Nizana's Events Listings
Pacific Northwest and Beyond!
See bottom of page for bonus section.

Nizana & Desert Silk Dance Company's upcoming performances are also on the Home Page.

(Link at the bottom of this page to Nizana's Home and Links Pages!)
 Email me your events for inclusion at Nizana@att.net!

ONGOING:

OLYMPIA:

Mas-Uda presents Belly Dancing 2nd and 4th Sundays at 6:30 & 7:30 pm (if good attendance) at Great Cuisine of India in Olympia. Contact Kashani for info or to dance. mas-uda.com

SEATTLE AREA:

1st Sat of every month at 6:30-9pm Saqra presents an open dance night at Jimmy T's (formerly Moonrakers') in Kent WA! Dance to live music or own music. Contact saqra@saqra.net to dance! All ages welcome! $5 cover.

Belly Dancing at Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant.Wed-Sun shows at 6 and 8 pm. Reservations highly recommended. Please call (206) 956-0500. Seattle's Belltown at 2334 2nd Avenue (2nd & Battery).

Pearls of the East: Belly Dance & Beyond. 4th Sun of the month. Seattle. Kalia 8518 GreenwoodAve N. Seattle. imei@dreamyogaanddance.com

Fabulous Four Live Music & Belly Dance Show. Second Fri of month, 7:30. $10 cover, kids free. 3400 Fremont Ave N, Seattle. 206-633-4141 (mention show for show seating.)

Pyramid Lounge, Seattle. First Monday of every month has a featured dancer. raqsserpentine.com

Dancers and Saltana Band at Costas Opa on 2nd Fridays of the month. Seattle 206-633-4141(specify show seating.)

Petra Mediterreanean Bistro, 4th & Wall, Seattle. Dancing Sat nights. 206-728-5389

Taki's Mad Greek. 8539 15th Ave NW, Seattle. Dancing Sat eves. takismadgreek.com 206-297-9200

Skylark Cafe (3rd Tues of every month) W Seattle. medeabellydance.com

Caspian Grill. 5517 University Way, NE. Seattle. Dancing F/Sat eves. caspiangrill.com 206-524-3434

Belly Dancing & Story Telling. 2nd Sun of month. Kalia Lynnwood. 425-486-6713

Ottoman Trading Co in Bothell holds monthly hafla last Sun of the month, 2-5 pm. 425-368-0369

Belly Dance Off 1st Sun every 3 months w/House of Tarab. Crimson Theater. Seattle. planetsuzanna@gmail.com

Enat Leyl al Arab. Monthly event (check ahead; not all months.)  Seattle. people.tribe.net/ba9bb38a-1189-4340-a3af-9bf9aa87d428

PORTLAND/VANCOUVER:

 Zaina hosts 2nd Thursdays Belly Dance Hafla at Pasha's in Portland,OR. zainahart.com

Belly Dancing and Live Music w/Arabesque at "It's a Beautiful Pizza" SE 34th and Belmont every Wed night in Portland.  http://www.tiffanybellydancing.com/

Zaina hosts monthly Hafla at Mint Tea (2nd Fri of month) Vancouver, WA ishimmy.com

2010 Events

SEPT 2010

Sept 4 Unmata Infusion- 2 shows: workshops. Seattle. www.DahliaDanceProductions.com

Sept 3-6 Miami Belly Dance Convention. Miami, FL www.miamibellydanceconvention.net/

Sept 5 Nizana, Troupe du Soleil & Yasmin at Tumbleweed Festival. Richland,WA

Sept 9-12, 2010 Las Vegas, NV. The Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival at the Flamingo Hotel 
& Casino. www.bellydanceintensive.com

Sept 10-13 21st Annual Belly Dance Retreat. Southern OR. jareeda.com/mezdulene_retreat.htm 

Sept 12 Drum Solo Workshop w/Sedona. Portland, OR sedonaraks.com

Sept 12 Skin Deep's Annual Open House. Seattle. skindeepdance.com

Sept 17-19 Zaina's Black Belt Belly Dance Intensive w/Angel Fire at Zaina's House of Dance. Vancouver, 
WA. zainahart.com

