The Gilded Serpent presents...
Mark Balahadia
Mark is a professional male belly dancer (el raqs el sharqi) based in the New York City Metro area. He has performed throughout the United States and has traveled to Lebanon to research dance.
Some of Mark's career highlights include performing for Kuwaiti Princess Karima, top Egyptian dancer Dina, and Fifi Abdo - he alsoperformed with her as her "argileh boy". Mark is well known for his Classical Lebanese/Egyptian style, based on the dance styles of the late Badia Masabni, Samia Gamal, Tahia Carioca, Naima Akef and others from the Golden Era of Egyptian cinema during the 1940s and 50s.
He has also been influenced by more recent stars in belly dance in Egypt, Lebanon, and Turkey like Nadia Jamal and Nelly. He credits Artemis, his first dance teacher for helping him get to where he is today along with Suha Deeb, a Lebanese dancer and teacher, for being a constant source of support and inspiration. Mark also specializes in other dances of the Middle East, including Rags Khaleeji from the Arabian Gulf, Iraqi dance and Dabke, a Levantine Arab folkloric line dance
Web site: markbalahadia.com
Articles on Gilded Serpent by or about Mark Balahadia
- 9-13-10 Visit Beirut! A Clean and Safe City with Fun Loving People
However, it was now finally peaceful in Beirut this year. The Lebanese resiliency and ability to rebound from crises is what encourages many of its citizens to live life to the fullest extent, and this passion is what lures tourists and expatriates every year. - 4-2008 Gigbag Check with Mark backstage at IBCC
- 10-4-04 Folktour's 2nd Annual Music and Dance Camp
Pennsylvania, May 2004, Dancers and musicians all over the East Coast (and abroad) came to participate in the four-day oriental dance and music camp.
