dancing that is engaging, entertaining, graceful and studded with strong technique."

DJ Billy Thompson — a lifelong music lover who curates all-vinyl sets strictly by feel, provides the soundtrack throughout the evening. His selections drift easily across Funk, Jazz, Boogie, Hip Hop, Latin, House, Exotica, and Classic Rock — wherever the vibe leads.

Belly dancing as it is popularly coined, was first introduced to US audiences during the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago by promoter Sol Bloom, who would go on to build the Apollo Theater in Harlem and serve 14 terms in the US House of Representatives. By 1896, the Thomas Edison Manufacturing Company recorded the first known silent clip of a belly dancer, Fatima's Coochee-Coochee Dance. This clip shows the uncensored version and the censored version, by 1896 standards. It wasn't until the 1960's and 1970's when Middle Eastern, North African and Mediterranean immigrants settled in major cities like New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

For more on the "cultural baggage and history of belly dance (raqs sharqi) check out the belly dance blog Sharqi Dance by Brazilian-born, New Jersey-based dancer Yamê.

Art Love Salon is an expansive stop offering musical and dance performances alongside exhibitions across two floors and three galleries—Art Love Salon Gallery, Public Display Art Gallery, and rotating guest pop-up installations—showcasing work by over 100 local visual artists.

Free with RSVP. Open to all. Refreshments provided.