Sept 17-26 Professional ME Dance Training in Bali with Nigma. nigmabellydance.com

Sept 18 Desert Silk Dance Co performs at Peace Arts Festival. Spokane. nizana@att.net  

Sept 18 Totally Tribal Fest. Ottoman Trading Co. Bothell, WA ottomantradingco.com 

Sept 18 Shimmy Happens Halfa. Lakewood, WA. www.aleedra.com

Sept 18-19 Mira Betz- workshop & performance. Hood River/The Dalles, OR scarletthistlestudio.com

Sept 18-19 Desert Dance Festival w/Suzanna del Vecchio & Zahra Zuhair. Santa Clara, CA 
desertdancefestival.com

Sept 19 Drum workshop w/Faisal Zedan. Bothell, WA. ottomantradingco.com 

Sept 19 Savoir Faire presents Danse du Ventre- A Belly Dance Extravaganza. Hawthorne 
Theater Lounge. Portland, OR 
 
Sept 23-25 Beats Antique at Decible Festival. Seattle. beatsantique.com

Sept 24-27 Bay Point 13th Annual Arabian Nights at Sea Cruise. ArabianNightsatSea.com 

Sept 25 Mosaic: A Day of Music and Dance Featuring Brothers of the Baladi. Portland, OR 
www.baladi.com

Sept 26 Skin Deep presents J9 Fierce in workshop. Seattle. skindeepdance.com

OCT 2010

Oct 2-3 Redwood Coast Belly Dance Festival. Workshop w/Princess Farhana and more! Arcata, CA redwoodcoastbellydance.com

Oct 2-3 Layali Tarab XII. Workshop w/Magidah Said. Spokane. 509-535-7101

Oct 3 Cassandra in workshop. Seattle. zulaika@comcast.net

Oct 6-10 Oasis Dance Camp w/Cassandra & Ava Fleming. Vashon Island. oasisdancecamp.com

Oct 8-10 Tito in show/workshops. Redwood City, CA haladance.com

Oct 10 HOT w/Cassandra, Delilah & Ava Fleming! Seattle. houseoftarab.com

Oct 16 Sabah's Annual Halloween Hafla, workshop w/Zeeta. Dancers from all over Eastern WA represented including Desert Silk! Wenatchee. magiccitycostumes.com

Oct 16 Benefit show w/dance & drum workshops w/Saqra and Anton. Mt Vernon, WA asiyanourouz@yahoo.com for info brownpapertickets.com for show tickets

Oct 16 MEDGE Fall Festival. Spanish-Arabic workshop w/Elena Villa. Eugene, OR medge.com

Oct 16-17 Caroline Afifi of Egypt/UK in Vegas. leylaamir.com

Oct 16-18 Rakkasah East. New Jersey. rakkasah.com

Oct 23 Nizana teaches Intro to ME Dances workshop. 12-2 pm. Moses Lake, WA. To
register: mlrec.com 509-766-9240  For info nizana@att.net

Oct 23-24 Saqra presents Caroline Afifi of the UK. Seattle. saqra.net

Oct 28-31 Rakstar 2010. Gala Show, workshops, more!  Miami, FL rakstar2010.com

Oct 30 Spooktacular 2010 Workshop w/Rachel George, show, costume contest. Tacoma. halimasdesigns@msn.com

Oct 30-31 Amaya presents Jonh Compton. Albuquerque, NM wisewomandancer.com

Oct 31-Nov 13 Magical Mysteries of Turkey & Egypt Tour. turquioiseintl.om/tours.html

NOV 2010

Nov 4-7 Queen of the Nile Competition. Montreal, Canada. littleegypt.com

Nov 5-18 Zaina's Custom Tour to Egypt. www.zainahart.com

Nov 6-7 Linda Paoro of France in workshops. Las Vegas, NV. stardustbellydanceproductions.com

Nov 7-20 5 Star Cairo Tour w/Shareen el Safy. shareenelsafy.com

Nov 12-14 Saqra's Fall Showcase Festival. Hillsboro, OR saqra.net

Nov 19-21 Baltimore 2nd Annual Belly Dance Nationals Competition. Baltimore, MD.
bellydancenationals.com

