Christina “Tinah” Silva

Christina’s lifelong love affair with dance began when she set foot into her first dance class at the age of 21. It was an adult ballet class through Victor Valley College. During the semester Christina meet a woman who worked for a singing and dancing telegram agency performing strip and bellydance grams. One day the woman arrived, late to class, in full bellydance costume apologizing she had just finished a “gram”. The woman was covered in body glitter; her costume was a peacock motif. Christina was intrigued. Soon after befriending the woman Christina began working for the same agency. Christina then spent the few years working for multiple agencies performing what she called the “Gypsy Rose Lee”. Eventually Christina quit her day job and began working full time in major strip clubs throughout the Inland Empire, from Victorville to Palm Springs. Christina career as a stripper culminated when she was head hunted by Dixie Evans to compete in Miss Exotic World. Christina went on to be the 1st runner up Miss Exotic World 1991. She lost to a porn star but beat out a transsexual. After retiring from striptease Christina explored her interest in bellydance. For years Christina took primarily Egyptian styled bellydance lesson with many well-known instructors throughout Los Angeles. At one time Christina became involved in bellydance event organizing culminating as President of Desert Communities Chapter of MECDA (Middle Eastern Culture and Dance Association). Individually Christina successfully produced the bellydance showcase Hipquake. Christina has performed in numerous bellydance showcases, conventions, competitions most notably Café Beledy. Christina has taught Egyptian styled bellydance through the cities of Hesperia and Apple Valley and also dance studios around the desert. During that time Christina revived her stripper persona and appeared in “Burlesque” at the High Desert Theater. Currently Christina is pursuing a Fine Arts degree through the Victor Valley College.

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Articles on Gilded Serpent by Tinah

8-8-13 The Fez All-star Fundaraising Show, Supporting Roxxanne's Documentary by Chrisinta "Tinah" Silva
Located on Sunset Boulevard in legendary Hollywood, The Fez was the first Arabic night club in Los Angeles. During its heyday, The Fez was a popular haunt of celebrities. Jayne Mansfield, Richard Boone, Danny Thomas were just a few who enjoyed the exotic ambience, and most of all, the beautiful belly dancers accompanied by Arabic music.
7-3-13 A Carousel of Challenges, Bellydancing at the County Fair by Tinah Silva
Using correct terminology is important; belly dancers are community performers who are requesting to perform on a community stage.