The Gilded Serpent presents...

Stasha

Joyfully dancing and teaching with over thirty years experience in Middle Eastern dance, I have been the lead dancer in a traditional folkloric company, and I also perform modern cabaret styling in various American Middle Eastern supper clubs (featured dancer at San Francisco's "El Mansour" Moroccan restaurant for the last 15 years!). I've happily enlivened a wide variety of weddings and special occasions, and I'm rated "G", fun for the whole family. I've been the featured performer at several of London's Middle Eastern restaurants, traveled America with a Middle Eastern Revue, and was featured in the encore with the British rock group "Queen" before an audience of 16,000. I've had the opportunity to research, perform and enjoy the dance firsthand in North Africa and the Middle East. I've even shimmied on the silver screen in Warner Brother's "The Pirate". Watch for me in another Warner Brothers production "Matrix: Reloaded".

Cultural Understanding as a Step Towards World Peace was the topic of my recent lecture/dance experience at California's San Francisco State and Stanford Universities. I also offer this educational outreach program to elementary institutions, youth groups and at trans-personal retreats. Coming to understand another culture's art is an easy first step towards understanding another culture.

The Harem Fantasy is my group of student performers. Representing my advanced students, they've delightfully enlivened art galleries and society galas.

Published in three volumes, Adventures in Belly Dance Costuming are my comprehensive manuals of Middle Eastern Costuming. From basics to specifics, I simply and clearly explain (and demonstrate in the lecture series) how you can create "perfect fit" costuming that is beautiful, comfortable, durable and reflective of your own artistic expression.

Web site: www.stashamania.com

Articles on Gilded Serpent by or about Stasha

11-2-11 Radio Bastet, Where the Hafla Never Stops! An Interview with Its Creator, Marisa Young by Stasha
Here’s one thing that is very frustrating: finding out that you have two or three copies of the exact same record, released on different labels, with different artists names, different track names and arrangements, and different covers!
7-5-11 Becoming the Object of Your Own Fantasy, "Perfumes of Araby" in the 1970s, Part 1 by Stasha Vlasuk
The Belly dance scene in 1970s Los Angeles: It is difficult to spotlight succinctly even one portion of a vibrant, vast and quickly growing community of Middle Eastern dancers, their enthusiasts, and the ethnic communities, musicians, festivals and supper clubs that supported the dance arts. The abundance of inspiration in that era was almost beyond understanding; yet once upon a time before the Internet, music, imagery and information was less readily available.
8-8-11 Becoming the Object of Your Own Fantasy, "Perfumes of Araby" in the 1970s, Part 2 by Stasha Vlasuk
We are packed tightly shoulder to shoulder, impulsing to the dramatic beat with great solidarity: traditional hand gestures, chest drops, all very serious and trance like. This mood was broken however by a guy at the back of the 200 plus audience, who stood on his chair, raised his beer glass and shouted "The one in the yellooooow…." then actually fell completely backwards like a tree that had just been cut! I hope he was OK!
9-15-11 Becoming the Object of Your Own Fantasy, Diane Webber and the Perfumes of Araby in the 1970s, Part 3: by Stasha Vlasuk
In an almost archetypal will to power, Diane encouraged us to utilize our costuming – and our dance – as a way to search out and expand our own unique spirit, fantasy and physique, something I try to continue with my students today: become the object of your own fantasy.
11-17-10 We Will Rak You! My Dance Experience with Queen by Stasha Vlasuk
I'll admit I wasn't too familiar with the music of the British rock group Queen. The year was 1977, the month of December, in Los Angeles. I was invited to perform at a dinner party where Queen, in Los Angeles for several concerts, was the guest of honor. The job came to me through Dianne Webber.
10-9-08 A Big Picture Book Review: Martha Burns' "Belly Dance, Celebrating the Sacred Feminine" Reviewed by Stasha
Every page is a work of art, a truly astonishing array of images. The content is very inclusive and features all age ranges, body types and styles. You will see yourself, your best self, in these pages.
12-3-02 “Adventures In Belly Dance Costuming” by Stasha Vlasuk, Vol 1 book review by Robin Alnisa Wood
This is a good book for both sewing veterans and beginners alike.