DEC 2010 Merry Christmas! Kala Christouyenna! (Greek), Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad! (Farsi) Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah! (Iraqi)

Dec 11-20 Professional ME Dance Training in Bali with Nigma. nigmabellydance.com

Dec 17-19 Tribal Fusion Faire.San Luis Obispo, CA.  www.meddevi.com/tribalfusionfaire/

Dec 31 Saqra's Annual New Year's Eve Party. Kent, WA saqra.net

2011

JAN 2011

Jan 6-9 3rd Coast Tribal. Fort Worth, TX. www.3rdcoasttribal.us/

Jan 15-16 La Danse Orientale Competition. Tacoma. halimasdesigns@msn.com

Jan 23-30 Shimmy at Sea Cruise-Cozumel, Belize, Roatan. 1-800-725-3357

Jan 25-30 Delilah's Big Island Retreat, Hawaii featuring Ruby Beh. visionarydance.com 

FEB 2011

Feb 12-13 Karim Nagi & Ava Fleming. Las Vegas, NV. www.amirasbelly.com/karimava

Feb 19-20 Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition. bellydanceroftheuniverse.com

Feb 26-March 5 Tribal Massive and (3/3 Massive Spectacular). Las Vegas. thetribalmassive.com and the massivespectacular.com

MARCH 2011

March 7-13. Rakkasah (West) Richmond, CA  rakkasah.com

March 22-April 10th Delilah's Trip of a Lifetime to Egypt.visionarydance.com

March 31-April 3rd Tribal Dance Camp 2011 w/Michelle Manx & Kajira Djoumahna. Ingram, TX. tribaldancecamp2011.eventbrite.com

APRIL 2011

April 2 Mas-Uda presents their annual Candlelighter Fundraiser w/show and workshops w/Ruby!! Olympia, WA mas-uda.com

MAY 2011

May 13-15 25th Annual Powers of Belly Dance. Yakima, WA. 509-966-2365 thepowersofbellydancing@yahoo.com

May 20-22 Tribal Fest 11. Sebastopol, CA blacksheepbellydance.com

JULY 2011

July 16-17 24th Annual Mediterranean Fantasy Festival. Workshops TBA. Seattle. babylonianensemble.com

July 21-24 Wiggles of the West Belly Dance Competition. Las Vegas, NV. wigglesofthewest.com

AUGUST 2011

Aug 6-7 Carnival of Stars. Richmond, CA carnivalofstars.com

SEPT 2011

Sept 8-11 Las Vegas, NV. The Las Vegas Bellydance Intensive & Festival at the Flamingo Hotel 
& Casino. www.bellydanceintensive.com

2012

MAY 2012
May 2-6 International Belly Dance Conference of Canada. (Toronto) bellydanceconference.com

Bonus Section: This will be made up of Nizana's writings: mini- reviews and dance related articles! Check back for new additions! ALSO, check out Nizana's articles in The Belly Dancer Magazine at ishimmy.com

May not be reprinted without the author's permission, thank you.


Bonus Section May 2010
The 24th Annual Powers of Belly Dance Conference was held on May 14-16th in Yakima. Nizana and Phaedra Nicole were the workshop instructors and both got good feedback on their presentations. There was the usual Friday and Saturday night showcases, and Friday night is always live music with the Scabland Band. Nizana played with the band at the showcases as well as the fashion show and the luncheon. There was a great selection of vendors, with a fashion show to demonstrate their wares. There was a lovely array of performers both nights and everyone had the opportunity to dance to live music both nights at "open dance." Nizana and Richard ran the music table and Alwiyah emceed as usual, and the event closed out with a barter fair and breakfast gathering.

Bonus Section March 2010
The Desert Silk Dance Company performed a three routine set at the "Too Hot to Handle Hafla" that the Sultana's sponsored in Richland on March 6.  This annual halfa had lots and lots of dancers from all around and it was nice to get back down there to participate as it's been awhile! There were good vendors to shop at; troupes, duets and soloists to watch, and Unmata was the sponsored workshop instructors and performers. It was a nice set up and DSDC (NIzana, Zahra Zarifa, Anya and Cheryl) had fun in their flying skirts dancing with skirts, veils and finger cymbals.

Bonus Section Jun 2009
Nizana and Zahra represented Desert Silk Dance Co at a benefit June 13th in Spokane. Chapala's Restaurant and Eileen Frances hosted a benefit for the Indira Ghandi Children’s Hospital in Afghanistan. Fingerstyle guitarist and songwriter Seamus Kinsella played two sets of folk guitar music, all his own music. A Hawaaian musician and a couple other dancers were scheduled, but were unable to attend after all. Nicole opened the show in a really cute costume with a tribal fusion routine that included comedy, a scimitar and some mean back bends!  Nizana and Zahra performed a tribal fusion number and an alternative veil number in matching tietops, Nizana in purple and Zahra in emerald, with hip scarves and those really fun black "bell" pants (for lack of a better term.) Nah'Joom Dancers, with their arm-wings on, danced a couple of routines in velvety beledi dresses, and each with a different hip belt. Savannah was last up in a very cool tribal fusion costume, adding a very different flavor to the show. We were all happy to dance for a good cause!    

Bonus Section Feb 09 Preview!!!! Nizana will be presenting her first production in several years at the 700 seat Wallenstien Theater in Moses Lake, WA on March 28, '09. Nizana has chosen to deliver a formal two act theater production for the Moses Lake community, the first dance event outside of random performances in the area. Nizana is the only instructor in Moses Lake, teaching quarterly through their Parks and Rec Dept and thought it would be a great central location where the market is not over saturated. It is easily accessible from most areas in the state and not too long a drive to a nice little city! In this show, Nizana's theme is to present the variety of styles of Middle Eastern influenced dance styles as performed by dancers all around Eastern WA. There are a number of lovely dancers representing Spokane, Tri-Cities, Wenatchee, Seattle and Moses Lake. You will see a variety of American style belly dance numbers with several different props, American Folkloric Belly Dance numbers, and many different fusion routines! Nizana and Zahra of Desert Silk Dance Co, Alwiyah and Sabah Ensemble, Djimmah Karena and Troupe du Soleil, Amina, Shenteela and Nuwaar al-Sahraa, Kaela, Shaheena Safahri and Mirabai will dazzle you with wonderful and entertaining performances starting at 7 pm. (Doors open at 6:30) There will also be a door prize drawing. Tickets are only $10 at the door; $5 for ages 17/under and senior citizens. Lots of great hotels and restaurants in Moses Lake if you want to stay overnight. It will be a great show, join us!!! Contact Nizana if need more info or directions. nizana@att.net          

Bonus Section Nov 2008
Once again, Nizana and the Desert Silk Dance Co were part of the Spokane Fall Folk Festival, a two day event. This was the Folk Society's 13th annual event, and is a fabulous community weekend of dancing, music, arts, crafts, workshops, bake sale and vending. Over the weekend, 5 troupes from Spokane were represented, with many various styles. Nizana and Zahra represented DSDC in two sets together, as well as each doing a solo. Veils, skirts, finger cymbals and candles were all part of the set. Following DSDC's performance, Nizana, with the help of Zahra, taught her annual Intro to Belly Dance workshop, complete with handouts. There was great participation and it was a lot of fun. We'll be there again next year!  

Bonus Section Sept 2008
The last day (14th) of the Spokane Co Fair found a small contingent from Desert Silk Dance Company of Spokane and Troupe du Soleil of Tri-Cities putting on a 45 minute show. (Good things come in small packages!!) Nizana and Zahra represented DSDC, and Djimmah Karena represented TdS on this fine, sunny and warm late morning! They each did a costume change (two new costumes for DSDC!) and rotated sets that included veils, skirts, finger cymbals and a tambourine.There were a variety of dance styles and music represented as well, including classic belly dance, American style cabaret and belly dance fusion. A fun time was had by all!    

Bonus Section July 2008
Just returned from the 21st Annual Mediterranean Fantasy Festival in Seattle, and a sunny warm weekend was had by all! The Babs did it again, a two-stage venture with dancers from all over, LOTS of vendors, some musicians, and so much more. This outdoor festival is one never to miss, and for good reason. Sunshine, (usually) seeing so many dance friends and making new ones, yummy food treats, shopping where you can find just about anything you could possbily need or want, and an opportunity to perform and watch others perform. Nizana performed her solo on Saturday after helping set up the MEAI booth, for whom she volunteers. MEAI sponsors fabulous performers and events, and is bringing Yousry Sharif on Oct 4th. Got Medfest on my calendar for next year!     

Bonus Section June 2008
Ye Merrie Greenwood's annual event took place again at Howard Amon Park along the river (which many found themselves dipping in due to 105 degree weather!) in Richland on June 28-29th. Nizana was there to emcee and drum for Troupe du Soleil. The "Middle Eastern Washington Scabland Band" was the musical accompaniment to the troupe for their 3 sets each day. The band was comprised of "members" from Wenatchee, Spokane and the Tri-Cities. What a hoot! Despite the roasting temperature (I'll take it, I don't like winter!!) and the police overenforcing the lack of parking, everyone put on a heck of a show, whether dancer or musician. The two other regular festival troupes, Sultana Dancers and Greenwood Gypsies, also performed to their bands (requirement is music must be live, not canned) in their pavilions. Magic City Costumes was again among the varied vendors, most of which, but not all, were selling Ren Fairre items. (I found some nice lavender sachets there!) People watching was sure interesting, what with Ren Fairre costumes, belly dance costumes, fantasy costumes, and other assorted styles of dress. Looking forward to next year!    

Bonus Section May 2008
The 22nd Annual Powers of Belly Dance Conference took place in its usual venue in Yakima the weekend of May 16-18. Instructors were Fatima al Wahid and Sidonia om Dunia, both who have taught at Powers before. Fatima is a regular vendor, and the other wonderful regular vendors were there as well. The format was the same, with a Friday night showcase.  Sat morning started out with the fashion show, followed by a workshop by Fatima, teaching some fun new energetic combinations. Lunch, with raffle prizes and live music by the Scabland Band is always a treat. General assembly was next, to let food settle and talk about a pre-chosen topic. This year was discussing the "Shifting Sands of Time." Many "old timers" were missing, and the flavor of the conversation just wasn't the same for me, but there were a lot of good points made by some of the other "old timers." And I mean no disrespect by saying "old timers" at all, I mean it with all due respect as they have the wisdom and the history and the valuable input that is unknown to or being forgotten by so many newcomers. Sidonia's workshop was next up before dinner break, and she taught Turkish combinations and movements. Saturday showcase featuring Fatima and Sidonia then closed out the Saturday activities. Both showcases had a variety of dancing, but interestingly, there was no Tribal fusion in either show. Sunday morning was the breakfast and last of the shopping, and goodbyes till next year!              

Bonus Section April '08
On April 12th, Nadiyahs, Leonardo's Coffee (where the event was held) and the Porsche Club sponsored a fundraiser for Parizadah, a Hasna Haddiyah member battling cancer. While the lineup changed from who was listed on the flyer, there were a good number of dancers from around the area who came to dance for the cause. The coffee drinks were good, too! Opening the show was Nizana, in a sparkly red and black dress, and black sheer veil, dancing to a lively remix number. Delilah Ra performed a "snake" dance with a big stuffed snake partner, and did some great floorwork shimmies! Khamara showed off some new moves she learned while she was on a trip to Turkey in one of her solos, while the other solo was more stylistic and interpretive.  Janine danced an Egyptian number in cabaret costume, followed by Amina, also performing and styled in Egyptian cabaret. Adara danced to a great version of "Pretty Woman" in a gold sparkly beledi dress and blue veil. Nadiyah and Sha-Mal performed a Shamadan duet, which added a nice flavor to the show lineup. Sha-Mal also danced a cabaret solo with the coolest tambourine her son found for her in California. Nadiyah performed a saucy solo in a fitted hot pink beledi dress with red sparkly veil (lots of sparkle tonight...) Laura performed for the first time ever after dancing only a few months, and she has the shimmies down! Nefabit closed the show with a cabaret solo that had lots of undulations,and some flutters, and was a really cool tune. She got the audience and dancers up to dance for the last minute. I think everyone had a great time, and I also think with the tips and donations, that Parizadah is able to get some help with her medical bills.Very nice that some of the Spokane community came together for such a good cause!            

Bonus Section September '07
This year at the annual Spokane Co Fair, Desert Silk Dance Company invited sister troupe, Troupe du Soleil, from the Tri-Cities to join them! Together, they put on a solid and entertaining one hour show. Host group DSDC opened the show with a set that included American cabaret w/veils, a tribal fusion number and an alternative veil number. The first routine was done with sheer veils that matched their skirt trim, and for the alt veil number, they used silk veils that matched their skirt trim. They wore black tribal trim skirts, black tie tops, and shell bra, belt and accessories. Alwiyah choreographed the first routine, and Nizana the 2nd and 3rd. Next up was Troupe du Soleil, looking lovely in white skirts with color fringe, hip scarves and coin bras. That set included a solo Raks Assaya by Troupe Director, Djimmah Karena, a veil number and a drum solo. DSDC came back out with a set that included a partial costume change, and played zils for their opening and closing numbers, and in between were a slow chifitelli and a drum solo. TdS came back out with another set that included finger cymbals and a partial costume change with bright summery skirt colors. DSDC came back one more time with a set that included an alternative Latin-Fusion number and a veil number and another costume change of full sari skirts and matching cholis. This also included another change of veils to match the skirts. Then, together on stage, both troupes performed their own versions, side by side,of Tafta Hindi to close out the show, and the audience was delighted! What a great effort by two wonderful troupes!
       
Bonus Section July 07
On June 30 and July 1, Ye Merry Greenwood Festival took place in Richland,Wa in the sunny outdoors by the river, a lovely setting for a Renaissance Festival! There were the three regular troupes on hand: Troupe du Soleil, Greenwood Gypsies and the Sultana Dancers. My sister dancer, Djimmah Karena, performs with both Troupe du Soleil which she directs, and the Gypsies, and does a lovely job in both. All three troupes, as per the requirement of the organizers, played to live music. Yours truly was in Band du Soleil for Troupe du Soleil, and had a blast. I like to drum now and then and see the performances and the audience from a different perspective. Each troupe did three sets each day, and I watched all three troupes at one time or another. Each had a different look, and different styles of routines. Each drew a good sized crowd, and each had good band members to back them up. It was a lot of fun and Magic City Costumes was there amongst the Renaissance vendors, and seemed to be doing good business! This was my second venture to this event, and I look forward to next year!

Bonus Section May 07
Nizana and Adara attended the 21st Annual Powers of Belly Dance Conference in Yakima the weekend of May 18th-20th. Nizana has been co-managing the music and stage for the last few years there, and has been performing and attending the conference for the majority of the years the Conference has been running. The Powers even placed Nizana in the program under "Conference Team Members," which was really cool. Both Nizana and Adara performed solos; Nizana live to Scabland Band. There were many other lovely performers, and good vendors, and I hit Halima's twice for veil specials I couldn't resist! The workshop instructors were Melanie Powers teaching hip and shimmy work, and Sidonia om Dunia, teaching Egyptian stylings and combinations. Both were very good workshops, but this is the first time I studied with the fabulous Sidonia, and was so glad I did! The 2008 Powers Conference is the 16th-18th of May at the long running same location, and the hotel/restaurant property changed hands/brands again this year, but with some noted improvements. Had a really good time, bonded with some dance sisters, and am looking forward to next year!      

Bonus Section November '06
It is fabulous that there are Folk Festivals around such as the annual events in Spokane and Seattle, as it allows the public to have a chance to see cultural performances all in one place that they didn't even know existed! It also gives those a chance who are "in on it" to get to support each other and/or perform as well.  These events are often free (donations accepted) to the public, with the performers, musicians and artists giving of their time so that others can be exposed to these wonderful art forms. It is a supportive and festive atmosphere, usually run by many volunteers. At the Spokane festival, of which Nizana and Desert Silk Dance Company have been a part of for several years, it has grown bigger each year, always with a great variety of art forms. There are crafts for the kids, a bake sale, and multi-track events going on everywhere. There are workshops (Nizana has taught Intro to Belly Dance there for many years) and all sorts of dancing! Middle Eastern Dance was well represented as interest in this genre has grown quite a bit in the area along with everywhere else! Support your local festival and the arts!

Bonus Section Sept 06
There are tons of dance events happening this fall for you to attend or participate in on a local and regional level. There are several different styles of Middle Eastern dance, from authentic to fusion. It is important to match the music and the costuming with the style of dance, and to always dance with integrity and respect for the culture or cultures. So when you go out to watch or learn, be sure who you choose as an instructor or role model knows about posture, technique, culture, dance etiquette, and everything else that goes along with these styles of dance, and you will be better off when you begin to dance! There is so much to learn and so much fun to be had!

Bonus Section Aug 06
Nizana and Anya, Desert Silk Duet, were the highlight of the show in Spokane at CenterStage with the Brothers of the Baladi! A band member, and audience members were very complimentary of the routine choreographed by Nizana to Dere Dere that they performed to close out the first set. Nizana also performed a solo to a medley of Ma Zamir and Bir Demet Yasemin in the second set. Nah'Joom Dancers performed a routine in each set of the show as well. The Brothers played a great couple of sets of music!

Bonus Section July 06

Review of Mediterranean Fantasy Festival (aka Medfest)

Just got back from West Seattle from the 19th Annual "Babsfest," an event I have attended for many, many years. This year, Tina Sargent & MEAI sponsored the fabulous Maleeha for the accompanying workshops, tieing it in to the "Maleeha Seattle Summer Series." I was able to attend the Fri night workshop, and having studied with Maleeha several times before, knew I would enjoy "Conceal & Reveal" with the veil. The class also included technique, footwork, tips for making movement look better, and drills to the music. (And of course, a little history, which I really appreciate.) I always get a lot out of her classes to enhance my dance.

Medfest got so big they had to add a second (indoor) stage this year. Nizana performed her solo there, a veil piece to "Jemilleh" by Pangia, followed by a drum solo. Desert Silk Dance Co performed a Turkish  kashlama inspired set choreographed by Nizana on the main stage later that day. There were some really great performances (I always enjoy watching Tribal Infusion,) and audiences were attentive at both stages! There were lots of vendors carrying all sorts of treasures and services (but I really missed my ankle henna tattoo from Aleedra this year!) The weather cooperated wonderfully, and there were lots of familiar and new faces. I think a great time was had by all, thanks Saroya, Circe, Sian, Charanni, Ken, etc!!!         

Review of BDSS Show and Workshop-(Spokane, March '06) by Nizana

    Bozenka, of the Belly Dance Superstars, taught a workshop to accompany the Raqs Carnivale tour while in Spokane. The majority of the troupe and I attended Bozenka's workshop the next day following the show on March 24th, 2006, and thoroughly enjoyed both.  Bozenka is a lovely, expert instructor and performer. While the flyer indicated she would teach shimmies, locks, and hip techniques for drum solos to help you unlock your dance personality, that wasn't the sole concentration. The emphasis was more on refining technique, layering and a some very useful combos. Bozenka's instruction was very clear and easy to follow, and I thought this was one of the best workshops I have attended. She addressed different levels of learning with ease. I actually walked away with things that I can use, and actually remember!   

    Now, at first, I was disappointed that many of the dancers had changed in the lineup. Not to worry!!! There were some of the same wonderful performers from the last tour, and some wonderful new ones!  I know I've been a big Jillina fan ever since I saw her and her troupe at the International Conference in Costa Mesa, but again, Jillina, her choreographies, her dancing, and her personality was outstanding!! A really special person was chosen to be the main choreographer and artistic director in Jillina. One thing I remember reading about Jillina a long time ago is that she has studied many different dance forms, and expected her troupe members to have done the same. It is evident that she has other dance forms under her belt that blend beautifully with Middle Eastern dance, and did so in Raqs Carnivale. I think this was especially effective for the American audience.

    I saw a recent dancer online conversation about when is fusion and blending of different disciplines and all too much. When it is done tastefully, and with beauty, grace, energy, and passion, in my opinion, then be as creative as you want. I may not always care for it, but I believe the creativity, when well done, can be very exciting, and unique.  Explain it for what it is and present it in the right forums, maintain respect for the cultures, and keep an open mind to other styles besides your own. Having said that, yes, for the purists, there were not any folkloric pieces to speak of. Yes, there were gymnastics, a Polynesian number, some hip hop combinations, and some East Indian and ballet moves in this event.  Yes, the Spokane venue did not sell the tickets it should have, and the lighting was too dark. However, this was a highly enjoyable and entertaining event. I could barely contain myself in my seat on some of the presentations. My eyes were glued to the stage, as were most everyone's around me the entire time, and the BDSS earned a standing ovation at the end of the show. It was dazzling; the costumes, the transitions, the interaction between dancers and drummer, between dancers and dancers.

    Ok, as for things I might've liked better, I heard we missed the Assistant Director's (Stevie) dancing on stilts as the stage at the Met would not accommodate that. That would have added to what I thought could have been more play on the theme Raks Carnivale. The Tribal Flamenco costumes didn't do much for me, and I would like to see other tribal styles represented. I also would like to see a little folkloric representation, which can be done on the big stage for an American audience. I know that dancers had to do some really quick changes right off the wings, which, as a dancer, I know is not optimum.            

    Some of the things I appreciated most included Jillina's drum solo, playing off of master percussionist Issam Houshan, which was really cute, and she danced ON A DUMBEK!!!! Ok, I've seen dancing on goblets, but this was so cool! And then Petite Jamila danced with DOUBLE double veil, something I hadn't come across in many years of watching dance. Adora's somersault with the veil flip was incredible as were the shimmying undulations they all did! I absolutely adored the use of the different dancers coming in and out and changing soloists or groups of dancers during group numbers. It was very smooth, and dramatic, and while some of the costumes were not some of my favorite colors (orange, yellows, greens), these were absolutely fabulous looking, and went well with what they were doing. The blue group costumes they started the show with were particularly stunning, as were, well, almost all of the costumes for Egyptian, American Belly Dance and Tribal were awesome! Then of course, I was really impressed to see, again, the dancers taking part in the band, especially when they put band costumes as opposed to dance costumes on. Ok, yes, I really enjoyed the show, and again, the workshop, so am glad the BDSS's came through town once more!!           


More Performance Preparation by Nizana

    In addition to checking your packing list for costumes, accessories, props, jewelry, makeup, water, etc, there is also ensuring labeled, cued music (with backup music), and all kinds of other things to get ready for a performance.

    Right before a performance, there is double checking everything to be sure you are all in place. Is everything straight, are undergarments showing, or is your eyeliner smudged? If you're in a troupe, you can do an "everybody check everybody" before show time. You can use the mirrors, and ask other dancers, but be aware, it's your responsibility to make sure everything is ready to go as they are also busy and may overlook something. You can also make sure you give yourself enough time to get ready, to set up your little dressing space, and get things together with time to spare. Sometimes you may be asked to go on early, so it's helpful to be prepared in advance, also making you appear all the more professional.

    Then, there's a quick warm up of stretching and/or grounding exercises. Get a good warm up in if you can, and if you know ahead of time that there's no time or space, try to do a good one prior to going to the event, and do a quickie one before your performance. Some good leg stretches, ankle, wrist and shoulder rolls, and some finger stretches can all be done in a small space. Be sure to do some deep breathing to get your oxygen running through your blood stream for more energy.         

    Then, in advance of a performance is practice!!! Lots of concentrated practice on technique, presentation and routine is necessary. Ensuring your costuming, music and dance movements are in sync with the style is also important. Knowing about use of the stage, entrances and exits, and dance etiquette are also topics you should be very familiar with.

    And are you taking care of yourself as well? Dancing is good exercise, which is one way to take care of yourself. Another is to eat healthy foods, drink enough water, and practice wellness.  Are you managing your stress? Are you deep breathing and finding time to relax? Are you having fun as you deal with the rigors of life? Balance in life is important, and dance helps provide that balance. So take care of yourself, be prepared, and keep dancing!

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